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!
never made one before but I would love to try with the help of this guy!!!
I have the bind it all but I don’t know the last time I used it! It’s not the easiest thing to use …
I have made my own (with my Bind It All). But I really want to up my game, because I love the look of the round holes and spiral binding with the Cinch. Thanks for enabling!
I made one you showed in your blog once, is was made with copy paper and the cover was cardstock. Thanks for the chance!
I have never made a notebook before but I scrapbook and so have the supplies to do it, so now I NEED the Cinch!
I love notebooks! I have made my own and it is addicting! Would love to add this to my crafts collection. Thanks for the contest and your wonderful blog!
I’ve made notebooks by stapling paper together and have tried with my binder but it’s really a pain as it can only punch up to 5 sheets at a time. I’ve just started following your bookbinding tutorials and can’t wait to see my final effort! I love your tutorials, thanks very much. The Cinch looks like a fabulous piece of equipment!
I haven’t made my own notebook, but would love to be able! Also, I think I accidentally typed my IG name wrong on the first entry, should be mprantner.
I haven’t had the chance to use a machine like this. I think that our craft group would love something like this…hmmm teachers presents…shopping lists…how much fun we will have. Thank you for this very interesting post.
I have not made any notebooks, but they would make great gifts to include in our packages to the young adults in our church away from home either at college, work or in the military.
Amber, I really enjoy your crafts so much. I have the BIA and have made two calendars with but I also love notebooks and like for my to lie flat. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Awesome product! It would be so cool to be able to make your own notebooks- gift-giving, school- the possibilities are endless!
Never made any serious notebooks, but I love me a 3 hole lined school binder. I would be over the moon if i won the Cinch. Thanks for the chance to win,
I haven’t made any notebooks yet, mostly because I’m missing a tool like this one! Thanks for the chance Amber.
I could have used this at Christmas as I was commissioned to make a few journals for a friend. I ended up using Smash Books and customized those for her nieces. I have more then enough supplies that I could have used to creative my own journals, that would have been super cute.
This is a really cool tool!
I have never made a notebook. This looks like a fun tool.
I would love the Cinch! It’s on my wish list. I make our family calendars each year and have often wondered how well it works. This is so easy! Better than sending them out to be done and so versatile for other projects. Thanks for the great video!!
I confess, I make list with items I’ve already done so that I can cross them off and feel like I’ve already accomplished something, too! I’m definitely a list-maker and it would be neat to make my own notebooks to keep all my lists in!
This is great! I have a notebook fetish!!! I can’t got to any store without buying one! Thanks for a chance to win this great tool!
I have made my own notebooks, but with the machines at my school–cerlox. This oh so so much better!
What a cool tool!!
I used to make sewn notebooks for my friends when we were little but I would love to create some cute gold foil monogram notebooks that are functional for my friends who could always use them for their classes!
Cool tool! I haven’t made many notebooks, but I’d love to try:-)
I would love to make notebooks for my kids- from photo books to math drill books, the possibilities are endless!
I would love a Cinch! Haven’t gotten into making notebooks, but sure would enjoy it!
I never made my own, but you have been successful at tempting me to try it!!!
I would love to have The Cinch. I’ve had my eye on the Cinch for awhile. I would like to try my hand at making notebooks and calendars.
Thanks for the product review! I’ve never made a notebook before but I’ve saved your mini-notebook post in my “To Try” folder.
I haven’t made a notebook,but I’d love too. I have some amazing paper that would probably look good on a notebook. Thanks for the giveaway!
I used to make notebooks all the time for my kids and my friends. I would buy them up when they were on clearance then recover then and add embellishments, they made nice gifts.
Like my pattern paper I too am a collector of wire notebooks and currently I am making one for my niece using screw posts.
I’ve made note books before but they pale into insignificance compared to what this machine can do! I want one.. No.. I need one!
I do smash booking; I’ve been wanting one of these!
Love your blog. You have given me so many ideas and had fun making them. Thank you!
Wow! What a great machine and what a generous give-away! Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve made notebooks before with my bind it all. It does take strength. Thanks.
I’ve made simple notebooks of pieces of paper folded in half and stapled together
I made a notebook for my 7yo daughter — had to look up how to bind it by hand — which I was proud of — but The Cinch would be nice to have. Thanks!
I would love to win the Cinch! I made fun cards and party favors and they would be a “cinch” with this tool!
That’s awesome! I haven’t made my own notebooks before, but that looks like a neat tool to have.
I would love to make my own planner with this tool. I have never made a notebook.
Love this idea. I often give notepads/books as gifts.
i have bind it all, but I read a lot of reviews and cinch is the Best
I have made several notebooks using your instructions via Notebook Binding Series however the Cinch sounds amazing. Thanks for the chance to win !
Oh I would love to have one of this, you totally convinced me! Thank you for the chance. hugs! Mojca
I love a pretty notebook! I’ve been looking at purchasing the Cinch for a couple of months now and your detailed and honest review has convinced me I MUST get one!
P.S. I hope this giveaway is open worldwide? I live in Australia 🙂
i made a cute little notebook! :)thanks for the chance!! 🙂
Wow, Thanks for the chance to win !
I’ve been making notebooks recently out of upcycled materials. However, I’m having to punch all the holes by hand, and pray that they all line up perfectly! This little tool would be a lifesaver!
Yes, I have made my own notebook. I however, need to go to notebook making school. Mine dont turn out nearly as pretty as yours do, Amber. I LOVE notebooks and tend to hoard them for a while when I get them. I will sometimes buy an ugly one so that I don’t feel guilty messing up the pretty pages. 😉 Thanks for the chance to win!