Free Bird Illustration Printables
Free Bird & Egg Printables + How To Start Junk Journaling Without Feeling Lost
The blank page stares back at you, crisp and untouched, as you hesitate with a glue stick in one hand and a stack of vintage book pages in the other. You’ve seen those beautifully layered, textured junk journal spreads on social media. Each one a perfect mix of nostalgia and creativity, but where do you even begin?
Junk journaling can be more than just a craft. It can be a way to tell your story, capture fleeting moments, and express yourself through paper, glue, and a little creative chaos. Whether you love collecting old ticket stubs, antique illustrations, or handwritten letters, a junk journal transforms these fragments into something magical. But when you're just starting out, the sheer number of materials and techniques can feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure of where to place that first scrap of paper.
If you’ve ever felt lost at the beginning of your junk journaling journey, you’re not alone. In this guide, I’ll walk you through simple, practical steps to get started—without the frustration. Plus, I’ll share a few common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them so you can dive into this creative world with confidence.
About the Free Vintage Bird & Egg Ephemera Printables
To help you kickstart your junk journaling journey, I’ve created two free vintage bird and egg ephemera sheets. The aged look of these images makes them perfect for your journal spreads, scrapbook pages, or mixed-media projects.
The sheets include vintage bird illustrations in two sizes:
Smaller Images (1.5 x 2.5 inches): Perfect for accents, layering, or creating tags for gifts and journaling.
Artist Trading Card Size (2.5 x 3.5 inches): Ideal for focal points on journal pages or larger crafting projects.
Download these free printables and use them as a starting point for your first junk journal pages!
2.5” x 3.5” ATCs
Simple Ways to Start Junk Journaling Without Feeling Lost
Start Small with What You Have
One of the biggest misconceptions about junk journaling is that you need to buy a ton of expensive supplies before you begin. In reality, junk journaling is all about repurposing everyday materials and making them beautiful!
Here are some great beginner-friendly items to use:
Old book pages, music sheets, and magazines. I also like to use old books for journals since I find them on free carts at libraries, used book stores, and flea markets. Repurposing books headed for the trash can or recycling bin keeps me from worrying about “messing up” an expensive journal.
Scrap fabric, lace, or ribbons
Used postage stamps, leaflets/flyers, and other paper ephemera from everyday life
Brown paper bags, wrapping paper, and greeting cards
Printable ephemera (like the free bird & egg printables!). Make sure you visit my library of free printables. I have hundreds in my collection, and they are all absolutely free to download and print as many times as you'd like.
By starting with materials you already own, you can get a feel for the process without spending a dime. Plus, junk journaling is all about using scraps and bits of life’s memorabilia, so don’t overthink it!
Choose a Simple Theme or Color Palette
Having a theme or color palette can give your junk journal a cohesive look and help you avoid decision fatigue. Some easy-to-follow themes for beginners include:
Nature-Inspired (birds, flowers, trees)
Vintage Ephemera (old letters, postcards, tickets)
Seasonal Journals (spring florals, autumn tones, winter coziness)
Memory Keeping (collecting mementos from daily life)
For example, using the free bird & egg ephemera sheets on this page, you can create a charming nature-themed junk journal spread with soft earth tones and vintage-style papers.
Start with a Simple Layout
Don't get caught up in trying to make complicated spreads at first. Just focus on a few basic elements:
1. Start with a Background: You can't go wrong with a neutral or lightly patterned base (tea-stained paper, book pages, or sheet music).
2. Add a Focal Point: Use an eye-catching image like one of these vintage bird illustrations, an old postcard, or even a handwritten quote.
3. Embellish: Sprinkle in some details like washi tape, a postage stamp, or a pressed flower.
By keeping things simple, your pages will feel intentional rather than overwhelming. As you grow more comfortable, let your creativity take the lead and experiment with layering, textures, and mixed media.
1.5” x 2.5” Journal Tags
Pitfalls to Avoid
Overcomplicating the Process
Many beginners get stuck because they think their pages need to look “perfect.” But junk journaling is all about creative freedom! There’s no right or wrong way to do it.
Avoid This Mistake By:
Letting go of perfectionism - Embrace the “junk” in junk journaling!
Working quickly — set a timer for 10 minutes and create a page without overthinking.
Remembering that messy, layered, and imperfect pages often have the most charm.
Buying Too Many Supplies Upfront
It’s easy to get carried away buying stamps, specialty papers, and embellishments when you first start. But purchasing too much at once can be overwhelming and expensive!
Avoid This Mistake By:
Using what you already have (repurpose old books, envelopes, and packaging materials).
Printing free ephemera (like the bird & egg collage sheets or any of my free printables) instead of buying new supplies.
Slowly building your collection over time as you discover what you truly enjoy using.
Not Experimenting or Letting Creativity Flow
Some beginners hesitate to “mess up” their pages, so they don’t experiment enough. But part of the magic of junk journaling is discovering unexpected combinations and textures!
Avoid This Mistake By:
Trying different techniques, such as tearing paper edges, inking borders, or layering lace.
Flipping through old magazines or books for inspiration.
Giving yourself permission to make mistakes. Each “imperfect” page is part of your creative journey.
Starting a junk journal doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By gathering a few basic supplies, setting an intention, and experimenting with simple layouts, you can begin your creative journey with ease. Remember, the key is to enjoy the process and not get caught up in perfectionism. Avoid common pitfalls like hoarding supplies, comparing your work, and overthinking every page. With these tips in mind, you’ll soon discover the joy and freedom of junk journaling. Download the free vintage bird ephemera sheets to get started, and have fun creating something uniquely yours!
Love These Printables? Support The Art Scavenger!
I love sharing free vintage printables, and if you enjoy them, there are easy ways to support my work so I can continue creating and offering more free designs:
You may also enjoy these free collage sheets.
Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: art journals, scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site.
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
