Step Up Your Junk Journals with Mixed Media Background Papers

Are you looking for a way to transform your junk journals into something special? I am showing how I alter recycled glossy book pages with fluid acrylics and texture paste to make really beautiful artistic background papers for my newest junk journal.
This is a great project to use the recycled book pages in your stash with fun mixed media materials. You also can create a variety of looks and effects that will make your journals look amazing! I hope you will find this tutorial helpful - thanks for watching!
I have another video demonstrating more ideas for making background papers - here's a link to Ugly Magazine Papers? Use This to Transform them for Junk Journaling
• Ugly Magazine Papers? ...
…and another using music paper and paint - • Make Pretty Papers for...
#junkjournalideas #artjournaling #mixedmedia

[@nancypyter1511]

It's so fun to get out your paints and inks and play! Looks great Kathleen!🥰

[@BeAgainBooks]

I'm glad you agree! Thank you Nancy!

[@kellyaston1228]

I love watching you use pastes and inks and seeing what happens! Thanks for sharing :)

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Kelly! Thanks so much for watching.

[@toniscott1029]

Great idea and I love how it turned out!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Toni!

[@caroltanzi29]

Kathleen: great tutorial. Yes, a bit messy, but a lot of fun with great results. Carol from California

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Carol! I honestly love all the mess while I’m creating. It’s the clean up that gets tedious, haha! Thanks for watching.

[@blackcoffeeandwildflowers]

How fun! And looks fabulous! I have some very large books with glossy pages. I will give it a play! Hugs 🤗❤️

[@BeAgainBooks]

Please do! I hope you have as much fun as I did!

[@victoriabergesen6775]

This is very useful. I have many glossy books that I bought for a few special pictures, but I didn't realize that they would make such good substrates for mixed media. Thanks!

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad to help Victoria! Thanks so much for watching.

[@tfntexas]

I loved seeing your process!

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad for that Tammie! Thanks for watching.

[@kath4645]

Thanks for another great tutorial, I didn’t realise you could use sandpaper on paper! The finished pieces looked great! ❤️🇦🇺

[@BeAgainBooks]

Oh yes - here's another reason why I love sandpaper - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3WueI18oMd8fbM AND kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWfbnmVnl6p5rq8 Thanks so much for watching Kath!

[@JoansJunkJournalsAndMore]

These pages turned out lovely. I have worked with all of that media, except the sandpaper, BUT never all together like that. I will have to try this soon. Thank you for such a wonderful video ☺♥

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Joan! I’m glad to motivate you to action, haha! Thanks for watching.

[@dawnklein106]

A great instruction video!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Dawn!

[@isabelfernandez9971]

Thank you very much for showing this process, it really looks great

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Isabel! I'm glad you like it!

[@eviegorecki5356]

Amazing results ❤. And a great video that makes it look achievable for even a beginner in mixed media 😊.

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m glad to hear it Evie! I hope you’ll try it.

[@merrilynnowlan8907]

Thanks for sharing . Great video

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure Merrilyn! Thanks for watching.

[@thaniastefa4308]

Amazing work, thank you very much for sharing your work with us ❤❤😂😂

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure - thank you so much for watching!

[@Bront-ki2im]

I liked this video, thanks for sharing, I got a lot out of it. ☺️☺️☺️

[@BeAgainBooks]

I’m so glad Bront! Thanks for watching.

[@cottonconfetti]

I don't do 'messy' stuff as much as my supplies would indicate, but thanks for showing a simple, easy to follow way to get started 🤩

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks Davina - I want the process to seem doable, so I’m glad that came through today. Thanks so much for watching and I hope you’ll try it.

[@kerynokeeffe9133]

That was very interesting, Kathleen, and another awesome way you have of adding dimension, colour and texture to the journal pages. Thank you! 😀💞

[@BeAgainBooks]

It was fun Keryn! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments!

[@swickham5]

TYFS!

[@BeAgainBooks]

My pleasure! Thanks so much for watching.

[@DebbieZagarit]

Wonderful idea's Kathleen xx

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thank you Debbie! and thanks for watching!

[@DebbieZagarit]

@@BeAgainBooks trying to reconnect with channels again. Some of mine disappeared with the name change thing on youtube. People I’ve Subbied to for years. Really weird. Have a blessed Sunday xx

[@BeAgainBooks]

@@DebbieZagarit I know! Same here - I did have a lot of subscriptions, haha. Maybe KZbin couldn’t keep up…I’m so glad you’re still with me. Thanks for your efforts to reconnect!

[@bigmommasandymoore2531]

Thank you for doing the video. I felt like I was working along side of you. I keep my scraps close by when I’m doing this so before I wipe with the paper towel I blot with my off cuts. It’s exciting to see them in the box ready for a project. You always inspire me in my projects. I feel like you should initial a page or two in the journals I make.

[@BeAgainBooks]

You are so welcome Sandy - I appreciate your tip to use the scraps to blot up the paint. I should remember to do that too!

[@jennileecreates]

I love these technique videos, Kathleen! So inspiring!

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Jennilee! I’m so glad to hear this.

[@lindaspaperworks]

Kathleen, it was so interesting to watch you work on these pages, and what great results! Can I ask what grit sandpaper you use? There are so many variations I don't know what would be best. I am particularly enjoying that orange color that you added. I bought a sheet of scrapbooking paper yesterday that has that color on the edges and the rest of the paper is peeled paint in a gorgeous turquoise. Don't you just love color?? I'm looking forward to seeing what the journal you're working on now will be. It looks so interesting from these sneak peeks.

[@BeAgainBooks]

Thanks so much Linda! Yes, I love the color. It’s a little brighter than my normal, but I’ve tried to include a lot of neutral also because this journal is waaaay colorful. The sandpaper is a medium grit, #120. I use this medium grit when I want scratches or when I need to be more aggressive on heavier paper, like when I sand the junk mail. If I just want to lightly sand to take the gloss off of pretty book pages, I use a lighter weight or even steel wool.

[@lindaspaperworks]

@@BeAgainBooks Thanks for the information about the sandpaper. I've been using a sanding block with a fine side and a coarser side. I'm wondering if I wouldn't be happier using some sandpaper. I need to experiment and find out. Also wanted to say I loved the way you opened this video by saying "I have the funest mess on my desk." It's great when you can enjoy the process.

[@BeAgainBooks]

@@lindaspaperworks Yes, I would encourage you to try the actual sandpaper. I also tried a sanding block, thinking it would be easier to keep in my studio and easier to hold, etc. But it just didn’t do the job for me, haha. When my fingers are closer to the actual paper that I’m sanding, I can “feel” better how much to push - does that make sense? Haha, I really do enjoy this process - I love every part of it, except cleaning up, haha.

[@lindaspaperworks]

@@BeAgainBooks Yes, that does make sense. We probably have some sandpaper around here. I love how your process opens up the opportunity to use those glossy pages that so many books have. It seems that books with photos usually have glossy pages. I really appreciate your sharing so many techniques and tips. Yes, there is so much fun to be had crafting. Cleaning up afterwards, not so much. Ha ha.

[@maramakesjournals2319]

Well, those are some wonderful techniques. I especially love the effect you got with sandpaper. I skimmed the comments and not a single person said your work was out of the frame most of the time. If your slip was showing, a tag was sticking out of your shirt or you had toilet paper stuck on the bottom of your shoe, I would tell you. It’s a human kindness. This would be a stellar video except for the excess table-scaping. The clutter is distracting and it squeezed your work toward the bottom of the screen. It made me sad.😢

[@BeAgainBooks]

Yes, people are very patient with me, aren’t they? I admit this wasn’t filmed well - I almost didn’t publish it, and perhaps I shouldn’t have. I’m certainly not talented when it comes to filming honestly. But, this was a one-chance technique. I couldn’t go back a do it again, even if I had the time for a do-over. I decided to publish it, but I am honestly sorry you were uncomfortable. I do everything myself on KZbin, and I’m sorry it shows, haha. Thanks for your feedback.

[@maramakesjournals2319]

@@BeAgainBooks I’m certain it’s complicated to post videos. If it were not, I’d have more than one video to my name. But it wasn’t a problem of technology. It was clutter or table-scraping. Why do people do that, I wonder? My house is full of clutter, but we don’t let anybody look at it. Any way, I think you’re terrific. Your techniques are inspirational, your narration is tight. I’m going to try to keep up with your videos, because they’re worth my time. Have a great day! I already dead-headed my flower bower pots. That was great. 🌼

[@BeAgainBooks]

@@maramakesjournals2319 oh thanks Mara - for both the feedback and the encouragement. I'll try to address the clutter.

[@maramakesjournals2319]

@@BeAgainBooks Oh, wonderful! I’m really glad you accept (+) feedback so kindly. I respect that very much.💜