Junk Journal and how to use up your stash!

Hello cyber friends! I have got the answer for that BIG question, how do I use up my ever growing stash?  Ok here it is, make a junk journal!  Doing so, will provide you with hours of entertainment as you sort through your stash and wonder what on earth prompted you to buy some things and with other things, you'll be so tickled that you finally got to use that special item!  Those bits and pieces of leftover paper collections are perfect in a junk journal.

These journals are so easy to make if you use Sizzix's XL journal die designed by Eileen Hull.  You just cut out two chip or mat board covers, add your favorite design paper inside and out and then assemble with elastic bands.  The process is so easy, I am guessing that if you give it a try, you will be addicted as am I!!  Though this is my 1st junk journal, it's my 4th journal using this die, in less than a month. Can you say addicted?!

So the next question is, what is a junk journal?  Well it's pretty much like its name, its a journal of junk.  They are often made from old music sheets, paper bags, maps, note papers, junk mail, really anything goes!  I chose to use scraps of scrapbook paper that I have accumulated over the years along with bits and pieces from my very old embellishment stash!  You can then use the journal for whatever you want.  I am using mine simply as a conversation piece.  It's filled with quotes and pictures and just fun "stuff".

I had so much fun searching for just the right "thing" in my stash of "stuff" that I haven't touched in years.  Sometimes I was wondering, did I really buy that, what was I thinking??  But, seriously, what a great way to use up my stash!

These journal dies have been selling like hot cakes and it's been hard to get your hands on one.  The Funkie Junkie Boutique has one in stock as I am writing this.  I made this book for me but I am also entering it in the current Frilly and Funkie challenge, Read Any Good Books Lately,  which is to "create a vintage or shabby chic project that depicts a favorite book or use book pages on your project, alter a book or even make a journal or journal page! "

I made a video to share my journal with you and hopefully inspire you to make your own junk journal.

Here are a few of my favorite pages.

I did age some paper to use in my journal.  I simply took copy paper, dipped it in tea and then dried in the oven for a few minutes.  That gave me gorgeous aged paper.

The fun thing about junk journals, is that there are no rules. Just have fun, be creative, put your imagination to work!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my journal!  I really appreciate it.