"Flow Journal"

 Hi, my Crafty Friends

I hope you are all well. It is now Spring in Australia, and my Rhododendron has bloomed for the first time!!!  We have had a couple of nice days, but back to a bit of rain. I've spent some time with my sister and a few days off work, having an injection in my shoulder. 

I think I have found a better way to house the most-used different papers that I like to have in my Junk Journals. Instead of searching through a box, I thought a custom journal to keep them might be the solution.

I am a crafter who needs to be able to see what I have.  A FLOW JOURNAL will help with this: to store and take out paper that is ready to use in your journals. 

I have made mine from a large cereal box, and it has approx a 4-inch spine and measures roughly 12 x 10 inches.

I also had another cover made with fabric, and I thought I would use it as well. Another way to use a flow journal is to make one as a gift for a crafty friend, or do a swap. They could be a more manageable size, like a 6x9" book.

These won't be permanently sewn in; I have used my binding method, where things can be taken out and added to. I used some lace from a happy mail, and the pink ribbon was around my birthday flowers. This style of journal can hold ephemera, which is what I want to sort out and use. 

I covered the cereal box with a paper collage, and I used some strong denim I had to make pockets. I sewed these on, but of course they can be glued. These give me heaps more space to add smaller items like envelopes, etc.

I used some heavy scrapbook paper to make three folios, and added some pockets.

In the middle of the signature, I made a smaller folio to add more items.

On the inside back, I sewed another large denim pocket on the outside of the cover. It amazed me how much the pockets would hold.

It is pretty big and heavy, with three signatures jam-packed. I have stored it on my desk, and it will be much easier to access, like a huge file. I will be able to use up alot more of my stash. 

I hope you make your own storage journal for your papers, and it helps you see what you have and use it up.

Have a great week,

Hugz Kerri x

 

I like to take apart different books, like maps, gardening, fashion, calendars, ledgers, notebooks, etc and have the pages to use. Sometimes I will keep the covers, depending on their size and condition. This also uses less space than storing them all. I also like to cut down grocery bags and other packaging materials to use. This is a great resource for your journals.

"Glue Book JJ"

Hi Friends

I hope you are haivng a great start to the week. It is Monday 17/8 here in Australia, and I have Mondays off. I am doing a few catch-up jobs and now crafting...... 

I found a few magazines that I wanted to put to better use, instead of sitting on the shelf.

I have made a "GlueBook", which is a fancy name for somewhere to collage any sort of images that you collect. I like to keep a journal, and I keep pictures I like for no reason and cut and paste them in. It is a lot of fun, like when I was a kid, and no thinking involved, which is an extra bonus. 

I think it is the genes, as I remember my great-grandmother using scrapbooks and collaging them also. I still have the one she gave me when I was very young.

I only buy one magazine these days called Daphne's Diary, and when I collect a few issues, I go through them and save what I like. 

I had the cover made from some chipboard from the back of watercolour paper pads. Always save this, as it is great for covers. I added a napkin decoupage on top after painting it with gesso so it would stick. I use my own mixture of white PVA glue and water, under and over the napkin. I have never had anything come up from using this glue. It also makes your cover stronger.

To finish it up, I cut one of the magazine covers up and used the picture I liked on the front.

On the inside, I used scrapbook paper and a large book-page envelope that I made. It has been covered in inks and stitching. This will store the cuttings from the magazines.

I added three signatures with some of the usual papers I like to include. (music, book pages, atlas, scrapbook paper, ledger, envelopes, tracing paper/vellum, brown packaging, etc)

I have started using the pages and cutouts to decorate it. I love using clear window junk mail envelopes and making them into pockets. I added pieces of the images as a collage. I just use a UHU glue stick for this. It adheres really well and is not as messy as PVA. I also find the dry glue stops your images from warping. I keep some of the book pages when I gut a book to use as the cover. I then re-use them to make pockets, etc.

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I made a belly band from one of the lovely images and then an envelope from a page, sitting under it. The belly band keeps things where you like them and adds a decorative touch. The other page has one more envelope I made attached to the edge. This is handy, as I can use it to pop a journaling card, etc in.

Never underestimate the loveliness of magazine and book images. These ones are not glossy, which I really like and are made from a lovely paper.

  I find vintage magazines from op shops, FB Marketplace, and sometimes the library. I have also asked friends to keep any magazines they don't want, so I get some gardening and women's magazines. I also have a lovely lady that I work with who gives me her old calendar every year, which has awesome images to play with.....They are a great resource for junk journaling.

I have different journals that I play in, and I am one to swap around and work in different ones. Of course, I am planning the next one....

I hope you are having some downtime creating, and stay tuned for more projects soon.

Have a great week and stay safe x

Hugz Kerri x

"Just Breathe"

 Hello there.

I enjoyed making my Franken papers, so I thought I would make a junk journal with them. I keep pretty busy with work and life. Sometimes I think we all forget to stop and "Just Breathe" Having some creative time to just puddle with paper and glue is great for your well-being.

I decided to make the cover from a Corn Flakes box and cut it to 8.5 x 11 inches. That gives me a bit extra for the pages, or any that may stick out a little. That doesn't bother me, as it will probably be a daily journal for adding all sorts of bits and bobs. I added book pages to cover it, just like I did with the Franken pages.

I used my sewing machine to add some stitching. It was a little thicker with the paper, so just go slow. My machine is heavy-duty, which I am very happy about. You can also create stitches with stamps or a pen. 

You can see the machine stitches, and I added a bit of extra strength to the spine edges with some double-sided tape and washi tape, as well. I usually use an elastic binding around the spine. I added a piece of chipboard to make it stronger. I usually use fabric on my spines, but I really like the look of the stitching. I find that if you add your paper/fabric over the edges of the cover and fold it in, you get a much nicer finish.

I must add fabric to my journal somewhere, so to finish inside my JJ, I added this lovely piece from my stash and some denim pockets. I used my machine to sew a border and attach the pockets.

I used my PVA Aleene's glue to adhere the fabric to the cover. I used a paintbrush and painted a thin layer over a bit of it at a time, then smoothed the fabric over. This gives a nice look, and no glue seeps through.

Front

Back

To finish my cover, I added a couple of pictures to it and a bit of background stamping. I didn't want to hide much of my stitching.

Inside pages

It is now bound with an elastic binding, and I have 4 signatures in it. I did include a few scrapbook papers as well for variety.

I have started adding some embellishments, and I enjoy adding treasures to it. I love the making process for sure.

I hope you have enjoyed a peek into this journal. I add to it as I feel like it,  and when I need some time out.....

Thanks for stopping by

Hugz Kerri.

 

"Franken Paper"

 Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all having a great week. I have been busy, and I needed a bit of time out.....It is great weather for crafting here at the moment. Great for staying indoors and warm....

Sometimes when I am in between projects, I like to take a break and do something that doesn't require much thought and is relaxing for me, just to puddle with my paper, glue, and/or sewing machine.....

As crafters, we always have scraps, with lots of different bits and pieces left over. I thought I may make a sort of eclectic journal and create some "franken or patchwork pages....  

FRANKEN PAPER TUTORIAL  - I have linked a great tutorial for you on YouTube by Nic The Booksmith. I have been following her for quite a while now, since I started Junk Journaling.

These are really fun, and you can use any sort of paper to create some very interesting new pieces.

I used a piece of baking paper roughly the size of the pages I want. This gave me a non-stick surface to work on, and a guide. These will be folded in half to make my pages. I used random pieces and glued the edges so they are connected. Since I will be sewing them, I let the glue dry. You can use PVA to adhere them down securely.

I've been making quite a few pages with my scraps. No particular way, just random. You will have the front and backs done. If you like to journal, you can intentionally leave some blank areas to write on, or add photos to. I have made a few neutral pages and found more papers to add from my scrap box. These could also be used to make ephemera, journal covers, snippet rolls, masterboards, etc, which would be very pretty.

These are a few of the papers that I have machine-stitched to show you, and folded in half.

Here, you can see the effect of my machine stitching. I have also used a permanent marker to add crosses, and you could also do dashes as your faux stitching. Stamps are another great way to add stitches to your paper.

You can also add extra embellishments if you like. Stickers, trims, fabric, etc.....No rules. It's your project!

 (Just a tip for sewing paper: I have a separate needle for paper and one for fabric) The paper dulls your needle and makes it much easier to sew, using a new needle for your fabric projects.

I do have some pages that I haven't used, so they may be another journal to add a sewing project to, or I could also make them into pockets, tags, etc. 

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you found some inspiration to have fun creating new papers from your scraps. These can be used to make anything for your journals.  I am making a journal with these pieces, so I will share as soon as I can.

Have fun

Hugz, Kerri x

Nursery Rhyme Journal - Part 2

 Hi Crafty Friends,

This is my cover ready from Part 1, which you can find here: Nursery Rhyme Journal Part 1

I hope you are having some creative fun, playing along, and you are ready for the next step.......  

 I started pulling papers from my stash and found my heap of children's book pages I'd kept to make a journal. It has a lot of Nursery Rhymes from my childhood, plus other images to include. My best option was to make the signatures first, then decide on a cover. This makes it easier to know how big I will need the spine. 

As you can see above, I like to include a good variety of pages in my journals. Whether I add things over them to journal on, or add photos, pockets, tags, and things I make. For this one, I have included: book, music, old ledger, index, and botanical pages. As well as paper grocery bags, lovely florist and gift wrap paper that I cut to size. I usually add some scrapbook paper. I also love to add daily ephemera, like receipts, business cards, clothes tags, postcards, etc. You can add them as is or alter them to match your project. There is so much "free" stuff around when you look...... Thrift shops, garage sales and markets are a great way to start junk journaling.

I love making ephemera from the book pages, as they are too lovely not to add. My fave things are pockets, tags, flip-outs, envelopes, belly bands and corner tucks. I fold my paper different ways to get unique looks. I also, if needed, hinge extra pages and add them for more room. I do love a "chunky monkey" journal......

I decided to have three signatures with approx 15 pages in each. To allow for the journal to expand, with a three-inch spine.

Inside the front cover, I like to have a pocket with a few pieces of ephemera in it. This one has a couple of envelopes made from scrapbook paper and book pages. A paper/fabric doily is a great place to tuck things into.

 I have always had a sewing machine, as my mum and her best friend Helen taught me when I was a teenager.  I love decorating my pieces and also sew pages together if I need a different size. I do tend to make larger journals. You do not need a sewing machine to make journals; everything can be glued. Here, I used a book page to make a belly band with a journaling card underneath it.

There are so many options for what you can add to your journal. I have made a slanted pocket on the left and a paper bag covered with a napkin on the right.

The pages I kept from the small book, I made a waterfall, so I had all the rhymes. It adds an interactive element.

Scrap pieces of paper; make a pocket on the bottom and a book image for a tuck spot at the top of the page. 

I loved the book page from Aristocats; I decided to fold it over, so I kept the rest of the story. I made another tuck spot on the left, from part of another book page.

A white envelope on the left, covered the front with scrap paper, and added some ink and a paper napkin to the back. I attached it to the book page by the flap and left it open. I had a small pocket, so I added that on the right with the rabbit coming out of the top. A nice place to add journaling or small items.

For the back pocket, I also made it from fabric and added aed a vellum pocket, so I can see what is in there. A great place to keep items; I haven't yet decided where they will go.

Last but not least for our Journal adventure is the decorating. You can go over the top or minimalist as you like. I am a little in between, I think. I like adding extra pieces like fabric and paper ruffles, page tabs, etc. I have also added a few small pieces of doily and a couple of bits of lace as belly bands.

Snippets are made from continuous pieces of paper/fabric to the width you like. Then embellish with what you like. They are great to have ready-made to add to your projects.

 

My paper and fabric snippet rolls live on my Vintage spools. I cut pieces off them and use them in my journals. They all give your projects a textured feel..... 

Now, you can decorate your journal any way you like. I hope you have enjoyed a look at my project and playing along. 

Have a great week,

Kerri x

Fairytale/Nursery Rhyme Journal - Part 1

 Hi There

I always have crafty ideas going around in my head, and of course, they're about what I can create next. I have been collecting some of my childhood favourite book pages and decided I want to have them all together.

 My idea is that one day, my boys will have this book and it will show them some of my favourite Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales. I remember mum singing and reading to my younger sister and me when we were little.  I hope it brings back memories for them of their Gran...

 I nearly always make a cover first, then make the pages. I was working out what to use, as in my previous post I had a small book cover. This time I wanted something a little softer in mind. I received a parcel this morning in a cardboard box, which was perfect for my project.

Of course, it is way too big, but I can fix that. These boxes have a great quote on them...... This is one of the main online craft shops in Australia. I tend to purchase here and a few other faves which I have listed in my sidebar for you......

Once I opened it up, I could see a book cover. It has a ready-made spine at about the size I was wanting for this journal. Any packaging is gold in the Junk Journaling world.

I first cut all the extra tabs down the sides, using my large metal ruler and cutting blade. The spine piece down the centre was 3 inches, so that didn't need to be altered. I used my large cutting mat to line it up straight, and the ruler and pencil to measure it to approx 9 x 11 inches, which is quite a good size. I used the lines on my mat to get it straight enough. I am not a perfectionist, but you do you :)

Now you can see it will be my journal cover with a spine already. I had a rough idea of how big some of the pages I pulled out of the kids' books are to give me a measurement for the cover. The lace runner I found at a local thrift shop this week and thought I might use some of it also.

As the cardboard is just corrugated, I always reinforce the spine edges with tape. Use what you have: chipboard, cereal box, etc. I ran out of brown packaging tape, so I just used wide sticky tape. 

Going around the edges is a good idea too, as it will be protected from wear and tear when used. So, the base is done and now have a think about what you want your journal to be?

Do you have a theme in mind, like a colour or a topic? Being kids themed, I wanted it soft and more pastel. To cover and protect it, I was thinking fabric and trims. You can also use paper, napkins, wallpaper, scrapbook paper, etc.

 I went through some of my fabrics and found this pretty lemon floral one. I used a piece of sheet under it to give a bit more body as I was adding it over the cardboard and wanted it a bit sturdier. I used a glue stick to keep them together on the cover, while I sewed around the edges. Let any glue dry first, so your machine needle doesn't get ruined. I have a separate needle for fabric as the paper tends to blunt it. You can also just use a good wet glue and paint over with a brush so it doesn't seep through. 

I then wanted a bit more strength on the spine, so I added a small print right around the back and front. To finish it off, I glued down some butterfly trim that I had. 

On the inside, over the cardboard, I measured two nice pieces of thick cardstock and sewed the edges. I then roughly measured the pocket size and sewed it onto the paper before gluing it down in place. I added a little trim to the top. I put the cover under some heavy books for a while, as this flattens the cardboard and any buckling from the wet glue. You can add your binding now, or wait for Part 2, where I will be making the signatures.

I decided I wanted to have three separate bindings instead of wrapping the elastic around the cover. Since it was only cardboard, I didn't want it to get all squashed. Your pages will need to be a bit shorter for this method.

I used some paper to make a template and my Cropdodile (eyelet setter) to make the holes and set the eyelets. You can use just a normal hole punch. The one I have will punch anything.

To hold your pages in, I find either elastic, ribbon, sari silk or lace are good, as they won't tear.

 I finished it off by threading some pretty sari silk through the eyelets and tying some bows to make it pretty.

On the front and back edges, I only added a bit of Ric Rac, and I wanted it to have a title, so I made it from a book page and decorated it a bit with some die cuts. 

I hope you are following along and making your own JJ. I find once I start, all sorts of ideas pop up.

Stay tuned for Part 2 as we collect our papers and make our signatures to go in our journal,

Thanks for stopping by, and go have some Moments Yo Create.......

Hugz Kerri x