Kathleen Mower
I share short videos of finished junk journals along with instructional tutorials and creative tips to inspire and help those interested in making or possessing unique, hand crafted artisan books.
I especially love old papers and ephemera! And I love writing, books and all kinds of fibers, lace and ribbons. It’s natural for me to combine all my loves into making books and share them here with you. I created my first collage with a whole box of bandaids when I was just a little girl and I have been seeing the beauty in everyday things ever since. I adore mixed media art from grungy to shabby chic to classic and especially vintage styles. I find deep satisfaction in recycling all kinds of common materials in something as wonderful as a re-made book.
Weedy barnyards, farmhouse attics and urban thrift shops are my favorite places, particularly when I can carry home a treasure of paper and lace.
Etsy = beagainbooks.etsy.com
Instagram = @Be_Again_Books
Kathleen Mower
Oh wow - my lovely junk journal friends! YouTube has done me such a favor by showing me an old movie called 84 Charing Cross Road (https://youtu.be/g3nNRUkVmC4?si=Zw26O...! I had never seen it and just watched it and it was such a literary delight!! I just wanted to share it with you and hope you will get as much bookish enjoyment out of watching it as I did. I heartily recommend it - Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins and Dame Judi Dench. There was even included the sweet Yeats poem I recently included in a journal - not that I remember which journal, but it’s lovely. “But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet…” Oh gosh, the whole movie just spoke to my poetic heart. I loved it. I hope you will love it too. Be well my friends - just wanted to share…
1 week ago | [YT] | 10
View 5 replies
Kathleen Mower
It’s been a rough health week for me, and though I’ve made some lovely progress on three more autumn journals, I simply haven’t been able to prepare a video for this weekend. Rather than rush something, I’m choosing to let go and come back when I can stand steady, haha!
Thank you for your patience, kindness, and ongoing support. I’ll share soon, I hope — the journals are coming along beautifully. 💛
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 168
View 44 replies
Kathleen Mower
Today’s video started with two little scraps I picked up from the floor of my studio—a sliver of vintage music paper and a tiny piece of tan netting from the cantaloupe bag, haha. It’s funny how even the smallest bits can hold a story, and how they come together in unexpected ways.
If you’d like some quiet company while you craft (or just want to listen while you go about your day), you’re welcome to join me here:
What’s the smallest scrap you’ve ever kept and actually used? I’d love to know.
2 months ago | [YT] | 77
View 8 replies
Kathleen Mower
Hey there my friends! I have a beautiful finished journal to share, but the video wouldn’t upload! Watch for it tomorrow — Sunday morning.
3 months ago | [YT] | 145
View 9 replies
Kathleen Mower
I can’t be with you today with a video, but I do have a little something anyway! I have a Studio Prompt for you and I’ll explain myself better in an upcoming video. Here is the prompt:
Go to your stash and choose just one item that you saved to use in a junk journal—something you’ve passed over many times. Don’t worry if it’s not special. Just hold it in your hand and ask yourself:
Why did I keep this?
What do I find attractive or compelling?
Does this prompt a memory or a carry a certain feeling?
What does it remind you of?
You don’t have to use it today, unless you want to. Just remember it. Name its story.
That’s the beginning of making art with meaning.
5 months ago | [YT] | 106
View 17 replies
Kathleen Mower
Almost there!
This month has been such an experience—thank you for coming along with me for the Stash/Restash Challenge. If you made a full journal or just reconnected somehow with your creative stash, I hope it’s brought a little joy and discovery into your life.
I’ll be sharing a final reflection video on Saturday to close out the challenge and gently look ahead to what’s next. It’s a bit personal—and meaningful—for me, and I hope you’ll join me.
Until then, I’d love to hear: What has this challenge helped you see differently?
5 months ago | [YT] | 84
View 25 replies
Kathleen Mower
Just a little encouragement for anyone participating in the Stash/RestashJunkJournalChallenge – or thinking about joining!
Here’s a first peek at the giveaway journal that will go to one randomly chosen participant. I’ll be sharing a full flip-through and a look at a second giveaway - a curated Stash Journal Kit. Watch for it this Saturday (May 24) at 7:00 a.m.
If you’ve been working from your stash this month, even just a little—well done. And if you’ve been meaning to start, it’s not too late! One tag, one pocket, one small project still counts. You don’t need to finish a whole journal—just make something using what you already have, and tag me @BeAgainBooks + use the hashtag #stashrestashjjc so I can find you. I always love to see what you are creating! 😊
5 months ago | [YT] | 108
View 23 replies
Kathleen Mower
Merriest Christmas Wishes!
10 months ago | [YT] | 98
View 26 replies
Kathleen Mower
Hey there my friends. I wanted to let you know that one last “bonus” journal for @thegraphicsfairy DesignTeam is posting this morning on their YouTube channel you can see it here https://youtu.be/qOHklmG-_S0?si=6Lijd... and I hope you will go by and take a look. Thanks for your interest!
1 year ago | [YT] | 131
View 8 replies
Kathleen Mower
Hey there my friends! I am planning a series of videos examining the characteristics of certain or favorite "STYLES" of junk journals and how to achieve this style in your own journals. I have had a viewer request a demonstration of how to make a Steampunk style journal and wondered if there are other styles you might like to see demonstrated. Could I ask you for your opinion of which of these styles you would like to see me explain and demonstrate? I work in the vintage style all the time and will enjoy demonstrating the Steampunk style, but would love a vote for other styles to demonstrate. If your choice is not listed, please tell me in the comments!
1 year ago | [YT] | 78
View 26 replies
Load more