Monday, September 26, 2016

Moments Inked Planner: Trip Planning



Hello, today's post is for all the planner peeps who might be stopping by! I've been working on a big summer 2017 trip for a while now (two years, in fact!). Our destination: Alaska. I'm overwhelmed (in the best possible way) with all the decisions, choices, possible itineraries, and just various considerations in general. To help corral all the information into one place, I decided to create a travel planning booklet for my Moments Inked Planner



I started with a stack of Refill Binder Pages - Lined (I used 8), trimmed off the binder holes, and scored in the middle for a top-fold booklet. (Lexi Daly shared Mini Notebooks To Go earlier this year, so definitely check out her post for additional booklet/notebook ideas if you're interested in making some of these!)



For my booklet binding, I punched two holes and tied the pages together with some jute string.



To cut down bulk, I did not add a separate card stock cover, so my outside page is both the front and back cover. I customized the "cover" with with some travel-themed stamps and dies: 



Ink: Canyon Clay, True Black

Paper: Aqua Mist, Ripe Avocado, Refill Binder Pages - Lined

Other: jute string



Since we don't yet know our exact travel dates or the length of our trip, I created a generic page template that shows three days at a time and that I can fill in as we get things figured out (all in pencil for now though, in case we need to rearrange!). 

The days of the week flags (repositionable, of course) are there so that I can keep in mind whether it's the weekend or not and choose or avoid our destinations and activities accordingly. 

Because of Alaska's size and the distance between destinations, driving times are a big consideration, so I added a quick AM and PM to indicate where we are when we wake up and where we'll overnight, along with the number of miles and the time it will take to get from one place to the next. I also added a checkbox to indicate whether we will need reservations or not. We are hoping to leave much of the trip planned but not booked, so we can have the freedom to go off-plan as desired. On the other hand, we don't want to be caught off-guard without a reservation when we need one.

The Notes space below is where I can write down options for activities each day.




Ink: Aqua Mist, Simply Chartreuse, True Black, Raspberry Fizz, Canyon Clay, Hawaiian Shores




We have some key top-level decisions to make about the trip, so I added a "start here" title to a blank page and listed those questions for easy reference. "Start here" is from Moments Inked: Posted II, and the stitched flag die-cut is from Tag Sale: Quilted.



The next page is where I've listed excursions that we're particularly interested in. I wrote the excursions on repositionable stickers that I die-cut using one of the dies from the Moments Inked: Divided die set. As I'm planning, I'll move these to the actual day pages. If I empty this page, I'll know we're doing everything we set out to do (although I think we're going to have to pare this down a bit!).

Below the excursions is a list of other activities we would also like to fit in if possible. (I think we're going to need the whole summer!)

In the back of the booklet there are lots of additional blank pages for notes and information.




Here's how I've started using the booklet to plan out a sample itinerary. I'm doing it all in pencil right now, since we're not even sure yet which direction we'll head first once we get there.



To secure the booklet into my planner (and still allow it to be removed), I made a little binder strip with a slot for the booklet. For durability, I used a piece of a plastic two-pocket folder from the office supply store. 


Instructions: 
Cut a 1" x 7" strip.
Die-cut the binder holes using the full-size Binder Page die
Center the booklet and mark the left and right edge on the binder strip.
Punch a small hole into the binder strip at each mark.
Use a craft knife and ruler to cut a slot between the two punched holes.



Then you just find the midpoint of the booklet and slide it through.


That's it for today! Hope you found something here that you can use in your own planner. I'm thinking these booklets would be perfect for home decor/home improvement projects. Record your room dimensions, window sizes, etc., and then when you get to the hardware store, just grab the booklet and go!


Before I sign off today, a request: if you are an RV traveler (especially if you've RV'd in Alaska) and you're willing to help out a newbie, please email me, message me, leave a comment, etc. We are thinking an RV rental would be a fun way to do Alaska, but I've never even been inside one before, so I have questions. Lots!



We love to see how you're using your planner. Share with us using the #momentsinked hashtag!


Thanks so much for joining me today! Have a great week!


7 comments:

SpindleandDistaffCreations said...

What innovative ideas! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity with us :)

Mary W said...

WOW what a genius addition to travel plans! You will be organized but open to changes and have lots of time for saving great memories instead of trying to document at the same time that you are creating those memories, thus loosing time for the actual trip. Truly inspirational and so well thought out - even the markers and labels are open for change. Just wonderful! Another "great" about this is you are stretching the trip enjoyment by doing this now - what an exciting time to plan and discuss and enjoy that part also. WOW is not enough to say for your great ideas.

Tracy said...

wow- i love this! i especially love your clever method of tucking that booklet into your planner - youre so clever! the whole thing is great (and since i'm mid planning a holiday trip - very timely!)

Ohhh Snap said...

Brilliant!! Have a wonderful time!

Rema DeLeeuw said...

Amy I have family that live in Alaska! It's beautiful there. You are going to love! Your planner is awesome.

Leigh Penner said...

What a great idea! You're so organized!

Jan Ledman said...

Have you thought about doing a cruise/land tour. We did that a couple years ago and had a great time. It's a great way to see the glaciers and also some of the inland areas also. We were able to travel by ship, plane, and train while enjoying the beauty of Alaska. I know there are several cruise companies that offer this great alternative and they make everything so easy. I would hate for you to miss seeing the awesomeness of the glaciers.