Go Big or Go Small?

Creativity comes in many forms. From photography to watercolour painting and sculpture to stop motion films, the range is very wide. Even within art journaling, scrapbooking and those who keep planners, there are numerous preferences and outlets. And then there is the size of format that varies from one artist to the next. Some prefer to go big and some prefer to go small.

Did you know that the brain is stimulated by novelty? Something new or out of the ordinary or unexpected actually fires the neurons in our brain! If you have ever experienced ‘creativity block’ then you know how hard it is to come up with ideas or inspiration in those moments (or days. or months), but all the brain needs is a kickstart and that can be achieved by novelty or moving outside of your comfort zone. The writer who stares at a blank page could watch and listen to the birds to be flooded once again with language. The sculptor can try playing with paint, the collage artist can try stepping out to take a few photographs… in each case, the brain will suddenly awaken instead of tuning out the ritualistic motions of working in one’s preferred medium.

TN book covers from vintage books

Many scrapbookers, art journalists or planner addicts have a preferred size of book in which they consistently work. Right now, the trend for scrapbookers is the traditional Traveler’s Notebook size (8.25in x 4.25in) and many planners or bullet journalers are using an A5 or 8x6in or larger notebook. But it all depends on the artist.

Herein lays the challenge. As a scrapbooker, art journalist or planner addict, have you tried working in a different sized book? In doing so, you may uncover new inspiration, new talent and at the very least, a new challenge. Perhaps I can give you some insight…

Repurposed Book and insert from rePaperedShop

Reasons To Go Big

• you are used to the Traveler’s Notebook size

• you like to write a lot

• you want to add extra lettering, photos, ephemera

• you are documenting a longer time frame

Reasons To Go Small

• you can still do scrapbooking or journaling or planning!

• you like bullet points - keep it simple

• you want to carry it in your purse

• you want cuteness!

• you are documenting a shorter time frame

Two sizes of book covers and inserts are available at rePaperedShop

Regardless of size, there remain similarities in both big and small sizes:

• you need a system of productivity or documentation

• you need a catch all for important stuff

• you are a die hard for analog

• you are a creative

So, will you take up my challenge and try a notebook in a new size in 2020?

You may discover a favourite new size!

Recycled Paper TN Folders

New folders have just been uploaded to my shop!

These folders have been handcrafted from recycled shopping bags. These colourfully designed bags from Rocky Mountain Soap Co. make a perfect folder with two layers of pockets to hold all your pics, docs or whatever you need to keep track of!

Each folder is 8 in tall and 4.25 in wide in order to perfectly fit into a traditional Traveler’s Notebook, as well as one of the book covers you can find in my shop.

I had fun coming up with the design for this one. I was trying to create something that will allow you to hold many paper items as well as organize them visually. After carefully measuring and folding, I run each folder through my trusty vintage sewing machine to secure the edges and complete the look.

Don’t miss out on these fun and colourful folders. Grab one before they are gone!

Books I Make In My Shop

With a few new followers lately, I wanted to say hello! And a great big welcome to you!

I also wanted to give a bit of the story that I am trying to weave with the notebooks that I sell in my shop. First, I love vintage books, so I am seeking out the prettiest ones, gutting them and rePapering the inside.

Then I have created a number of notebooks, folders, and planner items to fill the book covers.

Are you the journaling type? Perhaps you have a family to keep organized? Maybe you are a planner addict or bullet journaler? An artist? Either way, these books are the perfect way to personalize your needs.

All of these have been designed by me and created for you with love!

Storing My Project Life Traveler's Notebooks for 2018

In recent years, the Project Life format for documenting one’s life has morphed from a variety of pocket page sizes to traveler’s notebooks. More and more, scrapbookers are turning to the traveler’s notebook format to tell the stories of their lives in pictures and words. This leaves the question of how to gather and store a collection of these notebooks.

My solution was to create book covers from vintage books to house the monthly notebooks that I filled in 2018. Take a look below…

I can imagine not only my own family flipping through these books for years to come, but hopefully future generations as well. Each of my notebooks is going to be protected by these lovely covers and make an attractive display on the shelf.

If you are interested, check out the book covers currently in my Etsy shop called rePaperedShop.

How are you storing your traveler’s notebooks?

Seattle 2015 Travel Journal

This was one of the first travel books that I ever made. I ended up with quite a few shares on Pinterest over on my previous blog SeriousPlay. I guess that may have been my first inclination that others may also enjoy my books and what I create. 

So I am sharing this travel journal as my first  project here on the new website. Seems fitting.

Click through the gallery below to view the entire travel album...