Gratitude.

I read Cathy Zielske's blog everyday. I was so freaking happy when she came back from her blogging hiatus, I can't even tell you. Anyway, a few weeks ago she posted this book she had made. It was inspired by one made by Emily Falconbridge, and it was a gratitude journal.

The idea is that once a week, you sit down and write down the things in your life that you are grateful for. Since all the pages are done ahead of time, most of the work is taken out of the process. No excuses this way. I think that it's a great exercise to help you remember the important things in life, as well as the details you might forget, and also serves as a reminder to count your blessings.

I usually scan my layouts, but 52 pages, plus a title page, plus a cover, and not to mention inserts for miscellany is a LOT to scan. Thank goodness for the video function on my digital camera! Much thanks to Jason V. for showing me how to get clearer video from there. Unfortunately, the camera will only shoot a minute at a time, so I had to splice three 1-minute segments together. I've never used Movie Maker before, so please pardon my jerky transitions.



I used a LOT of my stash, old papers, stickers, embellishments, etc. on this. The cover is from the EK Success Bookworks line. It's supposed to be spiral bound, but I used book rings to hold it all together and just tied ribbon in the remaining holes.

The quote on the cover reads" an ordinary life remembered well becomes exceptional... so remember your life in detail and leave no part untold". It was on a sheet of 7gypsies stickers. The photo of me was taken on New Year's eve. I photoshopped out the tiara I was wearing and added a blingy crown, haha! Some pages are envelopes, some are clear sleeves with cardstock inside to be embellished later. I did notice when I went back at the end that I added two pages dated December 15... oops.

This took me two days to complete.