What is a junk journal? What is it for? 

That's a really good description

Yes, exactly! I love doing something creative without worrying about whether or not it'll be "good."

Yes, they're perfect for that! Some of my favorite journal decorations are made using scraps. :)

This is the perfect reason to make a junk journal. Yours will be beautiful keepsakes. I love this, thank you so much for sharing ❤

Thank you so much, and welcome! 🥰

Exactly ❤

Thank you so much! I'll be very glad if it's helpful for someone 🤗

We agree! It's a fun way to explore your creativity, without being concerned with "perfection." The freedom of that is priceless, and I really think that joy shows in your work. 🥰

Yes. I agree with you.

I’m brand new to making junk journals too. I’ve been enjoying it so much … maybe too much 😊❤️

@@miarenee6703 It has taken over our living room... hahaha 😆

What do the people you give them to do with them ?

You're so welcome! We're happy to share 😊

That's a really great point, and I'm so glad you've asked. I think a lot of people have similar questions, and I love to talk about this. 🤗 For those who want extra amounts of space for writing, they could look for journals with that design in mind - they're out there. Just like there's a wide range of ways people want to use them, there's also a wide range of journal styles being created. I've made one that was specifically designed to hold holiday photos, for example, even though I realized only certain people still make physical prints of their photos. It was perfect for the person who bought it, though. Some of the journals we've made with lots of little tags and small spaces are being used as "gratitude journals" - where the owner just randomly jots down a quick thought about something they're grateful for. Most handcrafted journals will appeal to a certain niche of people. Some will have more space for writing than others. Most (if not all) will have lots of pockets to hold extra paper that the user has written on, if they feel like they'd like more writing space. The other thing though, is to remember not everyone wants to write in them at all. Maybe they buy one just because they like the design. They see it as art and really do only want to flip through it and enjoy it that way. Or maybe they want to use those pockets as a place to put their memorabilia. We've made travel journals which were used for that purpose. Another thought (can you tell I've thought about this a lot? 🥰) is that some people might be overwhelmed by a huge blank journal, and would prefer the cozy feeling of writing in one that they can fill with their thoughts more quickly. A holiday journal that's used for a few days or weeks of thoughts. A little journal to write your observations from a weekend road trip. A journal that sits on your shelf because it's pink & you think it's pretty. So many different styles, so many different reasons people enjoy them. ❤

Hi Yvonne (hey to Lovely too!) My 2 cents - sometimes I have ten, or 15 important words (from my day) example "you have done enough" or "it is ok" etc..having 'tiny spaces' means I get to use a fat marker (and a reeeally fat one) to pen those few words. Mostly when Life gets overwhelming personally (at current point of my life) penning just few words...steadies my world much more than waffling on..which I still do. But I try to go ten words or less....thats when small spaces really work, for purposes like mine. Just putting it out there. Dont mind my chiming in! Happy Holidays yalls!💙

@@henrietta9206 Excellent perspective ❤

It really is a matter of how you like to craft, journal, write etc. The same question could be asked to many creators. Junk Journaling has endless possibilities and I've made some with mostly all blank (not embellished pages) and some that are more scrapbook like and the embellishments are receipts, ticket stubs ect. It can be a form of scrapbooking too. Its a matter of art and what you enjoy and love making using. Someone could say to a knitter "why don't you just buy a sweater. Scarf ect" The best part is you don't have to understand it or like it. We all like different things. ❤

@@junkjournalsbysarah I appreciate your input very much. I was just thinking the other day that so many other art forms are bought and valued simply because someone likes them or what they represent. For me, the same goes for various styles of journals. They generally also have a somewhat practical "function" in that there is usually some amount of space for writing - but they can and should be able to provide joy simply for the art they are.

Wow, do you still have any of the early ones you made? That's soooo rad! ❤ Sounds like you're like me - I love any opportunity to talk about journals, and making them is incredibly satisfying 😌

@lovelyvillaindesigns yes I do...I have the very first one!

@@newlifeaj That's so cool! 🥰

Fantastic! I appreciate your feedback 🥰

Thanks! 🤗

I couldn't agree more. I've finally found a creative outlet that truly suits me ❤

It's so fun, isn't it? 🥰

@@lovelyvillaindesigns For sure I’ve been creating for 8 years, but not so good with editing 😉❤

It's a challenge for sure! Sometimes I enjoy it, sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing haha 😅

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Thank you 🦋

Thank you so much! 🤗 That's what we love, too ❤

Thank you! ❤

Welcome! You can absolutely make yours a combo like that. Where there's space to write (on tags, blank spaces) you could still write memories, but you could also add plenty of pockets and tuck spots for holding loose keepsakes. You could glue them in too, but some things you want to protect (and not glue) or be able to take out & look at both sides. For photos, you could get or make photo corners. We made photo corners for a Christmas Journal we made last year, and then I think we made a little envelope to store them & tucked it all into a pocket. There are some pretty good tutorials on how to Origami fold them, too. They turn out so cute!

I love this! I agree, this would be very well suited to a project like that. Maybe consider elastic binding to give you a lot more flexibility to add pages and move things around. Also, check out tutorials for adding extra pages to a sewn-binding journal if you need more room. I could do a quick video on how to do it if you'd like- they're surprisingly easy. :)

@@lovelyvillaindesigns that would be great!

@@gailneedham9930 I just uploaded a video on an easy way to add pages :) Here's a link if you'd like to check it out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-j27vvdxnf0k.htmlsi=Gh8XEkbd2NWDHf8_

What I love is that different journals appeal to different people for different reasons- and I think individual perspective has everything to do with that. You see it's purpose one way - which is valid - and someone else may see the purpose completely differently. Personal notes and memories for some - no extra writing and just appreciating it as an art form for others. I guess this versatility is part of what attracts me to them so much. Thanks for the input! 🥰

Yes! That's a good way to describe them

I love making them for people

Thanks! 🤗

I think I understand what you're intending with this comment, but please remember we're trying to build a community of positivity here. Go in peace and have a lovely day.

Thank you so much! A lot of the pages and elements for that journal were free printables generously provided by Anna Thompson in her Facebook group. I'll see if I can grab a link to the group for you. She does beautiful work! Here's a link to the video of my flip through for that pink journal if you'd like to take a closer look: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-V5waj1ma4m0.htmlsi=wTDAY1gXEf-65mzy

Here's the link to Anna's FB group: facebook.com/groups/749248143180413/?ref=share&mibextid=WOdcs6

That would be a pretty good description, yes. 😊 There are various ways to get started, and I think a lot of it is personal preference - because there's no "wrong" way to do it. We usually put together a blank journal then decorate it as the mood strikes us. We'll often start with a specific theme and gather or print elements that we think we may want to include. Unless we're making one for a custom order, then we have a more structured approach to the process. Sometimes I'll set aside a journal I'm working on until I find inspiration to pick it back up and continue. Sometimes I'll start a new one because I'm in the mood to work with a specific topic. As far as knowing when one is finished, personally I just work until it reaches the level of embellishment that I envision for it. I've made some that are very sparsely decorated with lots of extra blank space for writing, and I've made some that are so full of decorations that they bulge even when I tie them closed. If I had to really pin it down, I'd say just keep working on it until you're happy with it or you feel like it's "done." This might be a good topic for a video - showing you the process of how we get started, etc.

Thank you so much! I'm a new widow looking for things to do. I think I may see how I can incorporate into this stage of my life. Thank you again. Your work is lovely.❤

@@jayneweathers You're so welcome. I hope you find that it brings you as much relaxation and enjoyment as it does me. 🥰

So glad you asked! There are still a lot of ways to use them. You can glue or clip things onto them, like photos, letters, art, keepsakes, etc. Even the heavily printed ones can also be embellished with mixed media. For example, you could doodle on a dark page with a white paint pen, or add some Gesso and stencils or rubber stamps. Make a collage on them. Or honestly, sometimes it's just nice to have those pages in there simply for their aesthetic appeal. :)

@@lovelyvillaindesigns Many thanks. I did make a journal and thought it a way of spreading knowledge. So I made it pink. Put in all the info about pink flowers, the remedy in the colour. The aromatherapy in essential oils etc. Gave it to my daughter before her wedding. Also why moms always like pink colour dresses on their baby girls, lol. I want my journals to spread knowledge as well as give me a chance to be creative. In that way when I research I satisfy the journalistic WRITER in me. Your input was really helpful, God Bless

@@fatimasajid1546 That sounds beautiful! What a lovely gift 🥰

@@lovelyvillaindesigns I am truly humbled and encouraged by your praise. Thank you.

Yes! I believe the majority of the printables in that journal were from Anna Thomoson on Facebook. Her group is "Anna Thompson Designs Group" - this link may work: facebook.com/groups/749248143180413/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT She's super sweet and her designs are fantastic!

Isn't that gorgeous? It's a printable kit on Etsy called "Travellers Memories" from the seller bylullabelstationary

Hola! :) Es una pregunta muy buena. He visto videos de personas que han hecho diarios muy similares hace años y años. Como veinte años o más. Me imagino que el aumento de la popularidad coriente se debe en parte a social media. Me gustaría saber más también - me interesa mucho. ❤

Thanks! Because junk journals are such a relatively new thing (outside of the community of crafters who make them), I've encountered a lot of people who are curious about what they are, which has given me a reason to really think through the whole concept in a way that (I hope) explains it fairly well. 🤗

Very helpful. Thank you! ❤

@@anniemcclure I'm so glad! 🤗

I wish I could help - maybe check to see if your RU-vid needs updated? I've noticed some glitches lately too

We have some of our journals available in our ko-fi shop here: ko-fi.com/lovelyvillaindesigns

Yes, I know some people don't like repurposing books. I think both sides of the issue have valid points. Thanks for your input!

I almost forgot to add - they can also be made without using book pages! No rules, just fun, creativity and relaxation 💗