DIY Midori-style Notebook

After seeing these notebooks on the site "A Bowl Full of Lemons", I thought, omg what an easy craft, that not only has outside practical uses (travel journal, diy lists, datebook, address book, etc), but can ALSO be used for one's own travelling Book of Shadows (I know...my obsession).

My book

It's incredibly easy to make (as per the numerous YouTube videos out there). All you need is:
-Leather or colored vinyl (I used the same brown vinyl I used on my Ouroborous BoS)
-Round elastic cord
-Paper

First, take your leather/vinyl and cut it the width and height of your paper (plus 1/2 inch on all sides (to accommodate the growth of your book))

Fold your leather/vinyl in half and press the spine. Using a pencil, make a line down the center spine. Measure 1/2 inch from the length-way edge of your leather/vinyl at the center line and make a mark, then measure another 1/2 inch from that mark and make another mark. Do this on both edges. Take an awl, punch or thick needle and poke holes where your marks are. Now, find the middle of your leather/vinyl and make another mark and punch a hole in there. These holes will hold your cord.

Next take 2 1/2-3 feet of your elastic cord and thread it through the four holes near the edges of your leather/vinyl (but  NOT through the middle hole). When you make your signatures (see below), use it as a guide to tie your cord. Cut off excess.

Then take your paper and fold it in half into signatures. The number of pages is up to you. I used 10 pages, equalling 20 pages per sig. I made 3 signatures equalling 60 pages all together for the book.

Now, place your signature in the middle of your book and tie it snugly (but not too tight). Take your other singatures and measure some more cord, wrap and tie it around the signature (this will wrap around the original signature).

Ta-da...clear as mud instructions, you now have a "Midori-Style" notebook.

Now...the hole in the middle of the cover. I hear you asking...wait, what do I do with THAT hole. Take some MORE cord and wrap it around the width of your book (but not too tightly). Fold the cord in half and thread it through the INSIDE of the cover and tie secure. This will hold your book closed.

Now...write in it whatever you want! Use it for a BoS. Use it for a smash book...the possibilities are ENDLESS!!!

For MUCH clearer instructions, see YouTube video here:
How To Make a Traveller's Notebook
NOTE: This isn't my video