Make a Junk Journal From an Amazon Box and Craft Supplies

Let's look over the supplies we'll use for this section of this course- the structure of the book. You can also consult your Supply List PDF from the first section.

Let's cut our box to create the front cover, back cover, and two spines.

Why do we need two spines? Let's look at a completed junk journal to understand this part of the book's structure.

Now, we'll cut our two spines to the correct size for our future signatures (pages).

Now, we'll measure and cut one piece of fabric to cover the entire structure of the junk journal.

You can leave fabric seams for an interesting texture, but for this project, I decided to cut them. Here's how to get rid of any unwanted part of your fabric piece.

Since some of the pieces look the same, let's go ahead and label them so we don't get confused later!

Now, we'll glue our fabric to each piece of the book's structure, making sure we have room to close the book later.

There's a little trick to gluing the inside of the fabric so that it doesn't bunch up in the corners. Let's work on that together.

For the final step in this section, let's secure our decorative paper into the front and back inside covers and let them dry.

Let's look over the supplies we'll use for this section of this course- the book pages or "signatures". You can also consult your Supply List PDF from the first section.

There's no limit to the types of papers you can use inside your junk journal. I generally mix scrapbook papers, lined papers pulled from used notebooks, printer paper that ended up in my paper bin for imperfections, construction paper, and random colored papers. With that in mind, let's choose our papers for our junk journal.

Because the size of this junk journal is small, I can create two signatures from one paper bundle. If your journal is larger, no problem! You can just duplicate the process for each signature.

Let's work on the third and fourth signatures together. Same process, different paper bundle!

Now, we'll prepare our second spine. For this step, you can use a Crop-a Dile or a nail, and I'll show you both ways. (I used a nail for over ten years before finally buying myself a fancier tool, so don't let a lack of a tool stop you!)

In this step, it's time to cut holes into the signatures. Again, if you have a Crop-a Dile, you can use it. If not, I'll show you how to use a serrated knife to do the same thing.

Now, we'll sew all four signatures into the spine. I'll show you how to use a bobby pin as a needle, instead of a fancy bookbinding needle- mostly because I could never find the right size!

In the final step of this section, we'll glue the spine into the book, and let it dry.

Let's look at some pages I've decorated in my junk journal. I'll also show you why you never want to throw your scrap papers away. There are so many things you can do with them!

Let's look over the supplies we'll use for this section of this course- decorating the pages. You can also consult your Supply List PDF from the first section.

Here is a quick look at my entire workspace while I work on the pages. I like to have my different supplies all spread out so I can quickly grab things and move through the process without thinking too much or getting stuck on what to do next.

How do we decorate the pages if we're giving a junk journal as a gift? The idea is to give each page a little love without filling it completely with your own ideas. Make sure there's space for the person you're giving it to to play with the pages themselves.

Let's continue decorating the 2nd signature pages with tucks, pockets, and little treasures.

Moving on to signature 3, let's continue decorating the pages.

Let's finish up the signatures by adding a few more special touches.

It's time to add a pocket and some cuteness to the front and back covers.

For the final step in this section, we'll tie on a trinket for an extra unique touch.

Congratulations on finishing your junk journal! How do you feel?!