What cheap household items can be upcycled for junk journal embellishments?

Ever wondered what to do with all that junk lying around?

Let’s turn it into gorgeous junk journal embellishments! 🗑️✨

I stumbled upon this awesome tutorial by Joie from joie de fi.

She’s all about using cheap or free supplies to create stunning embellishments.

Let’s break it down!

What You’ll Need 📦

• Old notebooks or exercise books
• Book pages
• Glue (Joie mixes tacky glue with wood adhesive)
• Washi tape
• Punch (optional)
• Old eye shadows
• Cheap crayons
• Watercolors

Creating Your Embellishments 🛠️

Step 1: Make a Lightweight Master Board

1. Grab old notebook and book pages
2. Tear them up
3. Mix your glue
4. Glue pages together

Pro tip: Make your board 34 cm (13.5 inches) wide for efficiency

Step 2: Decorate Your Board

Joie shows several techniques:

1. Splatter watercolors
   • Great for nature-themed embellishments
   • Use reds for holiday vibes
2. Use old eye shadows
   • Upcycle those forgotten makeup items
   • Adds shimmer and color
3. Grate wax from old candles
   • Helps seal other elements
4. Scrape cheap crayon shavings
   • Adds pops of color
   • Melts interestingly when ironed

Step 3: Seal Your Creation

1. Sprinkle wax and crayon bits over your decorated board
2. Cover with another decorated board
3. Iron to melt and seal

Step 4: Cut Out Your Embellishments

Joie uses a large punch, but you can:

• Use an upturned glass and cut around it
• Use decorative scissors
• Tear by hand for a rustic look

Step 5: Add Final Touches

• Stick on vintage book illustrations
• Add washi tape accents
• Write quotes or add doodles

Joie’s Finished Examples 🖼️

1. Kingfisher embellishment
   • Used splattered paint background
   • Added text and a focal image
2. Butterfly embellishment
   • Used scrap paper background
   • Added metallic paint to the butterfly
3. Mushroom embellishment
   • Incorporated handwriting
   • Added a punched flower and washi tape

Using Your Embellishments 📚

These versatile creations can be used:

• On junk journal covers
• To decorate journal pages
• To spruce up plain envelopes or pockets

The Process Broken Down 📝

1. Create Base
   • Use lightweight paper (old notebooks, book pages)
   • Glue together for a thin master board
2. Add Color and Texture
   • Splatter paint
   • Use eye shadows
   • Add crayon shavings
   • Sprinkle wax
3. Seal with Heat
   • Cover decorated board with another
   • Iron to melt wax and crayon
4. Cut Out Shapes
   • Use a punch or alternative methods
5. Embellish
   • Add focal images
   • Include text or doodles
   • Use washi tape for accents

Tips from Joie 💡

1. Efficiency is key
   • Make your master board 34 cm wide to get 4 punches efficiently
2. Get creative with supplies
   • Use makeup, crayons, and candle wax
3. Don’t aim for perfection
   • Imperfections add character
4. Layer for interest
   • Combine different elements for depth
5. Think seasonally
   • Use colors and images that fit the season or holiday

Why This Method Rocks 🌟

1. Cost-effective
   • Uses items you likely already have
2. Eco-friendly
   • Upcycles materials that might otherwise be trashed
3. Versatile
   • Can be adapted to any theme or style
4. Customizable
   • Easy to make each embellishment unique
5. Beginner-friendly
   • No special skills required

Book Recommendations for Images 📚

Joie suggests using these types of books for focal images:

1. Field guides to trees
2. Wildflower books
3. Reader’s Digest nature books
4. Field guides to colors

These provide small, detailed images perfect for embellishments.

Variations to Try 🎨

1. Holiday theme
   • Use red and green for Christmas
   • Add gold accents for a festive touch
2. Vintage look
   • Use sepia tones in your background
   • Add old newspaper clippings
3. Nature theme
   • Focus on botanical or animal images
   • Use earthy color palettes
4. Text-based
   • Use book pages with interesting fonts
   • Highlight specific words or phrases
5. Geometric
   • Use shapes cut from colored paper
   • Create patterns with washi tape

Final Thoughts 💭

Joie’s method is all about using what you have and getting creative.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials and techniques.

The beauty of junk journaling is that there are no strict rules – it’s all about expressing yourself and having fun with it.

Remember, the key to great embellishments is layering.

Start with an interesting background, add a focal point, and then embellish with smaller details.

This creates depth and interest in your pieces.

Lastly, don’t stress about perfection.

The charm of handmade embellishments lies in their uniqueness.

Embrace the little imperfections – they add character to your work!

So, what are you waiting for?

Grab those old books, dig out those forgotten art supplies, and start creating!

Your junk journal is about to get a whole lot more fabulous.

Happy crafting! 🗽🎨✂️

Check out more junk journal tips and tutorials here: