Make a junk journal with me! Patchwork pages, pockets & top tips ✨ Junk Journal January 2025

[@rosalindball7534]

What a lovely utube channel . Meg you are an inspiration. I have wanted to get into junk journaling for ages but hadn't found the right creator for me ...until now. I wanted someone who was calm with clear guidance using lots of recycled items . I've just made the simple sew junk journal ..all the better as i like to work small , so A6 is perfect for me . I'm in the UK too so its great to see homegrown young talent who can relate to everyone and at every level of experience . thankyou ...and I'm going to do the 2025 challenge . thankyou for the PDF prompt .

[@dottygin]

I have only just found you and I have been watching you yesterday and today. I know I am late to this junk journal January, but I had to have ago. And I will follow on with your prompts for this month. I love how you patchwork your papers, I am watching you on this one and I must have paused and rewound you back about 10 times to catch it. Yes I got it in the end. I need lots of practice and I would love to attempt your no sew journal. I love this journal for its size, I have made one for my daughter so she can play as well. We can video call each other and have a crafting session. Your channel is wonderful, lots and lots of inspiration. I adore your work. ❤❤❤

[@tootsie2]

I love this. I use cardboard food packaging like cereal boxes for my larger journals. They have a bigger area for the spine to add several signatures. I also make small journals using smaller boxes and do them with one or 2 signatures. I keep a stash of these boxes. I cover them with trifted fabric. I am like you on the inside pages. All mix and sizes. I mostly put the book together before decorating but like the idea you said here on making and decorating the pages first. I may have to try that at least once. I do many small blank journals to give as gifts for those friends who like decorating and writing in their own journals. I'm presently working on a memory journal for a granddaughter who marched in her school band at Macy's parade. She loves writing so have blank pages, photos and newspaper articles. I used a smaller cereal box for the base. I will put a smaller journal like yours for this challenge. Thank you for stretching my creativity. Love all you do.

[@AlpacaMade]

Cereal box lovers lifetime member! 👏😉

[@jennsuicune]

​@@AlpacaMadeI also use Cereal boxes most of the time 😊

[@tootsie2]

I'm in!! Love any box packaging. I examine all my junk mail and packaging before I toss it.

[@rcec1995]

I think using cereal boxes as the cover would be cool to use it as it is and NOT cover it

[@tootsie2]

Great idea

[@janetatkinson1015]

Another newbie, I've been watching Sarah the Moodler work through this challenge, which has led me to this challenge, and now I'm going to have a go! I'll follow your advice and start A6, and I'll create my own journal with Stuff I already have. Just got to finish my patchwork quilt first, so looking forward to this will keep me focused! Better late than never! Agree completely with the previous comment regarding home grown talent, btw, love how much value and creativity the US talent puts into things, lovely that it's happening here too - it gives me a clue to sourcing materials here, yay!

[@anniebird248]

I've made a pretty darn cute mini from a small tissue box. It has 3 signatures, a window from where the tissues came out, and a couple of flaps in a kind of cross configuration that lent itself to having a small signature. The 3 signatures aren't all in one spine. There are 4 folds in the tissue box with a signature in 3 and another fold up piece that can be a flip down page or just part of the book to hold everything together. The pages are small not to overwhelm me with having to spend a lot of time on each page. If I run out of space the spare fold down flap could have a signature added in. The box is white with black irregular spots which I love. I hope to spunk it up with a big bright floral. I wonder if a future challenge could have some plastic. I'm itching to work with plastic in a journal but as a newbie I'm thinking about how to make it very journal friendly. Whilst I recycle there is always plastic about. Hence the interest. Will you be sharing each day or several days in a video of your own pages or only the assigned pages? Life has been quite a challenge and this has given me something to look forward to. Thanks Meg.🌻

[@kimarmstrong9161]

@@anniebird248 would love to see a picture of this and a diagram of the folding, if possible. Very creative!

[@lindabarnett7653]

@@kimarmstrong9161 yes-show us!!

[@helengibson8196]

Hi Meg, I have only recently started watching your videos and Ilove them all. I recently made an accordian journal after watching your video. I made it from old book pages, scraps from magazines and the cover is some scrapbooking paper I already had. I'm looking forward to letting myself be free within the pages. I've never done this before but you have given me the courage to try. Thank you 🌷

[@jensartyinclinations]

Love it - I did a tab binding this year with a series of inky pages that I made for it this time. Thanks for a great challenge to start our year with each year ❤❤❤

[@lisa0j]

I’ve got a lot of supplies and ready to go… I think your January challenge is the perfect place for a newbie to start! I won’t be doing it in January but I will use all the ideas to get me started.

[@megjournals]

you got this! :D

[@viviankay54]

I am ready to go. I am making a journal that looks like an old fashion photo book where the spine bends back to leave a 1" edge. I always start with plain brown packing paper for the inside. Normally I journal in my journals but for July and January I do an art journal. Thank you so much for doing this each year. Your prompts are always challenging and inspiring.

[@wendyengland2530]

I enjoyed watching your video. I'm diving in. I have been actually going through all of the paper things (odds & ends) I've squirreled around my house over the years here and there. I'm a scrapbooker (30 years) and have just recently gotten more into junk journaling. As I thought about what to use for my Junk Journal January cover I was reminded that just a few days ago when I was cleaning stuff out, I found the very first junk journal I created at a women's conference about 5-6 years ago and never did anything with. I had gutted it a few days ago to repurpose any of it for the Christmas journal I'm working on and just shoved the cover into my "junk journal" box with no real plan for it. So, today I pulled it back out and realized it would be perfect for this project. That worked out perfectly! I've gone through my plastic sleeve that holds all of my "junk" papers and managed to find somethings that I think will work. Yea!

[@nikianncooper]

I love it Meg! I really enjoy watching you create a new journal…I find it so relaxing and inspiring to watch you piece and collage together so many interesting bits of paper. It also shows me I’m not the only one who likes to keep all sorts of little random bits of paper, “for later just in case” 😅 I’d like to try a journal like the one you’ve shown here for January. I’m looking forward to seeing how you choose to decorate the cover.

[@emmkaa2099]

I have a couple journals from past challenges and could fill the empty pages in those, but watching you make this little journal makes me want to start brand new, so at this point I could go either way. 🤷 I forwarded this video to my daughter hoping she'll join us as well. Hugs from the Midwest, USA, MK 🤗🤗

[@catobear9]

I love your nail polish color! Thank you for sharing your process. You give me confidence to make a junk journal of my own.

[@AlpacaMade]

Hilarious, I literally just set my cover construction video to render when your notification popped up. I too have done my text block ahead of time. I also chose a smaller format so I have more time to enjoy the makes and other makers content. Thank so much for hosting again this year. Happy Holidays & Happy Making 🎉😂👍

[@pushka6759]

I am using a 4x6 manila index file card journal inspired by Margarete Miller. I have always enjoyed your approach to junk journaling and love your style. It has taken me awhile to find my own blended style and I am excited to try Junk Journal January:) Thank you for sharing your creative process. Your videos have been so motivational for me. Happy Holidays and See Ya in the New Year😊🎉

[@MeredithHenning]

Love this tiny size Meg, I might be able to manage it for January if I stick to small! xoxo

[@megjournals]

thank you, ah yes i find smaller sizes so much easier to stick to!

[@wynparsons4109]

I have an accordion style paint chart to use as my JJJ , and will also fill gaps in previous journals as one of my ‘ resolutions ‘ for 2025 is to complete my PhD ( projects half done ) . Happy new year 🎉

[@megjournals]

I love that, I have so many PhDs 🤣🤣🤣

[@ChantelleArts]

I love those scissors ☺

[@lenawarelius4195]

I’m thinking I can make a technique book where I try out different techniques every day 😅 🥳lots of love from arctic Norway 🥰🌼🌸🌺

[@motheroftwo2288]

Love your channel and your junk journals.

[@TammyYoungblood-s8r]

You inspire me so much! Thank you!!

[@MichelleNowacki]

I still can’t make up my mind….to do concertina fold or this passport size bound one 🤣 maybe I will make both to start ….but thank you for your instructions & inspiration.🎄 have a lovely Christmas ❤

[@debbiereed8341]

Awesome job on creating your journal. I made a smaller one also, but my pages are all the same size in it.

[@sincerelyynina]

This is so cute!! Very neat use of all types of paper 🫶

[@kimarmstrong9161]

I LOVE your style!! I am determined to do this one with you, but life is SOOO busy. I use lots of cereal boxes for covers, but I don't find enough "pretty" papers and images to make a good assortment of pages. I am inspired by your stamping & mark-making on the brown paper. I'm also asking for other ideas & sources...ideas, please?? ❤❤

[@themollsta]

What about using the front and back of Xmas wrapping paper from any presents you receive, I keep nice coloured Xmas card and birthday enveloped and tear these up. Tissue paper to cover just white paper to create interesting colours and textures. Even things like food magazines often have lovely bits of colour and patterns you can use. Or make your own paper start one colour scrap another on top and paint on white or black dots or swirls....love making my own. Good luck. All the makers on JJJ might suggest things too.

[@PaperPlaywithJulieK]

Lots of great tips. I decided to play along this year and dug out lots of random papers from my stash from music paper, packaging, envelopes, graph paper, scrapbooking paper, and digital papers leftover from past projects. Not sure exactly what will end up in the journal as I like to heavily embellish so I will probably bind mine at the end as I work better that way. I think I am going to use an old Reader's Digest book cover and do a hard bound journal. The cover is really a lovely blue with a pink flower on it so I used that as my inspiration to start pulling papers and leftover bits for my bin to work from. My overall goal is to use up bits and pieces leftover from past projects or pieces that didn't make other journals just to thin out my stash a bit. Looking forward to the challenge.

[@monicasowards3360]

Love the patchwork pages.

[@emilystrobel4297]

Since I'm a few days late, im going to use a travel journl that i already have on hand. I'm excited to start this!

[@pattyhabegger3073]

I like using the half page A4 size papers for the junk journal. I'm using up all kinds of scraps - the cover of my 12X12 pack, envelopes, plain, solid colored cardstock, digitals left over from other projects and bags, etc.

[@StephanieKennedy-w6p]

I am using a thrifted little vintage dish towel with frayed fringe around the edges. It was 3 dollars and I knew right away I would be using it for my JJJanuary cover!!!

[@StephsAntics]

This is such a good solution for making pages with random scraps of paper!!

[@petrii1998]

I’m going to use one that I started ever so long ago. Came across it this morning whilst cleaning and thought this is what I should use. So I’ll get it ready to go 🎉

[@onewaymirror8060]

this journal is so cute! so excited for jjj!

[@ragsofheartplanning]

I wish my patchwork pages came out this beautiful 😮❤

[@viviankay54]

Your pages are probably just as well done but we are our own worse critics. Enjoy the journal. I often remind myself that no one but maybe family see my journals.

[@MaryanneDekretser]

Lovely Meg.

[@Creeative_Pearls]

I had been saving some pink supplies, I had meant to use for another challenge. I will use them to make a journal about my 20 year old daughter Autumn. I can't wait to start! 🩷

[@CindyStewart-Held]

I created my journal from recycled materials. It has a brown paper bag as the cover that is decorated with lace and paper. I made it in neutral tones papers and like to decorate with mostly neutral tones too. Look forward to following along with the prompts and seeing everyone's work!

[@martygwin348]

Yes!!! I love doing journals just like this! Mixie/matchie.... can't wait to start tge challange

[@judiemjacobson4613]

I am using up scrapbook paper that is not too busy and my size is 6 * 4 it's the size of my La Petite journals that I make. It is the size I love working in. I have extra pages in case I want to do a double spread too I am so looking forward to January 1st. Thanks again for all your hard work to do this twice a year it means so much to so many of us. Blessings and love from New Mexico

[@kerry-lynnmartin8799]

I haven’t made mine yet but plan to use the cover of a book found yesterday in a charity shop, 2/3 signatures with about 4 pages each, a mix of book pages, envelopes and brown paper etc

[@megjournals]

sounds like a great base!

[@eugeniagwathney622]

Enjoy your process

[@LyndaLawson-df8fy]

I plan on joining this challenge and I want a similar type of journal but a bit larger, just a bit. When Christmas is past then I can construct it, very excited! My first challenge, love watching the previous ones. Merry Christmas ❤

[@sonagray3176]

🫶🏾 this Passport size JJ…especially the Patchwork pages. I’m sooo eXcited about that January challenge that I’ve started creating many of the pages in my Big Happy Planner disc-bound PARISian junk journal, because I felt up to it! Definitely going to watch your vid on adding brown packaging paper.

[@robynsmith2315]

🥰cool idea

[@cleot151]

I will be using a workbook left over from the educational supply store I once helped manage.

[@PhoebesWorldProductions]

The prompts list is printed out, Haven't made the journal itself yet. Your journal is great! 😃👍

[@roksannastephens4375]

Lovely. Ty for recommendation of smaller journal.

[@angelaacosta5708]

Today I went through papers that I had gathered for different journals, chose papers I want to use and trimmed them down to the size I wanted.

[@CherrySignature3]

Love it

[@rfoley402]

Hello, Meg. I just made a little jj from a brown paper bag and pretty much copied yours. I like color but I kept this one neutral and I'm looking forward to creating in it. Thanks for running these challenges every year.

[@cindyadams6401]

I’ll be doing what you showed us

[@jenniferwatson7118]

Cute!

[@marybethtanner959]

Mb was here I am going to try

[@cathybaldwin9731]

Hi Meg - I plan to use the other side of my Junk Journal July accordion journal, but you watching create makes me want to make a new one! What type paper did you use to cut your size "template"?

[@VintageFling]

I am excited and trying not to lost this video and still thinking what JJ to make for the prompts . I can’t wait . So will it be a live on January 1st or a you tube video . ? Do you have your own Facebook crafting group ? Thank you Merry Christmas . I am in NC wondering what time I can catch you on January first if that’s the correct date . ?

[@megjournals]

KZbin video goes live at 12pm GMT each day of January from each creator - the playlist link is in the description so you can just check that each day as it updates :)

[@VintageFling]

@ I think it’s 6AM for me … I hope I got it right . What do you think because I really want to participate. Thank you so much . I am on the East coast USA

[@megjournals]

@@VintageFling they’ll be waiting in the playlist whenever you’re ready, you don’t need to wake up early for it ☺️

[@conniegriffin6726]

I was going to use one I had made earlier but it has a lot of pages, I like to have January and July journals all to themselves

[@sandrafisherhayes3219]

Hi Meg 👋 I do want to join Junk Journal January challenge alas I am not on Instagram but I will create my journal and follow the prompts. Or I could use a handmade art journal I made a few years back (2021?). Love watching your channel and listening to you work through your process ❤

[@jennsuicune]

Ow nice😊. Will you show us the result on KZbin ?

[@sandrafisherhayes3219]

@jennsuicune how do I do that? I'm not very tech savvy lol...I know how to save videos on my playlist and share but recording?

[@jennsuicune]

@sandrafisherhayes3219 If you have a movie camera you can record and post it via a computer. If you are on a smartphone like me, you can click on the + sign and record it, or record it via the camera in your Smartphone and post it via your KZbin account (click on your profile to access to your channel).

[@sandrafisherhayes3219]

@jennsuicune thank you 😊 I'll give it a go someday

[@jennsuicune]

@sandrafisherhayes3219 👍🏼

[@quiltingmell]

Hi there, love your channel. Just found you❤Do you actually journal in your junk journals? 😊

[@jolamulder4176]

I going to try to make this! Do you use a spread for each challenge?

[@megjournals]

roughly, sometime i tip in pages, totally depends on the prompt!

[@matildaenlund6679]

❤

[@jackielubeck]

Hello Meg - everyone is getting it together for January. I have my journal.... Can you send a link for the brown packing paper journals. I have a lot of it and maybe I'll use that this year.... Thx for now and looking forward to it. Happy Christmas!

[@megjournals]

Here’s the brown paper packaging video I mentioned! 🙌 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpm5n3ebm69rqdEsi=mYIt3ZCItLcW6VnO

[@ragsofheartplanning]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@le6859]

Do you have a process video on actual steps at explaining what you're doing in making a journal for us newbies, or are they all like this where you're creating and talking?

[@megjournals]

This video is the step by step version of this binding method :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYHUZ5xmj7ytqbssi=c-vBQzWiL9pbK7qT

[@le6859]

@megjournals Thank you!

[@veraprima998]

❤❤❤❤❤👍

[@starlasell5698]

🥰👍

[@deborahmorris9885]

What size is the journal you’re making.

[@megjournals]

passport size!

[@EvelyneStaebler-s1x]

Hi What is the size please? thanks

[@megjournals]

Passport! ~ 12 x 9 cm :)

[@EvelyneStaebler-s1x]

@@megjournals thank you , kisses from France,

[@amyjones2490]

I’m planning on making a small journal from an empty Christmas card box. I’m really looking forward to January this year instead of dreading the cold and dreary month.