witticisms by Jess Witty

August 13, 2011

Attitude of Gratitude


It appears the sky has fallen down.
Because, you see... it seems that I have made an altered project :)

A rolodex-turned-family-gratitude-journal to be exact.

It's still countdown week at Papertrey Ink and today's group post features a brand new set from Dawn McVey... Gratitude Journal.


I put it to good use rescuing this thift store outcast.  Have to say, I was totally surprised to only find one rolodex at my local thrift... maybe all the other crafters had already snatched them up :) 

I invested a whole $1.49 in this beauty. 

I considered taking a before picture, but I figured you guys could all put those creative imaginations to work and remember the uninspiring black plastic base with weird semi-clear grayish lid that is the "vintage" rolodex.

Can you picture it?

1 coat of Rustoleum's Plastic Primer spray paint in white and 1 coat of Krylon's Satin Catalina Mist spray paint later and voila...


vintage rolodex gets a whole new look.

There are two parts to the rolodex... the outer case and the insert which sits inside and holds all of the cards.  I started by adding a few details to the outer case...


Since I'm picturing this project being handled daily, I wanted to keep the case simple, but pretty.  I added a title strip that is embossed with one of the Gratitude Journal sentiments and stamped with a new Background Basics: Houndstooth image. 

When embossing a sentiment over a background, you'll get a much more clean image if you emboss first.  That way you won't have to worry about the embossing powder sticking to the background image as well.


Since this gratitude journal will be a place for everyone in our family to record what we're grateful for, I thought it would be fun to start the first tab off with a family picture...


For this picture (and all of the picture dividers), I adhered the picture to a cardstock panel, then used one of the existing dividers as a stencil for tracing and cutting the picture into a divider shape.  

Next I needed to figure out how to create the holes at the bottom.  There is an actual rolodex punch available at office supply stores, etc, to punch the two rolodex holes at the bottom, but because I didn't picture myself using that tool outside of this project, I just did my best with a small rectangular hand punch and an exacto knife :)  It's not perfect but it definitely works.

I used StazOn ink to stamp two of the Gratitude Journal sentiments directly on the picture.  I thought adding the year was a fun touch as well.


I considered the family picture as the "cover" and the next tab as the sort of "title page" in this journal...


I really love how the tab, buttons, and houndstooth are working together here... elegant, but still fun.


Next up... the "chapters" in this little journal. 

I knew I wanted to have a divinder and section of cards for each family member, so I used the Gratitude Journal numbers to create a tab for each person...


Brian's tab is #1 (that would be Brian; he's on the right :), then mine, then each of the kiddos.  I also choose a a favorite picture of each person for each tab, just to make it more fun.

(The above and below pictures were actually outtakes from our fiasco-of-a-Christmas-card-photo-shoot from last year.  My mom and dad always help out by taking the pics for us and this day from last year was one of those holy cow every single darned thing went wrong in the family photo.  So much so that we ended up doing a re-shoot.  The outtakes turned out well, though!)



I added a little sentiment to each tab just for some added detail...


and, of course... more Houndstooth. 
I can't stop with the Houndstooth.


It is an issue nearing therapy levels.
For the love of all that is crafty, add Background Basics: Houndstooth in with Gratitude Journal this month.
Take it from me.
And then join me in therapy.



Each card is stamped and ready to go.

Do yourself a favor and just line the date stamp and sentiment stamp up on one block. Then you can ink and stamp all of your cards in no time :)



I've already got a spot in the kitchen picked out for our new journal.


My soon-to-be 2nd grader and pre-schooler will be sitting back down at the table next week to start school up again and I'm considering making this part of our morning routine. It won't be long before Noelle is old enough to add her own. (Right now, I'm sure she would say that is very grateful for "hookies.")




But I'm torn because I also think it would make a nice dinnertime activity, too.  Sort of a chance for everyone to share their day with the family and pick out one thing that they can focus on being thankful for.  What a sweet way to teach them to look for the Lord and all that He's doing even in their young little lives.  I really love the thought of this time growing into a daily memory for everyone :)

I figure that once we fill this one up I'll just find another abandoned rolodex castoff in need of a makeover and start a new one :)


Well, folks... that's it for me!  But, not to worry... I knew the rest of the team have some super sweet Gratitude Journal projects just ready and waiting for you...

Nichole Heady
Betsy Veldman
Erin Lincoln
Maile Belles
Lisa Johnson
Dawn McVey
Heather Nichols
Melissa Phillilps
Michelle Wooderson
Danielle Flanders

Thanks for joining me today!
I hope you enjoyed it even if it's a little outside of my norm :)



{Family Gratitude Journal} Rolodex
Stamps - Gratitude Journal, Background Basics: Houndstooth, Mini Scrapbook Series: Library Ledger
Cardstock - White, Kraft, Orange Zest, Aqua Mist
Ink - True Black, Fresh Snow, VersaMark, Pumpkin Pie (SU), StazOn Black
Die - Gratitude Journal collection
Ribbon - Orange Zest, button twine
Other - Vintage buttons; Filigree White embossing powder; rolodex & cards

43 comments:

Sarah Martina said...

I can't get over how clever you are! This is such a fun project... I love the idea of kicking off your day with an activity like this. But reflecting back on your day at dinnertime would be just as impactful. :) Great project!

Gina said...

Oh. Wow. I love it!!! I know of at least two abandoned rolodexes (rolodexi?) in our supply closet at the office. I'm asking for them!!! What a fabulous idea! And I love the thought of having everyone do it at dinner time. During school would be great, too - but at dinner, you have the entire family assembled and everyone wrapping up their day - a great time to reflect on the goodness of God during that day. Love it!!

StampingbugKerry said...

Oh I love this collaborative effort you brought into your gratitude journal. What a treasure to have the everyday scribblings of your kiddos in one spot...I see giggles and tears and warm fuzzy feelings in the future for sure. PS...You can take it with you to therapy!

Eveline said...

What a fun project.
It looks so good.
Eveline.

Jill Norwood said...

Jess this is just such a beautiful project and idea! I love the idea of being able to look back at what my family was grateful for at a certain time in their lives! You have a beautiful family and I know you will all treasure this! P.S. I can totally relate to the houndstooth love - I can't wait to get this set! :) And I am sure I will join you in therapy too!

Lynn said...

Gorgeous pictures of your family and what an absolutely wonderful gift for your family!

Terri Trotter Earley said...

Oh, this really resonated with me today. What a fabulous idea to incoroporate at dinner time as we all sit down together.

Thanks!
Terri E.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely fabulous! This is the best use for an old Rolodex I've ever seen. I just know I have one somewhere in this house; now to find it!

Susan said...

This is one of THE best altered rolodex card holders I have EVER seen!! I hope you alter more things in the future! :) It's beautiful and brilliant and I'm totally going to case it!

Sherrie M. said...

Great idea! What a beautiful activity to do together. I made gratitude journals for us and the kids a few years ago but haven't written in them in a while. Time for a gratitude makeover!

Carla G. said...

Love, love, love this idea!!! I too am now on the hunt for a vintage rolodex....and I've seen a few recently! Thanks so much for sharing!

Kim G said...

This is just adorable!! Love your idea!

Kelly S. said...

Well that's just amazing with a side of awesome sauce, Jess! So unique, and then you went and carried out the whole idea to perfection. The pictures are an amazing touch, your family is so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing your humor and creativity with us each month!

Amy Rohl said...

AmaZing!!

Unknown said...

Oh wow, Jessica!! Your gratitude journal makes me think of my middle daughter. She would love something like this because it's just enough space to record a few thoughts. A big page with lots of blank space makes her run away! Love the refurbished look, so glad you gave this refugee some love.LOL. Gratitude Journal has to be one of the most versatile sets released this year!!

Unknown said...

too cool, I love it! such beautiful pics of your family!

Suzanne said...

Jessica, this is probably one of the most beautiful and touching papercrafting projects that I have seen in a long time, if not ever. I love everything about it, including that it seems pretty easy to do. Your family is gorgeous and I hope they like filling those cards for you!

Danielle Flanders said...

this is really gorgeous, Jessica! I love all of your family photos too! you have a beautiful family!
Danielle

Sharon Harnist said...

Absolutely amazing project, Jess! Love the idea to recycle the Rolodex, love the colors you used, and those photo dividers are priceless!

Rhonda said...

Geezzz! I have gotten rid of some of these--now I'll have to go thrifting to find another. This is a wonderful project Jessica.

Lynn said...

amazing project with great photos of your sweet family!

see mary stamp said...

This is simply inspired! Just wonderful. I hope to liberally copy this idea. :-) So grateful that you are part of the PTI team.

Ashley Cannon Newell said...

WOW! I love that you reused a Rolodex for the journal. It's a great piece to add to a side table in your home. Such a sweet project and perfectly designed!

Julie Ebersole said...

genius.absolute.

SHUT UP!!!

Amy s K. said...

Beautiful, wonderful design, and so doable and usable! So... maybe your son and daughter write theirs in the mornings, then all share at dinner? However it goes, what a wonderful way to show them how the Lord blesses us! I'm thinking this might even be workable for teenage sons... hmmm.

Wendy ten Hove said...

What a wonderful shape of a journal this is!! Really great!! Pretty colors!!
Hugs, Wendy

nkm said...

Well, aren't you just the CLEVER one!!! Well done!!!!

Sonia said...

i am humbled by your brilliance!!

coco said...

Lovely family photos. Wonderful project. So inspired.

Cele said...

Love,Love,Love this!!!

Tiff said...

This is phenomenal!!! I love every little thing about this altered project... Must.find.rolodex.

Peggy said...

This is a great project. I love it and you will be creating may family memories. Thank you for sharing.
God bless,
Peggy Allen

Nina´s Scrapblog said...

This project, your cards and your hole blog are really great!!

Cristina said...

I love how you conceptualized this. The Rolodex is awesome enough, but including the blank cards so that everyone in the family can share their gratitude was so smart.

Bev Gerard said...

LOVE the way this turned out! Your idea was not only clever ... but it's turned into to a stampy/scrapper's dream! (No page for me?) LOL

Julie said...

Are you for real??? Oh my word!!! Cutest thing I have ever seen!!!! Can I just pay you to make us one?? And... Who took your pictures??? Jessica...you should be famous!!

Dionne said...

Oh my word, this is so super cute. You did an awesome job. I love it.

Marlena M. said...

Jess, this is so creative. I love how you shaped the pictures into divider shapes. Wonderful way to focus on thankfulness. ;)

missyboynton said...

Love this idea. Your kiddos are getting SO big, by the way. Gorgeous pictures of them (and you!!!) It would be fun to do something like this when my kiddos are just a little older. What a great way to let them watch what God is doing in their lives!

Anonymous said...

Um, hello Sky. It's me, Teri. Fall more often. This Jess girl is totally brill. ;) :)
LOVE, LOVE this, chica! LOVE IT!

Cassy said...

A very beautiful project.
The pages are very creatively made.
Plus the family photos are great as well because everyone looks happy. Lovely photo of a happy family.

Cass from Guitar Lesson DVD

Danica said...

I lovelovelove this idea! I will definitely be scouting our local thrift shops for an old Rolodex holder.

Melonie said...

Fan-flippin-tastic!! I love it!