Here at LPP, we’re all about keeping projects SUPER simple and hyper focused on using what you have without any special kit or required supplies.

Which is why we’re obsessed with Traveler’s Notebooks.

What, exactly, is a traveler’s notebook? Well, friend, that’s not a simple answer. Let’s break it down.

What is a Traveler’s Notebook?

A Traveler’s Notebook, in the context of this class, is a blank notebook dedicated to this project. It probably has up to 64 pages. And it’s probably 8-inches (21cm) tall.

The original term comes from the company that makes a specific brand of blank notebooks: the Traveler’s Notebook Company. It’s a Japanese company that sells notebooks and pens and all of the customization tools you could possibly want. The original company name was Midori, which is why you hear that used inter-changeably with Traveler’s Notebooks.

Their main product is the Traveler’s Notebook (I’ll refer to it as TN), of course, and that is a specific set of products (basically, a leather outer case + a blank notebook) that come in 2 sizes: regular and passport size. When we talk about TN’s, we’re always referring to the regular size, which measures approximately 8.25in x 4.33in (21cm x 11cm).

The entire package – which includes the leather outer case and a single insert notebook – typically costs around $50 on Amazon.com, but you can purchase inserts for under $10. And, take our word for it, you only need the insert.

How Do You Use them?

I think this is where the explosion in interest of the notebooks comes from. I mean, it’s just a blank notebook after all. So what’s the big deal?

Well, friend. That’s the fun part!

You see, you can use them as a travel journal, as a planner or bullet journal, you can use them as a personal journal, a scrapbook, an album. Honestly, the possibilities are kind of endless, which is why we created this Pinterest Board.

How WE Use them

In this class, we use a single insert to make a scrapbook album with a bullet journal.

Sounds great! Can I have an example?

SO glad you asked, friend! We have a series of videos on our YouTube Channel, all dedicated to demystifying this notebook style, getting comfortable with the format, and teaching you how to use your little notebook to make an amazing project.

Other Options

So a typical Traveler’s Notebook Personal Size insert costs a little under $10 on Amazon.com. The most common inserts are 001 Ruled, 002 Grid, 003 Blank, and 012 Watercolor and Mixed Media.

You can buy them from just about everywhere, though, and lots of small shops offer fun, colorful alternative books that have been loved by crafters and creators for years.

• Happie Scrappie shop sells gorgeous covers and covered inserts.
• Gold Standard Workshop on Etsy sells inserts and covers
• Yellow Paper House on Etsy sells brightly colored inserts and covers

Moleskine sells a similar blank notebook, with the same height, but a wider book (8.25in x 5in). Their inserts come in packs of 3 for about the same price as a single TN insert. The comparable style is a Cahier Journal (set of 3), size Large. You can buy them Ruled, Graph aka “squared”, or Blank aka “plain”.

You can also buy May Books, which are personalized notebooks made to your preference. All May Books are 8in x 5in and come in a HUGE variety of colors, patterns, and paper options. Example insert pages include: planner, weekly agenda, lists, address book, budget planner, meal planner, health and fitness notebook, coloring book, etc. Their books are typically between $20 and $25.

All that being said, you can get a comparable notebook at Target Dollar Spot for – you guessed it – ONE DOLLAR. It doesn’t need to be complicated, friends. You just need to start somewhere.

DIY Your Own

As much as we LOVE all of these purchase options, sometimes it’s fun to make your own customized, perfect-for-you notebook. Using supplies on hand, you can make a scrapbook paper traveler’s notebook with inserts of watercolor paper, mixed media paper, and writing paper.

If you're feeling a sense of overwhelm with choosing your first product, we ALWAYS recommend selecting the easiest option. You can't go wrong with an affordable Moleskine Plain Cahier Journal, as you’ll see in our example projects on this blog and on YouTube. This year, we're demonstrating this class with a Blank Insert 003 Midori Traveler’s Notebook plain, with a DIY cover.

And, as we go through the class, you'll see example albums that span across a variety of options. We'll add links and details so you know all of the options available for you.

Happy crafting!