Blessings Journal

Used with permission by Joy at Artful Homemaking

Please see the full tutorial at http://www.artfulhomemaking.com/2011/11/blessing-journal-tutorial.html
 

 

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:

1. A composition notebook (I got these very cheaply during the back-to-school sales).
2. Cardstock and/or scrapbook paper.
3. Glue (Tacky glue and/or glue stick).
4. Rubber stamps and ink pad (optional).
5. Stickers, buttons, ribbon, lace, or other items to decorate with (optional).
6. Pencil or pen.
7. 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.  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:

 

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.).

I'm Joy, follower of Jesus, wife to my best friend, and mom to five blessings. I'm not a perfect homemaker, but I love spending my days here at home with my family!