1.24.2012

notebooks.

Inspiration is a sneaky little thing. Not often there when you're looking for it, but always there when you least expect it to be. To have an idea make itself at home inside your head is possibly one of the best things ever. But getting distracted or preoccupied sometimes in inevitable, and it's easy to lose grasp and let your idea slip away. Luckily, there's notebooks. I take one with me wherever I go. They're scattered across the house. I write my blog posts in them. I write to-do lists, reminders, and reflections. I write ideas.

Sure, phones and such devices are good for this kind of thing, but not nearly as satisfying as opening up to a fresh lined page and hearing the scratch of your pencil. In honour of these lifesavers that are notbooks, a few simple DIYs for you.

travel notebook




you will need: notebook with a paper surface (i used kraft paper moleskins for all of these), one envelope, gluestick, pen
how to make: cut off two ends of an envelope. if you'd like to write or draw something on it, do so, then glue anywhere along the opening edge of the notebook. glue the other end inside the front or back cover to use as a pocket for little things collected during your travels (ticket stubs, photographs, etc.)


chalkboard notebook





you will need: notebook with a paper surface, chalkboard paint, paintbrush, chalk
how to make: on the cover, paint a shape of your choice with chalkboard paint (or paint the entire cover, if you'd like). wait an hour or so for paint to dry. when dry, doodle away! the chalk comes off best with a regular chalkboard eraser or just a tissue.


gift tag notebook




you will need: notebook with a paper cover, gift tag, pen, glue, hole puncher, some string or twine, tape
how to make: write or draw whatever you wish on your gift tag. when finished, glue the gift tag on the cover. with a hole puncher, punch a hole right through the gift tag and the cover. you'll be able to see right through to the first page, which gives it a really neat effect. take some string or twine and thread it through the hole from underneath. pull until you can bring the end of the twine back inside the notebook. on the inside cover, tie the two ends of the twine together, or just tape it. 


Happy crafting! Do you have a favourite? 

xo,

43 comments:

  1. these are so cute, abbey! I've wanted to do the chalkboard one for practically ever. Need to find myself some chalkboard paint.
    The gift tag one is just darling.

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  2. oh, abbey. you are the most creative person in the world and i just think you brought mr. inspiration home from vacation. thank you. thank you. thank you. you have no idea. :))
    -jocee <3

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  3. These are fantastic, Abbey! And you got chalkboard paint involved there too! I think that might be my favourite actually...

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  4. Ok, these are gorgeous! Love each one! I don't think I can choose a favorite! Although ... I think I might like the travel one just a tiny bit extra. I'm kind of addicted to traveling. ;)

    Really beautiful and fun ideas!

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  5. So beautiful! I love the chalkboard one, so creative! And the travel one is prettycute too :)

    Lovelovelove,

    Abbie /// XOXO

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  6. Oh, and by the way, where did you get the notebooks?

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  7. Love all of these, but the chalkboard is by favorite. I love the idea of chalkboard paint, although I've never used it. Next room redo // chalkboard paint wall.

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  8. Oh, wow. These are absolutely amazing. I also have notebooks scattered around the house. I love the chalk one. But, they all are just inspiring. :))

    Cindi

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  9. They're all lovely! The chalkboard paint one is genius. :)

    ~Kristin

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  10. Those are adorable! I especially like the gift tag one. :)

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  11. I don't think I can choose one favourite! They're all so cute!

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  12. Ah, these are so awesome :D
    Tried to pick a favourite but failed completely; They're all wonderful!

    - Misty
    http://misfit-diaries.blogspot.com

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  13. I really like the idea of customizing notebooks like this. I think the chalkboard one is my favorite - what a neat idea!

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  14. you are wonderful. these are so so pretty!

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  15. you are the queen of chalkboard art! ;)

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  16. Oh my gosh! They are all so cute! My favorite is fernwah.

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  17. I couldn't pick a favorite! LOVE them all!
    ~ALYSSA~

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  18. these are soooo cute! i love all of them!

    -oriana

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  19. oh my goodness. these are ingenious. i'm crazy in love with all of these.
    favorite post on fernweh so far!

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  20. P>S> where did you get the moleskins?

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    Replies
    1. I got them at a Chapters bookstore, which is basically the Canadian equivalent to Barnes & Nobles.

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    2. Oh! Thanks! I'll have to look at my local bookstore then.

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  21. Replies
    1. DITTO! I cannot get over how wonderful Abbey's posts are.

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  22. amazing amazing and amazing.
    oh, and need I add gorgeous? I've been wanting to get some chalkboard paint for awhile...this may be my excuse.
    notebooks are my guilty pleasure. okay, I admit: paper in general is my guilty pleasure.
    ;)
    you're incredible, abbey.

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  24. Love these ideas! I'm very fond of scribbling notes all over the place myself--I'll have to try making one of these sometime. *winks*

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  25. Love them! Where did you find the stripped envelopes? I can't find those anywhere..

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    Replies
    1. the envelopes are from our local post office (canada post). yours probably has them, too. just ask for airmail envelopes. :)

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  26. LOVE these! I might just have to make them asap...

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  27. This blog is absolutely stunning. Beautiful work!!!

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  28. So amazing...I would treasure a handmade notebook like this always!

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  29. I love journals so much and this is a wonderful D.I.Y.! I'm thinking about making the gift tag one. :)

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  30. Oh my, they're all my favorites! The chalkboard one is so unique. I really need some of that special paint now.
    And your pictures? Absoloutely, stunningly lovely! As usual. ;)

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  31. I really like the travel notebook. Lovely!

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  32. okay, doing this, asap. LOVE the chalkboard one! where could I find chalkboard paint?

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    Replies
    1. thanks so much! lots of paint/interior stores are selling chalkboard paint these days, and you can usually get them to mix it with any colour you want (not just black). also, maybe a craft store like michaels would have some?

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  33. Goodness, I LOVE these.. I was wondering, if you could please tell me (I've looked everywhere!) where did you get the kraft paper moleskins from??
    ~ Mirriam

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    Replies
    1. thank-you! i purchased a set of three at a chapters bookstore.

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  34. i know it's been a year but i've fallen in love with this idea all over again.

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