Double Book Page Pocket and Tags

This is another easy pocket to add to a junk journal. It uses three book pages for the base. They are stacked one on top of another; then the first page's top right corner is folded down to meet the left edge of the page; next the second page's top left corner is folded down to meet the right edge of the page. These are all glued together which forms two pockets.

I then decorated it and added a tag and a journal card made, again, with collaged book page bases. This will be added to a pocket on the back of a junk journal page I will share next.

Journaling Cards

These journaling cards were all created on bases of book pages, collaged with small scraps of various papers. Then pieces of napkins were decoupaged on for the focal points. I added bits of lace or labels and tabs to finish them. They are all backed with tea-dyed paper. They are approximately 4" x 6."

I also created this envelope from a napkin decoupaged onto a sheet of music paper. 

Napkins are a great source of beautiful images to use in your artwork!

Projects for Junk Journals - Using up Book Pages

I've become a little obsessed with junk journals lately. The coronavirus stay-at-home orders combined with a yearly junk journal page swap I'm participating in has given me reason to work on many pages and ephemera. I've also been watching many YouTubers in the junk journaling community which has been very inspiring.

When you remove pages to reduce bulk when making altered books or when you gut books to use the covers for all kinds of journals, you end up with a pile of loose pages! I have an abundance to use up! There are all kinds of ways to use book pages and here are just a few I've tried.

First, you can make "origami" boxes. These can be any size, depending on your pages and can hold so many things. I will use a few for cut up bits or odds and ends in my art room. They could also be used for jewelry or little gifts or office supplies ...

These are made from a pretty standard book page and measure about 2" square by 1" deep.

A great use for book pages is for bases. They can be glued together to make them thicker and can be cut into tags, journaling cards, bookmarks, even pages for books and journals. Once they are collaged, they make beautiful elements.

journaling cards on doubled book page bases

tag and journaling cards all on base of book pages
(coin envelope in center has collaged book text)

Torn up pages can be used for collage or even collaged bases for mixed media art.

canvas for mixed media prepared with book pages and gesso

They can be folded or cut into many different kinds of envelopes and pockets. 

double pocket

vertical double pocket

Stamp to make new "paper".

stamped book page made into envelope

Cut out words from book text to use as titles or sentiments or poetry.

example from Pinterest

Die cut or hand cut to make paper flowers.

Use as "glue pages." When gluing elements, work on an old book page. When it's sticky just throw away and start with another - a great way to keep your work area clean.

Some other ideas (which I haven't yet tried):

make paper beads, then color as desired

shred and make handmade paper

shred and use as "filling" when shipping packages

use as wrapping paper

punch for borders

make feathers

make ruffles

make banners or tabs

weave for a background

use for paper mâché

stamp on them and fussy cut images

punch or die cut shapes

I'm sure there are more ideas out there. I can assure you, I now rarely throw away a book page!

I'm Back!

I know it's been awhile - I've literally been out of town (except for two days) since Jan. 31 and returned home late last night. Babysitting the grand boys is fun but I'm now ready to have some "me" time and get back to crafting.

Before I left, I started making a "scrap roll." I saw a few examples of people making these on You Tube and realized it was a great way to use up scraps (never-ending!) and old book pages and end up with a large amount of collage material!

I started with several old book pages. I tore many scraps and collaged them randomly onto one book page. When that was almost filled, I placed another book page next to it and continued collaging, making sure to overlap the "seam" where the pages met.  This goes very quickly and I ended up with a continuous strip a little over 4 feet long and 8 1/4" high (the height of my book pages).

Obviously I could not photograph the entire strip at once, so here are the three sections from right to  left.

This will be great for cutting up into tags, journal cards, junk journal pages, etc. There is no limit to the papers you use. I added scrapbook paper, music paper, book pages, dictionary pages, tissue paper, security envelopes, and magazine page scraps. It's such an easy, relaxing process. I can see doing many more of these in my future!

Tutorial - Using up scraps and extra book pages - journal cards

As you can imagine, when creating altered books and removing pages to eliminate bulk or when gutting a book to make a new journal you are left with many excess book pages. I have discovered a way to use and recycle these into a functional project - journal cards for junk journals or December Dailies, etc.

First, I always have a stack of book pages next to me when gluing projects. I lay the object being glued on top of the pages so extra glue stays off my work space. When the top page gets too "gluey," I fold it in half, lay it aside and continue with a new page.

To make journal cards, you can glue a few of these folded pages together and use them as a base for other scraps and images. Once they are completely collaged, you can leave them as rectangles or cut them into tags. You can staple or glue a folded piece of paper or fabric or lace or ribbon to the top for a tab. Or you can punch a hole and add ribbon or trims.

This is a great way to use up bits of paper, ribbons, stickers, word strips, fussy cuts, die cuts etc from your stash. These measure approximately 4-5 inches wide and 5-6 inches tall and are a great size for many uses.

I usually add a blank piece of book page (there are usually several at the front or back of books as well as sometimes at end of chapters) to the back to provide a blank space for journaling. I also sew a straight or zigzag stitch around the outer edge. This is not necessary as everything is glued, but it adds a decorative touch and finishes it off nicely.

Here are several Christmas ones I've done with scraps left over from my December Daily. I've added several to my book already. 

I hope you enjoyed this simple tutorial for using up book pages and your stash. It's always good to recycle!