Almost every single morning, I take a few minutes to read from a devotional or inspirational book and then journal my thoughts in a scrappy traveler’s notebook.
Over the last year, I’ve discovered that I LOVE quiet time in the morning for reflection and crafting. However, I don’t always have as much time for the crafting portion as I would like. So, I’ve gotten into the habit of decking out a new traveler’s notebook every few months, so when I go to journal each morning, I already have a pretty decorated page waiting for my thoughts.
Scrappy Traveler’s Notebook
Follow along below as I share a few of my favorite products for creating these journals and a few tips I have on mixing things up in your paper crafting projects!
Paper Crafting Supplies
I like to source my paper crafting supplies from a few key places:
- Tuesday Morning (oddly enough, Tuesday Morning has a fairly large craft section chock full of supplies from American Crafts, Amy Tangerine, Maggie Holmes, Tim Holtz, and much much more for super low prices!)
- Amazon (check out my favorite pens, inks, etc.)
- Traditional Craft Stores (JoAnn, Michaels, Hobby Lobby)
[Related: Top 4 Bible Journaling Supplies]
Traveler’s Notebook Options
I’ve made three of these scrappy traveler’s notebooks over the last six months and have used two different notebooks as my base.
First (and third), I used a traveler’s notebook from May Designs. They used to have a monthly subscription kit, which came with two traveler’s notebooks each month. I was a subscriber for over a year and have a ton of these on hand. The specific size book I’m crafting with is no longer available, but their “Classic” notebook would be a great option for crafting as well. It’s slightly larger, so you would have more room to write in one of those.
Second, I used a traveler’s notebook from JM Planning Essentials. The notebooks from JM Planning Essentials have fewer pages than the May Designs notebooks, but they have superior paper! So pick your poison with that one!
If you’re worried about the nibs on your pens and markers, I would recommend a JM Planning Essentials notebook. They use 100# luxurious Mohawk Via paper, which is cream of the crop and much smoother than what’s in the May Designs books.
[Related: What’s In My Bag? Travel Lettering Supplies]
Crafting & Designing Your Traveler’s Notebook
Now comes the fun part — actually crafting in your notebook! When I open a traveler’s notebook, it truly is a blank canvas. I don’t have any plans or expectations. I start grabbing die-cuts, stickers, and ink and just go to town! Some pages I end up loving. Others I do not! It’s all part of the fun.
As I fill each page, I discover new techniques and styles I’ve never tried before like the polka dots above. How fun are these?!
One thing I have to be careful about (not really careful but something I try to avoid) is falling in love with one design style/color palette and doing the same thing on nearly every page. I like variety in my notebooks, so I try not to repeat the same technique more than 2-3 times!
Creating a scrappy traveler’s notebook is so soothing for me. It’s a mindless craft that I like to do while watching Netflix or listening to music. I really enjoy letting my mind and hands wander as I create.
If you start to design a page and really don’t like where it’s going, just change course! Oftentimes, I will start stamping something, decide I don’t like it, and cover the whole thing with a piece of paper like the spread above.
All in all, there is no right or wrong way to do this. Just grab some supplies and start making! You’ll fall in love with your creation along the way. I guarantee it!
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