Sunday, January 15, 2012

Getting Creative: JUNK JOURNAL

I'm not an overly-talented crafter but I do enjoy a go at it from time to time.  With all the craft supplies I have, you'd think I was an expert! 
Recently I read about a product by K and Company (I think that's the name) called a SMASH BOOK.  Basically it's a plain, empty journal that you decorate and then "smash" things inside…things like recipes, or articles from magazines, or inspiration pictures, or concert tickets, or….whatever you want to stash and smash inside.  About the same time I read about what some people call a JUNK JOURNAL.  You can see great YOU TUBE videos about both if you're interested.
 Anyway….since I'm cheap frugal I wasn't going to buy the $ mass produced SMASH BOOK, although it seems to be a nice product, so I decided to make my own.  Thought I would share it with you.
(By the way, I heard on a You Tube segment that since the term SMASH BOOK is copyrighted, you shouldn't use that name for your custom made ventures!)
 I began with one of those wireless composition notebooks with the sort of cardboard cover (sorry…forgot to take a before picture).
They are very cheap and readily available.  You can often find them at Wal-Mart or Target at the beginning of the school year for like 25 cents each!  These days they come in all sorts of patterned covers, so you really wouldn't have to cover it if you didn't want to…but I decided to cover mine.  And here's what the finished project looks like….





I had all of the supplies on hand so this project basically cost me nothing!  I like the sound of that!  I also covered the back and inside covers.  You could use most any type of adhesive you liked but I used some from my scrapbooking stash.
 Since I like the "cute factor" I added some embellishments….

 
"SHOES" are one of my greatest vices pleasures!



I also like the addition of the ribbons for a little extra bling and, of course, had to add some cherries!

 
Inside I used some red & white polka-dot wrapping paper (love, love polka-dots!) and covered a few pages to divide my journal into sections.   Also added some clear colored tabs.  Not sure yet what I will label them.



So far I've added some quotes, inspiration pictures for projects, and various things I've found on PINTEREST...oh, how I love PINTEREST!  It was a fun and relatively quick little project.  Nice to know I now have a place to corral some of my JUNK!  Think I'll make another one or two….I've got plenty of JUNK to go aroundJ


9 comments:

  1. I have also recently heard about the smash books and I want to make one for our kid projects/ letter papers, etc. I'm still looking for just the right size book...any ideas?
    Love your journal!
    Blessings,
    Ava

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  2. That is adorable Cheri!
    What a cute idea, I have never heard of that one before.
    I love how your's is all organized with labels and such.
    But of course, I saw your closet organization post and I was so impressed!
    Hugs friend and have a wonderful week too,
    Cindy

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  3. Hi Cheri,
    I had never heard of them either but I am off to Walmart to see if I can find them. EXACTLY what I need. It would unclutter my desk a bit. Thanks so much for the heads up! Yours is just adorable! I am off to see your closet organization post! Cindy is right on top of it I see! :):)
    Me? I am so far behind I could cry!!
    Hugs,
    Mona

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  4. Hi there Cheri, that is a mighty cute book! I love it and have some of those in various sizes that I could cover too! Thanks for sharing it with us! Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday! HUGS!

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  5. Great idea and yours is so cute! I think we all have a "smash" stash and somebody was just clever enough to make a buck out of it! Thanks for showing us how to be frugal and get the job done. I guess I can take my junk out of all the nooks and crannies I've shoved them in and get organized. Thanks!

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  6. I hadn't heard of these either, but I ordered them for my daughter and I as soon as I read your post. (Laziness won out over frugality) :) What a fun idea - thanks for sharing.

    And your original design is gorgeous!

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  7. How very sweet your 'smash book' is. What a fun idea!

    What a beautiful way to get organized.

    Godb bless ya and have a fantastic day sweetie!!! :o)

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  8. Smash or junk that is a great project. I think I would like to smash--it kinda fits my nature.

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  9. To Cheri - one of the sweetest neighbors I ever had. Your "Smash Book" is so typical of your many talents. I may even give your idea a try when I find the time. Love you Cheri - Lois

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