Gratitude Journal

Take a deep breath and think of the three things you are grateful for, right in this moment. ~ M.J. Ryan, author

Awhile ago I took a class at the Scrapbook Cottage where we made a fantastic “gratitude” journal out of paper bags. It was such a clever idea to use bags as pages in a special keepsake album where you can write notes and add photos.

Photos of a gratitude journalOur teacher, Janet, had printed off a variety of inspirational quotes on the topic of gratitude. We arranged and attached the quotes wherever we wanted throughout our journal. Prior to attaching the quotes, we antiqued the edges of our journal pages and the edges of the cutout shapes with the quotes on them. I loved distressing the paper to make it look aged, it’s magical!

A page layout in the journalAnd we could add “hidden” quotes under the bag flaps. How wonderful and such a unique little feature from a simple paper bag!

A quote shown under the flap on the journal pageAnother great feature about using paper bags for the journal, is that when the bags are put together as a book, the tops of the bags turn out to be little pockets to tuck in little notes, photos, or whatever you’d like. In our class, we made little gratitude cards to record what we are thankful for.

A page pocket in the paperbag journalJanet told us that people who write down what they are thankful for are happier people. Remembering to have gratitude in your life is an important trait to acquire. Often we look at what we don’t have and that makes us miserable, so if we do the opposite it does make sense that we would be happier. As the New Year unfolds, I hope to remember to be grateful. Now if I could only force myself to start writing in my Gratitude Journal. I’m afraid to start writing in it and make a mistake. It looks so nice, I don’t want to tarnish it with my writing. lol!

A gratitude journaling card

About christine

A watercolor and sculpture artist and avid crafter/designer. Working creatively with my hands is what gives me joy and contentment and makes me want to get up in the morning.
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3 Responses to Gratitude Journal

  1. Jeanette says:

    This is very cute and clever. What kind of sacks did you use?

    I to would have the same issues about writing in it. Can you type it up and glue it? Just a thought.

    Hope all is well with you. I haven’t talked with you in a long while.

    Jeanette

    • christine says:

      Hi Jeanette,

      The sacks looked like regular paper lunch sacks that you buy at a grocery store. Our teacher bought them on eBay. They were already stitched together and had the holes punched in them when she bought them. Yes, I think you could type it up and then glue it in afterward. It was nice to hear from you! I like your unicorn (mythical beast) avatar.

  2. Hannah Hautamaki says:

    Your writing wouldn’t tarnish it!!! It would make it that much more unique and special! 🙂

    ~Hannah~

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