UStream Series: Make Ahead Travel Journal

Hi, everyone! I made a quick video of one of my already in use travel journals so you could get an idea of what we'll be doing with the "Make Ahead Travel Journal" UStream series. The series starts on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern USA time. The series will be recorded for later viewing, so don't worry if you can't watch live. You could also use this same set of instructions to make your own everyday journal, similar to the SMASH or Ditto books that are so popular right now.

I just uploaded a video overview of the sample album over on my YouTube channel for you to see. You can watch the video below, or over on YouTube by clicking this link: Sample Travel Journal.




For a longer video explanation of what you'll need for the "Make Ahead Travel Journal", check out this UStream recording: Travel Journal Supplies.

To download and print the free graph and ledger paper for the travel journal mentioned in the recordings, check out this site: Free Printable Graph Papers.

Now that you know what we're doing, here's what you'll need to gather together if you want to work along with me on Thursday:

1. 25-50 8.5"x11" pieces of patterned paper. I'll be using the DCWV "Tradewinds" stack because mine is going to be travel themed, but you can use whatever paper you have in your stash. Just use something that is inspiring to you! The album feature in this video, just uses pink papers from my stash.

2. Your favorite stamps. I'm going to gather together all my stamps that have to do with journey, discovery, travel, etc. Think about what you want your book to be about & choose stamps that will prompt you to write and collect.

3. File folders. We're going to be using these to make a couple of larger pockets for the inside covers to hold larger pieces of memorabilia & ephemera.

4. Shipping tags. We'll be using one of these to make an awesome bookmark for your journal. It stays put when you want it to, but can be removed when you're ready to move to a fresh page.

5. Pockets. If you don't have any pockets, don't worry ~ I'll show you how to make your own during the UStream Series.

6. Envelopes. Any kind of envelopes, all different sizes. I'll also show you how to make custom envelopes as well.

7. Ribbon for a pen holder. Elastic ribbon is best, but any ribbon will work. No need to go out and buy anything special for this project. Just use what you have available in your stash.

8. 2 sheets of medium to heavy chipboard & 2 sheets of lightweight chipboard for the covers.

9. Anything else that strikes your fancy. This is going to be a fun, eclectic book with all kinds of interactive elements. Incorporate whatever you want into the album ~ journaling spots, rub-ons, whatever! Just keep it flat.

In the video, you'll notice that I've bound my book with the Bind-It-All. No need to panic if you don't have a BIA at home. You can have you book bound for you at lots of places around town ~ Staples, Office Depot, FedEx Office, etc. Or you can just punch holes and use rings or a ribbon binding. It's totally up to you!

I will be starting the video series during my UStream show this coming Thursday. I am live every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and again from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on my UStream Channel: my UStream channel.

All times are Eastern USA {Miami/New York}. To convert to your time zone, click here: Time Zone Converter.

Thanks so much for watching the video! We're going to have tons of fun with this one!

~Kathryn :D
I'm sailing away ...