The moleskin notebook and you

by Jen (April 23, 2008)

Moleskine notebooks are all the rage right now. People keep diaries in them, write novels in them, and even make complicated organizers out of them. You can buy beautiful moleskines handmade at Etsy (see photo to the left), or settle for the name brand ones at Amazon.com.

Or you can make your own. Moleskines are pricey, so Michael Shannon offers this tutorial to make a book from regular 20 bond paper and a cover of vinyl Naugahyde or whatever you have on hand that’s sturdy.  TJ Book Arts has another tutorial. Check them both out to see which one sounds easier to you, or fits the materials you have on hand better. Both include the option of making a pocket inside the binder so you can store receipts or little scraps of paper. And both include the elastic band that keeps it shut. For an even simpler tutorial on making your own moleskine, have a look at this Instructables (love the idea of binder clips for letting the glue set!).

What to do with a moleskine

Moleskines are great for taking notes, tracking what you spend, jotting down ideas or to do lists, journaling travels, planning projects. Because Your imagination is the only limit.  Turn it into a planner. Make it into a sophisticated tool for organizing your entire life.

How is it better than a 99 cent pocket sized Mead Composition Book?

I personally don’t think it is. In fact, here’s a great DIY Moleskin tutorial: buy a pocket-sized Mead Composition notebook. Fold a page to make a pocket for the back. Glue it in. Staple an elastic band to go around and keep it closed - or use a binder clip. Hey, look at that, it does everything a Moleskine does!

The only reason to buy a Moleskin - or make one yourself - is if you find it so cool that it inspires you to write great things or have brilliant ideas. I find gorgeous bound books intimidating, myself - I always feel like I’m going to spoil them by writing in them. To each her own.

Subscribe to feed updates or email updates
Posted in Crafts
Want your tip featured on Bohemian Revolution? Click here!