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.

Tree Pendants

My de-cluttering project is yielding some interesting treasures. I’m finding all kinds of things I’d forgotten about over the years. These tree pendants were an experiment in abstract art that never made it to a vending table.

So, I asked a friend who is attending an event in August if he could try to sell them for me. They need to find a good home and not be hidden away in a drawer, forgotten and lost. I hope they bring joy to their new owners.

I wonder what other treasures I will find along the way? The quest continues...

Knitting Needles Galore

Imagine, if you are able, the most avid knitter you can picture in your mind. She would be someone whose life revolves around knitting every single day. Her social life and relationships are only intrusions into her knitting time. Do you have that image in your mind?

Would even such a dedicated knitter require the number of knitting needles that I found in my house today? It took me over an hour to sort and match these things, carefully holding each set together with dental elastics at both ends.

And this is not all of them! I have sixteen singles without mates, several sets of double pointed needles (different sizes) and three circular needles. And I have not done any knitting for years. I seriously need to downsize a lot of them. It’s a bit ridiculous to hang onto so many, right?

EDIT: I forgot to mention the half dozen crochet hooks I found. And I cannot even crochet!

Forgotten Souls

Have you ever come across old photos in family albums, or in antique stores, and wondered who they are? The photo below was found in a box of old photos from my grandmother.

On the front, it is dated August 1959 (that is when it was printed) but on the back in pencil it says ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith, May 1942’. I have no idea who they are or how they fit into our family story. And the only person left that I thought might know does not. I wish there was a way to find out. It is sad that they are forgotten souls who may have played a pivotal part in my family history. But I may never uncover their identities or stories.

The next photo, I found in the most unlikely place; in a book purchased at a thrift store. It appears to be a picture of a grandfather, father and two sons. My guess it is from the 1940s. Perhaps that is a photo taken before those young men went off to war. It makes me wonder if they ever came back or if they were casualties of a horrific conflict.

And this photo which may have been the only one they had is lost to the family forever, as I have no way to identify or trace them. But let's take a moment to look at their faces and remember there is a story behind them. Even if we don't know their names, they were important.