Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tuesday's {Tip} Create a Blessings Box

Earlier this month, I saw this daily journal that she kept in a fruit box journaling just a "one-liner" about each day. Each card is reused each year so that you could easily see what had happend the previous year. It is really neat but I felt God leading me to do something a bit different.

I have dwelled and dwelled on the idea, and now I think I have my idea "cemented" how I want it. Let's look at my new "Blessings Box" and how I created it using the inspiration from the "fruit box" journal!

What Makes This Different?
What makes this box different is that we are not journaling paragraph upon paragraph. We are not journaling "the bad stuff." We are just noting ONE blessing from the day! That's it. Super easy to keep up with, and what a blessing as you go back through each year to write another blessing!!

The Box
First, my amazing parents found this great antique card file box for me. It holds 3x5 cards but I cut out scraps of my favorite "pink" papers from Memory Box, Basic Grey, etc. I will use the white side (the back) of the paper for my journaling but I love that the other side of each card is pink! This will be a great way to use up scraps and save "samples" of my favorite papers!
The Monthly Dividers
To create the monthly dividers, I used an old 2007 Vera Bradley Calendar that I had gotten for free. I saved it because on the back of each calendar page were prints of their beautiful fabrics. I love Vera Bradley fabrics. So, I decided to cut up the pages to create my monthly dividers. I then used scrap white paper to stamp each month and adhered them to each card. Didn't they turn out pretty? :)The Cards
Yes, you will need 365 cards! However, think of all of the scraps you will use up! You do not have to cut them all at once. You can cut them weekly, daily, whenever you have scraps handy, anytime! Or, you can certainly just use pre-packaged 3x5 cards! In fact, I think I may switch to 3x5 cards because I am missing not having lines on the cards.

After cutting some of my cards, I used a date stamp to stamp the date in the corner of each card just like the "fruit box" cards were done. I did not include the year as I will write those each year as I write my daily blessing.
On each card, I am thinking about stamping scriptures on the bottom of each one using the Our Daily Bread Designs scripture stamps I have. I won't stamp them in any particular order, just randomly. I figure it will be a gift to see the scripture I come upon each day as I write my blessing for the day. You certainly could write or print out meaningful scriptures for each card too. If you want to see a list of scriptures already used in ODBD sets, you can find the listing here. Just scroll down a bit. :)

I hope you have enjoyed my "Blessings Box." I am excited to see the blessings each year as I come upon them. I can't begin to imagine how it will help me to see God's continuing faithfulness in my life each and every day!
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9 comments:

Traci S. said...

Hi Patter,

What a wonderful idea! It would make a beautiful gift to give to someone to fill in, also. What a wonderful way to make children realize how blessed they are! I love this idea! You are so aware of the blessings you have received in life. I hope that this is a wonderful blessing for you and anyone you may want to share this with later.

He IS Able,
Traci S.

Dennise said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea! There are so many wonderful ways this can "bless" you and your family too. Hmm .. you have definitely given me something to ponder and work on - its always a good thing to be INTENTIONAL about thinking on our blessings. You are one amazing and inspiring woman. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea! I write down five things I'm thankful for in my journal almost daily, but the perspective of seeing year to year blessings intrigues. For myself, as as gift, I'm more than interested in attempting this project. How deep is your box? I'll be on the lookout for some. Love the concept, and the opportunity to use up some stashed paper. Would it work to gradually go through the color spectrum through the year? I don't have as much pink as you do.....Love, Jennifer in Ohio

Patter Cross said...

Jennifer, it measure 8" deep, and you could certainly go through the color spectrum! That would be fun! My parent's found the box at an antique store in Ohio so you just might find one! And I love how you write 5 things you are thankful for in your journal! Awesome for sure! Have a blessed day!

Gail S. said...

I love this idea. Now I'm thinking about how to make one personalized for me.

Vee said...

A very special idea. I like it a lot and what I like best is your keeping it simple.

Teresa said...

what a great idea - as always! lol I think I have a cigar box I bought at a cigarstore for 50 cents that is shaped similarly.

I , too, think I will use lined 3 x5 cards but may "cover" them with scraps.

I think this would be a great project to give aas a gift to someone who has lost a spouse or a child. They could write down a blessing a day and a memory a day. I know when my husband died - now 7 yrs ago, my scrap friends made me a journal with scriptures and prayers and a place for my memories of John. It cetainly helped me when I started my "Book of John" for my grandkids.
thanks again Patter for a great idea

AlpacaRose said...

Patter - I love this idea. I've been journalling on a regular calendar daily. This limits the amount needed / available every day, but just last week I was wondering how I would retrieve or review the great notes I was making after the end of the year. Once again....you figured it out! Thanks.

Janelle said...

I love, love, love this idea, Patter! It feels like something that I could easily keep up with and how fun would it be in the years down the road to see how God was moving on that particular day in my own personal history. In fact, I think I may make these for my 3 sisters-in-law also and give them to them on our "sister weekend" this year. And maybe my soon-to-be married daughter and my nieces, too. Think I need to start looking for boxes now. :) Thanks so, so much for sharing your idea and the inspiration behind it! Praying your weekend was full of blessings to add to your box!

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