Journals

Wednesday, December 2, 2009



While going through some drawers I found these old journals. Although these are probably not how I would decorate a journal cover now....it's what's inside that called to me. When my kids were younger I found it hard to get through the Christmas season. Sometimes it would feel overwhelming to get all of the decorating and shopping done. I found that if I spent a bit of time writing what I did each day during December it was easier.
I jotted down Christmas card lists, menu planning, shopping lists and daily events. (Who was naughty and who was nice!)

I would make a cup of hot tea and write some thoughts about what was happening during the day and how I felt. Many "to do" lists were included. Somehow these journals got me through the busy time of holiday preparation. They were a good excuse to take some quiet time. I was reminded to reflect in the beauty of the season. Enjoy twinkle lights, snow, my kids and everything that makes life sweet. Now as I read through these journals, I'm transformed back to those past holidays and am able enjoy those times once again.

Hope you all find quiet time to write.

Until later!

Alma

Share This Story

Tags:

31 comments

  1. WoolenSailsDecember 2, 2009 at 9:51 PM

    I have a few journals, think it is time I start using them.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  2. pauletteDecember 2, 2009 at 10:24 PM

    What a lovely keepsake! I would love to read about my Christmas past...It's such a blur...
    Good for you!
    Paulette

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gigi's ThimbleDecember 2, 2009 at 10:55 PM

    Great idea to help keep sane during the holidays. Making lists and writing things down always seems to help. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CélineDecember 3, 2009 at 3:22 AM

    Rohhh wouahh !! juste beautiful !!

    ReplyDelete
  5. PattiDecember 3, 2009 at 6:38 AM

    I love those! What a great idea! I am new to your blog- love stitiching and fabric (and paper) crafts...and love your designs!

    ReplyDelete
  6. CatherineDecember 3, 2009 at 7:23 AM

    How wonderful! What a great way to remember the holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  7. NancyDecember 3, 2009 at 7:24 AM

    What a wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing your sweet memories!

    ReplyDelete
  8. JanetDecember 3, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    living alone with my daughter, her husband and three teens in Europe, I haven't really celebrated Christmas much the last ten years or so, but my mind is turning to wreaths, hot mulled cider and cookies and a small tree. It helps that I will be planning to hold Open House at my quilt studio on the weekends up to Christmas. Our little bit of snow helped yesterday. I love those albums - gives me ideas!!
    Janet in Nova Scotia where we had our first snow on Dec 1

    ReplyDelete
  9. BarbDecember 3, 2009 at 7:37 AM

    An inspiring idea - especially in this rushy rushy month of activities and things to be done.
    The covers are charming!
    barb

    ReplyDelete
  10. Home SubjectsDecember 3, 2009 at 8:31 AM

    Thank you for this idea. I have a very young child, and this would be a wonderful way to remember the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  11. YankeeQuilterDecember 3, 2009 at 8:50 AM

    We keep a journal/scrapbook of Christmas eve each year...lots of notes from all the family, some photos, and of course the menu (about 100 people come to the house!) It is fun to look back at these each Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  12. TraceyDecember 3, 2009 at 8:54 AM

    What a neat idea! And I LOVE the way they are decorated. So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  13. JoyDecember 3, 2009 at 9:10 AM

    Oh, thank you for sharing! Journals have always been a comfort to me. Now with an approaching Chritmas without children in the home, you've given me a "new tradtion".

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beth RuthDecember 3, 2009 at 9:19 AM

    What a great idea to journal about the holidays! I love the covers too. Do you have directions as to how to cover the journals? Best wishes for a lovely holiday season! Beth

    ReplyDelete
  15. jillDecember 3, 2009 at 9:20 AM

    I totally love these journals and the idea of keeping the thoughts around the season .... I am finding Christmas less hectic now that I am retired so would perhaps do some reflections as well ...... awesome idea ....

    ReplyDelete
  16. PamDecember 3, 2009 at 9:42 AM

    Such a priceless memory for you and your children in years to come. I wish I had the foresight to do something that could be so cherished! Love the blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  17. MargaretDecember 3, 2009 at 10:04 AM

    It must have been nice to find those old journals and look through them. I've kept a sort of journal of days ever since the kids were born. Not ones that are as nice as yours though. :D

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jennifer Ann FoxDecember 3, 2009 at 10:35 AM

    Such a great post. Journaling is what keeps me sane sometimes. Not only the holidays but all through the year. I think it's so important for women especially because sometimes others don't really want to listen to all our woes but we need to vent somewhere.

    Jennifer
    Feathers in the Nest

    ReplyDelete
  19. SiobhánDecember 3, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    What a neat idea, Alma! I admit that I wanted to cry when reading this blog post, tears of bittersweet happiness and sadness, I suppose. Kids grow up so quickly. I always heard that & I knew that but still it just went so quickly. I remember well when my kids were younger & I'd feel overwhelmed at all that I had to do. Now they're older and life is much easier in terms of prepping for Christmas. It's a relief but I do kind of long for those days when my only bit of relief was when I dropped into bed each night. I think I'm going to grab a journal and write down a few thoughts this year, too... it'll be a treasure in years to come when I look back on what I've written. I hope, anyway! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousDecember 3, 2009 at 11:29 AM

    Inspiring...your blog always is and that is why I am an avid follower. Kristy in Ohio

    ReplyDelete
  21. KathyDecember 3, 2009 at 11:50 AM

    I wish I would have kept a journal. I would like to make them for my kids to use. I have one son that is always writing about the life and times he is living in the backwoods of Maine. I think I will do a cover for him.

    Do you have patterns for the Journal covers? Maybe they are
    not what you would do today, but isn't nice to see how your styles and mediums have changed through the years? As you have grown with confidence in your craft, so have your ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  22. HazelDecember 3, 2009 at 1:41 PM

    Ooooh what a wonderful idea. And I have to say that I love how you decorated those journals! x

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tempus fugitDecember 3, 2009 at 3:00 PM

    What a wonderful idea !!! Thank you Alma, I'll probably do the same !

    ReplyDelete
  24. KarenDecember 3, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    The journals are very prim style and I like them very much!

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousDecember 3, 2009 at 9:50 PM

    I have never kept a journal but have enjoyed reading those of my daughters and especially my grand daughter's. She has always been quite steadfast in keeping one. Perfect way to celebrate a good cup of tea..! Louise

    ReplyDelete
  26. landmark lightingDecember 4, 2009 at 7:56 AM

    so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Carrie P.December 4, 2009 at 8:24 AM

    Lovely covers on your journals. I am sure there are some memories written down too.

    ReplyDelete
  28. MichelleDecember 4, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    What a wonderful idea .. I keep a gratitude journal, but holiday journals would be a keepsake too..

    ReplyDelete
  29. JuliannDecember 5, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    I love to journal and have journals for many different parts of my life. This is a lovely one to pull out each Christmas. I love that idea.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Julie @ Jaybird QuiltsDecember 5, 2009 at 10:55 AM

    beautiful tradition!

    ReplyDelete
  31. CrystalDecember 6, 2009 at 8:12 AM

    Love the journals. Do you sell the patterns or could you do a tutorial of this project. I am sure everyone would love to make one fot the holidays. Great gift idea.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.