My Junk Journal Playbook: The Book I Turn to When I Need Ideas
Do you ever sit down to work on a journal and suddenly find yourself staring at a pile of paper, embellishments and ephemera with absolutely no idea what to do with any of it? That’s exactly why I created my Playbook. It’s one of those projects that has slowly evolved over time and has become one of my favourite things in my craft room. It isn’t a finished journal that I’m afraid to touch. It isn’t particularly precious. Instead, it’s a working collection of ideas, samples and techniques that I can flip through whenever I need a little inspiration.
What Is a Playbook?
My Playbook is essentially a handmade reference book filled with things I want to remember. Whenever I come across an idea that makes me think, “I want to try that!”, I have a place to put it. It includes samples of:
- Different pocket styles
- Tuck spots
- Flips and interactive elements
- Ways to use scraps
- Masterboard ideas
- Collage techniques
- Tags and journaling cards
- Little embellishment ideas
- Ways to add interest to journal pages
- Ideas for using up bits and pieces from my stash
Some pages are more finished than others. Some are simply a sample glued onto a page. And that’s exactly how I want it. This isn’t meant to be a beautiful journal that sits on a shelf, although I’m kind of loving it lol. It’s meant to be a tool I use.
Why I Love Having a Playbook
One of the things I love most about making journals is that there are so many possibilities. And sometimes…there are almost too many possibilities! I might remember that I saw a really clever pocket somewhere, but I can’t remember how it was made. Or I’ll have a pile of scraps on my desk and know that I want to turn them into something, but I need a little nudge to get started. That’s when I reach for my Playbook.
Instead of scrolling through Pinterest, Instagram or YouTube trying to find that one idea I vaguely remember seeing, I can flip through the pages I’ve created myself. It’s inspiration that’s specific to me and the way I like to create.
A Place for Ideas to Live
Another reason I love this book is that it gives me somewhere to put ideas before I have a project for them. I don’t necessarily need to know what journal I’m going to use something in. If I discover a fun way to make a pocket, I’ll make a sample and add it to my Playbook. Or if I experiment with a masterboard and come up with a new way to use it, I’ll add a sample. If I figure out a clever way to turn a scrap of packaging into a tuck spot, into the Playbook it goes. It’s become a bit of a creative laboratory. And because the samples are small, I can experiment without feeling like I’m committing to an entire project.
Masterboards Have a Home Here Too
Masterboards are another favourite. I love creating a large collage from scraps and then cutting it apart to create pockets, tags, journal cards and other elements. I’ve added different masterboard samples to my Playbook so I can see how the finished collage can be used.
It’s especially helpful when I’m working on a journal and want to create several coordinating pieces without making everything identical. One masterboard can become so many different things.
A Collection of Tutorials in One Little Book
Over the years I’ve shared lots of journal-making ideas here on the blog and over on YouTube. My Playbook has become a way of bringing all of those ideas together in a very practical way. Rather than simply bookmarking a video and hoping I’ll remember where I found it, I can make a physical sample and add it to my book. Then, if I need a refresher on how I made it, I can go back to the original tutorial.
Here are a few of the ideas I’ve shared that you might want to add to your own Playbook:
- Pop-Up Pockets – This is a great one to add because it can be made with different sizes of paper bags and is another fun way to put those scraps to work.
- Scrappy Collage & Masterboards – Perfect for creating a sample in your Playbook and then trying the technique again when you’re working on a journal.
- Creating Clusters – Clusters are one of those little things that can completely change the look of a journal page. They’re also a fantastic way to use up tiny scraps and leftover bits and pieces.
You Could Make Your Own
The best part? Your Playbook doesn’t have to look anything like mine. Maybe it’s a spiral notebook. Maybe it’s an old book you’ve rescued from a thrift store, like mine or you want sections for pockets, tags, collage, masterboards, embellishments and interactive elements. Or maybe you just want to start adding ideas to whatever notebook you already have sitting on your desk. There are no rules.
I’d actually encourage you not to make it too precious. Glue things in. Write notes in the margins. Add scraps. Try something that doesn’t work. Cross things out. Add another sample beside the first one. Your Playbook should be something you can use, change and add to as you learn.
I shared how I made mine in this video.
Watch the Flip Through
If you’d like to see what’s actually inside my Playbook, I’ve shared a flip-through video. It’s fun to look back at all of the ideas I’ve collected and see how this book has evolved over time.
Hopefully it gives you some ideas—not just for your journals, but for creating a Playbook of your own.
Until next time,
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