A Grateful Beginning

Despite my good intentions, the day seems to have mostly disappeared before I got to the blog. And while I may be slow in arriving, my excitement has been building all day.

When I first wrote about my intentions to identify and document a weekly blessing, I was amazed at the number of people who embraced the idea and wanted to join me on this journey. Perhaps a project like this one seemed less daunting that a Photo A Day. Or maybe we're all mindful of the changes that have occurred all around us in recent months and just want to focus more on the positives in our lives. Whatever the reason, I'm grateful for each and every one of you.

I'm grateful too for Lisa Wilkins. As she has from time to time, Lisa commented on that post indicating she would be undertaking the project. And in a subsequent exchange of e-mails she volunteered to set up an online home for our Gratitude Project. I was thrilled. Not only had I not thought of such a resource but I wouldn't know where or how to begin to put one together. But Lisa does, and I'm overwhelmed at the generous gift of her time and talent. I can't thank her enough for all she's done.

We've been collaborating for the past month or so, and the website is now ready for visitors. We hope you'll be a part of the Gratitude Project.

There are so many great features to help us as we go through 2009 documenting our blessings. We have a message board to support and encourage one another; places to share quotes, inspiring websites and resources, and a photo gallery where you can upload your weekly photos and pictures of your project as its being created. Best of all, it's not my website but our website...a place where everyone can add content and mold it into what we want it to be. A true community.

Each week I'll post a little prompt...just something to spark a thought or two, hopefully helpful ones. But I'm not Dr. Phil nor do I want to be. I'm just me trying to be the best me I can be, and I see this project as another avenue in that journey. Your ideas have every bit as much weight and importance as mine, and that's why I hope you'll participate and share them with me and everyone else who is working toward the same goal.

The website gives us a place for more conversation and information, but the blog will still have a role as the year progresses. There's even a place at the Gratitude Project for you to list your blog so I can get to know you better, too.

So come by...check it out. I hope you'll join and share but lurkers are welcome, too. I know you probably already belong to other online communities and this isn't meant to replace them. Just think of it as a comfortable stop on your lap around the Internet where the focus is the good things in our lives.

I'm assembling a mailing list relating to our yearly project, too. If you'd like to be included, e-mail me using the link under my photo and I'll add you to the list.

After finishing the final touches on the website, I spent the rest of the day working on the book that will hold my 52 blessings. There were so many good options that would have worked and I delayed my decision until the very end. Here's the final result:

I chose a clear acrylic folder tab from Bind-It-All. The 7.5"x5" format should be large enough for some design flexibility but small enough to complete the weekly entry easily. The green paper let me add some color and texture to the cover, but the holes fit in well with the clear acrylic. Plus it matched that ribbon I've been eager to use. The paper was applied with spray glue, and while it seemed to bond well, I reinforced the edges with some Therm O Web Super Tape...my go-to adhesive when I really want things to stick. And I added an identical piece to the back side for a more finished look. 

The first page serves as an introduction...a place to document the purpose of the album. I liked how the die-cut journaling sheet peeked out from behind the green paper yet still would allow some of the subsequent page(s) to show. Adhering it to a strip of cardstock provided a margin for binding.

And binding is still up in the air. I'd really like to use my Bind-It-All but I'm concerned the book may become too large for the wires. If so, I'll move to Plan B and use rings. Until I know, I'll just rock along and see how things progress before making that decision. The ribbon was applied with temporary adhesive for now so I can easily remove it when I figure out how the book will go together.

There isn't a back cover at the moment. I intended to use another sheet of the clear acrylic, but I don't really like the look of another tab so I may construct a cover out of chipboard and cover it with a coordinating paper. I see this whole project developing and unfolding as the year progresses.

So there you go...a new website, a new album, a new project, a new year. That's a lot of beginnings...and I'm grateful for all of them. 

Supplies: Clear Acrylic Folder Tabs, Zutter; Paper: Creative Imaginations; Stickers: 7gypsies; Letter stickers and rub-ons: American Crafts; Ribbon: May Arts; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Die-Cut Journaling Sheet: Making Memories.

Comments

[Michele H.]

So excited Brenda! I can't wait to get started. I just posted on my blog on this new adventure {short and sweet}. Thanks for letting me play along!!

[donna]

hello and happy new year Brenda!

this is a really great new project! love the idea of prompts i will surely sign up for that! i am thinking i will give my project a different title though. i have been very good about taking my photo a day this year and feel rather empty at the thought of not documenting things! so this is a perfect substitute!

i think i will call mine a book of good things...i work nights and the whole reason for my photo a day in 2008 was to get more life in between my sleep and work as it seemed life was passing me by in the first two years. so a year long focus on positive things should also be of great benefit!

thanks so much for the huge inspiration

[Erika]

What a great project, Brenda. When we focus on our blessings, the hardships are easier to handle. I'm not sure if I'll jump in and play, but I'll certainly be watching your journey. Love the start to your album!
~Erika

[Pat]

Happy new year, Brenda and all embarking on this year long project. Love your book! I've starting collecting stuff for a clear album but the 52 Blessings will be housed in a 8x8 3 ring binder. I'll be working on an introductory page this weekend. And the news of a Project Gratitude website is so exciting. I look forward to spending time there for inspiration!

[Leslie Herbert]

Love what you have started on your album Brenda! looks beautiful.
Off to check out the site, thank you to you and Lisa! Hugs!

[Britney Mellen]

You are an inspiration, Brenda!

[Charlene]

Happy New Year Brenda! I decided not to do Becky's 365 Project--not because it isn't a wonderful project but because I wanted to do something through out the year that is more meaningful and thought provoking and this project is exactly right for me. YIPPEE! I am excited to start.

[Donna]

Hi Brenda....I'm so excited to get started on this. Can you also add me to your mailing list? You have my e-mail address already. Thanks so much.

[Cassonda Tadlock]

This is really fabulous, Brenda! What a saaaweet idea!! I am totally joining in. I will add a little bit to my blog next week. Thank you!

[Rosemary]

What a lovely idea - I will check out the Gratitude Project website.

[sandee]

I am going over there to sign up or sign in, whichever way it works. I really need to focus on my blessings as we are going through some tough times over here. Hopefully this will help me to focus on the good and not the bad!

[Debbie Yates]

You and Lisa and the Project are an asnwer to a prayer - I am so looking forward to sharing each week!