Gratitude Journal

Later in the month, I'll be teaching a gratitude journal workshop. Following the directions for Teesha Moore's Amazing 16 Page Journal (If you follow the link there's a part 2 to the video so be on the lookout for it), I made a sample journal. Participants will be given the materials to make their own journal.

Moore's instructions were to use one sheet, 22 in. x 30 in., Fabriano Artistico, 140 lb hot-press, watercolor paper.  WAM, where I work, didn't have this paper available. I just needed a sheet of paper 30 inches wide or long or however it was measured, preferably a watercolor paper that would be soft enough to bend, but not crack when folded. I was given a 22 in. x 30 in. 250 gsm (140 lb), sheet of Rives BFK print making paper.  It worked like a dream.

The book measures 8 1/2 in. x 10 in. (Maybe I folded something incorrectly because Moore's journal measures 8 in. x 10 in. It's sewn with a simple 3 hole pamphlet stitch. I used some crochet thread I had hanging around. Before sewing the pages together, I paste-papered the cover. The Rives BFK held up well to the paste and acrylic paint. I also found a tiny, hourglass charm to use as a dangle. I sewed from the outside to the inside so I would end up with a tail on the outside to tie the charm to.

Some of the pages have flaps which if you don't like you can tear off. I'm not sure how Moore arrived at 16 pages as not counting the covers, I ended up with 18 pages to write and decorate. 20 if you count the covers. No matter, plenty of pages to keep a monthly journal. I'm using this journal for my April Friday Five Good Things that happen during the week.

I divided each page in half and used a number stencil to number the days. I used another stencil to draw the dingbats between each day.

The Rives BFK is delicous to work on. It takes colored pencil, watercolors, Tombow markers well. I've had a bit of an issue using a Sharpie pen as it smears slightly if you erase pencil lines. Oh, well. Wabi Sabi

From classes and workshops I've taught, I'm always amazed by the number of people who say things like I can't draw, I can't do that. So I printed out a coloring book image of a robin, colored it with colored pencils, and pasted it on the page. I used a photograph I printed out on the previous page. Just to show people they don't need to draw. Photos, clipart, stickers, rubber stamps, stencils, collage will all work.

This shows the robin page flap opened up as a 3 page (6 day spread).

If you enjoy making your own journals, this is a very easy book to make. Besides Fabriano Artistico and  BFK Rives, you could also use Arches Text Wove though you would have to fiddle with the measurements as the paper does not come in a 20 in. x 30 in. sheet.