Thankful Journal

Do you know that studies have shown that one of the things that leads to a happier life and being a more resilient being thankful?  This applies to both adults and children.  In Sunday school this year, we had the kids and the adults make “Thankful Journals”.  We spend a little time each week sharing something that we’re thankful for from the previous week.  It can be anything.  We’re trying to get everyone into the habit of being thankful and noticing the small things.  Our brains are geared towards focusing on the negative so we have to help ourselves to focus on the positive.

So, I made a “Thankful” Journal also and thought I would share the cover of my journal.  I forgot to mention that we gave everyone some time to personalize the cover of their journal.  Since I was helping the kids with theirs, I was able to come home and use my stash.  Here’s what I did:

I took one of the journals like you purchase for the kids at the beginning of the school year.  I cut pieces of Venetian Romance designer series paper to fit both the front and back covers.  I added a narrow strip of Crisp Cantaloup and finally a piece of Calypso Coral to wrap the spine.  Then, it was time to step it up.  I stamped “Thankful” in Versamark on a piece of Vellum and heat embossed with Gold embossing powder.  Next, I shaped the Vellum with one of the Labels Collection framelits.  Pulling out my Versamark pad again, I stroked it around the edges of the Vellum label and then heat embossed with Gold.  After that, I pulled out my Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  Using the “skid mark” and splatter images, I stamped in Versamark randomly over the cover and spine, then embossed with Gold embossing powder.  Next, I used the diagonal stripe image and created the “ribbons” hanging down from the label.  This too was inked in Versamark and embossed with Gold embossing powder.  Finally, I once again took the Versamark and stroked it all around the edges of the cover followed by embossing with Gold embossing powder.  I love it!

Create your own journal to help yourself lead a happier more positive life. What are you thankful for today? Write it down.