Today I'm sharing how to make quick and easy paper notebooks. Our family is using them as thankful journals. These journals are so versatile - you can make them in any color/pattern you like. It's also easy to customize the size of these little notebooks to fit your needs.

Last Sunday, I decided to make thankful journals for myself and my family. I think it's important to be thankful all the time, but we often forget. This time of year is a good reminder to remember all that we have and be grateful for it. I have the journals on the kitchen table where we see them and will hopefully remember to use them.

DIY Gratitude Journals

I think sometimes it's easy to just list everything we're thankful for, but not really internalize it. So I decided to have a question of the day. Each day I write on our little chalkboard a question. For example, Why are you thankful for your eyes? or your family? the scriptures? or your home? That causes us to reflect a little more and really be grateful.

  The thankful journals were a quick project and turned out so cute. I love the fact that they have only a dozen pages in them. I wanted my kids to be able to fill them up, without being overwhelmed.

Want to make your own Thankful Journals?

Let's get started...

For each notebook you will need:
3 sheets copy paper
1 sheet scrapbook paper
scissors/cutting board
sewing machine/thread

To begin, cut your copy paper in half to equal 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 inches. Cut your scrapbook paper to the same dimensions.  You will now have 6 pieces of copy paper and 2 sheets of scrapbook paper. You only need one sheet of the scrapbook paper, save the other for your next book.

Precisely fold each paper in half. Then stack them all inside each other.

Sew along the folded end about 1/8 - 1/4 inch from edge.

The paper from the middle of the notebook will stick out farther than the cover. Just trim it down.

This really was a quick project. I think it took me more time to figure out what I was going to do and what paper I wanted for the covers, than it took me to make them.

What tips do you have to help your kids {or yourself} remember to be thankful?

You may also like: 

Easy Wood Turkey Crafts 

 DIY Fabric Turkey Craft

More Thankful Traditions

• Thankful Chart
• Thankful Tree
• Thankful Table Runner
• Thanksgiving Thankful Jar
• Thanksgiving Gratitude Calendar
• How to Make a Thankful Tree
• Gratitude Thanksgiving Chain

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