Blog Planning Insert for the TN

I'm pretty new to the blog world and realized very quickly as I was planning the blog that I needed to organize my ideas (I have a zillion of them), publish date goals, resources for each post etc.  I created a very basic TN insert for this specific purpose.  It isn't complicated and can easily be printed out, covered and stapled into an insert.  You can download it here if you would like a copy of it.  It is formatted for the regular size TN. You will need to crop it as with almost all printable insert files.  Enjoy!  Inserts I am in the process of creating:

• Family History
• Gardening
• Recipes
• Book/Movie Reviews
• Health Record
• Wine Log
• Knitting/Recipe
• Gratitude

Keep checking back for new inserts,  they will be posted on the free download page.

52 Different Uses for Your Traveler's Notebook

I've seen a lot of people asking about ideas for using their TN's.  I've been compiling a list of ways you can use it.  Some are self explanatory.....most won't fit your needs but maybe some of these will ring a bell for you!  Enjoy!

1. Blog - Keeping it up, starting a new one, ideas for one
2. Planner - Work schedule, appointments, tasks, projects
3. Travel - Where you want to go, where you've been, pictures, paper ephemera
4. Baby - Your pregnancy, baby's first year, baby care for babysitter
5. Cooking - Recipes, great meals, recipe ideas, learning a new skill
6. Pets - Taking care of your pet, pets you want, names, medical care
7. House Remodel - Who your contractors are, plans, problems, schedules
8. Job Hunt - Companies you want to apply to, skills to highlight, interview questions, networking
9. Scrapbooking Ideas - Resources, websites, supplies, ideas, page designs
10. Books To Read - Authors to follow, reading/book blogs, great books you've read
11. Family - Family care, medical care for each member, stats for clothing purchases, school needs, food likes/dislikes/allergies, birthday/holiday present ideas
12. Movies - You want to see, you've seen, reviews, favorite actors/actresses
13. Wine - Favorite wines, upcoming wines, inventory in rack/cellar
14. Medical Diary - Health care, specialists, diagnosis, medications, procedures
15. Craft Projects - Websites, supply list/needs, project pages
16. Writing Ideas - For blogs, books, articles you are writing
17. Sewing Projects - Patterns, sources for materials, supplies, sketches of design ideas
18. Knitting Projects - Patterns, sources for materials, supplies, sketches of design ideas
19. Exercise/Marathon/Workout Plan - Accomplishments, weights, schedule, races
20. Diary - Daily diary
21. Dreams - Dream Interpretation
22. Sketchbook
23. Disneyland Trip - Plans, rides, hotels, food, packing for it, tickets
24. Camping Plans - Campgrounds, food planning, supplies, dates
25. Your Boat - Repairs, trips, upkeep
26. Your Business Plans - New ideas, growth, hiring, resources, needs, repairs
27. The Beach
28. Fashion and Makeup
29. Finances - Bill paying schedule, goals, investments, savings, stock, credit card paydown schedule
30. Your History - Writing down your life history for your family and children
31. Gratitude -  At least three things you are grateful for each day
32. One Good Deed a Day -  Do one good thing a day and record it
33. Note Taking for School
34. Quotes - Favorite quotes, what they mean to you
35. One line a Day - In a year you will have an amazing snapshot of your life
36. Spiritual/Faith - Prayer Journal, spiritual goals, yoga, meditation
37. Wedding - Plans, dress, reception, ceremony, vows, shower, bridesmaid/groomsmen plans, food
38. Weight Loss/Food Diary
39. Dating Ideas with Your Partner - Special memories, where you want to go, restaurants
40. Your Bucket List
41. Hobby Journal - Resources, ideas, pictures, progress
42. Your YouTube Channel - plans, videos, schedules
43. Photos/Instagram
44. Your Garden - Planting schedule, goals, harvest, best/worst crops
45. Home Decorating Projects
46. Astrology
47. Inspiration - for goals, life, hobbies, children, family, parenting, food, exercise
48. Your Politics
49. Doomsday Prepper - Supplies, locations, emergency bugout plan
50. Elder Care - Medications, drs, appointments, therapies, foods
51. Tea
52. Family Traditions - So your children, grandchildren know what they are and why

The Traveler's Notebook....42 different sites for all your Notebook Needs!

I get asked all the time where I got my planner.  I go to meetings and trainings and it becomes a topic of conversation.  Then the conversation naturally turns to…where did you get______ that you put inside it.  I decided to take a day and compile all the resources I know of for my planner aka FoxyDori and here they are. First, most importantly, is my cover.  There are many covers out there, the two I am using currently are both  FoxyDori.  Kelly Strong-Marco owns the shop and makes them herself.  A good cover is the jumping off point for anything you want to do with your planner. I know there are other traveler's notebook covers out there.  Some people may prefer a more flexible cover, I like the leather firm, it provides structure and support for the elastic that holds the inserts in.

Next comes the inserts.  I can’t possibly cover every single resource out there for the paper inserts.  Many are DIY (do it yourself) printables and many are pre-made.  Some of my favorite pre-mades (all Etsy Shops) are:

1.  YellowPaperHouse

2.  May Designs

3.  Molsmum

4.  MorganLeFaesTrinkets

5.  MarsiaBramucci (she has DIY but will also print them for you)

6.  KiddyQualia

7.  OnicaHanby

This is, by no means, an exhaustive list, there are many more sites out there that sell pre-made inserts.  A simple search on Etsy or Google will give you a huge list.  Of course you can also purchase inserts from Midori as well.

DIY inserts are as plentiful as the pre-made ones.  DIY inserts do require you to cut and bind them yourself.  This is usually stapling, although some people get fancy and sew them together.   You can find a lot of YouTube videos on putting printable inserts together.  My favorite Etsy shops that sell DIY’s are:

8.  AndreaGomoll

9.  RebeccaMeyersDesigns

10.  JaneDIY

11.  DIYfish

12.  Essikulnserts

13.  KellyBangsCreative

14.  ButeoBunker (he also sells pre-made)

15.  PapierMyDay.

Again, this is not an exhaustive list.  There are many more on Etsy.  Additionally, MorganLeFaesTrinkets has a blog and FREE printables you can download.  I use a couple of them in my blog Dori…they are great.

Once you have your inserts figured out then you will want to accessorize…that can mean stickers, folders, stamps, pens, charms, clips…your imagination is the only limit.  Here is a list of some resources, again hardly exhaustive.  My favorite go-to shops are

16.  JetPens

17.  MochiThings

18.  SeeJaneWork

19.  GirlofAllWork,

20.  HappieScrappie.

21.  AlexStudios

22.  Yoobi

23.  GouletPen

24.  OliBlock

25.  3SpeckledFawns

26.  LadyendeVagehond

27.  MyPaperShoppe

28.  OllieEmily

29.  LobsterBisqueVintage

30.  StickersKingdom

31.  PrettyTape

32.  CharlottesWeb86

I have a zillion pens, pens are my thing.  My favorite pens however, are:

33.  Lamy

34.  Kaweco

35.  Pilot

36. these Tombow pencils (love the color)

37. this Zebra Mini ballpoint pen

38.  this Pilot mechanical pencil (again the color...)

39.  these Pilot erasable pens

40.  These Pilot Maica fine point pens (you can buy individual pens)

41.  this Sharpie for writing on stickers and washi tape.

42.  JetPens just posted these...a really nice alternative to Sharpies....

I know there are MANY more resources out there for Traveler's Notebooks...please feel free to list yours in the comments if they aren't here!  Stay tuned for Part II....compiling another list of the best DIY sites for instructions on making folders, inserts and more.

The Amazing Technology of the Traveler's Notebook

You are probably wondering what the 'technology' of the traveler's notebook could be since it is just leather, cord, and paper....lots of paper.  I've tried just about every planner out there and almost every planner 'app' as well.  I stumbled across the brand 'Midori' a while ago.  Being someone who likes lots of color in her life, the Midori brand didn't cut it for me....but I really liked the idea of flexibility in the TN.  No planner will work if it isn't used or it is used minimally...then it is just a stack of paper bound by leather.  I found a shop on Etsy that made colored TN's by hand to order.

Once I had the FoxyDori in my hands I new I had found the technology I was looking for to pull the different parts of my life together in to one neat amazing bundle.  Wikipedia states the definition of technology is:  from Greek τέχνη, techne, "art, skill, cunning of hand"; and -λογία is the collection of techniques, methods or processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives.   That definition fits my Dori perfectly because daily I am able to accomplish my objectives with the help of this tactile leather cover enveloping my dreams, goals, tasks, quotes, recipes, blog ideas and appointments.  If you use a planner...mosey over to Kelly's shop on Etsy, FoxyDori  and check out what she makes.  She doesn't know I'm telling you about her but you will love what she does...I guarantee it....and you will have a new home for your dreams and goals.  If you don't want color or her cover isn't exactly what you are looking for a quick search of Traveler's Notebook, Midori, FauxDori on google or Etsy will help you find other variations.