It's Like Magic! Shabby Painting Techniques for Junk Journals

I’m sharing easy decorative ideas and simple painting techniques for the shabby chic aesthetic, and showcasing how to use textures, colors and embellishments to create beautiful mixed media tags and journaling cards for the shabby style junk journal.
I’ll give you step by step instructions to use basic supplies that you probably already have. Paper, acrylic paint and gel stains, texture paste with brushes, stencils and a sponge -easily gathered from around your craft space to create beautifully shabby textures that add depth and character to your projects. Use these techniques on background papers, tags, cards and other elements for the journal.
This video is part of my "Style Wise" series, exploring the characteristics of popular junk journal styles and how to achieve the look of these styles. Check out the rest of the playlist here...
Playlist = Style Wise / Junk Journal Style
• Style Wise / Junk Jour...
The little shabby images that I’ve used to embellish the painted cards come from Cara Brandon’s Shabby Cluster Kit - find it in her Etsy shop at this link = @Cara Brandon Creations Shabby Cluster Builder Kit www.etsy.com/listing/1725722911/
#junkjournalideas #junkjournaling #mixedmedia #junkjournalstylewise

[@debbiecooper3125]

Wow, ten techniques to help us with our shabbiness! That is so fun to watch and don't worry about too much, you are so organized and easy to follow that we can't get enough!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Debbie! I’m glad you don’t mind long videos!

[@suzettefaircloth5037]

I think for the antiquing, you could probably use coffee on a sponge brush after the sanding. I imagine it would stick in the grooves where you sanded. The coffee would have to be on the strong side to show up well but not overwhelm. Love these sharing videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent. I'm so glad your daughter -in-law pointed me to you. I still miss her videos.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Yes, I agree that coffee would probably work also. Thanks for watching Suzette!

[@shandsgirl1463]

Thank you so much for teaching these techniques to a beginner like myself. You do inspire me to be a better crafter in the shabby style.🌺

[@BeAgainBooks]

I am so glad to hear it - thank you very much for stopping by and for your lovely comment.

[@CreativeCrisis-Art]

It's great to have all these techniques in the same video for reference. I'm loving your shabby chic series!

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m so glad you will find these useful! Thank you for watching.

[@lornabee309]

Great tutorial! Thanks for showing us so many ways to add shabby textures and layers to our journals!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Lorna! My pleasure.

[@marielibby6475]

I just sat down with my morning coffee ☕ and was about to re watch some of the other Shabby Chic videos when to my surprise a new video just come out minutes ago. Yay 🤩🎉 I can't tell you enough how much I am really enjoy and look forward to seeing them. ❤ I decided to create a shabby chic journal so I can put into practice what I'm learning. Today, I will be giving the crackling and antiquing methods a try. I'll still re-watch some of the other videos since I have all weekend to play. 🎨🤓

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad you are playing and practicing Marie! That’s what so fun isn’t it. Hooray for the weekend!

[@marielibby6475]

@@BeAgainBooks Little update on my experiment with the crackling technique. I tried it with Aleene's glue. My first one, I let the glue dry completely and used white paint over it. You can see some crackling but it is very very subtle. I watched your video again and realized the glue still had to be tacky. Tried it again with white paint and did get a better result, but your crackling is much more pronounced though. I tried another one but this time I used a pale pink paint color and the best way I can describe the result from that one is that it looks more like a wood grain pattern. Next time I go out to the Dollar store I might pick up some different glue to see what kind of result I get.

[@BeAgainBooks]

@@marielibby6475 I’m glad you are experimenting with different glues. It does take a bit of practice to get the “tacky” part right, haha. Try using a bit more glue as well as different kinds of glue, the thickness also makes a difference. I have found that Elmer’s glue all works pretty well.

[@Mommyoffive4Him]

Absolutely fabulous!! I can't wait to try the crackle technique! Loving this series!!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Kerri! I’m glad to hear it.

[@CraftingWhimsy_Trish]

Thanks so much for your demonstration of these techniques! ❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Trish! I’m glad it’s helpful.

[@carolbeeding4270]

😍❤️ another video saved to rewatch again later. Great video, Kathleen.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh I am so glad Carol! Thanks so much for watching.

[@creativenana]

What can I say that I’ve not already said…. Wonderful tutorial

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh thanks so much Nana! Thanks for coming by!

[@dawnklein106]

This was fun to watch. Used to play with my glue like that as a kid but it never occurred to me to use it as a “technique”.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Yes, there are so many techniques that we used to do, right? Things like the “bleeding” tissue prints, potato printing, Koolaid dyeing, crayon rubbings, it’s a big list. It’s just like kindergarten everyday at my house, haha. Thanks so much for always watching Dawn!

[@dawnklein106]

@@BeAgainBooks Exactly! I always joke about unleashing my inner second grader when I go play at the craft table!! 😂

[@elainet5870]

Great video! I especially liked your crackle technique! I’ll be sure to try it out soon. Thanks also for sharing memories of your Mom. Isn’t it wonderful to have had a creative mother? I, too, was lucky to have had a creative Mother, who sewed, embroidered, and did other crafts. 😃❤️

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m so glad Elaine! Thanks very much. I am really glad you also had a creative mom - makes such a difference in confidence, don’t you think?

[@lucyfanning7496]

Lovely refresher.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks very much Lucy!

[@lindaspaperworks]

Kathleen, every one of these shabby videos are just reinforcing my belief that this is my preferred/natural style. We love what we grew up with, right? At least, I know that's true for me. Thanks for going through all of these techniques. I've done many of them, most in fact, but I've never done the crackle--who knew it would be so easy? I'm sure that's going to useful for me sometime soon (if nothing other than just having a fun go with it. Also loved the torn paper technique with the roses paper. I love anything printed with those big cabbage roses. Every technique you showed, I learn a little additional tip that I think will make my life easier and my results better. So, thank you so much. This was a very informative, as well, as fun video. Also, I love it when you talk about your mother. I think she would be so proud of you and your accomplishments.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Wow - I am glad to be helpful in this way Linda! One of these days I hope we can meet. I so appreciate your support.

[@lindaspaperworks]

@@BeAgainBooks It's funny, Kathleen. Right after I posted that comment, I saw you had posted a reply to someone else that eclectic style is next. I thought--"Oh, that's me, too." Ha ha. I'm just a mix, I guess. I'm looking forward to that segment, too, but you're going to have to convince me on gothic. ;-) I would love to meet you as well.

[@2011bebu]

Kathleen, you are simply amazing! these are beautiful! ❤❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Carolyn!

[@lindahowe2293]

What a very helpful video! Thank you! I like to take a screen shot of finished items to help me recreate and learn. Would really appreciate a close up for just a second longer, pretty please. 🙂

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Linda! I do have close up pictures at the beginning of the video. I hope you can capture something there. I also sometimes slow a video down to get a screen shot. Just go to the settings (gear) icon to slow it long enough to capture the screen shot.

[@thegypsy1968]

Bravo! well done! love this for so many reasons. Thank you so much for sharing all of these wonderful ideas in one video. some of them are new to me but some I had forgotten. Nice to have them all in one place so to speak. Hugs,GinaB 💕❤🥰

[@BeAgainBooks]

You are so welcome GinaB! Thanks so much for stopping by this morning!

[@zinniapatch2488]

A huge "thank you" for sharing your talent! I love your style so much and I'm so glad that I found your channel! I've been catching up and it is just so much fun!!!

[@BeAgainBooks]

This makes me happy! Thank you so much and welcome! I’m glad you found me too.

[@57cparks]

Great tutorial, Kathleen. TY for doing that. Great techniques and tips. Especially love the look of the crackle and the sea sponge! You are so very creative!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh I'm glad you think so Chris! Haha - love it! Yep, I love the crackle and sponging too. Thanks for watching.

[@sherylsantoro]

I love all the techniques! Everything turned out beautiful!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you so much Sheryl!

[@nancypyter1511]

Fantastic Kathleen! I love all of your techniques!🥰🥰

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you so much Nancy! I appreciate you!

[@noreenlawlor3700]

Loved this tutorial. Beautiful results. Got some great tips. Thanks so much for sharing Kathleen.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you so much Noreen! I’m glad you got some tips! Hope you have a great weekend.

[@mindybeveridge8377]

I love this series, Kathleen. I am going to have to do some gathering of supplies and will try these techniques. Thank you for sharing.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m so glad Mindy! Thanks for watching.

[@eviegorecki5356]

Very fun to see all these techniques. Everything looks so pretty. It made me think back to years ago, sponging whole rooms. It was a very popular thing to do that now seems a little obsessive 😊. But it was a very pretty technique with the right colors.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I know, right? It did look great though. Everything comes around in cycles, it seems. Thanks for watching Evie! I appreciate your steady support.

[@wallcreekandrea5196]

Terrific! Many thanks for showing all those different techniques, which will come in very handy in time. Your videos can't never be too long, Kathleen!😊

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you very much Andrea! I hope they will be handy for you.

[@lorigigglegirlarts]

love these

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you very much Lori! I’m glad!

[@maggiequilts]

Kathleen! so much information to help us with our creativity ty ty ty I love your channel i will try some of these ideas on the tags I'm doing love and hugs Maggie🥰

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad to hear that Maggie! Thanks for watching!

[@ScrapbookSage]

Looking forward to playing with some of these techniques! Just bought some texture paste today!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Hope you enjoy it Dawn! I think it’s such a lot of fun.

[@kellybrush4803]

Just love your style!!!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh thank you Kelly! That makes me happy.

[@ediewilson4043]

Great video. Thanks.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Edie!

[@mikeselness910]

So pretty ,love all the different techniques, thank you so much for sharing your art of shabby chic, will have to revisit this video ,for sure ,Teresa in Mn

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m so glad you think so! Thank you for watching.

[@BonnieLipke]

great tutorial and explanation! hugs

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Bonnie! I appreciate your steady support.

[@craftinontheback40]

I love it. Thank you so much for sharing. you are a great teacher! Everything was so pretty. i want to do it all.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Aww - thank you April! Thanks for the support!

[@sherryvanderpool8644]

Very useful video you gave great instructions much appreciated ❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Sherry! Thanks so much for watching!

[@afeeser]

Thank you! I learned a lot.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m so glad Andrea! Happy to know this.

[@dakielty]

Great techniques, great explanations, I’m looking forward to seeing these same techniques in different styles

[@BeAgainBooks]

Almost through the shabby Dorothy! You've been very patient, haha! Thanks for watching! Eclectic next.

[@dakielty]

I’m really looking forward to eclectic. I eclectic think I’m one of the people who calls mine eclectic and just put in whatever I want. Lol

[@gemmalclarke]

Thank you Kathleen! As others have mentioned, a great reference video and wow about a different way to do crackle painting. I also love your torn wallpaper look. FYI - We do have that particular Elmers Glue in Australia (yay! So glad when I checked!), available at our online craft stores and also at Officeworks which is big office supplies store here.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Wow - so glad you have this glue down there! Makes it easier. Other glue probably works too, just don’t know for sure. Thanks always Gemma for the steady support!

[@markpaige4795]

❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Karen!

[@kerynokeeffe9133]

Thank you, Kathleen. Such a great reference video for achieving these shabby techniques! You’re a terrific teacher, dear friend! Do you use gesso in place of paint sometimes or is that for a different kind of effect? 😀💞

[@BeAgainBooks]

Hey there my friend! Thanks so much - I’m so glad you think this is good. I don’t use gesso in place of paint, although one could probably. It’s a little more chalky or flat in appearance, if that makes a difference. It also has a slight resist to some mediums, particularly inks and glaze, which can be useful. I use it most often as a base coat to help cover a foundation and give it a bit of “tooth” so that subsequent layers will stick better.

[@CPcomments]

So much in one video. It's hard to choose a favorite but I really like the way the glassine bag turned out. Do you happen to remember the source of the pretty paper you used in the torn wallpaper demonstration? It's so pretty.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you so much - I’m glad you enjoyed this. That wallpaper image comes from one of the wallpaper bundles on the premium membership site at the Graphics Fairy. The Tattered Paper Treasures bundle. It really is a beautiful wallpaper image.

[@CPcomments]

@@BeAgainBooks Thank you!

[@MonicasCraftyCorner]

Another amazing video! Im so thankful someone turned me on to you earlier this week! May i ask, besides tea dying, had you done anything to the guest xheck to give it some structure, like backed it onto another piece of paper? I ask because my guest checks are almost tissue paper thin. Thanks again and i cant wait to watch your whole series! ❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

I don’t add anything like a backing because I actually like my ephemera to be as thin as possible, haha. Just my preference because I don’t like too much bulk in the journal, so I save thickness where I can. Thanks so much for watching! I’m glad you found me too! Actually, it occurs to me that you might be in a different country where guest check are very thin. Some receipts are thinner than say, copy paper? These are just a tiny bit thicker than copy paper, but thinner than cardstock. If I were using a thin paper, I would back it for a more sturdy structure.

[@katrineleber7238]

Those are FABULOUS! I was wondering about your fabric-tac. How do you keep from fighting all the time when you try to use it? Mine gets so thick that it takes a long time to get it to come out of the bottle. Should I use acetone sooner to thin it? I watch so many videos where the artist is fighting with this product. Your videos are wonderful. Soon I’m going to go back and take notes for when I run out of ideas. Thank you so much. Hugs, treen 💕💕💕

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you so much Treen! Yes my glue gets thick also, but I use it almost exclusively, so it doesn't have much time to dry out, haha. I use acetone (a few drops at a time) to thin it and that works pretty well. I also know that it bubbles and swells up when the temperature warms the empty space inside the bottle, so I try to keep it out of sunlight on the desk and also I refill the bottle often to keep that empty space filled. Thanks for the question - hope that helps.

[@lindaspaperworks]

@@BeAgainBooks Thanks for these tips about Fabric-Tac. Keeping the bottle filled--great tip. It does get contrary when the glue is getting low in the bottle. I hate that bubbling up thing it does, especially in the summertime. Now I know why it does it.

[@nancysale188]

Thank you for this Kathleen! What kind of plaster did you use? Blessings....

[@BeAgainBooks]

Sometimes it is called texture paste, sometimes modeling paste. Some people use spackle paste - like what you can buy in the hardware store. I have this jar of “modeling paste” that I bought at Hobby Lobby in the art department. But, as I mentioned, it is very thin and I don’t like it much. It needs to be more dry - more stiff. But it is the Hobby Lobby brand - Master’s Touch. Thanks for watching.

[@DarcysMixedMedia]

❤

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you so much Darcy!