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Saturday, 23 March 2024

Jumbo Junk Journal [Pt 1]: Gathering the "Junk"

Project Jumbo Junk Journal by eSheep Designs
Project JJJ...
Happy spring (or fall), everyone! For those of us who live as far north as I do, it always seems like an accomplishment to have endured another winter. 

Over the past couple of years, you may have seen my series of posts called Living & Crafting Sustainably (which I'm actually going to continue with, next time I'm here). For those of us who sew, we're lucky in that we can be eco friendly in our sewing choices.

As a sewer, that's become important to me, so it was unexpectedly gratifying to encounter a craft like junk journaling that uses truly ordinary materials – that some might even deem to have no use – to create a uniquely beautiful item that no one else will have. (One of my readers once referred to junk journals as "eye candy".)

Once I decided that I needed to make a junk journal, ideas began to swirl in my head about all the things that I could use from from own "stash of stuff". Over the next few months, I'll share updates here about Project Jumbo Junk Journal, in which I'll reveal the results of my first attempt at this potentially addicting craft.

Oh, and it was encouraging to learn that a few of you are similarly intrigued! I won't just be blogging for myself. 😉




As with all creative endeavours, one needs supplies to make a junk journal, some of which – fortunately for the pocketbook – are just basic household items (like scissors, glue, tape, etc.). Some folks will go all out and purchase stuff that they don't absolutely have to have; my decision to make a junk journal was based on knowing that I had things that were just waiting to be transformed.

I was also very much influenced by YouTuber Natasa at Treasure Books. Her extremely practical advice regarding improvising by using what you have – even when it comes to tools of the trade – is absolutely the principle by which I've always crafted. (By the way, when I speak of junk journals as being beautiful, you will certainly understand that I am not exaggerating if you check out Natasa's creations.)

Bling


Whenever I made a purse, I loved to add bag bling. Fortuitously, it's a habit that can be applied to junk journaling, as they are usually replete with bling-y bits and dangly charms, commonly hanging off paper clips.

When I first saw examples of these, I instantly thought of two necklaces that I could take apart. Here's the first one, which – after removing various components – still manages to function as a necklace.

Junk journaling supplies
A dangly necklace gives up some pieces to provide junk journal bling...

This was purchased as a souvenir on a Royal Caribbean cruise that I took back in 2007. It's not my usual taste, but at the time, I wanted something with a boho vibe to add to my collection. I managed to harvest five charms from it while still keeping it intact as a piece of jewelry.

Given the bronze toned bits, I was able to use paper clips of the same hue that I don't normally use. I didn't have many of them – my paper clips are mostly silver – but I found a small box that used to belong to my father-in-law that was full of (albeit smaller) copper toned clips. With the help of these, a second necklace was recycled to create three more dangly charms. (These bling-y bits are arguably serving a better function here than in their former life. Since the pandemic, I've been a very minimalist jewelry wearer.)

Junk journaling supplies
One of the paperclip charms from a second recycled necklace...

Does anyone recall the bunch of belts that I got for a dollar each? (Hard to believe it's been almost six years since I bought those.) Various components have been put to all sorts of good uses on bags that I've made over those years, but these choice pieces seem to have been waiting for the perfect application.

Junk journaling supplies
Old belt bling...

These came with their own lobster clasps on the original belts. The one on top was taken apart and rearranged to create three more or less equal lengths. These two pieces will be used to beautify the front cover closure of the journal. (I eventually added a gold-toned initial "r" to the mix.)

Ephemera


With the bling out of the way, I poured out the ever-increasing supply of greeting cards, stickers and notepads that we receive throughout the year from charities that we donate to; all of which were threatening to burst through the seal pup gift bag that you see in the photo below. These items were my main motivation for undertaking this project.

Junk journaling supplies
My bag of "greeting cards from charitable organizations" has been partly culled!

In my opinion, these cards are usually much nicer than the pricey ones that you buy. Many of them have metallic highlights, fancy cutouts, and interesting edges to them, not to mention the absolute best matching envelopes. I don't really send cards to anyone these days, so the idea of creating a junk journal that allows me to enjoy them is just pure serendipity.

Junk journaling supplies
I received these cards in a mailer from the Red Cross...

The term ephemera covers the whole gamut of things you can put into a junk journal. Apart from stickers and greeting cards, I ended up using bits and pieces from various packaging: the lid off a box of Lindt chocolates, part of a tissue box, silver flaps cut from an Olay box, even the cellophane top from a pecan pie container! Things like pressed flowers, ticket stubs, tags, etc., are pretty standard fare also.

Here's the thing — once you decide to make a junk journal, you begin to look at everything with a different eye... and I mean everything.


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Paper


Junk journal aficionados often make vintage style journals by using coffee and tea to stain various types of papers – from discarded books to newspapers to doilies – for the book pages.

Although I like vintage-y, I knew early on that I wasn't going to make my pages out of different types of found paper. I wanted a more durable, modern looking journal, with same sized pages that I could mostly write on.

Junk journaling supplies
A set of 24 sheets of neutral toned scrapbook paper...

I decided on this pad of scrapbook style papers from Dollarama. It was $4 for twenty-four 12" x 12" sheets. As you can see, it's a good sturdy weight paper at 190 GSM. (Since I was going to bind my pages eventually, I also picked up a nifty set of coloured cotton twine with two rolls of washi tape for $1.50 at Dollar Tree.)

The colours that you see on the cover are those found inside the pad, where there are three sheets of each. I sliced 3" off the bottom of each one to get twenty-four 12" wide x 9" high sheets. Folded into book format, they will yield pages that measure 6" x 9".

Dollarama notebook
That size wasn't just pulled out of a hat. I had already purchased the notebook ($1.75) that I would continue to use for my daily handwriting exercise, as it was my plan to incorporate it into the junk journal. The notebook's dimensions therefore dictated the size of the journal pages.

With my previous notebook having had a hard cover and a big decorative coil, I chose something simple this time because it's easier to write in. (It didn't matter what was on the cover because as soon as I got home, I glued torn images from an old travel magazine onto the front and back. In essence, it is its own version of a junk journal.)

Notebook for junk journal
Back and front cover of notebook decorated with images from a travel mag...

Junk journal page edges are commonly adorned with all sorts of decorative trims (such as the paper clipped bling that I described above, as well as the ruffled ribbon). They are meant to stand out and be noticed, which adds a lot of creative fun to the mix.

Junk journaling supplies
I found a pair of decorative edging scissors in my craft supplies that allowed me to cut wavy patterns on pages and various ephemera. (I'm pretty sure it came from Dollar Tree.)

Some people employ paper punches to make uniformly rounded or otherwise creatively cut corners. Not wanting to spend money on this, I "made do" by using a cardboard template that I have in my sewing kit. Certainly not as quick and certainly not perfect, but perfection is hardly necessary in a junk journal.

A little over a week ago, we received a package in the mail that included a massive amount of packing paper inside a fairly study cardboard box. The protection factor seemed overdone, but as I flattened out the paper, I immediately identified its potential use for junk journaling (not that I'm planning another one). Take a look and see what you think.

packing paper ideal for junk journaling
Packing paper is an ideal start for a junk journal...

As I said, the package didn't need all of this protection, proving that our current buying habits are contributing to an overabundance of "stuff". I've always kept this type of paper on hand for drafting sewing pattern templates, but I sure don't need this much of it. This stack may eventually go off to my local reuse store.

Ribbons and Ruffles and Fabric


Junk journaling supplies
I had two ribbons in my sewing stash that ended up being used on several of my journal pages. One was the leftover remnant from my origami coin purses (the wide yellow one shown here) and the other was a crochet type ribbon that I had purchased for a project that never got used.

The crochet ribbon can be seen above in the picture showing one of the paperclip charms. (It was glued flat along the front right edge of the page.) The yellow ribbon was sewn into a ruffle and used as edge trim.

Large pieces of fabric may or may not be part of a typical junk journal, but mine was always intended to have a fabric cover. I turned to my Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fat quarters to find just the perfect selection; it's called Cigarbox. (Did you know that Mr. Holtz comes from the world of paper crafting? You could literally make a journal out of just his stuff.)

Junk journaling supplies
Don't you think this fabric is just perfect for a junk journal?

The sheer ribbon shown here (that came off a Christmas present) was going to be used as a belt to secure the journal, but I eventually went another way with that. The little metal buckle thingie, however – which was saved from a pair of shoes, if I recall correctly – ultimately served as the method of closure.


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Finally, what is journaling without a variety of things to write with?

Pens & Markers


Since starting my daily handwriting practice last July, I've gone through five BIC Gelocity pens. I lament the fact that pens seem not to be eco friendly. For some reason, manufacturers simply churn out pens without selling refills. The Gelocity pens are retractable and are robust enough to be taken apart and refilled, but no. (However, in writing up this paragraph, I've found out that Staples – and likely other stores around the world – will accept writing instruments for recycling. Did you know this? I will stop tossing my used pens!)

Part of the fun of journaling is the opportunity to be freely creative with pens and markers, so I dipped into my supply of Sarasa Porous Fineliners that I purchased many years ago (to colour with, back when I was zen doodling). For writing on the textured surface of the scrapbook paper, I bought a pack of four gel roller balls from Dollar Tree for $1.50.

Journaling supplies
Gotta have colourful pens!

Adding in some glue that I also picked up for $1.50, the cost of supplies for this project totals $10.25. As I said, I will be sewing some elements of this junk journal, but since my sewing supplies come out of my existing stash, they won't be adding to the cost.

With stuff gathered, my next step is to make the signatures (that's a book binding term referring to a set of sheets that – when folded in half and bound down the middle – forms the pages) and then get on with the fun part: embellishing. I'll need to have an idea of how thick this is going to be, before I can arrive at dimensions for the fabric cover.

By the way, for my US friends, March is National Craft Month. It's almost over now, but April 2nd is also National DIY Day. It's a great time to plan your next crafty project!

'Til next...

4 comments:

  1. This is pretty exciting! I have a ton of stuff that I can use in this way as well as more fabric than I can use (after selling two lots of it!!). I even have some of the packing paper. Think I will go on a gathering mission!

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad someone shares in the excitement! (To some others, it may seem odd to be excited about this kind of project.) In this upcoming series of posts, I'll also feature a couple of small items that are made out of scrap fabric, so perhaps we can make a further dent in your stash. Have fun with your "treasure" hunting!

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  2. Hi Rochelle, I’m very entertained to hear your details. It’s like a mystery novel: setting the stage, introducing the characters and leading me to wonder what’s coming next! I’m intrigued and waiting for the creative process big reveal. Marie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw shucks, I hope you're not building it up to some unachievable level of expectation! All that said, I have still been adding things to it even now, and part of the fun is knowing that the creative process in this case knows no bounds.

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