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Writer's pictureHelen Colebrook

What's the Point of a Junk Journal?



Over the years I have received lots of emails and messages with questions about journaling, different types, styles, what to write about, etc. However, the one type of journal that always prompts the most questions is the junk journal.


What Even is a Junk Journal?


A junk journal is typically a book made up of all different types of papers and material, that might otherwise have ended up in the bin - hence being called a "junk" journal.

It's such a great way to use up old papers, magazines, leaflets scrapbooking papers, envelopes and even wrapping paper.


How do you Use a Junk Journal?


At first glance a junk journal can seem nearly impossible to use. The pages are already full of text and images which makes them completely different to any type of journal or notebook that you might buy in a shop. It's one of my favourite types of journal and I believe there are lots of fun ways to turn it into a really lovely and useful journal. Down below, I will share some of my favourite ways to use a junk journal.


How do you Make a Junk Journal?


You can find my YouTube tutorial to make your own simple junk journal here. If you fancy trying your hand at creating a more detailed junk journal with three signatures sewn in, you can find my online class on Skillshare here. There are also lots of creators who sell junk journals if you would rather skip the "making" part.


Art Journaling


Art Journaling in a Junk Journal

Junk journals can be a really great place to add some art journaling and mixed media pieces. I use mine for acrylic paint, watercolour, gouache and swatching out new supplies. It's interesting to see how your art materials work on different types of paper.


Junk Journal Pockets


Junk Journal Pockets

Adding pockets to your junk journal is a really great way to create useable space. I include decorated tags that I write on the back of. You could also pop photos and tickets in here as lovely reminders of days out.


Keeping Cards & Letters



Do you receive wonderful cards and letters that you know you want to keep, but don't really know what to do with? Junk Journals are a great place to store them. I use washi tape to secure one edge of them to my page and it's so lovely to find them again when I look back through my old journals.


Create Writing Spots


How to use a Junk Journal

One of my favourite ways to use a junk journal is by creating writing spots. I find old pieces of scrap paper or sheets off a notepad and glue them onto my pages. You can still see lots of the beautiful book page behind, but you also now have a really useful writing spot for your thoughts and memories.



I really hope this blog post has given you a good feel as to what a junk journal is and provided you with some fun ideas as to how you can use them. One of my favourite things about junk journals is that there is no fear of a blank page! I also love that every single junk journal will be completely unique.


If you would like to see a flip through of my latest completed junk journal, you can find the video down below. I also have a chapter on junk journaling in my new book, which you can find here. I hope you're having lots of fun with your journals, Helen x



20,950 views8 comments

댓글 8개


Dan Long
Dan Long
2023년 6월 26일

Thank you! I've been watching a lot of paper crafting videos on YouTube, and everyone is making junk journals, but no one is explaining what to do with them. It's great to see HOW they can be used!

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Helen Colebrook
Helen Colebrook
2023년 6월 27일
답글 상대:

I’m so pleased you found it helpful, thank you. There is a challenge called Junk Journal July starting soon and I have a new YouTube video coming out today about my junk journal. Hopefully they will both help to show lots of ways they can be used. They’re lovely journals but often not well explained.

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게스트
2023년 1월 25일

How do you put your journal together? Is it stitched together ?

Harriette Edmonds

uneedart@gmail.com

I live in Columbia South Carolina.

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게스트
2022년 10월 17일

I’m new to junk journaling but already have quite a few. What do I do with them? I’m going to be moving into our travel trailer and there is no extra space. Any ideas on storing junk journals?

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southernseasrpse
2021년 8월 28일

This is so good. I'm going to share this will all my Happy Mail snail mail pals around the world. What you are doing makes sense of these junk journals. Your layout are absolutely stunning!!! So inspiring. Now I have some direct on where to go with this stuff. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! With love from new Zealand.

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게스트
2022년 10월 17일
답글 상대:

I wish I had Happy Mail friends.

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Katie Harsha
Katie Harsha
2021년 4월 14일

Thank you for explaining this. I am new at paper crafting. I usually crochet but i wanted to widen my horizons! I have been watching YouTube videos and couldn't understand why junk journals! Thanks to you and a couple others I understand the concept more clearly!

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Helen Colebrook
Helen Colebrook
2021년 4월 15일
답글 상대:

I'm so happy you found this helpful Katie. I know that lots of people get confused about junk journals, understandably. They're such a lovely way to document special memories.

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