A New Milestone and Channel Updates

I’m happy to announce that the 1134 Press YouTube channel has reached 9,000 subscribers! Its awesome that so many of you tune in to our channel for book making, journalling, and paper crating videos. Thanks for watching and subscribing!

Our next video, coming next weekend, will be all about Journal With Me videos. Bree will analyze and see what we can learn from Journal With Me videos. So, tune in next Sunday for that!

Visit the channel and subscribe here!

Even though the video schedule is every two weeks, new content goes up throughout the week on InstaGram and Buy Me a Coffee.

Find quick process videos on InstaGram, here!

The Almanac Diary project is moving to Buy Me a Coffee, where you can also find blog posts, photos, and an array of other things. Check that out here!

You can also join the conversation on Facebook in A Craft of Our Own.

Five Junk Journal Book Binding Tips

New video up today—hooray!!

Today’s video is the third episode of our “Start to Finish” series. We started with “How to Plan and Shop for your Themed Junk Journal.” Then we dropped “How to DIY your own Junk Journal Kit.“ And now we get into the binding.

Check out the new video below!

Happy Mother's Day

Hello!

I only have two things I wanted to say in this post.

First: Happy Mother’s Day!

Second: The new video will be going live tomorrow - we hope you tune in!

New Video Coming Up

A new video is coming up today! And though we really wanted to get it up early, this will be another evening post. Unfortunately, it might be quite later tonight. Who would have known that microphones can pick up radio broadcasts?? Well, we do now.

In the meantime, check out a playlist on the channel!

And if you need any of the tools used in the video, here’s a shoppinglist:

Bookbinding Starter Kit: https://amzn.to/3ggcwdk

Craft Knife: https://amzn.to/32b8Ktw

Glue: https://amzn.to/2Q07Pd6

How About Some Paper Crafts?

It’s Easter Sunday, and I’m sure many of you have plans today. If you do not have any plans, I hope you have a relaxing day doing whatever makes you happy. We’re still on our biweekly video schedule for the time being, and it happens that this is an off week. Well, kind of (Bree is totally working on a video as I write this). Still, the next new video will be coming next week. We can’t wait to get back to weekly uploads, and hopefully that will be sooner than later. As soon as we go back to weekly uploads, I’ll certainly post about it here.

Aside from catching up with some family, I plan to get a little drawing in today. If there’s time, I would also like to spend some more time learning how to use some tech I recently purchased for a future project we have in the works. But that said, I might just catch up with the fam and do some relaxing, low stakes, sketching in my journal—it is a holiday after all. Either way, you can be sure I’ll have videos playing in the background the whole time.

If you’re like me and plan to spend some time today doing creative work with YouTube playing on the side, let me suggest a playlist. Check out our playlist of Paper Crafts and DIY videos at the link below!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN81Ci1keJOWoTZixzUs6JsHjQzRxtu7R

A Bit of a Delay

It’s been quite a week over here. Without getting into the details, let’s just say we’ve been having one problem after another. As I write, Bree is working diligently on the next video. This might be a late-night post, but I’m hopeful it hits the YouTubes sooner than later. That said, you can’t rush greatness.

On the bright side, I’ve acquired some new tools and have begun working on a side project that we hope you will like. I don’t want to say too much, but I’ve been writing some scripts and setting up another recording space. We’ll give more details about this in the future.

In the meantime, catch up on the latest series, Finding Your Junk Journal Style, through the link below!

Finding Your Junk Journal Style

Finding Your Junk Journal Style: Episode 2

The next episode in our “Finding Your Junk Journal Style” is up today!

Schedule Update

We’re really excited for a bunch of things we’re working on in 2022 for 1134 Press. Hints have been dropped here and there for some of what we have planned, but it isn’t yet time to reveal anything specific. I will say for now that some of these projects are in collaboration with others, and we’re excited for these collaborations. Above all, we believe that both our collaborative projects and our in-house projects will result in things that you will appreciate. With that said, we must carve out some time to focus on these extra projects. 

For the time being, videos will be uploaded to the channel on a biweekly basis. Though we love putting up a new video each Sunday, moving to a biweekly schedule will allow Bree to spend more time on writing, editing, and shooting the regular videos, as well as freeing up the time necessary to make progress on some of our super-secret special projects. 

In short, we aren’t going anywhere. The biweekly schedule will be temporary, and we will provide updates regarding these projects and video upload schedules when we have them. For the next little while please look forward to a thoughtfully constructed video every other week, updates here at the blog, your monthly newsletter, and community engagement in the Facebook group. And look forward to some big announcements later this year! 

New Video Series Coming Up

This will be a short post. I just wanted to promote a new video series that will be dropping on the channel. The series will be about Finding Your Junk Journal Style, and the first episode is about ephemera and will be posted later today!

In the meantime, check out a playlist while you wait for the new video!

Filling Our Journals

For this week’s post, I wanted to focus on one of the main elements of junk journaling: filling our journals with interesting and decorated pages! Rather than write a thesis here about decorating journal pages, I curated a few videos from the channel that I think are good inspiration. 

Decorating a Junk Journal Page

I think this is a hot topic within the community. If you’re looking for inspiration for decorating some of your junk journal pages, check out the video below. I also believe that a great way to generate ideas is through conversation with others. Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section of the video and in our Facebook group—you just might find some new inspiration in the replies! 

Junk Journaling with Paper Scraps

I know this is one of Bree’s favorite elements of junk journaling. Paper scraps really can form some interesting and impressive art pages. I’ve seen quite a few stellar examples of collage share among the community. Find inspiration for your own journal in the video below, abd create your own art with your own unique voice. 

Pocket Pages for Junk Journals

Looking to get a bit more functional? Add pocket pages to your journal. I think the pocket pages are great. Not only do they add dimension to the journal pages, but they also add can an equal amount of functionality and whimsy. It’s so fun to find a little something squirreled away within the interior of the journal. Check out this video for more about pocket pages!

And look out for a new video uploading 03/06/22 at the channel!

-G.J. Sieck

The Saga of Bree's Finger

Okay, the title is a little hyperbolic. But to recap, Bree injured her finger about a week ago (maybe a week and some days). The doctor said it would pretty much heal on its own; just keep it in the splint. But it is still fairly sore, and it still looks kind of gnarly. So, again, this week’s video will not feature any actual crafting or bookmaking. We don’t think anyone would want to watch Bree’s beat up finger making books, and it also kind of hurts.

With all that out of the way, we do have a cool video up today. This one is all about junk journalling trends for 2022. You might agree or disagree with some of Bree’s predictions. Either way, we would love to see your thoughts in the comments!

Even though we would prefer Bree to have ten good fingers right now, it has inspired some new things on the channel. I, for one, am a fan of the post-smashed-finger era videos. We’ll certainly get back to the standard video style once her dinged digit starts looking a little better, but I’m thinking we should keep posting videos like today’s as well. Check out the latest video below, and let us know what you think in the comments section.

Thanks!

If you’d like a little extra, sign up for our newsletter!

Ask me Anything

If you follow our social media, you might have seen that Bree smashed her finger earlier this week. Fortunately, it isn’t a super bad injury. She has it in a splint, and it looks pretty gnarly. So, again, the video she has been working on will be postponed. However, a video will still go up later today.

Bree solicited questions for an Ask me Anything, and we were happy to see how many responses came in. We’ve been wanting to do one of these for a while. It stinks that Bree’s finger is all busted up, but we are happy to finally to do an AMA video. Once her finger starts looking a little better, she’ll get back to recording the video that’s been in the works!

While we wait for the AMA to drop, check out a playlist on the channel!

Our Next Video

I just wanted to leave a short post today about the next video. In short, there won’t be one posted today. Bree has been working on the next video, but she realized that she felt like she was rushing through the project to have it finished in time for a video upload. Instead of rushing through, though, she decided it would be better to take the time to give the project the time it really needs. So, the next video will post next Sunday.

I believe Bree is writing about her thoughts and the process for this latest project in the “secret” blog. Well, the other blog isn’t really a secret, that’s just what we’re calling it. If you’re interested, the “secret” blog is posted on our Buy me a Coffee page—you can find that page here!

Like I said, this is a short one. We want to have anew video every week, but sometimes the choice needs to be made between keeping a set schedule and producing higher quality work. And unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, we each have to do 40+ hours of work at our regular jobs too. Maybe, one day, we’ll be able to do this full time. In that future, not only would we be able to post a video each week without fail, we could pursue so many other video and publishing ideas. Until then, we apologize for these occasional skip weeks.

Until next time, thanks everybody!

It's a New Year, Let's Keep in Touch

It’s a new year, and we’re looking forward to getting into some new things at 1134 Press. I won’t detail all our plans for 2022 in this blog post. I will, however, take this post to let you know how to best keep up with us. 

One of the things we’re really focused on this year is our growing community. Not long ago, Bree started a Facebook group called Craft Room of Our Own. We’re happy with the vibe in the group, and it’s awesome to see everyone’s creations and hear their thoughts. If you’d like to join in on the fun, find our group at the link.

Craft Room of Our Own: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1134press

Did you know there’s a secret blog? If not, now you do! Bree writes a blog over on the Buy me a Coffee page. We have more exclusive content planned for the Buy me a Coffee page as well. Check out the details at the link!

Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bree1134press

The last thing I would like to mention is our newsletter. We send out an 1134 Press newsletter on the first of each month. This is where we share ideas, preview things to come, and sometimes show a little behind-the-scenes. We’ll occasionally send out prompts and pintables to our newsletter subscribers as well. If any of this interests you, subscribe below.

And look out for a new video later tonight at the channel!

-G.J. Sieck

The Day After ...

Hi, everybody. I usually like to make these posts earlier in the day, but it turns out that I don’t always get what I want. Which leads me to the topic of today’s post—Christmas. My original plan for this blog entry was to follow up on a previous post about the project we were planning for the holiday. We had planned to put together a “crafting station” at our holiday get together in which friends and family would decorate a page, then we would add it to a book that we would put together. In short, that didn’t happen.

Before I continue, I would like to preface by saying we did have an overall good holiday. Christmas wasn’t cancelled. Some of the plans, however, were cancelled. As it turns out, folks are catching COVID around here like it’s going out of style. It’s missed us so far, but a lot of our friends and family members did catch the bug. Fortunately, everyone has reported relatively mild symptoms and are feeling better at this point. So, we’re happy about that!

All that said, I hoped to share with you images from our planned project—but I have none! If you happened to have done the project at your own holiday party, we would love to see some pages! I’ll post the link to our Facebook group below in case you would like to share.

As I write this post, it is the day after Christmas. And though things didn’t go exactly as planned, it was an altogether good day. I think it’s worthwhile to focus on the things that go well rather than the opposite. I also believe that t’s worthwhile to reflect on the things that didn’t go as planned with the goal of applying any lessons I may learn in the future.

I feel like I’ve gone on long enough here. So, I’ll leave you by saying that we’ll be back next week with a new video and the January newsletter. Who knows, maybe there will even be a new comic at the 1134 Comix page …

Until the New Year,

G.J. Sieck

The 1134 Press Facebook Group: Craft Room of Our Own

In the Holiday Spirit

We’re full of the Christmas spirit here at 1134 Press. In last week’s video, Bree shared some footage from the Mayor’s Christmas Parade. In this week’s blog post, I’d like to share some of my favorite moments from the parade.

Baltimore City’s Ghostbusters! 

Two of my Favorite Things Come Together: Jeeps and Star Wars!

People Filling the Street:

And of Course – Santa!

I should also note that the December Daily Junk Journal Challenge is still going. If you haven’t caught today’s video yet, check it out below. 

December Daily Junk Journal Challenge links:

FACEBOOK GROUP (junk journal prompts are posted here + you can share your creations!) https://www.facebook.com/groups/1134press

PINTEREST (check out the full prompt list here!) https://pin.it/2XO2QwK

Other cool links:

SUPPORT 1134 Press: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bree1134press

SHOP OUR FAVORITE TOOLS & JUNK JOURNAL SUPPLIES https://www.amazon.com/shop/1134press

Watch this year's December Daily Junk Journaling Process: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN81Ci1keJOXiwBrHpNabu-zgKvL9KdAj

Watch last year's December Daily Junk Journaling Process:

https://youtu.be/UqyInPHHnhI

https://youtu.be/nIIMxd1cSKM

A Memorable Project for the Holidays

As I write this blog post, Bree is finishing up editing today’s video. So, keep an eye out for that sometime today!

In the meantime, I’d like to share an idea for a memorable project for the holiday season. It’s something we’re going to do for the first time this year, and it might be something that you would like to also give a try. So what is it? A book, of course!

Okay, here are the details:

This year we have a few engagements on the schedule for Christmas. We’ll be going to a get-together Christmas Eve, having brunch at our house Christmas Day, then visiting relatives later that evening. I’m sure you have your own plans as well. This year, we’ll be breaking out the ol’ polaroid camera—if you have one these, perfect. If not, and you would like one, you can find a relatively inexpensive polaroid at Best Buy, Amazon, and likely other retailers.

During our various get-togethers, we’ll be taking polaroids that we will then use to fill pages in our 2021 Holiday Book. We will also set up a “station” at our brunch where guests can decorate a page or two for the book. Once all the festivities are finished, we will take the decorated pages and polaroids to put together the finished book.

Once the book is complete, we will make copies to give out to friends and family next year (we think these will make for fun gifts in the next holiday season). If this goes well, we plan to make it a tradition—each year, a new book.

If you think this idea sounds like a fun thing to do, a good way to save memories and connect with friends and family, give it a try. See the steps broken down below.

1) Gather pictures during holiday parties.

2) Gather pages decorated by friends and family

3) Collect pictures and decorated pages into a book (make copies)

4) Gift copies of the book next holiday season

If you like this idea, and you try this project, feel free to post pics to the Facebook group!

For more ideas, updates, and more, subscribe to our monthly newsletter below!

Looking Forward to December Daily!

December is just around the corner, and Bree is getting excited for December Daily! Will you be participating? Have you ever heard of December Daily? Either way, this week’s video is worth a view. This week, Bree answers the question: What is a Junk Journal? Bree also sets up her December Daily Junk Journal this week, which might inspire you own journal. 

Should you start a new junk journal project? We think you should because it's going to be so much fun!

I also wanted to mention in this short blog post that we started a new Facebook group. It’s called Craft Room of Our Own. Come join the conversation!

Join our Facebook Group!

Get started with December Daily Below:

Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter:

Creating for Creativity's Sake

We have a new video up this week! You might notice this week’s video is a little different from previous uploads. For one, I make a cameo appearance (face palm) … I wish Bree would have at least told me to fix my hair!

Jokes aside, I’ve been thinking lately about creating for creativity’s sake. Whenever I took on a freelance project where I had to draw or design something for someone, I never really had much fun. Be it, these were paid projects so having fun isn’t really the point. But I think that personal enjoyment, or expression, is at the heart of creativity. And with that said, it’s important to create sometimes without a specific goal in mind. 

Yes, most of the time I write, draw, or make a design, there is a goal in mind. Do we need an updated logo for the press? Do I need to draw something for a project? Do I want this story I’m writing to appeal to readers? Still, though, I have sketchbook upon sketchbook, and notebook upon notebook, full of things that are simply expressions of my own imagination. Might something from one of these meditations make its way into a real project at some point? Yes, that happens too. 

Creating without an audience in mind allows freedom of the imagination; it can lead to new answers to old questions. Creating for creativity’s sake is a meditation. The practice can bring peace of mind, and it can also strengthen the creative muscle. 

Spend some time in your own journal creating for creativity’s sake. And if you would like to share any of your own creative work, tag us on IG. That said, get into those journals and make something just for yourself—you don’t need to share it online! 

Check out the latest video here: 

Sign up for our newsletter for monthly correspondence:  

-G.J. Sieck

Looking Forward to 2022

It’s been busy around here this fall, like, really busy—we wish there were more hours in the week! The fall semester is more than halfway through, though, and we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. As we look forward to the end of the semester, to loading the final grades into our gradebooks, we also look forward to getting back to a consistent video upload schedule. 

For the new year, though, we’re excited to get back our roots. What’s that mean, you ask? Thanks for asking; I’ll tell you! When we started 1134 Press all the way back in 2017, our focus was publishing books. We started off with my first full book of fiction, Gestalt. Over the following years we made a couple comic books, Bree’s first book, Those Who Fly, and our most popular title, For Us: A Self Care Journal for Mamas by Bri Mobly. Since then, we’ve been primarily focused on the YouTube channel and our other online content (this blog, 1134 Comix, various social media, etc.). In short, we’ll be publishing some new books.

And never fear, nothing else is changing here. Videos, blog posts, the newsletter, even 1134 Comix, will all continue as per usual. The new books will all be in line with the 1134 Press channel content. So, expect these upcoming publications to focus on bookmaking, junk journaling, and reflective writing. If you were hoping for more fiction, sorry. We do not have any plans to publish any fiction in the near future (but who knows what we might publish further down the line).

I haven’t given much detail here about these future publications. Though we have some solid plans, there are some aspects to this project yet to be fully hashed out. That said, I think it’s safe to give a couple more details. First, expect that there will be more than one new publication. Also, expect that there will be both print and digital options. Some of these new publications will be digital only, while some will have print options. Also note that we will be starting this off in 2022; we plan for these publications to continue into future years and some of what we have planned will not drop until 2023 most likely.  

Look out for updates as we get closer to our first 2022 publication. In the meantime, checkout a playlist on the channel. Or, if you happen to have a dark sense of humor, check out the latest 1134 Comic. 

1134 Press YouTube Channel

1134 Comix

Sign up for our newsletter for monthly correspondence !