Binder Rings Method: This is a very beginner-friendly way of binding a book together. This article is the first of a series on journals providing inspiration and resources. You probably explain this somewhere, but I havent found it yet. Printing out a mini calendar for the month is a nice touch. Shop on Etsy and Ebay. Most paste has a different consistency than gel matte medium it is a little starchier. For now I will go through the basic steps of everything you need to do to get started! For paper, look for the smaller paper sizes such as 8x8 inches (or smaller). If you are using an old book and might paint in it, you may also want to check out our tips for how to alter a book. I prefer this because Im terrible about starting journals and never finishing them! What a wealth of information. Where can I find a local chapter meeting near me?}. In order to give junk journaling its proper due, this post today will dive in deep on everything you ever wanted to know about junk journaling for beginners. Here I will go over some different techniques that help add that wow-factor. Most of my stamps were bought used, so while they are a little beat up they work for me! . Decorating supplies, This is the fun part! Junk journals can be used in all sorts of different ways. We have lots of different resources on our site and if you have any questions just ask! Its really an amazing resource and there is so much inspiration to be found. Glad it inspired you Nancy, if you have any questions just ask! Here are some other starting points for junk journals - a post bound scrapbook, a composition notebook, spiral bound notebooks, blank hard cover journals, 3 ring binder, old books, or pretty much anything with connected sheets of paper! Travelers notebooks are also popular for junk journals. Number stamps, stickers, printed numbers from your computer, hand drawn doodled numbers, or anything else works here. I love it. The best part about making junk journals is that they are relaxing and easy! You can easily remove extra pages by tearing them out. Im excited to use Junk Journals as a Textile Arts project with my children this semester. Junk journals make for a super personalized and creative gift to give to someone, especially for those sentimental types of moments like holidays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries but even just for fun. Thank you for your support! I'm using the large butterfly sticker for the focal point of this journal page. Read this introduction to journaling with ephemera to create wonderful junk journals. For die cuts with intricate shapes, I prefer rubber cement. You dont have to start with a super specific focus at first. If you like this idea, pick a page size and make all your pages that size or smaller. I can print11,200 pages before I even have to think about changing the ink and the ink is very, very economical as well. You can do anything in a junk journal, just like you would with an art journal. I often do this with rubber stamps. My No-Sew Elusive Perfect Journal Method: I dont really know if this method has an official name, but it is similar to Midori travelers notebooks. WARNING - collecting or shopping for these might be more fun than making your journal! One day I stared at my stash and committed to using it for something! Despite this, I kept collecting paper, embellishments and ephemera which I never used. Next comes the fun part, or what should be the fun part! This printer eliminates that problem, because even when it is time to refill 11,200 pages later it is still cheaper than what I was paying for other standard printer ink cartridges. Any information is appreciated. Im just starting my 1st Journal. In the example here, I wanted to color the days of the week in the calendar stamp, but I didn't know how the white colored pencil would look. . And of course, if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask any time in the comments section below or in our Facebook community group. Ive been crafting for years. Theres no right or wrong way to make a junk journal. Maybe it was just time for you to let it go + move on. Shop the paper supplies on this website! Search on "twin loop" binding coil and look for a 2:1 pitch (2:1 means two holes per inch). I use three types of glue in my pages. While there are plenty of gorgeous junk journals out there, many to me seem to be over-the-top-generic. Of course, finding an official definition is not completely possible, since it is not in the dictionary of course, but Ive tried my best to get a definition that sums it up as clearly in one sentence as possible. Or perhaps you want to capture a small moment, memory, quote, or special accomplishment for the week. You can type up quotes, print out photos of your own, or even find free public domain photos like the one shown above to use in your journals. You can make your own rules a you go along. Shop for Creative I like the book has some nice diagrams for references, especially if theres a specific type of binding you want to do but cant remember the exact stitching steps. This can be a quote, a sketch, some memory or other journaling about the week. If you are a beginner, you may need to supplement with a video, especially if you are more of a kinesthetic style type of learner. Hope that answers your question and if you need any additional help just ask! . Now decorate the right page with torn pieces of paper, stickers, stamps and add your focal piece. Now I wish I had saved more ! OR you can just work with individual sheets of paper and bind them into a book when you have a nice stack. It is easier to finish a page if you have a handful of supplies in front of you which all work together. This is one situation where a messy desk is helpful - it will inspire creativity and spark new ideas. You could also make them using fabric, stitch and lace which is my personal addiction. Depending on the type of paper its just a matter of finding the right kind of pen that will write on them. Basically its a junk journal so there are no rules and have fun with it! {Side thought: Has anyone started a Craft Supply Hoarding Anonymous Group yet? If its flat, it can fit into a journal! Now, what the journal is used for and the purpose of the junk journal itself of course will vary greatly from person to person! When it comes to making junk journals, there are some fantastic books and online classes. Dont worry, the purpose can be general: To mash-up whatever paper ephemera I happen to find in this box or it can be very specific To do something with all those papers of my grandparents in the attic. Aw, I wouldnt beat yourself too much about it Diane! In the example page, I used small pieces of washi tape with stickers and number stamps for the dates. Just pick one which sounds like the most fun or one you can do easily right away and start! You can always print things out or make copies of things like photographs. If you use hard cover books or journals, you may need to cut out some pages to allow for your extra thick pages. The best part about junk journaling is you really dont have to buy a single art supply to make one. My junk journal is so junky that I cant close lt. is that ok. Just discovered your site and this article that is exactly what I was looking for ! Hi, thank you so very much for all your information, ideas and how to and what supplies to use. Dont worry about making beautiful pages to share on Instagram, especially at first. . In general when layering I like to start with large items first, and then begin to add in the medium and smaller in pieces. Many of my junk journals are also part art journal. You can cut out pictures from magazines, print stuff out from online, or even have fun doodling and drawing. Its one of those journals where pretty much everything and anything might end up in it. They include removable blocks of a few pages (inserts) held in a flexible cover with elastic cords. Journaling (of any kind) is just for you - if you worry about the result, its going to be stressful or feel like a chore. It easily punches through chipboard covers and most types of paper. This gives you a little bit of a place to focus. I have an entire article dedicated to journaling supplies coming soon. If you are curious for some ideas on ways to use a junk journal, there are lots of great ways to make it work for you. Why do people buy other peoples junk journals for big price tags? Its okay if you have the majority of pages the same size but dont get caught up on trying to trim every single paper into these perfectly identical rectangles. I do have a question for you, what is the difference between collage paste and gel (matte) medium? I've used aguillotinecutter for years. If you love something and it makes you happy or reminds you of something happy, you should do it. It turned into a collection of paper ephemera I loved or couldn't throw away. Hi Laurie, Junk Journals to many people are works of art so for many people its like buying a unique piece of art! If you smear it on thinly, it will dry almost invisible on transparent paper like vellum or rice paper. A popular technique in travelers notebooks is creating a weekly two page spread. I guess there is one thing I still question after reading this whole thing. Its such a great way to express yourself without necessarily having to find the words to say! the full junk journal binding tutorial with video here, daily deals section for arts and crafts supplies on Amazon, best places to find free printable ephemera, Watercolor Doodle Cities Art Process Video, Summary of Different Junk Journaling Techniques. I hope this overview of Junk Journaling 101 for Beginners is helpful for you. Junk Journal Printables, Take the Everyday Junk Journal Online Class, This month's theme: Develop a Positive Mindset. Many people will even call it a junk journal because it is a mash-up of all the junk of life, which we talked a little bit about in my post on the Junk-to-Joy Gratitude journals. You can use image stamps on blank papers or you can just use the ink pads themselves to add some color to the edges of the pages. . Dont limit yourself to just using a glue stick! Thank you , I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you so much for those of us whose interest has been peaked previously, but hadnt a clue on how to really get started. Use pens or markers for writing, sketching, drawing lines, coloring, and doodling. It will cover the basic supplies you need to start your journal and walk you through your first page. Epson strongly recommends the use of Genuine Epson inks for a quality printing experience. This is a great way to use and display personal paper ephemera like birthday cards, anniversary cards, ticket stubs, etc. Having all those little scraps of her life in the garage collecting dust certainly does not do any of these things from her life justice. I covered it up with a sticker as you can see below. You can also accentuate almost any page with different things like stickers, stamps, ribbons, lace, old costume jewelry charms, etc. The printer we have is the Epson EcoTank 3700. I love using binder clips and paper clips to tuck different papers in. Staples can also be a nice easy way to add in depth and layers. Basic supplies - pens, scissors, glue Start with the fun school supplies you used in elementary school! I love to sew and do crafts, and I especially love the idea of getting to use a lot of different textiles. Youre welcome Sherry, glad you find it helpful! Isnt this a personal project? I also tend to LOVE all the little planner-craze stickers and washi tape and papers so it is really a win-win to use a junk journal in this way because it feeds my stationary-paper-sticker-obsessed part of self. For some people, myself included, a junk journal is sort of like that junk drawer in your kitchen it has a little bit of everything and anything! This is a first for me ! It is super simple, you can reposition all of the pages, and no sewing or hole punching is necessary. While you can get away with used stamps, fresh ink is typically usually a must. They can be functional and used as a creative way to record your daily events and memories much like a regular journal but with pictures and words. In fact, you can even use a junk journal as an art journal! These junk journal tutorials are filled with creative inspiration and techniques designed to inspire you. You can choose whether to keep the journal in calendar format, or just make it a fun way to explore ideas and keep track of projects you are working on. Of course, you can always invest in some great tools like a paper cutter or basic bookbinding kit, but there are plenty of ways to make do with what you already have. How to Make a Quick and Easy Printable Easy Printable Junk Journal Tutorial + Free Printable How to Make a Travelers Notebook Junk Journal, Simple Guidelines For Making a Creative Vision Board Journal, 5 Creative Journaling Tips to Help you Journal Every Day, 7 Powerful Manifestation Journal Prompts to Help Bring Your Dreams to Life, 10 Great Things to Write About in a Journal. I've also grouped an assortment of number and date stamps, stickers, Washi tape, ephemera, collage paper elements, ribbon, and decorative stamps. I have been collecting paper, envelopes and collage bits for a while and today, while going through an advertisement leaflet I got inspired by a phrase and it inspired me to start collage and then to start making my own junk journal . You can make pockets in all sorts of ways, such as with envelopes, tags, etc. **. If you are not sue about an idea, try testing it on a similar piece of paper. Youll also discover many other techniques that go into making a beautiful junk journal. I am sad. A friend just introduced me to Junk Journaling, and I cant wait to try it. It helps to arrange things before you adhere everything. However they can sometimes look a little uninspiring. I have tried regular journaling but I just cant get into writing only words.I need color, photos, prints etc. The good thing is you can always create a new book or journal! Also, earlier this year we got one of those Epson Eco-Tank inkjet printers, and it has been a game changer for us for printing things out. A memory book is a book that showcases the life and memories of a person. It's so much easier to start by following a recipe or copying another design. Or they can simply be a way to express yourself creativity by using up unwanted papers and ephemera to create a unique journal or artist book. Hopefully you already have stamps, but if you dont, the best way to buy them is used. These creative junk journal tutorials each show you how to make a different type of junk journal. Rubber stamps - stamps are available in so many different styles and subjects! Thats enough to make anywhere from 20-35 books. Finally, my own junk journal video tutorial showing you how to make an easy junk journal using printables. They are perfect for using up all those wee paper and fabric scraps that youve collected over time. Youre welcome Judy! I think one of the big reasons a lot of people dont jump right into junk journaling is because it is sort of overwhelming with everything all at once! Every part of this process is fun for me, but this is where the real magic starts to happen! You can use any kind of journal, book or notebook as a base and then just fill it up with whatever types of things you want! Today I realized I am always talking about junk journals, but really havent taken the time to properly introduce what one is and what it can be used for or even how to make one step-by-step yet. I use Arleene's Tacky Glue because it is thick and dries quickly. This will be the focus point of the page. Its still going strong. And of course, if you need ideas for ways to organize all that paper ephemera, weve got you covered on that one, too. No sew journals are quick and easy to make and you dont have to have any special skills to put them together. This junk journal tutorial is perfect for beginners and is a fun and easy way to get started with junk journals. You do not need something for every day! You can lay paper elements of the page with rubber stamps on top to plan your page. It makes me so happy every Christmas to see shes added more and more to it each year. Here are some easy ways to get started. You can try all of these methods with multiple journals. You can see an example of it shown above. By making a junk journal memory book, we can have a nice book that can be shared with the whole family as a special way to remember his grandma. Embrace the imperfection and know that is part of the process and is what gives each and every journal its own special touch. Use scissors to cut paper, pictures, fabric, and other ephemera for your pages. A couple of other things you can look into: The possibilities are unlimited! I tried scrapbooking when it was wildly popular, but I found it to be just too much - too much space, mess, tools, cost, and overwhelm. Look at the black smudge next to the number 6 which came from my inky fingers. Some people like to keep their pages very organized, almost like a grid style of layout while others simply just follow their mood and intuition and do whatever feels right. There are basically four methods that are most popular. Have been trying to declutter, but perhaps I can have more fun decluttering and junk journaling with all those saved ticket stubs, photos, restaurant receipts, greeting cards, etc. Ive started a journal using your No-Sew Elusive Perfect Journal method, and I have a question. Here are the basic journaling supplies you need: Disclosure: This supply list contains some affiliate links. Altered Book Method: The last method is to simply use a notebook or book that already exists and alter it to work as your junk journal. Ive found the best place to get binder rings is online at Amazon, such as this set of 70 count assorted rings. Oh, no, I got sick when I read this because I am 66 years old and what did I do? So, the majority of the items in the book are printed out from various places online. Ha!!! While I would still very much love a color laser jet printer, the advantage of the Eco-Tank printer is you dont have to buy or refill ink all the time. Thanks Christine, Im glad it was helpful for you! Could elastic headbands be used in place of the extra large rubber bands? Who knows why we do stuff like that but Ive been guilty of it too! Thats a great way to get a lot of nice images without breaking the bank. If you look at our art journal theme ideas list there are tons of ways you can make a book have different subjects or surround a central theme. Gather more than you plan to use and select the best elements as you go. Its also sometimes helpful to check out the daily deals section for arts and crafts supplies on Amazon Ive found some pretty neat things that way. And of course, if you watch for sales, theres tons of great rubber stamp sets on Amazon. THANKS for SHARING. They are also sold at office supply stores and craft stores but you cant usually find as good of a value. The binding wires come in different sizes (larger diameters allow thicker journals) and colors. Make a big pile. For example, if you pick a theme like flowers you can easily put together everything that is flower and garden related. Enjoyed a very introductory, maybe 1 1/2 hour, collage workshop and enjoyed. These themed journals can be a ton of fun to go through and see all the different little things. They have tons of videos on painting, scrapbooking, journaling but also lots of other things also, like cooking and fiber arts. See how I organize my collage suppliesfor some practical tips and the voice of experience sharing wisdom on why you should not make 10,000 piles of paper all over your bed, ha. There are so many different materials and supplies to decorate your journals. I see printing out images as a perfect way to use what I have a super economical and powerful printer as part of the creative junk journal process. Load paper less often - 150-sheet paper capacity. You can see how we make a junk journal using a simple pamphlet stitch in our Upcycled Blue Jean Journal Tutorial. Like art journaling, there is no one size fits all definition for what a junk journal really is. Of course, these are just a couple of ideas. Since a junk journal is a mash-up of all sorts of things, naturally everyone uses their journal differently and enjoys their own unique process in creating it. Visit estate sales - look for office supplies, cards, ledger books, stationary, fabric, ribbon, and wallpaper. These sites are great resources for creative products you simply can't find in stores. Having a focus can help narrow down the overwhelming choices. If you have any questions just ask! I started my first junk journal out of sheer frustration. This was very helpful! Binding yourself lets you customize the size, papers, cover, and color theme. Mistakes happen! I use it for most larger sheets or simple shapes. Of course, there are lots of other fun things to try and explore in your junk journals. WOW. A paper cutter is another versatile tool to invest in. Layering is what gives each page a lot of interest and depth. In this video tutorial from 49dragonflies, youll learn a creative and easy binding method for a no sew junk journal that looks just perfect! This is a little bit of a generic way to sum it all up of course, but I think it does explain it clearly for those who may have no idea what a junk journal might be. Its awesome. Layer with different smaller pieces of paper, or even use papers that have crazy shapes. . I dont save stuff like that and the only pictures I have are family that I dont want to give up. For example, for a Halloween themed altered board book junk journal shown below, I didnt have a lot of Halloween themed items. Thank you Maria, it definitely is always exciting to discover there others who are interested in creating! 2022 Artjournalist. I highly recommenced the Cinch Book Binding Machine. I love using those messed up art pages as a base for new pages in a new journal. Not every piece of paper needs to be the exact same size and shape. Dont discount the kids stamps sets either. Consider bindings with room for expansion - your pages may get thick if you enjoy making collage pages. Thank you Karen, glad you found it helpful! Its a fun way to document and remember all those little moments that make life big. This is the step where you begin to fill up all of the pages with the different ephemera and items youve collected. I would write in them and along with that different papers from gifts I. received and newspaper clippings. However its always great to have some inspiration and direction, particularly if youve never made a junk journal before. On the top left page, add the month and year. Hi Angie, elastic headbands are perfect and are what I actually recommend if they are in your budget! So here is an example page idea to try for your first page. You may want to create this on a separate piece of paper and add last so it's on top. There are TONS of great book binding methods for making a junk journal. Of course, this relies on the recipient understanding and appreciating the journal but it definitely can be a great idea. Centering it in the page or near the middle of the two page spread works well. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and expertise with us!! I love creating mixed media junk journals as an art journal. Craftsy BluPrint: Think of this like the Netflix for artists and crafters. Reading this as I am looking at piles and piles of paper stacks on my bed. If you use very thin paper, sandwich it between sheets of heavier paper to help prevent tearing. {See my post on best places to find free printable ephemera if you need some sources!}. Four big old scrapbooks! I am one of those people who is always has my brain in to-do list mode. Non Epson inks and inks not formulated for your specific printer may cause damage that is not covered by the Epson warranty. Junk journals are a fun and creative way to make unique handmade books using a combination of different types of papers such as recycled papers, scrapbook papers, collage papers, printables, found papers and other types of paper ephemera. For example, you could make one that is all things flowers and gardening, or make one that has a theme from a certain story or book like Alice in Wonderland. Dont keep something out of a journal just because its not expected or doesnt make sense to everybody. My favorite adhesive is a glue dot roller. 70 binder rings will keep you very, very busy creating for a long time! If you are new to a craft, creating something from scratch is often completely overwhelming. If youre already starting with a journal or existing book as the base, in this step you will probably want to do some basic prep work, like removing pages if necessary or adding bookbinding tape to reinforce the binding. First, group some decorative items which coordinate or match your mood for the page. In this tutorial youll discover how to assemble a mini journal with frames made with the Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits Pocket Frame Die Set. Most of the papers and embellishments will work well for junk journals or scrapbooks. In this junk journal tutorial, the Graphics Fairy presents an indepth eight-part tutorial. A simple white craft glue is great for many types of paper. Of course, you dont have to buy a printer just for junk journaling. The only thing to be careful of is make sure you get the thin style ones made by Goody they also sell them at the dollar store but the dollar store ones arent the best of quality. I also found that you can google images of things that you want and then print them off. I have a magazine with lovely thick matte pages that Im going to cannibalize for journal signatures, and Im wondering what to do to those pages so I can write on them. If this means you smash up a picture of Snoopy with the Queen of England, because it reminds you of that one time you were watching a Peanuts marathon with a friend from Britain and that makes you happy to think of that memory, just do it. This again just builds on the depth and interest in the book. so I started putting together the papers and the envelopes , perforating them and made this really lovely book. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hopefully I will have a chance to update this with a full video tutorial for how to make a junk journal in these next few weeks. This takes a little prep work, but definitely is a viable option, especially if you dont really want to get into binding your own journal. I just used yarn now. Yesterday we were going through some old things in our garage when we stumbled across an entire box of these things from my husbands late grandmother he had been saving for almost a decade now. In a way, it sort of becomes a daily scrapbook for many people, but of course you can always include things like written journaling, notes or to-do lists.

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