Junk Journal/Memory Book Class

Junk Journal/Memory Book Class 

(Start to Finish)

Gulf Coast Scrap-A-Palooza -- October 23, 24, 25, 2025

Scrap-A-Palooza is just around the corner and I am, for one, counting down the days to be with my scrapbooking friends.  Thanks Robyn and Megan for hosting this great event!

NOTE:  THIS IS A LONG POST

Diana and I will be holding a Junk Journal/Memory Book Class for anyone who wishes to come (limited seating for 15 participants).  A Junk Journal originally was just that -- a journal made from junk lying around your home -- old envelopes, flyers, old book pages, magazine pages, if you can imagine it, it was probably used.  In this class we will be using new items -- several different types of papers (various notebook papers, doilies, etc.) to create the pages. After the cover and pages are created, we will "sew" them into the cover and decorate them with ephemera. At the end of the third class you will have a completed Junk Journal/Memory book to record your memories of trips, events or your personal thoughts.

A flyer was posted on Friday, August 29th about the class and we hope to see you there.  The flyer is below with some explanations to go along with it.  Have a great day!

This is a three-session class to be held over three days.  A list of items each participant needs to bring and a list of what is provided in the class are shown below. COST:  $20 per day or $50 for all three sessions.

Day 1 -- Thursday, October 23rd at 3:00 p.m.:  Each participant will receive a cardboard box that has been cut down to journal size.  Each participant will need to bring two sheets of coordinating 12"x12" scrapbook paper of their choice to cover the "journal" inside and out. 

                

Day 2 -- Friday, October 24th at 7:00 p.m.:  Each participant will receive numerous papers to create the SIGNATURES for the journal.  A SIGNATURE is a group of papers sewn into the journal (resembling a small booklet). Each participant will be creating three signatures for their journal.  After the signatures are created, everyone will be shown how to "sew" them into the cover for the journal.  All materials for "sewing" the signatures in will be provided. NOTE:  This will most likely be the longest class.

   

Day 3 -- Saturday, October 25th at 1:00 p.m.:  Each participant will receive a stash of materials to make ephemera -- pockets, tags, belly bands, tucks, journal cards, etc.  If you would like to have coordinating pockets for the inside of journal, please bring additional sheets of coordinating cardstock.  Bring coordinating card stock if you want to make additional tags.  A Big Shot and Dies will be available to cut out additional pockets and tags.

  

REMEMBER:  Many of the items you make can be used in your scrapbooking!

Each participants' journal will be the same, but different.  Papers may be placed differently by each individual and decorated differently with ephemera.

ITEMS EACH PARTICIPANT needs to bring:

Paper Cutter        Bone Folder        Liquid Glue        Scissors 

Ruler         Pictures      Stapler       Two-sided tape (if desired)             

Pen and paper for notes                  Stickers (if desired

Markers (any type) / Colored Pencils etc. to color neutral ephemera (if desired)

Ribbon:  1/4" x 12" (used as a page marker)             

Lace, Ribbon, Sari Cloth (your choice of materials): 24" to 30" (to be used to tie around the completed journal to keep it closed -- in case you create a chunky monkey or alligator mouth journal).

An old book as large as you can find (Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Library, ????) to be used when you staple and/or use as a glue book to keep your table top clean.

Scraps of lace, ribbon, string, buttons, stickers to use to decorate any ephemera you made.

2 (TWO) sheets of coordinating patterned paper (scrapbook paper) to make the cover and finish the inside of the cover.

Additional coordinating patterned paper if you wish to make additional pockets, etc., to match the cover.

EPHEMERA (e - fem - er - a) -- The third day is devoted to making/creating ephemera. Tags, pockets, tucks, belly bands, journal cards, etc., to place throughout your journal.  Ephemera can be decorated with lace, buttons, bulb pins and more.

ITEMS PROVIDED to each participant:

Pencil Box (to hold tools)        Pokey Tool             Needle

Waxed Thread                          Awl                         Clamps

Cut cardboard to create journal cover                    

Papers to create THREE signatures

"STUFF" to create Ephemera (some bits and pieces of ribbon and lace, book pages, playing cards, tags, pockets and more)

An INFORMATION PACKET of "nice to have/know" information.

Please leave a comment below if you want to attend the class and send an email to pelicancraftslongbeach@gmail.com with your information. Payment is due no later than date of class.

Ephemera Created Using Japan Blossoms by Paperomia

Ephemera -- I have created several pieces of ephemera for you with full directions and pictures below.  You can watch my "how to" video here.     *** Long Post ***

Ephemera Using Japan Blossoms Digital Kit (youtube.com)

1:  MINI JOURNAL

Journal Cover:  Print four double-pages to a page. Print background design on reverse side. (Fit to Page size was used).

Cut each double-page out and fold at the center.  Cut each double-page approximately 4-3/4” x 3-1/4”.

  

Sponge all edges (front, back and folds) with ink. Tim Holtz' Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink Pad was used.

Inside Journal Pages:  Inside pages are cut from 4” x 6” white pad (purchased at the Dollar Tree US).

                                                     

Remove and cut three sheets 4-1/4” x 3” and fold in half.

   

Sponge all edges, front, back and folds, with ink. (See above)

Place inside each other and even all edges up, place inside journal cover.

   
         NOTE:  A staple was used to fasten the spine. The spine can be sewn, if desired.

Place opened journal (cover and inside pages) on rubber eraser, staple with open stapler at top and bottom of spine. Turn over after stapling and press ends of staple down.

Round edges and decorate journal, if desired.

   

2.  HIDDEN PAPERLCIP

Outside Layer:  Select six images and print them on one page. Cut each image out, approximately 2-3/8” x 3-1/2”.

Fold in half, approximately 2-3/8” x 1-3/4”. Sponge all edges and fold.

     

Inside Layer:  Use one sheet of white note pad paper (see above), cut to 2-3/4” x 4”.

Fold in half. Place and center small paperclip on white paper.

Hidden Paperclip:  Place inside layer snugly inside of outside layer (patterned paper).

Generously add glue to white layer. Press outside layer (patterned paper) down over white layer and smooth out any wrinkles.

   
Turn hidden paperclip over and repeat above process.

Trim excess white paper, round corners, if desired. Sponges edges, if needed.  Decorate.  

Attach to a page in your large journal.

3.  POCKET WITH FILE FOLDERS

Cut patterned paper/card stock of choice as shown below for pocket and file folders.

Pocket:  Measurements – 3-3/4” x 4” or 4-1/8” (4-1/8” makes it easier to measure and cut out).

Along 3-3/4” edge, score at 2/8” and 3/8” from left edge, flip pocket around and score at 2/8” and 3/8”.

Along 4-1/8” edge, score at 2” and 2-1/8”.

Fold along all score lines.

Cut both sides at the 2-1/8” score line to the 3/8” and along the 3/8” score line.

Add glue to each side (green hash marks).

Fold along all score lines, glue 2/8” area to the edge of the cut piece.  Make sure the design you want to show is on the outside of the pocket.

File Folder 1:  Measurements – 4-1/4” x 3-3/8”.  Left Tab.

Measure 1-1/8” from left side, cut down 3/8”. From right side, cut over to cut mark creating a tab measuring 1-1/8”x3/8”.

Score file folder 1-15/16” from the bottom.

Fold along score line.

File Folder 2:  Measurements – 4-1/4” x 3-3/8”.  See above diagram.

Measure 3/8” down from top and lightly pencil a line from the left edge to the right edge.

Measure 1-3/16” from left and place a dot on the pencil line you made, measure 1-3/16” from the right and place a dot on the pencil line you made. Cut both sides to the dot along the pencil line.

From the top of the file folder cut down to each to dot creating a tab in the middle approximately 1-1/8” x 3/8”.

Fold along score line.

File Folder 3:  Measurements – 4-1/4” x 3-3/8”.  See above diagram.

Measure 3/8” down from top and lightly pencil a line from the left edge to the right edge.

Measure 1-1/8” from right side and place a dot on the pencil line you made.

From the top of the file folder cut down to the dot creating a tab.

Fold along score line.

Special effects:  You can sponge the edges of the pocket and each file folder, if you wish.

                           You can round the corners of the pockets, if you wish.

                           Decorate as you desire.

Insert file folders into pocket.

 Patterned paper Place template

 File folder cut  Decorated

TEMPLATE

4.  PAPERCLIP OR SAFETY PIN BANNER

Supplies:  Washi Tape Sheet                  Glue

                 Large Paperclip                     Embellishments, if desired

Print out Washi Tape Sheet, print design on back of Washi Tape Sheet

        
Cut out Washi Tape design of choice

Cut to 3-3/4”

Score at 1/2” from the top

From bottom, mark center of Washi Tape (approximately 13/16”)

From each corner at the bottom, cut at an angle up to the center mark

Sponge edges, if desired

Fold at score line

Insert into large paperclip

Add glue and press down until firmly attached

Embellish as desired

*You can slide paperclip from the side onto a journal page, a pocket, a belly band, anywhere you want!

5 and 6.  POCKETS & TUCKS

TUCK or POCKET:  Print out Pocket Sheet in size(s) you want.

Cut out desired pockets.

Sponge the edges, if desired.

Glue along straight edges and attach to journal page.

Embellish as you desire.

          Variation:  Print out two in different sizes, attach smaller pocket/tuck onto larger pocket/tuck.

        

               

POCKET using DOT STICKER:  Print out two Dot Sticker Sheets in size(s) you want.

Cut out two of the same image.

Cut one image in half.

Add glue around curved edges of partial circle and adhere to front of full circle.

Embellish as you desire and attach to journal page.

          

7.  TAGS

Print Tag Sheet in size(s) you want to use on cardstock.  Print simple design on back or leave blank.

Cut Out

Sponge edges, if desired

Embellish

8.  NOTEPAD

Print two copies of the Polaroid Sheet in size(s) you desire

  
Cut out two of the same image

Sponge Edges, if desired

Use four sheets of the white paper from the White Note Pad

   
Cut white paper ¼” less than the polaroid image.

Punch two holes, side-by-side, at the top of each polaroid image and at the top of each sheet

 

Cut ribbon approximately 8” long in desired color to coordinate with image

Assemble and embellish as you desire

9.  JOURNAL CARDS

Print four to eight images on one sheet(s)

Print simple pages on the back of above sheet(s), if desired, or leave blank

Cut out image(s) you want to use, sponge edges if desired

 
Embellish, if desired

Insert into pocket