Vintage frames are one of my favourite junk journal embellishments because they’re incredibly versatile.

Whether you’re creating memory pages, vintage collage, journal cards or handmade notebooks, frames help draw attention to the little details that tell a story. A frame doesn’t just surround something—it encourages us to pause and appreciate it.

Here are ten simple ways to use vintage frames in your own journals.

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1. Frame More Than Just Photographs

Frames don’t have to hold photographs.

Try framing:

• a favourite quote
• a pressed flower
• a page from a well-loved book
• a handwritten recipe
• a postage stamp
• a theatre ticket
• a tiny sketch
• coins from a foreign trip
  

Sometimes the smallest things become the most meaningful.

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2. Layer with Vintage Ephemera

Frames work beautifully over layers of:

• torn notebook paper
• vintage book pages
• music paper
• old letters
• receipts
• tickets
• painted papers
• fabric scraps
  

The layers underneath become part of the story.

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3. Create Handmade Journal Cards

Frames instantly turn simple papers into beautiful journal cards. Leave space for writing, add a quote or tuck a favourite piece of ephemera behind the frame.

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4. Make a Mini Notebook

One of my favourite recent projects was making a tiny notebook using torn lined paper, a few scraps of vintage ephemera and a simple frame as the cover. It took only a few minutes to make but has quickly become one of my favourite little journals. Sometimes the simplest projects are the ones we use most.

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5. Highlight Everyday Memories

Not every memory needs a photograph.

Try framing:

• today’s weather
• a flower from the garden
• something someone said
• a favourite book passage
  

Small moments often become treasured memories.

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6. Repeat the Same Frame

Using the same frame throughout a journal creates continuity. Changing what appears inside each frame keeps every page unique while giving the journal a cohesive feel.

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7. Decorate Pockets and Tucks

Frames work beautifully on:

• pockets
• envelopes
• tuck spots
• flip-outs
• mini folios
  

They’re an easy way to create a focal point without making a page feel cluttered.

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8. Experiment with Different Papers

Printable frames look different depending on what you print them onto.

Try:

• smooth cardstock
• cream paper
• lightly textured paper
• recycled paper
• tea- or coffee-dyed paper
  

Each creates its own vintage character.

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9. Leave Some Frames Empty

Not every frame needs filling immediately. An empty frame creates space for future ideas, memories or inspiration. Sometimes it’s nice to leave room for creativity to develop naturally.

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10. Frame Something That Matters

The next time you sit down to journal, ask yourself:

What memory deserves a frame?

It doesn’t need to be dramatic. It simply needs to mean something to you. A frame encourages us to notice the moments that might otherwise be forgotten.

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Happy crafting,

Natalie x