I’m not attending any classes this fall, but all the back to school buzz has me in the mood for a nice, crisp new journal. On a recent visit to my parents’ house, I dug up my middle school diary (complete with an account of my first kiss and the devastating heartbreak shortly thereafter). Yes, my handwriting is just as bad now as it was then. Any journalers in our midst? Post in the comments and tell us what you keep track of in longhand. Make sure to vote for your favorite notebook or journal in this week’s poll!
Last week, we asked our readers to nominate their favorite notebooks and journals. Now it’s your turn to vote! On Monday we’ll announce the winner, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members’ Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog. Show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!
95 comments
Sign in to add your ownevihan says:
all of them:-))
2 years ago
travellingcircus says:
Fabulous...I wish I was going back to school...look at all the goodies!
2 years ago
sherrytruitt says:
I always love a new journal. I keep a graph moleskine for my jewelry designs and a tiny leather journal to keep track of how many miles I ride on my bike. Yes, I'm a nerd like that. I also have a random thoughts journal, and I've saved most of them, even my awkward middle school diary. So, I can relate.
2 years ago
lavenderrabbit says:
Awesome! Do I have to choose just one?
2 years ago
AlchemicMuse says:
Wow! Fantastic selections! :)
2 years ago
AWEshop says:
OMG - The Bookmark Book is fantastic! One of he most original ideas I've seen in awhile!!
2 years ago
buttermilkcreek says:
I'm loving these related items!
2 years ago
lovintage says:
My fav is the Found Objects by AyBeeCee. I want one of those! I regret tearing out the embarassing pages in my jr high journal :(
2 years ago
WoollyWonka says:
Going back to school is more fun nowadays!
2 years ago
CatherinetteRings says:
Awesome ! I really like the Steampunkish one .
2 years ago
fricdementol says:
Oh!Super cool selections! And a pleasure to be in the Voter! Good luck everyone :)
2 years ago
planetarytreasures says:
Hmm -- I love blank notebooks. Paperblanks are my fave, especially the French silk jacquard cover in lime green. Writing in a journal is almost as addictive as collecting beads.
2 years ago
jezek says:
I like "Life in Black and White"
2 years ago
IcingOnTheCupcake says:
Hard to choose just one... I love anything from Belle and Boo though!
2 years ago
TheCottageCheese says:
How fun! Just voted. Love the pink & red faux bois notebooks!
2 years ago
PlumeAdore says:
Vanessa, I love this article because I AM NOTEBOOK OBSESSED!
2 years ago
lunedesigns says:
I used to journal my angst but I don't have any anymore so I quit. Now the only things I write down are jewelry ideas--in a broken down pad of drawing paper--and shopping lists (on anything that comes to hand). I like kreativlink's dirndl leather journal--my favorite of hers right now is this one http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28424634 in lovely mustard suede. I should probably get something more durable for my jewelry sketches and use the drawing pad for my shopping lists.
2 years ago
aprilmist says:
oh, they are all fantastic! I do gravitate towards the Nerd notebook, go figure!
2 years ago
incoldstorage says:
Great selections. It is so hard to choose...
2 years ago
truLuxe says:
Those red journals are STUNNING!!!! According to my 12yo twins... breakups now occur via text messaging. But no worries, you can still journal about it!
2 years ago
gloilocksandbody says:
Unicorns ARE rad!
2 years ago
VixVintage says:
I'm not that organized...but I love to vote.
2 years ago
thebestvintage says:
Love the possibilities a new notebook offers!!
2 years ago
4TheSparrowsNest says:
Middle school journals....LOL!! I journaled fervently as a youngster and I must admit...they make me laugh (and often shake my head in shame) as I reread them.
2 years ago
HausProud says:
Wow, hard to vote for just one, I loved so many of them!
2 years ago
beachhouseblues says:
I cast my vote!! Great choices. 20% off EVERYTHING in my shop through the end of July!!
2 years ago
worksofwhimsy says:
I never could force myself to keep a journal. But that lego notebook might just inspire me! The capacitor necklace is so cool! Digibling is my new favorite.
2 years ago
StormsHandicrafts says:
I voted and it was so hard to choose only one. All of them are so wonderful!
2 years ago
LittleWhiteDresser says:
I can't make up my mind :)
2 years ago
thestapeliacompany says:
Wow, there were 5 or 6 of these I really liked. This vote was hard! :)
2 years ago
spindriftstudio says:
It was so hard to choose. I love journals as I'm always sketching new ideas. When I have a blah day, I rifle through older ones for inspiration. Sort of scary sometimes but at least I get a good laugh.
2 years ago
PipocaHandmade says:
Nothing better than a great notebook/sketchbook to tote around with you!
2 years ago
brinabell says:
There are so many great one to choose from! I am so happy that the VersoBooks sketchbook I nominated made it in!! :D
2 years ago
beautifulbridget says:
Great choices, I would take them ALL!
2 years ago
BetaAccessories says:
so many beautiful handmade items!
2 years ago
VintageTwenty says:
Vote for vintage!
2 years ago
TheCraftyRagamuffin says:
I just edited my collection of journals, keeping the ones that detailed my time living abroad -recycling the ones where I gushed as a fifteen-year-old over cute boys. Someday I might regret getting rid of those teen journals -but I doubt it.
2 years ago
paramountvintage says:
they are all wonderful!
2 years ago
1AEON says:
sometimes i wonder if im the biggest nerdy dork on the world haha!!!
2 years ago
FrillyButts says:
I want to go back to school!
2 years ago
MetroGypsy says:
My inner geek squealed at this! Nice selections!
2 years ago
Morado says:
i love stationary!! just voted :o)
2 years ago
RockPaperSilver says:
I don't journal anymore but at times though I do go through my old diary (4th through 6th grade) and then my journal (7th grade through the end of high school). Ah, the dramas of young life...break-ups, fights with friends, the "make-ups"...it is always a good trip down memory lane and a reminder that I wouldn't ever want to travel back in time (at least not to junior high...:))
2 years ago
scribblemonkey says:
there's nothing like getting a brand new floppy journal & a shiny new pen...always makes me nervous to write on the first page though! I need my good journal & a backup in case I screw up the first one...haha...I have a problem!
2 years ago
tigersanddragons says:
After reading Harriet the Spy, I worried that if you keep a journal/diary, eventually someone else will read it! I know own a few cool journals and still haven't had the nerve to write in them.
2 years ago
DalkullanJewelry says:
So many of the journals caught my eye, but I had to give my vote to the Jane Austen journal.
2 years ago
nomadcraftsetc says:
LOVED the notebook with the back muscles! So cool and the green furry monster one!
2 years ago
patspottery says:
At the advanced age of 69, I am going back to collage this fall for an advanced class in ceramics. I will need a notebook for sketches, and will pick one of these lovelys:>)
2 years ago
DiklaFellner says:
COOL NECKLACE
2 years ago
soulcandy says:
Usually long texting conversations. Only having capacity for 200 texts in my phone means a lot of clearing out. But some convos are gold, so they get scrawled out in a journal.
2 years ago
Radness says:
love the nerrrd glasses!
2 years ago
Aquanetta says:
Wonderful ways to make school just a lil more fun :)
2 years ago
GreighdayVintage says:
The Rustic leather look is always a good choice!
2 years ago
TheJoyofColor says:
Oh I wish I could go back to school now.. anyway i never can resist a nice small note book - i always cary one wiht me so i can sketch thigs i want to remember (even now with the digital cameras and the mobil phone...) The selction is beautifull it was very difficult to choose
2 years ago
SunshineandRavioli says:
It's always such a hard choice!
2 years ago
LaLah says:
love them...the fresno map one and the mod for you cut out...love
2 years ago
kidacollective says:
Oh, I do love a crisp new notebook (almost as much as a dogeared well loved one full of interesting notes)
2 years ago
LibertyImages says:
VERY glad to see I'm not the only one in love with school supplies despite long being out of school...!
2 years ago
LuuLuu5150 says:
Loving the NERD Notebook! Long live the back to school cool stuff!
2 years ago
poppyswickedgarden says:
Oh I just love Spiderbite's monster notebooks! tHey are just too cute!
2 years ago
GimCarry says:
let get vote (* V *)
2 years ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
Even as an adult, I get excited about getting a new notebook. It holds so much promise in its blank pages.
2 years ago
jelisedesigns says:
I love notebooks, but no way do I want to go back to school!! So many great journals to choose from! I'm a sucker for journals and I love to fill them with my dreams and aspirations.
2 years ago
dirtybettyvintage says:
Love the Lego Book Cover. What fun!
2 years ago
KisforCalligraphy says:
nowvember's notebooks always make me smile! hooray for notebooks!
2 years ago
ScribbleShop says:
Oh i remember those days; the crushes, little moments and glances, the heartbreaks...
2 years ago
LisaFerinDesigns says:
I love voting, though picking just one journal was pretty hard! This was a really nice selection.
2 years ago
Sammis2shoes says:
I have some great altered journals for sale!! I have even created one named: Love Letters for my Sweetheart.:)
2 years ago
Tina669 says:
Wow! Fantastic selections! :)
2 years ago
spacejam says:
i would take them all =))
2 years ago
krize says:
all lovely, but yes I have my favorite :)
2 years ago
BayMoonDesign says:
Very cute and unique items. I love the nerd pin and circuit keychain.
2 years ago
PoorRobin says:
Between 6th grade and just before I got married, I kept a journal. There are 36 of them in my parent's basement. I have not yet decided whether to torch them (as they are devastatingly embarrassing to read now!) or keep them with strict instructions to my children that they can't look at them until AFTER I'M DEAD. I would torch them, but I recently came across a journal of my grandmother's which I wouldn't trade for the world. (Of course, she never went running naked around a soccer pitch in college.)
2 years ago
galit says:
It was hard to choose... but I've picked one I like!
2 years ago
RegalCottage says:
I was so torn between the x-ray and the lego journals. Great creative products! Best of luck to all the entrants.
2 years ago
classicc11 says:
The coral one of course! I love the contrast of colors as well as the 3d effect. The French lace was a favorite too.
2 years ago
catchalljewelry says:
ahh notebooks, so much better than those binders teachers want us to use. i love the back muscles one, would have definately taken that to bio class =)
2 years ago
sebenjewelry says:
I think they're all too cool for school, since I'm a teacher by day....I'll keep one at home for my secret dreams and sketches...no required work in one of those beauties! I love them all!
2 years ago
foxmountain says:
I love paper, even most people use electronic journal as blog, text, facebook.....much more then handwriting. High tech are great, but paper good are treasures.
2 years ago
BizzieLizzie says:
I need to start journaling! I LOVE notebooks and I LOVE paper - note to self - need that Rustic Leather Journal - that piece is gorgeous! Lizzie would love the unicorn!
2 years ago
artwithallie says:
Notebooks and journals are one of my fave items to make! Feel free to check them out!
2 years ago
iomiss says:
could I chose 10 or 12 items?? :)) Hard to vote for only one, i love all of them! Goodluck!
2 years ago
tldgrainwear says:
Wow, I must say those black nerd glasses definitely rock-it! I want'em!
2 years ago
mulberrymoosetoo says:
Great stuff!!
2 years ago
sarayard says:
Lovely selection! ^.^
2 years ago
ovgilliesdesigns says:
Won't even attempt to count how many notebooks/journals I have! Love handmade ones with cotton paper and leather bound. Just thinking about a good notebook makes me want to go and write something, anything!
2 years ago
amandathorson says:
the one with the pencil case built into the cover....amazing!!
2 years ago
hyvamax6 says:
Wonderful selections! I love abstract art,too. I am glad you wrote an article about it! http://www.antlala.com/ sincerely good oil painting art! great artist!
2 years ago
TheGoodShipLollipop says:
I love the flash card journal! Boy, one great thing about being a grown up is not having to be quizzed on my math skills anymore...phew.
2 years ago
tinycharm says:
i wish i had them all!
2 years ago
dragonflydreamer says:
They are all very creative and unique. I am addicted to notebooks and journals. It was hard choosing only one of them. I remember how much fun it was to go shopping for new school supplies. I would have loved to have had this selection of handmade notebooks to choose from back then.
2 years ago