This 2-part lesson is the making of the covers and insides to the gratitude journal. The second part creates the folio aspect that enables the journal to slip in and out of the book cover.

>COVER

Using a piece of 8 ½ x 11 plain cardstock (I am using white), fold paper in half so that it is 5 ½ by 8 ½ .

Trim the 8 ½  to 7 ¾ 

Adhere pattern paper to the front of the cover.

Inside front: add additional pattern paper or ink or leave plain.

This is the cover of the gratitude journal.

>INSIDE PAGES

Print 4-5 of the weekly gratitude journal pages.

Fold page in half longwise. 

Trim ½ in off the long unfolded edge.

Trim ½ in off the bottom short edge.

Trim ¼ in off the top short edge.

Collect the 4-5 pages and then adhere using the ‘back to back’ binding method.

Adhere the very last page to the back of the cover cardstock.

OR…keep adding pages if wanting more than a month in a journal at a time.

>BELLY BAND

Trim a piece of pattern paper 4 x 12

Then trim in half to have 2 pieces of 2 x 12

Wrap one band from the back of the book cover to the inside creating creases at the top and the bottom

Use the second 2 x 12 in piece to determine what size needed to finish the band

Trim second paper to size

Secure with adhesive making sure the band is as snug as it can be

Slide journal inside band

NOTE: if using the lined journal pages for your insert, trim the same as the weekly journal pages as described above.