Throughout my short time blogging, so many people have asked me, “When do you ever sleep?” The answer is simple--I don’t sleep much...I usually get to sleep around 3 or 4am. That’s because I create art all night long.
Let me tell you a story. I bought a book the other day. It looked like a fantastic little piece of fiction and I had really wanted to start reading it but, I didn’t have the time. That’s because I was up all night and working all day creating 4 journals. I just popped them into my Etsy shop and thought that at $5.99 they were something really affordable if someone needed a gift for Christmas for someone they love.
Then, when I got them posted I finally began to read the book. In the first 3 pages, the author talked about a Quaker tradition of keeping “Gratitude” journals! If you have ever wondered if God has spoken to you, I can assure you that I felt that He was speaking to me! After all, I had just finished making the journals--and each one is dear to my heart. (The side pieces on them are a deep hunter green and appear very "old world," but they photographed brighter.)
Isn’t it a fantastic idea to keep a gratitude journal? I loved the tradition and thought I’d pass the concept on to you~and in case you’re wondering what the book is called, it is Debbie Macomber’s “One Simple Act.” It’s precious! It is one of those, "Oh my gosh--why didn't I see this sooner?" kind of books--If you don't have it, believe me, you'll want to own it...it's amazing!
Also, Monday is the start of my Creative Spirit Challenge if you'd like to link something up--It can be an older post--it doesn't have to be new! I just do these for fun and if you know me very well you'll know that I think blogging and getting to know people is all about fun and friendship!
Also, my friend Donnie is having a CSN giveaway!!! She is at: http://newblessingeveryday.blogspot.com
and don't forget to become a follower!
35 comments:
I love your journals, Cindy! What a great gift idea! The nest is precious!
Hi Cindy, your journals are very pretty and what a great idea to keep a journal for all that you are thankful for each day. It would be a great life lifter when you a little lift.
These journals are precious and the idea behind it even more so. Journalling makes you stop in a world where everything is non-stop.
These are so pretty, Cindy! They would make great gifts for Christmas ~ even as a stocking stuffer!
Cindy, I so love these! The one with the bird and nest with two eggs is my favorite, but the journey one is perfect for my daugher!! I think I need to pick up that one for her! Beautiful!
These are really charming, Cindy! The book sounds great!
Hello Cindy, hope you are well. You do need to get your proper rest for you body to recharge. If you don't God will give you a wake up call. Your journals are wonderful and will give some a lot of joy. You are so thoughtful. That's what life is all about.
they are beautiful...i love gratitude journals, the more you are grateful for the more you have to be grateful for:)
have a great night Cindy!
Hi Cindy, what a magical idea, these gratitude journals remind me of an old film called Polyanna and she was always grateful for something. We have a lot to be grateful for. They are beautiful. Annette x
Love your journals , where did you find those books you used to make them ? I hunted all over the other day for something to use and finally settled for some composition books. Your work is beautiful !
Sharon
What beautiful journals, Cindy...I can see how much love and thought you've put into them.
Gratitude journals are such a wonderful idea...being grateful is so important! Thanks for sharing about the book--I hadn't heard about that one!
I hope you're having a wonderful night, my friend...try and get a LITTLE sleep tonight!
Julie
A fantastic idea (keeping a journal) Cindy. Great job on your covers. They are really inspiring.
Angela
treasures said...
Thanks for the nice post! We all need to have a gratitude journal!
~ Julie
hello dearest Cindy,
I always try to remain thankful and grateful for all the good things in my life and there are many. Wonderful family and very dear friends.
Your work as always is beautiful!
But I agree with Chris. You should have more rest. take care dear friend,
Hugs
June xx
Books that altered your nice, very nice details! and cute when you find a good book! hug!
Cindy these are gorgeous and what a bargain! I love this story. Obviously you were working on God's clock and doing exactly what you were suppose to be doing. Rest up a bit this weekend.
WOW! That is a God wink. Your journals are beautiful, what a wonderful idea.
Blessings,
Ginger
If that wasn't a "God wink" I don't know what is! Sweet journals and a great gift idea!
xo
Roselle
Hey Cindy... i agree, it is a great idea to keep a gratitude journal. thanks for the idea...:)
oh wow hun these are truly amazing such works of art now you take it easy you here me cant having you go sick as wont be able to see all these beauties,hugs cheryl xxxx
LOVELY.
By the way, the song playing, When You Wish Upon a Star, was the song my husband played on the radio in our car as we brought our first son home from the hospital when he was born. Our son happens to be very gifted musically and played it on his high school graduation two years ago. Can you imagine my tears when he said to the audience that it was the first song he heard after being born? Well, I sure needed that song today more than you know. Love you.
Cindy - what a wonderful concept - a gratitude journal. And your journals are so beautiful. I am going to pay a visit to your site. I have a girlfriend who would love one of those. Have a great weekend...
I love her books. I haven't read that one yet so I have to watch for it. She always has some wonderful message or something that hits home for what is happening in my life.
I do morning pages and since they can get kid of grippy I try to always end with 5 things I'm grateful for. It always brightens my day and sets my mind in a positive mode.
I love your journals. Do you make them from scratch or just decorate them?
I love your journals Cindy and the thought to use them as gratitude journals is just awesome. We really do need to express our gratitude for something everyday. Just fabulous.
Hugs XX
Barbara
These journals are lovely, Cindy and they are all so different. How did you do the bird's nest, those eggs look so really real?
They are truly inexpensive and they would make perfect Christmas gifts. Funny, but today I was only just reading about 'gratitude journals' and that we should all keep one, writing down three positive things that happened each day....it was used as a tool to boost self-esteem. I had not heard of them until today.
Have a wonderful week.
Sue xx
What beautiful journals, Cindy. I really appreciated your mentioning my giveaway and I'm pretty sure I'll be able to reach a 100 Followers by the end of it. Your journals are lovely and I can see how much love and thought you've put into them all. Have a great weekend and take a nap...lol...
Hi Cindy, I kinda got lost looking for your entry for the spot prize challenge lol. Is it this one ? It fits perfectly and they are such gorgeous journals.
I love the idea of a gratitude book. thats a great idea. I may just begin one too.
Also I have a VERY special papercraft challenge just launched if you fancy winning a prize ( i promise you will ) just take a look and enter the challenge before December 4th
Hugs June xxxx
Hi Cindy,
Those are great looking and thats a great idea gratitude journal. I have a prayer journal but do not have a gratitude journal. I see you are super busy all the time. I hope your etsy store is being successful. I cant believe I am so far down the comments list....I am behind. I have been crafting more so maybe thats why. Happy Sunday. Hugs, Kim
You are so creative, Cindy. Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations with us. Love the music too. Reminds me of Disneyland.
Hope you're having a beautiful weekend.
Hugs and blessings,
Charlotte
Hello Cindy
Wow these Journals are super what a creative eye you have, i love them all brill work hun.
Hugs Betty x x
Cindy, I don't know if I've told you this before, but in December 2003, through Psalm 50, the Lord prompted me to begin a "thanks journal." My husband was 6 months into what turned out to be 25 months of unemployment, and things looked very bleak. Yet, God put it upon my heart that I needed to give thanks.
I was led to record five things a day for which to give thanks. My first entries were, "Thank you for the ability to see...to hear...to walk...to breathe." Because my circumstances were so bleak, I didn't think I had anything to give thanks for, so I started off rather generically. I was faithful to do it every day...and do you know that as I did so, it got easier and easier to find things to be thankful for. Within a few weeks, I actually thanked God FOR our bleak circumstances AND for job interviews that didn't result in a job for my husband. Because of our difficult circustances, we were seeing God in ways we never had before....we needed him to provide, whereas before we'd always been very comfortable financially. So, as my heart gave thanks, I became more and more thankful...and was able to be thankful not only IN those bleak times...but FOR them as well.
I even shared about my thanks journal in a young ladies' magazine...The Girlhood Home Companion. Giving thanks is a lesson we ALL need to learn.
Love to you,
Patti
Wow Cindy, wonderful story! I love the idea of a gratitude journal. Its so easy to sometimes mentally catalog all of our problems, that we forget to take count of all out blessings. They are beautiful!
Well I finally got here..LOL. Came from your other blog and than started to read your posts, than noticed the one that you talked about sharing from your other blog, and where to find it..and I found it..It also took me awhile because I was drooling, I mean admiring your journals..oh my....I have many journals that I write in each day. Chore Journal, pour out my heart journal, and a meetings journal..Thank you for sharing this and the title of the book with us..I'm up way to early in the morning. You go to bed later,,I wake up later...lol..Blessings dear one! ((hugs))
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