What is Junk Journaling?

 

Junk Journaling for Beginners

Start Creating with What You Have!

So, you’ve stumbled across junk journaling and thought, “That looks fun, but where do I even start?” Maybe you’ve seen beautifully layered pages online and felt overwhelmed. Don’t worry—you’re in the right place!

Junk journaling is all about creativity, not perfection. The best part? You don’t need fancy supplies or expensive materials. You can start with what you already have!

What is a Junk Journal?

A junk journal is a handmade book filled with papers, scraps, and odds and ends you love. Think old book pages, receipts, envelopes, magazine clippings, or that pretty tissue paper you almost threw away. It’s a mix of journaling, scrapbooking, and creative chaos.

People call them all sorts of names, including:

• Junk Journals – because they’re made from repurposed materials.
• Glue Books – if you love sticking things down without much writing.
• Art Journals – for those who mix in paint, stamps, and doodles.
• Smash Books – if you like a messy, anything-goes style.
• Creative Journals – because, well, they’re all about creativity!

No matter what you call them, they all serve the same purpose—creative expression!

Why Start Junk Journaling?

• No rules! You create however you want.
• Eco-friendly. It’s a great way to repurpose paper and materials.
• Stress relief. Playing with paper, glue, and colors is therapeutic.
• Creative outlet. No artistic skills required—just a willingness to experiment!

How to Start Your First Junk Journal

1. Gather supplies. Look around your house! Grab paper bags, old cards, wrapping paper, receipts, or anything with an interesting texture or pattern.
2. Choose a base. A notebook, an old book, or even folded cardstock can be your journal base.
3. Start layering. Glue down scraps, add pockets, washi tape, or doodles. There’s no wrong way to do it!
4. Write, stamp, or decorate. Use it as a diary, an art journal, or just a place to collect fun things.

Need Help Getting Started?

Feeling a little stuck? I’ve got you covered! Check out my YouTube tutorials where I break down junk journaling step by step, making it easy and fun. I also have a shop filled with handpicked supplies to make your junk journaling journey even more exciting—because who doesn’t love a little happy mail? 🎉

Remember: It’s About the Process, Not Perfection

If you’re overthinking your pages, take a deep breath. Junk journaling is about experimenting and having fun. Your first pages might look messy, but that’s part of the charm!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab some paper scraps, check out my tutorials, and start creating!

This Month's Project: Fashion-Inspired

 

This month's project theme is fashion, and as an 80's kid, I couldn't be more excited to dive into this one! Yes, I rocked the fluorescent colors, had that wild over-permed hair, and even sported some neon leg warmers (don't judge me—it was the thing). Fashion has always been a huge part of my life, from the bold trends of my youth to the creative fashion influences that inspire me today.

Now, I’m bringing that love of fashion into the world of papercrafts, and I want YOU to join me! Whether you're a fashionista at heart or just looking for something new and fun to try, this month's project will have you crafting stylish creations with paper. (Come on over - new tutorials throughout the month)

What You’ll Learn
We’ll be crafting fashion-inspired papercrafts that bring a little runway magic to your DIY world. From paper clothing embellishments to stylish journal pages, you'll learn fun new techniques that can be used for scrapbooking, journaling, or card making!

How to Make It
I’ll guide you step-by-step through the tutorials, using supplies you probably already have. Expect plenty of color, texture, and layers to bring your creations to life—no limits on creativity here!

Why You Should Join
This is the perfect chance to mix your love of fashion and papercrafting. It’s all about having fun, being creative, and flaunting your work. I can’t wait to see what you create! Join us on Facebook to and chat with our community!

Clear and Organized: Craftroom Storage Tips

Crafting chaos, begone! If you’re like me, you’ve spent more time digging through piles of supplies than actually creating. But here’s the thing—getting your craft room organized doesn’t have to break the bank. In my latest video, I’m sharing all my favorite storage tips using jars, glass containers, and clear bins. The best part? Most of these gems were thrifted, found at garage sales, or repurposed from items I already had.

Why Clear Containers are a Game-Changer

Clear storage makes it easy to see what you have without rummaging through drawers or boxes. Plus, it adds a touch of functional charm to your craft space. No more mystery bins or forgotten supplies buried in the back of a closet—everything is visible, accessible, and ready for your next project.

My Favorite Thrifty Finds

Who says organizing has to cost a fortune? Here’s what I use to keep my craft room tidy and wallet-friendly:

1. Glass Jars: Perfect for buttons, beads, washi tape, or anything small. I’ve scored these for pennies at thrift stores. Bonus points if the jars have lids for stackable storage!
2. Clear Plastic Bins: Great for larger items like paper pads, fabrics, and tools. I label them for easy access.
3. Vintage Containers: Old candy tins, mason jars, and even apothecary jars can be charming and practical.
4. Repurposed Items: Think outside the box! I’ve reused takeout containers, sturdy gift boxes, and even empty candle jars for organizing supplies.
5. Garage Sale Treasures: One person’s trash is another crafter’s treasure. I always keep an eye out for unique storage solutions at yard sales.

Tips for Staying Organized

1. Group Similar Items: Keep like items together—pens with pens, ribbons with ribbons. This makes finding what you need quick and effortless.
2. Label Everything: Even clear containers can use a label. It saves you from second-guessing and keeps your space tidy.
3. Use Vertical Space: Stackable bins and tiered shelves help you make the most of your craft room, especially if you’re working in a small area.
4. Purge Regularly: If you haven’t used it in a year, consider donating it or passing it on to a fellow crafter.
5. Make it Personal: Your craft room should inspire you. Use colorful jars, quirky labels, or anything that makes you happy to look at while you create.

Watch the Full Tutorial

Want to see all these ideas in action? Check out my YouTube tutorial, Clear and Organized: Craftroom Storage Tips, where I take you through my own craft room and share exactly how I use these storage hacks to keep my space functional and fabulous.

Don’t Stash Those Holiday Cards in a Drawer—Let’s Make Them Extra Special!

 The holidays may be over, but the memories live on—especially in the form of those beautiful cards we receive from family and friends. But what happens to them once the season ends? Too often, they end up forgotten in a drawer or tossed out. Not this year! In my latest tutorial, I’m showing you how to transform those holiday cards into a keepsake-worthy creation using the super-easy hinge method.

 

Why Save Holiday Cards?

Holiday cards are more than just paper—they’re heartfelt messages, thoughtful designs, and snapshots of the season’s magic. By giving them new life, you can:

• Preserve memories of loved ones.
• Turn them into a holiday keepsake to enjoy year after year.
• Reduce waste and repurpose those cards creatively.

What You’ll Need

This project doesn’t require a lot—just some simple tools you probably already have:

• Holiday cards (as many as you’d like to include!)
• Cardstock or decorative paper for hinges.
• A scoring tool or bone folder.
• Scissors or a paper trimmer.
• Adhesive (glue, double-sided tape, or a tape runner).
• Optional embellishments like washi tape, stickers, or glitter for extra flair.

Making the Magic Happen: The Hinge Method

The hinge method is perfect for creating a clean, polished keepsake without punching holes in your cards. Here’s how:

1. Sort Your Cards: Decide on the order of your cards. You can group them by theme, sender, or just in the order you received them.
2. Create Your Hinges: Cut strips of cardstock to about 1 inch wide. Score them down the center and fold in half.
3. Attach the Hinges: insert hinge into the spine of the card and repeat to connect all the cards into a flip-through booklet.
4. Add Finishing Touches: Cover hinge edges with decorative washi tape, add embellishments, or even include small photos to make your keepsake extra special.

Why You’ll Love This Project

• Keeps Your Cards Intact: No cutting or hole-punching means you can preserve those heartfelt messages and beautiful designs.
• Easy to Store and Display: Your holiday card keepsake can be stored on a shelf or displayed as part of your seasonal decor.
• A Sentimental Tradition: Create a new keepsake each year to build a collection of cherished memories.

Watch the Tutorial!

Ready to rescue those holiday cards from the drawer? Join me on YouTube for my step-by-step tutorial, Don’t Stash Those Holiday Cards in a Drawer—Let’s Make Them Extra Special! I’ll guide you through the hinge method and share creative ideas to make your keepsake truly shine.

 

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So grab those holiday cards and let’s get crafting! Don’t forget to share your finished keepsake in our Facebook group—I can’t wait to see how you’ve turned your holiday memories into something magical.

What do you think?

Craftroom Mayhem: When Ribbons and Washi Finally Get Their Act Together!

 Let’s talk about the chaos of ribbons and washi tape. If yours are currently in a tangled mess or scattered across your craft room, you’re not alone. But fear not—because I’ve found the ultimate hack to get these crafty little troublemakers under control. Spoiler alert: It involves those adjustable shelf holes on your craft room furniture that you’ve probably been ignoring.

 

In my latest YouTube video, I’ll show you how to turn those humble shelf holes into an organization masterpiece that’ll make you wonder why you didn’t do this sooner!

The Hack: Adjustable Shelf Holes + Dowels = Game Changer

Here’s how it works:

1. Grab Some Dowels: You can find these at any hardware store. Make sure they’re thin enough to fit through the holes and sturdy enough to hold your ribbon spools and washi rolls.
2. Adjust the Shelf Pegs: Use the existing shelf holes to place pegs at the desired height.
3. Slide the Dowels In: Thread your ribbons or washi onto the dowels and place the dowels onto the pegs. Voila! Everything is neatly stored and ready to grab.
4. Layer Up: Depending on your shelf height, you can add multiple dowels for even more storage. It’s like a custom ribbon-and-washi station!

Why This Works Like Magic

• Space-Saving: Keeps everything off your desk and out of drawers, freeing up precious crafting real estate.
• Visible and Accessible: No more digging through bins or untangling ribbons. Everything is right there, easy to see and grab.
• Customizable: Adjust the height and spacing to fit your collection perfectly—whether you’re a washi minimalist or a ribbon hoarder (no judgment!).

Craftroom Chaos No More

With this simple hack, you can finally give your ribbons and washi tape the organized home they deserve. Plus, it’s so satisfying to see everything lined up and pretty—it might even inspire you to craft more (or at least admire your handiwork).

Ready to Try It?

Check out my video, Craftroom Mayhem: When Ribbons and Washi Finally Get Their Act Together!, where I walk you through the entire process step by step. You’ll see exactly how to set up your adjustable shelf hack and get your craft room one step closer to organized perfection.

What do you think—ready to give your ribbons and washi the makeover they deserve? Let me know in the comments or share your own crafty organization hacks in our Facebook group. Let’s inspire each other to tidy up!

Operation Craft Room Chaos: Let’s Tidy Up (Finally) - Paper

 

Paper, paper, everywhere—and not a clean space to craft! If you’ve ever been buried in a mountain of cardstock, paper pads, and scraps you swore you’d use, you’re in the right place. Welcome to Operation Craft Room Chaos: Paper Edition, where I’m sharing my favorite tips and tricks for taming the paper madness once and for all.

In my latest YouTube video, I’ll show you how I organize my paper pads, sort scraps, and store everything in a way that’s functional and tidy. Because let’s face it—crafting is so much better when you can actually find what you need without a scavenger hunt.

Tray Chic: Storing Paper Pads

Trays are my paper storage MVPs. Here’s how I use them to make my single cardstock sheet and paper pads look less like a craft store explosion and more like an organized dream:

• By Size: Keeping pads sorted by size makes it easy to grab what you need at a glance.
• By Theme or Color: I love arranging them into categories, whether it’s a rainbow lineup or a seasonal vibe.
• Upright Storage: Standing them up helps avoid bent corners and makes them easy to flip through.

The Scrap Situation: Clear and Clever Storage

Ah, the infamous scraps pile. For those smaller pieces, I use clear containers to keep everything visible and sorted by size. This system makes it easy to grab the perfect scrap for a project without digging through a mystery pile. Want to see exactly how this works? Check out my other video, Clear and Organized: Craftroom Storage Tips, where I share more about this game-changing storage method.

Matching Scraps to Paper Pads

Another game-changer? Keeping scraps with their matching paper pads. This simple trick saves so much time when you’re working on a coordinated project. In the video, I’ll show you my go-to ways to keep everything neat and easy to access. You also can make a pocket in the back of the pad to put those scraps.

Craftroom Chaos No More

With these simple storage hacks, even the wildest paper collection can feel a little less overwhelming. Whether you’re a messy crafter (like me) or an aspiring organizer, these tips will help you spend less time searching and more time creating.

Ready to tame your paper stash? Watch Operation Craft Room Chaos: Let’s Tidy Up (Finally) – Paper Edition now and get inspired!

And don’t forget to check out my other video, Clear and Organized: Craftroom Storage Tips, for more storage ideas!

Trading Spaces in 2025: My Craft Room’s Tiny New Adventure!

So, 2025... here we go! This year, I'm kicking it off with something big (and honestly, a little scary). I moved out of my huge craft room and swapped spaces with my daughter so she could have more room for dancing and theater stuff.  Yeah, I know—I’m that parent. But now I’m in a much smaller room, and let’s just say… it’s been a thing.

 

 

But hey, change is good, right? This little room might be cramped, but it’s going to be organized—somehow. I’m determined to get it done this January, even though it’s taken WAY longer than I thought.  But I’m making progress, one craft supply at a time!

Who else has ever started with a nice, clean craft room, only to have it look like a craft store exploded by the end of the week? Yeah, I’m always there. A messy space can really put a damper on creativity. But we’re all about creating here, not searching for supplies!

So, come join me on this journey. Let’s get organized together (or at least pretend we are). And if you need some inspiration—or just want to share your own mess—I’ll be posting updates in our Facebook group. Let’s inspire each other, even if our craft rooms look like war zones!