Probably
the most-used, most-carefully-placed tool around here, the sketchbook.
Not to be lost. When one fills up, there are several new ones on hand,
ready to go. Small one for discreet sketching, at meetings or
whatnot. The spine of my latest sketchbook has developed leprosy or
something so I’m giving the spiral-bound a try. If the pages stay in
then I’ll convert.
What do you usually use for sketching?
Pen, pencil, watercolors?
Or will this be on another tool post?
And, how many full sketchbooks do you have lying around?
You’ll convert. I promise.
I think both ring and spine books are good for different purposes, ring bounds for me hardly hold up to the extra use and often get pages torn out, where as I hate to tear them from the full bound, I have opted for making my own coptic bound sketchbooks from pads of cartridge 😀 I think its nice to have a varied collection of sketchbook types. Spirals are great but not if you decide to expand the image to the next page as it gets broken up.. and others when you dont want the page to be seen with the one next to it 😀 Thats just my humble opinion 😀
I can’t even think without a sketchbook- I write a lot in it too I find. Words to capture the essence of my idea and then the drawings come. And lots of tearsheets and fabric scraps etc.
But, I don’t like ring bound. The rings get in the way and feel awkward and I find I can only comfortably use the pages when the rings are on the left (I’m right handed).
I don’t think they are aesthetically pleasing either!
Wow! I had no idea I was so opinionated about sketchbooks…
Pretty photo! I’m a definite convert to spirals (vs. spines). A much more practical solution for the “crowded desk brigade”.
I need a sketchbook..all my sketches are on the back of envelopes, and on the bottom of grocery lists. :p Making one for myself has been an idea kicking around…I should just do it!
Oh! I love sketchbooks; I usually have one somewhere close at hand. 😉 Mine are filled with all kinds of sketches, notes and pasted-in pictures. I hope the spiral bound version works for you–I love them to death! hehe. Though as you mentioned, occasionally there can be a wire-binding mishap and the pages fall out… :p
What a lovely picture to stumble upon when opening your blog this morning!
I must say that there is something to be said about how handsome the bound journals look in the photograph, leprosy or not.
(I agree with Marina… I doodle all over envelopes and list that I’ve made!
I’ve enjoyed the March of the Tools.
I have several sketchbooks, too, but not because I fill them up–I lose them. (Then find them again)
I am a recent spiral convert myself. I am sure you’ll convert too. Is march of the tools going to include sewing machine,serger, or printer. I am oh so curious.
Not about sketchbooks since that is not my talent and they would remain empty, but about another somewhat related topic. After you talked about your Wacom tablet, I went to the Wacom website and looked and looked. I finally mentioned it to my husband last Friday. Guess what? He already had one on his desk, he’s had it for a couple of years. Sure I can use it as he wants a more sophisticated model. Yea! I digitize alphabets for Adorable Affordable Designz Mall and the tablet is great. It allows me to easily move the stitches, drag and drop etc, with ease. I switch from the Wacom mouse to the stylus to vary the use of my hand. I am so glad you mentioned it. Thanks.
Hi Heather. How is it that you can take a totally ordinary thing like sketchbooks, photo it and make it look good??
I love, love sketchbooks!! (I found a very cool one at roberts, it is spiral bound and has a little thicker pages that I really like) I think spiral bound books tend to hold up better. hope to see you at market
mary
beautiful photo – sketch books are amazing, they capture life, spirit and in the moment thought and creativity : )
Yours looks very pretty!
This is kinda off your topic but…I finally checked out Home Comp. Mag the other day…Wow! You looked so great in it! You really should be proud. It was a great article and your husband really made those pictures…well…WOW!
Susan
For a really robust spiral sketch book, I highly recommend the Aquabee Super Deluxe. The paper is heavy, double sized and many sizes have perforated pages. I have used them for years and have never had the spiral fail on me. True love!
Oh, sketchbooks are fantastic and I have several (journals I call them). Yet I still tend to scribble, sketch, doodle, draw, and generally vandalize/graffiti any spare piece of paper within my reach. This includes receipts, what I’m working on at work, backs of envelopes, grocery lists, etc.
As such, my pile of sketches is def not near as aesthetically pleasing as yours.
I need to find a new method. Thanks for the inspiration.
spiral all the way it is much easier to navigate when you need to go back and look at old sketches. I have many book bound ones as well but I love the fact I can fully turn over the spiral bound one.
I always love to look through my books again and again to re-discover an idea that I did not paint up so in that way I am not always searching for new patterns or designs.
My must have favorite tool has to be a MICRON archival ink pen in size 005 and 01. I must buy 5 or 6 at a pop and go through many of them,
I have one in my purse, one on my desk, one in the kitchen and one on my nightstand. Can’t live without them!
And such a variety as well!
Hi Heather,
A ‘tool fool’ myself I wanted to propose reviewing one of the most powerful tools of all – the business card!
This seemingly innocent little piece of paper that can give birth to tremendous things.
I would love to see your card. Perhaps you could also invite your devotees to share theirs ?
Charlotta
The sketchbook is something that I have to have with me at all times. I have a small one in the center console of my car, in my totebag, in my purse, and beside my bed. I feel like I need to have one whereever I am.
I am so glad I found your blog. Congrats on your spread in the Home Companion Magazine. It’s one of my absolute favorites!
I have a slight addiction to journals and sketchbooks as well. I have several that are barely written in but I can’t resist buying another when I see one I like.
BTW, last week, I featured your photo of the Easter Table Setting in Home Companion on my blog. Lots of people love you!:)
I will definitely be frequenting your blog!
I agree with the others about how great the spread looks in Home Companion. Very colorful and warm.
You know, at the moment I am going through career counseling at college (yes, at age 37-almost 38). I originally went for a counseling degree. I ahve always loved color but thought it was a more personal thing. My artistic scores are flying way above any counseling scores. LOL!
I am excited to learn the CAD program and draw and paint for a degree….seems to good to be true though.
All that said, I am one of those that used whatever paper is nearby and need to convert to a mature artist and get a sketchbook or three. :o)
Lori
have you tried a moleskin journal? i absolutely love them! i’m a journal/sketchbook junkie! always have one at hand. love looking through them. love your blog!;) you are so inspiring!
I would love to look at your fabric designs but the link is not working and get a servers down notice,
Jill
Can you tell me if the booties are for sale or are they the free patterns, l seem to have stopped everything working,
Jill
I have various books scattered in various bags, but there’s always ONE that gets the brunt of my love. Lists, pictures, phone numbers, thoughts. These beautiful things have turned into my new journals. No more tailored writing at night. Its all scribbles and bits. Just like my life.
Hello Heather
Your materials and manual work please me very well. And your foto’s has me inspirierd to purchase for me a new camera. Thank you for this inspiration! Greetings Tanja
*SIGH* I love notebooks. I have a knack for picking the prettiest ones. But I never ever write in them. I have big plans. I’ll draw, I’ll write, I’ll journal, I’ll sketch and plan. But, now, I just have a shelf of empty notebooks longing to be written in 🙂
Have a great week!
We can’t get enough of the notebooks…they are a must have for us. Sprial bound have only been good to us, but we are always willing to try out something new and FUN.
I go through sketchbooks pretty quickly. I prefer spiral bound – you can fold them over and get to the page from all sides. I am always turning the book around and around when drawing!
Heather, you should post some of your sketches! We’d love to see them, me especially….
I switched to spiral bound because I can always add pages if I rip too many out!!
ya know? for the longest time, i’d write my thoughts and project lists etc on random torn out pages, post its, you name it- to be lost forever. no longer- what a lovely post in ode to an essential ‘tool’, as you said. thanks!
Check out my sisters sketch book pages on her blog!(www.mollyk-extractsfrommysketchbook.blogspot.com Glad to see lots of fellow sketch book and journal lovers!!
That’s odd that you would have that problem with the spine. It must’ve been a poorly made book. Before converting to spiral, you might want to try a chain/coptic stitch journal. The exposed binding allows the book to lay flat, like a spiral bound one, but the pages won’t fall out like they might with a spiral. If you send me an address, I’ll happily mail you one to try out! 🙂 I’d welcome your feedback.
Hi Heather-
I just found your blog and your fabrics… I am mesmerized! You are amazing! This is such eye candy… I don’t sew, I have a pastry blog, but your studio looks like the ice cream shop I’d love to have one day. Eye candy to say the least. beautiful, beautiful!
Aran
As much as I love the bound book, I stick to spiral sketchbooks and notebooks simply because I’m a lefty and it’s so much more comfortable to flip everything open and over. It’s like you’re doodling on the first page every time!
I found some great top spiral sketchbooks at my local half priced bookstore!
I’ve just stumble upon your blog and all I can say is that it’s absolutely stunning!!!!! Thanks for sharing your patterns so generously! Your fabric is gob-smacking!!!
A friend made me a sketchbook for a swap that we did. I am serious when I say she made it. She bound the book and it is beautiful!
Wow this is so nice & organized!!! I live in a rural area but can anyone recommend where to buy one so I can stop using note books? LOL I make a run to the valley every so often. Michaels or somewhere online?
I thing your work is just great. I had the pleasure of seeing you at the Country Living Entrepreneurs Convention. And I was thoroughly impressed with you especially. You seemed so humble and you we’re a wealth of information. I am currently working on my own children’s designs. With 2 children it’s hard to find time to do the thing you truly love as I’m sure you well know with children of your own but they will both be in school this year and I’ll finally have some me time. If my work is even a fraction of what you’ve become, I will feel truly blessed. Thanks for the inspiration.
Sincerely,
Rachel Elsey
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