JourneyJournal: Documenting Your Adventures

I love traveling and capturing moments through photography. A few years back, I had the idea of creating a travel journal that would combine drawings, photos, and writings from the places I visit, and finally, the time has come to make it happen.

Tools used:

1. Small hole punch.
2. Physical scanner.
3. Graphic design software (such as Illustrator).
4. Laser cutter.
5. Corner cutter with curved edges.
6. Cutter
7. Scissors.
8. Sponges (for painting)

Materials used:

1. Opaline paper (half-letter size).
2. Thick cardboard (solid cardboard) for the covers.
3. Thin cardboard (paperboard) for the elements on the cover.
4. Markers.
5. Liquid glue.
6. Alcohol (for softening the cardboard).
7. Acrylic paints
8. Sheets printed with map and compass images.
9. Small piece of rope.
10. Binding rings

Firstly, I decided on the size of the travel journal pages. After reviewing some papers I had, I opted for half-letter-size sheets of opaline paper (slightly thick, but not too much). Then, using a small hole puncher, I created holes along one of the edges and rounded the corners. Finally, I ran a marker along the edges and the punched holes of a single sheet to emphasize them for scanning.

I scanned the prepared sheet and opened the file in Illustrator, where I traced the lines as accurately as possible.

Note: It's important to mention that I used a physical scanner rather than the scanning option on a cell phone to ensure precise measurements, which isn't possible with a photo.

Using the traced lines as a guide, I created a drawing of a travel suitcase (slightly larger than the traced sheet) while maintaining the hole marks. Then, I downloaded various free vectors related to travel from the internet and incorporated elements like straps until I was satisfied with the suitcase's appearance. Next, I separated the shapes, with some intended for cutting from thick cardboard (solid cardboard) and others from thin cardboard (paperboard).

I arranged for the shapes to be laser-cut, opting to cut two pieces of thick cardboard using the same file to create both the front and back covers of the journal. The thin cardboard pieces were cut once since they contained both front and back elements.

I chose two sheets with printed images of maps and compasses to be the interior part of the cover. For this, I took the suitcase-shaped pieces and applied liquid glue to one side, then adhered the sheets to them. After they dried, I carefully trimmed the edges and the holes of the suitcase-shaped piece.

Next, I painted the other side of the suitcase-shaped pieces with red paint using a sponge. I dabbed a bit of paint onto the sponge and then gently tapped it onto the cardboard until it was covered. For the edges, I used a darker shade of red. An excellent aspect of working with sponges and softly tapping paint is that it allows for gradient effects and even application on the surface.

For the buckle details on the straps, I first applied alcohol to the small strap-shaped pieces (as seen in the images). When the paperboard softened, I inserted the buckles and let them dry with the buckles in place.

Using the same gentle tapping technique with a paint-loaded sponge, I painted all the pieces that go on the covers of the journal. For the buckles that were inserted into the straps, I removed them to paint the straps and buckles separately.

With a black marker, I added some details such as the N, S, E, and W markings on the compass and lines resembling stitching on the straps.

To reattach the buckles to the straps, it's advisable to reapply alcohol to the back of them to prevent the paperboard from splitting when attaching the buckles.

I adhered the pieces to the suitcase-shaped covers using liquid glue, placing some hooks over them to keep them in place while the glue dried.

I added details with markers, such as a dashed line representing the movement of the plane. For the luggage tag, I threaded a rope through the handle and tied it, then applied glue to both the tag and the rope before placing it in the desired position.

I wanted the first page to be visually appealing, but I don't feel very skilled at drawing, so I decided to print an image I liked in a very light gray and then add color with my gouache paints.

To layout the content of the inner pages, I first make very simple sketches of what I want to include on each one and how I imagine it. This helps me get an idea of what size to print the photos and what drawings I'll create.

This is an example of the process I follow to fill a page. First, I create the drawings or background I have in mind, then I glue the photos I want on this page, and finally, I add the text.

I also like to add some details with stamps related to travel.

To assemble the journal, I place one cover against the other (with the decorated parts facing inward) and align the inner pages so that all the holes match up.

To attach the rings, I insert them from the back cover side, and then I put in the pages. Putting them in from the back ensures that the ring mechanism stays hidden on the backside, so it's not visible when closing the journal.

It's time to enjoy the journal and travel to fill it with amazing images and stories. I hope you liked this instructable; leave your comments, and if you decide to follow it, don't forget to share photos of your results.