Happy New Year and welcome to a fresh start. Not one for resolutions I do, however, love a fresh start. The beginning of the a new year is an obvious fresh start for me. Instead of resolutions I prefer to build upon current goals and life realities that are already happening right now. With that in mind I decided to work with a few of my favorite elements and put them to work for me in a positive way.
Jamie, here and let's just talk about a few of my favorite things for a moment.
Fresh Starts. I love new beginnings. Like even when a new school year begins. Or the beginning of a new book. Fresh starts are full of possibility.
Journals. Especially the traveller's notebook size. I have always loved fresh pages and spaces to write my thoughts, quotes, scripture and even prayers.
Black and White! I love those hues. The bold yet subtle statement that black and white makes. The graphic appeal that compliments those two. Black has always been a favorite of mine. Just check my wardrobe.
With those three of my favorite items in mind I went to create a much needed, fresh start, 2017, traveler's sized, black and white journal.
I needed to create a mini journal to compliment my larger spiritual daily journal. I wanted to be able to punch holes in a little book and keep it with my daily notes and journaling.To make said journal, a cover was created using the black and white stripe from Illustrated Faith's Bright and Brave. This was cut down to 8 1/2-inches wide, and 8 1/2-inches wide.
Next, I took plain white cardstock and trimmed down to the same size as the cover. Folding the cover in half, and then folding the insert in half, I placed the inside page inside the cover. A bit of excess needed to be trimmed away so that the inserts would stay inside the cover.
Several of these inserts were created for this journal. Then the best part began. Embellishment. Lots of washi and stamps plus tabbies were put to work in the embellishment department. Shown above is my first page. I simply stamped the year and embellished with a swatch of washi tape sticker.
This stamped page really added to the bold black and white and graphic appeal of my mini journal.
While I added stamps and washi to many of the pages, there are a few that are just plain white and left open for possibility. Most all the pages are tabbed with one of the Illustrated Faith Basics Tabbie, black and white of course.
I also included a page of pattern paper here and there. Just because I liked it. These pages make great divider pages if a mini album needed to be divided into sections.
The original intent of this journal was to be a home to prayer requests. This year I want to be more intentional about not only praying, but keeping track of those prayers. A sort of bullet journal list if you will. Because I am such a forgetful person. I may pray for someone or something, and then just forget. I don't want to forget. But that requires it to be written down.
The Black and White Washi Stickers had a perfect sticker for this page.
For embellishment on the prayer page I took the liberty of slicing up one of the Washi Stickers and using like word strips. I need to remember this promise. Perfect for a fresh start mindset.
Lots of stamped pages give these pages just a touch of embellishment. Of course I can add more to this when I get to this page. But for now I kept these pages pretty open for my own journaling and quotes and what not.
One of the hardest goals for me to work on are my spiritual goals. The Homespun Alphabet Stamps were put to work here to make a bit statement. My approach to this page will be this: First, no fear. Secondly, to focus on where I am right now in my faith. To draw out those places that need more intention and focus. Then to write them down. Sometimes I think we make goals bigger than they should be and then we simply avoid attempting to write them down because we just don't know how. My hope is that this approach will make for some real and attainable goals.
How do you start the New Year? What intention and renewal are you hoping for? Writing these thoughts down can be powerful. I encourage you to get creative, create your own 2017 mini journal, and write down the things that matter. And may you have a most amazing New Year and a hopeful fresh start.
supplies: Illustrated Faith Bright and Brave: Bible Journlaing, Epistles. Basics: Black & White Washi Stickers, Black and White Tabbies, Black and WHite Designer Clips. Clear Stamps: Icons, Elements, Homespun Alphabet, Homespun Numbers and Extras, You Are Loved Clear Stamps.
