Mixed Media Junk Journaling

What is a junk journal?

"A junk journal is a handmade book created from many types of paper, often recycled materials like patterned papers, pictures, sheet music, envelopes, paper bags, maps, brochures and more. The covers are often created from old book cover or cardboard/chipboard bases covered with paper, fabric or paint.  What can be used to create a junk journal is pretty much endless. Some people, create junk journals to look old or vintage and use papers and materials that are coffee or tea-dyed to look old. We also really love to discover things like old ledgers and advertisements to use as well. The older the better. "

At Quilters' Hollow, our own Mary Lou Heinle will introduce us to a variety of techniques to make junk journals with mixed media, including paper, fabrics, thread, lace, stamps, etc.

What do you DO with junk journals?

Another cool thing about junk journals us that you can do lots of things with them.

• A traditional Journal: Just like more traditional journals, a junk journal is perfect for writing in. Most journal makers leave plenty of empty space for writing as well as pockets and ‘tuck-spots’ for adding bits and pieces of memorabilia.
• You can use them as a planner. Some journal makers will create calendar type pages for keeping track of your days. If not, you can use the blank pages to create your own calendars and daily schedules.
• Lots of people use them like a scrapbook, adding photos and memories to the pages. If you are using your junk journal this way be sure you use acid free papers when creating it. Purchasing a junk journal?  It’s perfectly fine to ask if it is safe to be used with photos and is archival quality. If keeping your scrapbooks archival doesn’t matter to you, you won’t have to worry about acid-free properties.
• Use it as an art journal. The combination of different types of pages can make it fun to create your art inside of a junk journal. They are perfect for mixed media art, using different types of mediums, plus they take especially well to collage. I create my junk journals with a mix of paper weights.  From a heavier, tea-dyed (neutralized to be acid-free) digital copy paper to the almost sheer Tomoe River paper and even paper bags. Experimenting with art supplies on the different types of paper can be tons of fun. Colored pencil work looks amazing on paper bags and watercolors give the Tomoe River paper a luscious crinkly look and feel when dry.
• A special event or trip journal. If you want to document your next vacation or the family reunion a junk journal is perfect. Vacation to the happiest place on earth? Do a Disney themed journal with lots of tuck-spots for memorabilia.  Family reunion? Create a junk journal with lots of old family photos, recipes and newspaper clippings and leave plenty of space to add reunion photos. You can even have family members write family history or memories within the pages at the reunion.