Rebecca's Travel Notes

I love collecting and saving little things from my trips. Squished pennies, postcards, stickers, patches, and travel guides are just a few of my favorites. I use to come home and throw everything in a box. But now I create smash journals.

A smash journal is like scrapbooking but there’s no rules. Creating a travel smash journal can be a fun and creative way to document your adventures. Here are some tips to get you started:

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Materials Needed

1. Journal or Notebook: Choose one with sturdy pages that can handle gluing and writing. I like the spiral ring art books for my smash journals. They pages are thicker for paint and marker use. But there’s more space to bulkier trinkets and souvenirs.
2. Pens and Markers: Invest in a variety of writing utensils including markers, pens, calligraphy pens, colored pencils, and crayons. Purchase a variety of colors for writing, sketching, and doodling. But do not be afraid to use water colors or other paint to create your personalized smash journal.
3. Glue or Tape: Use glue or tape attach souvenirs and photos. Double sided tape works well for me.
4. Scissors: Yes, a plain pair of scissors is essential for cutting out items. But there is also craft scissors with decorative edges to create unique designs.
5. Stickers and Washi Tape: Use stickers from your travel destinations to decorate pages. Washi tape is a great for final design touches.
6. Envelopes or Pockets: Recycle old envelops to store loose items. Or buy small envelope pockets.
7. Ephemera: Save items from your trips such as tickets, receipts, business cards, brochures, maps, and postcards.
8. Photos: Before starting your smash journal, print pictures from your travels. Or use an instant camera. I am currently researching them for my upcoming New York trip. For me, it’s just another new camera to play with.

Getting Started

1. Cover Design: Personalize the cover with your name, the year, or the destinations you’ll be visiting.
2. Title Page: Create a title page with the name of your trip, travel companions, and dates.

Content Ideas

1. Daily Entries: Write about each day’s activities, experiences, and highlights.
2. Photos: Include printed photos from your trip. Consider adding captions or notes beside them.
3. Maps and Tickets: Paste in maps, train tickets, flight boarding passes, and other paper items you collect.
4. Postcards: Attach postcards you buy or receive during your trip.
5. Receipts and Menus: Glue in receipts or menus from restaurants to remember your meals.
6. Drawings and Doodles: Sketch landmarks or doodle your feelings about the places you visit.
7. Stamps and Stickers: Use stamps or stickers related to your travel destinations to decorate pages.
8. Pockets and Envelopes: Create pockets or attach envelopes to store small souvenirs or notes.
9. Quotes and Thoughts: Write down memorable quotes from people you meet or your thoughts and reflections.
10. Tickets and Wristbands: Attach event tickets, museum passes, or wristbands.

Layout Tips

1. Layering: Layer items like photos, tickets, and maps for a collage effect.
2. Themes: Create themed pages based on locations, activities, or specific days.
3. Borders and Frames: Use washi tape or draw borders around photos and notes for a polished look.
4. Balance: Keep a balance between writing and visual elements on each page.

Finishing Touches

1. Review and Edit: Once your trip is over, review your journal and add any final touches.
2. Table of Contents: If your journal is extensive, consider adding a table of contents.
3. Protective Cover: Use a protective cover to keep your journal safe.

Tips for Success

1. Consistency: Try to write in your journal regularly during your trip to keep memories fresh.
2. Carry Supplies: Bring a small kit with essential supplies so you can journal on the go. I use note cards. They are sturdier and easy to slide into my wallet or travel bag.
3. Stay Creative: Don’t worry about making everything perfect. Enjoy the process and let your creativity flow.

Creating a travel smash journal is a wonderful way to capture your travel memories. It also helps preserve them in a personalized and creative manner. Have fun with it and make it uniquely yours! Happy Travels!