DIY Guide: How to Create Your Own Junk Journal

Junk journaling is a therapeutic hobby that allows you to create a unique personalized journal out of recycled materials and ephemera. Not only is it a great way to channel your creativity, but it also gives new life to items that would have otherwise been thrown away. In this article, I’ll be sharing the steps on how to make a junk journal in a relaxed and accessible way.

Firstly, gather your materials. You can use various items such as scrapbook paper, vintage postcards, fabric, lace, and wrapping paper. The possibilities for materials are endless! Make sure to also have a hole punch, scissors, and a binding tool such as a needle and thread or a stapler. Once you have your materials, it’s time to determine the size and the layout of the journal. You can decide to create a specific theme or color scheme or let your creativity flow spontaneously. Whatever you choose, have fun with it!

Creating a junk journal is a fun and unique way to preserve memories, express creativity, and use up excess crafting materials that you may have lying around your house. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry! We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you make your very own junk journal.

Gathering Materials

1. Find Unique Items to Use as Pages

One of the unique features of a junk journal is that it’s made of a variety of materials. Old book pages, scrapbook paper, envelopes, or even paper bags can make great pages for your journal. You can choose different textures, sizes, and colors to create a dynamic journal with plenty of character.

2. Collect Various Embellishments

To make your journal visually appealing, you’ll need to gather a variety of embellishments. Think buttons, sequins, ribbons, washi tape, stickers, and any other decorative items you have on hand. These items will add depth and interest to your pages and allow you to express your creativity in new ways.

3. Find Inspiration

If you’re not sure where to start, look online for junk journal tutorials and ideas to get a sense of different styles and techniques. Pinterest, YouTube, and crafting blogs are great resources for inspiration. You can also look for patterns, images, and colors that inspire you and incorporate them into your design.

Preparing Your Pages

4. Choose a Theme

Having a theme for your junk journal can be helpful in keeping your focus and creating a cohesive look. You can choose a specific color palette, a certain season or event, or a particular style. A theme will help you organize your materials and keep your journal visually pleasing.

5. Cut and Fold Pages

Once you have your materials ready, you’ll need to cut and fold them into pages that will fit into your journal. You can cut paper to any size you like, but make sure they’re uniform and can be bound together easily. You can also use a scoring tool and bone folder to create creases for folding your pages.

6. Add a Binding

After you have several pages, you’ll need to bind them together to form your journal. You can do this in a variety of ways, such as stitching, binding rings, or using a bookbinding machine. Be sure to leave enough space for your pages to lay flat and for adding additional pages if desired.

Decorating Your Pages

7. Add Layers

To add depth to your pages and create interest, use a variety of techniques to layer your materials. You can use glue, double-sided tape, or stitching to attach items to the page. Layering will add dimension and texture to your pages, making them more visually appealing.

8. Use Stamps and Stencils

Stamps and stencils are great tools for creating repeated patterns or images. You can use them to add interest to blank pages or cover up mistakes. Experiment with different colors and patterns to find a look that suits your style.

9. Add Writing and Journaling

A junk journal can also double as a regular journal, so don’t forget to add space for writing and journaling. You can use lined paper, blank stickers, or create your own pockets for notes and mementos. Write down quotes, memories, or use it for brainstorming and planning.

10. Personalize Your Cover

Your junk journal cover should reflect your personal style and taste. You can use fabric, paper, ribbon, or any other material to create a cover that suits your preferences. Add embellishments such as buttons, charms, or beads to make it unique and special.

In conclusion, making a junk journal is a fun and creative way to express your personality and preserve your memories. Use these tips to gather materials, prepare your pages, decorate, and personalize your cover to create a unique journal that you’ll cherish for years to come. Happy crafting!

5 Easy Steps to Make Your Own Junk Journal

Junk journaling is a fun and creative way of documenting your memories, ideas, and fantasies. It allows you to unleash your inner artist and create something unique that reflects your personality and aesthetics. If you’re new to this hobby, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your own junk journal.

Step 1: Collect Your Materials

The first step in making a junk journal is to gather your supplies. You can use any materials that you like, such as old books, magazines, scrapbook papers, vintage photos, postcards, stickers, washi tapes, ribbons, and other embellishments. You’ll also need a pair of scissors, a ruler, a bone folder or a scoring tool, a glue stick, a double-sided tape, and a binding tool, such as a sewing machine, a stapler, or a binder ring.

Step 2: Plan Your Pages

Once you have your materials ready, it’s time to plan your pages. Think about the theme, color scheme, and layout that you want to create. You can make a travel journal, a gratitude journal, a dream journal, a recipe book, a planner, or anything else that inspires you. Sketch your ideas on a paper or a digital planner to visualize what you want to achieve.

Step 3: Cut and Fold Your Papers

Now it’s time to cut and fold your papers. Use your scissors and your ruler to cut your papers to the desired size and shape. You can make them into rectangles, squares, circles, or any other shapes that you like. Once you have your papers ready, use your bone folder or your scoring tool to create a crease in the middle of each page, so that you can fold them into two halves.

Step 4: Design Your Pages

Now comes the fun part of designing your pages. Use your embellishments, stickers, washi tapes, and other materials to decorate your pages. You can create pockets, tags, flaps, envelopes, and other interactive elements that make your journal more interesting. Experiment with different techniques, such as stamping, embossing, painting, or doodling, to add depth and texture to your pages.

Step 5: Bind Your Journal

Once your pages are designed and decorated, it’s time to bind them together. You can use a sewing machine to stitch your pages together, a stapler to staple them together, or a binder ring to clip them together. You can also use a glue gun or a binding tape to attach your pages to a spine. Be creative and try different binding methods to see what works best for your journal.

In conclusion, making a junk journal is a fun and rewarding activity that allows you to express your creativity and imagination. By following these simple steps, you can create a personalized journal that reflects your style and memories. So grab your materials and start creating!

Choosing Your Materials

When it comes to creating a junk journal, the materials you use are just as important as the design itself. Here are some things to consider when choosing what to use:

Paper

You’ll need a variety of papers for your journal, including decorative scrapbook paper, vintage book pages, and even plain writing or printer paper. Look for unique textures and patterns to add interest to your pages. You can also recycle paper items you already have, such as envelopes, grocery bags, or old maps.

Embellishments

Embellishments are what make your journal truly unique. Some popular options include ribbon, lace, buttons, stickers, and sequins. You can also incorporate more unconventional items, such as feathers or pressed flowers, to add even more texture.

Binding Material

The binding material you choose will depend on the size and weight of your journal. Some options include twine, ribbon, or even old bookbinding tape. You can also incorporate found items, such as sticks or driftwood, for a more organic look.

Tools

To create your junk journal, you’ll need some basic tools, including a paper cutter, scissors, glue, and a hole punch. You can also use more specialized tools, such as a bone folder or crop-a-dile, to create more precise cuts and holes.

Table of Materials

Here is a helpful table to keep track of the materials you’ll need for your junk journal:

Remember, one of the joys of creating a junk journal is that there are no strict rules. Mix and match different materials to create a truly unique and personalized journal.

Happy Journaling!

Thanks for reading through this guide on how to make a junk journal. I hope it has inspired you to start your own journaling journey and create something unique and personal. Remember, there are no right or wrong ways to make a junk journal – it’s all about exploring your creativity and enjoying the process. So, gather up some old papers, photos, and trinkets, and start creating! We’d love to hear about your experiences and see what you come up with, so don’t hesitate to share your creations with us. And please do come back for more inspiration and tips on crafting, journaling, and all things creative. Happy journaling!