New DIY Traveler's Notebook Courses

The Upcycled Traveler's Notebook: Purses, Books, Planners & Leather

HAPPY New Year!

Video flip of planners and journals I'm using this year:

Things mentioned in video:

Nik The Booksmith Planner Kit:

Mel Robbins on YouTube

5 Second Rule

5 Second Journal

TED Talk

Stalogy notebook in A5

Stalogy A6

Chic Sparrow, Mr. Darcy

One Book July 2017

I wasn't going to do One Book July this year. I did it for the first time last year with my Tea Time Travlers Notebook, and it really helped me to define what I wanted in a planner and how to create a workable system. So I didn't really think there was anything new I could do!  However, the theme was "Go Big or Go Home" and is up for interpretation.

A coupla weeks ago, I got a Webster's ring bound planner that was damaged; the rings were detached at one end. So I got it for 75% off it's already sale price of $29.99.  WOO and HOO!   So I moved my work planner into the new Websters, after I removed the rings and converted it into a Travelers Notebook.  I really like the pockets in this new planner. It's a bit bulkier than my original TN, but that's OK. I'm really liking it.  So here's a flip thru:

Traveler's Notebooks

In my obsession with planners and journals I came across the Midori Traveler's Notebook. Around about the same time, I'd gotten this really cute bible at a thrift store, but it reeked of smoke and the print was too small. So I thought I'd make my own Bible-dori.  Here's the outside:

I got multi-coloured elastic at the craft store.

This is what it looks like on the inside:

Scrapbook paper & washi tape with pocket on the inside, and it holds 6 books. I made the books using blank copy paper and scrapbook paper. Here are the books out of the Bible-dori cover:

I made little holes with a Crop-a-dile eyelet and snap punch, but you could use an awl if you wanted to. Then I threaded the elastic to make four bands to loop the books in:

On the right, you can see the elastic I used as a fastener to keep it closed.

Here's the outside:

I connected two books together with rubber bands before inserting them:

Rubber band at center of each book:

I should also mention that you can use any kind of paper; I just happen to prefer blank paper. Also I used a corner rounder to finish off the edges. I keep the Bible-dori in my purse and this is how I use it:

Book 1: Groceries and errands

Book 2: To do list

Book 3: Notes, quotes

Book 4: Ideas

Book 5: Expenses: I write down everything I spend.

Book 6: Appointment calendar: this is just for scheduling, so I know what I'm doing.

Folder: made with scrapbook paper and washi tape, it holds address labels, stamps, and stickers. 

The great thing about the traveler's notebook is that you can switch out the notebooks once they're full or rearrange however you want. The Bible-dori went thru three evolutions before I was happy with it this way. The traveler's notebooks come in different sizes; the Bible-dori is a bit bigger than the traditional "passport" size.

I showed the Bible-dori to my nephew and he thought it was a cool idea. So I made him one:

Larger field notes size.

I got a piece of leather from Michael's craft store. I used the same elastic that I used for the Bible-dori and painted it with a gold paint marker. The coin on the elastic closer thingie is from a jingley-belt I had with lots of different coins on it. 

Here it is open:

I made a folder with a manila envelope and taped it with duct tape.

Inside of folder and the TN holds 4 notebooks:

I got these notebooks in a pack of three at the office supply store. I had to trim them down with a rotary cutter about half an inch to fit the notebook. Here's a book secured in elastic:

Here's what it looks like with just the folder:

Everything out with just the leather cover:

Outside of the notebook:

It already has a nice "Indiana Jones" scuffed up look.

Here's Magnolia May DeSolay with a Show 'n' Tell: