Reviews Written by ksv...

  Face it: where else are..., June 2, 2012

Face it: where else are you going to find tiny rectangular envelopes made from gorgeous papers? What you DO with them might remain a mystery to the unimaginative, but I love this template. It's a great value and straightforward to use. I wish the end flaps were a little larger, to improve adhesion and envelope proportions.

A few caveats.... The template requires some very precise cutting to get the tiny curves just right. Most liquid glues tend to bleed through thin paper or smear onto the outside of the finished envelope; I've gotten my best results with high-quality glue tape. You don't have the option of creating a gummed or "peel-and-stick" closing edge for the envelope closure flap. You have to choose between leaving it open, or you seal it permanently with a sticker or glue. Because I sometimes give these to people as gifts, I dearly wish that someone would market "peel-and-stick" tape rollers.

Tips: "Disappearing" ink is great if you want to eliminate template markings on your paper. Use a ruler to align the tape with the flap edges. If you're using glue, just place some scrap paper underneath the surface that you're gluing. Just make sure the tape or glue reaches to edge of the flaps. Press very firmly and hold for at least 15 seconds, depending on the weight of the paper. If you use heavy paper (e.g., card stock), keep in mind that you may not be able to get the glue to hold--you can try double-sided tape, but you'll have to cut it carefully to size. Keep in mind that there's no simple way of sealing the envelope except with glue or a sticker. I've tried temporary (waxy) adhesives, but they generally make a mess of the paper.

In general, though, this is a generally fun product to use, and an ideal gift for anyone with mild OCD.

  I had a little trouble..., January 15, 2012

I had a little trouble getting my brown pen going; took a little shaking and swirling. But then it came to life: a lovely warm brown with just a hint of copper. Very pretty. Keep in mind that this is a marker pen, though. Don't expect to write pages of text with it. The tip is a bit uncomfortable even for brief writing.

  Not your average light..., July 28, 2011

Not your average light blue pen.... Finally, light blue ink that you can see! I usually steer away from light blue pens AND 0.7 mm pens. The color is usually too light to read easily. And writing with a 0.7 mm gel pen typically reminds me of driving a car with sloppy 1970s power steering. You try to aim for where you're going, but it's anybody's guess where you'll end up. This isn't a sports pen, but it goes where you aim it, and it looks good getting there.

  Yikes! Not olive at all,..., May 14, 2011

Yikes! Not olive at all, but sort of a deep lime green. I have an elderly pen in this color; the ink was indeed an uninspired olive, but sometimes you just need to write something in drag olive. Or I do, anyway. I was SO disappointed with my new "olive green" Zebra Sarasa retractable gel ink pen: the color was a kind of "Livid Lime." Or "Radiant Bile." It's a little darker than many lime greens, but still not useful for much of anything. Skip it!

  Go for the Frixion. The..., April 24, 2011

Go for the Frixion. The Fanthom erasure isn't nearly as complete. It's still a decent pen--just not up to the competition.

  Excellent, unusual color..., April 24, 2011

Excellent, unusual color (one of my favorites). Not fond of the grip--a general comment on the line--but I'll add a point back for the terrific color. I'd like to give it a top rating, but I'm taking another point off for significant problems with fadeout. Maybe I got a bad individual specimen, bit the problem doesn't speak well for quality control, as I've had the same trouble with several 0.3 mm and a few 0.4 mm pens.

  Very pretty blue. Dark..., April 24, 2011

Very pretty blue. Dark enough for everyday writing, and (dare I say it?) a bit more sophisticated than plain old blue. The color is deep but still clearly in the blue-green range. Most of the blue-green/aqua pens I've used aren't dark enough to read easily; this one is. Writes smoothly, but one point off for comfort of grip.

  I just emptied my purple..., April 7, 2011

I just emptied my purple ZSPCGIP - 0.4 --and not because Zebra skimped on the ink. An excellent pen--and a great bargain. Vivid color, nice grip and smooth handling, sturdy point. A treat at any price!

  Disappointing color...., April 7, 2011

Disappointing color. The ink doesn't even match the pen's exterior markings; I think of coral as more subdued; this is more in the shocking pink range--not a color I see much of in nature.

  Nice neutral color, erases..., April 7, 2011

Nice neutral color, erases very well, feels comfortable, point holding up after one year. It remains one of my just-grab pens for those rare occasions when I don't feel like obsessing at great length over the color.