What is a Junk Journal?

I first heard of junk journaling in 2022 around the holiday season. I think I just happened to stumble across it thanks to youtube.

It made me wonder what is junk journaling and how have I not started doing this sooner!? A craft that seems to be to right up my alley and easy to begin.

I always appreciate other people’s artwork, as it’s never really been a skill that I personally have. Artists are so creative and have so much talent!

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| Related Article: Holiday Junk Journal

What is the difference between a junk journal and scrapbook?

Journaling is a hobby I always enjoyed but never really viewed it as an art form until now.

Junk journaling comes along easier for me and is so relaxing, and less complicated than other craft projects.

There is really no set guidelines, you can use any type of materials and patterns you prefer. (more on that below, so keep scrolling!)

Whereas scrapbooking is focused on photographs being the focal point, with craft paper and designs around it.

Often times scrapbook pages have a set style for each page. For example back to school photos with pop up stickers and ribbon around them.

Plus the layout is more structured, takes time to plan out how we’d like it to look, and looks more elegant.

Junk journaling has a bit more free self expression and can look a little chaotic and artsy, if that makes sense.

So junk journaling it is!

| Related Article: Starting a Journal

Okay, now to answer the question at hand:

What is Junk Journaling?

Junk journaling is using a notebook, or building your own personal booklet, and decorating it however you want!

That really is the simple overall concept of junk journaling. You can design pages using an assortment of crafting materials and even items around your house. (A full list of material ideas are below)

You can create a junk journal with an overall theme or just a general concept that you build off of.

On my youtube channel I show how I use one notebook and design each page based on things going on in my life.

For example, Christmas pages, party themes, vacation mementos, and various memories from the year. and I plan on making a wedding book so that one will have an overall theme.

A junk journal is a great way to express yourself and also save special memories. It can be made as a gift too!

(Check out one of my Journal with Me videos here!)

What do you put in a junk journal?

Personally I use various pieces of paper I have of little trinkets from special occasions, card stock from a craft book, magazine images, stickers, washi tape, markers, and stencils.

Sometimes I go to Michael’s Craft Store for new supplies. I’m always so excited to find new items to use.

Etsy.com also has thousands of shops to choose from! Anything you can possibly think of is most likely available on Etsy from a small business owner.

I recently (June 2023) started dabbling in creating my own printable journal sheets and opened an Etsy shop. I’m still on a learning curve and it’s a work in progress for creating designs but it is a lot of fun.

(If you’d like to check out my printables shop, here’s a link- @RLSPhotogenicLLC Thank you for your support! Use promo code RLSBLOG for a 5% discount)

Junk Journal Material Ideas

• Craft Paper
• Cards/Cardstock
• String/Ribbon
• Stickers
• Crayons/Colored Pencils/ Markers
• Stencils
• Glue
• Bookmarks
• Gift wrap/bags/tags
• Tissue paper
• Maps
• Paintings

• Pages from magazines/books/catalogs
• Buttons
• Playing Cards
• Washi Tape
• Thin Cloth
• Printable Pages
• Boxes
• Scrap paper
• Junk mail
• Boardgame pieces
• Journal Kits
• Etsy Printables

| Related Articles: Journaling Ideas

Craft Product Recommendations!

Here are some links to companies I have personally shopped from for creating journals!

(RLS Photogenic is an Amazon Affiliate and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. There is No extra cost to the buyer. Thank you for supporting my small business!)

Click on the links to view them on Amazon!

Stickers from Recollections

Craft Paper from Recollections

Stationary from Recollections