I started using this Midori Traveler’s Notebook Refill (012) for 2017. It’s only 48 pages, but the paper is a thicker quality and the overall notebook is thicker/heavier/more sturdy than other inserts. The pages are also perforated in case you are interested in tearing out, which could be a way to add this style to other memory keeping albums.
This traveler’s notebook has started as a memory keeping project for the year. I’m adding photos and journaling. I am hoping to incorporate more of an art journal style to it, including doodles, hand lettering, and collage. While I like my current memory keeping process of using the 8.5×11 album with divided page protectors and full-page layouts, I also like the idea of something a bit more personal. The fact that it is small and can travel is a plus. Especially now that I have my Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2 printer! (will share more on that soon.)
Here are a few of my beginning pages:
The opening page had this printed block on it, so I just added some number stickers for the year. These are from Amy Tangerine.
My Mom had given me some old photos and I have been wanting to scrap this one for a while. Just sorta cracks me up, my precocious little self. Stamp is from Pinkfresh Studio Dear Self.
I have a few traditions I seem to do every new year, so I wanted to record those. For one, our New Year’s Day breakfast buffet. After I took this photo I added a donut stamp in the corner. I included a photo of my leather bracelets from Laurel Denise, which include my word for the year (“express yourself”). Up top I screenshot the cover of Susannah Conway‘s Unravel book/project. I’ve been filling out this notebook for a few years now and I always wait to look at last year’s book until I finish this year, so as not to influence my results! This is an exercise Susannah offers up for free every year on her blog, and it keeps getting better each time, check it out here. And at the start of each year I always read Nicholas Spark’s latest book release (usually a Christmas gift from Mom). I know all of his stories have a certain hum to them, but I like his deep characterizations and can always find something relative. Two by Two was no different.
The alpha stamps are by Kelly Purkey GreenPoint, a favorite. I read somewhere (I think on Big Picture Classes) that it’s better to use chalk ink for less bleed in TNs, so I used a VersaMagic chalk ink.
My approach is to keep this easy and not too fussy, so a little washi, a little stamping, trying to keep the bulk down as much as possible.
A few more small photos, printing on my Canon Pixma printer onto 4×6 Photo Paper plus Glossy II. I use PicTapGo app to edit photos on my iPhone 6, then use Pic Stitch to get more photos onto one page. I then use the Canon Print app to send directly to my printer from phone. You can learn more about my process here. I primarily use my phone for my photo printing and digital scrapbook needs, unless I need to use Photoshop Elements or Silhouette. Unfortunately, I am running on a 2010 Dell laptop, so in desperate need of an upgrade. The phone is just faster. Dropbox is also helpful to move things around.
On the right hand side I included this envelope to house the letters my Aunt sent me with a package. Preserving handwriting and handwritten notes is important in my memory keeping process.
Most embellishments from Fancy Pants Designs Timber Grove. I don’t think it is readily available anymore, but you may be able to find it at an expo. The scratch and sniff pizza stickers were purchased at World Market. And mostly I just needed to find an excuse to use them!
For the full moon I stamped the back of a round stamp in a gray chalk ink, then added some circles with a silver pencil.
Thank for stopping by and checking it out.
Are you using traveler’s notebooks or other small notebooks in your memory keeping process? Do you like it?
I tried to link to as many things as possible up there, but if I missed something, please ask.
Happy 2017.
the Paper goddess 