Midori Traveler's Notebook Arrangements

After publishing my initial video introducing Midori, I received some great suggestions from Midori fans about how to arrange notebooks inside the Traveler's Notebook leather wrapping in creative ways, which bypass the need to use any special rubber connecting bands. I'm a retailer showing you how you don't need to buy something from me. How often does that happen?
See my original Midori Traveler's Notebook video here: • Midori Traveler's Note...

[@MisterCross]

I had always remembered these videos of Brian showing how to set up the Midori Travellers Notebook and I had meant to get one all those years ago and now I finally have my Olive Travellers. Even after four years this video as as helpful as the day it was made. Thank you Brian and #TeamGoulet! Always appreciated!

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks for the support! Even managed to get the Olive TN notebook, those were flying off the shelves. - Colin

[@Ian-gb8ds]

I wash watching this last night and was thinking of another way to put them in. My Idea was to use glue dots, stick the covers back to back which would eliminate some of the books being out of line or bulging, and you need only use the elastic it comes with. And as the glue dots let you reposition them you'll be able to take books out if needed easily!

[@Gouletpens]

ian white huh, never considered that! -Brian Goulet

[@jeffgora]

Thanks for this video. Believe it or not, I also found that simple elastic bands sold as hair ties work well too. The thinner ones work better. Perhaps not as elegant, but ubiquitous and cheap...

[@dropstitchknittr]

I used the spare elastic that came on the box as one of the Rubber bands....I banded two inserts together with it and placed them under the elastic on the leather cover, instead of putting it on the outside of the leather cover. That elastic works just as a rubber band would on the inserts.

[@Gouletpens]

Chris Gerstner Yup! You can totally do that. -Brian Goulet

[@gramadamihai]

instead of doing the configuration from around 9:19 you could just use the band that comes with the outside of the box to get 2 notebooks together(just like how you would use the optional rubber bands) and then slip them beneath the original notebook. also, i found that if the knot is at the bottom, i personally don't mind it at all

[@Gouletpens]

true, and some folks do. But for those not interested in making their own, these are some of the best I've seen.

[@mysss29]

Having two removable notebooks in one is surprisingly fascinating to me. I think I'm going to make this happen now. Also, I love the simplicity of that cover.

[@mcg1355]

When reusing the band from the box you could un knot it and string it through the same holes as the strap that came installed in the notebook. Then it wouldn't be on the outside of the notebook along the spine, but inside following the same path as the original notebook band.

[@michelledelecki6224]

Still a useful video 10 years later!

[@MrSterlingStein]

Awesome! I just tried the band from the box on the regular size notebook. It looks like it fits more tightly than your band for the pocket version did, but it certainly works just the same.

[@jamiebixby6782]

You can also use the elastic that came with the cardboard box that the notebook came in and the spare elastic that it came with and wrap the two of them around the spine of the notebook. Then you will have three elastics without buying any

[@radheadrich]

The common rubber bands on my desk happen to be the perfect size for my passport, so now my new 2019 notebook is perfectly combined with a plain notebook. Try those cheap rubber bands!

[@Gouletpens]

Two, or three! Or four, if you really want...it's a really versatile system.

[@juanestey]

I added a few new holes and bands and now I can include 9 inserts! But that is way too many...so I only do 4 (as you can see on my video/channel). Thank you for the great ideas and well executed walk through.

[@Gouletpens]

Well, you can just undo the knot and tie it a little looser if that's the case. I imagine they don't go for extreme precision when they tie the bands for the outer box, so it will probably vary from one to the other.

[@Gouletpens]

I was thinking about that myself, as my wife leaves those hair bands all over the house :) Seems to be a very similar kind of material. Hey, whatever works!

[@23makemusic]

The various alternatives are great!

[@Gouletpens]

Good point! I hadn't thought of that...

[@Scott423]

Another thing you can do is add a pocket sticker at the front or back (of the leather) on the inside of the notebook and slide in an additional notepad that way. I really want to get my hands on the regular!

[@abc-wv4in]

I like your method better for using two or three inserts! I'm too OCD to use that little short strap, though. Very helpful video as usual and still just as relevant today. Many thanks as always. I have a new product suggestion for GP: I have a faux TN, the ZYLC brand. I was pleasantly surprised that the leather was as good as it is, although it's not as thin and refined as the Midori TN leather. (The outer side of the leather is great on mine, but the sueded side isn't as smooth.) But the notebook is much less expensive (by more than half), has more color and design choices, and INCLUDES three inserts and the extra band needed for them. The Midori TN inserts fit it exactly, too. I think these would be good sellers without eating into Midori too much (two different buyer groups). Many of us prefer to buy from GP, but sometimes can't find a product--or one in our desired price range. Might be good to check into those if they sound interesting to GP's buyer.

[@Gouletpens]

Glad to hear the video was helpful! Thanks for the recommendation, we'll take a look. -Rachel

[@jo-annel.wright2975]

I am late to this conversation but I pared TN down to as basic as I could so, as an ocd'er, I Would use it. So it may not be considered a true TN. After trying this that and the other I now use one field note sized book without a cover when I am not at home. I love it, especially after adding BJ elements to it. It lives in the outside pocket of my [leather] wallet which makes it, by proxy, my field note's cover. ICYI: [in case you're interested] I tear, fold and sticky tape the front and back pages to create pockets inside the covers...for receipts, personal card, vouchers, lotto tickets etc.; I wrap a sturdy rubber band along the spine in the middle to hold a small annual calendar and other temporary ephemera; I BJ the current month at the bottom border of each page to check off the days so I know When I am; I number the pages in case I need to index something; I BJ my not-when-I'm-at-home to-do's...current collection/shopping in the front, a lined sticky note for groceries, index and future log/purchases in the back; I use a slim triplus fineliner to bookmark the current opening. Oh!...it only took a decade or so the find this little bit of planner peace. My home organiser, based on TN and BJ, is a A5 three ring binder full of relevant pre-printed, dot grid, checklist pages with tabs that represent TN's...and, as intended, it forgives me if I forget it for a while and I pick up where I left it. A5 Planner Peace is not yet achieved...soon...I feel it...till the next Ryder Carroll comes along. All good.

[@wahinepaddler4]

You and your creative midori ways 😀

[@mysss29]

=) Yeah! Knowing what a life notebooks lead in my front pocket, though, I'd probably only go for as many would fit inside and still be protected. Plus that thickness gets to be an issue eventually when you add a pocketknife, pens and pencil, chapstick.... ;-) (And that's just that one pocket!)

[@Gouletpens]

I know they have spare rubber bands and elastic enclosures, but I don't believe they sell spare bookmarks, unfortunately.

[@Gouletpens]

Definitely.

[@JWHoadley77]

Although I have not used the travelers notebook as yet, as you were pulling the elastic from the packaging, I thought you would feed it through the same hole as the one one the notebook. Thereby eliminating the excess elastic on the outside spine that could get in the way. Just a thought with no way to try it. ;-)

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks!

[@lware1]

Tear the cover off?? Ummm no. My ocd wouldn’t allow that. Crazy to even suggest that.

[@LimitlessFrank]

I'm wondering how you use the notebooks? I've been making all my notes in my Evernote app on my phone and computer for the past 6 years, though I used to carry a notebook all the time. I just got back into fountain pens last week at Christmas when my daughter gave me a Conklin Navy Blue Herringbone. I'd love to find lots of uses for my FPs.

[@arctic3032]

Alternatively get a big box of think rubber band from Staples and still save money.

[@DaiReborn]

I want one of these so bad, but they're so very expensive for a square of leather and some rubber bands. I would buy it but if my wife saw she'd be so mad when she saw what it was.

[@machaiquen]

Its been 3 years and I came back to this video saw this comment again. If you want one maybe you can get this one: www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0WWTP6?m=A2G0HWSQG6JL91&ref_=v_sp_widget_detail_page

[@ms-ht1cj]

DaiReborn You can make it by yourself. It's very easy, just cut a piece of leather, make a few holes for elastic bands and voia! I made two notebooks and they look not worse than Midori's. 😀

[@RyuichiSakuma13]

Honestly, I just stuck the cover of the second notebook I got through the rubber band so that the two back covers are together. It works just fine. (^_^)

[@ShaddySoldier]

The notebooks are upside down and it's bothering me

[@Gouletpens]

Haha, yeah, 9 would be a lot!

[@nncortes]

Can you get more bookmarks for each notebook you have in it?

[@Gouletpens]

Haha, awesome :)

[@laceandbits]

Ideas to enhance your suggestions: If you undo the knot on the extra elastic and thread it through following the path of the original piece, then you won't have the elastic down the outside spine and it won't slip off sideways. A square knot/reef knot is less bulky than the overhand knot. Instead of doing the knot, make a small loop at one end by folding one end back by an inch or so and hot gluing it to itself. Thread the elastic into place with the loop on the inside spine. Thread the second end through the loop, adjust the length, fold it back and hot glue that side too. Tuck something temporarily under the elastic first so you don't get glue on the leather! Rather than using their elastic bands, buy the round elastic in white and use a marker pen to colour it to whatever colour you want (or you can buy it already in lots of different colours)

[@Gouletpens]

Good point :)

[@rustyholt6619]

ill just use home rubber bands thanks

[@gustavth1]

just make one yourself mate. It's just a leather cover with some holes in it.