Give Thanks: Gratitude Journal

Sabra from Sew a Straight Line

Hello!  I’m Sabra from Sew a Straight Line and I’m so happy to be here on Whatever Dee Dee Wants for her awesome Give Thanks series again.  I love the whole concept of celebrating gratitude, and think Dianna is wonderful with all the work she puts into curating a month’s worth of thankful inspiration.   For my Give Thanks contribution, I made a special family gratitude journal.



It’s a super simple project, but the thoughts and memories that you’ll record inside are what makes it extra special.  My plan for the journal I made is to keep it with our Thanksgiving decorations, and pull it out every year.  I’ll have each member of our family record a few thoughts on what they’re thankful for that year.  In a few years, we’ll have a precious  keepsake with all that gratitude all recorded and preserved in one spot. 


To make one, you’ll need:
-blank notebook (I used an inexpensive composition book)
-Fat quarter of fabric
-Tacky glue (not pictured)
-Fabric adhesive (or you can use glue, but this works faster-no drying)
-Fold-over elastic 1/2 inch shorter than the height of the notebook
-Cardstock (not pictured)

Use the notebook to cut out fabric enough to cover front and back with at least an inch overhanging on all sides.


Either using glue or the fabric adhesive, attach the elastic at either end to the fabric. 

 
Use the notebook as a guide.  You want the elastic to come about 1- 1.5 inches in from the edge of the notebook.



Now, glue the fabric to the notebook


You’ll need to clip in at the top and bottom where the notebook’s spine is.



Fold the overhanging fabric into the front cover and glue in place.

 
Cut cardstock to match the covers of the notebook, minus .5 inch on all sides


Glue to the inside front and back covers, covering up the raw edges of the fabric.


Decorate the inside or outside covers and start recording.


Super simple.  Like I said, my plan is to have each member of my family record a quick thought on what they are grateful for each year.  Also, you could record family events that may have occurred over the year, milestones, etc.  Or just use it as your own personal gratitude journal.

    
Thanks for letting me join in with Give Thanks, Dianna!