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,

abbey