After discussing what a junk journal is and what is worth collecting for it, it’s time to showcase one in all its glory.
This junk journal was a gift for a girl who loves colors, positive messages, personal growth, and, of course, dogs. The main theme revolved around flowers, butterflies, and a rich palette of colors, complemented by a touch of stars and cosmic elements. I didn’t hesitate to use pre-made scrapbooking papers, but don’t worry—there was plenty of creative upcycling involved too! Want to see the details?
This won’t be a full flip-through, but I’ll share the most eye-catching elements of the journal I stitched together last summer. Keep scrolling!
👉 Related: How to Make a Junk Journal – Step by Step
The Cover
Let’s start traditionally—with the cover. The base was made from the back cover of a drawing pad and wrapped in beautiful gift bag paper. Then, I sewed in the signatures (Find out what they are here). The spine was reinforced with fabric from an old t-shirt, and the seam was hidden under a lace ribbon, which I attached using double-sided tape. Everything was glued with craft glue, which works best when spread evenly with a brush.
A Look Inside
Time to peek inside! Along with pre-made papers, I incorporated many fascinating “scraps” into the design: magazine pages, hand-dyed paper, envelopes, book pages and illustrations, and even sewing patterns. One of the greatest joys of junk journaling is assembling all these elements into something cohesive that exudes that unique new/old aesthetic. The finishing touches? Washi tape and stamps.
👉 Related: What to Collect for a Junk Journal
Book Pages and Illustrations
I used quite a few book pages, but somehow forgot to photograph them! They included pages from a bird encyclopedia, some well-worn Andersen fairy tales, and even a newer children’s book. For book lovers worried about repurposing books—don’t worry! Books are objects, and while these stories weren’t quite my style, the illustrations were beautiful, so I gave them a second life. 😊
Below, you can see a book cover repurposed as a photo pocket.
Magazine Pages
While sorting through my collection, I selected pages that matched the theme and color scheme of the journal. My favorite magazines for junk journaling include Wysokie Obcasy Extra, Przekrój, and Świerszczyk (the illustrations are fantastic!).
Pre-Made & Hand-Dyed Paper
The decorative papers I used came from Action and Pepco—yes, they sell scrapbooking paper too! It’s soft, like regular notebook paper, but inexpensive and fun to use. I also paired these with hand-dyed and decorated paper, using simple techniques to create unique designs. I’ll have to dedicate a whole post to that soon!
Plenty of Colorful Writing Space
Another batch of decorated and hand-dyed papers, perfect for journaling.
Pockets & Hideaways
Pockets and hidden compartments magically expand a junk journal, allowing you to store even more treasures, memories, notes, and photos. You can find more close-up shots of these pockets on my Instagram Highlights.
Embellishments & Finishing Touches
The possibilities for decorating a junk journal are endless. One of the most popular embellishments is a tassel attached to the spine, made from ribbons, threads, and often adorned with beads, buttons, or jewelry charms. I may have gone a little overboard here—but hey, go big or go home! 😉
Another great decorative element is tabs—small, protruding bookmarks that help organize sections. You can make them from ribbon, fabric, or paper and even attach them with a stapler.
As for how everything is held together—there’s a real mix of techniques! Fabric was glued with craft glue, papers were stitched using a sewing machine, and signatures were, of course, hand-sewn. I also used glue sticks and plenty of double-sided tape.
Final Thoughts
Don’t be intimidated by the variety of techniques, materials, and embellishments. As I mentioned earlier, this junk journal is packed with them on purpose! However, there’s always the risk that the recipient might feel overwhelmed and hesitate to use it. If you’re making one as a gift, keep that in mind. Then again, a journal like this might just turn someone into a junk journaling addict. 😉
I hope this post has inspired you in some way! If it has, please share it. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.
What do you think of this style of journal? Do you enjoy junk journaling? I’d love to hear your thoughts! 😊
