(and the mistakes I want to keep you from making)

Hey scrappy friends! It’s been a few months since I filled you all in on my planner situation; I’m still in a TN (traveller’s notebook) and I love it. I’ve yet to invest in a “real” TN – besides the Jane Davenport ones I showed you last time – because I spent too much time on YouTube and Pinterest learning how to make my own.  🙂

There are so many great tutorials out there (I’ve watched this one at least five times, this one two or three and this one … well, you get the idea), I want to focus on what you should not do. I’ve made a ton of mistakes and would love to save you from them!

1)  Do not cut twice and measure never. (Measure is not in my vocabulary.) Compare common TN sizes, look at notebooks and inserts and choose a size you’re comfortable with before you start cutting fabric or other materials. I know, sounds logical, but hey, I have two TNs now that I need to make monster sized inserts for so … 😉

2) Don’t just grab any elastic cord. If you watch my most recent planner flip through, you’ll see I used very thin elastic on my first TN. It may last, but I don’t think this is the place to cheap out – note to self. Jane Davenport has some great elastic cord at Michaels in a variety of colours. Also be sure to check the jewellery section!

3) Don’t cheap out on eyelets. (Are you sensing a theme here? I’m hopeless, honestly.) You want eyelets that will hold up, and not have the white colour rub off as soon as you set them with your Crop-a-dile. (Lookin’ at you, Recollections eyelets.)

4) Don’t compare your DIY TN to anyone else’s! You are making your notebook and it will be amazing. Who cares if it’s not a  Foxy Fix? Make it, use it,  love it.

With my “advice” out of the way, let’s have a look at my DIY TN collection. The most recent additions are these two, made from a flexible plastic placemat (Hometrends Honeybee print from Walmart, I cannot find it online!) and a fabric placemat.

I’d love to know if you’ve made a TN and what advice you’d pass on to anyone willing to try!

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Cheryl

Scrapbooker + Story teller + Historian = Scrapstorian. Are you a Scrapstorian?