Learn what is a Smash Book and layout ideas! Below is a step-by-step tutorial on how to start a smash book!
Have you heard of a smash book? They are trending and avid crafters are loving them!
If you have never heard of a smash book, let’s go over what they are, first.
What is Smash Book?
You may be familiar with traditional scrapbooking. Which is a way to journal and memorialize pictures and happenings in your life.
A smash book is another way to record those memories but in this type record keeping, organization and perfection are not expected.
It is encouraged to simply throw pages together without all of the planning and coordinating. Your book doesn’t even need to be in chronological order! Just open the book, and create your page right there!
Tape pictures in place, add embellishments by gluing, taping or stapling, and write down your thoughts or feelings with your favorite pen or marker.
With a smash book, you don’t have to worry about the perfect layout. This is how they get their name because everything is smashed in. It’s a smash book!
You can buy Smash Books that are designed for this type of journaling, or you can create your own! Which is what I am going to do.
I would like to add, that this project isn’t for everybody. I have gotten some “hate” for “ruining books”. If you can’t stand the thought of writing in an old book, covering up text, and possibly even ripping out pages, then go with a new book that is designed for this type of craft.
More Craft Tutorials:
Crafting is so much fun when you make something that you can keep for yourself or give as a gift! We have many crafty tutorials we’d love to share with you. Like this Minky Rag Quilt, this Paint Slime Recipe, and this Earring Holder Frame.
Be sure to look around the blog for more fun craft tutorials!
How to Start a Smash Book:
I had never made a Smash Book before, but I love looking at them on Pinterest so I wanted to give it a go.
At my local thrift store, I came across this old book whose title was the same as my name. I just couldn’t resist and I thought it was a sign that it was time to start my own Smash Book.
This book is old and completely awesome! The copyright date is 1964 and all of the pages are uneven.
How to Prep Pages:
When using a preexisting book, you will need to prep the pages so that you can write, paint and glue over the words. This tutorial is great in explaining how to choose a good book and how to prep the pages.
What to Journal in your Smash Book:
Don’t know what to put on the pages of your Smash Book? These are some page ideas that I love and want to incorporate into my own Smash Book.
Inspirational Smash Books:
When creating, I like to see what others have done. It always gives me such great ideas! These are some of my favorites. Aren’t they fun?!
Inspiration Everywhere Smash Book
Making a Composition Book Art Journal
This Art Makes Me Happy Smash Book
There is No Wrong Way:
The biggest thing to remember is there no wrong way to Smash Book. It is supposed to be messy and maybe even a little chaotic. That is what makes it so much fun!
If you love this easy tutorial, please give it a five-star review and help me share it on Facebook and Pinterest!
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Kara @ Petals to Picots says
Very neat idea! I had not heard of smash books before.
One bolt short of a toolbox says
Great idea, I’d never heard of them beore.
rachel says
Hello!! I am your newest follower here. I absolutely love your blog, especially this post!! So very creative. I’m excited to see more 🙂
Rita says
I love smash books and I am in the process of making some for Christmas gifts! Thanks for the share.
CC says
I’ve seen them but I think I am too much of a perfectionist to use one. 😉 I haven’t scrapbooked in years, but the idea of just smashing things in makes me cringe. 😉 I do think they look cool though!
Renee says
I think the smashing is just a figure of speech…..you can glue pictures over existing pictures in a book. And glue over existing word pages etc.
Micah and Katie says
I think it will be fun to do a smash book for my school aged kids. Start it this year in kindergarden and go through until grade 12.
Scarlett @Scarletts Excellent Adventures says
That’s a really cute idea! Being a scrapbooker, I’m not sure about Smashbooks, but how fun for the school years!
Pam says
I have been wanting to do a smash book. I love the examples here! It kind of takes off the pressure to make the perfect layout, so it’s not as intimidating as scrapbooking for me. Thanks for sharing!
Shiloh says
I’ve never heard of them. I think I’m old. I just always called it a scrap book.:)
Bonny Yokeley says
While I have lots of scrapbooks, I had not heard of a smash book. They look neat.
Wendy @ E1A says
I have a smash book but haven’t updated it in ages! Must dig it out 😀 Thanks for the reminder!
Kadie says
What a neat idea! I hadn’t heard of smash books either. What a great outlet! Thanks for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.
Michelle's Tasty Creations says
Katie,
I’ve never heard of a Smash book but this is such a cute idea. I bet my daughter (18) would love to make one of these. She just started college and will have many memories to come. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you share next week. Have a great weekend.
Michelle
Debi Bolocofsky says
I like this post. I have a smashbook but your idea is great. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
I hope to see you there. I am your newest follower, and I would love for your to follow me also. Have a great Day.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
Me and My DIY says
Hi Katie, this is my first visit to your blog, I found you from onecreativemommy.com. I had never heard of Smash books either but may have to give them a try some time. I’ve been collecting old Reader’s Digests (the pretty hardbound ones) and had been wondering what to do with them. I may have to start with that!
Julie Kelley says
Love that you found a book with your name!! How cool is that?
Amanda @ Life, Experience Needed says
I have a Smash book but I’m so intimdated by it. I think I need to find someone to do it with.
New follower from the blog hop
http://lifeexperienceneeded.blogspot.ca
4 You With Love says
Wow, this is great. I’ve never heard of a smash book…but I have now, thanks to you! 😉
Vanessa says
I love the smash book idea. It’s great for when you want to be createive but don’t have time to commit to a full blown scrapbook. What I normally use is a notebook from the dollar store and then just use my scrapbook supplies. Works great!
Rachel says
I had never even heard of smash books before…it’s such a cool idea, I won’t be surprised if they really take off!
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says
I love the smash book idea … what a great book to start with!
Jenn says
This is so cute. I bought a smash book with fun stuff to put in it for one of my friends daughters. I think they’re such a fun idea!
Carrie says
That is a great idea!! I am so going to have to do this!!
Stopping by from Crazy Mama’s Hop!
Helen Graham says
I WANNA MAKE A SMASH BOOK NOW!! Thanks so much for sharing! This is awesome!
Two Succulent Sisters says
I’ve heard of the smash books. My sister who is up on everything told me about them. I take it that they are simply sloppy journals. In other words smash things in there quickly so that you don’t end up not doing it. Quick is good. I love fast wonderful crafts. I have old books and can do this also. Thanks, Linda
Holistic Homemaking says
I don’t have a Smash Book, but would like to. I haven’t decided on which layout/style I like most yet (part of why I don’t have one yet). Ha ha.
Theresa says
Smash books & journaling are fun. I love creating in mine. Be sure & share it when you get creating in yours! & feel free to link it up @ DearCreatives.com
Deanna crazed says
This is an awesome idea! I want to do one!
Darlene Bishop says
Do you just work right on the pages as they are? Or do you cover them with paper first? Haven’t seen one done though I have heard of them.
Katie Adams says
You can really do it however you want. You can cover the pages with Gesso (which is a painting canvas prepper), glue on patterned paper, or just write right over the top of the typed pages. That is what makes this book so fun! Great question by the way!
AmieAnn says
Love this! I have wanting a smash book.. but just couldn’t bring myself to pay for one I could make.. thanks for the inspiration.. can’t wait to drag out one of my old books I have been saving (or hoarding) for craft projects!
Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus
Debra Kapellakis says
I don’t have a smash book. Now that you showed me one I want one. lol 🙂
Heather says
I have only seen the ones sold in the scrapbook section. I never thought about using a real book! I love books, though, so I don’t know if i could bring myself to glue/paint/write over it 🙂 If I can get over it, I think I’d like to make some for my sisters for Christmas! I have 2 in college, 1 in high school & 1 who is 10. This seems like something girls of all ages would love. Thank you for the idea!
I found your blog through Holistic Homemaking!
Billie Lloyd says
SmashBooks have been around for at least a dozen years in the artist community…but they were simply known as what they are…”altered books” 🙂
Kat says
So cool! I just arrived at your blog from Pinterest. I just ordered my daughter and I Smash books. Can’t wait to get started. I started an adventure group 3 years ago and have all of these trickets and pictures from that I will add. Thanks for the post. Kat
http://www.10adventuregirls.wordpress.com
Makeiteasycrafts.blogspot.com says
Sounds intriguing! I’ve never heard of smash books before. 🙂
MixedKreationsJewelryDesigns says
I picked up an old book at half price books to make one of these smash books. But haven’t got started yet. Didn’t know that it was called a smash book though. Will check them out on Pinterest. Thanks for sharing!
Linda @ MixedKreations.com/blog
Anna-Leigh says
Such a good idea! I’m off to the thrift store 😉
Jocelyn says
Very cool! The thing I love about smash books is they don’t have to be perfect – I’m always trying to overcome my natural perfectionist-ness (haha, not a word), and these are good for that.
Bethany says
I have never heard of a smash book, cool idea! I like the idea of reusing old, useless books.
Diana - FreeStyleMama says
I’ve heard of them but didn’t know what they were. Love the book you found!
TitiCrafty by Camila says
I love this and I had never heard of this and I love it! Wow so cool and fun! Thanks so much for sharing this with me at Bewitch Me & Titi! Hope to have you back with another awesome share! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!!
Hugs
Cami @ TitiCrafty.com
Anna M. says
Wow, I actually did that years ago with a lousy novel, but I didn’t know there was a name for it.
Carey Werlein says
haha… i found this looking at journalling on pinterest… I descend from the Katherine that book is about. I read it because of the genealogy I did and discovered how I am connected to her. I got it on kindle. Its a remarkabley good book, too bad you didn’t read it first! LOL I too alter books, no worries… just funny… you might like it, its a true story.
Renee H says
My 13 yr old just told me she is going to start one of these for the new year! Thanks for the ideas!!
Hank da peacock says
Awesome!!!!!!
ana says
We have being working with this kind of mixed media, using books and transforming them, we call them Altered Books. They came to the artist community about 10 to 15 years ago. Its a neat way to transform old books. Have fun !!!!!!
Teresa says
Don’t forget to take out pages to make room for what you will smash in! The unevenness of the pages is evidence that the book is composed of quite a few signatures of several pages apiece (probably 5-10, which, when folded in half, creates 10-20 pages) which are then sewn into the spine. An easy way to remove pages is to find the center of each signature and remove the top few sheets in each one. The center of each signature is in the middle of each grouping of pages, where the sewing is. You could also take out alternating entire signatures, or at least about 1/3 of them. Otherwise, your book will become so fat that it will be impossible to close it! Best wishes!
Katie says
Thanks for the great tip Teresa!
Leanna says
It looks like you introduced the smash book to a bunch of new readers. I am part of a long list who never knew about them either. Its a cute idea.
Katie says
Thanks Leanna! Smash books really are a lot of fun. I’m glad I could introduce you to something new!
Kendall says
What a neat idea! I can see this being useful for homeschooling or keeping up with the changes of littles as they grow! 🙂
Katie says
Hi Kendall! Great idea! You are right, A smash book would be perfect for that!
Lisa/Syncopated Mama says
I’d never even heard of smash books and I feel like I still don’t quite “get” them, so I guess I know what I’ll be googling more of later! 😀 Have a great weekend!
Katie says
Hi Lisa! I am so glad I could introduce you to the world of smashing! 🙂
Pam says
Love it! I have been wanting to make s smash book for a long time to get all of my little bits of memorabilia and scraps into one place. Thanks for the great inspiration!
Katie says
You are very welcome Pam! Thanks for stopping by!
betty says
i have a smash book i am working on, like it a lot. so much fun. didou paint the pages first?
Katie says
Thanks Betty! It depends on what you are going to be coloring on your pages with? If it is colored pencils then no need, but if you are wanting to use paint or ink I highly suggest it. It keeps the paint/ink from seeping through to other pages.
Sharon Romey says
This is the 1st time I’ve heard of a Smash Book. Can you please tell me what the difference is between a Smash Book and a Junk Journal? I think it’s a great idea.
Thanks,
Sharon.
Katie says
Hi Sharon! A Smash Book and Junk Journal are the same things, just a different name.
Kyrin says
I’ve been keeping one for over 20 years- I call it my sketchbook. Every one of them is “smashed”
Katie says
Oh I love it! Such a great collection of memories!
L Doss says
How is this different from visual journaling?
Katie says
It really isn’t. Just different names for the same thing. Thanks L Doss!
Chelle says
You’re still going strong from 2012! Personally I think this is the best way to journal! Great tutorial!
Katie says
Thank you so much!! ❤️