How to Make Easy Junk Journal Embellishments?
How to Make Easy Junk Journal Embellishments? 🖌️
Ever feel stumped when it comes to decorating your junk journal? 🤔
Worried about breaking the bank on fancy embellishments?
Let’s dive into some super easy DIY ideas!
Today, I’m walking you through a fun tutorial by Melanie from The Treasured Page.
She’s got a cool challenge going on called the “Coffee Pot Challenge” – it’s all about getting creative with random craft supplies.
Let’s see what she whips up!
What Supplies Do You Need? 🧰
Melanie’s working with:
- Scraps of paper
- White gesso (or any white paint)
- Rubber stamps
- Ink pad
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
But here’s the cool part – you can use whatever you’ve got lying around!
Don’t stress if you don’t have these exact items.
The whole point is to get creative with what you have.
How Do You Start Making Embellishments? 🎨
- Grab your stamps and ink
- Stamp some designs on your scrap paper
- Let it dry
Melanie’s using flower stamps, but you can use anything you like.
Animals, shapes, words – go wild!
The key is to have fun with it.
Don’t worry if your stamping isn’t perfect – that’s part of the charm of handmade embellishments.
What’s the Secret to Making Them Pop? ✨
Here’s where the magic happens:
- Take your white gesso or paint
- Use a small brush to add highlights to your stamped images
- Paint petals, leaves, or any parts you want to stand out
It’s like coloring, but way cooler! 😎
The white paint adds dimension and makes your designs really stand out.
Plus, it’s super relaxing.
It’s almost like meditation with a paintbrush!
How Do You Turn Them into Usable Embellishments? ✂️
Time to make these babies journal-ready:
- Let the paint dry completely
- Grab your scissors
- Carefully cut around the edges of your designs
Boom!
You’ve got yourself some unique, handmade embellishments!
Take your time with the cutting.
It’s not a race, and careful cutting will give you a better final product.
Can You Get Creative with Colors? 🌈
Absolutely!
Melanie sticks to white for this demo, but don’t let that stop you.
Try:
- Different paint colors
- Metallic paints for a fancy touch
- Colored pencils for subtle shading
Imagine gold highlights on a black stamped image, or pastel colors for a soft, dreamy look.
The possibilities are endless!
What If You’re Not Great at Cutting? 🤔
No worries!
You’ve got options:
- Tear around the edges for a rustic look
- Use decorative scissors for a fancy edge
- Leave a border around the image – it can look super cool!
Remember, in junk journaling, there’s no such thing as a mistake – only happy accidents!
Where Can You Use These Embellishments? 📚
The sky’s the limit!
Try:
- Sticking them on journal pages
- Decorating tags or pockets
- Using them as focal points on collage pages
- Adding them to card fronts
- Decorating gift wrap
- Creating bookmarks
These little beauties are versatile.
Once you start making them, you’ll find uses everywhere!
How Can You Take It Up a Notch? 🚀
Melanie shows us a cool trick:
- Stamp on tracing paper
- Add your paint highlights
- Cut it out
Now you’ve got a semi-transparent embellishment.
How cool is that? 😮
These look amazing layered over other elements in your journal.
They add a soft, dreamy quality to your pages.
What If You Don’t Have Stamps? 🤷♀️
No problem!
Try:
- Drawing your own designs
- Cutting images from magazines or old books
- Using stencils instead
- Printing out designs from the internet
- Using leaves or flowers for nature prints
The idea is to get creative with what you have.
Don’t let a lack of supplies stop you from crafting!
Can You Use Other Papers? 📜
You bet!
Melanie uses coffee-dyed paper, but try:
- Book pages
- Sheet music
- Newspaper
- Scrapbook paper scraps
- Old maps
- Vintage receipts or ledger paper
Different papers will give your embellishments different looks and feels.
Experiment and see what you like best!
How About Mixing Techniques? 🎭
Why stop at just stamping and painting?
Try:
- Adding glitter to your paint for some sparkle
- Using embossing powder for a raised effect
- Layering different stamps for more complex designs
- Adding text with a fine-tip pen
- Distressing the edges with ink
The more techniques you combine, the more unique your embellishments will be!
Any Tips for Mass Production? 🏭
If you want to make a bunch at once:
- Stamp a whole sheet of designs at once
- Paint them all in one sitting
- Cut them out while watching TV or listening to a podcast
It’s a great way to build up a stash of embellishments for future projects!
How Can You Store Your Creations? 📦
Once you start making these, you’ll want to keep them organized:
- Use small envelopes or baggies
- Store them in a binder with clear pockets
- Keep them in a small box or tin
- Use a divided container like a tackle box
Keeping them organized will make it easier to find the perfect embellishment when you need it.
Any Last Tips? 💡
- Don’t stress about perfection – imperfections add character!
- Experiment with different combinations
- Make a bunch at once for a stash of ready-to-use embellishments
- Try different themes for different journal projects
- Don’t be afraid to layer embellishments for more impact
Remember, the goal is to have fun and express your creativity.
There’s no right or wrong way to do this!
Wrapping It Up 🎁
There you have it, folks!
A super easy way to make your own junk journal embellishments without breaking the bank.
It’s all about using what you’ve got and letting your creativity shine.
These handmade embellishments add a personal touch to your journals that you just can’t get from store-bought ones.
Plus, they’re a great way to use up those paper scraps you’ve been hoarding (we all do it, right?).
Making your own embellishments is not just about saving money – it’s about enjoying the process of creation.
It’s a chance to slow down, get creative, and make something truly unique.
And isn’t that what junk journaling is all about?
So, what are you waiting for?
Grab those scraps and get stamping!
Your junk journal is about to get a whole lot cooler. 😎
Happy crafting!
Check out more junk journal tips and tutorials here:
