How to Make a Junk Journal

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I have been seeing lots of fabric journals lately as I've moved away from spiral binding my own handmade books. I took a binding workshop a couple years ago and have always loved the look of stitched books. A few weeks ago, at Seaside Soiree, an event produced by Charity Wings, Jen Cushman shared a journal project with me that she had created in a class with Kristen Robinson.

It was fun and quirky and totally junky. Inspired by what Jen created, I decided to take some of the junky things in my stash and create a few “junk journals” of my own.  Here's one of them:

This post also serves as my round 2 entry in the Tombow Designer Challenge so, why not show you how to use Tombow's new Xtreme adhesive to make a junk journal. Tombow sent me this new Xtreme to try out a few months ago so I totally knew what it could do when they sent me a second pack!

Though this particular mixed media junk journal is Christmas themed, a junk journal can be used as an art journal, a scrapbook, or even as a smash book of sorts for a trip you've taken. Gather ephemera from a trip, from your stash, or go thrifting and yard saling to find unique fabrics, papers, maps, and other items to include in the journal. You can assemble the entire book with ONE adhesive, Tombow Xtreme!

Supplies:

• Tombow Xtreme Adhesive
• Wallpaper Samples
• Clearsnap Smooch Spritz in Ginger Ale
• Lumiere Paint
• Delta Acrylic Paint in Metalic Kim Gold
• Needle and Craft Thread (thick)
• Assorted Fabric – canvas, denim, chiffon, organza, cotton, linen
• Assorted Ribbon and Lace
• Assorted Ephemera – buttons, handwritten notes, book pages, mini Christmas trees
• Die Cuts – Sizzix Christmas Tree from wool felt
• Sewing Machine (optional)
• Scissors Pinking Shears

You know how I roll – of course I made a handy dandy video for you to see. Watch the process and get started on making  journals of your own. The best part is, no sewing mahcine required: