Silverthread Scraps...: Projects

Before starting my new job in February, I wanted to take a vacation to relax a bit and rejuvenate. Me and my girlfriend Arpita decided to take a well-deserved trip to Cozumel. I didn't want this to turn into yet another trip that I intend to scrap about and never do. Since it was only a long weekend trip, I figured that a travel journal would suffice to cover this entire trip.

Using the ideas in the article "Make Your Own Travel Journal" by Vicki Chrisman in the june/july 2006 issue of Scrapbook Answers, I made my Cozumel Travel Journal out of manila envelopes and some cardstock. The manila envelopes serve to make a sturdier base for your journal, and also providing some pockets that are just the right size to insert pamphlets & maps from your trip.

If you'd like detailed instructions, you can email me.

The Cover

To bind the album, I used one of the new Basic Grey Magnetic buckles and some ribbon. I love the way that this looks, especially the color of this particular buckle which just seemed perfect for a Cozumel vacation.

Inside Pages

One of the pockets created by the manila envelope that's folded in half.

Supplies to take with you:

I actually took tons of stuff with me on this trip to work on the journal with, but only used a few things in the end. Here's my list of items that I found most helpful.

1-2 journaling pens (1 black, and 1 other of your choice - I like blue / brown)
1-2 small ink pads (I find the Cat's Eye chalk pads to work well, but I would make sure they are wrapped in saran wrap or taped shut, since I found that my lids came off in travel)
1-2 small stamps to use as a tying element throughout your pages (I like using something that leaves space to journal in the middle)
1 set of small alphabet stamps (I like clear acrylic stamps since they're faster to work with and easier to pack)
1 sheet of vacation themed stickers - I chose a set of definition stickers
some paper clips / binder clips
small scissor
tape / glue stick /stapler

Travel Journal Tips:

Some of these are my own, others are garnered from various scrapbook magazine articles about travel journals (Scrapbook Answers, Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc)

You can keep your travel itinerary in one of the pockets created by the manila envelopes
Remember to take your travel journal with you, and write down your thoughts while you're waiting in line for an attraction, or on the train
Try hand-drawing a map with tidbits about the journey written in, like thoughts about the ferry ride, the length of time it took to get from one place to another, etc
Keep receipts from the trip that have logos on them - sometimes they're a fun way to add a little local flavor to your journal, especially the ones from local grocery stores, gas stations, etc
Take multiple copies of the free maps you usually get from hotels - they're usually a lot less busy than tourism maps, so you can attach them to your journal and highlight the spots you visited
Have a travel companion writen down their thoughts as well
Try doing a list of events or things to remember to make journaling quicker
You can save tickets, pamphlets, free postcards to make tabs to add throughout your journal (I didn't do this, but I think it's a great idea)
Save those thin bags you get when buying postcards or other paper items. You can rip off the top and attach the bag to your journal page to create a pocket for postcards, pictures, or a journaling tag (ditto my last comment)
Remember that you can use brochures for things such as cutting out dates, or tidbits of key information, so pick up extra copies