By Cherry 2026
There are times when you want to feel whimsical, but you’re also on the go. If that sounds like you, I recommend bringing a travel journal and a small kit. I can assure you — everything can fit into a simple backpack, or even a smaller one.
1. The Type of Book
I’ve mentioned book covers and page preferences in a previous blog, so I won’t go too deep into that again. However, what I didn’t mention before is the size of a travel journal.
Your preferred size can vary. Personally, I like mine pocket-sized because it’s easy to carry. But some people prefer a larger journal so they have more space to write or collage.
Most journals come in:
- Blank — great for collage-heavy pages
- Dotted — a balance between writing and decorating
- Lined — ideal for longer journal entries
You can also find these in both standard hardcover and leather-bound options, especially if you prefer a fairy core or dark academia aesthetic.
Page Type
This depends entirely on your style:
- Blank → best for scrapbooking and layering
- Dotted → a mix of structure and freedom
- Lined → if you like writing more than decorating
- Grid → useful if you like organizing things
When I first started, I used lined paper. I didn’t love it for scrapbooking, but some people do — so it really comes down to preference. After a while, I went on using blank, cause I find it more fun to doodle and paste than to write my heart out.
2. Stamps and Ink / Frottage
I’ll admit, I got this idea from TikTok. But creativity is meant to be shared.
There are many textures in the world that we can’t bring home — like building walls, door handles, or engraved surfaces. Instead of collecting objects, you can collect their textures.
One method is using small Play-Doh and an ink pad. Play-Doh is moldable and relatively clean, so you can press it onto textured surfaces, then transfer the imprint into your journal using ink. It almost feels like being a researcher documenting your surroundings.
If that feels like too much, you can simply use frottage.
Frottage:
- Small sheets of paper (A5 or A6 is more travel-friendly than A3)
- 2B pencil
Place the paper over a textured surface and gently shade over it to reveal the pattern.
Stamping:
- Play-Doh
- Ink pad (black, blue, pink, or brown)
3. Glue Tape
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again — glue tape is what’s holding my life and my books together.
It’s very convenient to keep in your bag when you want to paste something immediately. Unlike liquid glue, it doesn’t leak or require drying time, which makes it perfect for scrapbooking on the go.
- Glue tape
These are my Go-To items when traveling, since they are pretty small and could capture so many memories. These tools are super fast to set up, and don’t need any table or 1 minute to think about a creative process, since that’s my usual struggle when going out with my book. I often feel like I wanna take something physical from the place, but I’d have to put it in my bag, and I don’t have much space in my small pouch when I travel, especially alone.