Sunday, November 11, 2012

Gratitude Journal (Monthly Make)

When Bernice of Newly Creative announced her November challenge blog, "An Attitude of Gratitude," I knew right away that I wanted to join in.  It took me forever to figure out what type of journal I wanted to use. I almost made a stitch-bound journal with drawing paper or an old journal I had laying around.  Eventually, I decided I wanted to use water-color paper and simply hold the sheets together with a brass ring. Because Bernice is posting a series of prompts that includes scriptures (as well as general quotes, an art technique and an inspirational idea), I decided to use religious/angel images from my stash.  While diving through my stash, I also decided to pick a color palette of paint from my miscellaneous paint bin (as opposed to the Golden brand acrylic paints which I tend to use).  The colors include metallic copper, metallic green, dark brown, antique white, cranberry and eggplant. Here's what I ended up with as my supplies for the project:
I painted all the pages with a background of byzantine copper paint and then used gel medium to adhere the images. I decided early on that I didn't want to try to make a page each day. I ended up with 16 pages, which feels just right. 
Every day, Bernice offers a prompt filled with so many ideas! Rather than try to reread them each day that I find time to work in my journal, I decided to use an idea that Shimelle featured in the latest version of her class, Learn Something New Everyday. I took a small notebook from my stash (thanks Deb!) and jotted down the quotes, artistic suggestions and scriptures which spoke to me.  That way, when I find time to create, I simply grab my little note book and go. I'm hoping to do a few pages today and start posting this week.  I'm also calling this my "Monthly Make" for November.
Are you doing a gratitude project this month? Did this give you any new ideas?

11 comments:

humel said...

Ooh, yes - love the small notebook for ideas that 'grab' you! :) Loving the glimpses of your project, too xx

Jo Murray said...

A lovely project Rinda, and the copper is awesome. Hope all is going well with hubby and children.

Anonymous said...

How sensible not to pressurize yourself into an every day project and I love your little book.

scrappyjacky said...

The notebook is a great idea....I think I may try this with Journal Your Christmas.
I've got a place on Cheryl's course....so thanks again for the link to that one.

Amy said...

I'm another who has a place in Cheryl's course thanks to your link - much appreciated!
I love your little book and I also like seeing your work inprogress.

Melissa said...

I really like the little notebook idea & it seems to be working well for you. I'm not doing a gratitude project this month, but I am thankful to have lots of time with Robbie as he has a three-day weekend and will be off the entire week of Thanksgiving.

The Mann Fam said...

I love the attitude of gratitude idea. I did a take on this last year after reading Ann Voskamp's book The Gift. This month my focus is on being with family as I prepare for Thanksgiving, wedding guests and a new daughter joining our family in a few weeks.

Sian said...

It's a perfect Make for November! I'm starting to think the UK should have a Thanksgiving Day too..over here I think we tend to make the mistake of thinking that it's just another Christmas. It's not though, is it?

Missus Wookie said...

Love the little notebook - I find them invaluable myself. I'm reading along on the prompts - but only definitely doing the CZ pages with my family each day.

I'm also doing that Cheryl course - should be fun. Thanks for the link :)

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

I love this idea, and I love where you're headed with it. Makes me happy to see that you are using that little notebook. :o)

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Love how you are putting this together & letting yourself relax about not doing something every day