Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

May 3, 2014

New Gratitude Journal

A couple years ago, my dear friend and college roomie Angie made me a Gratitude Journal, which is a composition book on which she did some awesome collage work.  I was supposed to write in it every day but I just couldn't keep up, esp. when some days I was thankful for the same things. So I started doing the gratitude lists once or twice a month which worked out better.  Plus I put thank you notes received from my friends, and some of my giveaway wins.  Finally, I started transcribing all the amazingly sweet and loving texts I get from my honey.  My phone only holds about 100 texts so I had to figure out a way to save them and I don't mind transcribing them at all.  

I finally ran out of room towards the end of March, so I made my own new Gratitude Journal which starts as of April 1.  This is the front cover.  I used bits from my paper craft supplies and I also cut stuff out of catalogs and magazines.  And that's a real metal key on the front too.

And the back.  I used double stick tape to place the items and then covered the whole thing with clear contact paper so it got a little bubbly and wrinkly in places.

This is the inside front cover.

Kind of a bad pic, but Harry Potter fans will instantly recognize and understand what 'Always' means.  The emotion behind it makes me tear up every time I think about it, and it reminds me of us, except unlike Snape, Russell got his 'Lily'.  "After all this time?"  "Always."

Yikes! Dirty camera sensor alert!  I shoot my crafts with the Pentax so please ignore the dark spots.  I also like to decorate the pages with pictures from catalogs and Chinese fortune cookie fortunes.

As a side note, I'm still keeping up with the Blessings Jar in the kitchen, but I'm noticing that much of what goes in there is also in my Gratitude Journal so it's kind of repetitive.  Do any of you note your blessings?

20 comments:

  1. I think this looks like a mighty fine idea. When I am feeling blue, I will just start listing anything I can think of out loud to make me feel better (and it often works), but I haven't done this... yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really does help when you think about all the things there are to be grateful for, even if it's a parking space close to a store entrance!

      Delete
  2. Drooling over your journal. Yes, I keep one. Have for years. Really helps me keep focused on Life is Good as a principle, rather than damn, I can't breathe today. I have one that was decorated for me by Konstanz Silverbow, former A-Z co-host and good friend. She put a jeans pocket on the front to hold pens/pencils etc. because she knows my fetish and that I'd always need more than just one.
    It's full now though...so I might just have to do this project. Imagine that - a craft project that isn't knitting that *I* can do! You've totally inspired me!
    I also think saving the texts is great. I do have a suggestion for those times when you don't have time to transcribe: take a picture of the screen. I do believe you have the skills and equipment laying around...then you can put the picture in your journal, or even a collage of those, because I'm sure you can make collages, too...
    Tina @ Life is Good

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooooo that's an AWESOME idea! I love it! I might have to do that. I would love to see your journal if you decide to make one. Crafting is addictive. I even find Russell starting to think like a crafter, coming up with ideas for projects for me!

      Delete
  3. I love your idea of keeping a journal like that but I would also probably not get to write in it each day. The blessings I note are usually at the start of each of my postings. They are a reminder to myself to stay the course and be thankful for each day.
    Cheers, Anita.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I too found it hard to write each day...I guess I'm not that disciplined anymore. I used to keep a daily journal but that fell by the wayside years ago.

      Delete
  4. I write in a journal most week days. I've done it since prolly jr. high. I also use it as a prayer journal. I like reading thru it when I come across things that the kids did when they were younger, but it's also hard when I read thru the really hard times. But it's a way to get it out of me you know?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know exactly what you mean. I used to keep a journal too...from 7th grade till about 2009 then I found myself blogging and on Facebook and handwriting seemed too time consuming.

      Delete
  5. I keep journals, and I am prepping a scrapbook detailing part of our life events for our two adult daughters, but I don't keep a gratitude book, per se. I would cut what's repetitive, JoJo, why do it twice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I seem to keep up with the journal much better than the blessings jar, that's for sure.

      Delete
  6. JoJo, what wonderful ideas - both the Gratitude Journal and the Blessings Jar.

    Once, long ago I started a journal, wrote a page or two and now I am not sure just where that book is. Must be about somewhere 'cause I know I didn't throw it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! What I've found when I try to hand write things, I make a lot of stupid spelling mistakes, omit letters, etc. It's almost as thought I'm forgetting how to write because I type more than write. Plus that handy backspace button to erase mistakes.

      Delete
  7. That's a fun way to keep your spirits soaring. I don't do it, but it would help. You just inspired me to take out my journal that my SIL gave me, signed by my family with a photo of my nephew. I'd started writing in it. I'm leaving it in front of my computer to add to it. Thanks, JoJo.

    Have a blessed weekend.
    xoRobyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome Robyn! And good weekend wishes to you too!

      Delete
  8. Hi human, JoJo,

    What a terrific idea, my human friend. All that gratitude stuck on in a journal. A collage of contentment. I shall get my paws a moving and maybe set up my own gratitude journal. I know I've plenty to be grateful for, my kind human friend.

    Hope your weekend was very nice.

    Pawsitive wishes,

    Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Penny (and Gary)! Thanks for stopping by! Yes it does help my attitude when I think about the stuff that's going right instead of the bumps in the road.

      Delete
  9. Hi Jojo! Gratitude Journal seems like a fun idea. I used to have many such kind of journals when I was a little girl.. Now I have my blog :)hehe
    No I don't have time to make one, but I really like seeing yours, all hand made! And those little keys all over - open new possibilities )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I would imagine you don't have time at all to write in one esp. preparing for the new baby! :) But yes, that's also what a blog is for! I guess I'm just so old that I like having hard copies of things!

      Delete
  10. Anonymous6:59 AM

    Your Gratitude Journal looks very great and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oooh, now you just have me an idea what to do with a box of composition notebooks sitting in my garage. As if I have nothing else to do. HaHa. But dang, more washi to use, and I'd probably mangle the magazines we recycle before we throw them in the recycling bin.

    ReplyDelete