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!
Hi Amber. I also own a BindItAll paperweight. I had all sorts of plans for mini albums as gifts but became very frustrated with the limited width of hole punch and the lack of accuracy when lining it up to extend the punching beyond 4 inches. This tool looks amazing.
I love your website and blog! I found you from the shout out in Better Homes and Gardens.
Looks like fun, Amber! I have not made notebooks. I do make Calendars, 10 of them, every year for Christmas gifts. They have all of the important birthdays and anniversaries on them. I need a binding system. I sometimes use cotton yarn, but it’s not very pretty. I sometimes use Book rings, but they are cumbersome. Thanks!
No I have never made a notebook. I see people create notebooks and I always wonder. This thing looks super amazing and you are so right. My daughter is always wanting notebooks to write it and at 5 you can just imagine how many she goes through. I am always buying the $1 bin ones from Target but if I can make my own!!!! EEEEKKKKK I hope I win. Talk about AMAZING!
I’ve never made my own notebook but I’ve always wanted to. I LOVED your bookbinding tutorials and really want to make those! Thanks for the opportunity to win such an amazing giveaway! 🙂
I would love to own a CINCH! I have that other machine. Haven’t had great results with it!
This is just the answer to my dreams! i have never made a notebok, but did try to make a wallcalendar…. the result would just have been a lot better with a machine like this!
This would be so amazing to have! It has been on my wish list for so long. I just always end up buying notebooks instead of a cinch and making my own. :-/. Maybe this is my time! ***fingers crossed***
Would love to have one of these to make my study books lay flat. Hope it does the trick!!
This has been on my wishlist for a wile.
I have been wanting one of these forever! Just haven’t been in the budget. I’ve never made a notebook, but I have altered composition books. 🙂
Very cool machine! I have a Bind It All and, yes, it’s in a closet collecting dust. Thanks for the chance to win a Cinch!
Oh notebooks are definitely handy things to make. The possibilities are really endless….
I’ve never made a notebook, but it looks like fun!
I have never Made my own notebook, but if I win, I’d make a lot 🙂
No, never made my own notebook, just don’t have the right tools!! 🙂
I haven’t, but wow – I’m thinking of all the amazing gifts I could make with that Cinch! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!
I am not a crazy notebook making fool but you might turn me into one!
yes I have.. I also LOVE notebooks! but the professional looking wiring is the best. thanks. rocio
I haven’t made my own notebook but I want to try! This would be such a cute favor for weddings.
Wow great post thanks!!! Nope haven’t done any notebooks yet, but hope to do one day))) Just need one preety cinch))))
I have never made a notebook, but this tool would give me a good start 🙂 Hope I win!
Oh, it would be so wonderful to own the Cinch. I’m already addicted to notebooks, now I could make my own!
I’ve never made my own notebooks, but I have altered composition books before. This looks like lots of fun! Thanks for sharing!
No, but I pinned just about every one of your bookbinding university projects! Love them.
No. But if I had this machine I would make a dozen of them! Now I have a new toy to add to my crafty wishlist!
I am all about DIY for 2015 — Make It Work is my motto! This win would sure help me with my goal 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity~
I laughed so hard on reading the title of reason no.4. 😀
One of my plans for 2015 is to create mini books, and if I have to pick a binding machine to make my project fancier my choice would definitely be the Cinch. *wink
Thanks for sharing this wonderful opportunity, Amber. Always a fan! xoxo
I have not ever made my own notebook but would love to!!
I enjoyed your post and love the Cinch! I am working on making “Memory Albums” from Christmas cards as my kids flip through them weekly. This binding machine is amazing!
i would love to have one, I have made A couple of book in classes.
not as an adult but as a kid I did with elmers glue. Cool looking tool.
This would be awesome to have. I still have the bind it all. Time for an upgrade. Love making my own note book and I also make guest sign in book.
I’ve made notebooks, but only with folded paper and staples. These would look so much nicer!
Would love to have this…1. To finish off the small book I am working on to send my nephew who is deployed in the Navy right now. 2. To make my sons teachers thank you “coupon” books. (Attach $5.00 gift cards to different pages) as an end of the school year thanks for all they do.
I haven’t made a notebook but I think this would be a great tool to make your own mini albums
I have made notebook, journals, calendar/planners, but none as cool as yours
I love making journals. this would be an awesome tool to make my own 🙂
Have wanted a cinch because I love too make books and the cinch looks like it would be the best thing for the job.
I have never made a notebook. But it would be a great tool to have as I want to go back to where I grew up and take pictures and tell the story behind each picture and give the books to my kids and myself when done – the cinch would make that so easy.
oh my goodness I would love this…. So many neat books you can make
I love making mini albums and journals. This would be a very useful tool to have!
I have so many lovely papers I could use this with!
I love my Cinch, it is so easy to use and the results are professional looking.
http://suek86401.blogspot.com/
wooo is really wonderful for these and many other reasons, no comparison is unique, I love to create many beautiful things !!!
forget to say that I have not done any notebook but I would love the first out with this beauty
I do not have this product. I enjoyed the video and know this would be a great addition to my craft room. It would bee some to make notebooks!! Thanks for offering this giveaway!
I have never made my own notebook but I would love to try.
I make my own albums and books for the same reasons you do..lol
My next big purchase is going to be a binding machine. I haven’t decided yet which but you make a great case for the Cinch so it may just be on my next purchase. But to win it would be lovely not that I have ever won anything We R Merory keepers is one of my favorites for tools
would llloooovvee this to make booklets and geneology books for my family ….just love this cinch for so many ideas ….can make personalized calendars for family and friends ….gotta have one !!!!!
I have always wanted a Cinch! I want to make my own notebooks and could really use this! Thank you.