i love a great idea…

…that I had nothing to do with, but get to have complete and total fun with. And the idea that is making me feel creative and happy right now is a cool concept for a gratitude journal by Emily Falconbridge. Having just spent a little time with Emily, and seeing how cool her handmade albums are in person, when I saw this idea, I thought: I can frickin' do this, man!

So last night, I started pulling a bunch of scraps and things together, along with my three hole punch, and gathered most of what I need to prepare my album for 2008. I'm calling it, "It's a Wonderful Life," and I plan to record, each week, the things that I'm grateful for. (You should read what Emily wrote on another website about the impetus for the album. Damn, Emily, you're a good writer, too! What don't you do?) So here's where mine is right now:

I love those cool little Making Memories Kraft Word Stickers.  (You can find some online here.)

Here's what some of the guts look like:

I still have to stamp/add numbers to my various pages. I'll do that over the next few weeks. I loved pulling little bits of this and that together to add to the pages. Emily suggests using the largest piece as the back of your album. Mine is chipboard, and measures roughly 8 x 8. Everything else is trimmed down. I need some matching jump rings, and then it's good to go.

Then i'll sit down with it once a week and write out what I'm thankful for in an effort to curb my "woe is me" tendencies, and any other bits of complaining that always seem to simmer just below my surface. I need a reminder of gratitude. Every day, really.

And on the subject of gratitude, I'm grateful for the girls weekend i had just over a week ago. Made a page with a fabulous picture taken by Tara (who just layed that big assed camera of hers on the old sidewalk and set the timer to shoot. Love that.) The only thing missing from this page is Lisa McG, who had to take off by the time we shot this. It makes me smile. Love the little Noteworthy clips , the curvy, lined Making Memories paper and the My Mind's Eye Out&About paper (which the whole collection is gorgeous!) And yes, currently, i am, in fact, scallop-edged crazy. I seriously love my Fiskars trimmer, and all the interchangeable blades. Never thought I'd love anything other than my X-acto knife and metal ruler.)

And last but not least, on the subject of "Things that i am exceedingly happy about"… my new computer came in over the weekend. After 24 days of single processor powered work, I'm truly feeling the dual 3.0 GHZ love.

But I guess you could, at some point or another, say that for all of us, now couldn't you?

Comments

[Shelley Burkett]

You rocked the album. I love all the different, random sizes. Nice.

I'm in the market for a laptop, and all my friends are trying to talk me into getting a Macbook or Powerbook or whatever they're called. Any advice from the Mac queen?

[Tracy]

Very cool idea for an album - and like how you laid yours out! Thanks for sharing!

[Raven]

What an insanely cool album. I love all of the different shapes & sizes. You've inspired me--this is a must-do. Gorgeous layout, too! Love the scallops. :)

[Jen]

I assume the front and back are chipboard but are the the inside pages chipcoard or just papers??

[Jennifer]

What a great idea. I might have to do this. I love the design with all the variety of tags!

[Kirsten]

You know what I said when I heard you all were getting together for a girls weekend? It was like an international summit of the creative minds - Sweet gratitude journal, btw.

[Amy]

TFS your gratitude album, it's yummy...I had been tossing the idea of doing one of these for the new year but wasn't sure how to make it all fit together...you gave me just the inspiration I needed...love your blog!

[Erika]

Love this Cathy!!!! So cute and what a great idea. Kudos to Emily F. for the inspiration. I was thinking that this might make a really cool gift for friends and teachers for xmas without a whole lot of stressing. Do you need 52 total pieces of paper/scraps to do this?

Love your blog . . . part of my daily routine and I'm grateful for you!

p.s. it's my bday today, what a fun gift you gave me with this idea!

[Andrea]

Wow, I love the layout that you did. And the papers in the journal.. I soo wish I could get my paws on those papers, but alas small town canada does not carry such fashionable new supplies. With that I drool over what you have created.

[Krista]

The guts of that book look suspiciously free-stylish with the different types of paper.... We'll convert you yet! (ha ha)

[Shelly]

I just LOVE your work! The gratitude album would be a perfect Christmas gift for a sibling or close family relative. What a great idea!

I am going to have to go pick up one of those Fiskars cutters....

[Shelly]

I just LOVE your work! The gratitude album would be a perfect Christmas gift for a sibling or close family relative. What a great idea!

I am going to have to go pick up one of those Fiskars cutters....

[Shelly]

I just LOVE your work! The gratitude album would be a perfect Christmas gift for a sibling or close family relative. What a great idea!

I am going to have to go pick up one of those Fiskars cutters....

[suetreiber]

these rock! I have them all but haven't used them yet, cuz they are too pretty. Awesome layout!

[Kim]

Love the album and the layout-did you print right on the photo of the girls weekend? that was really cool!
kim

[Nicola]

is that a Hambly screenprints transparancy, 7 gypsies tag and mm packaging?!

but, but, they're all different sizes and textures and they don't match

I think I need to lay down for a minute

[Penny]

Album idea is brilliant. So easy, beautiful.

[em]

old greg is so proud!

[Vanessa]

that is a supereeedodaah idea!!
i love the randomness of it..good job :-)

[Madeline]

I am linking to this on my blog. i hope that's cool. I recently did a few days of gratitude posts and couldn't believe how much better that week went, with all of that good gratitude flowing through me. Thank you so much for sharing this. I will also make it for presents as a commenter suggested.

[Madeline]

oops. can't link to it as then the siblings and friends will see their gift. never mind. Your blog was one of the first I added as a link (and still only one of five) on my page when I began (well, restarted) blogging as a result of reading yours.

[Chelsea]

love the LO, I only know Em but if you are all as fabulous as her, I love you guys too!

[Shelly in the NW]

I triple love this idea...i've been having way too many pity parties for one here...

[Sandra]

Great book Cathy. Can you tell me where you found the die cut on the right side? It's the one with the blue trim and it's kinda scalloped. Thanks for the info and this is a great holiday idea. :D

[cdpeck]

Is there one page per week? Love the idea, and I especially love the page you did about the girls' weekend. So glad to know you're embracing your inner curves and handwriting. Enjoy! And thanks for always inspiring us all.

[katie Scott]

Hi Cathy! I've been hoping to win the barrel of monkeys in the Funnest Contest but can't seem to get to the Contest page. The Contests screen at Simple lists the contest as a past contest. I thought the deadline was the 30th? Help :) Thanks, Katie.

[katie Scott]

Can't seem to get into the Funnest Contest submission page - any suggestions?

[katie Scott]

sorry for the double post / I thought i made a mistake on the first one ;)

[Gabi]

Such a fun piece! I LOVE your fresh style and always look forward to seeing your latest creations!
~Gabi

[Colleen]

Totally love this little book idea! Just have to tell you how much I love the banner for your blog too!

[Linda Joona]

Is that the one Ali Edwards did during December? It is anyhow a really cool idea and I bet it will be hot! It's gonna be great to so see what you do with it!

[mireia]

i love this project!

thanks for share!