Last Updated on January 27, 2026 by Dee
Have you ever looked at your watercolor sketchbook and wished those beautiful paintings could have a second life? I know the feeling – you pour your heart into a botanical study or a dreamy landscape, and then the sketchbook just sits on the shelf. But what if I told you that you can turn your paintings into ephemera for your junk journal and create something entirely new?
Transforming your artwork into handmade ephemera is one of the most satisfying ways to bridge your sketchbook practice with junk journaling. Not only does it give purpose to paintings that might otherwise be forgotten, but it also means your junk journals will be filled with one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else has.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about turning your watercolor paintings into beautiful junk journal ephemera – from choosing which pieces to use, to cutting techniques, to creative ways to incorporate them into your journals.
Grab your FREE Ephemera Templates at the end of this post to turn your paintings into ephemera – printable tag outlines, pocket die-cuts, and envelope templates ready to print, cut, and fold!
Table of Contents
Why Turn Your Paintings into Ephemera for your Junk Journal?
There’s something magical about giving your artwork a second purpose. When you turn paintings into junk journal ephemera, you’re not just recycling paper – you’re creating meaningful pieces that tell a story.
Here’s why this practice has become such a beloved part of my creative routine:
- Unique, one-of-a-kind pieces – No one else will have ephemera exactly like yours
- Meaningful connections – Each piece carries the memory of when you painted it
- Sustainable crafting – Give purpose to practice paintings or experiments
- Cost-effective – Create beautiful ephemera without buying expensive printables
- Skill development – Cutting and designing ephemera builds your creative eye
If you’re already keeping a watercolor sketchbook, you have a treasure trove of potential ephemera just waiting to be transformed!
Choosing Which Paintings to Transform
Not every painting needs to become ephemera, but you might be surprised which ones work beautifully. Here’s what to look for:
Perfect Candidates for Ephemera
- Practice paintings – Those quick color studies or technique tests
- Botanical illustrations – Flowers, leaves, and plants cut beautifully
- Small motifs – Butterflies, birds, mushrooms, and other natural subjects
- Background washes – Even “failed” paintings with lovely color gradients
- Texture experiments – Salt techniques, splatters, and abstract marks
What to Avoid
- Paintings on very thin paper that might tear easily
- Heavily buckled paper (unless you flatten it first)
- Pieces you might want to keep intact for your portfolio
Looking for inspiration? Check out my 100 sketchbook prompts for ideas that translate beautifully into ephemera.
Essential Supplies for Cutting Ephemera
Having the right tools makes all the difference when creating handmade junk journal elements. Here are my must-haves:
Cutting Tools
- Sharp scissors – Fine-tipped for detailed fussy cutting
- Craft knife – For intricate interior cuts
- Paper trimmer – For straight edges on tags and labels
- Decorative scissors – Scalloped or wavy edges add charm
- Corner punches – Round those corners for a polished look
Other Essentials
- Self-healing cutting mat – Protects your surface
- Metal ruler – For precise straight cuts
- Bone folder – For crisp folds on pockets
- Light pencil – For marking cutting lines
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. I only recommend products I genuinely love and use myself!
Types of Ephemera You Can Create from Paintings
The possibilities are endless when you start seeing your paintings as raw material for ephemera. Here are the most popular types to try:
Tags
Tags are the workhorses of junk journal ephemera. Cut them in various sizes – small gift tag shapes, longer bookmark-style tags, or wide shipping tag styles. Punch a hole at the top and add string or ribbon for extra charm.
Pockets and Tuck Spots
Transform larger painting sections into functional pockets. Fold and glue to create spaces for tucking in ephemera, notes, or small treasures. These are perfect for adding dimension to your journal spreads.
Fussy Cut Elements
This is where your botanical paintings really shine! Carefully cut around flowers, leaves, butterflies, or other motifs to create dimensional elements that can be layered in your journals.
Labels and Strips
Cut narrow strips or rectangular labels from painted areas with interesting textures or color gradients. Perfect for titling, journaling strips, or decorative accents.
Frames and Borders
Cut frame shapes from your paintings to layer over photos, journaling, or other ephemera. The painted edges add an artistic touch to any element.
Cutting Techniques for Beautiful Results
The way you cut your ephemera can make a huge difference in the final look. Here are my favorite techniques:
Fussy Cutting Tips
- Use small, sharp scissors and make small snips rather than long cuts
- Turn the paper, not the scissors, for smoother curves
- Leave a tiny border of background – it makes elements pop when layered
- Take breaks to avoid hand fatigue
Edge Treatments
- Torn edges – Create organic, vintage-looking pieces by carefully tearing
- Inked edges – Brush distress ink around edges for an aged look
- Decorative cuts – Use pinking shears or decorative scissors
- Rounded corners – A corner rounder gives a polished finish
For more creative ideas, explore my post on simple watercolor ideas – many of these translate perfectly into ephemera projects.
Creative Ways to Incorporate Your Ephemera
Now that you’ve created beautiful handmade ephemera, let’s talk about using them in your junk journals:
Layering Techniques
- Start with larger background pieces, then add smaller elements on top
- Use foam dots for dimension on fussy cut pieces
- Tuck elements partially behind other ephemera for depth
- Create clusters combining different types of ephemera
Functional Uses
- Journaling spots – Glue tags or labels as spaces for writing
- Photo mats – Use painted frames around photos
- Pocket contents – Fill pockets with coordinating tags and elements
- Flip-outs – Create interactive elements that fold open
Download Your Free Ephemera Templates
Ready to start creating your own watercolor ephemera? I’ve put together printable templates with tag outlines, a pocket die-cut, and an envelope pattern you can print, cut, and fold!
Looking for more creative supplies and templates? Browse my Payhip shop for watercolor templates and printables that pair perfectly with your handmade ephemera!
Final Thoughts
Learning to turn paintings into junk journal ephemera has completely transformed how I view my sketchbook practice. Every painting, even the ones I consider “failures,” now has potential. Those quick color studies become beautiful tags. Those botanical experiments transform into stunning fussy cut elements.
The best part? Your junk journals become filled with pieces that carry your artistic fingerprint. No one else will have ephemera exactly like yours because each piece came from your own creative practice.
So grab those scissors, pull out some old sketchbooks, and start transforming your paintings into something new. I promise you’ll never look at your watercolors the same way again!
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