the gratitude journal

Handmade gratitude journal

When I decided on “gratitude” as my word of the year, I realised I also needed a gratitude journal. But none of of the journals I found in the shops or online felt quite right. I wanted one that had enough pages for the whole year, and that I could easily add bits to without it falling apart on me. So I decided to make my own.

The journal measures 13 x 18 cm. To make the cover, I painted a large sheet of watercolour paper using water soluble crayons, then layered with stamps and splats until I was happy with the look of it. I didn’t want it to be too grungy or overpowering. I cut out two pieces to the size I wanted, hole-punched them, rounded the corners, added lettering and a band of lace tape and called it done.

Mixed media gratitude journal

For the inside, I chose mostly plain, lightweight papers in a range of colours so I can journal, stamp, doodle and embellish to my heart’s content. I rounded the corners and hole-punched the pages too. And I made sure to get large (32 mm) binding rings so it can comfortably grow a little.

I love it! It works really well for me so far. And I love actively looking out for things I’m grateful for each day and writing them down. Long may it continue!

Comments

  1. You’ve created a beautiful little journal. And gratitude is a wonderful word for the year. I’m sure you’ll enjoy filling the pages with all your grateful thoughts.

  2. Thanks Janet!

  3. Hi Carin, I just love your journal. It’s just perfect and has room to grow for sure. It looks like a fun project and a wonderful place to keep your year full of gratitude. I just love the stamping you did on the paper. It’s so beautiful.

  4. I love using binder ring books! So great to simply slip a page out, pour your creative soul onto it, and then pop it back in!
    Your varying pages look delicious!
    Miss you.
    Ciao Bella
    CREATIVE CARMELINA

  5. Oh Carmelina! We must be on the same wavelength tonight. I just looked in on you and left a comment!

  6. Thank you Valerie! I’m hoping I’ll keep it up for years (not just this year). Would be such a wonderful keepsake to look back on when I’m old and grey and the kids have flown the nest.

  7. This is such a lovely idea!! May have to make my own one 🙂 x

  8. nice blue and white combo. i love that it’s a binder and you can add loads as you go along.
    you’re so patient making rounded corners. 🙂

  9. Downton on the telly made it seem quicker lol

  10. It’s perfect! And so important – what a great word! xoox

Trackbacks

  1. […] into the year I didn’t think I was a naturally grateful person. Keeping a daily gratitude journal helped me see that I was actually already a lot more grateful than I had given myself credit for. I […]

  2. […] 2. I made and kept a daily gratitude journal. […]

  3. […] started as an extension to the gratitude journal I began in 2012. I LOVED that journal, but it was kind of bulky and didn’t show my life in […]

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