After looking at various attributes of the Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent, and Pen & Ink sketchbooks (see Part 1 and Part 2 of this review), let’s sum up a few key points about these 4 very similar notebooks. Moleskine: Made in China 80 pages Price: $10-15, depending on retailer Where to Buy: Amazon and all major … Continue reading Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 3: Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent and Pen & Ink
This is a rare experience for me– I’ve loved notebooks all my life and used hundreds of them, but it’s unusual for me to actually fill one up completely. Sometimes I just can’t hang in for those last few pages, because it doesn’t seem like enough room to start something, or because I’m just itchy … Continue reading Finishing a Notebook
In the first part of this review, I discussed the outward appearance of four similar pocket sketchbooks, the Moleskine, the Pen & Ink Journal, the HandBook, and the Derwent Journal. Now I’ll look at the insides. Rather than bore you with repeated photos of almost identical things, I’ll just point out a few details that … Continue reading Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 2
This quote rang a bell with me: But see, I don’t even like journals. For a few years, I would often get journals and blank notebooks from friend and family — cause what do you get a girl who writes a lot? Blank paper. But I would never actually ‘finish’ those journals. I have about … Continue reading Are Notebooks Good Gifts?
I have two of the Moleskine City Notebooks, one for New York (where I live) and one for Paris. I bought it for my first trip there a couple of months ago, and I really loved having it. Paris is the kind of place that is so constantly featured in newspaper and magazine articles– the … Continue reading Using the Moleskine City Notebook: Paris
The notebooks I use most frequently are hard cover pocket sketchbooks, with heavy unlined paper that is suitable for various kinds of ink, pencil, and watercolor paints. I like to doodle and draw sometimes, so this type of notebook works well for me even though I also tend to use them for keeping a journal. … Continue reading Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 1: Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent, Pen & Ink
I bought a set of Moleskine Volant notebooks recently. I had ordered something else from Amazon and needed to tack something on to get that free shipping, so I figured what the heck! But now I’m not sure what to do with them! They’re nice notebooks– much more substantial than the Cahiers: sturdier, smoother cover … Continue reading Moleskine Volant Notebooks
I don’t remember my first notebook, but my mother claims I was folding up pieces of paper into little books and carrying them around with me from at least the age of 3! Later, I remember having those little square datebooks that Hallmark shops used to give away for free–the ones that listed all the … Continue reading Do You Remember Your First Notebook?
… about notebooks. I was in some kind of Home Depot-like store, and saw that they were selling the kind of diary I used to use in the mid-80s, when I was in high school. They were exactly 3×5, with a black faux-leather cover. In the front, they had pages with measurement conversions, city populations, … Continue reading Last Night I Dreamed…
Here are some animal sketches from the recent safari trip. A pocket size notebook is a great thing to bring on safari, especially if, like me, you’re not a photography nut. I brought a tiny digital camera (a Casio Exilim, which also happens to be my favorite golden rectangle-ish shape, though much smaller than 3×5) … Continue reading Animal Art