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Unique Custom Travel Journals

Unique custom travel journal cover
Travel Junk Journal Back Cover

My unique custom travel journals are small enough to tuck into a front pocket of your backpack or carryon luggage. The best part . . . they are designed around the specific location of your trip so you start out with maps, definitions, photos and illustrations before you ever leave home.

Hippo photo on music paper for unique custom travel journal

This particular journal was designed around a safari in Zambia, Africa. Animal print fabrics are used for the cover, and the hippo in this photo is welcoming you to his neck of the woods.

Brown craft paper page with zebra photo and definition

There are lots of lined pages for writing your thoughts and observations, as well as plain white pages for sketching. Above is the dictionary definition and photo of a zebra. With each zebra sighting, the date and time of day can be noted.

Elephant photo on music paper pocket with tickets

Here, music paper is folded into a pocket page for tickets, menus, feathers, flyers, etc.

Hand painted gel paper with paper clip

The pages of a unique custom travel journal will include a variety of papers. Hand-painted gel papers are tucked in between theme, graph, ledger, music, and drawing papers.

Music pocket page with monopoly money

Another pocket with fake money which reminds you to tuck some of the real local currency here to take home.

Compass on music paper inside unique custom travel journal

These unique custom travel journals measure 5.25″ wide x 4.75″ high x .5″ thick. The black band you see running crosswise on the cover photos is made of elastic. It keeps everything contained and allows for expansion as you add the treasures and mementos you want to bring home.

Giraffes on music paper

If you have a big trip planned, you need one of these fun journals. Please allow 30 days or more – gathering the information and items needed takes a bit of time.

To order go here.

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New Storybook Junk Journals

Maybe you remember one of these books from your childhood. Maybe you have read one of them to your children or grandchildren. Everyone will love the fun memories associated with my new storybook junk journals. The stories and pictures will be familiar. They can provide a space to record those good memories in their re-created form . . .

Each book is taken apart, then re-bound using all of the original book pages. The entire story is there and in the correct order . . .

Title page of The Three Bears junk journal

In between the original pages, each new storybook junk journal includes multiple school theme, ledger, and graph papers to write or draw on . . .

Write your story between the pages of Goldilock's adventure

Embellishments echo the theme of each book. These include flash cards, tags, game pieces, ribbons and stickers. One of my personal favorites is this flashcard with the word “Snore” opposite the three bear’s beds . . .

Flashcard with the word "Snore" opposite Goldilocks sleeping in Baby Bear's bed

Some of the additional pages are there for you to paste your own photos to or attach things with the colored paper clips . . .

Music paper with train sticker

Bright lined index cards flip open to write on . . .

New storybook junk journal with colored index card flip outs

Envelopes are bound with the pages giving more places to stash memorabilia like tickets, and receipts. . .

Envelope to hold treasures

Reading to children is so important to their learning, and you could include your memories on some of the pages, however, it might be interesting to see what details the children want to add to the stories. At only $18 each, these fun new storybook junk journals are priced perfect for quick gifts for all ages.

Check out my other junk journals here.

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2 Journal Covers – One Kit

It was a surprise to get 2 journal covers from one kit. My goal was to use every single item in a Challenge #1 “Happy” Kit. There were just too many items to squish onto one cover so “Happy” 1 and “Happy” 2 were born. Both books measure 5″ x 7″ x 1.5″ and have 50+ pages inside. One Paper Bundle for Mixed Media made them easy to assemble with lots of possibilities.

I plan to create something totally different with another one of the kits. It would be great if you decided to join me!

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What is a Junk Journal?

Several people have asked me the question, “What is a junk journal?”

Bright junk journal cover

Why are they called junk journals?

Because they are made of bits and pieces from other projects. It makes all of those miscellaneous leftovers worth a lot more especially when they are combined.

Spine of Fun & Games Bright Junk Journal

Covers are made of old books, fabric or paper covered foam core board, card stock, quilt pieces, music, maps, file folders, playing cards, placemats, sketch books, diaries, envelopes, or greeting cards.

Junk Journal Back Cover

I have even seen old LP’s made into a junk journal covers. All of these options can be decorated, painted, cut up, or combined.

Side view of pages

Pages can be fabric or paper. You can buy kits like this one listed in my shop that contains over 75 different pieces, or you can collect as you find different items.

Mixed media paper 1

Even junk mail can be used as it can be painted, folded, or sewn.

Mixed media paper 4

Ephemera is added to some or all of the pages. You determine how much you want to embellish.

Your junk journal can have a theme, or be totally random . . . no rules at all!

Tape measure decorated page

What do you put in a junk journal?

Here’s a list to get you started:

Daily diary entries.

A place to record ideas and thoughts.

Tape movie tickets, score cards, maps, quotes, and other paper ephemera.

Keep track of goals.

Put photos and notes about a special trip.

Keep track of art techniques.

Guest signing book.

Page with stamps, hand-written math equations

Event Planner.

Garden Planner.

Bucket List Planner

Please comment with your ideas

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Happy Birthday America!

We celebrate with a red, white, and blueberry pancake breakfast in our backyard. We started 13 years ago with one grill and it has expanded to include families that live along a mile long road.

The amount of homes has expanded and the party grew. This year over 100 people have texted to say they are coming.

Neighborhood friends bring their Blackstone grills to set up next to ours and we cook for a couple of hours.

Each family brings a package of bacon, a bottle of orange juice, a gallon of milk, a pound of butter, or some maple syrup. Young and old, visiting family and friends, sometimes people walking by. . . we say “Happy Birthday America” in a big way.

This is a group of good people who believe in our country. They watch out for each other and contribute with whatever resources and talents they have. It is an amazing place to live – we love it.

The food is great, but the company is even better. It is a wonderful way to start a holiday!

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue or as we do it . . . Blueberry pancakes!

Check my shop to see the patriotic junk journal I just posted.

Celebrate America Junk Journal

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Old is New Again

“All the trees are losing their leaves, and not one of them is worried.” Donald Miller Facebook post October 16, 2012

My Grandmother had beautiful handmade linens, lace, and doilies.  She used them on the backs and arms of her couch and chairs.  She put them under lamps and special knick knacks.  They accented her china hutch shelves and lined her silver, tea tray.  All those years ago, Grandma carried fine linen handkerchiefs with intricate crochet, knit, or netted borders with her initial done in hand embroidery.  

Slow stitch sample with vintage linens

Items just like those from long ago are now readily available in baskets at the thrift store.  Most of them are in less-than-perfect condition with random stains, loose threads hanging from partially frayed edges, or actual holes in the fabric.   

Purple and blue lace pieces

I always rummage through those baskets, and several pieces find their way home with me.  They are added to a crazy big collection.  

Vintage lace for old is new again projects

What to do with these imperfect treasures?  A wave of inspiration hit me one afternoon and I started cutting, stitching, and combining bits and pieces.  I could trim around the stains, cut off the loose threads and stitch over the frayed edges.  Fun new junk journal covers emerged from the worn and tattered treasures.  Even the smallest pieces found their way onto the pages of the books. Old is new again became part of my life.

Old is new again back cover for junk journal

As I created, I kept thinking about how seasons change and everything starts over.  The blossoms of spring fade, the green leaves of summer turn to reds, yellows, oranges, and browns, and then the branches are bare for a few months.  Finding new life for the old, worn, and discarded makes me happy.  It was then the idea for Seasonal Details became a reality.

Old is new again pages from junk journal with tatted lace

Now the best part . . . I will be putting together themed kits from my stash. Each month (or so), there will be a limited number posted in the Seasonal Details store. These kits can be used for junk journals like I made, or slow-stitch rolls, scrapbook pages, or even cards. The idea is that each person who purchases a kit will post a comment with a photo of their unique creation. Please check out the current listing and join the “Old is New Again” challenge. Challenge #1 is titled “Happy.”

Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Denise