Free Midori TN calendar (diary) inserts for 2018: Part 5 - Moleskine large cahier size layouts

Today's post contains 2018 versions of my layouts for the Moleskine Large Cahier format.

As usual, all are available for download as A4 and Letter paper PDFs. As ever, they are all free for personal use.

Here we go.

1. Daily dashboard

The Daily Dashboard gives you a booklet per month and contains a monthly overview followed by a double page spread for each day, letting you organise tasks, appointments and anything else you can imagine.

 2018 A4 version - Jan
 2018 A4 version - Feb
 2018 A4 version - Mar
 2018 A4 version - Apr
 2018 A4 version - May
 2018 A4 version - Jun
 2018 A4 version - Jul
 2018 A4 version - Aug
 2018 A4 version - Sep
 2018 A4 version - Oct
 2018 A4 version - Nov
 2018 A4 version - Dec

 2018 Letter version - Jan
 2018 Letter version - Feb
 2018 Letter version - Mar
 2018 Letter version - Apr
 2018 Letter version - May
 2018 Letter version - Jun
 2018 Letter version - Jul
 2018 Letter version - Aug
 2018 Letter version - Sep
 2018 Letter version - Oct
 2018 Letter version - Nov
 2018 Letter version - Dec

2. Week on two pages

The week on two pages layout gives you a straightforward planning view, a week at a time.

  2018 A4 version: H1  H2

  2018 Letter version: H1  H2

What you'll download each time is a file that is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter paper, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size using these instructions:

Remember, though, that for this size you meed to cut down to 130 mm wide rather than 110 mm.

My new book - available today

I've been working on this one for a while and I'm delighted that it is available from today at the Amazon Kindle store.

Here is what you can expect to read about:

The pocket notebook revival has begun. Professional men and women, teens, homemakers and hobbyists are all rediscovering the simple but powerful tool that is the pocket notebook. They are learning the many, many small and big ways that those little books could make their lives easier and better. 

- Do you own a pocket notebook - or many?
- Are you curious as to whether you are making the most of it?
- Would you like to see the full range of possibilities that this little book presents? 

- Or are you currently a novice notebook user?
- Are you interested in learning why you should adopt the notebook habit, what you can achieve and how you might make a start? 

Millions of notebooks are being sold every year now. The industry many wrote off as a dying relic is one of the boom businesses of the twenty-first century. Purchasers are buying their first notebook, often unsure of what to write in it or how to use it for best advantage.

Whatever type of user you are, whether you are just buying your first pocket notebook or whether you are an experienced user with drawers full of filled books, there is plenty to learn from this book. 

The book is available for a reasonable price. To see it at your local Amazon site in your own currency click here.

If you don't have a Kindle, you can get a fee Kindle app for your smartphone or tablet. Details can be found here.

Free Midori diary inserts for 2017: Part 5 - Large Cahier size layouts

Today's post contains 2017 versions of my layouts for the Moleskine Large Cahier format.

As usual, all are available for download as A4 and Letter paper PDFs. As ever, they are all free for personal use.

Here we go.

1. Daily dashboard

The Daily Dashboard gives you a booklet per month and contains a monthly overview followed by a double page spread for each day, letting you organise tasks, appointments and anything else you can imagine.

 2017 A4 version - Jan
 2017 A4 version - Feb
 2017 A4 version - Mar
 2017 A4 version - Apr
 2017 A4 version - May
 2017 A4 version - Jun
 2017 A4 version - Jul
 2017 A4 version - Aug
 2017 A4 version - Sep
 2017 A4 version - Oct
 2017 A4 version - Nov
 2017 A4 version - Dec

 2017 Letter version - Jan
 2017 Letter version - Feb
 2017 Letter version - Mar
 2017 Letter version - Apr
 2017 Letter version - May
 2017 Letter version - Jun
 2017 Letter version - Jul
 2017 Letter version - Aug
 2017 Letter version - Sep
 2017 Letter version - Oct
 2017 Letter version - Nov
 2017 Letter version - Dec

2. Week on two pages

The week on two pages layout gives you a straightforward planning view, a week at a time.

  2017 A4 version: H1  H2

  2017 Letter version: H1  H2

What you'll download each time is a file that is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter paper, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size using these instructions:

Remember, though, that for this size you meed to cut down to 130 mm wide rather than 110 mm.

Flexible week and notes layout for Large Cahier size Traveler's Notebooks

I recently made a flexible weekly and notes layout for the full size Midori. Today I am releasing the same layout in Moleskine Large Cahier size.

I have two versions of the inner pages. You can choose between the 'righty' and the 'lefty':

Although anyone can use either, I suspect that the 'righty' will work better for the right-handed writer and the 'lefty' for the left-hander. That is because diary entries tend to be short - a word or a phrase, say, whereas notes tend to require longer writing sessions, so the note section is on the relevant preferred facing page.

On the notes page, I've added action checkboxes on each line. Because these are unobtrusive, you can use the page either for tasks that you check off or just for general notes, ignoring the boxes. Or you can divide the page as you see fit and do both.

So, as I say, I think this will prove a flexible insert. You can download and print it for free. Links to the various versions are below.

 Lefty A4 PDF file
 Lefty Letter PDF file

 Righty A4 PDF file
 Righty Letter PDF file

What you'll download is a file that is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter paper, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size using these instructions:

Remember to trim these booklets to a width of 130mm rather than 110mm.

The Daily Dashboard Large Cahier Midori insert - free files for 2016

I recently introduced this format in Large Cahier size.

The booklet begins with a full-month view:

This is followed by a two page spread for each day.

I have now produced files to see you through 2016.

You can choose the A4 paper versions or the Letter paper versions.

  Jan 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Feb 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Mar 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Apr 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  May 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Jun 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Jul 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Aug 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Sep 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Oct 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Nov 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

  Dec 2016:  A4 version   Letter version

What you'll download is a PDF file. This is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter as appropriate, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size. This video shows how.

Remember to cut at 130mm (13cm) wide rather than 110mm (11cm) wide as you would for a regular Midori insert.

Daily Dashboard in Moleskine Large Cahier size for free.

Remember the Daily Dashboard? Well, following a request it is now available in Large Cahier size.

The booklet begins with a full-month view:

This is followed by a two page spread for each day.

I'm making available for free download PDF sets in this layout for 2015 for both A4 and Letter paper users. Each file contains an insert for a full month. Here are the files:

  October 2015 - A4 version

  November 2015 - A4 version

  December 2015 - A4 version

  October 2015 - Letter version

  November 2015 - Letter version

  December 2015 - Letter version

What you'll download is a file that is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter paper, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size using these instructions:

Remember to cut at 130mm (13cm) wide rather than 110mm (11cm) wide as you would for a regular Midori insert.

I'll work on a set of files for 2016 soon.

Free 2016 planner inserts for the Traveler's Notebook - Large Moleskine Cahier size

I recently posted 2016 versions of my popular weekly planner layout for the full size Traveler's Notebook. Today, I'm supplementing these with the Large Moleskine Cahier versions.

Each booklet covers half a year, so for the full year, you'll need both the H1 and H2 files.

The files are ready to print. Simply download and print on regular printer paper, double-sided with the duplex set to flip on the short edge (if you get this setting wrong, half your pages will be upside down, so practice with just a few pages first.) It you have single-side printing only, print the odd pages first, then refeed the printed pages upside down and print the even pages on the back (again, practice on a few sheets first to make sure you get this right for your printer.)

You can download the A4 version if your country has sensible paper sizes or the Letter version if it doesn't. If using the Letter version, making the booklet will require you to cut down the printed booklet in height as well as width, but the A4 version will require only the width to be trimmed.

Here are the files:

  2016 A4 version: H1  H2     

  2016 Letter version: H1  H2

You can get more guidance on booklet making in this video. Remember that for this size you are cutting to 130mm wide rather than 110mm:

Free source files - make your own large cahier diary

When I launched my new large cahier size diary, I promised to make source files available should there be any interest. Well, there was some, so here we are.

This is the layout we're talking about:

By downloading the source files, you get to make a diary for any period you like, including academic years, odd months, extended holidays and other trips. You can also change the fonts, the colours and any other aspect of the layout just for one week's spread and then through the magic of mail merge have these changes carry through to as many weeks as you like.

I'll show some basic instructions for getting the mail merge done, but if you have some basic Word and Excel skills you should be fine. You can always go to the web to find many detailed tutorials on mail merge for your specific versions if you need more help, and on the Free Diary Pages link at the top of this blog you'll find some YouTube tutorials.

Here are the steps you need to take.

1. Download the source Word file and the source Excel file. You need them both. Save them somewhere accessible.
2. Open the Excel file. Change the very first date in column A and watch as all the other details change automatically.
3. If you want a shorter period, delete the lower rows. If you want a longer period, stretch the data range (Google for tutorials if you need to.)
4. Save the Excel file.
5. Open the Word file. You will probably be prompted to link to the data source. Navigate to the Excel file and select it. If you get a dialog asking which sheet to link to select Sheet1. If you're not prompted, start the Mail Merge helper in Word.
6. From the Mailing ribbon or toolbar, find and select the command to start the mail merge. You need to choose the option to merge to a new document.
7. When the new document has been created. save but don't close it. 
8. Perform a find an replace in the new document (CTRL + H in Windows). In the Find field, type ^b, leave the replace filed blank and then replace all.
9. Insert a blank page at the very start of the file. Starting with a blank page will mean that as you flip through the finished booklet you will see a week per full spread. You can decorate this blank page if you like.
10. Save the file again.
11. Print the file in booklet mode. If you don't know how to do that, read the detailed instructions in my post on the subject.

My ability to provide detailed support on this is very limited, so by all means have a go, but beyond these notes and the collective resources of the web you're on your own.

New special edition notebook covers - part two

From time to time people have asked me to make larger covers for them. I have now created one as a special edition.

Click to enlarge

If you'd like to order one, please send me an email.

Free Traveler's Notebook diary inserts in Moleskine Large Cahier size

This is going to excite a few people who I know have taken to this size in a big way (pun absolutely intended.)

The Moleskine Large Cahier size is 20mm wider than the full size Midori insert, giving full dimensions of 210mm high by 130mm wide.

I had fun with this layout and on a bit of a whim went with a typewriter font.

I'm making available for free download PDF sets in this layout for 2015 for both A4 and Letter paper users. Each file contains an insert for half of the year. Here are the files:

  2015 H1 - A4 version

  2015 H1 - Letter version

  2015 H2 - A4 version

  2015 H2 - Letter version

What you'll download is a file that is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter paper, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size using these instructions:

Remember to cut at 130mm (13cm) wide rather than 110mm (11cm) wide as you would for a regular Midori insert.

If there is demand, I'll also make source files available so you can make booklets to cover any period you like and change the fonts and other aspects of the design.

Making your own Traveler's Notebook and contents - the complete video guide

Many people have discovered how easy and rewarding it is to make their own special notebook and to fill it with their own contents.

I've gathered together here all my tutorials, which collectively show you how to do it all.

First you'll want to make the notebook cover itself:

Next, you'll want to make booklets:

Or, if you'd rather, you can modify ready-made booklets:

Here is how you put the full notebook together:

Want somewhere to tuck away your credit cards?

And here are two ideas for storage of completed booklets:

Have fun with your DIY!

Using Moleskine booklets in your Midori Traveler's Notebook

You may have noticed that the large size Moleskine Cahier booklets are pretty inexpensive. For example, this set of three.

It's easy to turn these into booklets you can use in place of regular Midori Booklets in your traveler's notebook.

Making a magazine file for Field Notes and Moleskine booklets

It's easy to make your own magazine-style file to hold spare or archive booklets from a sheet of A4 card (Letter size will work too.) Make a row of them for your shelf.

This video tutorial will guide you through the process. It also includes measurements for a Midori Traveler's Notebook version you can make from A3 card.

This method should be easily adaptable for other sizes, too, such as index cards or Filofax pages.

Indexing your notebook content

If you use a bound notebook rather than a loose-leaf system it can be tricky to locate a particular note just when you need it. Your notes are likely to have been accumulated in a chronological order and unless you maintain multiple notebooks the information won't be organised to make retrieving it always a simple matter.

That's where an index can be very useful. When you set up a new notebook for the first time, reserve the first six pages (or the last six - the choice is yours). Divide each of those pages into four sections, like this:

Do this to all six pages and you will have 24 sections in all. You need to assign each to a letter of the alphabet, combining X, Y and Z in the last section. If you want to combine a few more letters (P and Q, or W and V, for instance) you might be able to get the index down to 4 or 5 pages. Write the relevant letter in each section:

Now, as you go about filling the rest of the notebook, take some time, perhaps weekly, to review the new content and index it. If, for instance, page 3 of your notebook contains a list of the books you want to read, create an entry in your index section for the letter "B":

 If later you should list more books you want to read on page 16, you can add this to the same entry:

Here's how your opening index page might look after a couple of weeks of use:

This is a really practical way to get the advantages of a bound notebook and still be able to find specific content quickly when you need to.

Filofax, Midori and Moleskine pages sizes compared

In case you were wondering about the relative sizes of pages in competing note systems, I have built the graphic below, which shows the most popular sizes of Filofax, Midori and Moleskine pages placed together and notes their measurements in millimetres.

Click to enlarge