
Putting Old Junk To Good Use
07/13/2015It took some trial and error, but several old cases and notebook covers are now fitted with new journals. Some of the paper will take a light wash of watercolor so those notebooks will see double duty.
Leather Checkbook Cover
This leather checkbook cover must be at least thirty years old and hasn’t seen anything but the inside of a drawer for at least twenty of those years. Now it has a notebook all its own.
Passport Case
The passport case worked with a number of journals including those pictured from Rhodia, Exacompta and paper-oh though using Midori inserts transforms it into a Fauxdori. Midori bands hold the journals in place and keep it closed. The lock charm adds a whimsical touch as it floats across the equator.
Leather Diary Cover
This well-used notebook contained a diary from 1986 and a blank pad on the left. The leather still feels soft and inviting, but even more so now with a Rhodia pad and Canson art paper.
Shaver Case
This case was from my son’s first Braun shaver. I think concealing a journal is a much better use for it.
Travel Clock Case
This case is so tiny, it can fit anywhere. Discovering a similarly sized pad with paper that makes nice with fountain pen ink was a stoke of luck.
Not every journal needs a protective cover. Decorate a plain exterior with washi tape (addiction warning), scrapbook paper, or decopatch. That will strengthen the cover as well as make it more attractive.
Whether it’s called recycling or re-purposing, matching old junk with fountain pen friendly-paper creates new tools and makes each item useful again. No slackers in this lot now.
Platinum pens courtesy of Luxury Brands USA. Rhodia, Clairefontaine and Exacompta notebooks courtesy of Exaclair. Paper-oh courtesy of paper-oh.com. Fine folks all.
Oh so clever; love it!
LikeLike
Elena, which one do you like best?
LikeLike
Very creative! Love the passport case
LikeLike
Bob, that one is going to put on a lot of miles traveling in my handbag. 😉
LikeLike
Nice!
LikeLike
[…] binders and notebooks was covered recently, but a new idea has emerged in the last couple of days that deserves […]
LikeLike
[…] Five years on, this passport cover continues to have a place in my life. It is no longer available but there are several at Amazon that might entice me to add a second notebook to my writing routine. The Traveler’s Notebooks tucked inside are good with fountain pen ink, Uniball-Signos, graphite as well as a variety of felt tips and gel pens. The paper is thin but will tolerate a light wash of watercolor. In other words, I can use any tool on my desk. Having no restrictions suits me just fine. […]
LikeLike