Take a moment and breathe across the paper. Inhale thought, idea, memory. Exhale words, brush strokes, emotion, and color. Reflect your life and the world around you onto the page.
The more saturated we become with technology, the more we seem to crave analog time. You know, a n a l o g t I m e. That little bit of quality scribble-scrawl time that acts as a kind of portable break from our fast paced lives. There is something comforting in knowing that you can reach into your pocket, your bag, or your purse and pull out a spot of safe haven for yourself. We sketch moments, we make lists, we jot down creative brilliance, lay down color with brush or pencil, all the while knowing that we can tuck it back into its little black hole until we release it to the world.
Moleskine notebooks are at the forefront of journaling enthusiasm, their quality and variety being preferred in most cases. And this grassroots enthusiasm has taken root amongst creative types — the community on Etsy being one, flickr another (with a lot of overlap). Here’s my Top 10 List — a great stocking stuffer for the writerly or creative person in your life.
1) I’m Friggin’ Melting – Holey Moley – Moleskine by heidiburton
Heidi Burton depicts a whimsical Christmas using the cover as a prop. The look on the snowman’s face in the window-cut cover alone is reason enough to open it and see what’s going on.
2) “Skeleton Tree” Moleskine Cahier EXTRA Large Plain Journal by shoofly
I have seen a lot of embellished cahier covers, even done a few of my own, but this white on black rendering is both unique and lovely. Shoofly also has some incredibly beautiful Gocco printed Moleskine cahier covers, like her Sunflowers as well.
Find more gocco moleskines.
3) Moleskine Ruled Journal with Original Illustration by gneural
If you like individually hand-rendered cahier covers, gneural has some high definition, high contrast pieces that really catch the eye.
Find more moleskines with original drawings.
4) Knit Moleskine Cover/Sleeve by artontherun
Winter is coming up, so why not keep your pocket Moleskine cozy and warm in its own sweater?
Find more moleskine cozies.
5) Moleskine cover with pen pocket PDF pattern by AuburnStudios
Perfect for those of us who enjoy using the cahier but may not want to mar the covers.
Find more moleskines with pockets for pens.
6) Ultra Ray Large Moleskine by modofly
John W. Golden’s work adorns this wonderfully retro ray gun Moleskine by Modofly, perfect for any futuristic genre fan, male or female. johnwgolden also has a shop of his own fancifully designed creations on Etsy.
Find more laser etched items on Etsy.
7) Down the Rabbit Hole by TheCuriousNomad
I haven’t met a person yet who doesn’t love Alice in Wonderland, and this journal cover is a fantastically fun interpretation.
Find more painted moleskines on Etsy.
Screenprinted Pocket size Sketchbook with Barnacle Designs by fiskandfern
Of fiskandfern’s oceanic images, this screenprinted barnacle on a black pocket cahier really stands out.
Find more screenprint moleskines.
9) Sketchbook with Liberty Vintage Wallpaper Cover by drawflowers
drawflowers has a few of these wallpaper covered Moleskines, some even the perfect colors for a wedding planner’s notes.
Find more floral-motif moleskines.
10) Quilted Monogram Moleskine Cahier Notebook by jcasa
Jcasa’s custom quilted initials give Moleskine cahiers a textile makeover.
Find more moleskines with fabric elements.
Whether you like blank or grid pages for sketching, watercolor paper for painting, or ruled for writing, Moleskines come in three main sizes: the near index card-sized Pocket, the half sheet 5.5” x 8.5” Large, and the Extra Large. One of my personal favorites is the grid; it’s great for sketching as well as writing with guides for side margins. You can also take your writing further by picking up one of the Moleskine Storyboard journals.
Moleskine users have a culture of their own and are prolific in displaying glimpses into their wonder-filed worlds. Have a look around through some of the following sites and you are guaranteed to find unique, flavorful inspiration.
Moleskine Hacks on 43 Folders | Moleskine on Flickr Hivemind | Journal Related Posts
63 comments
Sign in to add your ownchakrapennywhistle says:
Wow! This is really cool :) I never knew... I just bought three from fric_de_mentol ! I love hers:) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5093131
3 years ago
katieblairdesigns says:
oh, i love moleskins, and these are some beautiful examples! thanks!
3 years ago
BeadsInTheBelfry says:
great pics! shoofly also has some really nice ones!
3 years ago
yaelfran says:
oh, I LOVE Heidi's moleskine!!!!! Just adorable...
3 years ago
BeadsInTheBelfry says:
oops! I missed her down at the bottom. heh heh.
3 years ago
theprint says:
Oooh, these are all nice. I shouldn't be looking at customized 'Skines. My wallet is already cowering in the corner. :)
3 years ago
FablesandFoxes says:
These are so creative! What a great selection!
3 years ago
queenofirony says:
love this.
3 years ago
sean11 says:
Great post. Etsy is a notebook addict's friend.
3 years ago
movetheneedle says:
these are so cute!
3 years ago
Tabmade says:
Great idea!
3 years ago
moxy says:
I love the yellow sketchbook!
3 years ago
lizplummer says:
Oooh I love Moleskines.... got some in my shop too!
3 years ago
ZestyB says:
oh you forgot one of my favorites http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17617698 Jane Austin!
3 years ago
kalicat says:
These are also ideal for sketching design ideas :)
3 years ago
CREATEaTHOUGHT says:
Moleskines are nice but so are other journals! JOURNALS ROCK
3 years ago
janicej says:
Great feature! All perfect for carrying about for impromptu scribblings!
3 years ago
nowvember says:
Thanks for including my embroidered fawn! You didn't mention Fricdementol, but she does some really cute Moleskines, too: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17254701
3 years ago
ThePeachTree says:
I could surround my self with notebooks, paper, books..... ah.....
3 years ago
giusypatch says:
I love moleskines! and I also have some moleskine covers into my shop :))
3 years ago
mermaidclaire says:
Vive les Moleskines!!! I will never buy another notebook. It's a cult, I tells ya!
3 years ago
dogties says:
Moleskines Rock!
3 years ago
GreenEdenVintage says:
Great article! I love Moleskines and I had no idea there were so many decorated options here on Etsy!
3 years ago
happykimono says:
These are lovely. I have a customized moleskine style notebook too :) http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11092917 x x x
3 years ago
Illusio says:
These are great, I have made some myself, never listed though as I end up wanting to keep them! LOL>..
3 years ago
uncharted says:
I'm so inspired! Great journals...
3 years ago
Emmakat says:
Great article. I love moleskines. What is this "notebook" you speak of? :P :)
3 years ago
GetReadySetGO says:
i LOVE me a good moleskine cover- there are too many to choose from- i love em allllllll! guess i'm gonna have to buy more moleskines so i can take one of each! great article:) my dad's gotta see this- i was raised on moleskines
3 years ago
f2images says:
Oooh, LOVE the Ultra Ray Moleskin Notebook! Rockin' products.
3 years ago
Stockton says:
this is so great - I may need to rethink my plain black Moleskine!
3 years ago
cloud9designstudio says:
oooh, i love these. i need a moleskin. i love shoofly's http://shoofly.etsy.com
3 years ago
janallsopp says:
I love moleskines! Thanks for including my Retro Party moly!
3 years ago
WingsDove says:
If you are going to scribble and doodle, you might as well do it in great style.
3 years ago
marajane01 says:
Nice selection! What could be cooler, though, than moleskine notebook + faux bois? http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16797394
3 years ago
MeghanT says:
Arg. Another cute new item I didn't know I needed until I read this article!
3 years ago
BluCille says:
Unique ideas.
3 years ago
JazzGreen says:
fabulous crafty selection....
3 years ago
TheCuriousNomad says:
What a lovely collection of notebooks! Thank you so much for including mine :) xoxo
3 years ago
ronniegunn says:
Beautiful books. I need one, but I must have been on another planet when moleskine was started. I'm thinking moleskin...the soft fabric. Where did the word moleskinE come from? I'm going shopping...
3 years ago
aisle3studio says:
nice selection of books. i just got one myself to decorate and fill. i like that they have perforated edges inside too
3 years ago
estatesale says:
I bought one of the golden girl silhouette ones a while ago, I can't wait to get it! I think it's perfect.
3 years ago
nfall2rt says:
Moleskin is MY SKETCHBOOK!!! This makes me so excited! Perhaps I'll customize the one's I've got myself:) Then...see about a cool new one!
3 years ago
artstudio says:
Great article and great moleskins! Let's sharpen our pencils and get going! :)
3 years ago
jellybeans says:
I love all these journals...I've been meaning to get one for awhile, to start journaling and the moleskins are perfect! :)
3 years ago
vantiani says:
Such a cool piece! Thank you so much! - A new fan of Moleskines
3 years ago
nanouke says:
I love moleskines too! fricdementol's has a lot of cool ones: http://fricdementol.etsy.com
3 years ago
LynetteFast says:
I love your collection...marking them for future purchase. If you don't know what to add inside your moleskin, take a look at this forum thread..... http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5922537
3 years ago
peaseblossomstudio says:
So cute--I love the one with blue cups! Note to self: must play with moleskines.
3 years ago
Moonegirl says:
I'm with Illusio-I make so many of them and can never give them up! Maybe if I force myself, in the spirit of Christmas! These are great though! Especially the sea creatures-beautiful!
3 years ago
aslibinal says:
I was hoping and wishing that maybe, just maybe my poketo moleskine pouch would be featured here!
3 years ago
SiebenMorgen says:
wow, these are awesome! highly inspirational...i'd love to collect them all!!
3 years ago
shoofly says:
Thanks Renmeleon and Vanessa for including my xl skeleton tree moleskine! :) [+ thanks BeadsInTheBelfry + cloud9designstudio for the kind words!]
3 years ago
Nascarwitch31 says:
So awesome....I need to have them all
3 years ago
modernitem says:
thanks for sharing these moleskines!
3 years ago
ELIMATE says:
cool ideas!
3 years ago
HeArtCollective says:
these are all great items! i'm also partial to this from your shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8385060 happy holidays my sweeties! xoxo jul
3 years ago
laceandlinks says:
Ooh think I had better get shopping!
3 years ago
BeachcomberCards says:
I'm making the soup! :)
3 years ago
BusyBeeBumbleBeads says:
All are awesome. I want one.
3 years ago
littlepinkpebble says:
i love the moleskine
3 years ago
tinyspace says:
i love this note books!
3 years ago
Harem6 says:
we love moleskins !!!!great finds !we are new and happy to know u !!!!
2 years ago