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Books
Mini Gratitude Journal

By Stephanie Loomis
Trail Blazers
Mixed Media Team Designer
 

Supplies:
“G is for Gratitude” stamp set (The Angel Company)
Brilliance Black ink (Tsukineko)
4” x 6” spiral notebook with pen (Oriental Trading Company)
Jewelry pliers (craft or discount store)
Patterned paper—text weight, not cardstock (“A Little Whimsy” The Angel Company)
Small hole punch (Fiskars)
Scotch Double stick tape (3M)
Adhesive Square (Glue Arts)
Bitty Blossom flower (Bazzil)
Jeweled brad (Oriental Trading Company)
New pen

Instructions:

1. Carefully remove the spiral binding from the notebook. (Use the jewelry pliers.) Pull pen holder off inside back cover. Set aside for re-assembly.
    

2. Measure patterned paper to cover front and back of the journal covers. (Front cover paper will be roughly 6” x 7 ½”. Back cover will be roughly 6” x 8”.)  Choosing multiple patterns from the same paper pack makes coordination easy.
    

3. Using double stick tape, wrap patterned paper around covers making sure edges are on the same side as the spine where the spiral was.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    

4. Punch guide holes through one of the covers before attaching the second side down.  This will ensure that the spiral binding fits once the covers are completely covered.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Punch binding holes through both covers, using the guide holes for alignment. Reassemble notebook with the spiral binding. The first few twists are the hardest—but once started the binding spirals itself into place. Photo 3
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    

6. Stamp gratitude sentiments on random pages throughout notebook.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    

7. Stamp sentiments on cover.
   
   
   
    

8. Attach pen holder to inside back cover with an adhesive square. Add a colorful new pen (or use the original one until the ink runs out.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    

9. Add flower embellishment with an adhesive square. (Keep embellishments simple so the notebook can be easily kept in a purse or glove compartment. Moments of gratitude should be recorded immediately!
    

10. Sign your art with gratitude.

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