One-of-a-Kind Handmade Autumn Junk Journal – 90 Pages, Vintage Book Cover & Original Art

There are some seasons you don't quite want to let go.

Autumn Remembered was created as a place to gather them.

This substantial, one-of-a-kind handmade junk journal begins with an old vintage book and unfolds into 90 pages filled with hand-dyed papers, original paintings, handmade embellishments, pockets, tuck spots, journaling pieces, autumn leaves, printed imagery, and quiet spaces waiting for someone else's words and memories.

The finished journal measures approximately 8½ × 5¾ inches and retains the character of the vintage book from which it began, including the first two and last two pages of the original book.

Inside, old and new live together.

Coffee and tea stain pages in warm, timeworn neutrals. Onion skins leave naturally formed autumn markings of their own. Deep cranberry and dark green hand-dyed papers bring the richer colors of the season into the book.

Leaves appear everywhere.

Some are hand cut from standard paper, others from watercolor paper, and many have been individually painted with watercolor to create the changing colors of autumn.

And tucked among all of it is original artwork created especially for this journal.

This isn't a reproduction or a made-to-order journal.

There is only one Autumn Remembered.

The journal shown in the photographs and video is the journal you will receive.

An Old Book Begins Again

I wanted the original book to remain part of the story rather than simply becoming a shell around something new.

The journal was constructed using an old vintage book cover, and I retained the first two and final two pages of the original book.

Those surviving pages provide a small connection to the book's earlier life before the new journal begins to unfold between them.

The new pages are held within a wrapped binding, creating the wonderfully full, substantial spine and handmade character visible in the photographs and video.

Because a genuine older book has been repurposed, signs of its previous life and age should be expected.

I consider those marks part of the journal rather than imperfections to be erased.

90 Pages to Wander Through

Autumn Remembered contains 90 pages, with an intentionally varied rhythm from beginning to end.

Some pages are richly embellished.

Some hold artwork.

Some contain pockets, tuck spots or removable pieces.

Some incorporate printed digital designs.

And others are deliberately quieter, giving the new owner room to make this journal their own.

There is space for writing, photographs, collected ephemera, recipes, memories, sketches, additional collage, keepsakes—or whatever else you decide belongs between its covers.

It is already an artwork.

But it isn't finished telling its story.

That part belongs to you.

Six Signed Original Watercolor Paintings

Among the pages are 6 original watercolor paintings created by hand for this journal.

These are not printed reproductions of paintings.

They are individual pieces of original artwork incorporated into the journal itself.

Their autumn subjects and colors become part of the journey through the book, appearing among the dyed papers, botanical elements, pockets and embellishments.

The original artwork is one of the things that makes this journal particularly special to me. Rather than simply decorating pages with reproduced imagery, I wanted pieces of the journal to carry the marks of the brush that created them.

Original Acrylic-Painted Journaling Pieces

The journal also contains:

4 original acrylic-painted journal tags

and

2 original acrylic-painted journal cards.

Like the watercolor paintings, these were individually painted rather than commercially printed.

They provide additional small pieces of original artwork while remaining functional journaling elements that can be written on, tucked away, displayed, moved, or incorporated into the owner's own additions to the book.

Papers Colored by Autumn

A large portion of this journal was created using papers that I hand dyed and patterned myself.

Among them you'll find papers created with:

Coffee — for deeper, richer aged browns and vintage staining.

Tea — for softer, lighter vintage warmth.

Onion skins — used during the hand-dyeing process so that the natural skins can leave their own organic shapes, mottling and autumn-colored markings upon the paper.

Dark green Rit dye — bringing the deep greens of late-season foliage into the journal.

Dark cranberry Rit dye — adding rich wine, berry and autumn-red tones.

Natural and hand-dyeing processes do not produce perfectly uniform paper.

Staining, mottling, pigment concentration, marks from natural materials, wrinkles, variations in color, irregular edges or impressions and other unpredictable effects are part of the process.

Those differences are intentional parts of the journal's handmade character.

Several pages also incorporate printed digital artwork/designs, which are combined with the hand-created papers and embellishments throughout the book.

Leaves Made by Hand

The autumn leaves scattered throughout this journal aren't simply identical manufactured embellishments.

Many were individually hand Die-cut, using both standard paper and watercolor paper.

They were then painted with watercolor to build the oranges, yellows, reds, browns and changing shades associated with autumn foliage.

Because they were die-cut and painted individually, variations in shape, coloring and brushwork are expected.

Just like leaves outside, they weren't meant to match.

Little Things Waiting to Be Found

One of the pleasures of a junk journal is discovering what has been tucked into it.

Throughout Autumn Remembered you'll encounter handmade embellishments, pockets, tuck spots, tags, journal cards, layered decorative elements and removable pieces.

Some things announce themselves immediately.

Others wait until you turn another page or look inside a pocket.

The journal was designed to be explored rather than simply viewed from beginning to end.

Pieces can be removed for writing or closer examination and returned to their places, while the pockets and tuck spots can eventually hold the owner's own photographs, notes, receipts, tickets, pressed treasures and personal ephemera.

Three Golden Stars

Among the dimensional embellishments are 3 resin star charms finished with a beautiful gold, mercury-glass-like appearance.

Their reflective, aged-looking finish complements the warm autumn palette and adds a little unexpected glimmer among the aged papers, painted leaves and earthy colors.

Made to Be Used

Although this journal contains a considerable amount of artwork and embellishment, I did not want to create something that could only sit on a shelf and be admired.

There are still many places for its new owner to participate.

Write in it.

Add photographs.

Slip something meaningful into a pocket.

Attach a ticket from an autumn afternoon.

Record a family recipe.

Add your own collage.

Sketch.

Collect quotations.

Keep leaves.

Or simply turn the pages whenever you want to visit autumn again.

You don't need to preserve it exactly as it arrived.

It was made to become yours.

What You'll Receive

You will receive the exact one-of-a-kind Autumn Remembered journal shown in this listing and accompanying video.

The journal includes:

• 90 pages
• Approximately 8½ × 5¾ inches
• Repurposed vintage book cover
• First 2 and last 2 pages of the original vintage book retained
• Wrapped handmade binding
• 6 original watercolor paintings
• 4 original acrylic-painted journal tags
• 2 original acrylic-painted journal cards
• Coffee-dyed papers
• Tea-dyed papers
• Onion-skin hand-dyed/patterned papers
• Dark green Rit-dyed papers
• Dark cranberry Rit-dyed papers
• Several pages incorporating printed digital designs
• Hand-cut paper leaves
• Hand-cut watercolor-paper leaves
• Individually watercolor-painted autumn leaves
• 3 resin star charms with a gold mercury-glass-like finish
• Handmade embellishments throughout
• Pockets and tuck spots
• Removable journaling pieces
• Layered and dimensional elements
• Open areas for writing, photographs and additional personalization

Because this is an individual handmade artwork, there is no second identical journal available.

About Handmade & Vintage Character

This journal combines new handmade components with repurposed vintage materials.

The vintage cover and retained original pages have already lived a life before becoming part of this journal. Age-related wear, discoloration, marks, softened corners, surface changes and other evidence of age may therefore be present.

Likewise, hand-dyed and hand-painted papers naturally contain variation. You may see wrinkles, waves, uneven coloration, staining, mottling, pigment variation, impressions left by natural materials, irregularities associated with wet media, hand-cut edges and other evidence of the processes used to create them.

Please note that approximately three of the hand-dyed pages have more noticeable edge irregularities created during the dyeing process. Two have corners that are missing or noticeably rounded, and one has a more jagged edge. I chose to include these particular sheets because the results of the dyeing were simply too beautiful to leave out. Their imperfect edges have become part of the handmade character of the finished journal.

These characteristics are not manufacturing defects; they are part of the handmade, naturally varied and vintage nature of this one-of-a-kind journal.

Please review the photographs and video carefully, as they form an important part of the journal's description and show the actual piece you will receive.

Care Information

Because Autumn Remembered combines vintage materials, natural dyes, commercial dyes, watercolor, acrylic paint, paper, resin pieces, adhesives and other mixed-media components, it should be treated as a handmade mixed-media artwork.

Keep the journal dry and avoid prolonged exposure to moisture or high humidity.

Some hand-dyed or painted materials may not be completely colorfast if they become wet.

Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which may cause papers, dyes, artwork and vintage materials to fade or change over time.

Handle dimensional embellishments, charms, pockets and removable pieces with care rather than pulling or forcing them.

Store the journal in a clean, dry environment when not in use.

The journal is not represented as archival or acid-free.

Safety Information

This is a decorative handmade art journal intended for adult use and is not a children's toy.

The journal contains small and dimensional components, including charms and removable embellishments, which may present a choking hazard.

It also contains pointed, projecting, layered or irregular components associated with handmade mixed-media construction. Handle embellishments and attached pieces with appropriate care.

Keep away from small children and pets.

The journal and its components are not intended for food contact.

PRODUCT AT A GLANCE

Name: Autumn Remembered
Product: One-of-a-Kind Handmade Autumn Junk Journal
Quantity: 1 finished journal
Pages: 90
Approximate Size: 8½ × 5¾ inches
Cover: Repurposed vintage book
Original Vintage Pages Retained: First 2 and last 2 pages
Binding: Wrapped handmade binding
Original Watercolor Paintings: 6
Original Acrylic-Painted Tags: 4
Original Acrylic-Painted Journal Cards: 2
Hand-Dyed Papers: Coffee, tea, onion skin, dark green Rit and dark cranberry Rit
Additional Pages: Includes several pages incorporating printed digital designs
Handmade Leaves: Standard and watercolor paper, hand cut and watercolor painted
Charms: 3 resin stars with gold mercury-glass-like finish
Interactive Elements: Pockets, tuck spots and removable journaling/embellishment pieces
Exact Item Pictured: Yes
One of a Kind: Yes
Made By: Butterfly in the Attic

Handmade Paper Variations: Approximately 3 hand-dyed pages have more pronounced edge/corner irregularities from the dyeing process, including 2 with missing or rounded corners and 1 with a jagged edge; please see photos/video.