Today I would like to introduce you to Karyn

I am currently studying for my real estate licence.  I like to be organised so have used some form of diary over the last 10 years or more. I can’t remember how I found the travellers notebook, but am delighted I did as I used to feel I was wrestling with the others, now I have peace.

1. How long have you been using a travellers note book for?

I have only been using one for the last 4 months.  I made one when I first learned about the travellers notebook to see if I would like it.  Once I saw the potential I purchased both the passport and standard sized midori.

2. What size(s) of travellers notebooks do you use?

I have both the passport and full size and I use them both together.

3. How many inserts/booklets does your travellers notebook hold?

My full size has 4 notebooks in it and I would like to add another.  My passport has two notebooks in it.

4. What does each insert or notebook get used for?

In my passport (which I use as my wallet) I have a blank notebook for notes and the midori dairy insert.  In my full size I have one for notes, study etc.  it is really my brain dump.  One is my diary with a day per page based on the DIYFish inserts.  One is a zentangle booklet and the other is a journal.

5. If you could have an insert designed just for you, what would it contain?

Funny you should ask that as I have just designed one that I am going to see if it can be made up for me around zentangling.

6. Have you ever considered making your own travellers notebook cover?

Yes my first one was and the leather was a little soft so I ironed doublefacing sticky stuff onto it and ironed a piece of fabric onto that which made it firmer.  I do love my ‘true’ midoris though!

7. Apart from paper inserts, what else do you carry in your TN and how?

I carry a card pocket and a plastic zip pocket (for money) in my passport.  I have a zip pocket in my full size and I did have the kraft folder in there as well but found I wasn’t using it so took it out and have made a larger fold out ‘note’ holder which I am happy with.

8. What attracts you to using a travellers notebook compared to other formats?

I like the compact feel in my hands as well as there being no rings to get in the way when I am writing.

9. What would you like to see in a travellers notebook design?

I can’t think of anything off the top of my head as I use the graph notebooks and draw them in myself to see if it works before taking it further – getting someone to design something.

10. What advice would you give to a new travellers notebook user?

Let go of any preconceived ideas you have about planners as this is a whole new ball game.

11. Finally, what would you like to see on Travellers Notebook Times?

I am really enjoying the you tube videos that you post.  I would like to see any new plans and ideas people come up with as many people think outside the box and may not think their idea is worthy of sharing.

Thank you Karyn, thank you for your help and support. 

And if you would like to feature in ‘My Travellers Notebook’ please contact us: travellersnotebooktimes at gmail dot com

Today I would like to introduce to a long standing on-line friend of mine, Yvonne. 

Hello, my name is Yvonne and I am a notebook and planner addict. Anything involving leather, paper, pen and ink (preferably all together) is my happy place. I blog at The Zeitgeist of Zoe

1. How long have you been using a travellers note book for?

I first discovered Traveler’s Notebooks in 2012 after stumbling upon a blog post from 2008 about different cool notebooks which featured a Midori Traveler’s Notebook. At the time you could not purchase the Midori TN in the US, so although I wanted one, I didn’t want one badly enough to jump through the hoops needed to order one from Japan. I purchased my 1st TN (an official Midori) from Baum-Kuchen in 2013 and have been hooked ever since.

2. What size(s) of travellers notebooks do you use?

Being rather notebook obsessed, I have several TNs. I started with one regular sized brown MTN, soon added a regular size black, a brown passport MTN, a 5th Anniversary Traveler’s Star passport size…and now that so many talented people make them, I have added two in FN size from Chic Sparrow and two made by Ray Blake; one in FN size and the other in regular size. I will also be going back for one of his new Camel edition FN size after the holidays. So that’s  8 and counting.

They all sort of go in and out of rotation as needed, but the ones which are included in my Every Day Carry right now that I use are my regular size Camel edition from Ray and my FN size Chic Sparrow Creme Brulee.

3. How many inserts/booklets does your travellers notebook hold?

I’m not sure because the most I ever use are three. I’m an oddball in that I prefer sleek and compact to chunky and stuffed. I keep two FN notebooks in my Chis Sparrow and three miscellaneous notebooks in my Camel Edition from Ray.

4. What does each insert or notebook get used for?

The FN size is a Gratitude Journal. Every day I use as many sheets as I want to list things I am thankful for.

My regular size Camel Edition is used for big projects, so it holds a Midori Monthly calendar insert for tracking what is happening when, and separate notebooks for different projects that are going on. Currently I have one notebook for an upcoming house move and an additional notebook for research on purchasing a new car, which I hope to do early in the new year.
5. If you could have an insert designed just for you, what would it contain?

Actually my favorite inserts are Midori brand “005 Free Diary”. They are a daily undated format on a comfortable sized quadrille paper. I use these for just about everything.

6. Have you ever considered making your own travellers notebook cover?

Oh goodness no! I don’t have a creative bone in my body (nor any patient ones)….and there are so many wonderful TNs being made by others that it is far more fun for me to buy them 🙂

7. Apart from paper inserts, what else do you carry in your TN and how?

Mostly I use my TNs as notebooks, but I do have a Midori brand Kraft folder in my regular sized Camel Edition to capture any loose papers, etc. related to the projects I’m using the notebooks inside for. I will also clip a Midori pen loop to any TN that I’m carrying around in my handbag so that the pen doesn’t come out of the elastic.
8. What attracts you to using a travellers notebook compared to other formats?

First and foremost is the leather. I love the way they age, scuff and patina with use. I feel like even my mundane life is an adventure carrying and using these notebooks. The simplicity is very appealing to me. I also like the flexibility of changing out notebooks and accessory inserts when needed. The fact that there are no rings makes writing all the way to the margins on both the right and left leaves easy.

9. What would you like to see in a travellers notebook design?

One of the things that appeals to me most about TNs is the simple, clean design. Really the only thing I would like to see is something akin to Personal/Medium size so that notebooks could be carried in either one’s TN or tucked into one’s planner as needed.

10. What advice would you give to a new travellers notebook user?

Know that they are addicting! So set a budget for yourself and try not to go too wild buying them. Also, USE THEM! They only get better with use…promise!

11. Finally, what would you like to see on Travellers Notebook Times?

Personally, I am more into using my notebooks as life tools than decorating in them, so I would most enjoy usage tips and practical information, as well as updates on any new inserts people come up with or new notebooks/designers.

Thank you Yvonne, thank you for your help and support. 

And if you would like to feature in ‘My Travellers Notebook’ please contact us: travellersnotebooktimes at gmail dot com

Today I would like to introduce you to LisaDiana.

It’s wonderful to meet you! My name is LisaDiana and I thought I’d share a little about myself so we can get to know each other. I wear many hats but “soul based artist, author and inter-faith minister daily surviving BiPolar 2 illness and sharing how to heal and thrive through art journaling” sums me up pretty well! www.lisadianadelaney.com or FaceBook.

1. How long have you been using a travellers note book for?

Less than a year.  I used to use a binder system and even tried the Hobonichi and ARC systems.

2. What size(s) of travellers notebooks do you use?

I love the 5”x8.25” but I also use an A6.

3. How many inserts/booklets does your travellers notebook hold?

My daily holds about 5-6 but I’m creating 2 quad-folds which will hold about 8 each.

4. What does each insert or notebook get used for?

EVERYTHING!!!  From daily planning to symptom tracker, art journal, Word of the Day, work notes, business notes, mandalas, Zentangles, medications trackers, blog and FB posts.

5. If you could have an insert designed just for you, what would it contain?

I do design my own.  My planner insert has a month on a page with grid paper to track things and a rayon two pages where I record personal To Do, work To Do, art To Do, FB postings, symptoms and more.

6. Have you ever considered making your own travellers notebook cover?

I do make them 🙂

7. Apart from paper inserts, what else do you carry in your TN and how?

Nothing at the moment.  I carry either a small pencil case of art supplies or a large art backpack.

8. What attracts you to using a travellers notebook compared to other formats?

I love how each insert can be its own category and can easily be removed.  I’ve always loved the possibilities of a blank notebook as well.

9. What would you like to see in a travellers notebook design?

10. What advice would you give to a new travellers notebook user?  

Take your time and figure out what works for you.

11. Finally, what would you like to see on Travellers Notebook Times? 

OH! I’d love to see photos and descriptions of what each insert is used for.  I’d also like for those who design their own to share tips and tricks with each other like dimensions, etc.

Thank you LisaDiana. 

And if you would like to feature in ‘My Travellers Notebook’ please contact us: travellersnotebooktimes at gmail dot com