Today marks the beginning of a new school year for many students across the country. Having been a student for many (many!) years myself, September always feels like a time for new beginnings, a clean start, and getting organized. One of my favorite things about back to school was all the clean, new supplies. Aaaahhh… the bliss of fresh, unmarked notebooks, a set of highlighters with every colour, pens and markers galore, all neatly housed in a new pencil case and backpack.
Within a few weeks I was always down to one blue pen, a random highlighter, a couple of markers with no lids, and my notes were falling out of their once-organized binders. But for a few precious days everything was bright and new, full of possibility and opportunity. So in honour of the first day of school, may I present some school supplies that would definitely have made the cut for my backpack: courtesy of Smackeral of Books.
This journal is begging to be filled with special thoughts and dreams.
Protect artwork and other projects with this stylish portfolio case!
This little notebook is eco-friendly, made of upcycled materials, and small enough to be handy for lists and reminders.
Smackeral of Books (aka: Beth) works from her home in St. Catherines, Ontario. All her notebooks are hand bound and unique. In addition to notebooks, journals, and portfolios, she also has a few pieces of abstract art available. You can see the whole selection at her Etsy shop.
Beth also has a blog (head over there and read about the super-exciting Levi-Strauss project!), and a facebook page so you can stay in the loop.
Here’s to all the students and teachers in our lives… have a great year everyone!
~Jennifer
I’ve said it before, but I’m a big fan of stationery, and when you combine that with my love of travelling, I’m sold. I spotted this journal last week on Canada Day which seems rather fitting!
Created by Laura of Prairie Peasant, this fun little notebook would be perfect for a summer road trip journal (or just to dream about all those summer road trips you’ll take one day)! The covers are made from vintage atlas pages, handbound to lie flat when open. If you look on her shop, you’ll see that the pages are made from reclaimed computer paper, hand torn and with the tractor feed holes still intact!
Her World Map envelopes also caught my eye – I love these so much, I’d have to make sure that the receiver was going to properly appreciate the fun of getting a little piece of the world in the mail. Our young daughter, who is very curious about other parts of the world, would get a big kick out of getting one of these in the mail! Laura has hand chosen each set of envelopes to include a variety of world geographical features.
Laura hails from Winnipeg, and in a little twist of fate, the funky Cosmic notebook below features paper from Botanical Paperworks, a Winnipeg company that we highlighted last week! Sometimes, Canada really does feel like everyone knows everyone else ;)
In addition to her Etsy shop, you can also find Laura and Prairie Peasant online at Twitter, Facebook and her blog! Drop by for a visit!
Cheers,
~Sarah
Back in high school and university, I indulged in a mild office supply addiction. Living in France for a year, with fountain pens and all the lovely notebooks and papers, didn’t help. Sadly, for the last few years my laptop has taken over and I hardly ever write with pen and paper anymore.
I just discovered these handbound journals, though, and they are so lovely that I’m already dreaming about a trip to the office supply store to stock up on my favourite inks and pens!
Rhonda, at Etsy’s My Handbound Books, lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia with her family. She discovered book binding while she was still at library school and immediately felt a connection to the art. Rhonda’s collection of handbound journals and notebooks are often covered in leather or suede, with straps, buttons or twine to help keep them closed and tidy.
I have a bit of an affinity for the Medieval era, and this notebook made in the style of the 1600′s struck my fancy immediately:
Love the button and strap detail!
I love the different straps and wraps that she uses to keep the notebook together in your bag or on your desk – this mini journal looks very elegant, and I think it would be perfect to use as a small travel journal or idea book!
The perfect size for an always-handy notebook!
All of the notebooks have torn-edge paper, many with recycled papers, and the combination of the rough paper and the leathers and suedes make these notebooks very special.
Charming, for grocery lists or your next manuscript!
You can find Rhonda’s books at her shop on Etsy, or visit her at her blog (check out this post, where she makes notebooks out of the boxes from “As Advertised on TV” products like the SlapChop and the Snuggie!). You can also follow her on Twitter (@myhandboundbook) or on Facebook! Rhonda is everywhere!
Cheers,
~Sarah
