Vintage Map Travel Journal DIY

Vintage Map Travel Journal DIY
DIY Travel Journal

Last week I shared the big news about my upcoming trip to Belgium, Amsterdam, and France.  I've been busy making travel plans and finalizing arrangements for the trip, but I had a little bit of time to make a quick and easy travel journal out of an old map.  I thought it might be a good thing to take with me to write down notes and record my thoughts and activities while traveling.

Here's what I used:
a paper notepad
cardboard
scissors
wide clear packing tape
a map
washi tape
rubber cement

how to make a Travel Journal

I started by making a cardboard cover for my paper notepad.  (If you're using a notebook that already has a cover, you can skip this step.)  Next, I taped the cover to the notebook.  I used wide clear packing tape, stuck the tape on the top of the cardboard cover, and folded it over the top of the notepad.

how to make a Travel Journal

Once the cover was taped on, I cut an old map to fit the notepad and glued the map to the cover.  I used Mod Podge, but I didn't like the way it worked.  The map didn't adhere smoothly and there were air bubbles.  Mod Podge also made the cardboard cover warp.  I wouldn't recommend using any type of water-based glue like white glue because it will probably have the same result.  A glue stick might be ok to use, though.

DIY Travel Journal DIY Travel Journal

I used rubber cement on the second notebook and it worked much better.  The map glued on smoothly with no bubbles and no warping.

DIY Travel Journal

To finish it off, I added some patterned washi tape to the top of the notebooks to make them pretty.

DIY Travel Journal

That's all there is to it! 
These notebooks are ready to go!

DIY Travel Journal

And so am I!
Just seven more days until I leave!
I can hardly wait!

DIY Travel Journal


DIY Travel Journal


Inspired by this pin for DIY travel notebooks.


Comments

  1. Great Idea! I used to scrapbook and would use a map (from AAA) of the area I was in and would highlight the route I took and use that as background paper for the layout. Double the memories and easy supplies!

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  2. Great idea Bonnie, and so simple--I love how they turned out. Hope you have a fantastic trip! We loved Paris, but have never been to Belgium or Amsterdam. Would have loved to have gone to the Ann Frank House.

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    1. My mother-in-law did the same trip to Belgium, Amsterdam, and Paris a few years ago and also said the Ann Frank house was worth seeing. I'm really looking forward to Paris, but I know I won't be able to see everything in the two days we'll be there.

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  3. Your trip sounds like it's going to be amazing, I am so envious! And the notebooks are so cool, I love making DIY projects and this one looks really simple yet it yields such an amazing finished project!

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  4. This is such a cute idea. I'm definitely going to make one!

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  5. Oh your trip sounds fabulous! Love this little journal and it will be so fun to carry around with you! I have a travel theme loving daughter. She will want one for sure! lol! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  6. This is a great idea. I'm a huge fan of maps and always journal when traveling. Only 5 days now. Have a fantastic trip!!! :-)

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  7. What a fun project! Good luck on your trip... sounds super exciting!

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  8. I came across your blog from Bacon Time. What a great idea - and simple enough even I could possibly manage it! Have a wonderful trip!

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  9. Love this! Enjoy your trip:)

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  10. This is a great idea and would make a cute bon voyage gift too! BTW ~ I am a pin junkie too.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  11. What an awesome idea! Love it! I saw you over at Bewitch Me & Tiki

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  12. What a creative use for maps! Love it!

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  13. Love, love, love maps. What a fun idea for a travel journal. Pinned!
    xoxo
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

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    1. I love old maps too. I had some older ones, but couldn't bring myself to cut them up.

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  14. Adorable and super easy... I am a notebook junkie so this is definitely on my To Do list.... Thank you!

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  15. What a great idea! We are travelling interstate soon, and I am itching to make one of these for each of my kids as a memento of their holiday. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Very cool. Not taking any big trips any time soon, but I think this would be a great project for my son and his composition books for this upcoming school year! He'd have the coolest ones around! Thanks for sharing with Creative Style!

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  17. Thank you so much for sharing. I love these types of projects. Have fun on your trip! Featuring today at the Handmade Hangout at Redouxinteriors. Thank you so much for linking up!

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  18. Love this idea! 2015 looks to be my year for travel so I will be needing this for sure! Thanks for sharing at the party this week! I am featuring your journal on my FB page and have pinned it to the You're Gonna Love It Tuesday board on Pinterest too :-)

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  19. This is so cute! I love that you can customize the journal too with a map of the location you're visiting. Such a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in next week's issue.

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  20. These would make such great gifts! Enjoy your trip! And thank you so much for sharing your creativity on The Inspiration Board at homework. I can't tell you how happy I am that you stopped by to share. You were featured in the spotlight today!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    carolyn ~ homework

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  21. What a terrific idea! Enjoy your trip!

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  22. What a fun idea! I don't travel much, but as a homeschooling momma, I can see that these would be helpful for studies on certain countries. you could highlight each country on the front.
    Thanks for linking this up at the Bloggers Brags Party, I hope you come back next week!

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  23. I love this Bonnie- so pretty!! Thanks for sharing this at Work it Wednesday this week:)

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