I’ve been actively coloring again for couple years.

It started as a way to unplug in the winter. A quiet, low-pressure creative outlet that didn’t require clients, deadlines, or revisions. Just markers, paper, and time.

Recently, I found myself staring at a pile of finished coloring pages and scraps. Butterflies. Flowers. Dragonflies. Bright pink petals and leafy greens. Some fully complete, some partially colored, some trimmed down for other ideas.

Instead of filing them away or tossing them, I decided to turn them into something new.

A junk journal.

Why a Junk Journal?

A junk journal is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a handmade book created from reused paper, scraps, ephemera, and bits that might otherwise be discarded.

Old coloring pages.
Test prints.
Paper trimmings.
Background experiments.
Random textures.

It’s imperfect, layered, dimensional, and personal.

As a graphic designer, I spend most of my days working digitally. Everything is aligned, optimized, exported, and client-ready. Creating a junk journal feels different. It’s tactile. Messy in a good way. No grid system required.

The Process

I started by cutting out my favorite elements from completed coloring pages. 

I trimmed around:

• Individual flowers
• Butterflies and dragonflies
• Lettering
• Decorative borders

Then I layered them onto mixed backgrounds in a spiral-bound sketchbook.

Some pages have full compositions, like a bold floral “Be Kind” spread surrounded by hand-cut insects and blooms.

Other pages are simply clusters of elements waiting to become pockets, tags, or tuck spots.

There’s glue on the table. Scraps everywhere. Scissors within reach. It’s not polished. It’s not client work. It’s creative play.

And I love it.

What I’m Learning

1. Finished does not mean final.
   Just because something was “done” once doesn’t mean it can’t evolve into something new.

2. Layers create depth.
   The same principle applies in design and in life. Backgrounds matter.

3. Creativity doesn’t always need a purpose.
   This journal doesn’t have a client. It doesn’t have a price tag. It doesn’t need SEO. It just needs to exist.

If You Want to Try This

You don’t need fancy supplies.

Start with:
• Old coloring pages
• A sketchbook or binder
• Glue stick or craft glue
• Scissors
• Any scrap paper you already have

Cut. Layer. Rearrange. Play.

There’s something deeply satisfying about turning something that felt finished into something completely new.

And if you’re anything like me, you might enjoy buying supplies for the hobby… but this time, you can start with what’s already on your table.