There’s something special about a beautiful piece of paper. It can become a letter to a friend, a place to collect your thoughts, or the beginning of a journal filled with little memories.
That’s what I enjoy about creating stationery and printable junk journal designs for Art by Kikajo. They invite you to slow down, use your imagination, and make something personal.
What is a junk journal?
A junk journal is a handmade journal that brings together different kinds of paper and collected pieces. It might include writing paper, old book pages, envelopes, photographs, tickets, ribbon, or scraps you simply couldn’t bring yourself to throw away.
You can use one to write about your day, save memories, sketch, or enjoy arranging papers and textures. There’s no need for every page to match or look perfect. The little differences are part of its character.
Where stationery fits in
Stationery makes a lovely starting point for a journal. A lined sheet gives you room to write, while an unlined page can hold a photograph, a sketch, or a few favorite words.
You can fold a stationery sheet into a smaller journal, use part of it behind a photograph, or tuck a handwritten letter into a pocket. Even the paper left over after trimming a page can become a small label or decorative strip.
I love the idea that a design can become something different in each person’s hands.
From the woodland to the ocean
Nature is a favorite source of inspiration for my work, and that carries into my paper collections.
My woodland designs explore a cozy, rustic feeling with foxes, botanicals, and vintage-style details. The underwater collection takes that feeling beneath the waves, pairing sea creatures with aged-paper textures.
You can build a journal around one theme or mix in your own plain papers and keepsakes. An ocean journal might hold beach memories, while a woodland journal could become a place for nature notes, sketches, quiet thoughts, and memories from camping trips.
An easy first page to try
If you’re new to junk journaling, start with just one page.
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Choose a stationery or journal page you love.
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Add a photograph, a handwritten note, or a small piece of saved paper.
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Attach a paper pocket along its sides and bottom, leaving the top open.
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Tuck a little card or message inside.
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Write the date and a few words about something you want to remember.
That’s enough. You don’t need a finished book or a drawer full of supplies to begin.
Printing your pages at home
Before printing, check the paper size listed with your download and use print preview to make sure the design fits.
Regular printer paper works well for writing and folding. A heavier paper can give cards and pockets more structure, as long as your printer supports it.
Vintage-style backgrounds and richly decorated pages can use more ink. Try one test page first and mix decorative sheets with plain writing paper throughout your journal. You can also print only the pages you want to use for your current project.
For pieces that need to keep their intended size, choose “Actual Size” or 100% when instructed in the download.
Make it your own
Your journal doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Leave room for your handwriting, your memories, and the things that catch your eye.
A folded letter, a bit of ribbon, or a note about an ordinary afternoon can become the part you treasure most.
Explore the printable stationery and junk journal collections at Art by Kikajo, and find a page that inspires you to begin.
Happy creating,
Krista
Art by Kikajo