I created this beach-themed junk journal to celebrate my sister Roxanne’s 60th birthday. She adores the ocean and takes every opportunity to visit. (Luckily, she resides on the coast.) The journal was designed using Seaside digitals by My Porch Prints. I was attracted to both the sandy beige and the aqua colors. The papers featured colorful starfish and seashells, two of the ocean’s humbler finds, making each page irresistible. I filled out the theme with tea-dyed papers in blues and tans, supplementing with beautiful papers from my stash. These provide ample space for personal journaling. Embellishments of lace trim and a touch of ribbon suggest a feminine vibe. And the addition of San Diego vintage photos and documents, particularly of Mission Beach where my sister spent her birthday, personalized the content.

I hope the journal will inspire you to create something wonderful and personal for a loved one.