Journals and Papers

I’ve been pondering lately, whether a person can have too many journals, especially last night when I went looking for a journal I had used to write some personal thoughts and goals. I couldn’t remember where I had put the journal, but even worse than that, I couldn’t remember which journal I had even used. I wonder if I am the only person in this position, or if others have had the same problem?

Over the years I’ve managed to accumulate more than a fair share of journals. I have leather ones, and spiral ones, some inspirational types and some I received as gifts. The hardest time of the year for me is staying out of the stationery stores in August and September around the new school year. It’s amazing just how many new styles of journals and writing notebooks they come out with each year. Invariably I pick up a couple. I’ve even resorted recently to sneaking journals into the house.

Now I do keep all my unused journals in one spot. The problem arises when I grab a journal for a specific purpose - such as writing goals, or notes about some emotions I am dealing with. I journal in different areas of the house, or I may take journals with me and store them in a favorite bag or on a shelf for later use. It seems every writing subject requires a new journal, and herein lies the problem - I’ve got too many on the go.

I also don’t believe in ripping pages out of a journal I’ve started and attaching them to another journal, or rewriting the entries into other journals. To me, the writing style and it’s messiness or neatness goes along with the subject matter and the date the entry was written. I’ve come to realize though I may have to gather all my journals I’ve touched with entries into a box and label it “Journal Storage”. At least then I could flip through them all and find what I am looking for.

As for a solution to my problem, for me there isn’t one. I shall continue purchasing the cute, odd, beautiful-gift-type-of journals, writing specific subjects unique to the style of journal, even if it is only a few entries, and trying not to misplace them. I do believe a central spot of storage though would solve part of the problem.

If you like a different journal for every specific subject on your list, then check out my store at Journals and Papers. Perhaps I should sell storage boxes too!

Spring has arrived and so have two new product lines for www.journalsandpapers.com. Each journal line is Canadian made and has something truly unique to offer clients.

Re-cover Journals are hand-made in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The company offers a ‘novel’ concept (excuse the pun), with the journals covers bound from old book covers. “Re-cover Journals specialize in transforming used hardcover books into delightful and innovative journals“, explains this small, socially-conscious company that loves recycling. Each journal is unique and one-of-a-kind. Old books, destined for demise, are picked up at garage sales and flea markets, and the covers are used to make a hard cover journal, filled with 70 pages of 100 percent recycled blank paper. The journals are coil bound and have durability and strength, not to mention a quirky cover depending on the book choice. A great gift idea for someone wanting a unique journal.

Pebblestone Papery Journals are handmade in Calgary, Alberta Canada. These beautiful hand bound journals are covered in hand-screened, Japanese Chiyogami cover with a coordinating silk Japanese book cloth binding. “At Pebblestone Papery, we proudly create beautiful and unique stationery, combining lush, handmade papers with modern design.” says Veronica Stewart-Cameron, company founder. The smooth 120 (240 sides) lined ivory interior pages are ideal for ink or pencil. Available in a writing journal, there is also a blank page sketchbook or larger journal size. Both sizes are of archival quality and are acid free. These journals are sturdy and stand up to the elements, such as humidity and different environments, making them also a great travel journal.

Discover these new journals today at Journals And Papers, featuring quality journals and fine papers for the creative mind.

My dad loves to write anything under the sun.  He can go on the whole day just writing about anything that comes to mind, he finds a sense of fulfillment knowing that he didn’t miss any thoughts he had in mind and kept it in a journal.

That is why I was thrilled to find a nice assortment of fine leather journals at this online store. Since father’s day is just around the corner, I couldn’t think of a better gift than this to give to my dad who has a great passion for writing.

I like keeping something to write with on me, but I usually lose those tiny notebooks from drug stores and all my thoughts or notes to myself are lost forever.  Someone recommended that I try keeping writing journals on my person, so as not to lose them so easily.  I found this great journal with the phrase, “She decided to start living the life she’d imagined” emblazoned on its cover.  It’s a really cool book that I can fit into my back pocket or in my bag.  It’s memorable enough that I don’t think I’ll leave it at a store while I’m trying to write down a scarf that I may want to buy later. 

These days, I’m finding that it’s extremely helpful to keep track of my thoughts and goals in a journal.  It harkens back to my days as a young adult and while it may come off as juvenile, keeping a personal journal allows me to maintain my day-to-day life with great ease.

Eventually I came across the Achieve Every Day Journal, a simple, yet beautifully bound notebook.  I seldom have found hardcover journals that I like, either due to poor stitching or ugly cover designs, but Achieve has such an understated look that I’m not ashamed of taking my book out in public with me. 

When you go shopping for a pair of shoes, it takes time to find the right ones, with a comfortable fit, something that will last, and hold up considering wear and tear. Selecting a journal to write in can be the same depending on your needs.

You may wish to determine the type of journal you want, prior to purchasing one, or you might just fall in love with a journal the minute you pick it up. This is great if you are in a store and can touch the journal and look inside. Not all stores carry a vast selection of journals. You might prefer shopping online for that one special journal. If you do, then you may want to think about the type of journal you are looking for.

Here are a few questions to get you thinking about what the right journal might be for you:

• Are you looking for a simple notebook to jot ideas?
• Do you want a bound book that will travel with you for miles and miles, jostling in a backpack?
• Do you need something to write in when out in nasty weather (e.g. field notes)?
• What about a leather journal, small and compact, for your motorcycle tour?
• Perhaps you like your journal and want it to be refillable to add to it.
• Do you want to sketch in addition to writing your thoughts?
• Is your writing neater if contained on lined pages, or is scribbling on a blank page your style?
• Is the journal a gift? What type of journal would suit the recipient?
• Does size matter?

Another aspect of keeping a journal is to figure out if it will be archived - saved for years so that the grand children and great-grandchildren can enjoy your thoughts. A sturdy acid free journal would be beneficial in this case.

One consideration too is the cost. When purchasing a journal as a gift, you might be tempted to spend a little more money. If it’s for yourself, you might spend a little less. You might not care.

A journal doesn’t have to be anything more than a binder with some 3 hole punched sheets inside. Just as a pair of shoes need not be more that a pair of flip flops. But, there are those occasions where you want something a little nicer, a little sturdier, something which fits your style, thus enabling you to write with flare. If you are stepping out with style in a new pair of shoes, why not try stepping out with a new journal?