If you've got a growing pile of paper scraps and fabric offcuts you keep meaning to do something with, this tutorial is for you. I show how to turn those scraps — plus cereal box cardboard, lace, stamps, and a few small focal pieces — into layered mixed-media embellishments for junk journals. They work tucked inside a journal as a pocket or tuck spot, or on the cover as a focal point. No sewing, no measuring, no fuss.
What we cover
A simple, repeatable formula for making embellishments from fabric and paper scraps, using cereal box cardboard as a base. I make two on camera, walking through every step — from inking the edges of the base to stapling fabric and finishing with a stamped detail. Each one comes out different, which is exactly the point.
What you'll learn
How to prepare a cereal box base — cut it down to size (no measuring needed), ink the edges for a finished look, and use it as the foundation for the whole embellishment.
How to layer scrap paper onto the base without overthinking it, including:
- Choosing a small selection of book pages or scrap papers upfront so you're not overwhelmed by options
- Gluing layers loosely — since the stapling step that follows holds everything in place anyway
- Letting the arrangement be intuitive rather than precise; most of the paper will be partially hidden, but it still adds depth
How to attach fabric scraps with a stapler — no sewing involved. Lace, loose fabric, anything with texture works. You lay the fabric, position it roughly where you want it, and staple through the middle. Trim after assembly to clean up any uneven edges.
How to choose and place a focal point, including:
- Using paper flowers, butterfly embellishments, or die-cut shapes
- Gluing the focal point directly over the staple so it covers the hardware and becomes the visual centre
- What "focal point" actually means in practice — it's the element the eye lands on first, so it should be the most interesting piece in the cluster
How to finish with rubber stamps — stamping words or images along the bottom or edge of the embellishment. I use a couple of stamps maximum per piece (a sentiment like love or dreams, or an image that fits the mood) and match the ink colour to what's already in the piece rather than defaulting to black every time.
How to trim the finished embellishment — either with straight scissors for clean edges or zigzag scissors for something a little different. Trimming after everything is assembled lets you correct any awkward overhangs and gives the piece a more intentional look.
How to use the finished embellishments, including:
- Gluing inside a journal page as a pocket or tuck spot
- Using as a focal point on a journal cover
Tips & gotchas
If you're planning to use these inside a journal rather than on the cover, avoid buttons as your focal point element. They sit too proud of the surface and can make pages bulge or stick together. Brads work, flatter paper flowers work — anything that sits relatively flat works. Buttons are better saved for cover embellishments where bulk isn't an issue.
Pick your materials before you start, not during. I limit myself to a few pieces of scrap paper, a couple of fabric options, and two stamps. It sounds restrictive but it's the opposite — having fewer choices keeps you moving rather than second-guessing every piece. The embellishments go together quickly when you're not stopping to audition fifteen fabrics.
For the glue step, use something that dries fast and bonds both fabric and cardboard. A glue stick is fine for the paper layer (the stapling holds it anyway), but for the focal point you want something with more grip — something that'll hold a paper flower or butterfly flat even if the base has a little flex to it.
Don't trim before you assemble. It's tempting to cut everything to size upfront, but assembling first and trimming after is what gives the final piece its shape. Once everything is layered and stapled, you can see exactly where the edges want to land and cut accordingly — sometimes straight, sometimes with zigzag scissors for contrast.
The whole point of this project is to not be precious about it. Plop things down. Staple. Stamp. Move on. Each one will look different from the last, and the variation is what makes a collection of them interesting.
They also stack nicely into an envelope at the back of a junk journal, ready to pull out and use whenever a page needs a focal piece. Making a few at a sitting, with slightly different fabrics and stamps each time, means you always have something on hand rather than starting from scratch when you need an embellishment mid-project.
