2 SMASH Book Or Junk Journal Pages

Remember when a scrapbook was a plain newsprint paper book where you could stick a few photos, a couple love letters, a movie ticket stub, a few pressed flowers and a napkin from the restaurant you ate at while on vacation? Before scrapbooks got so big and elaborate with huge titles, scalloped photo frames and theme-y stickers? (Don’t get me wrong, I love scrapbooking and if you don’t remember, you must be very young!)

Well, a SMASH book or Junk Journal is the same thing but with beautiful papers instead of boring plain ones! A mish mashed handful of beautiful papers that you decorate with things you like, with writing or ephemera or photos, your journaling on the whole page or whatever you like! The best part? No rules, no colour wheel analysis and who cares if the photos aren’t perfect! It is the informal, quirky, eclectic sister of a normal scrapbook! Check out this link to learn more SMASH There’s a link to a fun video on that page, bottom left.

Whether you have a SMASH book (spiral bound, pre-made book by K&Co), a hand bound book or no book at all, this swap is for you. Add to the book you have by punching these pages, gluing or stapling them into your book or start a new one by simply keeping the pages in a pretty binder clip until you are ready to decide how to use them.

Please make 2 6x8” vintage or shabby junk journal style pages for your partner. Keep Somerset style in mind. Each page should be sturdy enough to stand alone (about the same as 65lb cardstock which is what thick scrapbook papers are) so back thinner papers with another paper. You can use scrapbook paper (6x6” paper with a border glued at each end would be great and save your bigger papers), vintage ledger or book paper, or reproduction vintage papers etc. If you already have a book with some sort of punched hole bindings, you have 2 days to let your partner know how much space on the edge needs to be left unembellished. Please leave a least 1/2 of the page unembellished and use paper light enough for your partner to write on if they so choose. You can decorate the bottom, top, one side, a couple or corners or a combination as long as there is some space leftover.

If this seems overwhelming, try thinking of it like creating an ATC in one corner. Then add a matching embellishment in the opposite corner. Add a bit of stamping down one side and that’s it. Both pages can coordinate and work as facing pages or they can be completely different. Please avoid your partner’s dislikes; making this profile based would be wonderful but isn’t required as long as it is shabby or vintage.

*Please use at least 2 layers on top of the base and minimum 3 shabby or vintage embellishments on the main area of your pages. I highly recommend flowers, lace, fancy brads, pearls, doilies, buttons, punched paper strips, twine, ribbon and vintage ephemera (real or high quality reproduction) etc as some of your embellishments. Shabby up your work with distressing, paint or inking is also a great idea. You must use ALL quality items to make these pages.

*If you use rubber stamping, please stamp cleanly; missed areas, smudges or double lines are not acceptable.

*Please check your partner's profile and avoid dislikes both in colour and theme. You may make this profile based if you wish.

*Please do not use computer generated images or sentiments because I have been very disappointed by images printed in very poor quality lately. (If you print them well using very good quality paper and ink, your partner won’t know and can’t rate you badly for it can they?? Wink wink!) And no magazine cut outs.

*Please make beautiful pages you are proud of and would be thrilled to receive.

*Make sure your work is clean and precise. No glue should show and straight cuts need to be straight. Colouring needs to look adult, not like a child did it. Please don't be discouraged by these rules. I am only referring to general tidy work, not tiny flaws.

*Please have a 4.97+ rating to join and no 1's EVER or 3's in the last 6 months. I will accept explanations of course, PM me ahead of the sign up deadline. Newbies are welcome with WELL FILLED out profiles (About Me, Likes, Dislikes at least) and MUST PM me at least 3 days before the end of the swap to show good intentions. A newbie is someone with less than 5 completed and rated type 2 or 3 swaps. If you see a flaker has joined, don't worry, I will weed them out but there shouldn't be any on a group like this! If you are really worried, give me a heads up! I’ve been flaked on so many times, I've stopped keeping track, so I get it!

Enjoy, Rebecca