Junk Journals

As you know, we're gearing up for our holiday in Hanoi, Vietnam and our lovely visitors in October. Mr John has three lovely weeks off and whilst we have things we want to do, we're also hoping he'll feel rested by the end of it. We've built in plenty of "chill" time so I'm not too worried. Anyway, I mentioned in my last post that I've started the preparation for my junk journal and it's all way too exciting.

The idea of these things and don't take my word for it, just search the web is that you pick up all sorts of random bits and pieces, that don't cost you much or indeed anything and add it into your journal. When you're travelling you can add ticket butts, postcards, paper bags, envelopes, maps literally anything you're given and add it.

Because we've chosen to fly with hand luggage only I can't take all my bits and pieces with me, so some things will have to wait til I'm back home before final embellishments can be added. Just so you know, by bits and pieces I mean things like scissors and metal hole punch which will be confiscated by security without doubt even in Thailand. So I've tried to do as much before we go as possible.

I cut up a cardboard box that we received off Hannah to make the front and back covers. If you think ahead about the finished product you can come out with something that I think looks good. The metal rings can be bought at any good stationer. Here in Chanthaburi I like to try B2S stationers on the ground floor in Robinson. It was only 60 baht for a pack of four. I've chosen to use them all on this occasion but I could have opted to use 1, 2 or 3. 

Luckily, I'd recently been given a 2015 diary that had monthly planners in, so I used one of those to give an overview of the whole month. You can be as creative as you want and you'll probably find, like me that the first thing you do isn't as beautiful as the last thing. Don't stress, it's yours anyway so do what you want.

You can see I've used cereal box cardboard as a backing panel for the planner to give it some sturdiness. I've also included one of my all time favourite quotes. So I don't forget some key things we want to do in Hanoi, I've written a quick list on the back of some wrapping paper I received recently. If you can get your hands on washi tape yes, also at B2S it makes anything look awesome! 

I've been including Mr John in all my preparations read this as boring him to tears with creative stuff that he has no interest in but nods and agrees in all the right places as he knows when I am happy, he gets to be happy. I've even made a page just for him that I'm hoping he'll do on one of the days. 

One of the things I spoiled myself with last time we were in Bangkok and way before I knew what a junk journal was was a Nancy Chandler Map. These are such beautiful works of art and have some really helpful info that often only locals know about. Sadly these maps are only for Bangkok, Chang Mai and Hanoi. 

The next main additions will be printed photos of our travels / events. I know, most of us don't get anything printed any more what with digital cameras, smart phones, tablets etc. I like to have some so I can put them up on our walls and luckily there's Kodak places in Chanthaburi where you can get photos printed straight from your phone. I just need to figure out if there's an App there's bound to be!

I've also included an envelope and a paper bag to store small bits in, a spare Chanthaburi postcard that I had I intend to pick up more postcards as we go and "odd" pretty papers I've had lying around for ages. I've been lucky with all my bits and pieces I keep for scrap-booking which have come in very handy. 

I've chosen to make mine A5 size, but again you can choose any size you want. I'm so inspired I'm already trying to think what one I can do next. I have odd collections of bits and pieces from all our holidays so maybe it's time to get them into something like this. 

I promise, when it's finished, I'll capture images and share them with you, In the meantime, the creative ones among you and I know there are loads seriously need to check this process out and start doing it. It's so much more portable, instant and convenient than scrap-booking. Just remember - never run with scissors !!