Share What You Love Travellers Notebook

Welcome to my blog today.  I am absolutely delighted to be taking part in Kylie Bertucci's International Highlights Blog Hop with a TRAVEL theme.  Very many thanks to everybody who voted for my card to enable me to take part today.  I was really happy to find myself in the top ten and stunned, surprised and shocked to see that I had received the most votes.  Thanks again if you voted for me.  If you haven't already seen my first Travel themed project you can see it HERE.

You may be starting here or have come from the person before me in the hop - it doesn't matter.  You can hop all the way round to see the wonderful creations by all the other winners.  So that you don't miss a thing the whole list is at the end of this post.

I love all types of stationery and pretty papers, but I have to admit that I am a little bit of a hoarder.  Frequently, I can hear a little voice in my head that tells me that it (which could be paper, a notebook or even a pen) would be great for a special project or occasion and that, therefore, it should be saved and not used.  I have come to realise that I have this all wrong, and that I should be using and enjoying all those things, after all I can always buy more and there will always be other new, gorgeous products just around the corner. 

The cover together with the individual notebooks.

For my travel themed project today, I have made Travellers Notebook using our Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper.  This paper spoke to me as soon as I saw it, and I have already used it numerous times.  It is a heavier weight than our normal patterned papers, so much so that it is almost like card stock and I have successfully used it for actual card bases!  To celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 30th year there are some beautiful pearlised accents on the papers.  It is so pretty.

A few months ago, I was thrilled to receive a travellers notebook as a swap from a fellow team member whilst we were at a Demonstrator event.  I loved it, and knew that I would want to make more of them.  I want to use this Travellers Notebook to document my summer holiday, so I have sized it to accommodate photos, postcards and our Memories & More cards.  

The pages and pockets measure 4 1/4" x 6 1/4" so I can store and display the photos etc, which generally measure up to 4" x 6".  This size will fit into my bag more easily than my regular SU! planner.   

Firstly, I made the cover.  The patterned paper measures 6 1/2" x 12" and it is strengthened by laminating it.  I scored the paper before and after laminating to ensure the spines wrap neatly around the pages. Also, I rounded the corners of the paper and the laminated sandwich.  The left over paper is a suitable size to decorate card fronts!

Paper cut to size: scored and corners rounded.

After laminating.

Spine scored at 1/4" intervals

I have done some research to find examples, and to choose the type of inserts I want to include in my book.  The Share What You Love paper is sturdy so I had no worries about using it for the covers of my notebooks to go inside the wrap around cover.  I have "books" with diary style pages, blank sheets (made with copy paper) and also square/grid paper.

Front of "diary" book

Monthly page.  There are weekly sheets included too.

Covers of the other "books"

Next, I made some pockets to hold memorabilia, cards and other bits and bobs - perhaps I will attach some paper clips too.  

The pink stripy one is essentially a file folder to slot pieces into.  There is a 4" x 6" Memories & More card in there to illustrate the size, with plenty of room to accommodate several cards on each side.

A File Folder for 4" x 6" cards

The next one is made from laminating sheets.  The pockets are made by laminating two sheets inside each other.  The shiny (normally the outside of the sheet) side of the pockets face each other inside a second laminating sheet.  After heating and laminating there is a void area created, which after trimming off the sealed top of the sheet creates a storage pocket.  Pretty paper or, as I have done, Memories & More cards can be added.

Side one of laminated pocket cover.

Side two of laminated pocket cover.

 
My final insert is made from our Striped Treat Bags and some Whisper White card to make the pages.  The bags are stuck together with a strip of Tear & Tape down the spine and are still wide enough to take 4" x 6" pieces.  I've punched out a semi-circle from the top of one side of the bag to make it easier to get things in and out.

Treat bag covers with Whisper White cardstock pages.

Each individual book is bound separately using Whisper White Bakers Twine.  The separate books are then attached into the cover in the traditional Travellers Notebook style using elastic (I used 1.5mm round elastic cord that I purchased from a haberdashery store).

Thank you so much for joining me today.  The little voice in my head is telling me to use it and enjoy it!  Something to treasure, I hope.  Have inspired you to have a go at making a keepsake?  I know you are going to love this hop - You are currently at my blog Karen Henderson - so have a look at the hop list to see who is up next. Don't miss out on one blog.

Hop List:
 
Thank you for coming by my Blog today!  As always, happy crafting,

If you would like to order any supplies, and you live in the UK, I would love to be your demonstrator.  Use the hostess code XTTJXKMA to get some free product (it will follow in the post after the end of the month).  If your order is over £150 do not use the code as you become a hostess and get rewards.To place an order, please visit my online shop: HERE

If you would like to join my team, you can choose your starter kit HERE and if you have any questions, please contact me at furrycatdesigns@gmail.com

Alternatively, you can click on one of the images below showing the supplies used: