{Blessing Journal}

When David was in Seminary, we had to really change the way we lived....he went from having a full time job while I was staying at home, to having a part time job AND school and learning to live with less. My girls were little and I still wanted to be at home full time--and he FULLY supported that, thank goodness. So, we moved from 2400 sq. feet to 1100 sq. feet and ate at home ALL THE TIME! :) Many other things changed as well--most families have some experience like this--whether someone has lost a job or gone back to school; we all go through times when we really have to tighten our belts. This may be where you are living now for one reason or another.

We still look back on that time as some of our sweetest. We laughed a lot and relied on each other for friendship---something that is easy to let go of when life gets crazy. One of the things I did during those years was keep a Blessing Journal---it was just ONE PLACE to keep all the little blessings that the LORD bestowed on us---there were so many, and I knew that if I didn't write them down, I'd forget them.

Well, I did "write" it all down....but it was on a computer that later crashed and wasn't fully backed up. I decided then that all future journals of mine would be handwritten. There were memories in there that would have been a sweet reminder to my children, AND David and me, of God's promised faithfulness. Over and over he proved himself faithful and has continued to do so. Fortunately, we do remember a lot of them, but I know there were little blessings in there that seem so "mundane" now that we don't even recall them.

I'm doing a little craft demonstration Monday night at the Seminary and I wanted to do some of these journals---what I had been asked to do changed at the last minute, so I've reworked quite a bit of it, but this is one project I'll be demonstrating.

These are so simple and fun to make. They really don't take very long and you can make it a journal for just about anything---not just blessings! I have one for my personal study notes, one for my church notes, I'm making one for my Christmas lists this year. I'll post it when I finish and take photos. I was inspired to make the Christmas journal from this post by Lisa Johnson. This little journal she made is ADORABLE----I couldn't find any mini composition books, though, so I decided to just make mine a big one---I never mind a big journal in my purse! (The composition notebooks are $0.50 right now at Target---but if you are going to the one on Lynn Rd. in Raleigh, you had better hurry---they are almost out....hmmmmm, I wonder how that happened?) I made this one for just over $2---I didn't include the cost of the stamps, of course---they don't count! :)

I went a little simple on this one because I will be demonstrating to people who may or may not have any craft supplies and I don't want it to seem overwhelming! I also used FOUR different colors of cardstock (inside covers) which wasn't necessary, so it added to the cost. These would be great teacher gifts---most teachers are "list makers" and this is a great place to make numerous lists. For the price, it's quite a deal for you and a personal gift for any teacher.

Showers of Blessings Journal:
Stamps: Scattered Showers
Paper: Girl Friday-Tuesday & Thursday papers (Cosmo Cricket), Sweet Blush, Aqua Mist, Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream CS (PTI)
Ink: Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate (PTI), Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger)
Accessories/Tools: Upper Crest Border Punch (Fiskars), Rhinestones (Taylor's Tiny Twinkles-Taylored Expressions), Dimensionsals (SU!), Vintage Buttons, Rustic twine (PTI), Monomulti liquid glue (Tombow)

I made a cost list to show the ladies, so I thought I'd share it with you as well, along with step by step instructions...but don't get used to it! :)

composition book $0.50
patterned paper 2 pieces 12 x 12 $0.64
ribbon $0.10
rhinestones $0.10
cardstock for inside/spine $0.80
buttons $0.12
twine $0.03
TOTAL $2.29

1. Cut cardstock and patterned paper to fit composition journal (my measurements are: front: 6 5/8" square for top, 6 5/8 x 3 1/2" for bottom; back: 9 3/4 x 6 5/8"; inside 9 3/4 x 7 1/8" Measure your notebook to be sure.)
2. Adhere your patterned paper to the front and back of notebook. Sponge with distress ink and add ribbon.
3. Stamp your focal image, trim, embellish, distress and set aside.
4. Add the paper to the inside and spine of the notebook. Add pocket and embellish if desired.
5. Adhere your focal image using foam tape for dimension. Personalize if you want to.

MY, I'm chatty today! Thanks so much for stopping by---let me know if you have any questions! Have a lovely week!