Circle + Arrow

DIY Traveler’s Notebook Album

I’ve been working on a new mini-album and wanted to share the very economic album I’m using. I cut down a 6″ x 8″ chipboard binder to fit traveler’s notebook-sized pages! I originally got the idea from Jessica Rubio, who cut down the same binder to 3″ x 8″ for her trip to Mexico. I wanted to do the same thing, but slightly wider, to accommodate TN pages.

While I love working in the traveler’s notebook format, I don’t love the limitation on bulky items and odd-sized pages. I also don’t always scrapbook chronologically which means using a traditional notebook can sometimes be a challenge when my mini-album is ordered chronologically. I like being able to jump around and move things if I need to.

Cutting down the binder is pretty straightforward. When you’re finished, you will have an album that will fit standard size TN pages (4.25″W x 8.25″H), or pages of up to 5″W x 8.25″H (this is the width adjusted when the TN paper is in a page protector).

I am using this 6″ x 8″ chipboard binder from Hobby Lobby (but you could probably use another 6″ x 8″ binder). It has a 1.5″ spine, 3-ring configuration, and comes with some page protectors. It retails for $6.99 but the store was having a sale on this entire brand (The Paper Studio) so I got it for $3.50 + tax.

For this project, you will need:

  • a binder
  • a box cutter, x-acto knife, or something similar to cut with
  • a ruler
  • a pencil
  • Fuse tool, for page protectors (optional)

First, I measured 1.5″ from the edge of the binder with my ruler and pencil. I marked the inside of the binder, but it doesn’t really matter since it’s pencil and can be erased later if the line isn’t completely cut away.

Next, using my ruler and box cutter, I cut through the binder along the line. As you can see, I don’t have a proper cutting mat but just layered several layers of newspapers under the album. You will definitely want something underneath your cutting area to avoid damaging your work surface.

The box cutter cut pretty cleanly for me but if your cut wasn’t as clean, you could probably clean it up with some fine sandpaper.

That’s it! Now you have an album that will fit TN-sized pages nicely. You can add them directly into the album by punching holes into the papers!

But, if you don’t want to do that, you can also use page protectors…

Page Protectors

If you’d like to use page protectors in the album, the album does come with 12 page protectors. There are 4 different configurations, 3 of each kind. Hobby Lobby also sells refill packs of these 6″ x 8″ page protectors. They come in a pack of 16 (4 each of the 4 different configurations) for $4.99. Unfortunately, I am only interested in the 1 full page pocket configuration and it doesn’t seem like they sell packs of just this type of configuration. But at $2.50/package (again, there was a 50% sale when I went into the store), it was still pretty cheap. I can also use the 4 pocket configuration as a two 3″ x 4″ pocket configuration in this album by just cutting off the other two pockets.

To make the page protectors fit in the album, I used my Fuse tool to fuse a line down so a TN (4.25″ x 8.25″) paper would fit.

So there you have it! I’m pretty happy with how this turned out will probably do it again. I only know of one company at this time that makes a similar sized album, but it costs a lot more! The cost for this album was about $6 ($3.50 + $2.50).

With 1 refill pack and the page protectors that came in the album, I ended up with seven full page protectors and seven 2-(3″ x 4″) pocket page protectors (but you could easily make more with the leftover 14 page protectors using the Fuse tool). And if you need more than 7 full page protectors, it’s cheap enough to buy more refill packs (what I will probably do).

Now I’ve got an album where I can add TN pages, with or without page protectors, 3″ x 4″ pocket cards, and different-sized odd cards as well:

As you can see, I’ve already started working on my album and will share more about these pages soon! 🙂

I hope this post was helpful!

jenwong

, ,

20,608 responses to “DIY Traveler’s Notebook Album”

« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

  7. My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

    Reply

  8. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make a great articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.

    Reply

  9. Aw, this was a really good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make a superb articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I put things off a lot and never manage to get anything done.

    Reply

  15. Asking questions are genuinely pleasant thing if you are not understanding anythingfully, except this post presents nice understanding even.

    Reply

  17. Thanks for any other wonderful article. The place else could anyone get that type of information in such a perfect approach of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the look for such info.

    Reply

  24. Hey! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow youif that would be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.

    Reply

  26. Howdy! I could have sworn Iíve been to your blog before but after browsing through a few of the articles I realized itís new to me. Anyhow, Iím certainly pleased I came across it and Iíll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!

    Reply

  27. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Reply

  32. Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in truthused to be a enjoyment account it. Look complicated to farintroduced agreeable from you! However, how couldwe communicate?

    Reply

  33. Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and I find It really helpful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to provide one thing back and aid others such as you helped me.

    Reply

  35. Normally I don’t read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do so!
    Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, quite great article.

    Reply

  38. [url=http://intranet.supportedby.candidatis.eu/cache.php?url=https://pin-up-casino-us.biz]online casino[/url]

    Place your bet at pinup now – very prestigious bookmaker
    Pin up

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.