Crafting Memories: An Inspiring Found Objects Junk Journal

Welcome, fellow creative enthusiasts! This week, we’re absolutely thrilled to showcase an extraordinary creation by Norma Thomas, one of our talented new Junk Journal Design Team Members. Norma has crafted a truly captivating Found Objects Junk Journal, a project brimming with history, charm, and unique storytelling.

At The Graphics Fairy, we pride ourselves on bringing you fresh inspiration every week through innovative junk journal projects. Our dedicated Design Team artists meticulously select from the vast collection of hundreds of Vintage Image Bundles available on our Premium Membership Site. Their mission is to demonstrate the endless possibilities and beautiful ways you can incorporate these timeless images into your own paper crafting endeavors. We are confident that this featured project will ignite your imagination and provide a wealth of ideas for your next creative journey.

Before we dive into the intricate details, please make sure you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to experience the comprehensive video tour of this magnificent journal. It’s a truly immersive experience that brings every page to life. Are you ready to be completely inspired? I’ll step aside now and let Norma share her incredible creative process and the fascinating story behind her Found Objects Junk Journal.

Meet the Artist: Norma Thomas and Her Unique Vision

Hello everyone, I’m Norma of Crafted by Norma and Craft with Norma on YouTube. I’m delighted to share my second design team project for The Graphics Fairy with you all. My personal journey into the world of Mixed Media Art and paper crafts began after my retirement in 2015, a passion that has since blossomed into countless beautiful creations.

The profound inspiration for this particular journal stems from the works of a French Mixed Media Artist, Jerome Cavailles. His distinct approach, while perhaps not widely known, deeply resonates with my artistic sensibilities. I envisioned this journal as having a rich, untold history – a narrative of a book once cherished, frequently read, then perhaps casually left on a shelf, eventually forgotten amidst the passage of time. Over the years, it would accumulate layers of forgotten clutter, becoming abandoned to dust and debris. The core idea was that this book would eventually be rediscovered, its secrets intact, its old items now permanently affixed, carrying the very essence of the dusty, damp room where it lay hidden for so long.

With this captivating story in mind, my initial thought was to imagine what treasures might have been contained within such a book. I then turned to The Graphics Fairy Premium Site, eager to see what vintage images and ephemera could help me bring this story to life. I was not disappointed! The site offered a wealth of perfect elements, allowing the narrative to beautifully unfold. The journal began to narrate its history, charting its New Beginnings as the unique piece it is today. The journal itself was lovingly transformed from an altered library book, destined for landfill, giving it a new purpose. It measures a generous 9.5 inches by 7 inches, providing ample space for its intricate details.

The Transformation: Crafting the Cover and Spine

My creative process began by meticulously distressing both the front and back covers of the salvaged library book. To achieve that perfectly aged, worn aesthetic, I employed a combination of my own custom stain, various inks, and even a touch of lemon juice. This careful application imbued the book with a sense of time-worn character and history. Next, I focused on strengthening and further aging the spine, utilizing handmade teabag paper for its unique texture and durability, which naturally lends itself to an antique appearance.

For the journal’s focal point, the front cover, I discovered that the ‘Front Elevation’ paper from The Graphics Fairy’s collection was the absolutely ideal image. It evokes the feeling that this might have been a cherished architectural plan, perhaps something a family had considered for their dream home, adding another layer to the journal’s imagined past. To complete the cover’s narrative, I then carefully attached a selection of vintage items found in my own shed and garage, some of which belonged to my parents, imbuing the journal with genuine personal history. These treasures include old paint brushes, a worn pencil, a very distressed piece of an old book cover, a genuine 1907 English penny, a pair of Victorian scissors housed in a beautifully handmade leather case, an old wooden ruler, a charming vintage tin, a sturdy leather strap, and an antique fob watch. Each object tells its own silent story, adding immense depth and texture to the journal’s exterior.

Unfolding Stories: The Interior and First Signature

Opening the journal reveals an interior just as rich and detailed as its exterior. Inside the front cover, I’ve ingeniously used kraft cardstock to construct a versatile folder. This folder serves as a home for various cherished mementos, including evocative photos sourced from The Graphics Fairy’s ‘Instant Ancestors’ and ‘Antique Portrait’ bundles, instantly adding a sense of historical family connection. Within this folder, a series of folds and flips cleverly conceal additional journaling areas and pockets. Here, I’ve incorporated my own handmade labels, created by altering and printing onto the elegant ‘Vintage Black Labels’ from the membership site. Throughout the journal, you’ll also find an assortment of tickets, including charming ‘Train’ and ‘Travel Tickets’ from various bundles, further enhancing the journey theme. I also crafted a fixed notebook, once again utilizing the distinctive teabag paper for its cover, and tucked a charming faux £1 note inside a money envelope, adding a touch of playful realism.

The journal is structured around three distinct signatures, each offering its own narrative and aesthetic. The first signature is a harmonious collection of assorted papers, perfect for personal journaling and creative expression. To enhance its authenticity and give it a wonderfully tattered, aged appearance, some of the pages have been deliberately ripped and then mended with faux tape, creating the illusion of decades of use. Adding further visual interest and a touch of antique charm, images from the ‘French Attic Ephemera’ bundle are interspersed throughout the pages.

Where the paper forms a pocket, I’ve lovingly created a “journal bundle,” typically comprising a tiny envelope, a faded photo, and a handwritten letter. These elements combine to give the powerful impression of a long-forgotten memory, waiting to be rediscovered. In one particularly special pocket, I’ve even included a genuine Christmas and New Year card from 1931, a tangible piece of history. This signature boasts a remarkable 22 writing pages, featuring an eclectic mix of coffee-stained papers, delicate music sheets, authentic ledger book pages, and a variety of other vintage papers, each offering a unique canvas for reflection and creativity.

Thematic Adventures: The Second and Final Signatures

The next signature is ingeniously designed as a folder, replete with hidden pockets and fascinating flips. Within these clever compartments, you’ll discover an enchanting array of ephemera, carefully chosen from The Graphics Fairy’s ‘Seed Catalogue,’ ‘Vintage Office Supplies,’ and ‘Instant Ancestors’ bundles. Complementing these are some unique pieces from my own personal stash, adding an even more intimate touch. My intention for this section was to evoke the feeling that the journal’s imagined owner had meticulously collected various bits and pieces, perhaps in eager anticipation of cultivating their garden. This gives the pages a purposeful, curated feel, as if documenting a hobby or a dream.

Further enriching this signature, I fashioned a charming tobacco pouch from the versatile teabag paper, adding a few vintage notes and coins inside. This little pouch is thoughtfully secured within the journal using its original library ticket holder, a wonderful nod to the journal’s origins. A vintage English postage stamp also finds its place here, alongside a small, handmade notebook. This tiny notebook’s cover is made from the same ‘Front Elevation’ paper used on the journal’s exterior, creating a beautiful continuity and tying the themes together.

The final signature continues the journal’s captivating narrative, constructed again from a selection of carefully chosen papers. In this section, the pockets hold unique treasures. One contains a folder brimming with vintage stamps, nestled within a delicate glassine bag, accompanied by a small notepad for spontaneous thoughts. The other pocket reveals another delightful journaling bundle, this time featuring a charming wedding invitation, hinting at past celebrations and cherished memories. Each element is placed with intention, inviting the observer to ponder the stories they represent.

Bringing the journal to a satisfying close, the inside back cover features a deep pocket with a tab folder. This folder cradles two exquisite photo cabinet cards, which I crafted myself from the ‘Antique Portraits’ bundle, printed onto luxurious linen card stock, giving them a truly authentic feel. To complete this artistic journey, I designed a unique document envelope and a small notebook, both adorned with a vintage key embellishment for an added touch of intrigue and character. Every detail, from the distressed cover to the hidden notes within, culminates in a truly remarkable and cohesive found objects junk journal.

Experience the Journal: Full Video Tour

Words and static images can only capture so much of this incredible creation. For a truly immersive experience, take a comprehensive tour of Norma’s Found Objects Junk Journal in the video below. See every flip, fold, and hidden detail brought to life!

FOUND OBJECTS JUNK JOURNAL VIDEO TOUR

Key Vintage Bundles Used from The Graphics Fairy Premium Site

Norma’s stunning Found Objects Junk Journal truly demonstrates the versatility and charm of the vintage image bundles available through The Graphics Fairy Premium Membership. Here are the specific bundles she utilized to bring her unique vision to life:

• Front Elevation Paper
• French Attic Ephemera
• Travel Tickets
• Vintage Black Labels
• Seed Catalogue Bundle
• Instant Ancestors Bundle
• Antique Portrait Bundle
• Vintage Office Supplies Bundle

We extend our sincerest thanks to Norma for sharing her profound talent and inspirational project with our community. Her ability to weave a compelling narrative through found objects and vintage ephemera is truly commendable.

For more of Norma’s incredible work and to connect with her creative journey, be sure to follow her:

• Visit Norma’s captivating Etsy shop
• Follow Norma on Instagram for daily doses of inspiration
• Subscribe to Norma’s YouTube channel for tutorials and project tours

Warm regards,

Norma & The Graphics Fairy Team

Are you eager to create your own unique junk journals or other vintage-inspired projects? Explore the treasure trove of resources available at the Graphics Fairy Premium Membership Site HERE!

Hello! Are you new to The Graphics Fairy? Welcome, we are so glad you’re here! We invite you to browse around our site to discover thousands of exquisite Stock Images that you can seamlessly integrate into your own projects or designs. We regularly post new Vintage images every single day, alongside exciting projects and DIY tutorials. If you need more information about navigating our site or understanding how to best utilize our resources, please don’t hesitate to visit our comprehensive FAQ page.