I “heart” Notebooks

An article by Rachel    Comments Off

Recently I gathered all my pens and notebooks into one pile to take inventory. While I knew that I liked pens and that I had more than my fair share, I was surprised to see the how many notebooks I use. In my ideal world, I would have fewer. They would all be the same. When I filled one up, it would be placed on a bookshelf. Over time, I’d have a nice shelf full of notebooks that I’ve filled. Then reality sets in. I think I like a different notebook for every subject in my life, or at least that’s what it look like when I look at my current stash.

Here’s my current lineup:

Drawing pad: A year ago, I took a drawing class. It was a good experience for me in so many ways. I discovered that with a bit of practice and a lot of patience, I could learn to draw. So I bought a portable drawing pad. (For class, I used a 18 x 24 pad, not so portable.) Well, I haven’t used it as much as I thought I would. Yet, I still have bit of drawings in here. Last Spring, my niece and I played with my oil pastels. She had her notebook. I had mine. Don’t you like my dragon?

I drew it from a how-to-draw book that I had as a child. It was fun to see my niece use a book that I enjoyed as a child.

Computer notebook: I keep this notebook next to my computer. This notebook is pretty much a huge scratch pad. I record random things from the internet that need to be recorded, like confirmation numbers from paying online bills, book & movie recommendations, and numbers. You know numbers you can’t remember, but need to remember. This is one notebook that doesn’t need to be consolidated. It needs to just sit by my compute and always be there.

Sewing Ideas: Whenever I read an interview on a designer that I like, they always talk about the sketch books use to formulate their ideas. My idea book has a list of projects that I’ve started and need to complete. As I start a project, I keep track of my sketches, measurements, failures, and successes. When I use this notebook, it’s invaluable. My biggest problem is using this notebook consistenly. I think I need to get in the habit of having this notebook with me at all times. Then when a thought strikes, I can record it. I probably need a smaller notebook if I’m going to haul it around with me all the time.

Journal: While I enjoy writing about my life on my blog, I’m not willing to share the my nitty-gritty-life details with world. Those thoughts go in my journal. Also, belive it or not, I’m not always around a computer when I want to write. Since I only use a journal part time, it takes a bit of time to fill it. I started this journal in December 2008. It’s less than half way full. Sometimes, I think I should write more just so I can buy another notebook.

Planner: I use a planner mostly to give the appearance of being organized. I bought this one from Paper Source. Again, I’d like to replace it with an iPhone. If that doesn’t happen this Christmas, I need to settle for something smaller. I’d rather cart around an idea notebook than a planner.

Plan-my-own-business notebook: OK, this is a bit of dream, but I have ideas. I started working with the Boss of You book. At first I recorded these ideas in another book. Then I realized that I needed to keep these thoughts together. I bought these thinner Moleskines just for this purpose. I have to admit the colors make me happy.

Grocery shopping list: Really this should be called the Saturday to-do-list notebook. Here I record my shopping list and general errand list. Mostly, I use it, because I already have it. It fits into my purse for the day. I’d like to replace it with an iPhone.

Wow! That was quite the post.