Care and Feeding of Your Moleskine Notebook

Last year I attempted to move into the 21st century with a PDA, but got sick of recharging it (or not recharging it and losing my data.) So it got retired and I acquired a couple of Moleskine notebooks. I'd coveted one for quite a while, but was initially disappointed with very smooth, lightweight paper. But despite my reservations about their functionality as a sketchbook (go for the watercolor one if you want one for serious sketching) am now using them as an everyday notebook/planner. If you're a closet technophile, you can always try making a Geekster Moleskine a DIY HDD cover - perhaps for your iPod?

There's a whole culture evolved around Moleskine notebooks, but I must admit that I'm a bit dubious about them on several fronts - they are expensive, imported, non-recycled and a 'Name Brand'. It would make a LOT more sense to buy a less expensive, locally made notebook. Or alternatively, if it's really necessary to spend too much money on book, to go for something unique and gorgeous like this Jane Eyre Leather Journal.

Moleskine Art:
Moleskine Sketches by Mike Thomas
9th Wave Moleskine Art

It's more than a year since I revisited Moleskinerie and found them still blogging the fine art of the travel journal, since I first came across the site, three years previous., with this amusing post about 'care and feeding' - maintaining your Moleskine: "Burning sands, reticulated pythons, coffee grounds and crayons often take their toll on our little black books. What to do?"

More Moleskine Hacks / Mods:
Moleskine Pen Holder
Mobile GTD Office Moleskine Hack
Custom Moleskine Planner
Turn a Sketchbook into a Storyboard Notebook
Index Card Mod(Ideal for reference photos or collage materials)
Moleskine Travel Kit (just swap the flash drive for an MP3 player?)

Don't have a Moleskine? Make Your Own

Notebook and sketchbook tips:
- hinge a piece of blotting paper to the back page, for use with pen
- use waterproof media. Sooner or later, you'll spill something.
- don't use paste glue or PVA, it buckles the paper. Glue sticks rule.
- use Carbone rather than charcoal for a less dusty black