Turn Six Months of Memories Into One Beautiful Junk Journal
If you've been creating along with my Creative Simple Joys Monthly Art Journal series, first of all...thank you! ❤️
One of my favorite things about these journals is that each month gives us a little creative escape. A few quiet moments with paper, scissors, glue, and a cup of iced coffee can do wonders for calming a busy mind.
But after six months, you may be wondering...
"What do I do with all of these journals?"
Today I'm going to show you one of my favorite upcycling projects: turning an ordinary cereal box into a sturdy, beautiful junk journal cover that holds your first six months of Creative Simple Joys all in one place. It's inexpensive, beginner-friendly, and a wonderful way to preserve your creative journey.
Why I Love This Project
I have a soft spot for projects that give everyday items a second life.
Instead of throwing away a cereal box, we're transforming it into something you'll actually treasure. Every time you pull it off the shelf, you'll remember the pages you created, the techniques you learned, and hopefully a few moments when creativity helped calm the chaos.
The best part?
Nobody has to know your beautiful journal started life holding shredded wheat.
(Your secret is safe with me.)
Supplies You'll Need
This project doesn't require anything fancy.
You'll need:
- An empty cereal box
- Decorative scrapbook paper or cardstock
- Double-sided tape
- Liquid glue (I like Barely Art Glue)
- Pencil
- Ruler or T-square
- Paper trimmer or scissors
- Burnishing tool (or an old gift card works too!)
- Washi tape
- Embroidery thread
- Your six completed journal signatures
That's it!
Most of these supplies are probably already sitting in your craft room waiting for their next adventure.
Measure Twice...Cut Once
The most important step is sizing your cereal box correctly.
Your cover should be slightly larger than your journal pages—about ¼ inch of extra space all the way around. That little bit of overhang protects your pages and gives your finished journal a polished look.
Once you've measured everything carefully, trim away the extra tabs so you're left with:
- Front cover
- Back cover
- Spine
Still connected as one piece.
Covering Your Journal
Once your base is cut, it's time for the fun part!
Cover both the front and back with your favorite patterned papers.
I prefer using double-sided tape because it creates a really strong bond without making the cover buckle. If you're using thinner fabric instead of paper, you may want to paint the cereal box first with white acrylic paint or gesso so the printing doesn't show through.
Leave the spine uncovered for now—we'll reinforce that later with washi tape.
Don't Stress About Perfect Corners
One of my favorite reminders during this project is this:
Perfection is overrated.
Seriously.
This is a junk journal.
It's supposed to reduce your stress—not create more of it.
Sometimes I literally tell myself:
Brushes down. Scissors down. It's good enough.
And then I move on.
If one corner isn't absolutely perfect, I promise the world will keep spinning.
Actually...those little imperfections are part of what makes handmade journals so charming.
Reinforce the Spine
After covering the outside and inside of your journal, reinforce the spine folds with washi tape.
Applying the washi while the journal is folded helps it flex beautifully when the cover opens and closes.
It's a simple step, but it makes your finished journal much more durable—and it's another chance to add a little personality with fun patterns and colors.
Adding Your Six Monthly Journals
Now comes the really satisfying part.
Using embroidery thread wrapped around the spine, you'll create six loops—one for each monthly journal signature.
Then simply slide each month into its own loop.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
One beautiful keepsake.
I especially love this binding method because each signature can easily be removed if I want to continue decorating it or add more pages later. Nothing is permanently glued in place.
Make It Your Own
This basic cover is just the beginning.
You could also add:
- Ribbon closures
- Charms or beads
- A decorative bow
- Vintage labels
- Pockets inside the covers
- A year label on the spine
- Tags and ephemera
- Hidden journaling spots
You can even create a matching volume for July through December, giving yourself two beautiful keepsake journals for the year.
Creativity Doesn't Have to Be Perfect
One thing I hope you always remember is that creativity isn't about perfection.
It's about making something that brings you joy.
Some days your pages will be amazing.
Other days they'll simply exist.
Both are worth celebrating.
Every page tells a little piece of your story, and by gathering six months together into one handmade journal, you're creating something far more valuable than paper and glue.
You're creating memories.
Watch the Full Tutorial
If you'd like to follow along step-by-step, be sure to watch the complete YouTube tutorial where I walk you through every measurement, fold, and finishing touch.
Whether you've completed all six Creative Simple Joys journals or you're just looking for a clever way to make a junk journal cover from recycled materials, I hope this project inspires you to look at ordinary supplies in a whole new way.
After all...
Sometimes the prettiest journals begin with a cereal box.
Happy creating!
-teresa XO
Helping women create joy through art, paper crafting, and creative self-care.
