Vacation Memory Planner

 

While on vacation, I always carry a plain, 2 pocket folder where I stuff all travel info--intineraries, maps, ticket stubs, etc. On occasion, I have also carried a notebook where I jotted down details I wanted to remember. The purpose of these items was to keep information in a central location.

Then it occurred to me: What if I combined the 2 items into 1 folder, where I could keep all sorts of information and memories, and come home ready to scrapbook my trip? From that was born this Vacation Memory Planner. In one place, I have a pocket for memorabilia, a notepad for musings, and pre-cut Top Note die cuts where I can journal my thoughts and have them ready to go on a scrapbook page as soon as I get home.

Here is how to start this project: I used 1 sheet of Sweet Slumber Textured Designer Series Paper. You can choose any pattern in this line, but I highly recommend the textured DSPs for their strong structure and durability--you are going to be traveling with this, after all!

Cut the DSP to 9 x 12. Score at the 6" line, so that it folds into a 6" x 9" folder. Take the strip of DSP you just cut off, and, with the long side parallel with the top of the trimmer, cut so that it is just short of the 6" mark, so that the piece is roughly 6" wide x 3" tall. I'm having you cut it just short (just a hair) of the 6" mark, to give a little extra ease in the fold.

You will make a pocket from this piece, so apply Sticky Strip on three sides of the piece (LEAVING THE TOP OPEN), and then mount it on in the inside of the folder, at the bottom left-hand side, right up against the fold.

Using the Enjoy Every Moment set and the Trio Flower punch, I decorated the outside of the pocket:

Next, you will create a pocket to hold the Top Note die cuts. To do this, take a clear envelope and cut the open end so that the envelope measures 5.25" long. Add small bits of sticky strip to the corners only. These are going to be covered in the next step, so you won't see them, if you keep the pieces small.

 

Mount this pocket on the inside of the folder, on the bottom right-hand side. Using the photo-corner punch, punch 4 sets of corners from scrap DSP. Mount these on top of the cello bag corners, covering the Sticky Strip underneath. Be careful not to adhere the corners over the opening, at the right-hand side.

 

Cut a few Top Note die cuts to go in the pocket. I chose Baja Breeze and So Saffron, because they were light-colored (perfect for journaling), and because they were neutral enough to coordinate with whatever layouts I might design after the trip.

I also wanted a small notepad to go in my planner. This is only a few sheets of paper, where I might make notes on layouts I want to do once I return. For instance, when we visited Paris a few years ago, I kept a running total of what we spent on various items, such as food and transportation. When we returned, I was able to do a layout describing what these items cost, but relating that the trip itself was "priceless." It was fun to have that perspective, but I couldn't have done it without keeping notes along the way.

To create the notepad, I cute a sheet of printer paper into 3.25 x 4" pieces. This gets you 6 pieces from one sheet of paper. Working along the long side, I perforated the sheets at the 1/2" mark, using the tool in our Cutter Kit, on page 189. This way, the sheets can be torn out if need be, just like in a regular notepad.

 

I stapled these pages to a piece of chipboard (which comes in all packs of DSP), and then wrapped a 1" x 4" strip of DSP around the top. Then I adhered the notepad to the inside of the folder, on the top, right-hand side.

 

On the outside of the folder, adhere a 1.5" x 6" strip of DSP. Stamp the flower circle from Enjoy Every Moment on a 2.5" square of Whisper White, then use the Ticket Corner Punch on all four corners. Mount onto a 2.75" square of Not Quite Navy, and add that to the strip. Finally, punch some Baja Breeze flowers, using the Trio Flower punch. Put brads through the center of the flowers, and then layer on top of the focal image, using Mini Glue Dots.

This is a fun planner to make, and if you use it consistently on your vacation, you can scrapbook the trip in a snap when you get home. Be sure to use the Top Note journaling dies for each leg of the trip. Consider letting each member fill one out--get different perspectives on the same visit. And always remember--you want to spend more time making your memories than scrapbooking them, and this planner just makes it that much easier!

Comments

[Connie Babbert]

Great idea! Just wanted you to know that the clear envelopes are still available! Page 157 under Medium Envelopes. You scared me when you mentioned they "retired"...I use these all the time!

[Dianne Shiozaki]

great ideas for this! I love the bright colors!

[Judy Elting]

I love this! Great idea! When we travel, I have multiple notebooks and note pads. Thanks for solving that dilema!

[Eileen McClean]

thank you for sharing this is a wonderful idea and great gift to make for friends who travel.Love it
Eileen