My word for 2012...

 ...is Grateful.  I want to be GRATEFUL for all of it.  The good, the bad, the GREAT, the sad, the hurt, the beautiful.  ALL of it.  I don't know about you, but I need to be reminded to be GRATEFUL.  It's easy to focus on what's not going the way I want.  It's hard to be grateful for it going His way.  So this year I want to be thinking about how many blessings are ALL AROUND ME and be GRATEFUL.

So, I made this journal to keep that my focus.

I showed a SNEAK of this a week or so ago, but I'm going to give you some more looks into this journal.  I thought I may do this as a class so that's why I didn't share too much.  I've decided I don't have time to do this as a class right now, so I want to share what I did to make it here.

First, I used "Carolina Breeze" from Teresa Collins and an old book.  Teresa was kind enough to send me a little paper kit of this line after I was "retired" from the DT, and I basically used it ALL up on this journal.  I so love how it turned out and I'm so excited to keep this journal by my side to write in and remind me to be GRATEFUL.

I'll apologize for the color of these photos, I think I took these on a very cloudy day. But to start this journal, I cut out the pages of this book with an exacto knife.  Then I cut a 1" strip of chipboard to put in the spine of the book for more strength.  After this was glued and dried, I used one of Tim Holtz binder rings set and attached it with the brads it comes with.  This is the base of the journal.  Then I started cutting the Carolina Breeze papers into about 5x7 pieces and 4x6 pieces.  Then I printed out monthly calendars on heavy cardstock for each month of 2012.

After I had all the papers cut and calendars printed, I went through all my "stash" and found things I wanted to add to this journal.  I found LOTS of fun elements and just made a pile on my table to pick from.  This is where design fun comes in.  I have about 5 pages for each month.  A 5x7 page, a 4x6 page, a calendar, a graph paper page and a misc. page.  Then I just started added elements onto these pages.

I also wanted to add a real homemade look to the journal so I added random edging on each page in black pen.  

So here's how it looks all tucked inside this journal:

I just get so HAPPY looking at this!  I {HEART} these colors in Carolina Breeze and it will be with me for all of 2012!  I think this journal is going to help me focus on my WORD and what a fun project to make as well!   

So what's your word for 2012? Why don't you make a journal to focus on your word for the year!?

Hugs,

Laura

 

Comments

[Colette]

This is just beautiful Laura! this journal is soooo pretty! and I love your word too! Hoping you are doing well and that your dad is settled.

[Dana Kirby]

I don't normally comment...sorry. But this journal is just beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration. Have a Wonderful start to your New Year!

[Jamie harder]

WOW!!!! This is gorgeous!!!!

[Barbara Thompson]

I just love your journal Laura! Beautiful, and what a great word! Have a great 2012.

[Louise Johnson]

gorgeous book! And Theresa Collins is one of my favorite lines......anything you make turns out beautiful Laura! Can't wait to get my room finished so I can start scrapping again now that we are all settled in our new home!