Unveiling the “Butterfly Collection” Junk Journal: An Inspirational Mixed Media Journey

Welcome back, creative souls and fellow junk journal enthusiasts! Today, we are absolutely thrilled to showcase another breathtaking creation from one of our immensely talented and returning Junk Journal Design Team Members, the incomparable Lynne Morgado. Lynne consistently pushes the boundaries of mixed media art, and this time she invites us into a world of delicate beauty and vintage charm with her extraordinary Butterfly Collection Junk Journal.

Each week, our platform shines a spotlight on a unique Mixed Media project meticulously crafted by our amazing team of designers. Their mission? To harness the vast array of exquisite images from our Premium Membership Site and transform them into captivating works of art, providing a rich source of inspiration for your very own creative endeavors. Lynne’s latest masterpiece is no exception, promising to ignite your imagination and spark new ideas for your next paper crafting adventure. Don’t miss her insightful Show and Tell Video, thoughtfully embedded at the conclusion of this post. Prepare to be utterly inspired by the intricate details and masterful storytelling woven into every page!

Greetings everyone! I am so excited to present my July design team project to you, a project that was truly a labor of love and immense fun to create. This journal, along with its charming collection of accompanying ephemera goodies, has been an absolute delight to bring to life. Allow me to introduce you to the fascinating characters behind this journal’s narrative: Professor & Doctor Flutterby. Professor Flutterby was a distinguished academic and an ardent lepidopterist, dedicating his life to the study of butterflies and moths. His equally brilliant wife, Doctor Flutterby, a doctor of biology, developed a profound interest in these enchanting insects during her travels alongside her husband. Together, they embarked on countless expeditions, exploring remote corners of the world in pursuit of new discoveries. This particular journal, you see, was one that Doctor Flutterby faithfully carried with her on many of those thrilling adventures, meticulously documenting their findings and observations.

The foundation of this unique journal is a small hardcover, lovingly repurposed from a vintage book. I began by meticulously painting its surface with layers of craft acrylic paints. The original cover, a lovely green book cloth, proved to be an ideal canvas, readily accepting the acrylics and allowing for a beautiful transformation. To achieve the desired aged aesthetic, I strategically applied several shades of brown, accented with touches of black paint. This careful layering created a wonderfully worn and somewhat mottled look, giving the journal a rich history and character even before the first page was turned. The tactile quality of the painted surface adds to its vintage charm, inviting touch and exploration.

One of the key design elements for usability is the journal’s spine, crafted from a soft, durable tweed fabric. This thoughtful choice allows the journal to open significantly flatter than a traditional hardbound book, making it exceptionally comfortable for writing, sketching, and attaching ephemera during those crucial field observations. Its compact size is another practical advantage, designed to tuck effortlessly into a bag or backpack, making it the perfect companion for any expedition, whether it’s a grand journey across continents or a quiet stroll through a local garden. On the inside front and back covers, I’ve used a truly breathtaking blue marbled paper from “The Twilight Lake” bundle, serving as a mesmerizing background. This vibrant backdrop is then enhanced with two generously sized pockets, ingeniously fashioned from journal pages found within “The Lepidopterist” bundle. The colors within these elements are incredibly vibrant, setting an immediate tone of discovery and wonder as one opens the journal.

Inspired by a truly unique faux deed creation by Heather from Ruby & Pearl xo, I developed my own interpretation, perfectly suited for the adventurous spirit of lepidopterist expeditions. Using a sturdy green file folder, I crafted a clever roll designed to safely house a collection of exquisite butterfly and moth book plate images. These images, meticulously curated, would have been invaluable references for the Flutterbys during their travels, allowing them to identify new species or confirm existing ones in the field. Many of these beautiful images, enriching the historical feel of the journal, were sourced from the extensive free images collection available on thegraphicsfairy.com blog, demonstrating the incredible versatility and accessibility of their resources. This folio not only serves a functional purpose but also adds an element of historical authenticity to the journal, as if it truly belonged to a bygone era of scientific exploration. The roll protects these delicate references, making them easily retrievable and securely stored within the journal.

The specimen labels from “The Lepidopterist” bundle are, in a word, truly exceptional. Their authentic design and intricate details immediately transport you to a vintage natural history collection. I utilized these labels to create a series of charming little tags, backing each one with pieces of the same durable green file folder used for the expedition roll. To ensure longevity and add a touch of antique elegance, I reinforced each tag with small metal eyelets, making them perfect for attaching to collected specimens or journal pages. These tags serve a dual purpose within the narrative: they are both functional tools for labeling newly discovered specimens in the field and beautiful decorative elements that enhance the journal’s scientific theme. Their presence evokes the meticulous process of scientific classification and documentation, essential for any serious lepidopterist.

Without a doubt, the faux butterfly specimens I crafted for this project stand out as my absolute favorites. They are a testament to the transformative power of digital printables and simple crafting techniques. The process began with the stunning sheet of slide mount frames from “The Vintage Paperie” bundle, which provided the perfect antique framework. I then layered acetate sheets, various labels, and a selection of exquisite butterfly and moth images sourced from several different bundles (listed below for your reference). A crucial step was resizing these delicate butterfly and moth images within my word processor program to ensure they fit perfectly within the printable slide frames, creating a truly professional and authentic look. These meticulously constructed specimen slides are then backed with grungy grid paper from “The Blank Paper Ephemera Bundle.” I confess, I’ve incorporated a significant amount of this particular grid paper throughout this journal project. Its perfectly balanced “grungy” color and subtle texture made it an ideal choice for the backs of journaling cards and pages, lending an air of scientific authenticity and aged charm that is simply perfect for a naturalist’s journal.

Speaking of elements I found myself using extensively in this project: I may have, shall we say, gone a bit “label crazy.” My enthusiasm for labels is evident throughout the journal, but just in case all the labels I added to the journal and its integrated ephemera weren’t quite enough, I even included a charming tea-dyed glassine envelope brimming with extra labels! This overflow of labels underscores their versatility and indispensable nature in junk journaling. For fellow label enthusiasts, one of the easiest and most efficient ways to explore the truly massive assortment of labels available on the Premium Membership Site is to navigate to the “Printables” section and then simply filter your search by clicking on the “Labels” category. Beyond that, some of my absolute “go-to” labels, the ones I find myself reaching for time and again for their classic appeal and adaptability, are consistently found within “The Vintage Office Supplies Bundle.” Periodically, I like to create a custom sheet of assorted labels directly in my word processor program, allowing me to print and cut them out in advance, ensuring I always have a ready supply for my next project. Most often, I opt to print them onto a lightweight cardstock for durability and a pleasant feel, but for instances where an adhesive backing is desired, I’ll sometimes use mailing label paper for a practical, peel-and-stick solution. The specimen envelopes included in “The Lepidopterist” bundle are another personal favorite from this project. I printed them in a couple of different sizes, then tucked in an array of small, delightful ephemera pieces, perfect for enhancing journaling entries or simply decorating pages with an authentic touch of a bygone era.

To further enrich the visual narrative and provide ample space for creative expression, I have also incorporated several of the beautifully designed pre-made journal pages. These exquisite pages were carefully selected from both “The Lepidopterist” and “The Bright & Bold Butterflies Bundles,” offering a harmonious blend of vintage charm and vibrant, illustrative beauty. Each page contributes to the overall immersive experience of the journal, providing unique backdrops and prompts for the user’s own stories and observations, mirroring the Flutterbys’ own meticulous record-keeping.

Thank you so very much for taking the time out of your busy day to read about my July Design Team Project. It means a great deal to me that you’ve journeyed through these pages and gotten to know Professor & Doctor Flutterby, and their incredible world of lepidopterist exploration, just a little bit better. I truly hope their story, and the journal crafted in their honor, has sparked some joy and inspiration within you.

For an even more immersive experience and a closer, page-by-page look at this entire “Butterfly Collection” journal, I warmly invite you to visit my YouTube channel. There, you’ll find a comprehensive flip-through video where I share every detail and nuance of this project. I sincerely hope that seeing the journal in action will provide even further inspiration for your own unique paper crafting and junk journaling projects. Come say hello and let’s explore it together!

Butterfly Collection Journal: A Detailed Show and Tell Video

Key Digital Bundles and Resources Used:

To recreate elements of this enchanting Butterfly Collection Junk Journal or to embark on your own nature-inspired paper crafting adventures, I highly recommend exploring these exceptional digital bundles and resources from The Graphics Fairy’s Premium Membership Site. Each bundle offers a treasure trove of vintage images, ephemera, and printable elements that are perfect for junk journals, scrapbooking, and mixed media art:

• The Lepidopterist
• Entomologist’s Field Guide
• Butterflies & Moths
• Aubergine & Green
• Secret Garden
• Peacock Hues
• Bright & Bold Butterflies
• Garden Club Tour
• Realm of the Blue Fairy
• Bohemian Butterflies
• Gorgeous Butterflies
• Twilight Lake
• Vintage Paperie
• Blank Paper Ephemera
• Vintage Office Supplies
• Printables Section – specifically Journal Covers & Labels categories

Additionally, a significant number of free, captivating images from thegraphicsfairy.com blog were utilized, demonstrating the incredible wealth of resources available to all crafters.

Connect with Lynne Morgado:

If this journal has captured your heart and you’re interested in owning a piece of this creative artistry, my unique journals are frequently available for purchase in my official Etsy shop. Be sure to check regularly for new listings!

For a deeper dive into the world of junk journaling, mixed media tutorials, and engaging “craft with me” videos, please make sure to stop by and subscribe to my vibrant Youtube channel. It’s a fantastic resource for learning new techniques and finding endless inspiration.

And for daily doses of creative inspiration, sneak peeks of upcoming projects, and a closer look at my artistic journey, follow me on Instagram: @mockingbirdandmain.

Thank you once again for dedicating your time to explore my latest project. I genuinely hope that this “Butterfly Collection” Junk Journal serves as a powerful source of inspiration, encouraging you to delve into the Premium Membership images and transform them into your own unique and beautiful creations. Happy creating, and may your artistic journey be filled with joy and discovery!

Warmly,

Lynne Morgado

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