DIY Midori Style Traveler's Notebook and Inserts

Follow along as I show you step-by-step how to use the leather from an old favorite purse to make this beautiful handmade traveler's notebook. I break it down into easy steps and create not only the leather notebook but also the booklets to insert into the notebook.
I'm using recycled leather from a well loved purse, that could no longer be used, but you can purchase new leather from the craft store or fabric store if you prefer.
MATERIALS USED:
Leather Journal:
piece of leather (cut to 10.5"wide X 8.5"high)
round elastic cord (24"long for stringing, 20"long for booklets)
oval elastic cord (10"long for outside band or use round cord)
2 metal buttons (optional)
awl or phillips screwdriver (to make the holes in the leather)
hammer ( to make hole with the screwdriver)
For Each Booklet:
cardstock (cut to 9"wide X 8.25"high)
15 pieces of paper of your choice (8.5"wide X 8.25" high)
heavy thread (or doubled regular thread)
needle
awl or push pin ( to make an odd number of holes)
clear plastic page protector
stickers of your choice
If you enjoyed this video...please visit my website: beebearts.blog...
or Instagram: beebearts4411

[@smittenwithgot7]

“I still have my old friend. I never have to give it up.” I love that through my soul.

[@fatimaarruda6264]

Amazing how the leather material has this characteristic of always getting more beautiful as time goes on

[@ImGinaMarie]

BRILLIANT!! I'm so glad I found this, I never thought about using an old purse I bought long ago..you had me cracking up both at you and myself. I'm a DIY'r too. It really struck me when (if not making your own journal wasn't enough AND the notebooks) you finally broke down and actually BOUGHT a couple of pens..I found that hilarious 😂because in a DIY'r world we would make the pens if we could!! Thank you so much!!!

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. The best part of repurposing objects is creating something useful with what you have as opposed to storing it in the closet and it becoming clutter. As for making pens....I have carved dip pens out of bamboo sticks....does that count? 🙂

[@ImGinaMarie]

@beebearts-bethfranks3766 OMG!!! You are too much!!! Perfect, would love to see that video too!!! Absolutely, please!! I am just exploring the "dip pens" and fountain pen rabbit holes.

[@jeanthobaben]

Not only practical but personal.

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

That's true. I love this traveler's notebook because of where it came from.

[@sarahpatterson2732]

Now that's creativity! I would never have though to use the plastic protective sleeves for storage in the traveler's notebook. Thanks for posting this!

[@AnthonyDayrrTV]

i have plenty of those, im gonna use them for my midori journal

[@manifestdigitalagency]

turned out beautifully, it has character and you were also upcycling! what's there not to love?

[@jravenx]

That's some nice leather, looks like you took good care of your bag, nice to salvage old reliable items and give them new life

[@PrincessMindy26]

Beautiful! I have used old loved purses that I couldn't bare to toss out and I got a few great journals from them. I live making my own inserts also. Yours turned out beautifully. Thanks for sharing!

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@annettefertitta6868]

Fantastic ideas

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@bonnienolan4526]

It turned out great. I have been wanted to do one with my old hand bags. Now I can .Thank you for sharing.

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you!

[@rodrigodelcidq]

You have the sweetest voice in the world

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you so much.

[@mikalasmusings1936]

Brilliant, thank you!

[@wandaspencer9523]

What a great travelers note book cover!

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thanks, so glad you liked it.

[@gathercreatelivewithleslie8340]

Fantastic idea and for those that don't know these are upwards of $65.00 to buy and more. I have a similar purse I just don't really used and might have to try or maybe make a small palate holder and a watercolor pad. I love the Motto "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" from the Great Depression. Looks great and the leather looks wonderful and soft. I bought a leather journal that turned out to be really hard and now I need to soften it. I wanted it more for the hard to find paper and it was fairly cheap.

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

I agree...repurpose and reuse! If you want to soften the leather on your journal, try Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. Put a small dab on a soft cloth and massage it into the leather in a circular motion. It will deep clean and moisturize the leather. A little trick my mother taught me. 😊

[@sexyalleycat]

I love, love this tutorial! 😍 You took your time to explain every step and so many good tips that I learned today. I wish I could like this video 1000 times. Thank you so much for sharing this! 🧡🙏🏽👏🏽

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video.

[@phillipstroll7385]

Where did this lady go? She's brilliant and amazing. Please come back and educate us.

[@Hannah-lc7de]

What a lovely upcycle project! I am exactly the same way with purses. I find a good crossbody leather one and use it exclusively for years. Thanks for sharing this tutorial!

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you, so glad you liked it.

[@curlyjen1507]

Great video! So many ideas in one video. Others would have made 3 or 4 videos out of it! Thanks very much!

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@theresedignard4267]

Awesome upcycle. Thanks for sharing.

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thanks 😊

[@ireneroland3070]

Perfect

[@kishia1832]

Extremely creative. I am impressed!

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed my video.

[@jarrod1007]

Awesome

[@val929]

What an absolutely beautiful cover! I love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing your idea with us!! Great job!

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you. I'm so glad you liked it.

[@grimmydl]

This is so awesome! I need to try this☺ thanks for sharing☺

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@gaetanpilon7993]

Wow very good job.

[@daganevh8402]

Great! This is what I was looking for. Amazing idea and work. :)

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.

[@anne111963]

This would have to be the best DIY for TN l have seen thank you sooo much... Hugs from Melbourne Australia xoxo

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you. I'm so glad you liked it. Hope all is well and safe where you are. ❤

[@anne111963]

@@beebearts-bethfranks3766 Thank you Beth, thank God, we live closer to the City, but it's so heart breaking on what's happening, thank you once again for your thoughts xxxx

[@yyacout4265]

So incredibly beautiful!! Absolutely loved this video :))

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you so much. ☺️

[@kristinaclendenin81]

What a great idea, and oh how I would love one made by you ❤️

[@c.s.p.3978]

Brilliant!!!!

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thanks 😊

[@11ish61]

very cool

[@patriotcam1776]

I made mine for fieldnotes size. Horween dublin.

[@shinatsuki8957]

Its really beautiful

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you

[@alissdiaz7052]

So clever!! It’s beautiful

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you.

[@lindacolgan6412]

Beth, such a wonderful video you did such a great job, Thank you.

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@gothymor3651]

Great idea

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thanks

[@junkjournalgirl]

Thank you, great tutorial and loved the idea with the page protector :) I have a bag I have cut open now trying to work it out lol :) Have a lovely Xmas :)

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed the video. Have a safe and happy new year!

[@TheTugboatgirl]

Wow, very creative!!

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you.

[@blowingzen]

awesome love it

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thanks, glad you liked it.

[@ricicloconcArte]

Beautiful !!!! 😍😍😍

[@beebearts-bethfranks3766]

Thank you.

[@mrweedmanandco.5909]

do you plan to make more videos in the future, beth?

[@mugglescakesniffer3943]

lol @ ice cream truck drive by.

[@RT-yg9cv]

The purse looked fine to me, I would of kept using it. :c

[@steph7770]

Looks like a coach