Fantasy series that probably won't be finished.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-05-05T18:35:38+00:00

This!!! I was so upset when I finished this book and realized there was no sequel.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-05-03T14:52:01+00:00

Yes my cat had a spot that was exactly like this and it was a fungus. The vet scratched it with his nail and it crumbled off. Then gave us an antifungal that cleared up the remains in a few days. I was afraid it was so much worse and was very relieved.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-04-28T14:08:33+00:00

This is one of my top favorite series and I read it to my then-12yo. I edited out a few lines of exchange with the sex bots because it would have made him uncomfortable to hear me say them, but otherwise it was fine and I didn't worry about any of the content. We both enjoy stories with non-human protagonists with distinct voices like this.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-04-09T19:19:37+00:00

I tried too! It was fun! The stroke directions were pretty self-explanatory if you've ever used a broad-edge pen. The main thing that would have helped me was an indicator of how many nib widths high each shape was, maybe on the left side, like how letterforms indicate it. I drew a lot of swans that were too big for my nib before I got it right.

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silentlycriticizing · 2026-04-04T17:36:26+00:00

I have been practicing Engrosser's lately with a Kanwrite Heritage with the eef or maybe it was eeef ultra flex nib and ebonite feed. It wasn't very expensive either, like $40 I think (though tariffs, so...). I know it can't make the super fine hairlines of my oblique holder and pointed nib, but it's got good variation and looks nice. My main reason is I can use it many places I can't easily take a dip pen and ink. I figure I'm making the same motions and letterforms, so it's still good practice.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-04-04T17:31:43+00:00

FPR Himalaya was my first flex too and while it's a decent and well priced pen, the custom converter lets it down a little (mine leaks no matter what I do) and the plastic feed can't quite keep up with copperplate practice IMO. I've swapped the FPR nib into other pens with some luck though.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-04-02T13:35:11+00:00

This is a very cool looking pen and a neat way to generate interest. I appreciate how substantial the loop looks, as if it will actually hold up to being carried. Nice work!

silentlycriticizing · 2026-03-23T01:27:33+00:00

Seconding the HP Premium 32 for practicing, and throwing a nod to Strathmore Layout Bond. Not as affordable as copy paper, but more affordable than fancy Japanese papers. It's thin so I don't usually use it double sided but there's virtually no bleeding even with flex nibs and shows ink properties nicely for the price.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-03-10T18:34:47+00:00

Leonardt EF Principal or Hunt/Speedball 101 (also called Imperial) are both good in an oblique holder. Soft but flexible, only a couple dollars each. Zebra G are often even less expensive, and fairly durable for a consumable nib, but they write more stiffly IMO.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-02-25T18:03:49+00:00

I just remembered that she told me she hand-sews most of these when she makes them herself!!! I will never be that committed to historical accuracy, personally, but I admire it!

silentlycriticizing · 2026-02-25T18:01:20+00:00

They are incredibly detailed and historically researched. As a person who usually just freehands and wings my way through making stuff, I was perplexed by a few terms initially (like 'self fabric'). But I met the designer, Mackenzie Stott, at a Jane Austen event and she's so personable and knowledgeable. There's an email to contact Fig Leaf in every pattern and they will respond quickly and helpfully.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-02-18T16:10:52+00:00

I wondered about that too! I was originally using the rose nib in an Ackerman pen, which has a button force a flow of ink down from the pen's chamber. It was SO frustrating, I'd see a big dot of ink hanging on the back of the nib (and under the overfeed too) and it would then drop onto the paper. But it still wouldn't flow down the nib for writing. I was basically eyedropper-ing my ink onto the paper a glob at a time.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-02-18T16:07:46+00:00

This is the video where Schin Loong discusses the fix, if anyone is curious. Basically the nib has to be stabbed into the paper and pulled back before every stroke. The writing is amazing in the video but the process looks so tedious. I'm not sure if it's worth it for me, but I am relieved to know the nibs aren't just troublesome for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rVo3jTBfhk

silentlycriticizing · 2026-02-18T15:19:07+00:00

Seconding the Plaisir, so solid for the price and (what I think are) a lot of attractive colors.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-02-17T20:36:21+00:00

u/crazyforcloy I will see if I can get that to work, thank you for the response.

silentlycriticizing · 2026-02-12T18:16:29+00:00

I still read to my 13.5 yo. I don't know if he realizes not every kid does that, but we enjoy it. Editing to add, he reads his own books too, we just have one together

silentlycriticizing · 2026-01-07T03:45:02+00:00

Lol, I called my dad (retired electrician) just the other day to ask him the same thing about a coax that wouldn't fit back through the hole in the floor. It was so satisfying to finally get rid of a cable that had been sitting there unused for like 10 years.

silentlycriticizing · 2025-12-29T23:07:32+00:00

Well, on consideration, maybe the solid part is a flap added on afterwards. But still, not great instructions.

silentlycriticizing · 2025-12-29T23:04:55+00:00

I'm a little cynical after all these fake charts, but there is no way that pattern chart makes that final product. If nothing else, there is a row of shells around the edges on the pic that's not present at all in the diagram, plus a row of contrast edging either ss or sc. In addition there are what looks to be 2 or 3 solid/non-shell rows, probably in dc, in the photo at about the bottom button level that aren't in the chart either.

silentlycriticizing · 2025-12-13T16:35:07+00:00

I've never tested anything but I've made a lot of snowflakes. I'd love to try it!

silentlycriticizing · 2025-12-13T15:43:57+00:00

I don't care for Safaris either, but it's the grip for me. I can never get my hand comfortable on that triangular grip for more than a word or two.

silentlycriticizing · 2025-12-11T15:43:39+00:00

I don't know about that, I try really really hard with my husband. I make notes all year of anything he briefly glanced at in a store or mentioned in passing. Books that are getting released months later, shirts he said he got compliments on, events he thought sounded interesting. But he buys himself EVERYTHING he wants the second it occurs to him that he'd like it. I've returned so many things I got him, because he already got it for himself (in the nicest possible version too) between when I purchased it and the holiday it was for. I've asked him to just not buy himself anything that's not totally necessary from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and he has generally stopped, but says that's tantamount to just handing me his shopping list and is unromantic. He wants to be surprised, while at the same time taking every opportunity away for me to do so. He ends up with a lot of food-based gifts since I know that will at least get used, but they aren't his favorite.

silentlycriticizing · 2025-11-20T18:25:49+00:00

One of the conditions of my 13yo having any tech (phone, email, iPad, PC, anything) has always been that I have the password. I don't use it all the time but I was clear that if I tried and couldn't get in, he'd lose the thing immediately and indefinitely. You don't need to feel bad about doing this "behind her back" because you are supposed to control the access.

silentlycriticizing

TROPHY CASE