Junk Journals 101: Create a blank, bound journal

Junk Journals 101: Create a blank, bound journal

A Hands-On Workshop

Ever wanted to create your own beautiful, handcrafted journal from scratch? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to make a blank, bound journal using simple materials and beginner-friendly techniques. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, this class will guide you through the process of constructing a sturdy, personalized journal—perfect for writing, sketching, or junk journaling!

What We’ll Cover:

• Basic hand-stitched bookbinding techniques
• Choosing and preparing paper for your journal
• Stitching and assembling your book

What We Provide:

• All necessary materials (paper, covers, binding thread, etc.)
• Tools for shared use (awls, bone folders, needles, etc.)
• Step-by-step instruction and hands-on guidance

What We Need from the Venue:

• Tables and chairs for participants
• Good lighting
• Access to a trash bin

Workshop Details:

• Duration: Approx. 2 hours
• Max Participants: 12
• Skill Level: Beginner-friendly
• Ages: Teens & adults

Fees & Booking:

We offer flexible pricing based on group size and location. Contact us for rates and availability!

Transforming an Ugly Page into a Beautiful Collage | Junk Journal Embellishments Series

 Local (Columbiana) Junk Journal Club members: If you'd like a free packet of book pages to complete this project, please send me an email or leave a comment on this post. Physical materials for this series will be available through December 31, 2024 at the Columbiana Public Library, by request. Prior arrangements must be made, and supplies are limited. 

Watch the video:

https://youtu.be/rUlUHcjQP4Q?si=_lhm6vAbDkf9YFRc

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Although this video is for members of our local free Junk Journal Club, anyone is welcome to join our club - just follow along at your own pace! 

These videos will show you how to decorate a simple, blank junk journal like the one we constructed in our August workshop.

For this series, we'll be posting projects geared toward ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS.

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In this video, we continue our series of embellishing junk journals, using the base journal we created together during the hands-on workshop at the local library. Today, I show you how to transform an ugly page into an attractive collage using bits of old book pages. While some might be hesitant about repurposing books for art, I believe it's better to give them a new life than leave them forgotten in a basement. Plus, they’re inexpensive and easy to find! If tearing apart books isn’t for you, don’t worry—I share alternative materials you can use.

Join me as we work through this creative process, with sections of the video accompanied by tranquil music and helpful on-screen tips. After finishing the collage, I decorate the page with a focal point, a word, and other paper elements to bring balance to the design. Perfect for beginners and experienced junk journal enthusiasts alike!

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Hashtags:
#JunkJournal #CollageArt #BookPageCollage #UpcycledArt #JunkJournalIdeas #HandmadeJournal #DIYJournaling #JunkJournalEmbellishments #CraftingIdeas #JournalingTips #JournalCollage #LibraryWorkshop #QuietCrafting

Where to find us online:

https://ko-fi.com/lovelyvillaindesigns

https://linktr.ee/lovelyvillaindesigns

https://dot.cards/lovelyvillaindesigns

Especially for this series:
https://junkjournalclub.blogspot.com

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Music credits:
Planetarium by Ambyion & GalaxyTones https://soundcloud.com/ambyion https://soundcloud.com/galaxytones
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/49cmR2L
Music promoted by Audio Library https://bit.ly/3SRFPG7

Here's the video

https://youtu.be/5O5MRg1G4FI?si=GJGZiy4S2jLHDhBH

 

Let's Begin!

Are you ready to get started decorating the junk journal we assembled?

We've uploaded your first FREE printables to our ko-fi shop. You can either print this at home or at the library. I believe their price is 25 cents per page for color prints. 

NOTE: I'm not sure if the library offers cardstock for printing or if they only have copy weight paper. Either one will be fine for this project, but you may want to invest in a ream of cardstock for future projects. Let me know if you'd like a link to the one we use most often. It doesn't have to be super thick, but some parts of your journal will be more durable if you use something heavier than copy paper.

Here's a link to the free printable: https://ko-fi.com/s/2963c5e2bf

What you'll need:

• A page of the printable (or your own paper if you prefer)
• Glue stick or other glue of choice
• Scissors

We'll post an easy "how to" video soon, but if you'd like to get started, here's how:

1. Choose a page of the printable. You can print all 13 pages if you want, but just one will be enough for now. 
2. Find a page in your journal that you'd like to completely cover.
3. Spread a layer of glue all over the journal page (not the printable). A glue stick usually works fine, or Art Glitter Glue is fantastic. If you're using a wet glue like Elmer's School Glue or a tacky glue, we recommend spreading it out and just using a thin layer. Be sure to get glue all the way to the edges.
4. Glue the printable to the journal page. 
5. Trim off the extra edges of the printable.
6. Save your scraps!

Questions? Feel free to ask :)

XO

Rhys & Lindy

Useful Tools: Masking Tape

 New blog post on our ko-fi 

https://ko-fi.com/post/Handy-Tools-Masking-Tape-Y8Y011XYTS

Bookbinding Kit (1 available)

 I have one bookbinding kit available for purchase if anyone is interested. The price would be $8 (including tax) and you could pick it up at the library to avoid shipping. Here's a pic of what's included:

First paid first served, no holds. All sales final, no refunds. Contact me for payment options if you're interested. :)

Sneak Peek at the Upcoming Holiday Project

We're tentatively scheduled to have our next workshop before the winter holidays (just waiting for confirmation etc from the library) and I thought you might like to get a sneak peek at the project we have planned for you. It's a little holiday-themed tri-fold folio that we've designed just for you! It's about the size of a business envelope & I must say, we're kind of proud of how cute it turned out! 😄 

Stay tuned for the workshop date. 

XO

Rhys & Lindy