Make a Tiny Bullet Journal - DIY Traveler's Notebook Passport Refill | @laurenfairwx

[@LaurenFairwx]

Any fellow bullet journaling planners out there? Turns out, making it tiny was exactly what I needed to make the bullet journal system work for me. And it overlaps perfectly with my love for Traveler's Notebooks!

[@rakelhanson1196]

Lauren Fairweather Yesss!

[@paperhappymiss-studio]

Lauren Fairweather I love dotted pages and this tutorial was great, I'd love to learn how to sew my notebooks. I've hacked a math notebook down to make mini graph refills. Lol. I also started with a standard midori but downsized to a field notes/pocket size in 2015 and never looked back since! There are lovely facebook groups called bullet journal in miniature and Tiny TN lovers 💙 Love your channel!

[@juwiathunder1954]

I am a BuJo fan through and through. I use leuchterm 1917 a5 for my notebook, and I use papermate flair pens and tombow dual brush pens. They are amazing!

[@Marialla.]

If you haven't tried it yet, you have to see how awesome it is to add some perforated pages to your notebook! Just run some of the sheets through the sewing machine without thread, on a rather close setting, and you can perforate them as whole sheets, half sheets, thirds, or quarters, any way you like! Very convenient for handing someone a quick note or something.

[@Marialla.]

I made a test pocket-sized Midori style notebook out of this tutorial! Just used card stock and doll elastic for the cover, and my signatures had only about eight sheets, which is sixteen pages or thirty-two sides, which is enough for one month of daily entries. And eight sheets was very easy for my sewing machine to stitch through. I think it's worth mentioning that we should probably stitch on the longest stitch setting possible. I covered the edges and spine of my cover with washi tape for more durability, and because it kept the elastic from moving around. With three signatures in my notebook (one for dailies, one for monthly/weekly, and one for collections) my pocket journal is barely 3/16" thick and actually does fit in the back pocket of my jeans! It is no trouble to slip out the daily section once a month and put in a new one. The others I replace as needed. But it keeps my overall system tidy and portable, with just enough room and nothing wasted.

[@hurleygirly629]

My favorite thing to do in my planner is make my own stickers with my printer and sticker paper using pictures of my dog. Since she lives with my parents while I'm at university, it's a way for me to see her cute, silly face, decorate and feel motivated.

[@StefanieRoyMusic]

That's so cute!

[@MapleArtworks]

I just love the feeling of crossing something off of my bullet journal it just makes me feel so motivated

[@MirelaRosaC]

Hello! Lauren, thank you! I watched your video, today, when i lost my beloved cat. So, watched videos about bullet journal, trying distract, and i found you! You have a warm and good energy, who put a smile in my face. Thanks! you are a positive and gentle person, and have my subscribe just for being you. ♥ Have a wonderful night!

[@LibraryFairy762]

I love notebooks so much, and I have tried to make a bullet journal in the past, but I haven't found the perfect system for me yet. Right now, I have a very simple system that has been working for me for the past two weeks - but it hasn't been very long, so I can't say that it's the system I love yet. I normally like to work in notebooks that are larger than traveller's notebooks, but I do really like keeping a tiny notebook around for emergency situations.

[@TheYoungs2006]

I'm new to the bullet journal system.. I started in February and am still in an old lined journal. About to graduate, though, to a $5 dot grid from Michael's. I had been stuck in the trap of making a monthly theme, but I realized pretty quickly that sustaining the theme throughout the whole month was too much work. All I really wanted was the color to keep me happy and interested. So I set up my weekly spread in 5 minutes every Saturday and choose a color scheme to go with it.

[@Marialla.]

I love those Artist's Loft journals from Michael's! Apparently Artist's Loft makes dupes of lots of high-end supplies that bullet journallers like, such as dupes of Tombow dual brush pens etc. I think they're really good quality too! I like that the AL journals have whiter paper than most high end models, and what they don't have (back pocket, numbered pages) doesn't matter that much to me. I'm totally with you on the minimal art. I keep one black writing pen, and two colored pens (my fav atm is Frixion pastel highlighters because they are ERASABLE!) with my journal at all times. Anything more would be too confusing for me.

[@Marialla.]

This pocket sized journal is my new favorite one! I literally carry it everywhere in my back pocket, so it's always handy for a quick note. And though my cover is just made of card stock reinforced with washi and packing tape, it is holding up pretty well and staying flat and easy to use. I ADORE how simple it is to sew my own replacement refills, thanks to your tutorial!

[@paigebreisacher747]

One thing I love about using a bullet journal is the day-to-day flexibility. If I use one layout or planning style for too long it stops working for me, and I love that I can just turn the page and try something new. Sometimes I'll use the same layout for weeks, other times it changes a few weeks in a row, sometimes I use no layout at all.

[@fooledtook]

I love bullet journalling! It's totally saved me from hopping from different day planner systems the last few months - I feel like I've finally found what works for me. Thanks for uploading this - your little journal is so cute!

[@alvinscott1331]

I'm so glad I found your channel. I bought a refillable, leather, travelers journal to support my language learning efforts - words / phrases to look, etc. Then I found out about bullet journals and all the stuff I could track for language learning. And just when I was convinced I would need to replace the traveler's journal for an A5 journal, I found your video. It's great! Thank you.

[@catkirchner1759]

One of the things I love about this project, is that I have a passport cover laying around that wasn't actually practical to use on my passport. I could re-purpose it to cover a journal this size!

[@girlwiththeglass]

I love paper! And journaling! Since I've started school again and have been riding my bike it's hard to fit my thick notebook in my backpack. I like your non-committal DIY approach to the traveler notebook! I would love to make my own inserts for each of my classes and life stuff too. I would love to watch more videos about this too. Especially about selecting/buying papers and materials like self healing (?) mats and blades.

[@LaurenFairwx]

+Ginny Ooh, interesting! I do link to the supplies I use in the video descriptions if you're ever curious where I got them or which brand I'm using. Sometimes brands send me stuff to test out and I can't really afford to try and compare everything that's out there, so I'm in the "they're all probably okay and will get the job done!" camp, but it can be overwhelming when there are so many choices out there.

[@rakelhanson1196]

I want more planner videos! 😍

[@LaurenFairwx]

+Rakel Hanson Yay!

[@autumnall]

I use a passport size Traveler's Notebook and I totally love this tutorial! This little insert is so, so lovely!

[@darkxarth]

Oh gosh! I haven't watched any of Lauren's videos since she posted the video for "It's Real for Us." Glad to be getting back into the loop. :)

[@LaurenFairwx]

Welcome back!!

[@HopefulLadie]

LOVE planner videos!

[@Paperenby]

Hey Lauren! I love the tiny DIY version of the BuJo! I love my BuJo and I've recently started a new one for my teaching (not going so well, but it's all an adventure). I liked how you only started with 1 day for the week, that tends to be what I do. While I like having a weekly spread, mine is usually just one page in my normal sized BuJo. This is because I'm not really doing much at the moment. I really like using the Stabilo pens or the Staedtler pens in their Fineliners, it helps me write small. What I'm tending to like more right now is my Grid-lined paper rather than the dot-grid.

[@BohemBella]

You are so adorable! So happy that I discovered your channel!

[@StephenPerryJones]

I am going to have to try working with a smaller notebook for daily task, but I think I will use it as a companion to my larger bullet journal.

[@LaurenFairwx]

+Stephen Jones That's a great idea!

[@MsJuliejolly]

awesome. I love tiny journals!

[@DJ-xi7xq]

Sis.. thank you so much.. I love doing cute bullet journals for travel and for my study

[@JuliaSkottMakes]

That's so cute! I actually use a slightly bigger than standard notebook, from Nuuna, because I like having lots of space to write all sorts of things. I sometimes have a lot of things to do... And it doesn't need to be super portable for me, I'm either at my desk or somewhere where I can bring a bag that it'll fit into. I think my biggest hack was realizing that it's OK to not be super fancy all the time, and to abandon certain pages or concepts if they don't work for you. Or pick them up again later. The best system is the one that works for you. That, and magnetic bookmarks for my current week, since the notebooks I use don't have string bookmarks.

[@paggliaci420]

This is so tiny so cute and way more practical than a bigger sized notebook!! I'm definitely gonna try this! ❤️

[@applebritta]

Hey Lauren! You mentioned working from home while taking care of your baby. How do you keep him occupied while you're working? I would love to see a video about this.

[@LaurenFairwx]

We think alike! I've been working on a video about that.

[@tigrissapphire915]

I just keep a regular planner and I like adding planner stickers to it. I don't have pretty handwriting so I use the stickers to make my lists and goals pretty. I also use lots of different colored pens. I still use my phone planner for reminders and appointments though because I'm looking at it all the time.

[@Thevietvegan]

THIS IS SO CUTE. I kind of abandoned my bullet journal too because I can't bring it in all of my bags. I love it!!!

[@littlestrangunusual]

I just purchased my first TN (passport size) and plan on using it as a bullet journal. This was so very helpful! Thank you so much!

[@kiararosebloom5718]

I've always loved using planners, when I first got into bullet journaling, I used a small, but not that small, book. But then I saw all the cute stickers and how others did their journals and wanted to try it. Unfortunately, making a bujo bigger for me failed. I hardly wrote in it or planned in it. So I'm going to try making a smaller one again and figure out the designs that work for me. :)

[@ThatsANo]

So cute!! I love how you adapted to the smaller space as well! I don't think I could do my bullet journal in a such a small space but I do have my passport size travelers notebook + refills that I keep as a "brain dump" book! I'd love to see you do monthly plan with me videos in your bujo!

[@avishipaliwal7681]

this is brilliant!!! I WAS REALLY SAD by the fact that the bullet journal system wasn't working for me even after by customizing it to a crazy extent and trying ever tip online BUT the fact that tiny bujo are so small it forces me to use my bullet journal to organize and document my life instead of turning it into a sketchbook

[@thequeercousin7243]

The passport notebook looks really neat! I'm using a a5 papersize for mine, as I tend to go a bit overboard with documenting things and gluing in memories. -though also I keep forgetting to actually add bullet points, so it's probably not really a bullet journal anymore at this point, but hey, it works 😄

[@Shadowhuntedwizards]

I have been looking for a good bullet journal idea that would work for me and I think this is perfect! I love these planner videos! I like the stitch videos, where you teach different stitches too. 😀

[@wanderlustsigningevents9180]

Super cute!

[@AvinashKumar-ut7xv]

Very beautiful

[@squoye1287]

Hi ! I just want to say you're like a little sunshine, your smile is adorable, you're so cute ! Let's talk about the video. I love the passport size, and your notebook seems nice to use. I will keep your video to realise my futur insert. Thank you to illuminate my day ! Lots of love from France ♥

[@LaurenFairwx]

That's so kind of you to say! Thank you for watching and leaving such a nice comment.

[@Vekna666]

I have such a hard time choosing my journal size and I don't want to buy the cover just yet, I still haven't decided on a size! I should really try this out. I remember thinking the same thing when you tried out the traveler's notebook size. I really need to just do it. I got a planner online that is ok but I'm not sold on it. There's so much wasted space but at least I don't need to write out everything, but now I'm thinking I should try it even tho I hate my handwriting, it's so scratchy and inconsistent! bleh. Anyway, thanks for reminding me to try this out :)

[@tjb2415]

This journal was awesome! I love the idea of stitching it together to bind it, this is the first time I have seen that technique. Great video! ❤

[@LaurenFairwx]

Thank you!!

[@JasmineFelicia19]

This seems like such a nifty idea even just to get started bullet journaling! I think it could be the way I finally get going with it... Oh and I love your week and month layouts.

[@LeilaLopes28]

I Love planner tutorials!!! So Cute!!! I guess I can use it in my passaport size Travel notebook. I really Love it!!! Bring us some more ideas. Luv your tutorials. xoxo.

[@TechnicolorMoments0]

I bullet journal IN a traveler's notebook! I use one grid book for my daily tasks and monthly spreads (weeklies don't work for my schedule at all), and a second grid book for longer term lists so that I can keep them in the traveler's book when I fill my daily book. Longer term lists include books I've read, future projects, packages I'm expecting, medical/doctor's info for my daughter, info for my current pregnancy etc etc. Then I have a blank book I use for sketching and doodling at the back!

[@LaurenFairwx]

Whoa congratulations!!

[@TechnicolorMoments0]

thanks:D

[@beans4589]

Awesome video Lauren !!

[@LaurenFairwx]

Aw, thanks!

[@beans4589]

Lauren Fairweather no problem :)

[@sandhyajain2261]

Thankyou Lauren I have just started bullet journaling in March Your video is as usually AWESOME 😍

[@EllieDimambroDenson]

One tip for journalling that I find super helpful is keeping a mix of post it notes on the inside cover. They're super helpful for adding little pops of colour into a spread without going overboard and they help to separate things like goals lists or any notes you might want to add in. They can also be great to have on hand for everyday life in case you need to swap email/phone numbers :)

[@LaurenFairwx]

Ooh, I like that idea a lot! Thank you for sharing it!

[@JoDidntHearYou]

Yes, this! I tend to be a perfectionist sometimes, so having some post it notes on hand helps me jot down something super quick; and if I need to I can copy it into the notebook then!

[@Marialla.]

I like to keep a sampling of my favorite washi tapes with my journal. I have some plastic from an old package cut to fit my journal, and when I wrap rows of washi around that it is easy to remove and quickly use anywhere in my journal, and I can refill it whenever I'm home near my supplies again. It adds almost no bulk to the book.

[@catwhitt]

Definitely have more planner videos. :)

[@LaurenFairwx]

+kcatsok Yay!

[@danieglz1224]

Hellooo!! i liked your idea. Thumbs up!!! :D i think everyone needs a tiny bullet journail, I need it too! Thank you, sorry for my bad english! Bye

[@mwippa18]

Ive nwver been ablento keep a planer but i do have a travelers notebook i made a few years ago. I use it all the time. Recently i started making my own ju k journal inserts and its make me fall madly in love with journaling again. Ps you looked really beautiful in this video (you always do but extra extrea in this one) :)

[@dropproject3946]

Have you ever made diy Traveler’s accessories? Like pockets or dashboards or bookmarks? That’d be really interesting to see some Harry Potter ones! Also I’ve rewatched your TN videos like six times

[@LaurenFairwx]

I made a bookmark with a bow that I showed in my most recent TN video (the Chic Sparrow one), but maybe I could put together some DIY tutorials for things like that in the future!

[@bowthaisarecool]

this is such a great idea! small things are just always so cute haha ^-^ I've just been carrying various colored sticky notes with me and then later on adding them to my larger bullet journal because I need color coded things, but I think I might try this travel size so I don't have to always use sticky notes! Maybe with pastel paper or something to keep it color coded between sections x)

[@nata-roma]

"Stacks of heavy books" My brain: So Harry Potter, then. *Fantastic Beasts appears*

[@sandhyajain2261]

And pls do more planner videos Your AMAZING 😘😘😘

[@aleMARG]

I have an a7 bullet journal, can u make more of this tiny bullet journal videos, like spreads for this tiny space and all that stuff

[@Fannyfique]

It's great ! I'd love one. :D

[@sayurikitamura7109]

Just subscribed! I'd love to see more planner DIYs. I'm actually in a size crisis right now xD. I need the space to wright, plan and work in the planner, but the a5 is getting to heavy. I don't could use a size smaller than a6 :( I should try your method ;)

[@LaurenFairwx]

Thank you for subscribing! I’ve got a couple more planner videos filmed that I need to edit, so they’ll be coming soon! Figuring out sizes can be tough, but testing them out before you spend a lot of money is a good way to learn what you like!

[@riversong4891]

Looks great! How many pages of the grid paper did you print out?

[@hertzrozen]

I'm actually using the Leuchtturm 1917 (I think is the "original" Bullet Journal? Not quite sure though) but I started my planner with one of your tutorial :D this is also very cute.

[@LaurenFairwx]

+Raffaello Nardin That seems to be the favorite! They're lovely notebooks.

[@beans4589]

Notification squad where you at?

[@LaurenFairwx]

+AllThingsFandom 7 Thanks so so much for turning the notifications on!! 💕

[@beans4589]

Lauren Fairweather No problem 💖

[@natasharedmane]

I tried using a small A6 notebook but my monstrous handwriting made it really non-functional. I'm thinking about trying it again because I really wanted to try making a very thin A6 saddle notebook for a single month. I didn't even think about using the sewing machine to help me punch the holes, what a damn brilliant idea! I'll definitely try it, but one or two pages at a time, 'cause I'm afraid to ruin my sewing machine 😂

[@paigebreisacher747]

FWIW, I have sewed dozens of notebooks like this on my sewing machine and haven't noticed any adverse effects. The thickest I've done is 12 sheets plus a cardstock cover. Last year I sewed 60 in a row for Project for Awesome, and my machine did fine. Just remember to change your needle before you sew fabric again!

[@natasharedmane]

Hmmmm, good to know.

[@paigebreisacher747]

I'm sure it does! But my machine is pretty small, a viking emerald I think, definitely not a powerhouse machine. The notebooks I made were perks! I don't know what I'm going to do for the art perk this year, but probably not a set of notebooks again... maybe I'll include a notebook in the perk though! I gotta decide soon, the deadline is coming up. Have you contributed to the art perk before? DFTBA :D

[@natasharedmane]

I wish! :< I live in a country where the currency is not worth much, so dollars are expensive and it's been a few tough year for my finances. I love Project for Awesome and I wanted so much to contribute. Maybe this year I'll be able to but I'm not even sure yet. I wish you the best, tho, I'm sure you'll think of something awesome to make :D

[@paigebreisacher747]

Aw man, that's a bummer! I hope you're able to in the future. It always sucks up my whole November, but I have fun doing it.

[@karenrobertson890]

New sub here. Love your video. I have been using a regular size TN but have been looking for something smaller. This size looks perfect. What size/type of needle did you use in your machine to sew your book together? I love the look of that. tfs

[@LaurenFairwx]

+Karen Robertson I use pretty heavy duty needles (the ones intended for thick fleece, denim, etc) since that's what I have around for making plush toys. I think it'll probably need to be changed after this project, assuming that paper dulls needles like it does scissors.

[@ryanreeta6268]

I love your hair how do you style it

[@HASQ779]

Lauren. Lauren. I am the MASTER of disorganization and I have never used dot paper in my life, and now I'm halfway through this tutorial?? How is this happening to me....I blame your videos in part....they always make me crafty in some way or another

[@HASQ779]

Well I just finished the tutorial, and it is midnight but I couldn't stop til I was done. Thanks for the rec to the Sea Lemon DIY channel, I used their staple binding method to bind it because that was less obtrusive than getting the sewing machine out. Thanks for the tutorial! I feel like I learned something useful and also have way too much power now.

[@LaurenFairwx]

Yay! I'm glad that you found a method that worked for you. Sea Lemon's channel is fantastic!

How did this project impact your sewing machine? I am thinking of doing something similar but don't want to ruin my very basic sewing machine. Thanks!

[@LaurenFairwx]

+Saï Jones Rajopadhye I haven't noticed any issues since I did this.

Thanks!

[@Soulsistersims]

The comment should go to a other video, im so sorry. Don´t know how could this happen :/

[@LaurenFairwx]

+Soulsistersims Oh! I was gonna say... I couldn't think of anything resembling curtains.

[@yusrafathima70]

Are you like somehow related to marissa Rachel?

[@LaurenFairwx]

I’m not sure who that is, so probably not!