How to Make Junk Journals: Craft a Creative DIY Keepsake!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE JUNK JOURNAL DESIGNS

If you’d prefer to make a journal instead of starting with a sketch book, download my Junk Journal files from my free library – look for Design #743. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the SVG folder, you’ll find “score” and “no-score” versions of my bases and pockets with tags.

The “score” versions require a Scoring Stylus or Single Scoring Wheel to create smooth lines for folding and alignment. If you don’t have a scoring tool, or if you prefer dashed cut lines, you can use the “no-score” versions instead. 

There is also a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to https://jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: GATHER YOUR JUNK JOURNAL MATERIALS

1. Open https://jennifermaker.com/cosmos in the Google Chrome web browser on your computer to go to the Cosmos collection of public domain images.

NOTE: These images are in the public domain, meaning you can download and use them in artwork. For more information, see Cornell University’s notes on copyright and the public domain.

2. Search for the topic you want, then click the download icon to save the ones you like.

NOTE: I’ll look for images of written letters to add visual texture to my designs without needing to worry about detail orientation.

3. Open https://jennifermaker.com/google-docs in the Google Chrome web browser on your computer.

NOTE: You will need a free Google account to use the free Google Docs software.

TIP: You can also download and open the Google Docs app, but you’ll have limited access to features.

4. Click “Blank document” at the top left to open a new document.

5. Go to the File menu and select “Page setup.” 

6. Make sure the box next to “Portrait” is checked.

7. Change your margins to “0” to use more of the page.

8. Make sure your Paper Size matches your photo paper.

NOTE: I’ll set mine to 8.5” x 11” or letter-size.

9. Click “OK” to apply the settings.

10. Click the area that says “Untitled document” at the top and type a name for the file.

11. Go to the “Insert” menu, then select “Image” and “Upload from computer.”

12. Click “Browse” and select your chosen image.

13. On the document page, click and drag a corner of the image until it fills the page.

14. With the image selected, click “Edit” and “Copy.”

15. Click your keyboard’s right arrow key to move next to the first image, then use “Edit” and “Paste” to add the image again, which should go on to a new page.

16. Go to the File menu and choose “Print.”

17. Select your printer under “Destination.”

18. Click the arrow beside “More Settings,” and then click “Print Using System Dialog.”

19. Your print menu may look different - just make sure the correct printer is selected, increase the copies if you want, activate double-sided printing, and select the highest quality matte paper and print settings.

20. Load the matte photo paper correctly into your printer.

NOTE: Make sure your paper is the same on both sides.

21. Click “Print.”

22. Your print is ready to use as double-sided decorative paper!

STEP 3: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR JUNK JOURNAL DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.

NOTE: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.

2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”

3. Click “Browse” and select the base SVG file you want to use.

NOTE: I’ll demonstrate with the “score” base. 

4. Click “Open,” and then “Continue.”

5. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.

TIP: You can click the minus (-) icon in the lower left corner to zoom out and see everything on your canvas.

6. Click “Save” and give your project a name so you can find it easily.

7. If you want to add my pocket designs, use Steps 2-5 to add the “tags” SVG to your Canvas, too.

NOTE: I’ll add the “score” file.

8. “Ungroup” the main design to work with the pieces separately. You can drag them apart to see everything as needed.

NOTE: On your Canvas you have one large rectangle with a line down the middle for the journal’s base, and a smaller rectangle with a line on one side for the additional pages.

9. In the Layers panel, click the arrow to expand the page Group.

10. If you want to cut your pages on a different material than the base, click the lower “Basic Cut” layer, then change the color using the Color Box.

NOTE: I’m cutting my pages from printed paper, so I’ll make them yellow.

11. If you’re using the “score” file, select the top layer with the solid lines and change it to “Score” so the Cricut knows to make the score line where your page tab will be folded.

NOTE: The score lines for this project are all red, which is reflected in the Color Box when selecting a line layer.

TIP: If you’re making the “no-score” version, your lines are already dashed line cuts and don’t need to be changed to “Score,” so you can skip this step.

12. Click the Group layer with the arrow to select both layers in this group, then click “Attach” to keep your score line with your cut shape.

13. Repeat Steps 9-12 for the base, changing the line to “Score” and Attaching it to the cut shape.

NOTE: I’ll keep the base white and cut it from white cardstock so I can decorate the front and back of my journal.

14. “Ungroup” the tags design and delete any you don’t want to use. I’ll use all three.

NOTE: The options include a simple pocket, a pocket with a tag you can add a ribbon to, and a complex pocket with three slot-in cards.

15. Repeat Steps 9-12 for the pocket options you want to keep, changing the line to “Score” and Attaching it to the cut shape.

16. Select just the page, then click “Duplicate” to make copies until you have enough to make the junk journal you want.

NOTE: I’ll make 3 more pages.

17. “Duplicate” and adjust any of the pockets, tags, or cards you want.

NOTE: I’ll make the tag and cards yellow to cut them from the decorated paper, and make copies of some to have more options.

18. Your project is ready to cut!

CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.

2. Click “Make.”

3. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected for your materials.

NOTE: I’m using “12 in x 12 in” white cardstock for the base and some of the accessories, and printed 8.5” x 11” for the pieces on yellow mats.

NOTE: If you see a mat with just lines, one or more of your score layers may not have attached correctly, so click on “Cancel” to return to the Canvas to check and adjust as needed.

TIP: If you have a lot of extra space on your mats, you can go back to the Canvas and “Duplicate” the pockets and/or cards to cut extras. 

4. Once you are satisfied with your mat layouts, select the first mat again and click “Continue.”

NOTE: My first mat is the white base, but yours may be different.

5. On the Make screen, set the Base Material for your first mat. For both the regular cardstock mats and the printed matte photo paper, I used the “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” material setting with “More” pressure for cleaner cuts.

6. If your mat has scoring lines, follow the screen prompts to select and add your scoring tool. Depending on your machine, click “Edit Tools” and select the Scoring Stylus to load both the scoring tool and the blade at the same time. Or you can select the Scoring Wheel and switch tools when prompted. Click “Apply” to close the “Edit Tools” window.

NOTE: If you’re using the “no-score” version, you won’t see the Scoring Tool prompts since all of your fold lines are dashed cuts.

7. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the correct clamp.

8. Place the cardstock face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat to cover the design area on the screen.

9. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.

10. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.

11. Press the flashing middle button to begin cutting.

12. When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the middle button again to make a second pass of cuts in the same spots.

13. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the cardstock.

14. Cut the rest of your plain cardstock mats the same way.

15. When you’re ready to cut a mat using decorated paper, place it on a green StandardGrip machine mat to cover the design area on the screen. Since there are non-directional decorations on both sides, you don’t have to worry about design placement.

16. Prepare, load, cut, and unload the mat the same way as you did the plain cardstock.

17. Save the extra printed paper to cut into decorations.

18. Cut the rest of your mats the same way.

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR ACCORDION-STYLE JUNK JOURNAL

1. Lay out your junk journal pieces grouped by type.

TIP: If you have double-sided pieces, pick your favorite side and consider that “face up.”

2. Fold and unfold the base along its center line.

3. Flip your first page over and fold its side tab up to see where the crease will be.

4. Run a wrinkle-free glue stick along the tab’s back, but don’t get too close to the crease.

TIP: Keep some scrap paper under the page to catch any extra glue.

5. Flip the page face up and align the score line with the base’s right edge so the tops and bottoms are flush.

6. Press the tab in place and let it dry to create the third inner page, connected to the base with a mountain fold.

7. To create the accordion style folding, add glue to the front of the next page’s tab and glue it to the back of the third page to create a valley fold

8. Alternate adding your pages as mountain and valley folds until they are all connected.

9. If you want to add any of the included pockets, use a scraper to carefully fold back along the score or dashed cut lines.

10. Add glue to the pocket’s outer tabs but not the middles.

11. Press the pockets glue-side down onto the page and hold them to dry in place.

STEP 4: DECORATE YOUR JUNK JOURNAL

Let your creativity take over and play with layering paper, adding found bits. placing stickers, adding handwritten quotes -- whatever your materials inspire you to do!