More Junk Journal Questions

Can junk journals have a theme? Absolutely, you can make them for any theme or event you choose. Some examples: Christmas, Halloween, a family vacation, a recipe log, an art journal, your sewing projects, inspirational quotes, etc. The list is only limited by your imagination. Or like my personal journal, it can be totally random. You get to choose what works for you.

What size are junk journals? Well, they can be any size you want, big or small, from 2" X 3" to 9" X 12" or anything in between. They can have only one signature or multiple signatures. And before you ask, a signature is a stack of papers folded in half and nested together to form a single "section" of a journal. They are then stitched into the journal's spine to build the complete journal. My personal journal is a single signature, about 5.5" X 9".

Do you have to use only recycled, repurposed, and secondhand materials? This is where the definition of ‘junk journal’ runs into varied opinions. Some say that a journal only qualifies for the distinction if it is made with recycled, repurposed, and secondhand materials. This question has been much debated in the crafting community. And I'm sure the debate will continue.

However, the term is often associated with any handmade journal, even if new papers, printed digitals and scrapbook papers are used. In my experience, most handmade journals are a combination of new and used paper & ephemera. At the end of the day, if you want to call it a junk journal, that’s what it is. If you simply want to call it a handmade journal, that’s okay too.

Into My Personal Junk Journal

Ask any ten people what a ‘junk journal’ is and you will likely get ten variations of the same answer. Very loosely, a junk journal is a handmade book made from recycled, repurposed, and secondhand materials like old book pages, envelopes, greeting cards, and grocery bags. It serves as a creative canvas for memory-keeping, art, and emotional expression without strict formatting or rules deriving ideas, styles, or tastes from a broad and diverse range of sources. In other words, it can be whatever you want it to be.

I made mine a couple of years ago. I added to it quite consistently for the first few months then it was set aside as other projects took precedence. I have recently got back to it and have added quite a lot in the last couple of weeks. But what types of things have I been adding, you ask?

The tags from my new slippers, my new business card, stickers from fruit and vegetables I’ve purchased, tags from my new nightgowns, a receipt for breakfast with a friend, and the veterinarians’ business card are a few of the newest inclusions. Any paper that crosses my path and has a story behind it is potential ephemera for my journal.

Some people like to write in their journals, add photos of their adventures, or simply use the pages as a canvas to try out a new techniques and materials. Whatever you choose to do in your personal journal is correct. There is not a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to use them. Do you have a journal? If so, tell me what fills the pages of yours.

NOTE: If you want to preserve a receipt printed on that thermal paper, photocopy it to put in your journal. Eventually the print fades on thermal paper and you are left with a blank piece of paper.