New Year's Resolution Journals

I always take time at the end of December to journal about the past year and make plans for the next. I like to keep my musings in a small journal, all on their own, so that I can easily pull it back out and review it. It's easy to make sweet little journals like these for yourself. Use Joy embroidered letters to personalize them. These also make great gifts for your friends. I'll show you how to make your own journals, but you can also just buy a beautiful journal at the store and then personalize it by gluing a Joy letter onto the cover. Supplies:

• Letter-size paper cut in half (yields two covers at 4.25"x5.5" when folded)
• Blank papers cut to 8.25"x5.25" for the inside pages
• Bone folder, ruler
• Stapler
• Washi tape
• Joy embroidered letters (find them at your local craft store!)
• Craft glue

Instructions: 1.  Score the cover paper with a bone folder and a ruler down the center for a nice, sharp fold. I created my own design on watercolor paper, but if you don't want to paint, use your favorite cardstock or pretty scrapbook paper instead.

2.  Fold the inside pages in half and slip them into the cover.

3.  Staple the interior pages inside the cover. If you have a long-arm stapler, staple right along the fold line (aka "saddle stitch"). If your stapler doesn't reach, just staple along the edge of the journal, making sure you catch all the interior pages in the staple.

4.  Create an attractive binding by adhering washi tape over the stapled edge of the journal. 

5.  Glue a Joy letter as a monogram onto the cover of the journal.

I hope these journals inspire you to start a planning a new year full of art and adventure. Come and visit me on my blog to get more craft projects, recipes, and creative living inspiration.