Sorry you never knew about this leather! I've used it for years to make my own. I've never had a traveler's notebook that I haven't made. So it's so good to know that I'm not missing out by not having an original Midori. My closest Michael's always has crap pieces now. Scratches and dents all over. I'd rather put my OWN patina on it, thank you very much. It also makes me angry about the staples. Mine went in the back too.
Same here. A few in in the community have elevated my knowledge on some decent places to buy some good leather online that even higher end companies use. Sarah Martinez (RU-vid) is an excellent source of knowledge there. I'm on the lookout for good vegan leather options. I can't keep making this kind of thing for the sake of changing up my color scheme without feeling like I'm contributing to the psychologically & environmental destructive “fast fashion” culture, so I need to find an alternative that's still of good quality and is a good cost.
@@MummyBrown I’m interested making my own myself, but I’d like the blue color. Any idea whether that’s available anywhere? I’m also looking at imprinting / debossing on the leather. Is there a machine available for the general public?
I cut apart an old purse and made a cover to hold mini compositions books and inserted pockets for my license and cards. It’s smaller than a wallet and fits so nicely in my purse!
Michelle, I heard you talking about this when you first figured it out, but I had forgotten about it. I’d love to check mine out to see if they have a nude one. I ❤ undyed leather and would absolutely love an undyed travelers notebook. I do have all 5 of the originals plus the brown passport so 6 in total. I keep memory journals on each one. (Complete with ephemera and photos of us together) I have 2 grand babies, 3 children, along with my husband. That’s 6 needed and I’ve only got 5….. so you can see where this is going. 😂 I started journaling to them when I was diagnosed with my rare disease. I don’t want them to ever forget how much they were loved.
Yeeeaaa, this was always at the base of my argument that Midori TNs are too expensive for what you get. As a crafter that sees that most of the planner community are either (or both) crafty and artistic, I thought this was common knowledge and that people were just in it for the name brand 🤷🏽♀️ Now that I know this isn't common knowledge: this leather is available at both Michael's and Hobby Lobby in the same isle that glitter/ glue/ and those bedazzle jewels are located. Then again, I feel the same way about craft shows. As a crafter myself, so much of that kind of thing is so easily replicated for yourself. I've learned that most people don't think like I do about stuff like this. I guess it's more trouble than most people want to put into it for what they get.
A few in in the community have elevated my knowledge on some decent places to buy some good leather online that even higher end companies use. Sarah Martinez (RU-vid) is an excellent source of knowledge there. Some leathers are feasibly workable by the laymen, some are a little more challenging (Maverick leather, for example). I'm on the lookout for good vegan leather options. I can't keep making this kind of thing for the sake of changing up my color scheme without feeling like I'm contributing to the psychologically & environmental destructive “fast fashion” culture, so I need to find an alternative that's still of good quality and is a good cost. Let's be honest, this has become more of a fashion statement than anything else. Might as well be conscious about that and make better choices, IMO.
I have cut 2 traveler's company notebooks down to b6slim. One was a camel from that batch at the beginning that was SUPER dark (I replaced it pretty quickly with a lighter camel). Then a little over a month ago I bought another brown standard, and cut it down. B6slim is my favorite journaling size, and I can use the Midori MD notebooks (my absolute favorite). I've been pretty happy with it. The leather at my local michaels has not been anywhere near comparable to the TRC leather (it's been *terrible* quality), so that's why I stuck with buying the standard size and cutting it down. I buy my traveler's notebooks to cut down at The Paper Seahorse (it's literally like 2 miles away from me) so I also get to support small business and a TRC partner store.
Ours hasn't had leather sheets for a while. I will have to start looking again. 11" wide is my minimum. I usually keep 3 inserts, but one is chunky and I like a couple of pocket/vinyl folders also.
Good for you for making your own! I've been making my own journaling system using leather alternatives and I can also make the.exact size and weight that I prefer.
I chopped off the top of a traveler’s notebook standard. I cut it down to an a6. It’s a wide a6 but I left it wide so it could comfortably fit an a6 hobonichi. I left the elastic in the same spot. Great job. I’ve seen the black in Michaels.
I wnjoyed this, and I'm looking forward to the next instalment. Unfortunately mot living in the US and I've not found any suitable leather at this stage, though I'd love to have a go! I know exactly what leather I'm poking for, fingers crossed I'll find some at a reasonable cost. I know what you mean about the TCo leather. I really enjoy it.
The texture difference comes from the different cut that they use. Back is the softest part of cow hides. And the color probably from difference in how long they dipped the leather in dye.
Michael’s craft store, punch an eyelet hole in the middle of the spine, and one on each end of the leather. Use elastic to thread through the top and bottom holes, tie together in center. Add an elastic closure in spine. Then you’re done!😘