Craft Your Own Story with Junk Journals
Unleash Creativity with Jolly Junk Journals
Discover the art of junk journaling—a creative journey where every page tells a unique story. Dive into a world of vibrant colors, eclectic materials, and personal expression.
About Junk Journals
A junk journal is a handmade journal created from recycled and found materials, used to preserve memories, stories, and bits of everyday life through collages, journaling, and art.
Unlike traditional journals or scrapbooks, junk journals have a relaxed and experimental approach, encouraging the use of “junk” like paper scraps, old book pages, packaging, and photographs to create a personal, often vintage or rustic-looking, mixed-media artifact.
To the right is a short video to explain my messy and soewhat inexplicable creative process!
My Process
- Think what images and/or colors makes you happy and find items to use
- Create a set of pages from a mixtureof pieces of paper
- Find a box with sturdy card and cut outtwo covers and a spine to fit the paper
- Use sturdy tape to create the hinges, then cover the outside and inside Sew or tie in the papers to form a journal’
- Add stamps, Washi tape, ephemera, stencils markers, etc to personalize your journal
- Leave room to write, and write in your journal!
How to Use Ephemera
- Stick it onto a page or card and write about the image
- Make a collage using a piece you like plus other pieces that feel right to you
- Add a hole at the top and make it into a tag then tie a bow through the hole
- Trace around the shape, color and cut out to create a repeating pattern
What You Could Include in Your Journal
- Pockets and tuck spots to hold smaller ephemera pieces
- Tags with a piece of ribbon ortwine tied on top
- Journaling cards which are used for writing short memories and ideas
- Washi tape to create a hinge for ephemerra or to decorate an edge
- Charms to clip onto page edges
- Tabs to find your way back to a page
- Photos, ticket stubs, junk mail,wrappers that appeal to you “Fussy’ cuts, smaller images withcurvy edges
Creating Your Junk Journal - photos coming soon!
Preparing Papers and Signatures
- Select papers: mix plain, patterned, recycled (book pages, envelopes, ledger sheets, music paper).
- Fold each sheet in half lengthwise.
- Group 5–7 folded sheets together to form a signature (the “booklet” unit).
- Use a bone folder (optional) to crease folds neatly.
Creating the Card Cover - Cut a piece of cardstock or lightweight chipboard slightly larger than the folded papers.
- Fold in half to create the cover.
- Place your signature inside the cover to check size.
Making Sewing Holes - Mark 3 evenly spaced points along the fold line: 1” from top & bottom and in the middle,
- Use an awl or “pokey tool” to pierce holes through both cover and signature.
Three-Hole Pamphlet Stitch
- Thread a large-eye needle with waxed thread (~3× the journal’s length).
- Start in the middle hole (inside to outside).
- Go down to the bottom hole (outside to inside).
- Travel up past the middle and through the top hole (inside to outside).
- Return to the middle hole (outside to inside).
- Tie a knot around the long center stitch, pulling tight.
- Use small bulldog clips to keep pages aligned while sewing.
Adding Hidden Spots & Writing Areas
Hiding Spots with Ephemera:
- Tuck envelopes, folded paper pockets, or layered tags into pages.
- Glue just two or three sides of a card piece to create a “tuck spot.”
- Fold larger ephemera (maps, receipts, postcards) to make flaps that conceal journaling. spacesCreating Writing Spaces:
- Glue in blank cards or cut down scrapbook paper for journaling cards.
- Add fold-outs with extra writing room.
- Attach tags with washi tape or a small hinge for lift-up writing spots.
Embellishments & Textures
Ephemera & Found Objects
- Use premade ephemera: vintage tickets, receipts, postcards, tags.
- Add tactile interest: fabric swatches, lace trims, small buttons.
- Clip charms, beads, or dangles onto paper clips for removable decorations.
Washi Tape & Adhesives
- Line edges of pages with washi tape for color and reinforcement.
- Secure items with washi tape plus glue stick for stronger adhesion.
- Use white glue to stick down pockets, and tape runner to adhere lighter paper
- Use washi as faux hinges for flips and tip-ins.
Rubber Stamps & Ink Pads
- Stamp borders, corner flourishes, or faint background textures.
- Combine colored ink pads for layered effects.
Stencils
- Add interest with stenciled ink or paint through patterned cut-outs.
- Use lightly for background texture or boldly for feature designs.
Creating a Finished Cover
Layered Paper & Ephemera Collage
- Layer scraps of patterned paper, music sheets, or maps.
- Add flat ephemera: tickets, stamped images, cut-out words.
- Include a focal piece (e.g., vintage photo, floral cut-out, or bold tag).
- Use fabric swatches or lace beneath layers for depth.
Title Placement
- Add a strip of card or label with the journal’s title (e.g., “Travel Memories”, “Daily Reflections”).
- Anchor the title with stitching, brads, or a decorative frame.
Tools and Materials for Journaling
Explore Our Creative Toolset
Junk Journal Tools Checklist
Journal Base
- Cover material (old book cover, cereal box, chipboard, file folder)
- Pages (printer paper, scrapbook paper, vintage book pages, kraft paper, music sheets)
Binding Tools
- Awl or ‘pokey tool’ of your choice
- Needle (large-eye)
- Thread (waxed linen cord, embroidery floss)
- Clips or bulldog clips to hold pages while sewing
Adhesives
- Glue stick
- Liquid craft glue (Aleene’s Tacky Glue, PVA)
- Double-sided tape
Cutting & Measuring
- Paper trimmer or guillotine
- Scissors or craft knife
- Metal ruler
- Pencil & eraser
Decorative Supplies
- Washi tape
- Ephemera (tickets, receipts, postcards, tags, fabric, lace, etc.)
- Buttons or charms
- Rubber stamps & ink pads
- Stencils
- Clips, brads, or eyelets
Unique Features of Junk Journals
Eclectic Materials
Discover the charm of using repurposed items like vintage papers, postcards, and fabric scraps to create a journal that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Non-Linear Journaling
Embrace the freedom to express yourself without the constraints of traditional formats, allowing for a more personal and imaginative journaling experience.
Tactile Experience
Engage your senses with the textured layers of a junk journal, making each page turn a delightful discovery.
Personalized Gifts
Give a gift that speaks from the heart with handcrafted journals that can be tailored to reflect shared memories and themes.
What Our Creators Say
★★★★★
“Creating my own junk journal was a transformative experience. It allowed me to explore my creativity in ways I never imagined.”
Alexandra M.
Artist and Journal Enthusiast
★★★★★
“Jolly Junk Journals provided the perfect platform for me to express my thoughts and memories in a truly unique format.”
Jordan L.
Creative Writer
Start Your Journaling Adventure Today!
Embark on a creative journey with our unique junk journals. Dive into a world of artistic expression and personal storytelling. Explore our range of resources and products designed to inspire your journaling experience. Whether you’re a seasoned journaler or just starting out, Jolly Junk Journals offers everything you need to create your own masterpiece. Discover the joy of crafting a journal that’s as unique as you are.