Edition #56 Notes
Hoa Nguyen is a watercolor artist from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She crafts enchanting worlds with delicate watercolors and whimsical characters. Her drawings evoke instant nostalgia, blending softness and charm for timeless, dreamlike scenes. Hoa has illustrated many things for Dapper Notes over the years, and you may have seen her work in the forms of stickers, a poster, washi tape, and the cat stickers mentioned above.
For the early spring release, Hoa illustrated a child marching down a path of foliage alongside their pet duckling. There's a sweet energy and brightness to this illustration, and the linen fabric came out saturated with lovely colors.
Fray level: Normal
Most Dapper Notes covers are made using fabric, which naturally frays with use. Each material behaves differently, and this meter will help you gauge how much fraying to expect from your notebook. Read more about fabric covers
Orders are shipped within two business days. If I'm away for any reason, you'll see an announcement on the top of the website noting as such.
Some items are made to order, which you'll see noted in the product description.
Once shipped, most domestic orders take anywhere from 2 to 10 business days to arrive depending on the efficiency of your local postal service. International shipping delivery times may vary between 1 and 12 weeks.
Forward Bound specs
- Artist
- Hoa Nguyen
- Online at
- @hooa_nguyen
- Cover Design
- Adventures with Pet Duckling
- Cover Material
- Linen cotton canvas
- Material Fray
- Normal
- Bookcloth
- Sunset orange
- Endsheet Material
- Mulberry kozo
- Endsheet Design
- Green mist
- Paper
- 70lb smooth white
- Thread
- Emerald leaves
- Notebook Size
- 3½ × 5½ inches
- Created
- April 2025
Forward Bound
All the watercolors
Very purrrrdy
There are cats all over Forward Bound, with a few on the informational endsheet, another on this inside, and several hanging out in the stats card. Hoa illustrated five cute cats that are also available as a sticker pack. One of each of these cats stickers is included at random for Bookhead Club subscribers (only).
All in the details
Can you pinpoint what inspires you to write, to doodle, to journal your everyday? No matter the source, your Dapper Notes was made with extra care for all the little details, and is ready for you to capture life!
Watch
How Forward Bound was made
Every Dapper Notes notebook is made by hand, from scratch using a variety of materials including: a fabric cover that's bound to bookcloth, a decorative end-sheet, all sewn with waxed thread. Watch this video to see how they're made, step by step.
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Reviews
Dapper notes are the antidote to the digital age. Every item is handcrafted, hand-sewn, and designed for maximum delight.
Teresa
Highest quality construction and materials, keen eye for detail, and delicious design, month after month.
Dana
Dapper Notes are the best quality pocket sized notebooks you can get. The textile cover and thread binding means the books will hold up through time. I love the thick paper as well; good for fountain pens.
Cindy
I am a lover of texture, both visually and physically, so the different book covers are perfect for me!
RoseAnn
Wow, beyond beautiful. They are very well made and sweet. Thrilled to have these gorgeous notes.
Brad
Beautifully made, exceptional craftsmanship, wonderful customer service!
Gia
I love this notebook. It's beautifully hand crafted, very sturdy, and makes a great conversation piece. 10/
Milo
