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 exclusively 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.