“Cereal Box Junk Journal” – “Part 1- Gather Your Supplies”

Happy 1/12/2020 Friends,

Hoping this post finds you all well and keeping out of mischief. In between working over the weekend, I have started on my Junk Journal series which I am going to create as a Step By Step in Parts for you.

I will be showing you how to make the cover, pages and how to bind it together, plus decorate and embellish it to the theme of what you want to use your journal for.

You can play along with me or do your own thing and make yours into whatever theme you would like it to be. This one, will be my December Daily Xmas Journal, for me to record some of our past and present family memories in. I am following along with Barbara over @ 49 Dragonflies on YouTube. I will be having a go at her prompts and doing a bit of my own thing also!

49 Dragonflies is here (1) December Daily 2020 Kick-Off/Altered Book/December Prompts for Collaging – YouTube

This shows you what sorts of items you can use for a cover. I am using a Cornflakes box, as you don’t have to worry about making spine for it, and it has a large spine.  You can use an old book, a file/manila folder, cardboard, large envelopes, exercise book covers, paper bags, envelopes, whatever takes your fancy. I want this journal to have a soft cover, but that is the fun of junk journaling. There are no rules and no right or wrong way to make your journals 🙂

BASIC SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THE COVER –

– Cereal box, cardboard or a book, – some chipboard for spine, – paper cutter/craft knife and ruler or scissors, – double sided tape, –  wet glue like white pva, and some – book or duct tape.

So grab your supplies and join me for the start of your journal. If you sign up to my blog you will be notified each time I post so you won’t miss any steps and I also have my blog linked to my Facebook page.

Have fun finding your items to use and I’ll see you soon to show you how to make your cover!

Enjoy, Kerri x

“A Rat Pack Journal”

Hi Friends,

Welcome to June and Winter in Australia. It is the Queens Birthday long Weekend here and it has been lovely having a the weekend off!!

I was checking out Youtube last night and found anew Tutorial from Nik the Booksmith on creating what she called a “Rat Pack Journal” this looked like fun so I thought I would give it a go!  Her Video is “HERE” if you would like to pop over and have a look.

 

I decided to make my journal cover, from some cardboard packaging that I rec a book in. It was sturdy enough that I thought I wouldn’t bother strengthening the covers like  I normally would with extra cardboard. I thought a soft, squishy cover, would be nice for a change and  I measured it roughly 8.5×8.25″ (17×16.5″)  I then mesured out where the spine would be and how wide I wanted it. I just eyeballed it with a pen and ruler as it was too big to place in my trimmer.

I nearly always use book tape which I find at Bunnings, to add a bit of strength to the spine as it takes the load of the signature (lots of papers). and binding.  I decided this journal didn’t need it.

I had some of this nice fabric left that I found ages ago and thought it was lovely, so I used a bit more of it on this journal. I just placed the covers on the fabric and cut around it. I then cut a way a bit of the excesses fabric and cut a few notches so it would fold over the edges properly.

I used some thin double sided tape on it just to hold it, while I machines around the edges with a zig zag stitch. I am pretty happy with how the cover came out.

For the inside covers I used some retired SU DSP that I thought was a good match, of course its Blue!!.  I just adhered it with tape and some strong clear glue.

 

 This was the ‘RAT PACK” part of this journal, as I had been saving these lined scrapbook pages and my coffee stained note paper. ………………. I just cut them down to a good size and sew a few pagers together. I made 3 signatures. Of course you don’t need to sew them together as they will stay in the book once you do your binding.

I made this one into a pocket just by sewing three sides together and punching a spot at the top so I can get bit and bobs out of it.

To bind the signatures in I just used some seam binding and wrapped it around the spine a few times and tied it off on the front of the spine. This is an easy way for beginners also with no sewing.

This is the Easy Twine Binding Method that I use for most of my journals. I like being able to add and subtract pages if they don’t work or suit my project!

As I used fabric for the cover and seam ribbon for the binding I thought a fabric name plate was in order.  I layered it up with some book paper, pattern paper, old curtain and some gauze.  I am very happy with it.

This is my finished little journal ready for me to jot down notes and things when I am watching a tutorial or thinking of ideas for my next creation!!!

I hope I may have inspired you to have a go at making your own journal. The are fun to make and use.

Have a great afternoon, I am off to spend some time with my boys!!

Hugz

Kerri x

“#stayathome Journal”

Hi Friends

I hope you have all had a lovely Easter Break. A few shifts for me, but not too bad and spending time with my boys. It was my oldest son Cody’s 28th Birthday on the 13/4/20. It was a bit low key with not being able to go out for lunch and shopping in Geelong. I am sure we will make up for it later on!!!   I don’t know where that time has gone!!

During the week I joined a lovely group of girls on FB in an Art Journaling Group. We have all made our selves a Journal to use over this mad time of Isolation and Social distancing. I decided to go a different way with mine and use a binder. Art Journaling (playing) is good for stress and just a creative outlet…………… I am still, an Essential Worker in Disability and we are out there every day. My sons are also Essential workers so I think this is a good thing to have for me to use this creative outlet.

I may use it to collage in, do some mixed media, journal, or scrap. I just want to record this crazy time we are having, so when its all over, we can look back and see how far we have all come and how we overcome these changes!!!! We have to look after our mental health as well as our physical…………

 

I am using one of my 6×8 scrap binders and I have collaged some tissue paper and then the napkin on the bottom. I just need to finish off the inside and cut the mixed media paper for it to use. It measures approx 7.5 and 8.5 which is s good size for me.

On the inside, I glued down some of the tissue paper backings, then I gave it a coat of the Kaiser paint.  I found some of these fairy pictures at a book fair I went to last year. I thought a couple on the inside covers might look ok. I went around the edges and a little on the starkness of the white paper to blend them a little.

For the front cover, I decided to use a heart that I made from some cardboard.  First I painted the cardboard with Gesso, then when dry I used some texture paste through a stencil. I added some wood and metal embellishments, then gessoed over the whole thing. Once dry I sprayed it with some mists.

I used few die cuts on the top left with a quote that says “every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day”  On the bottom right I layered a few bits and put the title of my journal on with the date.

Now all I need to do is add some mixed media paper and it will be ready to use. The great thing about a binder is that you can take a page out and work on it without getting a mess over your journal. I have really enjoyed making this journal to document what is going on in our lives at the moment and the changes going on…………………

Thanks for stopping by and having a peek at my art journal and now to start creating in it.  I hope your week is wonderful and you are #stayingathome as much as possible.

Look after yourselves,

Hugz

Kerri x

“Easy No-Sew Journal”

Hi Friends,

I hope you are having a lovely weekend. In between being an Essential worker here in Aus, I am staying at home. #stayathome

I was watching Johana Clough  “HERE”  on her YouTube channel and she made a fun Journal. I thought that would be perfect for a Cookbook for myself to use in the kitchen. It’s not too big and I can have separate recipe categories.

I had eight spare notebooks that I didn’t use awhile ago for a project so I got them out and adhered them all together, one on top of the other. I glued two at a time, then all together with white PVA glue. I then did, as Johanna had and used some fabric to bind them together. I just made sure I had plenty of glue on the spine and under the fabric when I attached it.

I put a couple of heavy books on to of my journal so it would stay together while the glue dried. You can see the covers of the exercise books buckled a bit but that doesn’t worry me as they will be covered up. I also added washi tape to each side of the books to give the spine a bit more strength.

Today I have made some sections using pattern papers from the collections, to divide them up in my journal. I covered each of the joining covers with some pattern paper and that made dividers. This is the first pages inside. I made a pocket on the left with some spare journaling cards and a bit of embellishment, with the first Catagory for Notes.

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As you can see above in the slide show I have made the other dividers the same but with a different mix of the two collections. I used stickers and die cuts to embellish them.

On the backs of a few of the dividers, I adhered a clear 6×8 page protector. These are to hold recipes that I cut from magazines until I get a min to put them in their section. I also have some of mums handwritten ones I want to include.

Above, you can see what you can create from something that looked pretty ordinary into your own personal Journal. You could do this project for anything you want to record. This probably cost me about $10 to make with what I already used from my stash and the few papers etc I used from the kit I bought.  It is made to have our family favourite recipes and to the way, I wanted to keep them together for my boys 🙂

This is a look at the tabs I made for it.

I hope you like this project and you hop on over to Johanna’s Channel and have a go at making something for your self.

My next project is a fun journal for me to play and create in with a lovely group on FB called “Isolation Days Journal” Just some fun ladies getting together and creating while they #stayathome  I am also playing along with a new Scrapbooking group created by the lovely Fiona Kenward to get some scrapping done!!

Stay Tuned and thanks for stopping by x

Kerri x

” Stampin’ Up! Ring-Bound Album”

Hello there friends and followers,

I hope your start to March and autumn here in Australia has been nice. I had a team get together at a clients house on Sat which was lovely, then a catch up with a friend which is always great. Work today was busy, I went for a walk and now I am getting a chance, to post about a couple of Ring-bound Albums I am making.

First up I wanted to show you that you can use Stampin’ Up! products not just for cards. I am an avid memory keeper and I have created one of my Memory albums using all SU products.  Our biggest Sale-A-Bration of the year is happening now and this gorgeous brand new Peaceful Poppy Dsp (Item # 151324) is available to purchase.

To make my albums, I used cardboard from the backs of some of my old paper pads and cut them 20x23cm. I then covered them with the lovely new designer series paper and inked around all the edges with Soft Suede Classic Ink. (Item # 119982)  I then stamped the Large Crackle Paint Background stamp (Item 3 148752), with the same ink. I layered some Dsp on the top, then I tied around it with some of the Linen Thread (Item #104199). I stamped the flowers from the Floral essence stamp set (Item # 149450) and punched them out using the Perennial Flower Punch (Item # 49522)   I stamped the sentiment from the Crafting Forever stamp set (Item # 15231) I used our retired Crop-O-dile to punch the holes and set the Jumbo eyelets to finish it off. this has really come up lovely and I hope it has given a bit of a peek into this wonderful company I am a part of 🙂

This shabby/vintage style album above I created using my stash. It is for a very special lady who was my mums best friend for 66 years.  Aunty Helen has always been a big part of our lives and we grew up with her son and daughter. She is a beautiful sewer, so I added the tape measure and stitching embellishments to the cover.  I will be putting some up to date photos of us all in it for her.

I am hoping now to start some much-needed scrap layout therapy and catch up on some family events etc. I will post them later in the week as I get some done.

Thanks for popping by, have a great week!

Kerri x

“Prompt 7-10 – Junk Journal”

Hi Friends,

I am feeling a lot better today than I have the last week or so. I started back to work this morning which was nice, as my client said he missed me 🙂  Yesterday, I went for a drive with my son and it was great to get outside.

I have completed a few more prompts on the JJ I am following along with Linda Israels January challenge on Youtube and in her FB group.

PROMPT 7 – Find a Poem that inspires you and create a page with inspiration from the poem you found. Journal about why the poem inspires you.

Prompt 7 video “HERE”

I used some watercolour paper and painted some ink on to it. I then added water droplets for some texture. I stamped the butterfly, with Stazon ink so it wouldn’t bleed, with my Stamparatas twice and cut one wing out, to use for the journaling. I attached it at the body so it would flip up. I added the poem and a smidge of embellishment.

PROMPT 8 – Write a compliment to yourself abut something you accomplished recently. Centre your journal page around that.

Prompt 8 Video “HERE”

 

I made a tag and covered it with a napkin. I just added a coffee dyed doily and a quote. I bit trim to finish it off.

This prompt was a little out of my comfort zone………..

I journaled that I do receive a few compliments from my friends usually about my hair or something I am wearing. To me, it feels a little funny and I think I get a bit anxious.

The compliment that I would make to my self would be…………….” that I am a good friend”   A couple of friends have been through rough patches and they were there for me when we lost mum and dad, plus my broken arm. It was nice to return the favour and be around for them to talk to if needed. I am pretty easy going and I feel most people can open up to me and feel at ease.

PROMPT 9 – Pick three colours for your journal age and only use them to create your page. Write about your favourite colour or why you picked these colours for your page.

Prompt 9 Video “HERE”

For this prompt, I picked the colours gree/pink/cream. I have been a blue girl all my life and I still love it but thought I would do something different as I  made a complete Blue Journal last year.

For this page, I wanted to make a flip out so I used some napkin with sealer over and under it to adhere it to a piece of cardstock. I then added a bit of lace trim when dry.

I then added taped to a small folded section on the left so it would open up to my journaling. I just added some pattern paper in those shabby chic colours that I liked. The paper under the journaling will stick out of the journal but that is just a fun element, like tabs you can use n your journal.

PROMPT 10 – Use an image from a book or magazine. Use it on your journal page and write about something that happened today that made you feel good………………

Prompt 10 Video “HERE”

I found this cute little kitty image in one of my Daphne’s Diary magazines and I thought he would look nice on the front of the little pocket I made for the journal tag. I just layered a few diff papers underneath and stamped the quote on the bottom. I journaled about the lovely day I had out with my son.

I hope you are enjoying the Prompts as much as I am. Hoping to get a few more done this week 🙂

Have a great Monday

Kerri x

 

 

 

“Prompt 4,5 & 6 – Junk Journal”

Hi, my friends,

“HAPPY VALENTINES DAY”……………………

Today, I am a still a bit under the weather, with some sort of buggy thing I have. Been back to the doc Wednesday and I have an infection.  I am off work the rest of the week and on Antibiotics and Ventolin. I haven’t been unwell for a long time and there goes my great record of no sickies in our house…………………..

Anyway…………… I thought I would post a couple more of the Prompts for my JJ I am following along with on Linda Israel on YouTube Channel and Facebook Group.

Prompt 4 –  To make a pocket and another tag/journal card to write about something you would like to change about yourself.

This Prompt is “HERE” for you to watch her video.

I had a denim jeans pocket from one of my kids’ jeans and I decided to use that for my pocket. I did a bit of hand stitching and added a few buttons. A doily and a bow in the middle to finish it off. I used the other tag I made, to journal about trying to change my fast-paced life and slow down and “enjoy the moments”  I am doing ok with this most of the time………….. to look after ME!!

Prompt 5 – Use a rubber stamp on your journal page, to your satisfaction. then on that page write about someone special in your life…………………. You can see the video “HERE”

For this prompt, I used a notecard from a paper pad and folded it in half. I used a leaf stamp and stamped off the page all around to create a border. I then used the notecard to journal about my sister Alison, who is a very special person in my life……………………

 I thought to hold it, I would make a belly band from a piece of pattern paper and slip it underneath to hold it in place. as it is personal I didn’t want it showing on the page. I used a piece of copy dyed paper and some washi tape to embellish it.

Prompt 6 – Paint some Junk mail and use in your journal as a background.  Journal about a Goal you want to achieve this year.  The video for this one is “HERE” 

I don’t as a rule get much junk mail, as I do most things now on line.

I had an older BHG magazine, so I tore the back cover of it and use half for my page background.   I used Gesso over the top to cover up the writing and pictures then I sprayed some mist through a stencil. when that dried I add some ink through another stencil to soften the look of it. I used a calendar card I had to journal on and just baked it with a piece of plain cardstock and inked the edges.

The Goal I journaled about, was about getting my mental and physical health back on track, exercising and I have even started running. I finished the page off with a couple of wood embellishments, twine and washi tape.

I hope you are enjoying these prompts if you are playing along with me, as I am.

Have a great ValentinesDay

Kerri xx

 

 

 

 

 

Prompt 3 – Create a Journal Card”

Hope you are all having lovely Saturday friends. It is nice and cool here in Victoria and it has been a bit of a weird Summer. In between work this weekend I am working on a couple of journals. Today is the third prompt for Linda’s Junk Journal that I am following along with “HERE”

Prompt 3 – Create a journal card or tag and use the back of it to journal about something that brings you joy in your life…………………………………..

For the card, I cut a tag from watercolour paper. I layered some mist, shimmer paste through a stencil, ink and washi with these pretty die cuts.

A lot of things came to mind that I could journal about, but I chose my wonderful two sons, as they are the joy of my life!! I used a poem I found on Pinterest and just altered a few words to include Cody and Jayden. They are the best decision I have ever made in my life and I am very lucky to have them. I am very proud of the two strong, wonderful men that I have raised mostly on my own.

I hope you are having fun playing along if you are.

Have a great afternoon

Kerri xx

” Prompt 1 – Altered Composition Notebook JJ”

Hello, my crafty friends, Just popping in today with a quick post for the Altered composition Notebook JJ Challenge.

Prompt 1 –  Using fibres to create a bookmark and to Journal about 3 Holiday/Xmas/New Year memories, that mean the most to me.

Linda shows you on her Youtube video   “HERE”  how to make the tassel and the tag. You just go about it the way you want to. Everything I am using for this journal is out of my craft stash!!! This is the first tassel I have made, so not too bad! The tag was fun to do with a bit of mixed media collage and layers.

This is the page that I added the journaling to. It was just white cardstock and I added a bit of ink and doodling.  I journaled about spending precious time with my boys and them being home with me for Xmas day. We chatted about different things we remembered about Xmas with mum and dad as we miss them very much. Nothing is the same…… I also wrote about the time my sister and I spent together a few days before Xmas. We finished our Xmas shopping had some yummy food, laughs and talked non-stop. I also saw my niece and nephews who are very precious also…… I have never been a journaler as I love telling stories with my photos, but I am finding this challenge very good for me and it gets me a bit out of my comfort zone.

This is a fun challenge and I am really learning from Linda, along the way. Hop on over and join in too, I would love to see your creations!

Prompt 2 will be up within the net day or so, stay tuned!!

Kerri x

 

 

“Altered Composition Notebook Junk Journal.”

Hi, there my lovely friends,

I hope you are having a nice start to Feb. I am busy as usual but finding time to walk and do a bit of Craft. I was looking for a bit of “INSPIRATION” for my next JJ project and I came across a lovely channel by Linda Israel who is a wonderful mixed/multi-media artist. I have watched a few of her videos and I found a JJ series she started Jan 2020 called “Altered Composition Notebook Junk Journal” and I had a peek!!! I was hooked straight away to create a JJ and follow her daily prompts.  I have also joined her Friendly Junk Journal People group over on FB.

This is Linda’s first video to create the cover “HERE” Linda used, what we call in Aus a students exercise book, but I decided to make mine using a biscuit box 🙂  I cut it open and used the spine as is and then collaged some music and book pages over the front and back. When dry I sprayed some mist over it and then let that layer dry.

I decided to paint the spine black and I added some washi tape to both sides of the spine and also at the top for a bit added strength.  The front cover I sprayed a watercolour tag with mist, then collaged the Eiffel Tower image I found in a magazine. I used some die cuts as well.

To finish the cover I added a scrap of lace to the tag at the top.

For the inside pages, I made two signatures. I collated some sheet music, book pages, magazine pages, scrapbook papers, and a few botanical pages. These will be the pages I work on each day I do one of the prompts. I used the same cream lace, to bind the two lots of pages in.

If you are looking for a challenge, hop on over and have a look at the FB group, or Linda’s YouTube channel for lots of inspiration…………………..

Have fun playing

Stay Tuned for the 1st Prompt – Using fibres and creating a Book Mark…………………

Kerri x