Last Sunday, Kristina Werner, uploaded on her blog a How-To video on a Gratitude Journal.  Along with a link the the pdf of the actual interior gratitude pages.  I decided to make a journal for my friend Brandie.  With the scraps from making the Gratitude Journal, I decided to make a card.  Both the card and the journal are color schemes that I normally wouldn't use - so it was nice to step outside of my comfort zone for a little while.

Enjoy.  Happy Scrappin'!!!

~NJ

I got this idea from a Whole Living article (25 Eco-Chic Ideas For Your Home) that was sent to me a few months back.  I knew right away I was going to have to give this a try.  It was very simple to make, inexpensive, and what better way to recycle your wine corks and put them to good use.  This definitely isn't your mother's trivet - or as my mother-in-law calls it - Hot Plate.  It will defitely be a conversation piece when you're cooking in your kitchen and put your hot pot on it to cool down.  Below, I've provided the instructions on how to make this little unique kitchen piece.

Materials:
60-65 uniformed sized corks
7 1/2  inch metal hose clamp (Plumbing section of Home Depot)

Instructions:
1. Stand corks upright and arrange them into a circle.
2. Surround corks with metal hose clamp. 
3. Tighten the clamp to bind the corks together.
4.  Trim the excess clamp with metal clippers.

Cost:
About $2.50 (price does not include the wine for the wine corks)  :)

Above you will see the other three projects I worked on during National Scrapbook Day.  I wanted to post these on Sunday or Monday, but I have been battling allergies or a cold, I'm not sure which, so I've been out of commission these last few days.  I do hope that everyone enjoyed National Scrapbook Day this past Saturday.  Also, I hope all you Mommy's had a wonderful Mother's Day and we celebrated for the wonderful women you are!!!  So I hope you enjoy the 2 layouts and the card I created. 

Happy Scrappin'
~NJ

One Little Word is a concept of coming up with one word thta you would like to focus on in the new year.  Ali Edwards is conducting a year long class which focuses on One Little Word through Big Picture Classes. 
This year, I decided to focus on the word: 

Not only for its definition, but also because this is something I would like to focus on in 2011.  Personally, I don't feel as though I write enough, so in 2011, I would like to focus on writing, whether it's one word, or pages full of words, just random thoughts of the day that tell my story, and the story of my family - from my perspective. 
So this year again, my One Little Word is:  Write, I plan to have a monthly update on how I am making this word visable in my everyday life. 
To find out more about the One Little Word concept, please visit Ali's website.

So for the final November Gratitude Project, I decided to create a 1-page Layout about Thanksgiving.  This was our first Thanksgiving Holiday back in Texas.  We had a great time hopping from one house to the next - and enjoying all the great food too of course.  I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the Christmas Season.

I also wanted to give an update on Daily Gratitude - November Gratitude Project 2 of 5.  I completed the book yesterday evening.  It was very simple and easy to put together.  This year, I didn't add any extras but I was thinking that next year, I may add small pictures and possibly some embellishments to some of the pages - not all.  I had a great time making this project and I look forward to doing it again next year.

Happy Scrappin'
~NJ

FINALLY, part 5 of 5 will be up tomorrow.  For now, here is a simple Gratitude Card.  Enjoy!

With this card, I wanted it to be very quick, easy and simple, yet I wanted to make sure it conveyed the message I was trying to relay.  With the Fall Season in full effect and with the coming of the Thanksgiving Holiday, I decided to go with warm fall colors for the card, along with a soft purple/green fallish (is that even a word) flower in the center. 

So finally, I’ve gotten the opportunity to share with you all November Gratitude Project #2 of 5.  Next week will be a busy week.  J  I decided to create a mini book/album that consists of at least one thing I’m grateful.  This album by the time I’m finish with it will have at least 30 Gratitude’s.  Since this is the season for thankfulness, why not create a gratitude mini album.  I know many out there have gratitude journals/notebooks.  But it you’re like me, let’s take baby steps. 

Anyway, not too much was involved here.  I used all scrap materials.  The actual book is around 2.5”x4”.  I found some left over scraps from a fall paper pack I purchased last year.  I also used the assembly line method in putting this album together.  The main pages were already cut then I cut the 1” strip to put the date (Number) on each page, then I glued down the middle section of the page where I will write my daily gratitude.  Lastly, I added my faux stitching. 

I have a text message draft on my phone where I have written a daily gratitude for each day.  I will end up writing the gratitude’s inside the Daily Gratitude Album – this will more than like be during the long weekend – during the Dallas Cowboys football game and the Texas A&M vs. UT (That’s the UT – University of Texas) football game.  J