DIY Gratitude Journals

With Thanksgiving in just a mere few days, the part almost everyone looks forward to is the food. Of course, the real meaning behind the holiday is to give thanks. Recently my intern Mesick crafted these really amazing gratitude journals. They are great homemade creations your Thanksgiving guests can write what they are thankful for in and also make a nice parting gift.

Supplies

Plain Journal (A kraft brown Moleskine was used in this tutorial)
Decorative stamps
Red ink pad
Brown ink pad
Black ball point pen
Red ribbon 

Directions

Step 1: Lay your notebook down with the book pages facing the table on a piece of scrap paper. Take your wood patterned stamp, stamp it on your black ink pad and then press it onto the front and back of your notebook. Be sure to stamp over the crease of the journal as well as leave an equal amount of blank space (about 1 inch) at the top an bottom. 

Step 2: Grab your red ink pad and "thanks" stamp and in the center of the worn wooden pattern on the front of the journal, stamp "thanks."

Step 3: Take your "handmade by:" stamp and dip it on your red ink pad. Stamp it on the back of your journal. Make sure it is center and aligned properly.

Step 4: Take your ballpoint pen and on the front of your journal, write "give" above where you stamped "thanks." On the back of the journal, write your name under the "handmade by:" stamp. 

Step 5: Add as much or as little detail as you please. Mesick added red borders to the front and back of the book that gave it an extra special touch.

Step 6: Tie it with a bow! Sit it by each of the place settings at your Thanksgiving table and ask each guest to fill theirs out or give them as little take home gifts for them to write in on their own.