After my first “reasons” post – I decided that it might be fun to tempt you all with a few more of my favorite creative tools by listing out all the reasons that I think you should be adding to your stash. Far be it from me to tell you what to do with your money, but let’s be honest – we crafters are not known for our frugal ways. We like to grab up the best creative goodies – so I’m here to simply steer your wallet in the right direction!
Today, I’m on a mission to turn you into a notebook making fiend…just like me. It’s obvious that I love making notebooks so it only makes sense that I would own The Cinch Binding Tool from We R Memory Keepers. Here’s why you should have one too:
We R Memory Keepers does a great job of offering incredibly innovative products that are really easy to use. Unlike other binding tools out there, The Cinch includes all of the instructions you need directly on the machine, so no need to keep up with a manual. Hallelujah.
Whenever I purchase a new notebook, I feel like I need to wait to use it…like the pages are too precious to actually touch. But here’s the problem: I’ve been known to write down a to-do list of things I’ve already done, just so that I can cross something off the list …thereby creating the semblance of productivity. Please tell me I’m not the only one.
With such excessive list-making practices going on, I really have to have plenty of notebooks on hand to keep up with myself and I don’t want to feel guilty about using up the notebook pages. If you’re a list making fool like I am – The Cinch will make you feel a little better about jotting down notes. As soon as you fill up one notebook – it won’t take long to make another.
There is another binding tool out there called the Bind It All. I owned one for years – but never used it. It was just too much of a pain…literally. The lever was really tough to push down and I could only punch through a few sheets of paper at a time. At one point, I had a sore bicep after using it. That thing is in craft supply heaven.
Just like Sade, The Cinch is a smooth operator. The lever does not require much exertion at all and the weighty machine stays in place as you use it so you don’t have to deal with securing it as you punch your pages. It also can punch through super thick book board with ease and can handle up to 20 sheets of text weight paper at one time. 
It’s not quite the same as when Oprah handed out all of those cars, but trust me…notebooks make an awesome gift and with The Cinch, you can create handmade notebooks for all your friends. You can personalize them with pretty paper or monograms. You can customize the colors for a special occasion or select exactly the size you need. Whenever a birthday rolls around, you can whip out The Cinch and make a pretty notebook, then package it up with some pens and you’ve got a great gift (trust me – I’ve done this plenty of times and the recipient is always happy!) No need to scour the aisles of Target for a last minute present. Make it yourself. 
If you need a little help getting started with The Cinch – there are kits that give you everything you need. You can make a desk calendar, a wall calendar, a recipe book or a journal. Each kit contains all the basic components you need and it’s just up to you to dress it up with embellishments, stamps, paper, photos or whatever else you want. These completely customizable kits let you flex some crafty muscle without figuring out what supplies you need to stock up on. The kits are an especially fun way to get beginners involved or even your kids!
The Cinch is on the pricier end of crafting tools. It rings in at about $90 bucks which is nothing to scoff at, but if you are a paper love like me – this machine will pay for itself over time. A stylish notebook can easily run you $10-$20 and you don’t even get the DIY bragging rights that we all love so much! Once you have The Cinch tool in your arsenal, you can create notebooks for about $1-$5 each depending on what supplies you use. Considering the many gifting options you have with this tool, it won’t take long before you’ve made the purchase worth your while. Now, if you don’t expect to use this tool very much – then of course, this will take a bit longer…but chances are, if you have one, you’ll come up with lots of ways to use it. Handmade planners, photo books, personalized desk calendars…get creative!
Now you know I wouldn’t pitch you on this fun tool without giving you the chance to win one! You have until Friday, January 20th to enter below and the winner will be announced on Saturday, January 21st. Good luck and happy crafting!
What a fabulous product. I’ve used things like this in offices, but they are much larger and not suited to home use. I have made loads of notebooks at home, but I usually just fold paper in half and use my long reach stapler to staple the spine.
You had me at notebook! I love notebooks too and after watching the video and reading your post, this is definitely a machine I’d like to own!! Thank you for your post about this fun machine and a chance to win one!!
I had the other tool that you mentioned and it drove me nuts! This would be great to make a planner as a gift for someone. There are lots of printables out there.
I love wire-bound notebooks. Years and years ago I used to design notebooks as gifts and take them to Kinkos for binding. It would be a dream to be able to make them myself. This system looks so easy!
I’ve decorated the covers of some old black and white notebooks but never created one from the ground floor up.
I tried to do notebooks (unfortunately small ones) using a stapler. It worked, but THIS thing is heaven!!!
I also domown a bind it all but have had my eye on a cinch for a long time because it looks so much easier to use and i like it that they now have a cinch that punches square holes instead of round ones.
i made notebooks with kids when i was teaching, but they were nothing like this – looks wonderful and would love to win it!!
I’ve embellished plenty of pre-made notebooks but I’ve never made my own. I’d love to though! Thanks for the chance to win!
I looove making notebooks but have only had access to glue and paper. The Cinch is a dream machine. And yes, I would love to have one. Gift train….. Thanks for the opportunity!
What a fun tool! I would love this to make notebooks. You can never have too many notebooks!
Would LOVE to own one of these! I’m a notebook fanatic, and making my own would certainly be cheaper!
Love notebooks, love making them, too. The Cinch would be wonderful to have. Thanks
Looks great, I have made lots of notebooks, normally bound by simple colic stitch or staples.
Personally, I make mini books all.the.time. they are my favorite way to document our family’s story. On a professional note, I make tons of mini books every day for my iloveitall.etsy.com shop. I use the Bind-it-All, but after your review think that I need to do some more research into the Cinch!
We have a binding machine at work but this looks waaaaay more fun! 😉 Would love to own one of these!
i have made notebooks on a comb binding machine, but the cinch looks like so much and very modern!
Yes, using your bookbinding class 🙂 but the clinch is so easy … Fingers crossed!
I have never made a notebook, but… I would love to do it! This just screams fun! Oh the possibilities!
I too have a Bind it all I never use! Too much trouble!!! Yes I have made notebooks but with a better binder I would make more…
Thanks for the chance to win
Susan
I haven’t made my own notebook but it would be fun to with this cincher! 🙂
I have made notebooks!
I was inspired with your bookbinding post and made my very first notebook. I’ve made several notebooks since then, but I still can’t seem to have enough of them. I love, love, love journals, memo pads, etc. And I’ve been drooling over the Cinch for a while now. Thank you for the ongoing inspiration!
This is very awesome, I have never made my own, but I would love to. So many ideas!!!
Nope, I’ve never made a notebook … but would love to make them as gifts.
I have made some with a bind it all but have never used a cinch. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve never made a notebook! But I think I should 😉 Thanks for the chance to win!
I need this! Thank you for the chance to win!
I have made my own notebooks (albums etc) and I do have that other tool – but havent used it in years. Knowing a lot of other products by WeRMemoryKeepers (I own a bunch) – I’m sure the Cinch is wonderful – I’d love to try it!
I have only made notebooks with glue and paper. They always fall apart on me.
I’ve made notebooks the old school way with glue and tape 🙂
I think that I need this so I can make a photo album of my new grandson. I’ve never used one of these before, but would love to…
This looks like such a neat tool. I’ve never had the opportunity to make my own notebook, but would love to.
You had me at “lists”. No more notebook buying? Heck yes sign me up!!
What a great list, I was not aware the cinch has those great kits, will go now to explore them.
Wow I didn’t even know this existed! I just made photo calendars for everyone in my family this Christmas and had to go up to Office Max for all the spiral binding – this would have been a wonderful tool to use! Thanks for sharing!
I do make notebooks and I often use them for small gifts. What a great prize!
I haven’t made my own notebook, but this machine looks like it would make it fun!
I have one of the first versions of the Cinch. I made a couple notebooks but haven’t used it much since then.
this one looks much easier than the one I have
I LOVE my Cinch!! I got one late 2013 for Christmas from my MIL (well, she gave me money and I used some of it to buy one). I used it to bind my Home Management Planner (The Confident Mom…omgosh, I love that thing). I’ve used it to bind my “Right Now” mini album (Monika Wright inspired). I’ve used it to make other stuff. I did my first December Daily album this year and I might use the Cinch to make one next year! I. Love. It. Good call for the list!
I’ve got a difficult hand-punch system for small projects but would love The Cinch! Thanks for the chance.
OMGoodness…I have wanted one of these like forever! Thanks so much for the opportunity!!!!
Way back when, I made some notebooks, nothing as great as what the Cinch can do. Would love to get my hands on one and do notebooks justice.
What great projects. I have a cinch and love it. You have inspired me to create my own notebook because I like you love a good list that I can check off!
Obsessed! I love notebooks and always have one nearby. And if I could create my own…my brain can not handle that!
I used to cover composition books with scrapbook paper, but starting from scratch sounds better!
I never made my own nortebook…but would love to!
I love making notebooks … grandkids always get a special notebook for starting school, Christmas, birthdays, cuz-i-luv-u, etc. Remember the “Rubicoil” … it weighs a ton and is hard to store. I don’t think I’d ever have to “store” The Cinch … it would be used all the time!
I made prayer journals one year for Christmas. This would have made it a ton easier!
I never have.