Heidi Swapp Gratitude Journal

Working on a gratitude journal has always been one of those things I have wanted to do but never got around to until a few months ago when I decided to bite the bullet and just start. I have always been inspired by my fellow team mates Jamie, Lindsay, Jennifer and Maggie who write deep from the heart and express their gratitude with such grace and purpose. So I just decided to go for it! I decided to start simple - small bits of journalling and a photo or two to help recall the things that I was grateful for.

I began with the Magnolia Jane Kraft Journal and took one week at a time. For the first few weeks I kept the cover blank until I decided how I wanted to decorate it.



I wanted a monochromatic feel to my cover so I decided to paint it with some Metallic silver paint and add a silver Minc butterfly.



Let me share my pages I have created so far. As I said I started my Gratitude Journal about 3 months ago. Each Sunday afternoon I would sit down with my journal, my embellishments and my phone and think about the past week. The pages took me less than 20 minutes each including printing my photos, adding my journaling and embellishing my page.

I would use the same three prompts each week to write in my journal -

I am  thankful for...

I felt happy when...

I learned...

On my first page I used my typewriter to add my gratitude journalling onto one of the ephemera pieces from the Magnolia Jane collection. I attached it to the page with some of the washi tapes also from the Magnolia Jane  collection.



Next  I stamped the word "Unique" from the  Clear Stamps set and added one of the clear words stickers that comes in the Kraft Journal kit above the stamping. I finished off with another piece from the Ephemera pack and Washi.



I added one of my pre foiled butterflies under the circular frame and added another clear sticker over the top.



I used my typewriter again to add my journalling to one of the Magnolia Jane tags and then stapled a clear piece of ephemera over the top before adhering the tag to my page.



Next I again used one of the clear stamps in the center of my journaling and added a Magnolia Jane Clear Floral sticker over the top.



I wanted to add an interactive element to my page this week so I adhered one of the pre laminated tags  with some washi from my stash to create a flap.



The tag lifts up to reveal more of the journaling underneath.



For this week I used one of the Word dies to cut out the word "document" from white cardstock. I then sprayed it with Colorshine for an ombre effect and then adhered it next to my photo.



This week I had a landscape photo that did not fit into the portrait window. For a quick solution I foiled one of the Minc Jumbo Alphas in silver foil and tucked it into the frame. I love the effect this creates.



Here I used  one of the laminated Memory Planner dashboards that I had previously laminated  trimmed it down to create a banner and attached it with some Magnolia Jane washi to create another interactive element for my journaling.



This week I used one of the Magnolia Jane Minc tags to fill the circular frame. I simply trimmed it down to size and slipped it into the page. I added that pretty Love tag and strips of washi tape to decorate the page.



On the right page, the photo lifts up to reveal more of my journalling. The page is simply embellished with Clear stamping and Clear Ephemera.



I trimmed one of the Memory Planner Clear Dividers to size and attached it over my journaling with some washi tape. It can be lifted to reveal my journaling.



This week was embellished simply with a Memory Planner 3x3 card and clear sticker.



My last week I trimmed another Clear Memory Planner dividers to fit over my photo in the window. Again the photo lifts up to reveal my journalling underneath.



As of this week I am up to date. Although my journaling is simple it is still allowing me to record my gratitude each week. I  must say it has been a lovely experience  getting these thoughts down on paper. It has been very fulfilling and has become a favourite Sunday ritual that I cannot wait to continue.



I hope I have inspired you to start your own gratitude journal. It is a rewarding and creative process all in one.