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Friday Top 5: Junk Journal Basics for Beginners
- May 1
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever looked at a junk journal and thought, “That’s beautiful… but where do I even start?” — you’re not alone.
The good news?You don’t need a huge stash or complicated tools to begin.
Junk journaling is all about layering, texture, and telling a story — and you can start with just a few simple basics.
Here are five essentials that will help you jump in and start creating right away:
1. Paper + Ephemera Base
Start With What You Have
This is the foundation of every junk journal page.
Think:
Scrap papers
Book pages
Tags
Vintage-style or patterned paper
The magic happens when you mix textures and layers. Nothing has to match perfectly — in fact, it’s better when it doesn’t.
Start with what you have and build from there.
2. Adhesive Essentials
Layer Freely!
You’ll be doing a lot of layering, so having the right adhesive makes a big difference.
A simple combo works best:
Tape runner for quick, clean layers
Liquid glue for flexibility (especially on uneven surfaces)
This gives you the freedom to experiment without frustration.
Layer Freely - don't worry about perfection!
3. Stencils
Create Beautiful Designs
If you want to add interest quickly, stencils are one of the easiest ways to do it.
Use them to:
Build backgrounds
Add subtle patterns
Create focal areas
They’re beginner-friendly, reusable, and incredibly versatile — which makes them a must-have in any craft space.
Create beautiful designs - in seconds!
4. Texture Paste
Bring your pages to life!
This is where your pages really start to come to life.
Used with stencils, texture paste adds:
Raised dimension
Tactile detail
That layered, mixed media look
You don’t need much — just a small amount can completely transform a page.
Bring your pages to life...with texture!
5. Distress Inks/Oxides
Soft, Vintage Finishes
Ink is what ties everything together.
Use it to:
Blend edges
Add depth to your layers
Soften and “age” your papers
It’s one of the simplest ways to take your pages from flat to finished.
Soft, vintage finishes tie everything together!
💡 Start Simple and Build from There
Junk journaling isn’t about perfection - in fact, it's the opposite!
It’s about experimenting, layering, and creating something that feels personal.
Start with these basics, try a few combinations, and see where your creativity takes you.
✨ Want to See It in Action?
This week we’re featuring a couple of our favorite tools for adding texture and depth — stencils and texture paste — and they’re the perfect place to start - stop in and see us - or follow us on Social Media!
Give it a try and see how quickly your pages come to life.
💜 This Month at ScrappyShak
All month long, we've been focusing on Junk Journaling and Mixed Media — from tools and techniques to simple projects you can actually finish.
If you’re just getting started, you’re in the right place.
And if you’ve been crafting for years… it’s always fun to go back to the basics.
🎨 Join Us This Saturday!
We have lots of new products to show you and we always have great demos to show you!
It's a great way to learn something new from the comfort of your home - OR - pop in and see us - we'll be happy to show you in person!
OR
👉 Stop by ScrappyShak - we'd love to show you what we've been up to!
💜Ready to start creating?
💜 Shop all of your cardmaking needs at ScrappyShak: https://www.scrappyshak.com
We can’t wait to see what you create 💜
junk journaling supplies, scrapbooking tools, paper crafting ideas, ephemera packs, washi tape crafts
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