Gratitude Journaling

Travelers Notebook Gratitude Journal

~ Patty Radish ~ 6 Comments

The Story:

I had been wanting a Midori Travelers Notebook for a long time, so right before Christmas, I ordered one. Not really knowing what I would be using it for, I just started ordering inserts, thinking I would just fill it up and see what happened.

Well, just about everything arrived right before the beginning of the new year. And not being in much of a mood to journal at the time, I just started jotting down snippets of my day

It wasn’t until a few weeks had passed that I had realized I had something here. For the most part, I had been listing out things I was grateful for!

IMG_1673

Like the Christmas do-over visit with my daughter and her family just before the New Year!

IMG_1672

There were a couple of mundane exceptions to my notes, but those were easy to remove, I use a erasable pens…always! Worst speller ever!

IMG_1675

Going back and decorating and journaling was a breeze because all I had to do was refer to the notes.

IMG_1677

I just matched up the dates referred to with photos on my phone and printed them up!

IMG_1679

The way this whole thing came to me was total happenstance. I just happened to look at my Flow magazine app and there was a quote from Hailey Bartholomew of the 365 Grateful project. She started her gratitude project by taking a photo a day of what she was grateful for.

I thought about all the photos I had in my phone from the last few weeks, and the connections were made!

IMG_1689

This is something I purchased last fall, but had not really used it much. It’s a bit pricey, but we made it an anniversary gift. You can find it here.

IMG_1685

Here are a few items I use to set my pages up. The clips help keep the pages down while working on them. The plant just makes me happy!

IMG_1816

Last week’s page spread. If you can read my chicken scratch, you can see that I came up with this plan on the 27th. I spent the following days re-writing a few of the notes and adding much of the decor.

Every night, I just jot down a few notes before bed, then go back later in the week when I have more time or the mood strikes, and journal and decorate. This project can be done just as well in an inexpensive composition notebook.

Going through all my photos, re-reading what I had jotted down, and pulling this project together has really been a labor of love! Because there is no plan, other than paying attention to the details of my day in order to see things to be grateful for, it’s a very stress free project. And it’s easing me back to journaling, total win!

 I really hope you will visit 365 Gratitude and watch some of the videos, they are truly inspiring! Please let me know what you think.

Thank you once again for stopping by,

Have a grateful day,

~Patty

When Words Escape

~ Patty Radish ~ 4 Comments

I’m hopefully on the other side of a very tender time in my life. Luckily, the rest of my life keeps rolling along, taking me with it, and helping me find gratitude for the abundance of  love and friendship I’ve been finding along the way.

For those times in my life when words are just not adequate, but I still need to secure memories in some way, collage journals are what I turn to.

IMG_1426

I took this journal out of my shoppe a few weeks ago. Sometimes a journal just speaks to me and I have to make it my own.

I have decided to do a collage a day for January.

Just some time to sit quietly and play for a while.

This post is pretty photo intensive, so I’ve decided to keep the narrative to a minimum.

IMG_1401

IMG_1403

IMG_1409

IMG_1416

Here is where this journal took on a life of it’s own, when I began to fill the pockets with letters I had begun receiving.

IMG_1420

IMG_1422I even revisited some pages I had already worked on and added bits from what I remember happening that day.

IMG_1408

IMG_1418

IMG_1425

So, what started as a project to take me back into my art room, has turned into a place to hold keepsakes and document gratitude. This journal has lots of pockets and envelopes if I decide its time to do a little journaling, but they are also handy to keep bits and pieces in.

Now that I’m over the hump of settling affairs, I’m hoping to get back into the swing of things so to speak, like blogging, and making, and such.

Thanks so much for being here over the last few weeks, I am truly grateful!

Until next time,

Have a great day,

~Patty

And Then There Was One…

~ Patty Radish ~ 4 Comments

This post was supposed to be written yesterday, announcing the new Mini Journals in my shoppe, but I just didn’t have time…

…I was too busy wrapping and sending them off!!!

I made 10, and within 12 hours, sold 9 of them!

So, what should I write about?

Well, after the giveaway and shoppe makings, I managed to keep one for myself…

IMG_0389

 I wasn’t quite happy with the messy layering I had done, so I covered most of it up with this vintage book image.

IMG_0385

I thought this might be an awesome opportunity to work in it along with the people that have purchased them from me. So, once in a while I’ll be sharing some of my page spreads.

Some of the pages may seem too pretty to cover up…

IMG_0386

…but others are perfect! I love those vintage illustrations, but the rest of the page is text. I’ve been using this mini journal to document the surprise visit from my daughter and grandson. He ate banana for the first time today and I thought that monkey eating a banana was a nice touch.

It’s time to back to my visit, I just wanted to check in and let you know that as soon as my loved ones head back home I will be starting on a new batch of mini journals for the shoppe. In the meantime, there are still a few list journals and “regular” sized journals left in my shoppe, some marked down even!

Thank you so much for supporting my shoppe!

Have a great day,

~Patty

Gratitude Journaling

~ Patty Radish ~ Leave a comment

Among all the other projects I have been trying to play catch-up on, there is my beloved gratitude journal! It seems that most of what I write about is my family, time spent on my own, and getting things done!

IMG_7900

For some reason I started using journaling cards and store bought ephemera in this, and subsequent pages. I really wasn’t happy with the way they were turning out, so I tore them apart and redid them. This one is slightly improved.

IMG_7903

This one was a complete re-do. I used s piece of an art page used in my art journals for the back ground then added this cute illustration from one of my vintage magazines (love the poodle!) A sticker with the date and lined paper for my list and done! It’s nice to throw things that are just lying around the studio together. Everything eventually finds a home!

IMG_7904

A particular favorite, I used a photo taken on a recent trip to L.A. I love using my own photos in this journal, they give it such a personal touch. Working with these earthy tones is a nice break from the riot of colors I usually work with in my #ListersGottaList journals.

IMG_7907

I’ve really been trying to get back to my kitschy flea market look again. I have been having so much fun using all my “store bought” ephemera, I’d forgotten what a kick some of this can be!

For the record: I’m super thankful for all of you that subscribe to my blog and take the time to read and comment! You guys rock!

Thank you for your time,

Talk to you soon,

~Patty