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A lovely reader requested a tutorial for the gratitude journal mentioned in this post…she’s probably already made hers by now, but here is a simple how-to in case anyone might be interested!
Here are the supplies you’ll need:
- A composition notebook (I got these very cheaply during the back-to-school sales).
- Cardstock and/or scrapbook paper.
- Glue (Tacky glue and/or glue stick).
- Rubber stamps and ink pad (optional).
- Stickers, buttons, ribbon, lace, or other items to decorate with (optional).
- Pencil or pen.
- Scissors.
First, I used a piece of cardstock to cover the front of the notebook:
I just align the edge of the paper with the edge of the journal and trace around it with a pencil:
Next, I cut out around the traced line (sharp scissors work better than these child’s scissors I’m using here, but I just grabbed these..):
I use tacky glue on the back side of the cardstock and then apply it to the front of the notebook:
You can repeat the above steps for the back of the journal if you want it covered also.
I decided I wanted some ribbon on the edge, so I first applied some fray check to keep the ribbon from fraying and then set it aside to dry:
You can decorate the front any way you wish, with whatever looks good to you:
Now the ribbon is applied and the front is decorated:
I also like to cover up the inside of the front cover. I grabbed a piece of scrapbook paper and got it lined up where I wanted it:
Then I traced around the notebook, cut out around the traced line, and glued it down:
Here is the finished inside:
And here is the front of the journal:
Enjoy! I also wanted to note that there might be other or even better ways to do this. This is just something I came up with after seeing similar journals. I made this for one of my daughters this afternoon, and then she spent a happy time decorating the inside pages with rubber stamps and markers. She’ll probably also add stickers later. The possibilities for this idea are limitless (prayer notebook, diary, blessing book, travel diary, etc.).
Thank you, Alana!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such an encouraging comment. I will do my best to remember to focus on what matters most and allow the rest to work themselves out.
Now following you!
http://www.intentionalwomanhood.com
Deanna,
Thanks!
Beth,
Your blessings journal during a difficult time in your life sounds like it was such a blessing!
Alana,
Thank you so much for visiting! I'll have to check out your post!
Grace Mae,
My husband gave me the stamps, and I think he got them from an online auction. Sure, you can borrow them!
Collette,
You're so right! My daughter is making some for gifts this afternoon!
Elisa,
Thank you so much for visiting, and for your kind words!
What a great idea! I need to start keeping a blessings notebook. You have a lovely blog.
Sweet and beautiful! This would make a lovely Christmas gift 🙂
Where did you get your stamps?
Could I borrow them sometime?
Thank you Miss Joy~
You have given me more ideas to make some. Blessings on your family~
Visiting you from Women Living Well. I mentioned a blessing book in my post today, so your book caught my attention. It turned out so cute! I think I'll have to make one of my own!
http://www.intentionalwomanhood.com
Hi! I have had a "Blessings" journal that I used so much when I was a single mommy. Since so many things in our lives were hard, I started writing down little things that happened that were blessings. Lots of BIG things happened that were blessings, also, but sometimes I concentrated on everyday things that God did for us. It was so nice to have my little daughters tell me things to write down and now I can go back and read how God took care of us in those days. Thanks for the tutorial!
Beth
Great tutorial!
I like this idea very much…
Deanna