Christmas Countdown Project #9: Super-Sweet Family Blessing Book

Don't panic -- we're on project #9 but there are actually about 14 weeks to Christmas. Doesn't that make you feel better? Count your blessings -- you're starting now so you will be done by Thanksgiving! And in the meantime you can record your blessings in this

SUPER-SWEET FAMILY BLESSINGS BOOK

This is the perfect gift for neighbors, or as a hostess present for a holiday party. We put ours on the kitchen counter and take turns recording a blessing or "thank you" for the day. Of course, you'll want to make one for yourself. Make sure to date your entries! What a record of what was important to your family members.

Supplies:
-Composition book (mine was from Staples)
-2 sheets patterned paper (I used October Afternoon), plus a small piece for the spine (I used the reverse of one of the other sheets)
-2 sheets coordinating cardstock
-Courner rounder
-Xyron Cheetah
-7 Gypsies Gaffers tape
-Autumn Leaves stickers -- Foliage collection
-Hambly rub-on
-6" ribbon for book
-12" ribbon for bookmark
-Glue dots
-Crystal
-Circle punch
-Brown ink pad (I used Ranger Archival Ink)
-Stamp alpha or stickers
-Silk leaves
-Stapler
-"anywhere" hole punch
-Paper trimmer

Don't let the long list of supplies fool you -- it's a simple project!

1. Measure your composition book and cut two sheets of patterned paper to fit (you don't need to go all the way to the spine because you will cover the spine and part of the cover. Mine was 9.75"x6.5"). Round the outer corners and adhere using the Xyron Cheetah.

2. Using the third patterned paper, cut a piece measuring 2.5"x9.75" for the spine. Adhere WITH THE BOOK CLOSED. (If you adhere the paper with the book open, the paper will pull when you close it. Trust me, I know from experience).

3. Cut two pieces of the gaffers tape and wrap around the front and back of the book, covering the seam where the patterned papers meet. (I told you you didn't need to be too precise when measuring your papers! Did you believe me??).

4. Cut two pieces of cardstock to cover the inside of the covers. Round corners and adhere.

5. Stamp "thank you" on the sticker. I embossed mine with clear embossing powder to give it a little pop, but you don't have to. You don't have to do anything you don't want to, just like my three-year-old tells me everyday! Adhere to cover, embellish using rub-ons. If you want, punch holes below the label and tie coordinating ribbon.

6. Using the computer, handwriting, rub-ons, or cuneiform, write quote and adhere to inside cover. (Quote reads: If the only prayer you ever said was 'thank you,' that would be enough. --Meister Echkardt).

BOOKMARK:

Staple silk leaves to each end of a 12" piece of ribbon. Cover the staples with circles punched from the leftover patterned paper. Adhere jewel to one circle. Slip into the book and admire your handiwork (it's all about the details, baby!).

VARIATIONS: You could make this book in any size. Spiralbound albums are tough, but possible (and a lot less expensive!). My son's third-grade class did this project using small spiralbound albums at their Thanksgiving party. I've also made a booklover's book journal and a knitting journal. Use your imagination and show me what you come up with!

Comments

[Etta]

That's very lovely. I think I will use cuneiform on mine. I'm am all about ancient symbology.

[Annie]

Another great project. Thanks for sharing.

[Abbie]

Love it!
I host Thanksgiving and like to do little projects for gifts to give at the placesettings. This would be perfect! I wonder....could you use Mod Podge instead of the Xyron thing? Would it stiffen up TOO much or would it be ok?
Thanks again for a great idea.

[Ramona]

Hi Lain, now that I actually figured out how to subscribe to podcast, I even listen to you, not just download the episode! Have fun at Memory Trends. And get me a signed photo of Gil and the others! It's a good thing you discovered CSI before MT, right?

[Mary C]

Totally cute.

[Maria]

Fabulous my friend.

[Lela]

Thank you for the inspiration. I've altered journals before but haven't thought about doing a blessing book. I like it. I also like your bookmark idea. I'm definitely doing that one.

[melita]

so cute! i love altered composition books! this is a great idea to record what you are thankful for!

[~Kristie]

What a great project! I may have to do this one for Christmas gifts this year. Thanks for the tutorial!! I'd love to see more ideas like this.

[cheryl doss]

This is a definite blessing to family members. My grandmother passed away 6 weeks ago and while cleaning out her house, we found "stacks" of grateful journals. She wrote 5 things that she was grateful for everyday. They were from the simple things that we forget about (air conditioning, red lights, shoes) to big things (health and wellbeing of loved ones). I can't tell you how much we have all LOVED reading them. What makes them even cooler is since they are dated and she has separate diaries, we can find out why she was grateful for a specific thing on that day (if she remembered to write in the diary that day - but she didn't miss a day in the grateful journal). I will be starting mine soon and this is a good first one. Thanks for the inspiration!