Wanderlust Junque Journal for 7 Gypsies: Opportunity Knocks!

Hello, Friends! Are you familiar with Junque Journals?  They are all the rage in the papercrafting world.  Junque Journals are kind of hybrid between traditional journals and scrapbooks or mini albums.  These mixed media creations combine fabric, different kinds of paper, found items and small souvenirs to capture memories in a fun and playful way.  7 Gyspies has recently released a fabulous new collection called Wanderlust that is tailor made for this kind of memory keeping.  I spent a glorious day of crafting with their Wanderlust Junque Journal and ended up with a really funky, fun, mixed media book that oozes with vintage goodness.  Take a peek:

The great thing about this Wanderlust Junque Journal is that half the work has been done for you.  7 Gypsies thoughtfully stitched up a gorgeous base album with beautifully vintage cover art and 6 machine stitched pages made from cardstock, burlap, kraft paper, canvas and corrugate.  All I had to do was add the fun.

I did make a video of this project so you could really get a feel for the flow and all the various elements.  But for those of you who prefer “still” shots, I have loads of them below.  Before we get started, you might want to go get a snack and a beverage…there’s a LOT to look at!

I cut out the cover focal image with my craft knife, then stitched it onto some brown faux leather paper.  I love the dimension this adds to the cover and the custom feel it gives the journal.  The little metal hasp was on an old medicine cabinet that I found at a local yard sale.  I added a fussy cut suitcase handle from Pack Your Bags to give the focal the look of a vintage suitcase.   I fussy cut other elements and added them to the cover with foam tape.  Can you spot the “luggage tag” I made with the faux leather?  I love the little post card charm!

The inside pages are so much fun to build up.  I fussy cut various elements from papers found in the 12×12 Mixed Media Kit and layered them up until I was happy with the way they looked.  On the left hand page I tucked a Gypsy Moments tag into a tiny kraft bag.  You could add small photos, journaling, or small souvenirs in the bag as well.

I built hidden pockets and fold outs throughout the Wanderlust Junque Journal because I wanted to have that feeling you get when you are out on a really great junkin’ trip with your best buddy.  The top of this fold out was left open so that I could tuck a Postcard and photo mount in behind it.  (All my photo mounts and tags were created with Heartfelt Creations Cut, Mat, Create dies.)The focal image was cut from the “Stay Focused” 12×12 paper and then “hinged” with washi tape to create a door.

When you open it, there’s room to mount some photos, or to journal in white ink.

This two page spread displays the corrugate and burlap pages.  I love the texture you get from these. There’s a pull out pocket behind the doors on the left, and another pocket above the photo mount on the right.

I used my craft knife to split the doors on the image and backed it with another image from the
“Stay Focused” paper.  I spattered on some TA Chalkboard mist to add to the artsy feel of this wonderful paper.

This double paged spread is on burlap and kraft papers.  I cut out tags and images from “Open New Doors” and layered them in. So quick and easy!  The page on the right has a pocket/photo mount filled to the brim with tags, mini file folders and other goodies.

I think this might be my favorite page.  The tag pulls out from behind the wonderful “Open New Doors” image.  The lined kraft paper behind has been spattered with ink to give it a great grungy feel.  But the image on the right is so artsy and fun.  I painted the canvas page with ink.  Then I “painted” around the focal image with a water brush to make it easy to tear out from the “Be Free” 12×12 paper. This gives you great control but you still end up with that wonderful torn edge look.  A little more inking, a torn paper layer that looks like a grassy knoll and a vintage label fussy cut from the paper and this page is done.

Here’s another photo mount pocket filled with tags and mini file folder.  The background paper came from a Junque Pack that I had in my stash.  I also opened up a Gypsy Moments file folder and used it as a photo mat.  All I had to do was add a little hand journaling and another focal image/pocket and this page was done.

I love the vibrancy this red burlap page adds to the Wanderlust Junque Journal.  I created a journaling spot on the left with a Gypsy Moments ATC Printed Folder. The little die cuts were in my stash, and they fit in with this so well that I couldn’t resist using them. The corner of the typewriter to hold the folder closed.  The inside could house journaling, or small photos.  Interactive elements in a journal make me super happy.

This door image is from the “Be Free” 12×12 paper.  It reminds me of Dublin, and memories of Dublin make my heart sing.  I’ve used another file folder as a mat on this page.  Think outside the box when you are using your supplies…a postcard or a file folder can be a mat, or a pocket!

This page is the inside back cover.  I fussy cut some keys, turned an image into a pocket and then added a file folder behind it.  This took maybe 10 minutes to do…because fussy  cutting the keys was a little bit “worky”.  But you get the idea.  You can build a fabulous album like this in less than a day because the basics have all been done for you.

I tied some burlap twine around the spine and then added on these fun wine charms I bought at a thrift store.  Treasure is everywhere….you just have to open your eyes and look for it!

This Wanderlust Junque Journal was so much fun to create.  I think it would be a fantastic activity for a bridal shower weekend, a girls’ retreat, a family trip.  The album is already about half done…you just add the fun details and your memories and you’ve got a great keepsake that captures a special event or time in your life.

My Gypsy Soul is so happy right now, I can hardly stand it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy