Start your Smash Book journey! Learn to craft a vibrant photo journal with our simple guide on necessary supplies and steps. If you make a purchase using any affiliate links below, we may earn a commission.
In a world where digital photos and online journals seem to reign supreme, there's still something profoundly touching about creating a tangible, handcrafted repository of memories.
Enter the enchanting realm of Smash Books, where creativity meets nostalgia, fostering a haven for your cherished moments.
If you're someone who appreciates the allure of holding a physical representation of your memories in your hands, starting a Smash Book is an adventure you'll definitely want to embark upon.
Whether you're looking to craft a whimsical photo journal or a vibrant memory keeper, this guide will walk you through all the essentials to get started.
If you have never heard of a smash book, let's go over what they are, first.
What is a Smash Book:
You may be familiar with traditional scrapbooking. Which is a way to journal and memorialize pictures and happenings in your life.
DIY smash books are another way to record your favorite memories, but in this type of 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 with a glue stick, tape, or staples, and write down your thoughts and feelings with your favorite pen or marker.
Stickers are always a great addition, and can also be used to adhere ticket stubs or memorabilia.
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.
This type of journaling also goes by lots of different names, but they are all very similar. When looking for inspiration you can also search for junk journaling and art books.
I would like to add, that this project isn't for everybody. I have a few people getting mad at me 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.
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.
Applying Guesso helps thicken the page and make it more sturdy.
Click here to learn how to Prepare Book Pages with Guesso.
What to Journal:
Don't know what to put on the pages of your Smash Book? Here are a few ideas.
- Favorite Instagram Photos
- Favorite Quotes
- Favorite City
- 10 things about you
- Postcards from your city
- 10 facts about the city you live in
- Favorite Person
- Photos from Somewhere you used to live
- Favorite Recipe
- What happened the year you were born
- Favorite band/concert
- If you had $1000 and had to spend it in one store what would you buy
- Favorite hobby
- Favorite Trip
- Favorite Poem
- Last movie you saw
- 10 reasons why you love someone/something
- About your pet
- Top 10 favorite books
- Top 10 favorite songs
- About your parents
- Your most embarrassing moment
- Favorite Restaurant
Notice all of those "favorite" ideas? This memory book should be all about you. So don't be afraid to write about anything and everything you love!
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?!
1. My Red Smash Book from Inspiration Everywhere
My red Smashbook is finally done! Join me on a creative journey through its pages filled with crafty adventures and memories.
2. Smash Book Travel Album from Polkadot Chair
Explore creative Smash Book ideas that double as a travel album and journal. Join me as I share my South African adventure in colorful, collage-style pages!
3. Making a Composition Book Art Journal from Ashley Hackshaw
Create a fulfilling art journal or memory book with ease. Join the creative journey of making composition notebooks filled with memories, notes, lists, and more!
4. Vacation Smash Book from The Realistic Mama
Preserve your vacation memories in a fun and unique way with a Vacation Smash Book! Discover creative ideas to "smash" your travel adventures into a delightful keepsake.
5. Smash Book with Kids from The Mad House
Get creative with your kids this summer through Smash Booking! A fun, rule-free way to capture memories together.
6. Rubber Band Bound Junk Journal from Art Journalist
Discover a super simple junk journal with repositionable pages – perfect for your creative projects!
7. Creative Junk Journaling on Old Book Pages from Kerry May Makes
Rediscover the art of creative journaling on old book pages, adding a fresh burst of inspiration to your 'Happiness' junk journal.
8. Making a Craft Log with a Smash Book from Tried and True
Crafting confession time! I'm no scrapbooking pro, but I found a fun alternative. Discover how I've created a craft log with a Smash Book, capturing memories even with a busy life.
9. Art Journal in an Old Book from Pink Spark Studio
Dive into art journaling – a joyful and accessible creative outlet. Explore crafting within old book pages for a unique artistic journey!
10. The Joy of Junk Journals from Journal with a Purpose
Experience the joy of junk journaling – a captivating journey to document thoughts, experiment with techniques, and treasure ephemera in one creative space.
There is No Wrong Way:
The biggest thing to remember is there is 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!
Our Crafting Essentials List:
- The Cricut Cutting Machine is easily our favorite crafting tool. We use it in so many of our tutorials!
- These MakerX Crafting Tools are perfect for keeping in the craft room, and are always ready when needed!
- This Fiskars Paper Trimmer is easy to use and cuts nicely without frayed edges.
- These Scotch Precision Scissors cut like a dream and you get multiple pairs in a pack!
Katie Adams
Creator at The Crafty Blog Stalker
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Kara @ Petals to Picots
Very neat idea! I had not heard of smash books before.
One bolt short of a toolbox
Great idea, I'd never heard of them beore.
rachel
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
I love smash books and I am in the process of making some for Christmas gifts! Thanks for the share.
CC
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
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
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
That's a really cute idea! Being a scrapbooker, I'm not sure about Smashbooks, but how fun for the school years!
Sandra Fleenor
I didn't know much about smash book or journals....but you gave me such good advice,an the books I've made are really smashbooks....not journals..I can't wait to see other things you do....love your work an learning new things...I'm 72,who said ya can't teach an old dog new tricks
Pam
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
I've never heard of them. I think I'm old. I just always called it a scrap book.:)
Bonny Yokeley
While I have lots of scrapbooks, I had not heard of a smash book. They look neat.
Wendy @ E1A
I have a smash book but haven't updated it in ages! Must dig it out 😀 Thanks for the reminder!
Kadie
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
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
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
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
Love that you found a book with your name!! How cool is that?
Amanda @ Life, Experience Needed
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
Wow, this is great. I've never heard of a smash book...but I have now, thanks to you! 😉
Vanessa
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
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
I love the smash book idea ... what a great book to start with!
Jenn
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
That is a great idea!! I am so going to have to do this!!
Stopping by from Crazy Mama's Hop!
Helen Graham
I WANNA MAKE A SMASH BOOK NOW!! Thanks so much for sharing! This is awesome!
Two Succulent Sisters
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
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
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
This is an awesome idea! I want to do one!
Darlene Bishop
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
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
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
I don't have a smash book. Now that you showed me one I want one. lol 🙂
Heather
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
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
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
Sounds intriguing! I've never heard of smash books before. 🙂
MixedKreationsJewelryDesigns
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
Such a good idea! I'm off to the thrift store 😉
Jocelyn
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
I have never heard of a smash book, cool idea! I like the idea of reusing old, useless books.
Diana - FreeStyleMama
I've heard of them but didn't know what they were. Love the book you found!
TitiCrafty by Camila
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.
Wow, I actually did that years ago with a lousy novel, but I didn't know there was a name for it.
Carey Werlein
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
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
Awesome!!!!!!
ana
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
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
Thanks for the great tip Teresa!
Leanna
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
Thanks Leanna! Smash books really are a lot of fun. I'm glad I could introduce you to something new!
Kendall
What a neat idea! I can see this being useful for homeschooling or keeping up with the changes of littles as they grow! 🙂
Katie
Hi Kendall! Great idea! You are right, A smash book would be perfect for that!
Lisa/Syncopated Mama
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
Hi Lisa! I am so glad I could introduce you to the world of smashing! 🙂
Pam
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
You are very welcome Pam! Thanks for stopping by!
betty
i have a smash book i am working on, like it a lot. so much fun. didou paint the pages first?
Katie
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
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
Hi Sharon! A Smash Book and Junk Journal are the same things, just a different name.
Kyrin
I've been keeping one for over 20 years- I call it my sketchbook. Every one of them is "smashed"
Katie
Oh I love it! Such a great collection of memories!
L Doss
How is this different from visual journaling?
Katie
It really isn't. Just different names for the same thing. Thanks L Doss!
Chelle
You’re still going strong from 2012! Personally I think this is the best way to journal! Great tutorial!
Katie
Thank you so much!! ❤️
Diana G
Absolutely love this idea. Starting ASAP!! Ideas to include in mine. My bucket list. My favorite inspirational quotes. My favorite silly jokes guaranteed to make me smile. Draw my cat ( doesn’t matter that I can’t draw) art therapy is fantastic! Write a letter to a passed away friend or relative. Write a letter to your 5 year old self. What would you want them to know? A favorite memory where you felt safe and loved. Hope you find inspiration!!
Katie Adams
I love all of your ideas! Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Tina
I'm confused. What is the difference between a smash book and a junk journal?
Katie Adams
Really nothing, it has several names. But it is basically the same thing.