Okay my sweet junk journal friend - by the time I typed out my reply, you deleted the comment. Please let me help you. I hear your frustration! You start by making a signature for a junk journal- just one. Use whatever papers you want because this will be an “eclectic” junk journal. That means that you won’t have any kind of theme. You want to just make it like a scrappy patchwork quilt. There are a LOT of YT videos about how to put a signature together - you’ve probably watched them already, right? Don’t worry about the cover yet, just put the signature together. Use about 15 papers - trim and fold the papers and put a loose rubber band around them to keep them together in a signature. Use papers that you love - that interest you for some reason. They might have pretty images, maybe they have great texture, or some other characteristic that you find appealing. If you can manage it, use some papers that have some colors and/or patterns that you like, but even neutral colors can be pretty. When I begin a journal, (unless it is a concept journal, which I will refer you to that recent video to understand that process, haha…) I usually start with the papers and by the time I get the signatures ready I usually have a feeling or a direction for where the journal is going. With an eclectic or random or scrappy or “junky” journal, you need a unifying element of some kind, something that brings all those disparate papers together. This is why we like “themes” - the theme becomes the unifying principal for the book. It doesn’t need to be a theme, it could be a color or it could be an artistic technique like stamping, or using texture paste or splattered paint or color blocking or repetitive stickers. Just something that you repeat on your papers, throughout the book that sort of makes what you are doing DELIBERATE. I use that term a lot when I am just talking on camera because it’s important to me that what I do be on purpose for the journal I’m making. Let’s say that you choose to use white texture paste as your unifying element, or maybe a colored paint splatter and a particular stamp. So, now you would take a small stencil and the texture paste OR the stamp and the paint splatter and choose maybe five or six of the fifteen papers and repeat that element somewhere on those papers - in a corner or along the edge or under a fold or some other place that you find attractive. Then put those papers back into the signature. You might take another three or four papers and do some hand dying or coffee dye or watercolor wash, etc. By now your signature looks unified - like a deliberate journal. Now you can choose to put together a cover for your signature and then you are ready to decorate with all your ideas for pockets and tuck spots. You can decorate your added pockets, etc. with the same texture paste or stamp, etc. Then add in other decorative things that you’ve collected, like lace or images or vintage ephemera, etc. Most of the time I do the cover and bind the flat journal pages first and then decorate with pockets and tucks and other artistic elements, but I know many people who decorate before making the cover. I usually do the ephemera (things to stuff into pockets and tucks like tags and journal cards, etc.) last. That’s what I would do with you, if I had you with me in my studio and we were working through this process together. I hope that helps a little. Please reply with any mental obstacles or questions you still have. I’ll work through it with you. Do you have a theme that you want to do? Do you have an idea of how you want your finished journal to look? Do you like a particular style better than other styles? I’m talking about vintage style or boho style or shabby chic style, etc.
@@tfntexas My pleasure Tammie. My heart went out to what seemed like real frustration getting started. I think it is so hard for beginners. And sometimes it seems so easy, and yet it isn’t always. Thank you for your good support of me - I appreciate you.
When I saw that you were responding to an unknown person, I just had to read what you’d written. Wow! I’ve never read a better description of what we do!! I’m a bit further along in the journal-making process, but reading your description helped me, too! I don’t know any other makers personally & had never even held a handmade journal! So I bought a couple & that was very helpful! I started watching UA-cam videos at the beginning of the pandemic & have never looked back! It’s so much fun & really the sky is the limit for what we can create! I would really enjoy a video in which you show all the things that you talked about in your response! I think it would be very helpful, entertaining & educational to have you do a “show & tell” video, please?! You’re so kind & happiness & delight are so evident in everything you say! I’m definitely going to be binge-watching your channel! Thank you so much! Erica❤
@@ericastannard2635 Thank you for the encouragement Erica! I will think about such a video and appreciate the suggestion. I’m so glad you came by and I thank you for all the watchtime, haha! Ahead of time - thank you.
I love this pocket idea! ❤ I think it's amazing that you took the time to write that response. Getting started can be really frustrating, so thank you for taking the time.😊❣️
I just found your site for the first time and read your detailed response to someone much like myself new to junk journals and anybody who helps someone and takes time like you did deserves me following her (you) and you deserve many more followers. Your stuff is really nice. I have so far watched too many videos to mention and I have done less than a dozen ephemera and bought so many supplies (tools, papers, stamps, ink etc.) my Husbands is threatening to divorce me. Lol
Thank you Cheryl! and WELCOME! I’m glad you are here. This is such a wonderfully appealing hobby, right? I’m glad you have supplies and tools. Now you just need to start making pretty stuff and enjoy it and allow yourself to be happy and your husband will see that it’s worth it. However, I will advise you to be careful with your hobby money. Like every other hobby, we can spend a lot of money getting “set up.” Luckily junk journaling doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. That’s a choice, so don’t let it impact your relationship. I will also advise you to make a junk journal for yourself and then use it, write in it, do art in it, collect quotes, etc. However you imagine it should be used, do that in your journal. This will teach you what you like to do and how you like to actually use a journal and that will be valuable information as you go forward. I’m glad you found me Cheryl - thanks so much for joining my community.
The facility where I work has undergone a rebranding and I'm so blessed to have been given several boxes of unused envelopes (in different sizes) that have an old logo that they will no longer be able to use. This is a fabulous way to use some of them up! Thank you Kathleen :)
Kathleen these envelopes that flip out and have the pockets are so creative. I love the way you staggered the thumb cutouts. I will have to use this idea on some of my journal pages on my channel and credit you! Glad I found your channel..
Thanks, Kathleen. You explained these so clearly which I really appreciate and included both applications in one quick video! I love the offset thumb notches. 😀💞
Oh my goodness these are so cute! I have shoebox full of various sizes and colors of envelopes and I can’t wait to try these! Thanks for sharing 😊 ❤them.
I enjoyed this tutorial very much. I also thought of how enjoyable it is to listen to you. You're very soft-spoken which is such a pleasure. This was my very 1st time seeing your channel and I want to be a part of your You Tube family so I did subscribe. You made it very easy to follow along with you which I did and I love my new envelopes. I'm new to making journals and am working hard at making ephemera. Thank you for sharing this video. I look forward to watching you again. ♥️♥️♥️👍
Very lovely thank you for sharing with us. OH and I just subscribed, you are worth being noticed!! Thank you again! In am looking forward to seeing more frome you
@@elizabethflorez2372 Thank you Elizabeth! I’m sorry to tell you that it isn’t available as paper. The chickadee (that I think you are referring to) is a paper napkin that I decoupaged onto the pocket. I acquired the napkin from Tuesday morning years ago and I don’t remember the brand, sadly. I hope you can find something similar. Thanks so much for visiting me!
If these are heirloom pieces, I would tack them with a needle and thread or staple them to a card and glue the card in. It they are not heirlooms or you don’t mind a permanent solution, then I would use FabricTac. Sounds like a beautiful project.
Hello Kathleen ! Just found you, love this idea and video. (My Maiden name is Mower, I love papers, old things and crafting.. I wonder if we are related 😀)
Hello and welcome! I am so happy you found me and hope you’ll stop by again! I hope we are related and if not, at least we love the same things, right? ! My husband’s family comes from Utah, Henry Mower Sr. was the pioneer that migrated to the west and settled in Springville. Since your name is spelled the same, there is a pretty good likelihood. Henry Mower Jr. was also a pioneer and he settled in Sanpete county. William Ezra was the son of Henry Jr. and Morley Mower was my husband’s grandfather all of Fairview.
Thanks for the question, Sabina! Lots of folks have strong opinions about glue, but I’m not one of them, haha. I use FabriTac for almost everything, and certainly if I need a “line” of glue. I also use matte Gel Medium for broad glue spots and Elmers glue stick for tiny paper sticking, but for the most part I just use FabriTac. Rarely, I use a tape runner. I really like that FabriTac doesn’t wrinkle the paper and it sets up really fast. Aleen’s Tacky glue is similar, but doesn’t set up as quickly.
I’m so sorry that I cannot guide you - it was a gift originally and has been hanging around my sewing room for years. I have seen similar zippered bags at the container store, though not quite the same.
Lovely idea 😊. Thank you for your inspiration. John 14:6 Jesus said unto him, " I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Have a Blessed day.
Okay my sweet junk journal friend - by the time I typed out my reply, you deleted the comment. Please let me help you. I hear your frustration! You start by making a signature for a junk journal- just one. Use whatever papers you want because this will be an “eclectic” junk journal. That means that you won’t have any kind of theme. You want to just make it like a scrappy patchwork quilt. There are a LOT of YT videos about how to put a signature together - you’ve probably watched them already, right? Don’t worry about the cover yet, just put the signature together. Use about 15 papers - trim and fold the papers and put a loose rubber band around them to keep them together in a signature. Use papers that you love - that interest you for some reason. They might have pretty images, maybe they have great texture, or some other characteristic that you find appealing. If you can manage it, use some papers that have some colors and/or patterns that you like, but even neutral colors can be pretty. When I begin a journal, (unless it is a concept journal, which I will refer you to that recent video to understand that process, haha…) I usually start with the papers and by the time I get the signatures ready I usually have a feeling or a direction for where the journal is going. With an eclectic or random or scrappy or “junky” journal, you need a unifying element of some kind, something that brings all those disparate papers together. This is why we like “themes” - the theme becomes the unifying principal for the book. It doesn’t need to be a theme, it could be a color or it could be an artistic technique like stamping, or using texture paste or splattered paint or color blocking or repetitive stickers. Just something that you repeat on your papers, throughout the book that sort of makes what you are doing DELIBERATE. I use that term a lot when I am just talking on camera because it’s important to me that what I do be on purpose for the journal I’m making. Let’s say that you choose to use white texture paste as your unifying element, or maybe a colored paint splatter and a particular stamp. So, now you would take a small stencil and the texture paste OR the stamp and the paint splatter and choose maybe five or six of the fifteen papers and repeat that element somewhere on those papers - in a corner or along the edge or under a fold or some other place that you find attractive. Then put those papers back into the signature. You might take another three or four papers and do some hand dying or coffee dye or watercolor wash, etc. By now your signature looks unified - like a deliberate journal. Now you can choose to put together a cover for your signature and then you are ready to decorate with all your ideas for pockets and tuck spots. You can decorate your added pockets, etc. with the same texture paste or stamp, etc. Then add in other decorative things that you’ve collected, like lace or images or vintage ephemera, etc. Most of the time I do the cover and bind the flat journal pages first and then decorate with pockets and tucks and other artistic elements, but I know many people who decorate before making the cover. I usually do the ephemera (things to stuff into pockets and tucks like tags and journal cards, etc.) last. That’s what I would do with you, if I had you with me in my studio and we were working through this process together. I hope that helps a little. Please reply with any mental obstacles or questions you still have. I’ll work through it with you. Do you have a theme that you want to do? Do you have an idea of how you want your finished journal to look? Do you like a particular style better than other styles? I’m talking about vintage style or boho style or shabby chic style, etc.
That was an awesome, amazing, detailed and very thoughtful (and informative) response. How very kind of you to respond to that person!❤
@@tfntexas My pleasure Tammie. My heart went out to what seemed like real frustration getting started. I think it is so hard for beginners. And sometimes it seems so easy, and yet it isn’t always. Thank you for your good support of me - I appreciate you.
When I saw that you were responding to an unknown person, I just had to read what you’d written. Wow! I’ve never read a better description of what we do!! I’m a bit further along in the journal-making process, but reading your description helped me, too! I don’t know any other makers personally & had never even held a handmade journal! So I bought a couple & that was very helpful! I started watching UA-cam videos at the beginning of the pandemic & have never looked back! It’s so much fun & really the sky is the limit for what we can create! I would really enjoy a video in which you show all the things that you talked about in your response! I think it would be very helpful, entertaining & educational to have you do a “show & tell” video, please?! You’re so kind & happiness & delight are so evident in everything you say! I’m definitely going to be binge-watching your channel! Thank you so much! Erica❤
@@ericastannard2635 Thank you for the encouragement Erica! I will think about such a video and appreciate the suggestion. I’m so glad you came by and I thank you for all the watchtime, haha! Ahead of time - thank you.
I’m so glad you just popped up in my newsfeed. I love this idea…& I see you have lots of good ideas for me to find and try ❤
Just found you and subscribed. You have such a sweet and calm disposition and these envelope pockets w/ tucks are darling!!
Thanks for subbing! I’m glad to have you around!
Thanks for such a cute envelope pocket idea! I love both examples! Erica❤
Thank you for watching Erica - glad you like them.
I love this pocket idea! ❤ I think it's amazing that you took the time to write that response. Getting started can be really frustrating, so thank you for taking the time.😊❣️
My pleasure - I’m hoping it was a little bit helpful…thanks for watching.
I just found your site for the first time and read your detailed response to someone much like myself new to junk journals and anybody who helps someone and takes time like you did deserves me following her (you) and you deserve many more followers. Your stuff is really nice. I have so far watched too many videos to mention and I have done less than a dozen ephemera and bought so many supplies (tools, papers, stamps, ink etc.) my Husbands is threatening to divorce me. Lol
Thank you Cheryl! and WELCOME! I’m glad you are here. This is such a wonderfully appealing hobby, right? I’m glad you have supplies and tools. Now you just need to start making pretty stuff and enjoy it and allow yourself to be happy and your husband will see that it’s worth it. However, I will advise you to be careful with your hobby money. Like every other hobby, we can spend a lot of money getting “set up.” Luckily junk journaling doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. That’s a choice, so don’t let it impact your relationship. I will also advise you to make a junk journal for yourself and then use it, write in it, do art in it, collect quotes, etc. However you imagine it should be used, do that in your journal. This will teach you what you like to do and how you like to actually use a journal and that will be valuable information as you go forward. I’m glad you found me Cheryl - thanks so much for joining my community.
So glad to find you! Absolutely one of my Top 3 crafters!! I love how you do this with such ease
Oh Pam - what a nice thing to say! Thank you!
The facility where I work has undergone a rebranding and I'm so blessed to have been given several boxes of unused envelopes (in different sizes) that have an old logo that they will no longer be able to use. This is a fabulous way to use some of them up! Thank you Kathleen :)
I’m glad to have a timely idea then Kelly! I love that serendipity! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the easy way to stagger thumb notches. That pocket page in your journal is beautiful - I, too, love the way the tuck blends with the paper.
You are so welcome - I love it when videos are helpful.
I have huge box of envelopes given to me so glad you show how to use them. Thank you.
You are so welcome! 🤗
Thank you for showing how you made these with minimalistic supplies. They are really great. ❤
You are so welcome - I’m glad you like them! Thanks for watching.
Quick, super way to stagger the divets. Thank you for the technique tip.
My pleasure Mary - glad to help!
Such a nice idea to stagger the divet and what a lovely addition of pockets and tucks to add to a journal. TY for sharing.
My pleasure Chris! Thanks so much for watching.
Kathleen these envelopes that flip out and have the pockets are so creative. I love the way you staggered the thumb cutouts. I will have to use this idea on some of my journal pages on my channel and credit you! Glad I found your channel..
Welcome! I’m glad you found me as well and I hope you will find a chance to use this idea. Thanks for watching!
Another amazing pocket idea! I also loved that bird in the garden!
I’m glad you like this Dody - It’s been such a handy element for me.
Thanks for sharing your talents! I love the pocket variations.
Glad you like them Ann! Thank you!
So many envelopes, so little time. Thank you for another idea so I can keep them out of the landfill.
My pleasure Sandy - every little bit helps right? Thanks for watching.
I love this one! I used some old "project life" cards for the pockets on the envelope. Thank you, Kathleen!
Great idea Paula! It’s always fun to find a use for stash, right? Thanks for watching.
Thanks, Kathleen. You explained these so clearly which I really appreciate and included both applications in one quick video! I love the offset thumb notches. 😀💞
Glad it was helpful Keryn! I always appreciate your watchtime and encouragement!
Thank you for this pocket idea! Can't wait to pull out my used envelopes to recycle them
Wonderful! Thanks so much!
I love this project! It was such fun to make along with your instructions. Thank you so much 😊
Oh, I’m so glad you reported back, haha! Thank you Cheryl. I’m happy you enjoyed it.
Oh my goodness these are so cute! I have shoebox full of various sizes and colors of envelopes and I can’t wait to try these! Thanks for sharing 😊 ❤them.
Thanks so much Gemma! I hope you have fun with this ideas!
I really like this idea. Tomorrow is now going to include some of these for my current journal. Thanks and blessings to you!
Well I am glad to hear this Betty - thanks very much for trying it out.
What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing your process! ❤️
I’m glad you think so Joyce! Thanks so much for watching.
Nice idea, thanks for the share. I will definitely make some.
I’m so glad you will try it Frances - thanks for watching.
Love these! Thank you for sharing!
I am happy you like it Jeannie! Thanks so much for watching.
Love this pocket! 😃 Thank you!
I'm so glad! Thanks for watching.
Love it…that is so magical 💗Thanks for Sharing ❣️❣️👍🏾
Thanks so much 😊
Once again i love your video and instructions
So glad to hear it Dorothy! Thanks so much for watching.
Such lovely additions to journals... pockets are everything and I just love these. Thanks for sharing these ideas with us.
Glad you like the idea Gwen! Thanks so much for watching!
Very clever! This is something I will use!
Thank you! I think you will like using it!
HI Kathleen! I love this pocket idea, might have to make one for my journal I'm working on now! 😊You have the most fun ideas, thanks for sharing!
I’m glad to hear it Carey! Thank you so much - 😀
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks so much Beth!
I enjoyed this tutorial very much. I also thought of how enjoyable it is to listen to you. You're very soft-spoken which is such a pleasure. This was my very 1st time seeing your channel and I want to be a part of your You Tube family so I did subscribe. You made it very easy to follow along with you which I did and I love my new envelopes. I'm new to making journals and am working hard at making ephemera. Thank you for sharing this video. I look forward to watching you again. ♥️♥️♥️👍
Welcome Doris! I’m so happy to have you here. I’m so glad to hear you love your project and am very glad the video is useful to you.
So simple and effective! My family has started to give me cards with unsealed, non addressed envelopes since they know I reuse them! 😂😂😂
Oh what a great thing - training your family, haha! Thank you Dawn!
@@BeAgainBooks Well, we can try! 😂
Can't wait to make these! TYFS!
I’m so glad you will try it Sheri! Yep - I’m going to use it again, for sure.
I love the pouch ! Love the 3 pockets and tuck! ❤ it girl U Go wit yo bad self! 🎉❤
Thanks so much MomaJuJu!
Love this. Thanks for sharing ❤️
My pleasure Evelyn! Thanks for watching.
Another great idea. Thank you ☺️
I'm glad you think so Bront! Thanks so much!
Another great project and the offset divots are just genius, because when l try to put them straight it never quite works 🤩
Well I usually like things a little off center, haha! That’s what I tell myself! Thanks so much Davina!
I love this idea so much. ❤️
I'm so glad Debby! Thank you!
love this, will be trying!
So glad to hear this! Thanks so much for watching!
Quick and cute!
Thank you Paige!
I will def make some of these!
I’m so glad Noelle! Thanks so much for watching.
Great idea ❤. And looks so pretty in your journal.
Thanks so much Evie! 😊
I’m a new subscriber! I’m so glad I found you! I’m making this today.
Hooray! Welcome to my channel. I hope you’ll have fun with this today!
Very lovely thank you for sharing with us. OH and I just subscribed, you are worth being noticed!! Thank you again! In am looking forward to seeing more frome you
My pleasure Cynthia! Welcome!
Oh this looks so beautiful in your lovely journal! Thanks for the inspiration! 🤗❤️
You are so welcome - thanks so much for watching!
I love this pocket idea Kathleen! You come up with the best ones!🥰
So kind Nancy - thank you!
Thanks for inspiring video 😊 lots of love from arctic Norrway 🙌🏵🌻🌺🌹🌼
My pleasure Lena! Thanks so much for watching. I hope the arctic is a little cooler and that you are enjoying the summer sunlight!
Lovely!
Thanks so much Sherry!
I love your pocket idea ty
Thank you for watching Mim!
You made it so easy!! Love it 😊❤
Thank you Carol! I’m glad 😉
Lovely video 😊Thanks for the inspiration! I’m going to try these
I think you’ll like using it 😌
A wonderful idea!
Glad you think so! Thank you for watching.
Neat way for pockets❤
Thanks so much!
Love these, Kathleen! You are so creative and inspiring. ❤
Thanks so much Julie! I am so glad you think so!!
Thanks for your quick response, I'm going to subscribe because simple style.
My pleasure- thanks so much for the sub! Welcome!
You work beautiful, as always. What brand and size of hole punch did you use to make the divot? I need a larger one and don't know what to buy.
Oh thanks so much! I have a fiskars 1.5” circle punch.
New Subscriber! Such cool pocket ideas, thanks for sharing!
Hey there! Welcome to my channel, I am glad you can find some value here. Thanks so much for watching.
@@BeAgainBooks I have all these cool envelopes and have been trying to find a cool way to use them. So yes, very helpful!
Beautiful video ❤
Thank you Susan!
So beautiful ❤😂🎉
I’m glad you think so Elizabeth! Thanks for watching.
This is a great page to add to any journal ty for sharing I'm a new sub and you explain well❤❤❤
I am glad to hear this Becky! Welcome! Thanks so much for subbing!
Interesting idea❤
Glad you think so! Thank you!
Good morning Kathleen. Thank you. You are amazing. I really like this chickadee paper. Where do I find it ? Thank you ❤ God bless you.
@@elizabethflorez2372 Thank you Elizabeth! I’m sorry to tell you that it isn’t available as paper. The chickadee (that I think you are referring to) is a paper napkin that I decoupaged onto the pocket. I acquired the napkin from Tuesday morning years ago and I don’t remember the brand, sadly. I hope you can find something similar. Thanks so much for visiting me!
New subscriber! Love theses and so easy! Tfs.🥰
Welcome Karen!! I'm glad the pocket might be helpful to you. Thanks so much for subbing - I will look forward to seeing you around here.
Love it
@@SharonMiitchell I am glad you do Sharon! Thank you!
I want to mount crochet and needle tatting lace into a photo album. What kind of adhesive do I use? I want to journal where and who made the lace.
If these are heirloom pieces, I would tack them with a needle and thread or staple them to a card and glue the card in. It they are not heirlooms or you don’t mind a permanent solution, then I would use FabricTac. Sounds like a beautiful project.
Cute!
Thanks so much Tomi!
Hello Kathleen ! Just found you, love this idea and video. (My Maiden name is Mower, I love papers, old things and crafting.. I wonder if we are related 😀)
Hello and welcome! I am so happy you found me and hope you’ll stop by again! I hope we are related and if not, at least we love the same things, right? ! My husband’s family comes from Utah, Henry Mower Sr. was the pioneer that migrated to the west and settled in Springville. Since your name is spelled the same, there is a pretty good likelihood. Henry Mower Jr. was also a pioneer and he settled in Sanpete county. William Ezra was the son of Henry Jr. and Morley Mower was my husband’s grandfather all of Fairview.
What is the best type of glue to use?
Thanks for the question, Sabina! Lots of folks have strong opinions about glue, but I’m not one of them, haha. I use FabriTac for almost everything, and certainly if I need a “line” of glue. I also use matte Gel Medium for broad glue spots and Elmers glue stick for tiny paper sticking, but for the most part I just use FabriTac. Rarely, I use a tape runner. I really like that FabriTac doesn’t wrinkle the paper and it sets up really fast. Aleen’s Tacky glue is similar, but doesn’t set up as quickly.
I would like to know where you got your pocket pouch please?
I’m so sorry that I cannot guide you - it was a gift originally and has been hanging around my sewing room for years. I have seen similar zippered bags at the container store, though not quite the same.
Amazon has the pouches. I ordered a whole set of them.
❤❤❤
Thanks for your support Karen!
😊
Thank you Angela!
love these Kathleen! i've got loads of envelopes to use up, thanks for another indpiring video💝
I’m glad you love this idea Sue! Thanks for watching.
Fantastic project ❤
Thank you so much Sherry!
Thank you for sharing your experience and talent good ideas
THEOLA
My pleasure Theola! I’m so glad you came by!
Lovely idea 😊. Thank you for your inspiration.
John 14:6
Jesus said unto him, " I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Have a Blessed day.
Thanks so much for stopping by!