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My Top 10 Customized Moleskines Notebooks


Story by Renmeleon, Vanessa Published on November 21, 2008 in Spotlight	Photo by renmelon on flickr

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.

8) 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

Etsy Moleskine Items | More Top 10 Lists

Tags	books and zines, cahiers, Gift Ideas, holidays, journals, moleskinerie, moleskines, notebooks, paper goods, Renmeleon, shopping, sketchbooks, stocking stuffers, Top 10 Lists, Top Ten Lists

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61 comments Login to add your own!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.

chakrapennywhistle

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=...

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4 p.m.

katieblairdesigns

oh, i love moleskins, and these are some beautiful examples! thanks!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:02 p.m.

BeadsInTheBelfry

great pics! shoofly also has some really nice ones!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:02 p.m.

yaelfran

oh, I LOVE Heidi's moleskine!!!!! Just adorable...

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:03 p.m.

BeadsInTheBelfry

oops! I missed her down at the bottom. heh heh.

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:03 p.m.

theprint

Oooh, these are all nice. I shouldn't be looking at customized 'Skines. My wallet is already cowering in the corner. :)

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:04 p.m.

FablesandFoxes

These are so creative! What a great selection!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:06 p.m.

queenofirony

love this.

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:06 p.m.

sean11

Great post. Etsy is a notebook addict's friend.

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:09 p.m.

movetheneedle

these are so cute!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:12 p.m.

Tabmade

Great idea!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:13 p.m.

moxy

I love the yellow sketchbook!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:16 p.m.

lizplummer

Oooh I love Moleskines.... got some in my shop too!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:16 p.m.

ZestyB

oh you forgot one of my favorites
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Jane Austin!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:20 p.m.

kalicat

These are also ideal for sketching design ideas :)

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:23 p.m.

CREATEaTHOUGHT

Moleskines are nice but so are other journals! JOURNALS ROCK

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:29 p.m.

janicej

Great feature! All perfect for carrying about for impromptu scribblings!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:31 p.m.

nowvember

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?...

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:33 p.m.

ThePeachTree

I could surround my self with notebooks, paper, books..... ah.....

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:36 p.m.

giusypatch

I love moleskines! and I also have some moleskine covers into my shop :))

Nov. 21, 2008 at 4:53 p.m.

mermaidclaire

Vive les Moleskines!!! I will never buy another notebook. It's a cult, I tells ya!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 5:16 p.m.

dogties

Moleskines Rock!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 5:18 p.m.

GreenEdenVintage

Great article! I love Moleskines and I had no idea there were so many decorated options here on Etsy!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 5:25 p.m.

happykimono

These are lovely. I have a customized moleskine style notebook too :)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
x x x

Nov. 21, 2008 at 6:05 p.m.

Illusio

These are great, I have made some myself, never listed though as I end up wanting to keep them! LOL>..

Nov. 21, 2008 at 6:25 p.m.

uncharted

I'm so inspired! Great journals...

Nov. 21, 2008 at 7:17 p.m.

Emmakat

Great article. I love moleskines. What is this "notebook" you speak of? :P :)

Nov. 21, 2008 at 7:32 p.m.

GetReadySetGO

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

Nov. 21, 2008 at 7:39 p.m.

f2images

Oooh, LOVE the Ultra Ray Moleskin Notebook! Rockin' products.

Nov. 21, 2008 at 7:55 p.m.

Stockton

this is so great - I may need to rethink my plain black Moleskine!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 9:02 p.m.

cloud9designstudio

oooh, i love these. i need a moleskin. i love shoofly's
http://shoofly.etsy.com

Nov. 21, 2008 at 9:06 p.m.

janallsopp

I love moleskines! Thanks for including my Retro Party moly!

Nov. 21, 2008 at 9:56 p.m.

WingsDove

If you are going to scribble and doodle, you might as well do it in great style.

Nov. 22, 2008 at 12:33 a.m.

marajane01

Nice selection! What could be cooler, though, than moleskine notebook + faux bois?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Nov. 22, 2008 at 2:06 a.m.

MeghanT

Arg. Another cute new item I didn't know I needed until I read this article!

Nov. 22, 2008 at 4:04 a.m.

BluCille

Unique ideas.

Nov. 22, 2008 at 6:07 a.m.

JazzGreen

fabulous crafty selection....

Nov. 22, 2008 at 6:33 a.m.

TheCuriousNomad

What a lovely collection of notebooks!
Thank you so much for including mine :)
xoxo

Nov. 22, 2008 at 9:05 a.m.

ronniegunn

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...

Nov. 22, 2008 at 9:47 a.m.

aisle3studio

nice selection of books. i just got one myself to decorate and fill. i like that they have perforated edges inside too

Nov. 22, 2008 at 1:13 p.m.

estatesale

I bought one of the golden girl silhouette ones a while ago, I can't wait to get it! I think it's perfect.

Nov. 22, 2008 at 3:26 p.m.

nfall2rt

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!

Nov. 22, 2008 at 3:46 p.m.

artstudio

Great article and great moleskins! Let's sharpen our pencils and get going! :)

Nov. 22, 2008 at 9:51 p.m.

jellybeans

I love all these journals...I've been meaning to get one for awhile, to start journaling and the moleskins are perfect! :)

Nov. 23, 2008 at 1:58 a.m.

vantiani

Such a cool piece!
Thank you so much!

- A new fan of Moleskines

Nov. 23, 2008 at 6:13 a.m.

nanouke

I love moleskines too!
fricdementol's has a lot of cool ones:
http://fricdementol.etsy.com

Nov. 23, 2008 at 10:52 a.m.

LynetteFast

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...

Nov. 23, 2008 at 2:23 p.m.

peaseblossomstudio

So cute--I love the one with blue cups!

Note to self: must play with moleskines.

Nov. 23, 2008 at 4:46 p.m.

Moonegirl

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!

Nov. 24, 2008 at 1:44 a.m.