This DIY shows you how to transform an old book cover into a stunning traveler’s journal, merging the charm of the handmade with the responsibility of upcycling.

Create Your Own Upcycled Traveler’s Journal: A Step-by-Step Guide

You can go out and buy, or simply get on-line and order, many fine ready-made traveler’s journals. But there’s something uniquely satisfying about making and using a handmade journal. Combine this with the eco-friendly practice of upcycling, and you’ve got a project that’s not only creatively fulfilling but also kind to the planet.

Handmade journals offer a personal touch that store-bought notebooks simply can’t match, allowing you to express your individuality through every page. Meanwhile, upcycling breathes new life into old materials, reducing waste and creating something beautiful from the unexpected.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to transform an old book cover into a stunning traveler’s journal, merging the charm of the handmade with the responsibility of upcycling. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a curious beginner, this project promises to spark your creativity and result in a one-of-a-kind journal you’ll treasure for years to come.

My Personal Journey from Simple Diary to Traveler’s Journal

Did any of you keep a diary when you were young? All filled with teen girl angst and dreams of princes on shiny horses, or is it shiny armor on white horses?

Yes, that kind of diary.

Because there weren’t a lot of real-time exciting events on our country lane, those wide-ruled notebook journals were infused with highlights. Maybe embellished just a little. With all the extra passion of young girl excitement, ecstasy, pure distress, absolute despair… you get the picture.

Teenage Diaries: Nostalgia and Lessons Learned

One day my aunt called and asked to come see me. I liked this aunt; she was one of my favorites, so I was thrilled to be on her radar. Little did I know the reason her detector went off in my direction was because my little sister and my aunt’s daughter, sly little monsters, had read my diaries! And then her daughter innocently informed mama about who loved whom, who was mad at whom, which boy had smiled at me so I was sure he really, really liked me. And I might have suggested a few names I would like to name our babies.

My aunt told me that I should have my mind on higher things than my diaries revealed. Out of respect for my elders, I didn’t point out that little girls had no business getting into other people’s diaries.

Somehow, after that, I didn’t enjoy keeping diary as much. At least, not an interesting one. It was more about color coordinating my closet or driving the tractor on the back 40 or what I named my kittens. Soon there was no diary keeping at all anymore. (She didn’t cure me of dreaming though. I just made sure little girls kept their distance.)

Rediscovering the Joy of Journaling

In spite of the loss of diary-keeping in my life, I never lost my passion for paper and pretty stationery and journals. So today, we bring you our upcycled version of a handmade travelers journal.

Materials Needed for Your Upcycled Traveler’s Journal

1. The outside cover of an old book. (The inside pages became a book stack project.)
2. Textured papers from our stash which we inked with a Tim Holtz Distress Ink in dried marigold.
3. Crinkle fabric scrap from another project.
4. A buckle from our stash which we covered in book page pieces.
5. 8.5″ x 11″ sheets of drawing paper.
6. Tacky glue and clamps or clothes pins to hold the pages while the glue dries.
7. Book binding supply kit (optional).
8. Paper cutter.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Upcycled Traveler’s Journal

Preparing the Book Cover

1. It is quite simple to remove the book block from an old book. You can use a sharp knife to score the front and back inside covers and the text pages will come out intact. Tear out one page, and set the block aside, as you won’t use it for your upcycled traveler’s journal.
2. Place the book cover flat as shown in the photo below, and mark your cover material. Add 1″ all around the edges for folding.
3. Cover the entire outside book cover with an even coat of thinned tacky glue. Mix the glue about 3 parts glue to 1 part water. This should make it easy to spread with a brush. We used an old paint brush.
4. Place the glue side of the book cover on the paper you’ve chosen for upcycling your old book. Press to make sure the cover adheres well.
5. Cut triangles out of the 4 corners, making sure to cut far enough from the old book so the new cover paper will wrap and over to hide the vintage book.
6. Bring your cover paper up on all the edges and glue well.

Creating the Journal Pages

1. Fold the drawing paper in half to create the pages for your diy traveler’s journal.
2. Stack the folded edges in line and clamp together. The thickness of the page stack should be equal to the spine of the cover you just made.
3. Run a thick layer of tacky glue over the folded edges. Use your finger to make sure every page gets some glue, but don’t push it in too far or the pages won’t open properly.
4. Let the glue dry completely.
5. When the glue is dry, remove the clamps. Place inside the upcycled book cover. Do the pages need trimming? Use a paper cutter for this part. Trim the pages so they will fit 1/4″ from the edges when the journal is closed.

Assembling Your Unique Traveler’s Journal

1. The pages on the outside of the book block that adhere to the inside of the book cover are called “endpapers” or “end sheets.” Choose a decorative, heavier paper than the rest of the book’s pages. Cut two endpapers the same size as the pages of the trimmed book block. Remember to cut them so that when folded, they will fit the book block exactly.
2. Fold the endpapers with the decorated side to the inside. Glue one folded endpaper to the inside front cover, and the other half (the flyleaf) to the first page of your book block. Note: if there are any pro book makers here, this will not be kosher, so please forgive our short cuts.
3. Glue the second endpaper to the back of the book, with one half glued to the inside back cover and the other half to the back page of the book block.
4. For more detailed information, you can refer to resources like The Society of Bookbinders or Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books.

Tips for Personalizing Your Handmade Journal

Some ideas to personalize will happen before you assemble the inside of your handmade journal:

• We glued torn book page pieces onto a buckle, and sealed it with Mod Podge.
• We threaded a scrap of fabric through the buckle, then wrapped it to the inside of the traveler’s journal front cover. The endpapers of the page block will cover the fabric ends.

Tips for the inside of your upcycled book:

• Watercolor designs and/or marker doodling.
• Fun and fancy paper clips.
• Stickers

Why DIY a Handmade Traveler’s Journal?

There are many lovely out of the box traveler’s journals you can buy that will meet your needs.

However, we think the sustainability of upcycling an old book is worth it. Plus it creates a journal that is all “you.” You choose your style and your details. No one else will have one just like it!

And when your friend sees your handmade journal there on the table, she’ll ask about it. Great convo starter, right? You get a chance to talk about your amazing trip!

Next thing you know, she’ll want one, too. These make superb cost-free gifts, and no two will ever be the same. If you enjoy paper and have a stash like ours, you can likely make a dozen without going shopping for a thing!

Share if you think handmade journals are as amazing as we do!