Vintage Cookbook Ephemera + What Is Junk Journaling Used For?
What Is Junk Journaling Used For? Creative Ways to Fill Your Journal with Meaning and Memory + Free Vintage Cookbook Ephemera
Junk journaling is more than just a trendy craft. It's a deeply personal, creatively liberating form of visual storytelling. Whether you're new to the world of mixed media or a seasoned collage artist, junk journals offer a unique outlet for memory keeping, self-expression, and artistic exploration. But what is junk journaling used for, really? In this guide, I'll dive into some of the many creative and meaningful ways people use junk journals, and how you can start using your own, even if all you have is a glue stick and a pile of free printable ephemera.
Free Vintage Cookbook Ephemera for Your Junk Journal
Before we dive into the different ways to use your junk journal, be sure to check out the free vintage cookbook ephemera printables available below. The illustration from a book of what the author called A La Mode Cookery from 1902. Scroll down, and you’ll find two different ephemera sheets. The first sheet is made up of 2.5” x 4.25” journal cards, and the second is a sheet of 2” x 3” journal tags.
These printables are perfect for:
Themed memory spreads centered around cooking and family meals.
Recipe journals or food diaries.
Mixed media collages with a cozy, nostalgic kitchen feel.
All files are high-resolution and designed for easy printing, so you can get started on your next journal page right away.
If you like food-themed ephemera, you should visit the cooking/baking section of my library of free printables. There, you’ll find free collage sheets like these vintage flavor extract labels, these lovely tea set designs, or these decorative cakes and confections.
Now, let’s talk junk journaling…
Memory Keeping and Personal Storytelling
One of the most popular uses for junk journaling is preserving memories. Think of a junk journal as a visual diary, but instead of relying solely on words, it combines writing with images, textures, and found materials. You might save a movie ticket stub from a memorable date, a snippet of wrapping paper from a birthday gift, or a handwritten recipe from a loved one.
By adding in elements like vintage cookbook ephemera, you can build rich, themed pages that recall moments of home, family, and comfort food. Your journal becomes a scrapbook of your life’s small but meaningful moments.
Tips for Memory Keeping in Junk Journals:
Use printable journaling cards to document dates and short stories.
Mix real-life mementos with vintage printables for visual interest.
Try themed memory pages, like "Sunday Dinners" or "Favorite Childhood Recipes."
Want to preserve a kitchen memory? Print out our vintage cookbook ephemera sheets and pair them with a family recipe, handwritten note, or even a photograph of a holiday meal.
Creative Self-Expression and Art Practice
Junk journaling is an open invitation to play. With no rules or expectations, it becomes a meditative space for art and self-expression. Many creators use junk journals as a place to explore color, pattern, mood, and emotion. You can layer paint, stencils, stickers, doodles, collage, and vintage illustrations—anything goes!
Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, junk journaling is a low-pressure way to experiment with creativity. Start with a printable you love and let that guide your page. For example, a page featuring vintage kitchen tools could inspire a nostalgic spread about your grandmother's cooking or your own favorite meal to make when you're feeling down.
Tips for Self-Expression Through Junk Journaling:
Use washi tape, rubber stamps, and ink to add layers and texture.
Try journaling about your mood or a recent experience, using color and collage to reflect emotion.
Choose a printable image as your "muse" for the page.
Don’t know where to start? Download one of our vintage cookbook collage sheets and cut out your favorite bits. Then, glue them into your journal and write freely about a memory or feeling they evoke.
2.5” x 4.25” Journal Cards
Goal Setting and Personal Development
Believe it or not, junk journaling can also be a powerful tool for personal growth. By combining the reflective qualities of journaling with the creative elements of collage, your junk journal can double as a visual goal tracker, a place for affirmations, or even a dream log.
Want to start eating more home-cooked meals or try a new recipe each week? Use cooking-themed printables to create a "Meal Inspiration" page. Or maybe you want to create a healthier routine. You can collage motivational phrases with vintage ephemera and mark your progress.
Tips for Goal-Oriented Junk Journals:
Use printable labels to create sections for goals and checklists.
Try layering vintage images with affirmations or inspirational quotes.
Revisit and update goal pages regularly to track your journey.
You can even turn your junk journal into a personalized planner or vision board. My free ephemera sheets make it easy to create cohesive, themed spreads that motivate and inspire.
Inspiration Journals for Art and Craft Projects
Many artists and crafters keep junk journals not just for memories or goals, but as ongoing collections of inspiration. These journals act as a space to explore new color palettes, test materials, and save ideas for future projects.
Love vintage cooking illustrations? You might dedicate a spread to various vintage culinary images and labels. Later, you can use those same themes to create recipe cards, greeting cards, or other craft projects.
Tips for Using Junk Journals as Inspiration Books:
Create mood boards using ephemera grouped by color, era, or theme.
Save swatches of paper, fabric, or trim that spark creative ideas.
Use my printables as the starting point for new mixed media experiments.
Think of your journal as a "creative lab" where you test and collect ideas. If you’re feeling blocked, just flipping through your inspiration pages can reignite your creative energy.
Gifts, Keepsakes, and Handmade Projects
Junk journals also make heartfelt, handmade gifts. Whether you're creating a mini album for a friend, a themed keepsake for a wedding or baby shower, or a "recipe memory book" for a family member, junk journals add a personal and artistic touch.
By using printable ephemera sheets, you can design something that looks cohesive and curated without buying tons of supplies. A journal filled with vintage recipe cards, kitchen imagery, and blank spots for someone to add their own memories is both beautiful and practical.
Ideas for Junk Journal Gifts:
Create a "Mother’s Kitchen" memory book using these cookbook printables.
Design a mini junk journal with vintage tags and pockets filled with affirmations.
Make a seasonal or holiday-themed journal to give as a gift or keep for annual traditions.
Check out my Cooking/Baking ephemera collection to find the perfect printables for your next handmade project.
2” x 3” Journal Cards
Final Thoughts: The Limitless Use of Junk Journals
So, what is junk journaling used for? The better question might be: What isn’t it used for? Junk journaling is one of the most versatile creative practices out there. It can be:
A personal memory book.
A therapy journal.
An artistic playground.
A motivational tool.
A handmade gift.
A creative archive.
At The Art Scavenger, I believe in helping you tell your story through beautiful, free ephemera. Whether you're drawn to vintage cookbook pages, botanical illustrations, or antique fashion ephemera, there's a printable waiting to become part of your next journal spread.
Ready to start or expand your junk journaling journey? Browse my full printable collage sheet collection or download your favorites from the vintage cookbook ephemera page. Then, grab some scissors, glue, and an empty page, and start turning your memories, ideas, and dreams into art.
Love These Printables? Support The Art Scavenger!
I love sharing free vintage printables, and if you enjoy them, there are easy ways to support my work so I can continue creating and offering more free designs:
You may also enjoy these free collage sheets.
Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: art journals, scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site.
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
