where to find journaling supplies

Since I have done posts about how I use my supplies (part one and part two), I decided to do a post about where to actually find all of this supplies for journaling. I thought some ideas might be useful to you guys.

Target

What to look for: First stop is the dollar bins! I think pretty much all Targets have these. You can find notepads, note cards and envelopes, letter stickers, tags, labels, and even washi tape in the Target dollar bins. They are also of very high quality--not cheesy like some stuff you can find at other stores for a dollar. Target also has We R Memory Keepers journaling cards, as well as K Company's Smash Books and supplies. Plus tons of good journals and notebooks to choose from.   

Michaels

What to look for: Everything! Michael's has it all, and they have many different lines to choose from. They also have dollar bins and good clearance aisles, which can yield some cheap and good stuff.
 

Thrift stores

What to look for: Thrift stores are great places to find random things--from scrapbook paper to note cards and envelopes to actual journals. All of those things are there, but it's often hit or miss, and thrift stores tend to be really disorganized in this department. Keep an eye out also for magazines and old books. These can be incorporated to collages.

Library book sale rooms

What to look for: Most libraries have a room or a space designated for their secondhand book sale area. You can actually find journals here--I did once; brand new and never used. Also, book sale rooms are great places to find old magazines to cut up and use for collages, as well as those little themed Hallmark books; they have great quotes and pictures in them to cut out.

Lowe's or Home Depot

What to look for: The paint chip! And they're free. :)

I hope I've given you guys some ideas on where to find good stuff for your journals.  

Where do you usually get your supplies?

one dollar washi tape!

Guess what? Target now has washi tape in the dollar bins! My mom found these for me last night!

So if you have a Target near you, check the dollar spot!

(Sorry, fluffy white and orange cats cannot be found in the Target dollar bins, unfortunately.)

journaling potlucks for sale and a giveaway!

I am excited to announce the Journaling Journeys Shop at Etsy, which sells journaling potlucks full of creative supplies for you!

What they are:
 Each 30 piece journaling/scrapbooking potluck contains a vintage book page, sheet music, journaling cards of varying sizes, scrapbook paper and paper scraps, paint chips, scrapbook die cuts, and various other bits and bobs that are perfect for creative journaling, scrapbooking, decorating gifts or cards, and more! (Each potluck is a little different; the pictures are just an idea.)

The giveaway!
To celebrate the opening of the shop, I am giving away one journaling potluck to a lucky winner. :) All you have to do is comment on this post and you will be entered! I will choose a winner at random next Tuesday, the 8th. US readers only, please. Shipping internationally is just too expensive these days. :(

In the mean time, you can head on over and visit the shop. :)

journaling supplies: part 2

Welcome to part 2 of a peek into my journaling supplies! 

(Click here for part 1)

I hope that maybe I can inspire you and give you 

some ideas in your own journaling.

 Paper scraps! These you can find anywhere--Chipotle bags, coffee sleeves, 
grocery bags, old stationery and papers etc. 
These are great for writing poems, lyrics, or just little blips. 

They add some extra dimension and texture to the journal page. 

 I really like using labels and stickers for list titles or date headings.

 I found most of these at Michael's, except the kraft paper ones. 

Those were in the dollar bins at Target. 

(Always check the Target dollar bins! 
They have great crafty/scrapbooking supplies!)

 Extra-large journaling cards. 

These are great for writing quotes or poems or facts from the day. 

I love journaling cards because they are so pretty and always make an entry look cheery! 

My mom got me these for a present, so I'm not sure where they are from. 

Either Michael's or Target, I'm guessing.

 This is by far the largest portion of my journaling box. 

It doesn't look like that much from the picture, but it's all in a mound. 

This is just random stuff I've been collecting for years--pictures from magazines, cutouts 

from old calendars, poems, quotes, and lyrics I've copied, stuff from old books, etc. 

Basically anything pretty or inspiring I come across and would like to paste in my journal eventually.

 Maps and pages from old books make excellent journal spreads! 

They look so vintage and smell so good. 
Thrift and antique stores always have them for sale.

 And paint chips! You know how much I love and use the paint chip in my journaling.

These are completely and absolutely free at Lowe's and Home Depot,
and there are always so many lovely colors to choose!

Scrapbook paper and paper scraps are a very simple way to make an entry look pretty.

I usually buy the 6x6 size, because it's smaller and easier to store and use for journaling.

Target, Michael's, JoAnne's, and Hobby Lobby 
(as well as Wal-Mart and other craft stores) will always have scrapbook paper. 

I've also found some at thrift stores as well; make sure you look!

I hope you have gleaned some ideas and inspiration 
from these posts for your own journaling!

journaling supplies: envelopes

 Envelopes are fantastic tools for journaling.
They're a dime a dozen and as common as stop signs. 
You just need to know where to look.

 I find most of my envelopes at thrift stores. 
Every thrift store usually has a random box or bin filled with paper products like cards, stationery, post cards, envelopes, etc. 
Digging through these boxes often produces many treasures. 
Including envelopes. And they are so cheap.

I found this envelope at Michael's. 
They're mini envelopes that came in a pack 
with other patterns for a couple dollars.

 You can make your own "envelopes" with 
paint chips and washi tape, 
as seen above.

 Use your envelopes to store 
random things you find. 

 

In this envelope there is an 
airport parking ticket, a penny, and a receipt.

 I made this envelope myself (more on that later) and 
it has some items I picked up on a trail ride 
(a small green paper clip, a receipt, 
and something else I can't remember now.)

 You can also write poems 
on envelopes. 

Or put in things from the day that will make the "story" of it. 
In this envelope I put in paint chips 
and the "quote of the day" 
(a funny saying by one of my brothers.)

journaling supplies: part 1

I love seeing how other people journal and what supplies they use. It's a great way to get some inspiration for your own journaling. I have been collecting journaling supplies for about three years now.  I get lots of it from thrift stores--yes, its there! You just have to look. My mom buys me stuff here and there, and the rest comes as gifts or when I have some extra money to spend. It takes time to build up art supplies on a budget. I sure didn't get all of my stuff overnight! Hopefully you can get some ideas from what I am sharing here.

 This is my journaling box. I got it at Michael's last year. 

I like to keep my supplies in a box because it's portable.

 My journaling isn't restricted to my desk, 

since all my supplies is contained in one place.

 This is all my supplies packed into my box.

 I made a little pouch for my pens, scissors, and glue stick. 

I love the colored Sharpie pens! Target sells them in 

singles sometimes, and they have good clearances.

 Of course, washi tape. 

My number one journaling staple.

 These are post-it notes, tags, and labels. 
I found some of these at the thrift store, 

and the rest came from Barnes and Noble and Target. 

 I love to use journaling cards. They are very bright and cheery! 

Some of these are from Michael's and some are from Target. 

(Target actually sells packages of twenty or so cards for $2.99) 

You can also print your own journaling cards. 

Here is a link to get you started.

 These are my random labels and cards. 

I found that at Michael's on clearance last year. 

They are very useful for card and present making as well. 

Envelopes! I love journaling with envelopes.

 90% of the envelopes you see came from the thrift store. 

The rest I made myself. 

What supplies do you use for your own journaling?
Stay tuned for part 2!

journaling tips and ideas: old books

 Old books make wonderful journaling supplies. 
And they are easily found at thrift stores and antique shops.

 They are full of vintage looking type 
and they smell good.

 The maps are fantastic, especially if they 
are from a history book from the early 1900s. 
It seems weird to think that they needed history 
books back then...World War I hadn't even happened yet.

 

I like to cut out hearts from

 the old pages and maps.

 They go very nicely with 
paint chips of course.

 Or you can use the 
headings as flower beds.

 Or cut out flowers 
from the pages.

 You can even write directly 
on the pages with a Sharpie.

Or paste an entire map into 
your journal just because it looks pretty.

Have you ever used books as journaling supplies?

journaling supplies: favorite pens

I do love a good ballpoint every now and then, but most of the time I like something a bit more...inky. I like the way ink feels and how it smears sometimes and gets on your hands. Inking pens can be expensive, but the ones I am sharing with you today are very affordable! And they write really well, too.

 My first favorite is the Sharpie fine tip pen. It doesn’t have major bleed through problems like many inky pens (unless the paper is really thin) and you can use them forever until they finally run out of ink. Like for months and months, even if you write every day. They are also not too thin and not too thick.

 My second favorite is the Pilot Precision V7 fine tip. They run out of ink faster than the Sharpie pens do, and the ink is more prone to smearing. The tip is also very thin and fine, which can sometimes make your writing messy. And they only write smoothly on certain types of paper (non glossy or finished kinds). But all things considered, I like them every now and again depending on the paper I'm using. 

 Coming in last is the Uni-Ball Vision. I picked these up last year because I had heard some good things about them. However, the “fine” tip isn’t very fine and they skip a lot when you write (depending on the paper). I usually use them for word art when I need some substantial ink. However, the good pro to them is that they’re fade proof and waterproof, which Pilot and Sharpie aren’t. 

Here's a comparison of all of them. 

Question:

Do you have a favorite pen for journaling?

journaling supplies: washi tape

Another handy item that provides 
immediate color, beauty, and creativity
for your journals is what’s known as washi tape. 
This stuff is amazing.

I was first introduced to washi tape by my mom, who is always keeping an eye out for interesting journaling mediums for me. She came home from Target one day last January or February trying to explain this really cool colored tape. I didn’t get the concept until I could see it for myself, and it was very much love at first sight. And Mom bought me some for Valentine’s Day. Ever since then, washi tape has been a staple with my journaling (and letter writing). 

 Washi tape is not like regular tape, as it is actually reusable. 
Meaning it doesn’t stick too hard and ruin the paper and everything when you pull the strip off. 
You can just use it again and again, which is really awesome. Also, they have more washi tape patterns 
out there than you’d ever be able to use. 

 It's very useful for anchoring dried flowers.

 

I really love the Smash brand washi tape, because it has several different patterns just in one roll (see above). But the best deal I've found is at Michael's. They have washi tape for around $4.99 for two rolls and here is a secret—Michael’s usually always has printable coupons for 40% off one regular priced item. Or if you can’t find those, Hobby Lobby always has 40% printables, and most Michael’s stores will take competitor’s coupons (just google "Hobby Lobby printable coupon.") So then you can get some washi tape for almost half off! I’ve also seen some really pretty washi tape on Etsy.

Washi tape is a great way to add color and interest to your entries.

Have you ever used washi tape?