Ecosystem Challenge Recap

This post is brought to you by Ecosystem.

Towards the beginning of the summer, I was given an ecosystem notebook with the challenge to use it for the summer. I welcomed the challenge, because I used to always keep a notebook on hand to sketch in. Sundays were the day when I sketched most. I’ve not done that in a while! My sketching time has diminished incredibly since having Penelope. It happens.

I had a great time using my ecosystem book. I got the small, blank (artist) notebook. It was the perfect size to cart around in my purse and I just fell in love with the coated book cover, perforated pages, elastic closure & secret back pocket.

From a bookbinder’s point of view, this book is well made. It’s sewn, then glued (where many cheap notebooks are just single sheets glued together = not strong). My cover surely took a beating between getting tossed around in my grubby purse & being man-handled by Penelope’s grubby hands, but because of the coating, I could just wipe dirt & mystery sticky stains right off. It was great!

Here are some things that I did with my notebook:

  • I used my Silhouette machine to create the patterned cover
  • I sketched random scenes & patterns when I was bored
  • I wrote down my grocery lists
  • I drew schematic drawings for my project ideas
  • Penelope had her way with a half-dozen pages

Would you like to win one? I totally know you would! ecosystem has kindly offered to give THREE (3) lucky IS•LY readers an ecosystem notebook of their choice*. Here’s how you can win:

  • Visit ecosystem’s site & check out their notebooks
  • Leave a comment on this post telling me what you’d use your notebook for
  • US residents only
  • Only one (1) comment per person
  • Comment by 11:59pm (MST) Thursday, September 23, 2010
  • No purchase necessary
  • Three (3) winners will be chosen via random.org & announced Friday, September 24, 2010

Good Luck!!

*Subject to availability.

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show hide 99 comments

Amy Steinberg

These are so cool! I had never heard of this brand of notebook before. I would have a tough time choosing between a calendar (can’t seem to make the transition to a digital calendar) and a blank sketchbook for drawings and lists. Thanks for the giveaway!

Shala

I would definitely choose the author one. I’ve definitely a list person and also love to jot down my thoughts!

Jennifer L

What a great giveaway! I would choose the Author Journal. It would be great to have a notebook in my purse wherein I could jot down new ideas, new websites and to-do lists.

I love the author one–blank pages to use as I wish; no lines to get in the way! I would get a soft cover, and I really like the kiwi green, though I think I could be happy with any of the colors. Thanks for sharing!!

Lauren W

I would love to use the author one for a journal — I’m trying to be better about documenting this time in my life, and a sweet green notebook would be the perfect motivation.

Heather C.

I would love the architect journal! It would really come in handy with work and I would use it for my own space planning and ideas.
How is the pregnancy going? I am so excited for you!!!

I’d give it to my husband. He is always sketching.

So much pettier than the steno pad I take with me everywhere!

I would use the notebook for crafty ideas and sketches! I’m an art education student, so I have at least 3 different large sketchbooks to use each semester. It would be nice to have a bag-friendly (and eco-friendly!) sized one to use for my own little projects, and not just my assignments!

Leah E.

The artist one all the way! I love having paper handy to doodle ideas and pictures, but I’ll just lose them if it’s loose pages. (Which happens way more often then I’d like to admit.)

I’d love the author one so that I can doodle and sketch my ideas for new designs out and keep my grocery/to do lists in a place they won’t get lost!

i collect pretty notebooks and mainly use them to write my lists.
i list everything…
thoughts, tasks, chores, grocery lists, lust lists..
i’m a lister.

VickiT

I really love these. They are so helpful to do so many things in organizing your life from, as you said, grocery lists. One thing right now I need one for is to help me organize myself for gift giving and other things I might need to make gifts for. I can write down what I am going to make or the ideas. Having the one showing the weekly calendar and the opposite page a lined page would help in getting those things organized. For the holidays it would be so beneficial to start a countdown earlier in the year to start projects on certain dates and what needs to be done. Also, any upcoming sales for things I don’t want to miss could be written. By having one of these I can always have it on hand unlike my computer Outlook calendar that I obviously must be near in order to enter things as I think of them.

Rachel P

I love them all and it’ll be hard to decide between the artist and the architect ones…..

Julie

I think this would accompany me everywhere I go for lots of different things!

I love to have a little notebook in my purse for writing things down. Their sizes are perfect! I love that they offer grid paper!

I’m like you- I have similar notebooks that I carry everywhere, and sketch ideas, jot down inspiration, and use for scrap paper. The problem is, it’s difficult to find good notebooks with blank paper. If I win, that’s what I’d use it for!

To write down all my story ideas, including my crazy dreams! I’m a wannabe writer who loves to doodle–this would be perfect!

Erika

I teach an environmental science class and have my students keeping an observatio journal of nature and things around them. These would make great graduation gifts at the end of the year.

Erika

I would love the author’s notebook. I’m always making lists!

I would definitely use the planner notebook. I love that it gives you room to make lists, notes, etc. Plus they have one that would fit in my purse!

Nicia

I would use any of them really! The planner notebook looks awesome, but the artist one would be great for the versatility. The blue color would totally match my diaper bag too!

i would use the notebook to write down things i discover while living in australi.a..

Helen

I would use it to take the place of all my paper scraps in my purse I currently write my lists and ideas on!

you draw so good!
I gave you an award! Check it out here
http://bellesmee.blogspot.com/2010/09/dont-settle-for-style-succeed-in.html
Bellesme

Oh wow! They are so beautiful! I just want to consume everything in there webpage.
I would have to say I would use mine to draw.
Although I’ve always wanted to write a book and I think this would be a fun place to start.

marissa

i’m a journal junkie so this post is calling out to me.
i would carry this around in my purse an jot down all my random ideas, thoughts, and sketches in it.
so cool!

Tanya

Wow this is a great giveaway! I love ecosystem and have bought there product before for friends and family as gifts. If i won this giveaway i think i would get the Artist one for a birthday present for my boyfriend whose birthday is next month, and hes an artist and loves sketch books so i really think he would enjoy this

What an awesome little notebook! I am in need of a place to track my thoughts on photo projects, and this looks like a great candidate.

So cute! I would love one to help keep me organized-what a great giveaway :D

i would use this super cute notebook as my “catch all notebook,” in which i keep all random inspiration, important phone numbers, directions, jokes, whatever i want to remember. i always have one of these notebooks in my purse :)
kait

What a lovely place to collect some thoughts. I would be delighted to win!

I’d use this fantastic notebook to keep track of my school assignments!

Your sketches are so wonderful! Truth is I want a notebook that has ALL those different pages in it, but I must choose. Probably the Advisor since I could use a lovely pocket calendar for my purse in 2011 :)

Trudy

I would use the notebook for daily notes & inspirations.

Denise

I’d definitely go for the weekly advisor. I love the extra lined space for jotting notes and ideas!

I’d use the advisor for my super busy schedule! I wanted an iPod Touch so I could access my Google calendar, but recently discovered that I abhor the app store and other features, so I’m ready to carry around a paper version of my calendar instead!

I would get the Artist Journal, I have to say that I’m addicted to blank page journals. Now would be an awesome time to get lucky. For once. :)

I need lines so i would definitely go for he author style. I would use it for grocery lists, to do list, and my newest obsession cake idea’s.

I would use it for jotting down ideas, notes and all those things that I mean to remember, but somehow quickly forget.

info at josephsgrainery.com

I’ve been having fun making my own clothing, so I’d probably be sketching out designs and ideas. Oh, and lots of lists for those trips to the fabric store, because I always forget half of the things I need!

Libby

I’m constantly making lists of anything and everything while I’m in class. Homework lists, grocery lists, to do lists, chores lists. I have to write down absolutely EVERYTHING or I’d never get all of my design work for school or errands done. I live my life through my little notebooks!!

Andrea

I would get either the author and the artist one and keep it in my satchel…so i can reach it quickly when i am grabbed by a thought, quote, idea, mental image, or dream that must be written down or drawn immediately. it would be titled “miscellany”. :)

Rachael

Your cover is so cute!! I would definitely love the artist book – I love making lists, but I always feel so hemmed in by lined paper. No lines = freedom to doodle, draw, and make my lists look awesome. That way I don’t feel as overwhelmed by all the tasks I have to do! I also love doodling song lyrics and movie quotes that describe my day or my state of mind at the time.

Brianne

oooo. I would love to have the Advisor. I would have the ability to keep up with my daily tasks and still be able to sketch fun stuff on the lined pages!

I would love to use a notebook for a journal, drawing or writing. Sometimes, something can only be described in pictures. I love the colors, too! So neon! ;D

christina

OMG, YES.
i LOVEEEEE these kinds of notebooks, seriously.
i have like 4 that are almost filled up.
one i use for lists.
another i use for doodles.
and the last, i use for random things.

i love making lists.
it’s an… obsession.
plus, i’m almost forgetting to do things.
and making lists helps a lot.

plus, ideas pop up into my head at random times.
and like i said before, i’m totally forgetful.
so i jot things down or draw ideas.

i would love the artist book.
i love blank pages.

thanks for this!

angie

your sketches are really fabulous! what great sketch books! i would love the planner book — an artist, i am not… a planner, i am! :) thanks!

These look so awesome! I would definitely use the sketchbook. I can never get enough sketchbooks.

Amy P.

Oh, my goodness…how can I begin to describe my complete obsession with anything journal/notebook?! Okay, well, gee, let’s just say I currently have 17 that I constantly use to fill with to-do lists, journal entries, letters, or random quirky thoughts that strike me. So saying, I’d totally pick the author notebook to add to my collection! I wish I could draw like you do, but as I don’t, I’ll just stick with my ramblings. :)

I wish filled my most recent notebook to the brim. I’ve been scrawling notes in the margins, and it is starting to look crazy. I’d use to my notebook to write to-do-lists, questions for my midwife, and sketch out ideas for things to make. I’d LOVE the artist style notebook with blank pages. I love all the colors they use especially the watermelon.

Anne

I would either get the advisor and use it to better plan and organize my life, or I would get the artist for jotting down poems and inspiration.

Right now I use a gigantic sketchbook for all my notes, doodles, card design planning, etc. It’s so big though, that it’s not really convenient to tote around with me. It’d be nice to have a smaller notebook that would fit conveniently in my purse to have around when inspirations strikes.

you are such a good artist! i’m so jealous of your artistic skills.

cute notebooks…i’d use one as a journal and for keeping my lists!

I’d use the notebook to sketch out quilt designs. Right now, they just reside in my head and on scattered receipts and pieces of scratch paper.

Love the notebook, but even more importantly loving your art! You are sooo talented.

Great to see you the other night at the Rhodes event.

I’d LOVE a notebook! I need something to carry in my purse to jot down all of the random thoughts and inspirations that rush through brain my as I’m running around town during the day.

Virginia

I would love such a nifty notebook… although I would also love it to have such a cool pattern like you put on yours. I would use it exactly like you did. Random sketches, thoughts, plans, lists, etc.

Hollie

These notebooks are soooo cute. I would carry it with me everywhere and keep notes for my business and my kid’s activities in it.

ooooo! i love these! i would use one for lists, ideas, and drawings. i love the bright colors.

Sheryl

I would love one of these notebooks to better help me keep my mind organized! With profound thoughts, questions and shopping/to do lists! The artist, hardcover, medium size on Kiwi or Watermelon would be awesome! I love the Kiwi or Watermelon color, that way I won’t lose it.

I would use my book for daily sketching on the go. For writing down ideas and sketching things while I’m out and about, so that I don’t forget them before I get home.

i would use it to sketch out wedding invitation ideas.
also, i have an very grubby purse- so this would be perfect :)

jill harris

I use notebooks for everything. I carry one in my purse at all times to draw or write down ideas. I love that they are small

i’m a notebook girl, too. all my BFA senior show notes/sketches/behind-the-scenes work was in one beautiful hand-made notebook which i’m sure i’ll save forever.

Chatelaine B

i need a place to keep our travel ideas in one place. not to mention those random thoughts of gift giving as the end of the year rolls around so I’m not scrambling on December 23rd!

Shannon

I’m a self proclaimed list-freak. It would be nice to have a book instead of the billions of post-its I have floating around in my purse. :)

Heather HS

I would use it for to-do lists, and grocery lists, and sketches, and craft project ideas, and flower bed layout diagrams, and …..

Lee Ann

I have always kept a notebook in my purse. No high-tech stuff for me. I have a daughter that is almost three and I kept a journal for the first year of her life and wrote down how she grew, wrote stories about her and remarked about her hitting all the milestones and habits. I will be finishing up my 8 month old son’s journal in December. I need a new journal to write down all the cute things a toddler says and all the stories about how the two of them interact and love each other. I will pass the journals down to my kids when they have kids of their own.

When I worked full-time, I had a notebook that wrote all my tasks in–I managed to stay very organized. Now, between working part-time and being with my little girl the rest of the time, I keep a mental to-do list…uh, yeah, that’s never a good idea!

I’d use the author journal for writing little notes to myself and funny things I hear people say so I can remember to tell my husband when he gets home.

christy

I’m torn between the architect and the artist versions. I am a prolific doodler so that would, no doubt, fill up most of the book.

Hey Melissa!

I’d use it to write down my thoughts since my wrists aren’t up for much typing.

jill

I came across your website googling about h&m in SLC. I love your site – very inspiring!

I’d give the notebook to my husband who would likely use it for drawing, writing & honey to do’s. :)

These look amazing!

I am a doodle maniac-so this would be very useful!

i use little notebooks all the time so one of these would be great to try.

i’m always thinking of ideas/projects to work on and if i don’t write it down then i forget!

I would use a kiwi author medium one to stick in my purse and jot down thoughts in. Right now I am working on a project to write about my mother’s youth on my blog, and I have a million thoughts spinning everywhere. The word document I’m using just is NOT as cute. :) Mom loved green, so this notebook could be full of thoughts and memories of my mom.

Taylor

I have been looking for a sketchbook that isn’t too bulky to carry around with me in my purse. I have fallen in love with ecosystem’s lagoon color, and I believe it will be an inspiration every time I pick it up. Oh, what color does for my imagination!

mariah

i would use it to write cute list (movies to watch with my boyfriend, things we need from the store, ect.) & draw cute little pictures of our dogs (one is a pug & the other is a boston terrier).

oh how lovely! i’d love one for recipe notes – i’m forever jotting at post-its and bits of envelopes.

ElaineMicheline

I love jotting down lots of random stuff- quotes I’ve seen or heard, ideas that just pop up in my head, recipes that I want to try, little stores I’d like to visit when I just happen to stumble upon them, etc. etc. I would def. go for the journalist in hard cover in lagoon.

Liz Johnson

I seem to be an accidental notebook collector – I have notebooks scattered everywhere filled with my ramblings and stories. I’d love to have one that’s actually well made. I’d certainly fill it with more stories and lists of projects to be done. Thanks!

Karen

I love the possibility in the Artist! As much as I love lines to keep my writing straight, I am inspired by your sketches and want to leave as much room for creativity as possible in the notebook.

I like to jot down quotes or passages I find as I read, doodle and just write random things.

Thanks!

I love blank notebooks. I would so use this for doodling and sketching all my ideas down. There are times when I’m at the mall and I see something that would totally be cool, but I could make. That’s when I use a little notebook and sketch it down. I need one for my purse that would hold all my ideas… (and lists…I’m getting to be just like my mother!)
thanks for the giveaway! I sure hope I win!

Beautiful!! I’d use one as a journal and for keeping my lists in order :)

Reez

Oh, this is perfect! I’ve kept journals since I was a little girl and they’re one of my most treasured items! As I’ve gotten older, I’ve actually managed filling 3 books to the brim. I love revisiting the memories I’ve jotted down over the years (and realizing how dramatic I was in my high school years – everything I wrote was sad and tragic although that was a happy, careless time of my life!).

If I were to win (and I sure HOPE so!), I would love to get an artist one. I’m not an artist by any means but used to have one in high school that I used to practice sketching and writing poems and notes in them.

P.S. Check out this 5-year diary: http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=3644&cat=
I use this one daily since I don’t always have the time or *need* to write in my journal.

Alison

I like to keep a blank notebook in my purse to make lists (I love lists), and am in need of a new one. This would be perfect!

sweetcaroline

Would love to win!

Lisa Ziegelheim

I’d carry this around with me everywhere jotting down notes, ideas, sketches, or just anything! I love keeping little notebooks in my purses and am in dire need of a new one!

I would fill it with crazy adventures. I just moved to Philly, and life is crazy and unexpected here. I want to remember every minute of it.

In an effort to be sustainable I tend to scribble my designs (I’m and interior designer) on sheets of paper that I cut into smaller sizes so that I can carry them in my purse.

If I had a wonderful Ecosystem notebook I would sketch my design ideas for an upcoming competition that I will participate in. I love their cover designs, the size, the bind….it’s perfect!

Emma Rivers

I’d love a small, artist sketchbook so that i can sketch and jot down ideas while on the go. I have been away from sketching for a while and a new sketchbook would be a great incentive to get back to it!

Oh to have a beautiful sketchbook in my purse at all times to capture my musings and occasional brilliance! I keep losing all the receipts where I currently record my fleeting genius! You gotta catch it when you can, right? These are beautiful…

i would definitely use it for doodling. and for the kids to doodle in while we’re waiting at restaurants & things like that. very very cute!

p.s. my new silhouette arrived today, it’s still in the box! but they got my business all because of your blog =)

Am I still on time? I hope so! This is super cute!!! And i absolutely love your little drawings!! <3

I'd use my notebook for scketches of jewelry i'd like to make and to write short stories in when im in uuber creativity mode. I'd also keep it my bag all the time so I could use it as a journal to jot my random adventures in. (You see a lot of funny things in the city!!)

:)

pebbles

oh goodness!! i would totally use it for my photography notes!! lord knows i could use a notebook on site and not “i’ll try and remember to write that when i get home..”

Ashlie Rae

i would use it for writing down the constant thoughts running through my head and also to sketch things i see around me that usually end up on napkins. :) i might also use it as a community sketch book, have my beautiful friends write little notes and draw cute pictures!

i’d doodle, draw, color, make lists (obvi) paste, paint and tape.