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:

Personal-Planner Review

In my search for the Perfect Planner, I learned about the Personal-Planner. Out of Sweden, this company lets you create a customized planner with LOTS of choices!  Here's the one I ordered:

The cover was one of their designs, but they have an option to upload your own. The elastic band is also available in different colours.

Here's the inside:

Month-on-two-pages is another option:

Also, look at that book mark/ruler! Also offered in different colours.

Another great feature is that you can customize your own dates; birthdays, anniversaries, etc. They have cute balloon and heart icons.

They have different choices for how you want your week layout, horizontal, vertical or:

Also, at the bottom of the page, you can choose different things to add.

No tabs, but they do have some colour-coding for the months:

Here's the year at a glance. 2017 is also included with important dates.

Here's a removable plastic holder, that you can insert things in from the top:

They have free shipping world wide, which is awesome! 

Here's what I like:

• Choices for customizing: size, layout, add-ons. 
• The size is pretty portable.
• The paper is really sturdy and good quality; no bleed thru from pens.
• Customizing with personal dates.
• It's really pretty!
• Free shipping and the price point is $40 for the A5 size I got; $10 less than a basic Erin Condren.

Here's what I don't like:

• The month view starts with Monday instead of Sunday. It throws me off.
• No tabs. I like tabs!  
• I would like a blank page (at least) in between months for planning.

All in all, it's a really nice planner, but the view of the month is a sticking point for me. My sister really likes it, so I'm going to give it to her. 

Here's a review of the planner that my "cousin" did: