No-sew junk journal, 2 ways

Here is the process I followed to create a no-sewing-needed base of pages for a junk journal. I also share the process of how I created the spine and the cover. I followed that up with how to use envelopes to create a no-sew junk journal. Finally, if you’re interested in joining some December Daily fun, I mentioned some channels that are offering fun December/Christmas/Holiday videos. I’ll come back once this uploads and update with links to their channels. Thank you for watching and happy creating.
Tracie Fox Creative: / @traciefoxcreative
Gayle Agostinelli: / @gayleagostinelli_ct
Sue at Paper Inspirations: / @paperinspirationsau
Marlies at Marly Design: / @marlydesign
Wendy at Wendy's Journal Adventure: / @wendysjournaladventure
Mandy at Sunflowers and Dors: / @sunflowersanddors
Justine at House of Mahalo: / @houseofmahalo
Julie at Camelia Crafts Designs: / @cameliacraftsdesigns
Barbara at 49 Dragonflies: / @49dragonflies
Luise Heinzl: / @49dragonflies
Julie at DearJulieJulie: / @dearjuliejulie

[@TracieFoxCreative]

'Coffee & Books are LIFE' Best quote of the day! xxx

[@CoriDahmen]

Probably I need to make that for my new craft room. Hmmmm. Maybe my mum needs to cross stitch that for me 😁

[@tracytanasiychuk8253]

Love the envelope idea. Thank you. Blessings from Canada 🇨🇦

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you Tracy and blessings from WA ❤

[@terrydonald6149]

I hope you are recovering well and hanging in there with your leg. I have only been watching your channel a short time, but love your creativity.

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you Terry, I appreciate your kind thoughts and am happy to have you here ❤

[@nancypyter1511]

Cori, I pray you do not need surgery! Prayers for you friend!

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you Nancy ❤

[@cathymoore1935]

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing! Wishing you the best with your surgeon appointment!

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you Cathy!

[@donadeam2313]

Thank you for sharing how to do this binding. I’ve tried in the past but never got it line up. Never occurred to me to line it up as you showed. Brilliant 😊

[@CoriDahmen]

I’m happy to hear that you’ve found it helpful ❤

[@McMurphyxxx]

TY for an inspirational video and for "Jokabokaflood". I didn't know this book gifting tradition in Iceland ❤

[@CoriDahmen]

It's an annual favorite of mine. I love the concept of a flood of books ❤️

[@blackcoffeeandwildflowers]

What great no sew binding!! Saved it because I want to try them after the holidays. Also appreciate the list of the wonderful happenings going on in our crafting community. 🤗❤ Tamara

[@CoriDahmen]

So many talented and inspiring makers and I thought I’d share some of the people I’m excited about watching ❤

[@SBre-ti4lx]

Thank you for all the inspiration and suggestions 😃👍!

[@CoriDahmen]

You are so welcome!

[@SunflowersAndDors]

Loved hanging out with you Cori, the no sew journal designs are genius and I can’t wait to have a go 😊 loved the shout outs too, so many awesome activities happening in December with so much inspiration! Working with Tracie’s December dailies at the mo and having a blast, will also check out some of the other crafters you mentioned, thanks for sharing! 🥰🥰

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you Mandy. I've really loved joining you and Justine and participating in your fun advent challenge. Got a bit behind, but am so looking forward to catching up! Happy creating to you and thank you for your always kind comments 😊

[@nancymoore1275]

Again, thank you so much for sharing. I love Tracie's tags so much, I will be making one of those journals! Hope the news is good when you see the surgeon. ❤

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you Nancy. Her tags are just great and I love that she included something for everyone ❤

[@mafish7962]

❤❤❤

[@jeannielafaye1009]

Such a thoughtful video 💗 I think I might just dive in!

[@CoriDahmen]

Please, please do! Both are truly quick and easy and a super way to get started if sewing in signatures seems more than you want to tackle. Or, if you've got just a bit of time they are a super way to just go.

[@patcarmody7592]

Hi Cori!!! Loved your video! I will try it!!! Feel better and positive thoughts for tomorrow! Take care!

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you Pat ❤

[@LindaMZH65]

Nice idea, thank you for sharing. 😘

[@CoriDahmen]

I hope it gives you a quick idea or two!

[@dianacampanelli3250]

Loved both ideas& Thank you for sharing Cori! Good luck at your doctors!🤗💕🌻🙏

[@CoriDahmen]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@dianacampanelli3250]

@@CoriDahmen 💜💕

[@debbieforward5282]

I love the envelope idea for a no sew option. I just may give that a try. Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas.

[@CoriDahmen]

You’re welcome Debbie. It’s a fast and satisfying way to create a solid base so you can get to the decorating ❤

[@JeanneJordanexteach]

Thanks for the list. There are a few makers here which I am not familiar with so I'll check them out. Looks like your idea for this kind of spine will work out well. I tend to like heavier paper in my journals so I really want to try this type of spine. Good luck with your appointment, hoping for the best for you. Lastly, my sixth graders did research in groups about winter holidays around the world, including food specialties, traditions, origins, etc, and they taught the rest of the class. It's so important for celebrating diversity. And was tons of fun. Take care, Cori. ❤

[@CoriDahmen]

I adore you Jeanne! Please send me your address ([e-mail]) as I’ve a small item I’d love to send you. I’ve been out of school too long and I’m missing teaching about Winter Holidays Around the World to the degree I usually do. How brilliant to let the kids teach us! Perfect research and presentation activity for the week before Christmas break! Expert Groups and a Gallery Walk are spot-on and just the ticket. Thank you and happy first of December ❤

[@Mercymemercer]

❤

[@brookematthews4431]

Thank you so much for sharing. Love this

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you Brooke ❤

[@lisastevens2607]

Very inspiring. TFS 😊

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you! 😊

[@kerynokeeffe9133]

This is a wonderful, generous video, Cori! Thank you! You even included the little things to watch out for when scoring. 😘 Loved it! It made me feel that perfection is not the only way to go. 🥰 Best wishes for your surgeon’s appointment. We don’t know what’s around each corner and at times we need patience and healing time for our bodies and minds, rather than continually pushing ourselves to go further. There’s always a learning for us from each experience. Take care, my dear friend! 😀💞

[@CoriDahmen]

Your continual kindness is always appreciated Keryn. Thank you and I’ll keep you posted ❤

[@kykategray]

I love these ideas to easily construct a journal. I have made a similar journal, except I used a hard spine. I like a soft spine for all of the reasons you have mentioned so this is another to add to the never ending “want to make” list. Thanks for the status update re: your leg. Sending prayers and bear hugs from Ky.

[@CoriDahmen]

Thank you Katie ❤ My to-make journal list sounds a lot like yours 🤣

[@fiddliedee01]

Great inspiration Cori, I can't believe it's the 30th of November and I still have not decided whether to make a box or a journal 🙄🥴 I've been unwell recently but starting to feel better now and am starting to get that fuzzy Christmassy feeling. Thank you for all your suggestions 😍

[@CoriDahmen]

I’m so sorry you’ve been ill, but am glad to hear you’re improving. Know what? Make both! The box can be a vintage or altered or repurposed anything, and if you make a blank journal with neutral paper you can use it for another project later, if you choose to go with the box. Same situation with the box. Options are good! Take care of yourself and happy creating ❤

[@fiddliedee01]

Do you know what? I think I will Cori, thanks for the encouragement 😊

[@CoriDahmen]

@@fiddliedee01 happy to hear it. You are amazing and I’m already looking forward to seeing your fabulous makes ♥️

[@JamieLOVEUMOREJOURNALS]

I love the fabric art glitter glue. Have you ordered some? I have to go to the craft store I bought mine and Gayles at later this week. If you need me to grab you a bottle and send it your way let me know. (I can’t afford to gift it to you at this time, but I’m sure we could work out the details if you need me to get some heading your way!) it seems to be a little easier to find now, but I would be happy to figure it out if you need some. Thanks for sharing all this. I’m excited to try to make one of these. I feel like there are so many options for spine choices. Too bad we can’t try them all! Haha. If we could get some more hrs added to each day. We could maybe do more! Did you find out if you have to have surgery? Been thinking about ya! (If you say in the video, I’m sure I’ll hear. I’m adding comment before I’m done watching!)

[@CoriDahmen]

You are too kind. Thank you Jamie ❤ I’m planning on treating myself with that glue as a prize for completing my craft room… so it may be a bit before I can order it 🤣 But, I appreciate your generous offer. I’ll post a video soon (super short) about my craft room and doctor’s news…. I’ll hear a bit more today. Thank you for always being so kind❤

[@LynsAlteredArts]

Cori, on the first one, what happens to the final little 1 inch flap at the end. Is it tucked in between the front and back cover? I don’t think so because you’d be able to see it and I only saw lace so I don’t know where that last little flap went. Thanks, I want to try this, it’s different.

[@CoriDahmen]

Hi Lyn. If you’re referring to the Simple Snowfall journal, those “glue flaps” are covered as the pocket is added. I apologize if I forgot to mention that. After the base journal is made, I “covered” each seam with the glued on pocket (in this case, the full page quotes I added) that created the top pocket for the journal cards.

[@LynsAlteredArts]

@@CoriDahmen Thank you, I get it, just glue it down and cover it with something. If I didn’t have the large pockets like you put in it could be a little side tuck or even just decorative washi or something.

[@Ammiel7]

🙋🏼‍♀️Cori I luv that idea I get a bit anxious when sewing in the signatures, 🤷‍♀️it turns out ok but sometimes Its a pain Where the papers get a bit torn where the hole is and sometimes the punching goes awol Not comfortable for me I trying this one for sure Thank You Cori ❤️ 🇦🇺🌺 Ooo forgot to ask is that cardboard? What weight is it.? Thats confusing for me as well to know what thickness to use 80gsm is way too thin copy paper I use a thicker one 175gsm to print pages,

[@annettedepete4314]

You are so helpful with such good ideas. I am looking forward to Tracie fox DD. Thanks for all the inspiration 💕🌴

[@CoriDahmen]

I agree that standard copy paper (usually 20-24 pound here) is too thin for most base pages. If the journals are primarily for writing, it’s fine. For pages with embellishments I find it too thin. I used the heavier cereal boxes for the covers. Many cereal boxes are thin chipboard or poster board, but a few come with much sturdier material. I get Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Honey Nut Cheerios at Costco because I like the weight of those boxes. Husband and son eat the cereal for me 😊

[@Ammiel7]

@@CoriDahmen oh I use cornflakes boxes lol The pages you were making sounded like light card like kraft paper weight is that right?? Sorry I was not clear in the asking 🫣

[@CoriDahmen]

@@Ammiel7 yes! Kraft paper generally has a great weight.

[@123gp1833]

Do you decorate the envelope before or after they are glued.

[@CoriDahmen]

I find it easier to decorate after they’re glued in.

[@123gp1833]

@@CoriDahmen Thanks ❤️

[@lucy7b]

❤❤❤