I loved this idea in the November / December issue of Simple Scrapbooks.
Did you see it? The idea is to create a gratitude photo album / scrapbook. And the best part, it’s super cute and super simple. All you do is take a photo of something you’re grateful for every day in December. Then, you use these down-loadable journaling templates (designed by Cathy Z.) to write about what you’re grateful for. Each day you put a photo and the daily journaling card into a one-up, 4″ x 6″ photo album. By the end of the month (if you play along, of course) you’ll have a cute little scrapbook chock full of gratitude. Isn’t that fun?
I thought so, too. I decided (last night) that I would do this project. I had it on my to-do list…but I was on the fence about it. Last night I committed.
I ran out to Target looking for a cute, wire bound photo album, like the one shown in Simple. But there were none to be found. Having exhausted my other local option for a one-up, 4″ x 6″ photo album earlier in the week, I just knew I had to get industrious.
So, I bought two of those little 4″ x 6″ brag books…the kind that go for $1.99 (give or take) and have plastic covers on the front and back. Anyway, I picked up two of those. Then, using a craft knife I cut the front cover off the first one and the back cover off the other. Then, I taped them together using shipping tape, which I trimmed using scissors (and the help of my daughter) to make just a bit narrower. Remarkably, the shipping tape virtually disappeared…I seriously can’t see it. (Although you do need to keep in mind the big birthday I had earlier this year.) Anyway, this is what it looks like all together.
I made the cover insert using the Roxbury line from Scenic Route. (Scenic Route is my new paper crush, by the way.) Last night I also printed out my journaling cards…so I’m ready to go!
Here’s my photo for day 1:
What a great way to start December…with a light dusting of snow. It’s beginning to look just a little bit like Christmas…gotta’ love that.
Is anyone else doing this project…or if this is the first you’ve heard of it, want to join me? If so, download the journaling template now, and start snapping photos when you feel like it. I may not take photos every single day…but I plan to journal daily about what I’m grateful for. Then I may take a bunch of photos at the end of the week. Bottom line…do what works for you. That’s my plan.
I do hope you’ll consider taking part in this fun project that will help us keep gratitude at the forefront of our hearts and minds this holiday season. Let me know if you’re in…or if you just want to share what you’re grateful for as we head into this fresh new month…I’d love to hear that, too.
P.S. We were out of town over Thanksgiving, so I’m digging out of email, etc. I see I have a few questions about the printer and other stuff…I will post some answers soon!
I created a Thankful Album last month as well. It was a great project to gear up for the holidays. Have fun with your album and I look forward to seeing some entries!
Love the idea of a gratitude journal. I will have to do this. I also love your shoes. Could I ask what brand they are? Thanks.
That is such a cute idea. I think I’m going to do one.
You’ve convinced me. I love this idea. Printing the pages right now. But if you have a spare moment, could you post a few more pics of how you did that little book? I have a couple of those cheapie brag books and would love to try it. But I’m a little confused about where you put the tape. Thanks if you can. If not, no worries. I’ll figure something out. 🙂
I love this, Aby! I never buy that magazine, but on a whim I picked that issue up at lunch time and was waiting until after work to take a look. Now I can’t wait! I’m definitely going to be doing a journal of my own. It’s so easy for December to fly by, and I want to be able to savor it.
I’m a new reader and LOVE this idea. We’re doing it a bit differently. We have an advent calendar that has little doors that my 4 year old daughter can open. I put little treats in there for her. After she gets her little gift, we fill out one of the gratitude notes and put it back into the advent calendar. At the end of the month, we’re going to combine it with our holiday pictures, pretty wrapping paper, and anything else we can think of to make our album. It’s so nice to think about what we’re grateful for, especially for a four year old whose whole world revolves around what Santa’s bringing!
I have to admit I love your shoes too!
Thanks for the shoe compliments. They’re made by Merrell.
I’ll try to take some more photos of how I assembled the two brag books together.
Thanks!
Aby
Do you know where you can buy the magazine? I have checked at Barnes and Noble and can’t seem to find it. I wanted to make sure I liked it before getting a subscription. Thanks