About My Journals
Tips, Walkthroughs, Process, and Philosophy
Small journals in pockets
As a change of pace I created six small journals, each designed more for writing than adding items. The journals are bound together with cloth and then have lace added over the cloth. There are a few small pieces of ephemera included in each journal, and also on the...
Starter Journals
Another thing people have told me is that big junk journals can feel intimidating, so i have created a line of starter journals to overcome this. Each has thirty pages plus a card cover with tuck spots and a selection of tags on paperclips to use as book marks. The...
Simple Blank Journals
When I am at craft fairs I am always asked for plain journals, so have created a line of minimalist journals. Each cover is made of Kraft card stock and has a white laser cut shape attached to the front. The cover was then laminated to help it withstand being carried...
Small tins of ephemera
With the summer here, I wanted to create easily transportable tins of ephemera to add to a journal while the owner is away on vacation. I created many options, including travel, beach, bees, and sunflowers. Then I added Alice in Wonderland, Van Gogh, the moon,...
Embellished Ephemera
I recently learned that embellished ephemera was a thing. Having consciously moved away from making journals with dangling threads and randomly placed bits of ribbon and lace, I'd moved towards creating ephemera as places to write and store precious ideas. As looked...
How to use a journal
People often tell me that don’t know how to use a journal like this. The truth is that there are’t any rules for using a journal! I most certainly don’t want you to feel you have to start at page one and only move onto page two when that idea is fully formed. My journals are intended to help you relax into writing, not to impose rules on you.
Design Inspiration
As a graphic designer I probably find design inspiration for my journals differently from some other makers, but we probably all find inspiration in different places! The nature of these journals is that they utilize all kinds of found objects so what I find out in the world and online tends to set me going in the direction for my next journal.
Advertising Journal Process
This video tries to explain how I come up with themes for the journals I make. In this case I had found a huge trove of old adverts and found them so evocative of another time that I decided to create a journal to showcase the most interesting ones. Having decided on...
Christmas Planner Walkthrough
I do know it is February, not Christmas, but it is never to early to start thinking about Christmas! This handmade Christmas journal and planner is just for you to help you get stuff ready, even when you are feeling overwhelmed by what you have to do! Preparing for...
Memories Journal Walkthrough
As we age we often become reflective, and realize we want to pass on stories and experiences to the next generation. It can be difficult to know where to start so this journal includes photos in gold envelopes to help remind us of things and times, as well as memory...
England Journal Walkthrough
Is a visit to England on on the horizon in the next year or so? This journal has lots of images of contemporary England as well as adverts and ephemera from days gone by. Use it to plan your trip then to record what you have seen and done while you are there. Click...
Arts and Crafts Journal Walkthrough
This journal is full of gorgeous images from William Morris and others involved in the arts and crafts movement. It shows designs and items made, using nature and flowers for the basis of many designs. It is entirely up to you what you want to write about inside it!...
Travel Journal Walkthrough
This is the travel journal. It is for anyone planning a trip, and includes planning check lists, pages to write notes and memories, plus lots of pockets to tuck paper souvenirs in while you are away. If travel is in your plans, this journal may be a great way to get...
Wildflower Journal Walkthrough
This is a walkthrough the wildflower journal. It is full of lovely bright wild flowers that are blooming where they were planted. There is a message in here for all of us! You can find the journal here.
Sewing Journal Walkthrough
This is the video walkthrough for the sewing journal. It shows you the features I've included as well as the interesting pieces of sewing ephemera I have included to sue for notes - or simply to enjoy! The journal can be seen here.
Fantasy Journal Walkthrough
I thought you might be interested in seeing inside my journals, so will be adding videos where I look through each one. I will point out the features and tell you a bit about how that journal came to be made. Click here to see the journal.
Christmas Planner and Survival Guide
I began by creating a more conventional journal, full of nostalgic images of reds and greens, but found it wasn't where I wanted to go. I restarted, this time with a more subdued color palette of pale greens, beiges, and less bright reds and greens. It felt calming...
Mini Journals!
I have been enjoying making the large journals, but felt there was a need for mini journals as well. I find I am often waiting in places without internet access so these little notebooks offer an easy place to make notes, sketches, lists, or keep size or color...
What goes into creating a journal?
The idea to make these journals evolved from finding a concept I didn't really like! I kept encountering junk journals, but found them to be too fussy and messy for my taste. I don't like messy sewing and dangling threads, and don't really want to include junk paper...
The Unboxing Phenomenon
I might not spend too much time on Instagram or YouTube, but I am still aware of the phenomenon of videoing the opening of a box. Since these journals are probably going to be given as gifts, I wanted to make the experience of unwrapping them something to anticipate...
The journals are getting finished!
After deciding I would be more efficient if I did all the elements of one part of the journals and then the next, it seemed like an eternity before any finished journals came into existence! Finally this past week I got to the fun stage of sewing the pages in and adding all the goodies I’ve been collecting to add. As of now there are four new journals in the etsy shop, making five in all.
More journal topics have been added!
I keep finding that each journal I make seems to suggest another topic to be added to the ever-growing list of ideas. I have temporarily shelved many of the flower journals I initially planned, and have kept just the wildflower and black and white flower journal...
Making a Journal
I thought you might be interested to see how I create my journals. It is quite a lengthy process that occurs both on the computer and in the real world. I begin by thinking about topics or themes I'd be interested in researching. Having got a theme, I create a color...
My Junk Journal Philosophy
As I move from making journals for myself, and think about you as the new owner, I've had to think through what is important to include. As I result I concluded that these journals: are made for recording and holding small memories and mementos, and made for people...
What is a Junk Journal?
I have been aware of the concept of junk journals for over a decade. I'd wander round a local craft shop and find bags of ribbons, pounds of paper scraps, and odd pads of paper I couldn't imagine anyone would use for scrapbooking, and admit I bought more than a few of...
