Chic Sparrow is known for making some of the finest quality leather traveler’s notebooks. Her business started on Etsy but she’s been so successful that she now runs her own site and limits the number of orders accepted each week in order to keep up with demand. Chic Sparrow offers her notebook covers in an array of sizes and finishes, including a full line of “deluxe” covers which include pockets inside the front and back covers with beautifully executed contrasting stitching. I purchased the Creme Deluxe in Black Beauty in the A5 size ($109.99). I wanted to be able to accommodate some larger sketchbook and drawing books as well as writing and planning notebooks and was hoping that the A5 would give me the space to do so.
All of Chic Sparrow’s notebook covers include four elastics inside making it easy to slide in four notebooks before you have to get creative with additional elastics to add more. Since the A5 is already a larger book and the Creme Deluxe is double layered, thick leather, I am trying to limit myself to no more than four books at a time so I don’t feel like I’m carrying around a brick in my bag.
Okay, I lied. At present, there are five notebooks in my Black Beauty but cut me a little slack since some of these books are specifically in here for review purposes. (Reviews to be posted in the near future!) But from the side view, you can see the thickness of both the leather, the smooth finishing of the edges by Chic Sparrow and the massive amount of books I have crammed into the notebook cover with room to spare. The middle two books are A5 sized sketchbooks, the front book is my Moleskine large planner and the back two are the Moleskine Volant and Cahier in large size from my previous notebook cover.
As I’ve only been using the Creme Deluxe for about two weeks, I have not yet filled the front pockets with cards but have slipped some notes and papers into the secretary pocket behind. You can also see the large pen loop on the right hand side that accommodates my Uni Style Fit 5-color gel pen easily. Its a large loop so any pen smaller than the Uni Style Fit needs to have a good clip or it will probably slide out.
One of the notebooks I’m using for drawing right now is the Fabriano EcoQua Staplebound Notebook. It has 38 sheets (72 pages) of 85 gsm paper and is available in blank, lined or dot gird for about $4.50. I found it in my local art supply store. Its not great for wet media but for pen, pencil and sketching, its a good option for the price point. )I reviewed the larger Dot Grid version of the EcoQua awhile back. Needless to say, I much prefer the blank version.)
In the back of the notebook cover is another secretary pocket to hold extra loose sheets and you can see more of the beautiful stitching details.
All in all, I am blown away by the quality of the craftsmanship from Chic Sparrow. The leather is beautiful and the notebook is expertly assembled. I was a little hesitant initially because of the price but I realize it was truly worth every penny I spent.
