August is my least favorite month of the year. I lose the will to accomplish in August. It's just too hot. I long for the first cool, crisp days of autumn, which are in all likelihood still two months away. September brings the autumnal equinox and the hope of a pleasant day now and then, but fall doesn't start in earnest until October here. So we muddle through August savoring the sweet consolation of cantaloupes and peaches and thanking God many times a day for air conditioning.

I think much of the nation must feel the same way about August, as it is short on holidays. With the exception of this coming Sunday night, which is Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night, a favorite with gardeners everywhere, there's not much to celebrate. I'll share a couple of observances and then just some books I think are cool. (Oh that word!)

Lighthouse Day - August 7


This unique little copper book by EKCreations features a print of a photo of a lighthouse in Rhode Island that the artist took herself. The journal is made almost entirely of copper and has been hand tooled by the artist. It's bound using the "Thomas Ashman" hinge design.

National Clown Week - August 2-8


Here's your word for the day: coulrophobia (n): the fear of clowns. Let's be honest; clowns are scary. I don't know a single person who doesn't think so. Setting aside a week to celebrate them is likely a desperate public relations effort to redeem them in the public eye. But this little book from Jungae, embellished with an art postcard featuring the cover of a vintage piece of music, is very unique, and I like it quite a bit. Except for the clown.

Books from Guys

Etsy is almost entirely peopled by women. We know this. So I'm going out of my way to show you a couple of exceptional books from some male artists I admire.

This stunning book from Neilsenhandmade is titled Out of Balance. He harvested book cloth from obsolete and discarded books and stitched them together for the cover design. This is the only book he has for sale in his shop right now but all of his work is standout.


I also admire Jason's work at Jwaggone. The text paper in all of his journals is not only 100% recycled but also: processed chlorine free, "made carbon neutral", and both FSC and Green Seal Certified. The cover of this particular journal is made from plywood that he has painted with milk paint, which he says is "the greenest paint there is." Even though it's blue.

My one week off of posting here has sadly turned into TWO! But I wanted to be sure to tell you about a neat event taking place this weekend. The Etsy Book Team is hosting a Virtual BBQ Scavenger Hunt this weekend, August 1-3, and the winner gets a $30 gift certificate! All you need to do is browse the amazing offerings at 18 participating shops, locate hidden items and submit your finds to enter. You also get a chance to win for each purchase you make during the event. Check our the book team blog here for details.

I promise to be back next week with more great books from Etsy artists!

National Share a Sunset with Your Lover Month


What a grand way to spend an evening in July. The cover of this cloth journal from BlueToad is a print of an original digital collage of original photos, lined with wool felt. Each signature is wrapped with vintage music sheets.

Tour de France Month


This doesn't look like Lance's bike but it's a good enough homage to the great race taking place in France right now. (I have a hard time really believing that I am the same species as Lance Armstrong.) By kjerstenhayes, this original journal is filled with beautiful colored papers. This would be a very happy place to journal for a cycling enthusiast or anyone else.

Rabbit Week - July 15-21


There is apparently some controversy as to when we should celebrate rabbits. In the UK, National Rabbit Week is in January, but I see that it is also celebrated in July. Who cares? This simple-but-cute journal from louloudo will persuade you to be happy about bunnies all the time.

National Lumberjack Week - July 23-25

National Chocolate Day - July 7

Every day is Chocolate Day! But you have license to celebrate with particular abandon on July 7. Mark it for next year. Buechertiger has actually inserted little pieces of cardboard into empty chocolate wrappers to form the covers of these clever upcycled books so it looks like the chocolate is still in them. Clever, but a little mean.

National Ice Cream Month


Every month is ice cream month! It does make sense to especially celebrate the favorite hot weather treat in the dog days of summer. You know I love a book with a sense of humor, and this one from BooksbyStephen definitely fits the bill. I love the marbled paper used for the endpapers.

Legos = Summer Fun


Every day is Lego day! Having raised three boys, I know for many years this was true in our house. But I never thought of making a book out of them! This unique creation was the brainchild of moonlightbindery. Not only does it make you happy just to look at it, you can make your own cover design over and over again with the legos provided! Hours of fun for the whole family. Just keep it away from your little boys or you'll never see it again. (Disclaimer: There probably IS a "Lego Day" proper in the year some time, so you may see this design again, maybe in a different color.)

Frida Kahlo's Birthday - July 6


Every day is . . . okay, not every day is Frida Kahlo's birthday. Kahlo was a popular and influential Mexican artist who had a difficult life, living through the Mexican revolution, contracting polio at a young age and suffering a debilitating bus accident in her late teens. I'm sure you recognize her iconic image even if you are not familiar with her body of work. The cover of this book, which bears Frida's image, is a work of art in itself made of high fire ceramic by BrendaSantaFe. Click on the image above to read the listing and learn more.

American Independence Day - July 4

Fireworks, cook outs, homemade ice cream and journals with the American flag! That's what the 4th of July is all about. Yatsu made this small 3 x 6 Americana Journal "in proper legal ratios and as close to the proper legal colors as i could come." :) She's filled this with nice heavy sketch paper and put an envelope on the first page for holding all your goodies. All for $15. Very American-friendly.

Canada Day - July 1

Many Americans can see Canada from their house, so we're happy to have our birthdays close together. PrairiePeasant has managed to honor the entire beautiful country by featuring it on this colorful book.

U.S. Postage Stamp Day - July 1

Celebrating our favorite, government-sanctioned monopoly. KarleighJae did a phenomenal job decorating the front of this pocket-sized books with a pleasing selection of stamps, U.S. and otherwise. It's the perfect gift for the philatelist in your life for this special day.

America's Kids Day - June 28

What mother hasn't been asked why there isn't a kid's day when we celebrate mother's day and father's day? Well there is! Although children should be celebrated every day. Any kid would love this journal made specially for them by Nicopapergoods, with a little pocket on front for markers. Great for traveling.

I can't believe it's already the last full week of June. Next week, the year will be half over. It's way too hot here in Georgia for the end of June, so I'm dreaming of cooler places.

Carpenter Ant Awareness Week - June 25-28

I'm not exactly sure why we need to be aware of carpenter ants, but I'm doing my part to spread the word right here! It's not clear whether the ants on this leather journal by Kreativlink are carpenters or just your garden-variety, unskilled ants, but they're busy as ants should be.

Cool off in the Faucet


I remember how a faucet and hose transformed a hot summer day when I was a kid. Doesn't this book from Donnalda make you feel a little cooler? And the words are a perfect reminder of how to really chill all year round.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation


This may not exactly be "handbound," but it is certainly unique nonetheless. All the license plate books by Tagliatela are sent with photo sleeves, but the loose leaf binding enables you to include any paper or memorabilia you like. What a great travel journal for a summer road trip.

Try a Non-Guest-Book Guest Book


Who says your wedding guest book has to be labeled as a guest book? Any blank book you like would serve very well and likely cost you less. I love this classic black and white cover from FancifulDesign, AND it's made from a vintage book--my favorite. She offers the number of your choice in her shop, but I bet she would make a custom letter monogram design as well.

This week has a bunch to do with men. It's Universal Father's Week, Men's Health Week and of course Father's Day is Sunday. So here's a few manly-type books.

Made from tweed, this tall, thin journal from Twin Gypsy Journals has the pages stained with coffee giving them a definite aged look.

So what guy wouldn't like a beer book? I want one, too. This upcycled little book is from my Alaskan friend Princess Paige who always has a delightful variety of whimsical books in her shop.

World Handshake Day - June 21

I know not every man would carry this book. But shaking hands is a manly thing. At least it started with them. Damadiva has carved her hand design into bookboard, covered it with paper and created a wonderfully textured finish with metallic paints. Copper eyelets and a wire wrapped stone complete the look.

This Week's Wedding Guest Book

Okay, it's not a masculine book. I admit this one. But guys get married, too! The thing I really like about this mini-guest book from UberArt is that it's tiny at only 5" x 3." Not everybody has a giant wedding! Who wants tons of blank pages left in a guest book? This one you can fill up even with with a small ceremony, but it's still classy and fancy, like a guest book should be Coptic bound, so it lies flat.