September is upon us in just a few days!
That brings us into the last quarter of the year. Which means there are still four months to make all those 2016 resolutions come true!
Why not get a head start on them (and your planner goals) with our specially designed 2016 September Printable?
Download here.
P.s Don't forget to use #TN5Cprintable on Instagram to show us your amazing creations!
We're extremely excited to be launching our first subscription box for October. We've been working on this for awhile now and are excited to be sharing our love for the Traveler's Notebook by producing this box.
At The Number 5 Co, we want to see your papered dreams take flight. So where better to turn to for our first collection than the moon? The celestial orb in the night sky that bathes us in both shadow and light. The sun might be the giver of life but it is the moon the poets wax lyrical about. There is nothing more romantic than a moonlit stroll or perhaps a kiss in the dark to which only the moon plays witness. It is little wonder it also provides the most enchanting answer to the question, ‘How much do you love me’?
This box includes 4 sheets of stickers in 3 designs, A handmade insert for either the regular or passport sized Traveler's Notebook, a folder for your notebook (We use ours to keep receipts or other material that we're saving for future journaling), a wire notebook clip (random colour), an envelope for you to keep loose stickers or namecards and it all comes in a TN sized hand printed drawstring bag.
We love this box and we hope you do too!
Shop this box at our store or sign up for a subscription here.
Do note, the preorder ends on the 10th September!
There are many ways to print photos for your planner/journal/travelers notebook. From buying dedicated printers like the fuji instax SP and the Canon Selphy to taking your photos to your local print shop or buying your own photo paper to print at home, they all have their pros and cons but my favourite way to add a photo to my weekly layout without adding overall bulk to the notebook are these pre cut printer friendly sticker sheets from Labelyasan (House of Labels).
The stickers come in 2 versions, high resolution and diary/planner. I use the diary/planner version exclusively because they come in a variety of sizes and shapes that fit into most planner formats so it's convenient.
Each pack comes with 5 sheets of pre cut stickers, an instruction sheet for the software, instructions for printer settings and a test sheet (non sticker). The software is downloadable from the website but there's also a web interface and a free iphone app (unfortunately, your printer will need to be airprint compatible to use the app).
Unfortunately, all the software is in Japanese only but the iphone app is the easiest to use out of the 3 (If you'd like to see an english user guide, please comment below and let me know!)
I usually do basic editing and slap a filter on the photos before I open the app. In the app, you pick which product you use, you can also perform a search using the product code on your sticker pack. It then takes you into a template, pick you photos and do basic editing like picking the cut area, rotating and copy/paste. (note: you should allow for some allowance on the edges, this makes sure that you photos are printed edge to edge).
Watch the official video from AOne on how the app works.
After you've finished setting up your sheet, connect to your airprint enabled printer and send to print! If it's your first time, I recommend using the test sheet that's been included so you won't waste any of your sticker paper). The print quality of these are similar to using a home printer and photo paper but on a smaller scale.
I personally prefer the print quality of these stickers over the LG photo printer, which also has sticker paper sheets, albeit uncut. Where can you get these? We're working on putting these in the store, so watch this space!
Pros:
Cons:
Japanese fashion brand Cecil McBee has teamed up with PILOT Hi-Tec Coleto to produce a limited collection. Collaborations are not uncommon for the stationery brand but this is one of the first times Cecil McBee has collaborated with them. The brand is targeted at young female tweens and the collection with PILOT is very much similar.
The collection consists of 2 premium pens [pictured here] , refill set and 6 other more basic pen cases. [one of which is pictured above]
The refill set is in a limited edition case and each refill also features a pair of hearts [you can buy the refills separately too.
Side note: Part of the basic collection, you can also purchase refills which is a mechanical pencil and eraser. Makes your multi pen so much more handy!
This was my haul from the store recently.
Have you bought anything new recently? Are you looking out for this collection too?
Omigosh! Is it August already? The year always seems to go so much faster after June, wouldn't you agree?
Our August printable is summery and pink. Just the pick me up you'll need to make it to September. Download here. Don't forget to use #TN5Cprintable on Instagram to show us your amazing creations!
One of the most popular chain stores in Japan, LOFT has quite an amazing selection of stationery. There is always something new!
Here are the latest sightings (July 2016)
Kokuyo has launched a limited edition series of their ever popular dotliner range featuring some super cute aquatic themed animals!
Not to be outdone, norino has collaborated with disney for a princess themed limited edition collection.
Disney is clearly ever popular in Japan. Especially the princesses. Style fit from uni has some new limited edition princess cases as well for their multi pens.
Finally, not something princess related or limited edition, the Pilot Fude-Makase Color Brush Pen (which I love and reviewed before) has launched a fine tip version. Its a little thicker than their usual ultra fine tip. A fantastic addition to anyone's collection.
SARASA from Zebra is doing a limited edition [yes we have a lot of LEs in Japan] collaboration with Fujiya (chain of cake and sweets stores in Japan). The offerings are "delicious" to say the least.
One more limited edition collection to wrap up this post. This time from PILOT's Hi-TEC-C Coleto range. The brand they have worked with? Cecil McBee. A Japanese female fashion brand popular amongst teens and adults alike. Needless to say the collection is girly feminine yet classy at the same time. Due to the brand's popularity, this particular collection is selling out fast!
Hope you enjoyed this little peek!
Are you one to collect limited edition items? Or are you more keen to buy something when its limited edition? Did anything here catch your eye? Tell us all about it!
It's another fiveday! and this week, we're looking at essentials. I use a pair of scissors everyday, in the kitchen, in my studio, everywhere and all the time. I can't live without a pair and it's only been brought to my attention recently that there are some really amazing ones out there. These are the 5 that I like:
1. Raymay Swingcut Scissors: This pair topped a Japanese magazine's list of best scissors late last year and The Coffee Drinker swears by them so of course I had to pick up a pair. Interesting looks aside, it's extremely smooth to use and slices through paper like butter, an everyday staple for sure.
2. Fiskars Moomin Scissors: The only pair on my list that are not Japanese designed. I have to admit, I bought these purely for the Moomin design but Fiskars is well known for their craft and garden products and the bright red makes them easy to spot plus the big handle makes it easy to grip so they get a thumbs up from me.
3. Plus Fit Cut Curve Premium Titanium: Yes, that's a long name and yes, the Fit Cut comes in a few different types, this is my favourite rendition and again yes, I own a few pairs of Fit Cut scissors (including number 5 on this list). These scissors are well priced and the best multi purpose scissors ever. If you can't decide, get these, these also come in a kitchen version.
4. Sun Star Stickyle Scissors: This was the first pair of 'pocket' scissors I ever bought, I've kept them in my pencil case all the time but I find that they do dull quite quickly so I've already gone through a few pairs. These come in a assortment of adorable colours and patterns so will appeal to children and those who like cute things (like me!).
5. Plus Fit Cut Curve Twiggy: I've saved the best for last. The pocket version of the Fit Cut series, this pair has replaced the Stickyle scissors in my kit, I find them to be of the same quality as the full sized scissors and are better designed as they don't spring open when you take the cap off.
There you have it, scissors for every home/craft life situation. Enjoy!
There has been a bit of buzz about the MUJI Saran Wrap Container lately. Not for its amazing ability to hold a roll of Saran Wrap [or aluminium foil] but something a lot more closer to my heart.
MASKING TAPE!
The case is beautiful in its simplicity yet sturdy enough to stack or carry on the go.
There is even a built in sharp edge [originally for the saran wrap] which you can use to tear your masking tape with.
It comes in two sizes. I purchased the smaller one which is pictured above.
Cost: About 400yen + tax in Japan.
Also good for small rolls of wrapping paper! And...I suppose saran wrap...
Word to the wise: Not all masking tapes will fit in it but I am sure you will find some that will.
Or you could just buy more....#justsaying
The Number 5 Co.'s first printable is here! These date/day tags for the month of July are our new favourite thing to put in regular TN inserts. Print, cut and glue (or use some sticker paper).
Download here.
Tag us #TN5Cprintable on Instagram to show us how you use it! We'd love to know!
And don't forget to follow us on Instagram or Facebook to get the next one.
I love going to a Daiso store, they don't always carry the same things and products are not always repeated, which makes shopping there like a little treasure hunt sometimes.
These are the gems I found for any notebook enthusiast:
I'll be featuring and using some of these items in my planner and putting it on our instagram this whole week. Don't forget to follow us!
A while back, I did a post on the top five brush pens I loved and recently I found more to add to the list. I actually chanced upon these in an obscure 100yen shop here in Japan. At 100yen for three pens, I figured I had little to lose.
They came in two sets and I purchased both of them.
The red set contained staple colors like green, red and blue.
The pink set contained more feminine colors such as orange, pink and light blue.
These pens are actually made in Japan.
So how do they fare? Extremely well actually. It does not seep through some notebooks with thinner paper like the Pentel Sign pens do which makes these excellent for usage with many types of paper. The actual look to the pen is rather plain but I don't mind it at all. And lets be honest, at that price, we can't ask for more.
Low priced and works beautifully.
Have you come by any good buys recently?
Multi Pens are a great way to carry around more colours without adding too many pens in your kit.
These are a few that I have in mine:
I hope you find this list helpful and if you know of any other cool multi pens, we'd love to hear about them in the comments!
To celebrate the 10th year of the Travelers’ notebook, the brand has released a special miniature version of their beloved notebook. They come in 3 different colors [like the full sized ones] and each is contained in its own specially made tin can.
I purchased the Red Tin which contains a miniature brown leather notebook. It is encased in a paper “box” and wrapped up just like the full sized version. A miniature charm is also included alongside a set of papers which you can use to make your own refills for the notebook.
A sheet of stickers and a postcard to join their contest [runs till April 2017] is included.
This is certainly one for the collectors and die hard fanatics of the Traveler’s notebook.
Learn more at the official website.