DIY Tuesday: Travel Journal

I always make a travel journal when we go on an extended trip or mini-vacation to document all of our happenings and such. I made one last year when my hubby and I went on a mini-vacation to the mountains. It is SO much fun to look back through the journaling and mementos about the trip and remember details that would otherwise be forgotten. You can see the finished one from last year here.

The idea is to have the journal with you on the trip and that you journal in it each day (sometimes more than once!), jotting down thoughts and happenings each day. Also, collect mementos such as receipts from eating out or purchases, tickets to events/places, brochures, stickers, postcards, etc! As you gather mementos, hole punch them and stick them right into the journal, or glue them down with adhesive.

Making one for a trip is super easy and quick to put together :)
Supplies to make the journal:
+ Random assortment of papers (I usually allow 2-3 per day of the trip)
+ Random assortment of envelopes (I usually allow 1 per day)
+ Binder rings (at least 2)

For the cover, I reused some old cardboard like I did for this journal. I added a vintage map of North Carolina, sewed some paper rounds together, used a rub-on, and added a few other embellishments.

Supplies to take with you on the trip:
+ Pair of mini scissors
+ Hole punch
+ Adhesive
+ Different colors of pens (so your journaling will be in different colors each day :))
+ 6" x 9" envelope (to carry around with you and gather mementos throughout the day)

Inside Pages:

I pack all of my materials in a zipper pouch so they are all there together. Everything needed for your travel journal is below :)Once you get back and have your pictures developed/printed, it's easy to see where they go in the journal because you have already journaled about them! :) Just punch holes and add them right in :)

*EDITED 5/12/10: Thank you so much for all of the lovely comments about this post! :)

krankemommy said: I really love the idea of making these small notebooks/journals. They seem to be easy to make and the options seems virtually endless! The only question I have about them is what do you do with them once you are done? Most of my "crafting" is sewing and most of my sewing is clothing, so we have an obvious use for the result of my labor. I think I would worry that I wouldn't know what to do with the journals once they are done. You mentioned that you liked to look back on them, but how do you store them/use them until you are ready to go through it? Thanks!

I love your website!!!

Thank you for a great question about displaying/storing the journals! :) I store a lot of mine in a decorative wire basket on a shelf above my craft table. I also have a couple beside the basket on the shelf. I have thought about adding another basket to store more, or to continue putting them on there like you would a normal book. Though these shelves aren't huge, they would store a lot of them standing upright. I have seen others store theirs in this fashion- they put them on a bookshelf in a family area. Or keep a couple in a basket on a coffee or end table (of course, if you have a little one, this might not be the best idea-- I know I can't do this or they would end up in a bunch of pieces ;)). Now, as I continue to make journals, I know I'll eventually fill up the space on that shelf, lol :) Once you run out of room in your allotted space, you could store them in a plastic storage container in the attic, garage, under the bed, etc. and rotate some of them out at different times in the year. I have a couple of older journals in a storage container under the bed and while they are not prominently displayed in my home, it is fun to pull them out and look through them from time to time. They are definitely treasured possessions and great for reminiscing about past events/times :)
agnes sim said: wow..lovely travel journal!! Got a request here, do you have any idea or sample for wedding guest book? My wedding is hold on this OCT, so plan to DIY a wedding guest book, but no idea yet. ;-) do you have any suggestion or tutorial?

I do not have a tutorial at this time for a wedding guest book - although you have inspired me to think and explore that idea some more! If I develop an idea/tutorial, or if I find some great ideas on the www, I will definitely post them! Thanks! :)

++ Thank you again for all of your lovely comments on my posts! I LOVE reading each and every one of them and do try to answer questions in posts or via email or on your blog! :)