The majority of the journals that I use are up cycled planners, repurposed books, and hand made junk journals.
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I'm a planner person, well more like a memory recording person, but I have no need to keep planners of years ago to remember what I ate for lunch. When I finish a planner, I scan the pages to my external hard drive, and use the planner as my own art journal. Planners aren't cheap and I feel like I really get my money's worth when I fully use the pages. An added bonus- the pages already have content on them so I don't have to deal with the blank canvas syndrome.
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Strathmore Hardbound Sketch Art Journal

Strathmore Hardbound Sketch Art Journal

​I have a quite a few journals in this style because I am impressed not only by the strength of the sketch paper but the binding of the journal. Two of my journals have been collaged extensively on almost every page which has added quite some bulk to them but they have held up wonderfully. If you intend on having a well-loved journal then these will hold up to almost anything you want to put in there. They also come in a variety of sizes including 5.5x8.5, 8.5x11, 11x14.
  • Heavyweight, general purpose sketch paper in a hardbound art journal.
  • Perfect for practice of techniques, quick studies, and preliminary drawing.
  • 60 lb / 89 gsm
  • Acid Free

Canson XL Series Mix Media Paper Pad

​As for mixed media, this sketchbook is probably the cheapest high quality notebook you will find. It has a thick side wire binding- I personally prefer these because they're easier to work with.
  • Use for: sketching, drawing, light washes of ink and watercolor, collage, journaling, and more
  • Erases well and blends easily
  • Micro perforated, true size sheets- great for framing!
  • 60 sheets of 98 pound/160 gram (acid free)
  • Available in a variety of sizes of 5.5x8.5, 7x10, 11x14, 9x12, 14x17, 18x24
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Canson XL Series Mix Media Paper Pad
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Canson XL Series Mix Media Paper Pad
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Ranger Dylusions Creative Journal
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Ranger Dylusions Creative Journal

Ranger Dylusions Creative Journal

These journals are a part of Dyan Reaveley's Dylusions Collection. Pages are made from manilla mixed media cardstock and is great for use with inks, spray inks, paints, mediums, water techniques and so much more. I feel like I can use anything I want on this pages! Each journal also includes a folder on the inside cover to use for storage and an elastic band closure to keep all your work safe.

Journals are available in a variety of different sizes and styles.

This journal style is also available in a planner series in the Ranger Dylusions Creative Dyary Line and a travel notebook series in Ranger Dylusions Creative Dyalog Line. 

DIY Disc Bound Journals



Want to be frugal and make your own junk journal? You only need three things: a punch, some discs, and whatever paper you want to use. I personally love to use recycled scraps like food/packaging boxes, cardboard, scrap paper, and even plastic! 

I made a video on how you make your own art journals, tags and ephemera from everyday cardboard packaging.
Check it out on my blog post: 

Me & My Big Ideas (MAMBI) Happy Planner Circa Punch

  • 11 Hole punch for disc bound system. Pink color.
  • Fits the 8.5"x11" Big planners.
  • Punching capacity: 3 paper sheets, or 1 cardstock sheet.
  • Not intended for use with plastic, adhesive, or laminated products.
Also known as a circa punch, arc punch, or mushroom punch.

**When making a homemade journal, make sure you use the same punch for each of the papers in your journal. There are many punches available on the market but length and size of the hole can vary resulting in odd pages not lining up and possibly not a secure hold on the disc**
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Why use a disc bound system? I like the disc bound journals because they're easy to make, can be made any size and out of any material you wish, are more durable than a standard hole punch journal AND you can take a sheet out to work on and put it back in any order you want. The big plus- the solid discs won't come undone or pinch like the binder rings would.

 Happy Planner Discs

There is variety of discs out there but  
 Happy Planner Discs are the prettiest! There are various sizes and styles too- so shop around to see what kind you would prefer for the kind of journal you want to make. If you want to make a lot of journals, be sure to look for these in the clearance section (:
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Happy Planner Discs
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Happy Planner Discs
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Happy Planner Discs