Blank to Beautiful: White Space Transformation in a Junk Journal

If you don’t like white pages in your junk journal, these ideas are for you! I’m demonstrating EIGHT techniques that I use regularly to soften the stark white space in my vintage junk journals. These mixed media techniques transform the white space using simple materials like coffee dye, Distress Ink, acrylic paint and other easy to find materials.
Whether you're a journaling beginner or a seasoned pro, this video is a great way to learn new techniques and improve your journal making skills. I hope it will be helpful to everyone!
I have six other videos that demonstrate how to alter those white pages. Here are the links:
Hand Dyed Paper with Distress Inks
• Hand Dyed Paper with D...
Make Pretty Papers for Junk Journals #meadowbookmarch
• Make Pretty Papers for...
Step Up Your Junk Journals with Mixed Media Background Papers
• Step Up Your Junk Jour...
Ugly Magazine Papers? Use This to Transform them for Junk Journaling
• Ugly Magazine Papers? ...
How to Make Beautiful Junk Journal Papers Without Using Distress Inks or Oxides
• How to Make Beautiful ...
Embellish the Top of a Blank Journal Page | Junk Journal Ideas
• Embellish the Top of a...
#junkjournalideas #easyjunkjournalephemera #mixedmedia #artjournaling #junkjournalpages

[@roxiebaker1158]

Thank you for the reminder to be bold and to not get discouraged if I don't like the up close or individual results. I needed to hear that. Love the coffee spilling!

[@BeAgainBooks]

So glad to encourage you Roxie! Thanks for absorbing the message!

[@sherylsantoro]

I love all the ways you used the coffee and inks. I also love the faint stenciling. Thank you for showing us how to add depth to paper.

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Sheryl - thanks so much for watching and your lovely comments!

[@nancypyter1511]

Great video of all of your techniques to dress up plain pages Kathleen!🥰

[@BeAgainBooks]

Nancy - you are such a support to me. Thank you!

[@FromRVtoCrafts]

Such a wonderful reminder of these techniques. Thank you for showing us again. ❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching Irma!

[@saritassales]

I like how you spilled coffee!!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Sara!

[@eviegorecki5356]

Great video ❤. I agree with you on just trying different things. It might not look great at first, but once it is in the signature, it completely changes. I've used a lot papers I thought were fails and really liked them once I used them in the signature and added other things. Another technique I really like the look of is to spray coffee on a stencil on one side of the paper, then flip it over and rub the stencil on the other side. For 2 different but very pretty looks. It's always nice to hear things that your mother taught you 😊.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Evie! I love that you “get me”

[@dakielty]

So much fun. I remember in a fabric painting class they showed us to use plastic wrap wrapped around a cardboard. I had forgotten that technique until i watched this. I see fun in my future trying your methods

[@BeAgainBooks]

Yay! - I love that suggestion! Thanks for that Dorothy!

[@cottonconfetti]

Hi Kathleen, thanks for putting all these great ideas in one place 🤩

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Davina! I’m glad that’s useful. Thanks for watching.

[@diannelevy9179]

This was so helpful Kathleen, thank you.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh I’m so glad to be helpful Dianne! Thanks for watching.

[@thaniastefa4308]

🎉😂🎉Very nice, thank you so much for this lovely video 💝💥💖💫

[@BeAgainBooks]

Glad you enjoyed it Thania! Thanks for watching. 😊

[@lindaspaperworks]

Hi Kathleen, you covered a lot of really interesting information in this video. I particularly liked seeing how you do smooshing. I've not done that much and felt like I wasn't very good at it. But I do like the index cards that I smooshed much better now than I did when I first made them. I think you're right about playing with our supplies and being bold and brave. Sometimes I find it hard to "mess up that beautiful white paper." ha ha. I generally like it better when I'm through, though. I think I need to be mindful of how many techniques I use in a journal. It does need to have continuity. On the other hand, today I saw a family quilt that I had not seen before--it's all bold floral fabrics in various bright colors with overall patches in an "ax-head" pattern. I just loved it. The continuity is the florals are similar sizes, the size and design of the patches, and the repeats of some of the fabrics. It was a case of too much is just enough. Boy, did I digress that time! Have a great week, Kathleen, and as always, thanks so much for all of your wonderful teaching and sharing of ideas. You're the best! Loved all of the techniques, and I have not seen coffee spilling like that before. That looks like a fun technique to try. Bye for now.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Linda - for your thoughts and encouragement! You are such a support to me and I appreciate you. The quilt sounds so fun, so beautiful. Sometimes instinct just takes over, right? And when it feels right, it IS right. I hope you’ll also have a great week.

[@whimseacottage]

Very much enjoyed your inspirational process video! I'm always learning new things from your channel! Thank you for encouraging us to be bold in our work!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Yes! I’m so glad to help you learn things! I’m glad you absorbed the message about being bold. Thanks so much for your comment.

[@PattysPaperDesigns]

Thank you for these ideas. I have a lot of paint, sprays and inks but have not played around with them yet. This is just the inspiration I need to take the plunge. 😊🤗❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

Yay Patty! I’m glad you will try it! Thanks for watching.

[@susandavis3337]

Thank you.! You always inspire me!

[@BeAgainBooks]

You are so good to me Susan! Thank you!

[@kerynokeeffe9133]

Thank you, Kathleen. This is the best summary and presentation of techniques and tips for addressing white pages that I have had the real pleasure of viewing! Awesome video! 😀💞

[@BeAgainBooks]

That’s so great to hear Keryn! Thanks so much!

[@KimGibsonfiberlover]

very nice tutorial; lots of info clearly demonstrated. I enjoy your videos, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad to hear this Kim! Thank you.

[@karenfrase9390]

Thank you. Great ideas.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so very much Karen!

[@noellesanders900]

Amazing video!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@BeAgainBooks]

You are so welcome Noelle! Thanks for watching.

[@sharonparrish2981]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Glad it was helpful Sharon! Thanks for watching.

[@sionedjones6789]

Wow im so glad ive found you ❤ ive just been through my stash and found my papers and my book cover ❤ absolutely amazing video, you are amazing ❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh you are very kind Sioned! Thank you! I’m glad you are on a roll - good luck with this project!

[@JennCadyFiddlyBits]

15:06 If you spray your paper down with water first, and wet the surface, you’ll get less of the “sprayed blotch” look, and the distress inks will move more. Both looks are interesting, wet on wet or wet on dry, just depends on what look you’re going for. And, it’s ok to say “I am an artist” rather than “I want to be an artist.” My mother has been an artist my whole life. I’ve only recently started calling myself an artist, but it’s the best creative decision I’ve ever made because it changes how I look at the world. ❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks for the reminder Jenn! Yes, wet paper gives a great look as well, and it all looks good! I love that you took the step to call yourself an artist and can feel the difference it makes. I do call myself an artist actually, my mother saw to that, haha. Thanks sooo much for your thoughts!

[@JennCadyFiddlyBits]

@@BeAgainBooks 🥰😁

[@evelynhughes951]

Thanks for such great information.

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Evelyn! Thanks for watching.

[@samiguttery2278]

I really enjoyed this, thank you for the great ideas!

[@BeAgainBooks]

You are so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it Sami!

[@wallcreekandrea5196]

Thanks a lot for explaining the basics, which unfortunately I very often forget in the process of putting together the signatures for a JJ, ending with a lot of different papers however, as a whole quite boring. Starting with a colour scheme taken from one or a few digitals or other patterned papers is such a great advice. I will definitely give it a try! Thanks for sharing!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks for watching Andrea! I love to be helpful!

[@JoansJunkJournalsAndMore]

Your smooshing looks so much better than mine. I think I have to use just a little less color. Great video ☺♥

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks Joan - smooshing is something I do almost constantly, so I get a lot of practice, haha. But the results are always random and it’s fun to experiment.

[@darlenescreativejourney6755]

love these ideas as often I just cant get to coffee or tea dyeing with drying in stove or outside

[@BeAgainBooks]

Same here! Glad you like these ideas!

[@elainet5870]

Nice reminders of all these techniques! Great video for beginners! Good advice about going for it in mixed media. Besides, pages that you think might be fails, can always be used successfully in collage! Thanks for sharing, Kathleen! 😃❤️

[@BeAgainBooks]

Good point about collage fodder Elaine! I should have thought to mention that in the video. Thanks so much for your support!

[@markpaige4795]

❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Karen! ❤️

[@mzo707x]

just found your channel. love these ideas. tfs

[@BeAgainBooks]

Welcome!! I’m glad you’ve found me - I appreciate you watching.

[@Bront-ki2im]

Thank you for explaining your process and giving us beautiful examples of how to add color and design to our pages. Very helpful and inspiring. ☺️

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Bront!

[@darlenescreativejourney6755]

and here I have been throwing my coffee spelt paper away lol

[@BeAgainBooks]

Haha - never that!

[@AntonioMakes]

Hey Kathleen, hope you are well. Is there any contact email I can reach you at please? Thank you and have a great day 🦋😘

[@BeAgainBooks]

Yes, [e-mail]

[@lorigigglegirlarts]

Thanks for doing this video. It's inspired me to get out some of my mixed media out of storage and use them before they dry up or go bad.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Wonderful! I’m glad to hear it Lori! Have fun! ❤