I started with one of Arista's timers in a target window, which was made for my level 65 enchanter (see http://www.horizonsoutpost.com/eq/timer.asp). Then I modified it to add two scrollable notes windows at the bottom. One window is for typing notes while playing, the other has some premade notes about various spells and their durations.
I also used a modified graphics file (from the thread about Arista's timer) so that the timer's background would be entirely transparent.
I offer this version of the timer so that other UI designers might see it and think it's a good enough idea to copy.