So This is Christmas Journal, the preparation & a giveaway

I've decided that the only way I'm going to be able to share this journal adventure I'm taking with you is to be a week behind in sharing my daily entries. There's just no way I can daily photograph and post. I could try, but I'd fail and I hate fail.

So next week I'll be here on Friday to share with you what I did Dec. 1-4. Today, I'd like to share with you the journal I created.

The concept of my album went through several forms. When it came down to it, what I wanted to do was this:

 

I bought this altered Little Golden Book from a wonderful Etsy seller, This Handmade Life. She takes these wonderful books, coil binds them, and adds a bunch of blank journal paper after the actual story.

I ended up having to remove the original story and a bunch of the extra paper just to try to fit in the essentials for my journal. I used a bunch of different supplies, and just had fun enjoying the process of creating this album. I added the stickers and labelmaker strips to the front. Chesney was in charge of tying the ribbon to the coils.

Then I got all funky. Here's a sneak peek into the inside of my journal:

 

 



I can't even say how much I am looking forward to taking this journal, adding my words, bits of memorabilia, and photos, and making it the start of a new tradition.

I'd love to share my new tradition with one of my readers. I will be giving away an identical upcycled journal to one lucky reader. That's right... one of you will get your very own "Frosty the Snowman" book, shipped directly from This Handmade Life. To enter your name in the giveaway, simply leave a comment here telling me which is your favorite journal from Jodi's shop. Be sure to get your entry in by noon PST on Friday. I'll be doing the drawing Friday night sometime, and the winner will be announced Saturday morning. Good luck!

Comments

[Jana D]

Love your journal. I am doing one too this year. And like you I won't be able to keep up with the posting everyday. Heck, I haven't even posted about doing the journal yet. LOVE your journal. And will be a copy cat and make mine with this type of cover. (Yes, I am that far behind already. But, hey, there's always tonight when I get home from work...) I looked at Jodi's etsy store and LOVE the Fire Engine Book. (2nd only to the Frosty book) I wanted to be a Fire Engine when I was really little. So this one strikes home with me. She really has some great ones.

[amanda p. wu]

Your journal is SO cute!!!

I too looked at Jodi's store and could not pick just one favorite. I love the "Prayers for our children" and "Baby's Christmas." I also really like--perhaps most of all--The Christmas Story.

I wish "getting all funky" came easily to me.

[Ellen F]

I love your journal too! Such a creative idea...wish I'd have known about it earlier to get myself started with it. I looked at the shop and I love the Snow White journal; my kids and I love watching the movie together. Hope you have a great holiday season!

[Dj]

I love how you put this together. It's beautiful.

I love the Hymns book. It would be perfect for doing the same project but for our church activities. Since my kids go to a Christian school I have tons of pics to put in here for "rites of passage".

[Marcie Howe]

Very cool! I like the journal book by James Marshall "A Pocketful of Nonsense". Wouldn't that be a fun title for a journal?

Thanks for sharing your wonderful find.

[robin forman]

Your journal is way cool- thanks for sharing. I love the Snow White book- I have a girlfriend whose daughter is absolutely in love with anything Snow White and I have been looking for a cool gift for her :)

[Abby]

How neat! It was hard to choose one, but I really like the Animals Christmas Eve.

[belle]

Your journal is fabulous! All of the Jodi's journals are great, and my favorite is Baby Animals.

[Jamie]

This is a wonderful RAK you are doing! You are such a kind person! Thank you for the chance. These journals are also the sweetest things! I fell in love with the Nursery Rhyme one - I can't get enough of tose.

[Ana Carolina]

Oh My
I fell in love with your journal
I wish i was so talented as you. Well lets see if i can start a new tradition as well, cause your idea is fantastic
Okay....so i had a really hard time picking my favourite Jodi's journal, but i had to pick the Bolt one, due to my youngest
:)

[Mandy R]

Your journal is so fun! I wish I was half as creative as you. I looked at the books, and boy, did those bring back some memories. I have to choose Puppy Love though. I actually still have my copy from when I was a child. My children have almost destroyed it though.

[elin janne]

The journal is so cute and colourful. It will be fun to see how you use it.
-elin-

[Jaclyn]

I love your journal! I hope it will spark some inspiration. Jodi's shop is so much fun too, thanks for sharing your fun finds and ideas. One of my favorite books as a kid was "The Big Brown Bear" but as far as a journal goes "Frosty" has to be my pick too.
Thanks again

[Rachel P]

i'm not sure if i'm within the deadline or not, but here goes....i love your book, and i cant wait to see how you fill it in!!.
I looked at the books and would love Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.
thank you for introducing me to that shop...i shall be adding it to my favourites!.
Rachelp on Shimelles forum!

[Danielle Roe]

Pick one? But they are all so amazing! I love your book, how gorgeous! From Jodi's shop I'd have to choose Sleeping Beauty or one of the baby's prayers books, so cute! I love your project!

[Mag]

What a FANTASTIC idea, I wish I had time to make one of my own (sigh). I'd love to do something fun with the Cindrella one (I added it to my favorites list!) But doing a Christmas one with the 12 Days of Christmas or (one of my faves from childhood) The Animals Christmas Eve would be great too! You do fabulous work Kim!

[Lisa-B]

What a great looking journal! You're such an inspiration. I loved, loved, loved the "This Little Piggy" journal. I can imagine filling that with beautiful papers and favorite nursery rhymes from my childhood and even some that my mother taught us that I've never seen in print to put away for my grandchildren. Thanks for linking us to her store!

[Sierra]

Love the journal! I liked the "Tootle the Train" one on Jody's website as well. What a fun concept!

[Stephanie Cunningham]

SO FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd expect nothing less from you!!!! My fav book....hands down -- tootle the train!!! I still have my copy that my Gram gave me 40 years ago :)

[Keely]

I saw your book on JYC forum and love what you did with it. What a great idea. I looked at her shop and I think I love Frosty the best! Thanks!
-Keely

[Sonja]

The inside of the book is even better, I just love it. I like Hansel and Gretel best it was one of my fav stories when I was little.

[Amanda P]

I love what you did with your book. Your so talented! I would have to say my favorite book would be the Hymns book or The Little Red Hen. That was always my favorite book. Can't wait to see how your book progresses.

[Denise Montgomery]

Oh how I love your book!! So cute! I also really love the Rudolf book.

[Denise Montgomery]

Totally meant to write "Rudolph". Ugh.

[Pamela]

Oooh, I can't decide if I like the Fire Engines or Tootle more. My son is really into both right now.

[Jessica]

What a wonderfully creative journal!! I had so much fun looking through Jodi's shop and recognized some of the books from when I was growing up... how can they be "vintage"? lol I love the scrabble board one!

[Cristina]

This is just fabulous!! My pick is Rudolph, of course! :)

[tamivik]

Your journal is absolutly adorable! Love all the fun pages you put inside, so many different colors, just bright and happy! I was so thrilled to read at the bottom of your post that you're giving one away. That Rudolph book is perfect!