Gratitude Journal and Challenge Winner

It is time to announce the winner of SAM Creative Challenge #6 on the theme of gratitude.  Thanks to everyone who took part.  I popped the names into a hat and drew out ........

.......Monica.   You can find her layout here.  I love how it reminds us to enjoy those simple pleasures in the day that are so easy to take for granted.  Congratulations Monica.  Your prize is a pack of textured 12" cardstock from your favourite colour family and a pack of your favourite Designer Series Patterned Paper. Please get in touch to make arrangements for your prize. (You can find my contact details if you click on my profile photo at the right there.) 

Gratitude Journals

When I was pregnant with my first child a friend gave me a gorgeous small notebook to use for a gratitude journal.  She wrote about the purpose of the journal inside the front cover, "Each day or night before you turn in write something that you were grateful for that day.  Some days you'll have heaps, other days it may be hard - but as you sit to write you'll be surprised at all the good things there were in that day."  I've written in it on and off over the last 7 years.  It is nice to flick through and be reminded of all the little and big things I've had to be grateful for.  I laughed at how many of the early entries (in the days of a newborn in the house) revolved around sleep.  "Jan 3rd 2003, I am grateful Hannah has gone straight to sleep with no pacing and I can go to bed!" 

I read something about gratitude journals recently and had the idea to keep one as a family.  Ever have weeks when whinging seems to be the most frequently heard thing in the house?  I thought perhaps sitting down after dinner each night and taking a couple of minutes to record something we each are thankful for that day would help encourage us to focus on the positives of the day.

I've used a Stampin' Up! On Board Art Journal.  You can find them on page 147 of our catalogue.  I've kept the cover very simple because ..... well, just because its a busy week really - I'm sure you can all relate.  Don't you find sometimes if you wait for 'when I have more time' you find it never comes. Sometimes just giving an idea a go with the little bit of time you find in the day (or night!) is the way to go I find. And luckily I like simple!  I covered it with one of my favourite Designer Series Patterned Papers: Bella Bleu, with some help from the Spiral Punch.  The Spiral Punch is punch number 9 on page 152.

The chipboard letters are from On Board Loads Of Letters (pg 146) and I've simply sponged them with Sahara Sand Ink for some extra definition.  They're glued on with some Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (pg 154.)  I popped a small half pearl from the Pretties Kit (pg 149) onto each one using Glue Dots.  

Some quick knots of Kraft Taffeta Ribbon (pg 151) to finish off.

I plan to keep it in the loungeroom and write in it regularly with John and the kids.  I think it'll be really nice to read back on in future years.  A book I was reading recently (The Time Paradox, Philip Zimbardo) mentioned a study that had been done that involved gratitude.  The group that had to write down 5 things they were grateful for each week for 9 weeks rated their lives more favourably, reported fewer physical illnesses and had more positive emotion overall than the other 2 groups in the study.  (One of the other groups had to write down 5 hassles weekly and the last group had to write things that had had an impact on their lives that week.)  I know whenever I remember to write in mine regularly I find I feel much better.   So perhaps there'll be other benefits to keeping the family journal.  It was a nice way to spend a few minutes today anyway. 

What things are you grateful for today? 

Cheers,  Sue 

Comments

[Christine Blain]

I really like the clean, simple design of the cover, and think this is a BRILLIANT idea, Sue. This will become a really valuable keepsake for your family. Thanks for sharing :)

[Jillian Hargrave]

Love Hannah's comments about food. I can soooo relate to that! He he! Gorgeous book and I love the clean, simple cover. Jillx

[Di Gill]

What a beautiful idea. Imagine looking back at that in 20 years time - what a fantastic keepsake!

[Ros Davidson]

Stunning book Sue, the simplicity of the cover is amazing. So clean and wowing (if that is a word) and a lovely idea to look back on in the future.