Back in my college days, we had essay tests. The professor required us to buy blue books at the book store and bring them to class so we could take our test. Blue books were a quarter. My broke ass got my child's construction paper out, I selected a nice light blue sheet and I made my own. I wrote "poor man's blue book" on it and took my test. Even better was this was in a sociology course and I managed to work in the fact that I made my own blue book (the workers taking control of the means of production) into my essay. The fact that I remember that 30 years later says that "A" was well earned.

as a bookbinder myself, you don't need to explain yourself at all. i understand and i stand by you.

I got 99 notebooks and a field note ain't one!

As a prolific writer, it irks me that notebooks are becoming more and more expensive (along with pens too) where I live. I do write on my tablet but I don’t like doing it because I loved the feel of the paper to pen so now I’m thinking of making my own notebooks. As soon as you said you were a stationary nerd, I knew you would relate to this so thank you for uploading this video.

I went down a similar rabbit hole when I discovered Travelers Notebooks four years ago. I looked at the price and thought "Huh, I can get some scrap leather and make the cover myself" and just as you did made some notebooks. Not only that I made a bunch of covers for myself and friends for the price of a single brand name one and they fit my needs better. Quite satisfying.

As I watched this video, I kept thinking, “This guy is me.” (Except for the curse words…and I'm an old woman, not a guy.) But the love of stationery, gathering the supplies, figuring out the costs, and the attention to detail. All me. Only thing is I didn't stop at 100. Oh no. I had to keep going. Started printing my own lined papers, and making decorative covers that could rival Field Notes. I foist them off on friends and family members who have been very understanding so far. But that's okay. They can think of me as the pixilated grandma, but I'm having fun. I subscribed to your feed, then I realized this is your only video. Yep, you're me….

The best sketchbook that I had, was one I did myself, with print cheap paper and cardboard from an Amazon's box. Was the best experience I had with notebooks, because I own one basically made from "trash" so I wasn't afraid of using them

It's even more satisfactory when you find a way to make the notebooks out of package waste or old notebooks. Truly worth it

I am absolutely guilty of finding a new $49.99 notebook/planner every time i go to the bookstore. This was a great idea and a great video!

Love this. Must say : “stationary” = “not moving” “stAtionEry” = “pApEr” 😅. Thanks Mom!❤

As a stationary and supply nerd, I'm totally obsessed. This is exactly the type of content that I'm here for ❤️

I started doing this last year and it's honestly a game changer. I've been journaling and writing books for 20 years or so, and it floors me how expensive notebooks are now. I've started urging everyone around me to get into the book-binding hobby for the very reasons you've listed. Thank you for making this! Hopefully it encourages more to take on this amazing hobby

I also make my own pocket notebooks. This was refreshing. 5:13 " if I lose a few or I give a couple away I'm not going to think to myself wow there goes eight bucks" Thank you!

I’m in full support of this as someone really into bookbinding. Also a tip for anyone who wants to try this: you can usually get some copy paper from the library if you don’t already have it at home, you can use a ruler in place of a bone folder if needed, and you can also use thread, strings, binder clips, or even glue to put the pages together! Really you can kind of make a book out of anything. Happy binding y’all 🥰

"Because I keep my receipts because I don't know how to say no to the cashier without feeling weird about it." Might hands down be the most relateable thing ever said on the internet for me hahahaha

This is the clearest illustration of "Economy of Scale" I've ever seen. It even works that way for ships; building one ship is unfathomably expensive, building 100 ships is a bargain.

The fact that this is the first video…. You are a living legend, I see it already.

I've been journal for 7 years and every year I make my "bullet journal notebook" by hand. At first I made it with leftover papers from last semester. And the next year, I save my pocket money to buy cheap copy paper and made my book with that. I clicked and watched your video just to make sure that I'm not alone that this cheap 😂🙏 Thank you for make this video! It means so much for me and help me feel proud with my craft/stuff that I made.

Exactly how I felt upon looking at traveler's notebook, inserts, charms, art journals... it's expensive (for me). So I ended up making my own, which cost me about $20 for any additional materials I needed to put them all together. I felt better because I was able to use/repurpose what I already have.

It's great that we all have our own motivations for why we do what we do. The one thing I might have missed in your video is the accounting of time. Time is money. If you're going to make notebooks, that takes away from the time you could be doing something else. I'm a firm believer in paying other people to do things if I'm in a position to do it and so choose. It isn't about the money. At least, it isn't for me. While I am capable of making my own, I do also purchase paper, notebooks, journals, etc. I am obsessed with stationery and have been for as long as I can remember. I make my own journals, notebooks, sketchbooks, etc. because I enjoy the process of making them and I enjoy seeing my words, handwriting, and other forms of art on a substrate I made with my own hands. Thanks for sharing.

A couple quick thoughts: first, I agree with you. You can save money by making your own notebooks, like you said. That's one reason I recently started binding my own notebooks. That said, Field Notes isn't just printer paper. As a fountain pen user, I have to be a bit choosy about my paper. Field Notes isn't the best, but it does the job, whereas copy paper is hit and miss. Field Notes also collaborates with artists to create regular special editions, and some of them are gorgeous. So there are reasons why someone might choose to pay up for them, but not $20+. Amazon is often very expensive. When it comes to pens and stationery, I usually avoid Amazon if I can help it. But again, there are so many reasons why making your own notebooks is awesome, and I'll probably buy very few notebooks now that I can make my own.

I have used pocket notebooks for over 20 years and I have never thought to make my own. Thank you for this video, I will be starting this weekend 🎉

I was also shocked by the price of Field note. Then I made my own using 80 gsm Karnaphuli Paper and for cover used brown craft paper. It cost me 25 cents for making 72 page notebook each.

For an even easier ring bound system - if you use 5.5x8.5 paper or A-series paper like A5 or A6, before you toss any paper in the shread, look and see if there is a fraction of the page left unused that can be cut down. North American letter size paper can be cut in half to make 5.5x8.5 paper. And A-series, each size is exactly half the size of the next largest. So you only need 1/4 of a sheet of A4 to cut out a sheet of A6. Great way to repurpose waste paper. Hole punch the paper and toss it in your favorite loose leaf notebook or planner and you'll never pay for filler paper again. You can even load it into your printer to add a grid or lines if desired. I've not paid for 5.5x8.5 paper in decades doing this.

Stationery freak here too, I love making my own notebooks, but I sometimes let myself splurge on a pre-made notebook with better quality paper and construction. The ones I make are good, they serve their purpose and according to the people around me they even look "store bought", but I still enjoy nice notebooks. I think there's something out there for everyone, and everyone can make their own alternatives, which I think it's so cool. I liked your video in general, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who enjoys creating their own massive reserve of books! On the topic of field notes: I've been looking at them for some time, mostly because of the size, but where I live they're just not a viable option, as they're very difficult to find. I can find Moleskine, but not Field Notes, and while they also make a few similar products, I just don't think I can justify buying those, as the paper quality is pretty bad and the construction is completely achievable by my box cutter and sewing machine. And not to go on a tangent, but have you seen the Field Notes archival box? What even is that price point???

As an avid Notetaker I have thought about making my own Notebooks more than once. But as soon as there is the word "Bookbinding" in the title or description its generally too much for my personal taste. I want to use my notebooks more than spend time making them or anything else. This approach of making your own "Field Notes" is very intriguing as it seems simple enough (and cheap enough) to try at the very least. Thank you for the Video! I think I am not alone when I say that I would appreciate a tutorial on how you make them, maybe more for things you learned from making 100 of them and things you would do different the next time than the process itself.

I did this a while back for my husband who likes to carry a notebook at all times. I don’t think you can help getting carried away! Especially when you are getting the notebook you want in the size and supplies that best fit your needs. You had me at “I’m a stationery nerd”. Can’t wait to see what other videos you have to share!

I want to resonate the true message of this video that I relate with: That once you know, hands-on, how something is made, you gain experience, a new skill, maybe a new hobby, and most importantly, a recipe to remake a thing for a few years if relying only on memory, or more, especially if you leave yourself notes personal to you on the process. I too recently gone into bookbinding and made not just myself, but my significant other, my dad and my grandma their own notebooks with what I have learned, all different sizes, tehniquesband more. They where thrilled to learn way more that I MADE them a gift over buying one. And altought my father did tell me he won't use his, is because of the sentimental value, even if I reassured him I can make another one again. Making your own is what freedom really is like, because I set how long I want to work on this, how many do I wanna make, if I want to sell these or give them away, what materials to use etc. I can make the fanciest one or the most low budget one each with a different use case. Companies no longer restrain you to what is popular" or what systems work just for the majority. You can truly make something that WORKS for YOU!

God, this was hilarious. Bookbinding is so much fun, I've made several pamphlets and notebooks as a means and an end. I'm glad you took the dive! Welcome to the club lol

I've fallen in love with the process of making handmade books for myself for a couple of months now after being really broke from life's usual unexpected circumstances. The limits forced me to get creative with how to be resourceful with materials I already got onhand. While certainly it's more time-consuming, the added steps to the process has given me the space to pause and be more intentional with why I put my books together, why I write and draw on these sheets, and other trade-offs with my brainspace and use of time and fed my brain with more respect for the whole thing and for how books & record-keeping have evolved alongside humanity too. It's quite healing in its own way, hehe. It also gives me a chance to personally seek out paper makers and suppliers in my city hoping to help them out in a small way by buying from them too when they usually fly under the radar of one's notice too. Thank you so much for this video! 😊

I am not fooled. As a fellow stationery store addict, I know you had some of those supplies already! And the rest was totally worth it because you also got to shop at the stationery store AGAIN.

It's worth it! Once you have the supplies you can just make notebooks to your heart's content. Giving some away or selling. They won't go to waste. Great video!

Whenever you're driving and you see a rest area or welcome center, stop in and pick up a free state map. Glue them to some card stock or craft paper and you have cool covers.

As a stationary freak, I decided to watch because i was intrigued. However, i then remembered making a bunch of these mini notbebooks as a child while at summer camp to provide a space to write down memories and observations and to give as gifts. This is way more sustainable and cooler than buying expensive german journal for a simple commonplace boom. Thanks for a new project and for unlocking a cool memory ❤

Yeah. This. I fell down the Field Notes rabbithole few years back, but I started making my own and it is SO MUCH MORE satisfying to finish. They're more rugged, have my own artwork or photography on them, and I don't need to be so precious about losing them because it's quite satisfying to just make another run. DIY FOREVER

We are kindred spirits, last year I made a lot of field notebook size as well as travelers sized. I also used an 1949 typewriter for some typography and designed some covers in old school publisher. I did it because I wanted paper I like for example account tabular paper to keep track of expenses and mileage , drawing paper, water color paper for when I get inspired! And of course dot paper for doing bujo planning. and I wanted it stitched rather then stapled. Was it worth it I believe it was! Nothing feels so gratifying them making something by hand!

I had a year where a made almost a book a day. Different forms and sizes and bindings. I still love the time it took to create and it’s so customizable. Love this share. Thank you!

Kindred spirit! I too have made my own cheapass pocket and A5 notebooks. It's addictive. Though I'd get my supplies from the dollar store or Costco.

My mother takes old books, removes some pages to reduce bulk, and pastes scrap paper over the text to create journals. It's a relaxing creative outlet for her, plus she get's a "new" note book! I'm sure she would try this out or at least entertain the thought. 😊

This is awesome! I recently got into bookbinding and I find that I’m way more eager to draw in handmade sketchbooks than store bought ones.

Oh yes, he's got it, that's exactly what I've been doing since I was a child. It's not only cheaper, it's also fun and slows you down.

I think that I enjoy making notebooks as much as using them - maybe even more. I pulled the paper promos out of a bunch of old design mags for covers. Inkjet printable craft paper is fun too. I went through a phase of printing different line and grid patterns on the paper. I've settled on dot grids now. This started with buying a pack of Field Notes and thinking that I could make this myself.

I am a bookbinder and you are absolutely right. Although here in Argentina the costs are higher, it is also cheaper to do it ourselves. Besides, the pleasure of making our own stationery is immeasurable... Or at least for people like us. New subscriber here!✨

A lot of the ppl already have most of the tools, so it is more cheaper. Also I started to carry a little notebook in my job. (I had to learn a lot of stuff, and when I helped with things which were not in my role, I needed it more. Also ppl asked for advice, because I dabbed into everything and kept note of it. My next job got a spiral bound to every newcomers. We had specific things you had to know, also they would modify it so you had to be up to date. Deliveries, discounts, ordering supplies, recipes, HACCP for new ingredients. Seasonal changes) It helped tremendously.

Great video! I make my notebooks by cutting some paper to the size I want, sanding the side which will be the spline of the notebook and glueing the pages together with some PVA glue. They lay flat and are good enough for quick notes. Some very good and quite cheap (2€ each for the A5 format) notebooks are Muji's. They're sewn bound. They work brilliantly with fountain pen ink, they're decent with acrylic paint and even tolerate watercolors (if you don't mind some warping). I always carry one of those with me for sketching.

I used to sell pocket hardcover notebooks (and handsaw everything) so I can say I have made over 300 $3 notebooks (I'm Brazilian, I did price conversion). Honestly, the work isn't worth it for selling. But if you want cheap great quality gifts for friends and family and to use them yourself, it's very worth it. But the type of notebook from the video is a lot easier to make so even more worth it to make it yourself if you like it.

I'm a stationary addict too. I've been making my own journals for awhile now. I find slabs of different kinds of paper at thrift stores. I found a bone folder, metal ruler and exacto knife at Dollar Tree. I don't use staples though. I use embroidery thread to sew the book together. The Dollar Tree has a tiny hole puncher with a bone folder type thing at the bottom. I sometimes use the bottom third of the paper from junk mail. It's usually blank, and already folded so I just tear it at the fold. Free notebook paper!

I understand it, I love stationary too and made my own books. To this day I use the disc bound system and always make my own notebooks, when needed for a new topic or to change the design. I'm grateful, that I invested in the supplies I can use over and over again. But I'm shocked at the prices you listed. I could get the same with only 1/3 of the costs, but even then it's worth in the long run. 10 years in and I still use my first purchased supplies, because they're made of quality, can't imagine how much I saved this way.

Thank you so much for this video! I am really into maintaining diaries/notebooks based on my interests and fill them out pretty quickly. With inflation, quality notebooks are way over my budget and with these I'm pretty sure I can cut off one guilt of overspending on notebooks finally XD. Plus, I like to carry them wherever I go so they are a pretty convenient size for me. Waiting for more of such quality content!

My DIY in the paper/cardstock realm is Prayer Books for my homebound/hospital patients. Blessed stapling! Great vid!

I’ve made all of my sketch book. I sewed them, there was a bit of a learning curve but it’s the best decision I’ve made! They’re super cheap and customizable.

So glad to not be the only stationery nerd in the world! I discovered bookbinding some 15 years ago, and I still love it! Journals, art journals, sketchbooks, vacation notebooks - I can do it all! Add that to my fountain pen habit... why yes, Alice, I've been here quite a while! Thanks for sharing a piece of your journey!

When I finished this great video, I was momentarily disappointed that there weren't anymore videos yet- BUT that was quickly quashed by the excitement of more of your videos to come! Really enjoyed this one, mate. Might even make some notebooks myself !

I really like how brief and to the point the video is, love the content!

When people are counting your time as part of your cost, I’m not sure they’ve really enjoyed making a useful piece of custom art that is also functional and can be their friend along the journey. So glad you did this as a young person. I’ve always loved paper and stationary. But not until I studied and designed my own books just for me or just for fun and just sometimes for more stationary unique to me. Very often I would find a flow state while working with materials I love. Like paper and string and thread and glue and great paper!!!! Thank you!

I Bought a lot of "notebooks" like these and gave them to my nieces and nephews. They love to draw and share their stuff with me.

You’ve inspired me!! ❤ I’ve been wanting to make a little notebook for past year. But now I’ve been inspired by your video and I will definitely make my own little notebooks!!!

Looking forward to more of your videos. i actually paid for a Domestika course by Maru Godas on making your own art books. i have quite a few huge sketch painting pads that will be perfect for cutting down to a smaller size.

nice work.... So my grandfather who raised me was born in 1902, lived through the depression as a poor family boy. He dug graves for extra money during the Spanish flu. As I was growing up, he would take the scrap cardboard from chicken boxes, like from a restaurant, and he would cut them down to pocket size and staple or even sew the pages together to make his own. Nothing went to waste. Great work! Ill keep watching.

As a teacher, I often come across lots of leftover paper from tests and exams. I love binding books in different sizes, and there's lots of recycling I often do. I also use candy wrappers , eyeshadow wrappers and other stuff around for covers. My husband thinks I'm a bit crazy, lol

EEK! I like this content! Im super inspired to make my own notebooks, but only gotten started in making my own discbound notebooks so far. The ease of customization is what I love. I suggest you show us your stationery collection/favorite brands and products. Im sure wed have a lot in common! Great first video, Good luck to you & your following!

Just few days ago I made my first 4 notebooks. Rhodia dotted paper, some cover, more pages that Field Notes, rounded corners. Asking myself - what for? Answer is ... because I'm Stationary freak! Greetings

I love love love making my own books!! Amateur book-binding here ✋ If you can get your hands on cartridge paper, try that. Try different stitches etc (loads of KZfaq videos) and have fun with it. I'm a stationary nerd too and I absolutely love making my own books, although I buy some really nice ones too 😂 I usually just reuse cereal box cardboard for the covers and old gift paper or copy paper for the covers. But it's one of the most rewarding hobbies and honestly a lot easier than it seems! I'd encourage everyone to try it ❤

I was with you right up until you laid out your supplies and said you were going to be using printer paper. If this is just a conversation on commodities then yes, I totally agree with you rather than buying the nameless cheap pocket notebooks on Amazon making your own might be a great step. Or if this video was about what you learned from the process I could see the value in that but ending it with a middle finger to stationary while being self-proclaimed obsessed with stationary and pens rings false. Stationary like wine, audio equipment, tailored clothing, watches whatever is a hobby and an obsession on finding and learning about the quality in the mundane. I'm not the biggest Field Notes fan (they're good just not my personal favorite) but it seems disingenuous to pretend like what you made was of the same quality as that. And like yeah, I know it is nerdy as hell to be talking about stationary semantics on the internet but good quality stationary isn't just printer paper folded up, the thoughts on the weight, the paper origin, the coloring, the grid/lines etc are all factors that people that really like to journal or write really appreciate. To answer the question of your video title that you never broached in your title: why pay for stationary? because life is short and if you can busy your mind with learning and caring about the small things- the feel and look and writing experience of the journal in your pocket maybe it can quiet your brain for a bit and allow you to seek out the nourishing hobby of writing. I promise getting a fountain pen on some Tomoe River paper just feels better, and in the end we do everything for pleasure.

So I'm just getting into notebooks within the last few months...got a few Field Notes and I gotta say I love them. I have some from the National Park Collection and the Heart Land collection. I have no issue paying a premium for those because I know they are a step above a plain cardstock cover. That being said, if I wanted just a few plain type of books similar to Field Notes, this would be an interesting option. Also might not be a bad side hustle if you want to sell them for $2-$3 a pop for "homemade" notebooks to your local community. I'd be interested to know roughly how long it would take you to put one together completely from start to finish.

You “David Gingery’d” the heck out of your notebook situation,now and in the future for subsequent notebooks. You will drive down the cost per notebook, as you will only be out the cost of consumables ( ie; staples, card stock, and paper). I like it!😂

Great idea! It's cool that your stapler goes through card stock. A sewing machine works great, if you already have one. It's great to have notebook for everything. One for random notes, one for videogaming, one for a specific project. I ❤ drawing all over mine with swirls and 🌼 (some of us never left kindergarten). Clip a mechanical pencil to each and never lose a trail of thought. Thanks for the video!

What an absolutely genius idea Haven't watched another of your videos but this alone made me subscribe and now I will go make my own notebooks

Nice idea. I have to produce reports. I got a couple of different binding systems, then had a pressing need to publish brochures. I got an Eason 11x17 printer and a long reach stapler. Desktop publishing is kind of fun when you can go from idea to pamphlet without stepping outside of your writer’s den. Hope you upload more video.

I agree, make your own journals/notebooks! They're cheaper (especially if you already have basic office supplies) and you can make them exactly to your specs. I'm in the middle of making 2 blank journals now- one with 100 pages, one 140. Both are sized to fit a leather journal cover I hand sewed for +/-$15. For the journals, I'm using techniques I learned from a KZfaq tutorial in about 15 minutes. No money out of pocket this time, and relatively little time invested. Win-win!

I agree, it's cheaper to make your own notebooks. It's expensive at first because of the needed tools, but later on only the card stocks, sheets and staples need to be replenished.

First of all , your video making style is super engaging and awesome, i wish you make more videos about stationary, secondly I've done this before i just made my own version of field notes but i think people buy these stuff for the branding and the pleasure of unwrapping it with some many designs on the cover it's kinda yummy but expensive

Bro, hold up. Where the hell are you shopping that a freakin' Stapler costs $15?? You're getting robbed lol

i made whole old style tomes and i love seeing people bind notebooks too

My brother invested in both a paper trimmer/cutter and a long arm stapeler. We made a bunch of gift songbooks and music cd's with printed fronts and covers for friends and family. I still use the same paper trimmer for my origami projects 10 years later!

this guy got blessed with the algorithm:::D

The price you found on Amazon is not the actual price that they sell for on the Field Notes website. They usually retail for $12-$15 for a three pack. By the time you pay for supplies and then labor, it'll easily be about the same or more.

I remember buying field notes 10 years ago. And for me it was much more expensive (due to international shipping). And I also remember going onto same path (of creating my own notebooks). And i did make. However, I didn't care about the cost. All I cared was to create something. And even if we can reduce the cost (as per your method), you have completely neglected the cost of 'labor'. It requires lots of time in hand (especially when you are a beginner). Nevertheless nice video! And shout out to Field Notes team (Aaron Draplin), their customer service was amazing!

Quote this dude, on the cute planner thing. It hit so hard frr.

Stationary means not moving; stationery is paper goods.

Clicked on the video just to give it a like. As a fellow handy person I refuse to buy stuff this easy to make. You rule

New subscriber! I remember how much I wanted one of those notebooks with replaceble pages some years ago, but the price was incredibly high. The uglier was 12 euros (60 units in terms of the currency of my country) and I found it ridiculous to spend so much money on something that it's not a book (also, a vivid reader here). Well, I found an organizer with the same sheet closer mechanism my dreamed notebook had. The cost: just 2 euros. I cut that organizer to match the dimensions of a A5 notebook and I used two old skirts from my mom and some hot glue to make it look fabulous. It worked! My classmates couldn't believe I didn't buy it. I still have it and I love it 😊

They are so cute! Good for trying out new colour combos for your art journals, writing lists of stuff (I'm a massive list maker), or even journalling affirmations to try and manifest stuff. Slowly making things by hand is quite therapeutic too. Love it!

I’ve cut up Kleenex boxes for notebook covers and filled them with barely used paper. And don’t forget the corner rounder!

When my kids are young they love drawings, and I used to give them A4 papers to draw and they used a lot and my you can see A4 papers everywhere, so I decided to make a drawing books by using a large stapler at first with A4 paper then I bind them when I want to make it even thicker(the amount of paper they use to draw increasing ) Then I make some kind of cover with different material and when they growing up, they still use A4 paper book but they started to make those themselves and design their own cover. the best thing about giving children books to draw rather than paper is, all their works are kept in books rather than just paper which most of the time would be thrown away. But we mostly will keep books and after many years they can look back at those drawings collections of their childhood. Like you I still make my own notebooks. Really enjoyed your video, it brings back memories when my children still young.

I very much enjoyed this video! I found a book years ago on bookbinding; both the traditional way and the easier way. I learned the craft and have had the supplies for years, so I just buy paper - I love the cheap sketchpads with a little bit of a beige tint to them, 110 pages for about 6 USD and I can make about 10 field notes notebooks from that. One tip, if you are going to keep your notebook in your pocket or bag, is to use a corner cutter (I know, one more thing to buy) it rounds of the corners of your notebook and keeps the pages from easier getting bent. Great work, I subscribed and look forward to seeing what else you come up with. Have a good one!

"That's okay too." Depends on the day for me 😂

when i first saw the price of Midori World travel books and of the Moleskine books i did the same and made my own. and even made custom monthly etc planners in both size. Your absolutely correct, when i use my own made books i scribble, draw and write note all day long cause the books are cheap and i don't have to worry about the cost.

I went half-way. I bought some cheap spiral wire notebooks, then made fancier covers to replace the cheap cardboard covers. Good video.

I identified a lot with this video. Tbh I did a similar thing this year. I bought a pack of 500 sheets of 100g cream color paper, cutted the sheets I needed and printed a custom agenda. Then got everything in a nice leather binder. I use it every day and I really proud of my job 😅

I agree. I make my own field books and occasional sketch books.

Gonna start making my own now. Thanks!!!

I've been reading through the comments and you're a really nice person to everyone! Thank you for being kind. I love stationery too: paper, pens, markers, pencils, art supplies, stamps, paper punches, and stickers! I even love digital stationery like the letters in Animal Crossing or the Swap Note app in the Nintendo 3DS! I used to spell stationery incorrectly too because of that app, I'm pretty sure Nikki spelled it wrong and I just accepted her spelling as correct. The hardest part for me is the DOING. I want to write more letters and do projects, but I just can't seem to get started. I'm going to do like what you said in a comment here and try to just do crazy ideas this year and see what happens. Eff fear! We got this! Someday you can do a video showing ways to upgrade your handmade notebook game with everyone's suggestions! Have fun and no need to reply to this comment, I'd rather you do something creative, y'know?

This was great. I stopped buying journals a few years back and then curbed my notebook buying habit but thought to start making notebooks a couple months ago. I would only maybe need to buy cardstock since my Mom had a scrapbook phase and could borrow tools. Thanks for sharing, this is the way forward :)

I love the energy that you bring to this video. Inspiring, I will make some more notebooks now.

I do this exact thing for my traveler's notebooks both the standard and passport sizes. I get to choose the paper quality and it saves a lot of money over the long term!

I've just started bookbinding ( I haven't finished because it's a scrapbook) I plan to build it up over time. And you know what the shocker was? I only needed my nails, paper, ruler a needle and thread ( from my sewing hobby) and an awl. Point is, there is no need for fancy tools ( plus im also partially disabled and I was suprised I could do this. All the tools I mentioned can be found around the house and as for an awl (which pokes the holes) I'm pretty sure a sturdy needle could do the same as well! Also there are TONS and TONS of book binding tutorials! I'm pretty sure anyone can do this ;3

I love this! Way to go. I cured my lust for a Hobonichi book $54-$75 CA each! I made a smaller thinner notebook which I sewed and crudely bound and the cover is a beautiful painting I saved from a calendar. Mostly it was really fun to make!!!

ugh, I went to school for art, I remember how expensive that shit was, *I feel this*. my best money-saving hack was to cobble together whatever drawing paper wasn't used and make the sketchbooks I needed for classes. once semester I made a jumbo-sized travelers notebook out of canvas, elastic, cardboard, and a few large single-signature sketchbooks I made. That was fun and I don't remember getting any flak for that.

Thank you for the education and the laughs!