If you've ever wanted to keep your junk journaling going while travelling — or even just moving from room to room without hauling a box of supplies — this video shows you exactly how I put together a compact, portable kit that holds everything I need in a single makeup case. I made this for a real trip, packing it in real time, which means you get to see every decision: what made the cut, what I left behind, and why.
What we cover
This is part kit-building tutorial, part unboxing, part philosophy. I walk through choosing a container, trimming and binding a hard-cover travel journal to fit, and then filling the kit piece by piece — writing tools, adhesives, inks, embellishments, and fun extras from two Grabie subscription boxes. I also share a full supply list you can screenshot at the end.
What you'll learn
How to choose a container for a portable kit — I use an old makeup case with multiple sections and pockets, which keeps everything sorted without needing extra pouches for every single thing. The key is pockets: without them, the kit becomes a jumble the moment you're on the move.
How to size and prepare a hard-cover journal for travel, including:
- Trimming an existing hard-cover diary down to fit inside the case
- Covering raw edges with fabric strips and double-sided tape (carpet tape works beautifully here)
- Covering the spine cleanly with washi tape
- Binding signatures using a three-hole pamphlet stitch
How to make travel-ready signatures with foldout and pocket pages — I fold pages in half, trim them to fit, and leave most as flip-out pages so there's built-in structure for playing around. If you decide later you don't want the flip-out element, you can simply cut it off while you're working in the journal.
How to pack writing tools without overloading yourself — I settled on a gel pen, a fine-liner permanent marker in blue-black, and a mechanical pencil. That's it. Enough variety without the paralysis of too many options.
Why a washi tape and sticker sample booklet beats full rolls for travel — I have a tutorial for making this booklet (linked in the description) and it genuinely transforms the weight and bulk problem. Full rolls of washi are chunky and you never use the whole thing on a trip anyway. A sample booklet gives you the same creative options in a fraction of the space.
How to use fingertip ink pads for travel stamping — and what they won't do — The mini fingertip ink pads in the Grabie box are perfect for stamping, but I tested them for inking edges and they're too saturated for that. For edge inking on the road, a proper small ink pad is still the better choice. I also show a workaround using a floor protector pad as an ink dabber — the kind you'd put under furniture legs — which doubles as a surface protector and inking tool.
How to decorate your kit so it feels worth opening — I added transparent stickers to the outside of the case and threaded a small bead chain through the zipper pull. Neither is necessary, but making the kit visually appealing means you actually want to reach for it.
What to look for when selecting embellishments to take, including:
- Brads and a few buttons (small, flat, practical)
- Transparent stickers rather than white-backed ones (they blend into any page)
- A small selection of lace and ribbon samples rather than full lengths
- One or two sheets of specialty paper rather than a full stash
- A needle-and-thread booklet for binding on the go
Tips & gotchas
A makeup case with multiple internal sections is worth looking for specifically — the pockets do a lot of organisational work that you'd otherwise need extra bags for.
Hard cover journals are worth prioritising for travel. When a journal is packed in alongside scissors, ink pads, and a dozen other things, a soft cover takes the damage. A hard cover holds its shape.
Weight adds up faster than you expect. I nearly packed the full washi tape rolls and then thought better of it — chunky rolls that you'll only use a sliver of aren't worth the weight. Same reasoning applies to anything bulky you know you'll barely touch.
A mechanical pencil means you don't need a sharpener. A small thing, but one less item.
Reuse small plastic bags — zip-lock style or even the bags your craft supplies came in — for storing brads, buttons, and paper clips. They keep everything visible and contained without adding bulk.
Be honest with yourself about hoarding. I chose not to pack several beautiful things specifically because I knew I'd protect them rather than use them. A travel kit only works if you're actually willing to play with what's in it. Take the things you'll reach for, not the things you'll save.
Test ink pads before you pack them. The fingertip pads I tested were far too saturated for inking edges — they're designed for stamping. If you rely on inked edges in your work, pack a proper small ink pad as well.
If your case has any worn sections or torn mesh pockets, mend them before you pack. I had a ripped inner pocket and — as I discovered partway through — pens and scissors can absolutely fall through.
Where this leads
A weekend trip, a long train journey, even an afternoon in a different room — there's no setup, no hunting for supplies, no excuse not to make something. The kit I ended up with also gave me a new way to think about those hoarded supplies: beautiful things you've been saving for the right project are exactly the things that belong in a travel kit, where novelty and a change of scene might finally give you the push to use them.
