Make a Quick and Easy Traveler’s Notebook Junk Journal

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Learn how to make a quick and easy traveler’s notebook junk journal that is a perfect for beginners.

This traveler’s notebook junk journal is an ideal beginner junk journal. Because there’s only one signature, it is really quick and easy to assemble.

This is the perfect project for using up all those leftover papers you have in your paper stash such as printable papers and scrapbook papers, as well as magazine pages, pages from books, and other types of junk paper.

The traveler’s notebook size is particularly ideal for using up all those smaller pieces of papers. And if you already use a traveler’s notebook, this little junk journal will fit right into the cover.

Make a Quick and Easy Traveler’s Notebook Junk Journal

Supplies

• Cardstock
• Manila folders
• Ruler
• Utility knife or Rotary cutter
• Bone folder
• Gluestick
• Stamp pad
• Stamp pad applicator
• Bookbinding awl
• Binder clips
• Metal book corners

Make the Traveler’s Notebook Junk Journal Cover

You can make the traveler’s notebook junk journal cover out of any sort of cardboard such as cardstock, cardboard from a cereal box, or a manila folder.

I’m making the cover using a piece of manila folder cut at 9″ wide by 8.5″ high which is round about the size of a travelers notebook insert. I’m going to glue a printable paper onto the outside and inside of the cover.

To make an accurate cut, fold the manila folder in half and make a crease down the center with a bone folder. Then cut so that it measures 4.5″ wide by 8.5″ high.

I like to cut using a quilter’s ruler and a rotary cutter. I like the quilter’s ruler because you can see through it to position it so that you get very accurate cuts.

To make decorative papers for the outside and inside of the cover, I’m going to use some of the pages from the latest Junk Journal Printables Club Kit, together with my travelers notebook size page border templates.

These templates are easy to use and this one adds the effect of a torn paper edge to your digital papers.

To use the template, simply open a digital background paper in a photo editing program, and place the template on a layer above, then position it wherever you like.

Once you’re happy with the placement, save it as a jpg file, print it, then cut it out.

The cut size of the template is 8.5″ wide by 8″ high, so if you’re cutting a piece of scrapbook paper or other type of decorative paper to use on the cover, you would need to cut to that size.

Fold the paper in half and press a crease down the center, then apply some glue to the underside, center it on the cover and press it in place.

I’ve used a large gluestick, but you could also use liquid craft glue or spray glue.

While the glue is still wet, carefully fold the cover in half and press along the fold. Doing this helps to stretch the paper a little along the foldlines. If you wait until the glue dries, it’s possible that the glued on papers may split when you fold them over. Then open the cover and allow the glue to dry.

You can stain the edges of the cover with a stamp pad and applicator just to tone down the brightness of the cardstock.

Make the Traveler’s Notebook Junk Journal Pages

Once the cover is finished you can choose some papers for the pages. You can use any type of paper to make these pages.

I like to use pages from magazines such as Daphnes Diary because the pages in this magazine are always fun and colorful and are ideal to use in your junk journals.

You could also use music sheets old printable papers, decoupage sheets and scrapbook papers.

Once you’ve selected your papers, just cut or tear to size. I’ve selected about a dozen different papers to use in my traveler’s notebook junk journal. The pages don’t have to be the same size, so cut them in any way you prefer.

Once the pages are cut assemble them inside your journal cover to make sure they fit.

Sew the Signature into the Cover

The pages are sewn into the cover using a simple pamphlet stitch, so assemble the pages in order and clip them together with binder clips.

You need to make three holes along the fold of the cover and the pages. I like to make these holes separately on the cover, and then on the pages so that the cover holes are accurately positioned.

Using a pencil mark three holes; one in the middle and one at each end about 1.5″ in from the edge.

Punch holes through each of the marks using a bookbinding awl.

Align the folded edge of the cover along the center of the pages, and mark corresponding holes. Then punch holes through each of those marks.

Cut a piece of thick embroidery thread a little over twice the length of the cover and thread it through an embroidery needle.

Starting with the middle hole on the inside, push the need through to the outside leaving about a 4″ thread tail, then sew in and out until you get back to the inside middle hole. Make sure the thread is taught, then tie off in a knot.

To finish off I’m going to attach some metal book corners. These are easy to attach by simply placing the metal pieces over the corners of the journal, and then clamping down using flat pliers.

I’ve used a length of sari silk ribbon as a wrap around closure but you could use any type of ribbon or lace.

Now that the journal is made, you can come back at any time and embellish the pages with and scraps of paper, ephemera, clipart and word snippets to create personal collages that have meaning for you.

Adding collages to the pages is a creative way to embellish your junk journals and because these pages are not large, it’s much less overwhelming to create in them.

There’s no right or wrong way to embellish the pages, simply play around with your bits and pieces until you’re happy with the way the page looks.