I Drew Idaho's State Bird and State Insect, and Turned Them Into Journals You'll Actually Want to Use

I've been calling Idaho home since I was 10 years old. My family moved here from Coeur d'Alene, and I eventually landed in Boise for college (go Boise State!), where I studied graphic design. These days, you'll find me running the foothills or walking the Greenbelt with my daughter, soaking in all the reasons why I love this state so much.

And honestly? Idaho deserves more love in the gift department. So I drew it myself.

Why I Created These Idaho Journals

I hand-illustrated two brand new hardcover journals featuring Idaho's official state symbols—the mountain bluebird and the monarch butterfly. These aren't just pretty notebooks. They're a little piece of Idaho pride you can carry with you, whether you're journaling on a trail, planning your garden, or just trying to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper.

Plus, they're now available at Idaho Made Shop, which makes me ridiculously happy because supporting local is kind of the whole point.

The Mountain Bluebird Journal

If you've ever spotted a mountain bluebird in the wild, you know how stunning they are. That bright blue against Idaho's big sky? Chef's kiss. I wanted to capture that feeling in this journal, so I drew the bluebird perched in a nest of branches and leaves, inspired by those crisp mornings in the foothills when everything feels fresh and possible.

Check out the Mountain Bluebird Journal here

This journal is perfect if you:

• Love nature journaling or keeping field notes
• Need a place to sketch or write on hikes
• Want a meaningful Idaho gift for someone who loves birds
• Just think bluebirds are cool (valid)

 

The Monarch Butterfly Journal

Idaho's state insect is the monarch butterfly, and if you've ever seen one fluttering through a wildflower meadow, you get it. I illustrated this one with a vibrant monarch resting on summer flowers, celebrating the pollinators that make Idaho's landscapes so beautiful—and the incredible journey these butterflies take every year.

Check out the Monarch Butterfly Journal here

This journal is great for:

• Garden planning and tracking what's blooming
• Creative writing or poetry
• Bullet journaling or daily planning
• Gifting to teachers, nature lovers, or anyone who appreciates Idaho

What Makes These Journals Special

I'm picky about quality because I want these to actually get used, not shoved in a drawer. Here's what you're getting:

• Matte hardcover that feels good in your hands and looks beautiful on a shelf
• 150 lined pages with plenty of room for whatever you need to get down
• Perforated pages so you can tear one out if you want to pass a note or keep a list
• Casewrap binding that lets the journal lay flat (game changer for lefties)
• Full wraparound print because why should the back cover be boring?
• Hand-drawn by me in my Boise studio—you won't find these designs anywhere else

And they're $20 each, which honestly feels like a steal for something this well-made.

Now at Idaho Made Shop

These journals are officially available at Idaho Made Shop, and I couldn't be more excited about it. When you shop there, you're supporting Idaho artists and small businesses—people like me who are just trying to make cool stuff and celebrate this state we love.

Who Are These Journals For?

Short answer: Anyone who loves Idaho (or knows someone who does).

Longer answer:

• Birthdays — Way better than a generic card
• Housewarming gifts — Perfect for new Boise residents or Idaho transplants
• Teacher appreciation — Thoughtful and actually useful
• Graduation gifts — For the BSU grad heading out into the world (or staying put)
• Just because — Treat yourself, you've earned it

A Little About My Process

Every illustration starts with pencil and paper. I sketch, refine, digitize, and obsess over the details until it feels right. For these Idaho journals, I wanted to capture the feeling of being here—the colors, the wildlife, the sense of place. I drew these thinking about morning runs in the foothills and afternoon walks on the Greenbelt with my daughter. Idaho inspires me every single day, and I wanted to put that into something you could hold.

Want One? Here's How to Get It

Both journals are ready to ship and available now:

• Mountain Bluebird Journal — $20
• Monarch Butterfly Journal — $20
• Shop local at Idaho Made Shop

And if you love these, I've got a whole collection of hand-drawn journals on my site—from birth flowers to seasonal designs and everything in between. Check out the full lineup at nicotato.com.

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Thanks for supporting a local Idaho artist and small business. It means more than you know.