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Showing posts with label Eclectic Elements fabric. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eclectic Elements fabric. Show all posts

Saturday, 6 June 2026

More Eclectic Elements For My Junk Journal

Two piece notebook cover by eSheep Designs
What do you think this is?
When I took a little break from blogging at the beginning of 2024, it was a paper based project that brought me back.

From March through to the end of June, I blogged about a jumbo junk journal that I had started compiling during the Christmas holidays of 2023.

The project was inspired by two things: a YouTube channel featuring beautiful works of art in the name of junk journaling, and my own need for a jazzier solution for my daily handwriting exercise.

It's this ongoing latter requirement that's the focus of today's post. Representing the twenty-second "thing that I made with my Eclectic Elements fat quarters" (I should update that list — the junk journal itself already has an Eclectic Elements fabric cover as well as a vinyl pocket), it's a two piece notebook cover.




When I incorporated a standard notebook into the back of my junk journal for daily use, I thought that I would simply adorn the front and back covers with magazine images in standard "junk journal fashion" every time I started using a new book. I did this for my first two, but by the time the third one arrived, I had lost interest in glamming it up. Since it is not a permanent part of the journal, I didn't and don't feel the same motivation to make it look special.

Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements (Documentation) fabric
What else but Tim Holtz's Eclectic Elements fabric for a junk journal?

Instead, I began to ponder the possibility of making a reusable cover for that notebook, and of course, ended up examining my final few Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fat quarters. This one is called Documentation.

Addressing my constant need to "save" fabric before I ever cut into a new piece, I just sat and looked at it for several minutes, trying to decide how to hack the project so as to preserve as large a usable remnant as possible. As you can see below, folded in half along the 18" height of a standard fat quarter, the fabric does not have sufficient height to cover the book. (To add to my difficulties, this is also one of Mr. Holtz's directional selections. There's an absolute "right side up" to the print, so I couldn't use it sideways.)

Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements (Documentation) fabric
Not quite enough...

Having to think about it outside of the proverbial box, however, I soon recognized that this cover simply needs to be different from a traditional cover. The notebook is tethered to a volume that has gotten enormously jumbo, so a custom fitted wrap-around book cover would result in even more bulk. Also, if I made it a custom fit, what if I couldn't find this exact notebook (coil bound, 250 pages) in future? At 6" x 9", something of its size will likely always be available, but maybe not with the same number of pages or with the same size coil.

I decided that what I needed was a sleeve for each cover. And being merely a sleeve, it would have to be snug fitting to stay put. Half of the fat quarter – at 9" – is the same height as the notebook, but if I added a tiny strip to the top and bottom and sewed it with a small seam allowance, it could work.

Eclectic Elements (Documentation) notebook cover by eSheep Designs
Selvages came to my rescue to add just the right height...

As my eye caught sight of the selvage along the edge of the fat quarter, an idea popped into my head. A strip of that could be sewn to the top and bottom of a 9" panel, potentially making it big enough to accommodate the covers of this notebook.

I dove into my collection of selvages and found a strip that was perfect for what I wanted: it was just selvage (i.e., no tiny strip of actual fabric showing alongside), and mostly plain (i.e, not a lot of identifying information on it). It wouldn't be a very decorative choice for use in any so-called selvage projects, so sacrificing it here was fine.

Eclectic Elements (Documentation) notebook cover by eSheep Designs
With selvages added to the top and bottom, a sleeve was formed by holding in half...

After attaching the selvages to the fabric panels and pressing them inwards, I opted to zigzag stitch the raw edges of the fabric to keep them from fraying. (No, I never considered seaming them; a rustic look here is preferable.)

To finish, I folded the panel in half, sewed the exposed edges of the selvage together at both ends and then turned the whole thing right side out. After pressing, I had the sleeves that you see in the top photo of this post.


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As I had hoped, the fit was properly snug without being difficult to put on/remove. (The original fabric was cut to an 11.5" width that resulted in the zigzagged raw edges stopping just shy of the coil.) I like how both the inner and outer sides of both front and back covers are now adorned; I had previously never bothered to put magazine images onto the interiors of the covers.

Eclectic Elements (Documentation) notebook cover by eSheep Designs
Front cover installed on notebook...

Most importantly, this kind of covering adds no noticeable bulk to the notebook. The fabric is not even interfaced, so it's light. There is no obstruction where the coil is, meaning that the cover won't shift in any way when the book is opened.

Eclectic Elements (Documentation) notebook cover by eSheep Designs
Interior of front cover...

May I say again how much I love these Eclectic Elements fabrics? They are still widely available, despite having been released some time ago, and of course, Mr. Holtz is regularly adding to the mix. Every time I see a new collection, a little yearning comes over me, but I know that at this stage of my sewing game, I am not going to buy fabric that I don't have a specific use for.

Eclectic Elements (Documentation) notebook cover by eSheep Designs
Interior of back cover...

In the above photo, you can see the only bit of evidence that the strip of fabric at top and bottom is a piece of selvage. This one came from Craftsy's Boundless DECOdent collection, which I purchased at the same time as my Eclectic Elements bundle, in March of 2018.

Eclectic Elements (Documentation) notebook cover by eSheep Designs
Exterior of back cover...

These book cover sleeves took me no more than an hour and a half to make, including all of the "thinking" about how to make it work with fabric that was the same height as the item I was attempting to cover.

And in the end, I even managed to save a very serviceable remnant that's 18" x 9.5" wide. Out of my original twenty-five Eclectic Elements fat quarters, I am now down to three (plus scraps).

'Til next... 🇨🇦🍁

Saturday, 15 June 2024

Jumbo Junk Journal [Pt 5]: Fabric & Paper Pockets

Jumbo Junk Journal by eSheep Designs
Project JJJ...
As designer friend Christine is fond of saying, you can never have enough pockets.

Of course, she's talking about bags and purses, but I've discovered that the same sentiment also applies to junk journals.

It didn't take long for me to realize that one of the main goals of making a junk journal is to stuff it with as many bits and pieces as possible. 😁 To maximize this opportunity, one needs to create multiple "tuck spots" and corner pockets. These are traditionally paper-based things.

As I was "finishing up" the pages (I put that in quotations because my junk journal is an on-going concern), I thought about making a separate pocket to keep stickers and small ephemera close at hand while I used the journal. This, I determined, would be made out of my scraps of Tim Holtz fabric.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
A two-side pocket to keep journaling ephemera handy...

And I would need the pockets to be – gasp! – see-through and made out of vinyl. (As I confirmed previously, I have a small supply of vinyl that I purchased some years ago. While I will refrain from buying new plastics, using what I have is not going to make my sensibilities explode.)




This vinyl and fabric pocket is very simply designed, consisting of a stiff divider that is open on both sides for storage.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
A piece of Peltex covered on both sides with scraps of Tim Holtz fabric...

I cut a piece of single sided fusible Peltex to size and then arranged pieces of scrappy fabric on top (fusible side). Once fused, I repeated the process on the other side, only this time, I used glue.

None of the pieces of fabric overlapped, so no sewing was required.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
Vinyl wrapped around the resulting fabric-pieced Peltex...

Next, I cut a piece of vinyl twice as long as the length of the divider and 2" wider. I made pleats with the extra width (they're hard to see, but you should be able to barely make them out in the photo above) and then clipped it in place.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
Edges bound...

Using some more Tim Holtz scraps, I cut some binding strips and secured the vinyl to the divider by binding the two edges.

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
View from the top showing openings on both sides...

Couldn't be easier, right? A great way to use up some scraps and the resulting pocket/pouch is perfect for keeping some journaling supplies handy. (I sized it so that it can actually be stored in the journal itself, but my pages have become so embellished that I can't actually close it up if I leave the pouch inside, especially if it's also full of stuff.)

Scrappy Vinyl Pocket by eSheep Designs
Stickers that don't stick...

Before anyone points out that I must have purchased other materials for my junk journal like this "scrapbook kit", let me clarify that I had these from a long time ago. They are so old, in fact, that the adhesive on the stickers is quite useless; I ended up having to apply glue every time I used anything from these booklets.


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There are likely dozens of YouTube videos that show various ways of making paper pockets for junk journal pages, but I "discovered" this particular method when I took apart one of the many greeting card envelopes that I had at my disposal.

Transform envelope into pockets for junk journaling by eSheep Designs
Cut envelope into three main pieces...

As you might guess, this method works especially well if the envelopes have printed patterns on them, but in the spirit of junk journaling, a plain envelope can just as easily be decorated after the fact.

Anyway, my process for making corner pockets is to take the two back pieces of a deconstructed envelope, fold them in half vertically, stack them as desired (in one of two directions), glue them together and then attach to a journal page by gluing along one or both sides and the bottom.

Transform envelope into pockets for junk journaling by eSheep Designs
Corner pockets out of an envelope... 

Once attached to a page, the resulting pocket will actually consist of three or four separate openings, depending on whether or not the flap piece is sealed to itself. (An alternative use for these pockets is to slide them onto the top corner of a page, sort of like a bookmark.)

transforming an envelope for junk journaling by eSheep Designs
My sewing tool for rounding corners comes in handy here too...

What to do with the front of the envelope then? Round off the corners and it's a piece of paper that you can actually journal – i.e., write – on.

sample junk journal page by eSheep Designs
How you might use this pocket...

The above photo shows what my journal page looks like, with items contained in two of the storage areas of this corner pocket.


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My friends, we are getting close to the end of this amazing (ha, ha, ha!) series of posts about my jumbo junk journal; part six will be the last one. I hope they've given you a smidge of inspiration towards realizing that it's possible to create something unique and beautiful out of the most unexpected and simple things.

Jumbo Junk Journal by eSheep Designs
This jumbo junk journal is part of my daily routine...

In case you missed it from my previous posts, if you want to see a flip through of my journal, I've uploaded three PDFs for you to explore at your leisure: signatures one, two and three.


As I slowly wend my way back to the topic of sewing, let me take this opportunity to advise of another of Sew Modern Bags' bundle sales, now on its final day. This National Sewing Machine Day (June 13; did you know there was such a thing?) promo features nine patterns by various designers for the unbelievably low price of just $19.99, a savings of 70%!

National Sewing Machine Day Bundle Sale
All this for only 19.99!

The patterns (all pictured above) include three that are currently not available anywhere else, so if you're looking for something truly new to sew, this might be just the ticket. Oh, and to wrap up today's post on the same note as I began – with a reference to Christine at ChrisWDesigns – use this link to get all the details about this bundle and to support her creative efforts (as her convertible backpack in two sizes is one of the featured patterns).

'Til next...



Saturday, 18 May 2024

Jumbo Junk Journal [Pt 3]: Designing a Fabric Cover

Jumbo Junk Journal by eSheep Designs
Project JJJ...
A few months ago, I ran across a list of "top n tips" for making your first junk journal. One of them was to embellish the pages before binding, because they are just easier to handle when they're lying flat.

It was something that I did instinctively when I made my junk journal, not only for that reason, but because I knew that I'd have to have a clear idea of how thick everything would be, before I could even think about a cover, given the style of cover that I was planning.

There was also only so much fabric to work with (a Tim Holtz fat quarter called Cigarbox), so I was quite pleased in the end that it all came together without issues.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
The cover itself was a work in progress for several weeks...

Even after the cover had been realized, sewn up and attached, I was still able to add things to it. For example, I hand sewed on a couple of "belt loops" to keep the Eclectic Elements ribbon in place.

Speaking of the ribbon, it was longer than what was needed, but since it's only printed on one side, I folded the trailing end over itself and glued it together. Not only does it look better, with the end of the ribbon being manipulated through the closure repeatedly, having a double layer there – hardened by the glue – ensures durability.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
This Tim Holtz ribbon was originally wrapped around the fat quarter bundle of fabric...

In the spirit of using things up, a small leftover remnant of the crochet ribbon became a flower decoration. And finally, I added a brad to the center of the flower.




I had the idea early on that I wanted this junk journal cover to consist of two parts: an exterior piece that would wrap around the entire journal, and a spine that could be detached from the cover as required.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
An early photo of the completed cover...

But before I could do that, I needed to get a good approximation of the width of the spine. This was where I needed to take time and actually decorate some – if not most – of the pages. (As I explained in a previous post, having to stay away from people between Christmas and New Year's gave me many moments of solitude for this activity.)

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Signatures bound up to a removable spine...

After doing so, I decided that a two inch wide spine would accommodate the four signature "sections" that I had made. I would therefore need a sewn strip measuring 14" long by 2" wide. (The extra 5", since the book itself was 9" tall, would be an overlap of 2.5" on either end, intended to fold back out onto the exterior of the cover and secured via snap fasteners.)

But first I had to allocate fabric for the main part of the cover, since that was the most important piece. Considering that the width of fabric for the fat quarter was about 22" in this case, I cut a full width section by 9" high.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Top view of junk journal signatures attached to spine...

With what was left over, I cut the fabric required for the spine. (Before sewing it up, I inserted a 9" long piece of Peltex in the middle and some fusible fleece to the 2.5" at the ends.) Once sewn, the top half of a couple of snap fasteners were installed at either end.

To facilitate the binding, I made up a paper template marked with four evenly spaced rows and "points" along them for where holes should be punched. Each of the three large signatures had four holes to secure them; the three smaller (3" high) signatures have two each.

Once the holes were punched into the spine piece at the proper locations, matching holes were punched into the middle of the signatures themselves and then threaded through and bound with cord. (Speaking of the binding, it's apparent after the fact that I didn't do it in the most efficient way, but I've also resisted redoing it.)

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Exterior view of the cover (inset: spine with attached signatures)...

The next sewing job was the cover itself. My plan was to use other scraps of Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabric for the inside, so I cut a piece of fusible fleece to size and overlaid it with the scraps. Each piece was then zig-zagged stitched into place. The main exterior fabric was similarly fused onto a piece of fusible fleece and then quilted with diagonal lines. (Finishing and securing both halves of this cover – which I did not do at this point yet – involved a tight zigzag stitch on the top and bottom edges, while the sides were bound with some of the same Cigarbox fabric.)

With both halves of the cover pinned together for now, I could position the spine of the journal inside so that the locations for the bottom part of the snap fasteners could be marked and later installed (through both layers).

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
A fabric pen holster...

My thoughts then turned to making a pen holster. For this, the base support is provided by some Peltex. The black elastic comes from one of my $1 belts.


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The finished pen holster was eventually secured to the cover by a rivet on top and some hook and loop tape underneath. The hook and loop tape allows the whole thing to be flipped out of the way if I'm writing close to the front pages of the journal.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Pen holster can be flipped out of the way for easier writing...

I had thought of riveting only to the interior half of the cover, but decided that putting it through both layers would provide more strength. In any case, having a rivet appear on the outside cover with this fabric is not a big distraction. (The bottom part of the hook and loop tape, however, is definitely only sewn to the inside layer of the cover.)

All that was left at this point was to put in the "harness" system for my notebook. For this, I had decided on a length of narrow ribbon to be sewn down the right hand side of the cover, that would then be threaded back up though the coil of the notebook and tied. Its location had to allow the notebook to open unobstructed by the journal pages.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Actual cover before spine is attached...

As you can see here in the next photo, the bottom part of the ribbon runs up the coil of the notebook and is tied at the top. The journal part to the left does not interfere with the notebook at all.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Inside back cover showing back of notebook...

And in this next photo, the notebook is flipped over to the right so that you can see the ribbon more clearly. (This strip was sewn only to the interior half of the cover, so the stitching does not show on the outside at all.)

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Inside back cover showing front of notebook...

My junk journal now had a custom cover that met my every need. What I like most about it is that I have total freedom to swap out parts of it as necessary.


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As I indicated above, I eventually added a couple of belt loops to keep the Eclectic Elements ribbon in place.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Early photo of the back of the journal...

After embellishing the front pages of each of my signatures, I had a small scrap of the crochet ribbon remaining. I was fiddling with it when I found that it could be formed into a flower. Of course, I had to sew that onto the side belt loop.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Further embellishments added to journal cover...

My next spark of inspiration came when I remembered that I had a new set of brads that hadn't been opened yet. So of course I had to choose one to decorate the center of the flower.

Junk Journal Custom Cover by eSheep Designs
Closeup of a "steampunk" brad that was later added to the crochet flower...

For something that's called a junk journal, I think I managed to make a decidedly non-junky cover for it. Oh, and of course, the visual impact of a Tim Holtz fabric makes it just about perfect... even if perfection is not an objective of junk journals!

As an aside, I came across a news story a couple of weeks ago about the challenges of recycling textiles. It mentioned that while linens are relatively easy for recyclers to deal with, clothing is more difficult. (Obviously; I was reminded of how complex it was to take apart two jackets to turn them into a duffle bag.) However, as a result of this recent experience, I can visualize lovely journal covers being made out of clothing. So if this series has inspired you to give junk journaling a go, perhaps there is something in your closet that you no longer wear that can be given a second life as the cover.

What's coming up in part four? Well, I'm sure you're on pins and needles to see what types of ephemera I made with the most basic of supplies... including fabric scraps.

'Til next...



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...