| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| JennRap |
Posted - Apr 01 2026 : 9:14:16 PM
Hello friends,
I'm starting a journey into paper crafting, specifically doing junk journal type projects with bookmarks to match and sweet pockets to put small gifts in. (a wrapped teabag, envelope of seeds etc.) For those of you who are quite seasoned in this craft medium I'm looking for guidance and advice.
What tools are got to haves?
Where do you like to get your patterns, papers, ephemera? I see quite a lot of themed papers, pockets and ephemera on Etsy. Where's your favorite place?
What advice would you give to a beginner?
What has been your favorite project?
I'm excited to learn from you!
Jennifer Rapoza
California - Idaho
Taking Life One Step at A Time by the grace of God! |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Apr 24 2026 : 11:50:06 AM
I do a bit of junk journals but I mostly make cards, tags and ATCs.
I recycle a lot of things such as cards, photos, stickers, images from this and that. I use ribbon, lace, snippets of fabric,ric-rac, buttons, all kinds of embellishments.
I don't put a lot of "whatever" miscellaneous things in the journals. I want what I make to mean something to whoever I make it for. I'm making one for myself with just bits and pieces of things that mean a lot to me, including notes from friends and family . . . including farmgirls.
Yes, a good papercutter, sharp scissors, tweezers. I also use scissors that cut fancy edges and corner punches. I especially like my corner punch that ever so slightly and smoothly makes rounded corners . . . a look I like for some cards and ATCs.
I have used every kind of adhesive . . . tacky white glue, glue runners, glue stick, etc., etc. But I LOVE Fabri-tac! It's all I use now and, in my opinion, is the best for all kinds of surfaces.
I encourage you to look at things you have and recycle, recycle, recycle. I have never bought any images or kits.
Happy papercrafting!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Farmgirl Sharpshooter
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
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| suny58 |
Posted - Apr 24 2026 : 07:33:59 AM
Hi Jennifer! Sort of a junk journal maker here when I have time! Different from a few ladies here. I like to create my own papers for my journals. So I flower dye, press and tea dye or coffee dye. Also use paints, stencils, stamps and inks to create various papers. I love various fabrics for my covers, cereal boxes, card board, ribbons, etc.
Denise and Sherry create gorgeous journals by using printed materials. Im kind of a ' mutt' using artsy junk. Lol. Lots of helpful you tubers, etsy and instagramers to research. Find your niche, create your own style and enjoy the process!:)
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Apr 09 2026 : 08:53:44 AM
Hi Jenn,
Junk journaling is one of my favorite hobbies. I get lots of ideas from YouTube. I did buy a lot of downloads from my porch prints on Etsy but find I prefer making more unique things and making the journals instead of whole kits.
There are lots of items that are handy. I would say a paper trimmer is no. 1 on my list as well as a bone folder and awl for putting together signatures into the journals. There are lots of ways to bind them into journals.
I can email you some more info if you are interested.
~Denise
Sister #43~
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured." 
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| nndairy |
Posted - Apr 08 2026 : 6:37:38 PM
I haven't made many junk journals, but I've done a lot of scrapbooking and card making over the years. My advise is just jump in! You'll find what works for you as you go. I get my stuff all over the place. My best finds have actually been garage sales and thrift stores. I've gotten a lot of stamps and paper that way. Once family and friends figured out what I was doing I got a lot of stickers and paper as gifts. I've found that for me tape runners work better than glue sticks, but maybe I just haven't found the right glue stick yet. As for tools I'd suggest a good sharp pointed pair of paper scissors, some fun patterned scissors (like zig zags or curvy lines), and a good paper cutter. You can do a lot of things with those!
~Heather
“I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” — George Washington
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