Travel Journal: Set-Up (Pre-Trip)

On July 12 – July 21st, L and I are going to LA & SF! It’s a short trip, but one of my best friends is getting married in Laguna and it’s my pre-school’s summer break so we decided to go! We also decided to swing by SF to visit L’as family for a couple days while we are in California. I’ve been making these little travel journals for references & on the go scrapping on every trip we’ve been on and this is no exception. So, I’ve decided to share with you all how I set up these little mini books.

I use Midori’s notebooks to slip into my Traveler’s Notebook covers, along with my little on-the-go calendar planner to help me stay on top of things during our trip. I decorate the cover of the notebooks using patterned paper, stamps and ephemera. On this particular book, I used Paper from Studio Calico, ephemera from Dear Lizzy + Amy Tangerine, and stamps by Kelly Purkey – embossed with Zing embossing powder.

I always make sure I add the dates on the front cover so I can see when the trip was just by flipping to this page when I’m done with the notebook. Here, I used to die-cut from Dear Lizzy’s Happy Place line.

I also include a more detailed itinerary in the front pages with details like the reference numbers, flight numbers, and dates + times. I also include our passport information because we always need to fill that out on the airplane on customs forms and whatnot. I always leave this notebook out during the flight so I don’t have to dig through our stuff to pull out our passports in the plane.

I used more of Clearly Kelly’s Destination Stamps to add some interest to the page, as well as some washi tape and alpha stamps.

The next few pages include details about where we will be staying and phone numbers of our local contacts. Usually if we’re traveling to a foreign country, I’ll add the hotel information and some simple phrases in the local language, the exchange rate of the currencies, etc. but since we’re just going to the States, that’s not really necessary here.

Again, I used Clearly Kelly’s Destination Stamps to add some icons that represent California ? The “San Francisco” stamp is from _________. So cute – love that font! Again, having the local addresses and phone numbers of wherever you’re staying during your travels are helpful when you’re in a pinch or need to write down this information on forms.

Although this is still empty, I always have a shopping list ready especially when I’m traveling to the States. I usually have specific make-up, craft supplies, clothing, etc. that I have in mind when I go, so jotting them down here will ensure I won’t forget them. Omiyage in Japanese means souvenirs, or hospitality gifts. I keep this list to track what I bought for friends and family.

I bought this packing list YEARS ago at Urban Outfitters and it comes in a notepad form. It’s been SO helpful anytime I travel. I highlight what goes in my carry-on in one color and what goes in my check-in in another. I’m not exactly known as a light packer, so this comes handy in making sure I don’t overpack. Looking at this list, you guys are probably rolling your eyes since it’s already looking like I’m going to overpack…. again. I probably will.

At the back of my book, I inserted these super simple mood boards I whipped up in Photoshop. This will help me when I pack bits and bobs for my on-the-go journaling. Picking out die-cuts, papers, and inks are always what stresses me out so hopefully this will stream-line the process. I will be posting a “What I Pack: Crafty Edition” next week so stay tuned for that if you’re interested!

Lastly, I always include a little envelope in the back of my notebook to stash little ephemera when I’m traveling – like receipts, tags, etc. This way, I won’t have them crumpled up in the bottom of my bag or squished in my wallet.

This wraps up my travel journal – pre-travel! I will share what it looks like at the end of the trip. Do you take a travel journal with you when you travel? What do you include? Please let me know in the comments below or on instagram. If you’re interested in following my travels, I’ll be updating regularly on instagram or on snapchat at @oddlyjapanese 🙂