Best Journal Ever

I have been boxing for years and for many of the early years, I used index card logbooks that I created myself using binder rings with scrapbook paper covers.  I moved on to making slightly fancier logbooks when I purchased a Bind It All tool.  Again, I used index cards but of the larger size which I cut in half.   Since I usually box alone, I was blissfully happy with my logbooks.  But, then, I began to box with friends more often and I began to notice that my stamped impressions were not as brilliant or as clear as theirs were.  We talked about it and I found out that their logbooks were using much better paper than I was using in my handmade logbooks.  So, I went out and bought Staples 110 pound cardstock.  I cut the cardstock into four evenly sized pieces, 4.25 inches by 5.5 inches and went to work with my Bind It All. 

 I also made heavy cardboard covers for these logbooks, I find it much easier to stamp against a hard cover than to try to find a hard surface.  Wow! what a difference this made.  I could proudly hold my stamp impressions up against anyone else with pride.

Then one day, I was shopping at AC Moore and found this:

I can't remember exactly how much it cost, I think it was under $10 and I had a 50% off coupon.  It was larger than my hand made logbooks but small enough to fit comfortably in each of my letterboxing packs (I have three packs, a fanny pack, which is my current favorite; a purse type pack for urban boxing and a backpack for longer distance boxing).   The brightly colored front cover is only a piece of paper which can be removed, leaving a solid brown cover which can be artistically decorated if desired.  I can easily fit six nice sized stamps on each page and because the pages are heavier than my old index cards, I am able to use both sides of the page with no bleed through.  And it has a nice heavy cover, making it easier to stamp anywhere.

I know that most newer boxers do all kinds of fancy things with their logbooks and using both sides of a page is taboo for them but after 14 years of boxing and at least 28 logbooks including four beautifully scrapbooked binders from my early days, I realized that no one will want these logbooks after I am no longer on this earth.  My joy is in finding the box, not in preserving my stamp impressions for eternity.  So.....I have now begun using these Strathmore journal which are also available through Amazon Prime, my favorite store at Strathmore Journal.