Don't re-invent the wheel - a travel journal story

Hi Dolly here

 

I am a big believer in using things and just adapting them rather than starting from scratch if possible.

And my holiday journal is a good example of what I mean.

I like to keep a journal when I go away if I am travelling to lots of different places and I planned to make one.

It would be simple; lots of plain pages in craft and cream cardsstock ready for journalling, some pockets for tickets, receipts etc, and a cover, all bound with a Bind it all.

But when I was out I saw a cute Do Crafts travel journal reduced to half price.

It wasn't nearly big enough for what I wanted, having far too few pages, and it had no capacity for souveniers.

It wouldn't expand, but it was kind of nice. There were cute printed pages with maps, cameras, travel logos and phrases. Much nicer than having just plain pages.   And it had a plastic cover on which, whilst I would remeove it when I got home, would be perfect for keeping it clean on the journey.

So I snapped it up and took it apart.

 

The holes were not in the right places to simply replace the wire with a bigger one and so I put a new strip over the edge of each page, reinforcing it and covering up the previous holes.

I cut extra pages the same size, tripling the capacity of the journal.

I also cut 'pages' from plastic pockets to be the holders for postcards, receipts, tickets etc.

 

They are not acid free but this journal isn't ever going to hold photos so I am not worried about that. It is temporary storage and a place to journal.

I cut semi-circular holes in the top with a circle punch.

 

I added a new spine to the front - again disguising previous holes - and added stamped details.

 

The plastic cover, now far to tight for the much fatter book, still worked as I simply cut it in two.

I will remove it once the journal is complete but it will be great keeping it clean for the trip.

 

The result is a fat journal with loads of plain pages interleaved with the nice fancy pages from the bought journal, a hard cover, pockets for storage and a perfect journal to take away for the trip.

 

Comments

[Leanne]

A great way to adapt it to your needs, love it :D x

[Lynne]

A great idea, thanks for sharing