How To Make A Junk Journal For Beginners: Step by Step
How to Make a Junk Journal for Beginners: Step by Step 🎨📘
Ever wondered how to turn your scraps into a beautiful journal? 🤔
Feeling overwhelmed by fancy junk journals online?
Don’t worry!
I’ve got you covered with this beginner-friendly junk journal guide.
Today, we’re following Joie from joie de fi, a passionate crafter, as she shows us how to make a simple junk journal from start to finish.
Let’s dive in! 🏊♀️
What Will You Need? 🧰
Before we start, let’s gather our supplies:
- A4 craft cardstock (180 gsm)
- Pretty papers (various sizes and designs)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Paper trimmer
- String
- Darning needle
- Ruler
- Bulldog clips
How Do You Start Your Junk Journal? 🚀
Joie kicks off by creating the cover:
- She folds an A4 craft cardstock in half
- She adds a light dusting of gold mica powder spray (optional but fancy!)
- For decoration, she uses a handmade tag as the focal point
- She layers some scrap papers behind the tag
Pro tip: Don’t have craft cardstock?
No worries!
Use any thick paper or even an old magazine cover.
How Do You Choose Papers for Your Junk Journal? 📄
Now comes the fun part – picking your papers! Joie suggests:
- Choose about 3 times as many papers as you need
- Aim for 12 sheets for a single signature journal
- Mix up different sizes, weights, and designs
- Go for a theme (Joie’s using nature and well-being vibes)
She includes:
- Book pages with pretty illustrations
- Map pages
- Vintage encyclopedia pages
- Modern scrapbook paper
Remember: It’s all about what YOU like! 😊
How Do You Prepare Your Papers? ✂️
Joie shows us how to get our papers ready:
- Pick a centerpiece (a page with a striking image)
- Choose a front page
- Fold and trim the rest to fit your cover
She doesn’t make all pages the same size – the variety adds interest!
Some folding tricks:
- For special images, create a “gusset” fold to preserve the whole picture
- Fold off-center to keep important parts visible
- Make pockets by folding up the bottom of some pages
How Do You Assemble Your Junk Journal? 🏗️
Time to put it all together:
- Arrange your pages in an order you like
- Tuck them into each other’s folds
- Use a ruler to push them close together
- Secure with bulldog clips
How Do You Bind Your Junk Journal? 🧵
Joie uses a simple figure-8 binding method:
- Find the middle of your signature (stack of papers)
- Mark 3 holes: one in the middle, one 6cm above, one 6cm below
- Punch holes through all pages
- Punch matching holes in your cover
- Thread your needle and start from the outside of the cover
- Follow a figure-8 pattern through all the holes
- Tie off with a bow at the end
What Are Some Final Touches? 🎀
Joie shows us how to finish up:
- Tighten the binding
- Make sure all pages fit within the cover
- Adjust any folds if needed
And voila!
You’ve made your very own junk journal! 🎉
Why Should You Try Making a Junk Journal? 🤔
Joie reminds us that junk journals are:
- Personal and unique
- Great for using up pretty papers and ephemera
- Perfect for art, collage, or memory keeping
- Fun to make as gifts or for yourself
- Possible to sell in an Etsy shop
Ready to Start Your Junk Journal Journey? 🏁
There you have it – a simple, step-by-step guide to making your first junk journal!
Remember, it’s all about having fun and expressing yourself.
Don’t worry if it’s not perfect – that’s part of the charm! 😉
Why not give it a try?
Grab some papers, let your creativity flow, and see what you can create.
How Do You Decorate Your Junk Journal Cover? 🖌️
Joie starts with a simple but effective cover decoration:
- She uses a handmade tag as the main focal point
- She layers some scrap papers behind the tag for added interest
- She adds a bit of vintage book page for texture
- She uses a label to balance out the composition
- For a finishing touch, she adds a light stamp and some gold paint
Remember, your cover sets the tone for your journal, so have fun with it!
What’s the Best Way to Choose Your Paper Order? 📚
Joie has some great tips for arranging your pages:
- Start with your chosen centerpiece
- Pick an eye-catching front page
- For the rest, aim for contrast as you turn the pages
- Mix up the heights of your pages for added interest
- Don’t forget about the back pages – they deserve love too!
How Can You Make Your Junk Journal Unique? 🌟
Joie’s journal is full of personal touches. Here are some ideas:
- Use pages from books that mean something to you
- Include maps of places you’ve been or want to go
- Add pockets to store little mementos
- Use scrapbook paper that matches your aesthetic
- Include blank pages for your own writing or artwork
What Can You Do With Your Finished Junk Journal? 🎁
Joie mentions several ways to use your new creation:
- Use it as a personal diary or art journal
- Fill it with ephemera from your daily life
- Use it for collage or mixed media art
- Give it as a unique, handmade gift
- Use it as a theme-based journal (travel, recipes, etc.)
- Sell it in an online shop like Etsy
The possibilities are endless!
Any Final Tips for Junk Journal Beginners? 💡
Joie leaves us with some encouraging words:
- Don’t aim for perfection – imperfections add character
- Experiment with different papers and techniques
- Let your creativity guide you – there’s no “wrong” way to make a junk journal
- Have fun with the process – it’s as much about the journey as the end result
- Keep practicing – your skills will improve with each journal you make
Remember, junk journaling is all about expressing yourself and having fun with paper crafts.
So don’t stress too much about getting everything “right” – just enjoy the creative process!
Well, there you have it – a complete guide to making your very first junk journal, step by step.
Why not gather some supplies and give it a try?
You might just discover a new favorite hobby!
Happy crafting, everyone! 🎨📘✂️
Check out more junk journal tips and tutorials here:
