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his & her journals {diy}

Our small group has been going through a book on personal discipleship this year. We have been focusing on Scripture memory skills and sharpening your devotional life among other things. So, for Christmas this year I thought it would be fun to make each of the couples a set of journals.
Materials (his journal):
Moleskine kraft journal
graph paper
paper file tab (I made mine with the McGill file tab punch)
invitation envelope
adhesive (I used an adhesive dot roller)
paper cutter
I almost lost all my file tabs when this chubby little hand found me.
Every time there were craft supplies within reach somehow he knew and would crawl as fast as he could to get them. He is always helping me.
Okay, back to the journals. Cut a two inch strip of graph paper and attach using adhesive.
You could use any kind of paper on the front. I wanted to add something to the guys journals and Joel told me the graph paper wasn’t too girly. So, I went with graph paper and I really like how they turned out.
Use adhesive to attach the envelope and file tab to the inside of the front cover. Again, make this personal to whoever you are giving it to. We have been memorizing verses together in small group, so my file tab says “verses”. The envelope is for the guys to put their 3×5 memory verse cards in.
I had bought these monogram paperclips on clearance at Hobby Lobby awhile back. They worked perfect for this project. I wish I had more of them. (The paperclips are Spare Parts alpha clips.)
I put each guys initial on the paperclip and attached to the top of each journal.
Materials (her journal):
composition notebook
2 sheets of 12×12 scrapbook paper (mine is Amy Butler from Michaels)
ribbon (I used black grosgrain)
adhesive (I used Mod Podge and an adhesive dot roller)
6″x9″ envelope with clasp
paper file tab (again, I made mine with the McGill file tab punch)
letter stickers (American Crafts Thickers)
ink pad (optional)
paper cutter
I basically followed the steps from this tutorial to make the girls journals. I just changed it up a little to be a journal instead of a planner. I only used two pieces of scrapbook paper and left off the circle punch on the front and the tabs on the inside pages. I attached my scrapbook paper with Mod Podge hoping that it would last a little longer.
On the inside cover I attached an envelope, a strip of coordinating paper, and a file tab. Again, personalize the envelope for whoever you are giving it to…or for yourself. For this gift I added the envelope to hold memory verse cards.
At the last minute I decided to add a letter sticker on the bottom corner.
Tie the his and her journals together with twine and add a tag.
I know some of you do your best work at the last minute, so there you go. A diy project if you are still searching for the perfect gift. If you are all prepared for Christmas and just relaxing this week, you can bookmark this diy project for another time. Some of you had asked me to give you the links for the projects made on my craft weekend. I don’t have a link for the ornament tree, but Lindsay basically made it the same way Megan made her ornament wreath. Here are some of the other links:
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  • Amanda - Oh, those journals turned out so perfect! What lucky friends you have in your small group to get those!ReplyCancel

  • AshleyAnn - Oh I love those…now I want to make a bunch of sets! I have a weak spot for graph paper!ReplyCancel

  • Julie - I love how the guys’ journals turned out too. Very cute!ReplyCancel

  • Heather at Blessed Little Nest - these are so cute and such a great gift idea! i love that you created ones for the guys, too.ReplyCancel

  • Karina - Those are lovely. I am impressed that you got them done with Levi’s…erm…help.

    I just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you. You really have given Christmas a new meaning for me. Because of your love of Jesus, and because of sweet Cora.ReplyCancel

  • meg duerksen - jess that is the best. i LOVE it.
    i want to make them too!ReplyCancel

  • Amanda @ DAES of Our Lives - I love these! They are so beautiful – I am totally using this idea in the future for hand-crafted gifts!ReplyCancel

  • nichole - how fantastic! These journals are great for all year round gifts or just encouragement gifts! I love them!ReplyCancel

  • Mod Podge Amy - Those are so pretty – love the finishing touches you added. Plus that little guy is precious! Happy Holidays!ReplyCancel

  • Nancy - You are so creative! I don’t have a bone of that in my body, but I think you do amazing work!!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Your little “helper” just cracks me up. What cutie! Those chubby little hands…ReplyCancel

  • Wanting What I Have - What a PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS idea!!!ReplyCancel

  • Todd and Courtney - I need you to come to my house to do all of the crafty ideas I think about 🙂ReplyCancel

  • The Mershawn's - These journals are so great. I have the planner;)… Thanks for the new ideas! Of course, now I want to make them. And…by the way…that card table playhouse is…AWESOME. I want one…guess I’ll be busy after Christmas.ReplyCancel

  • Townsend Crew - This is completely off topic, but I think I see some red hair on that little Levi…
    coming from a redhead, I’m pretty jazzed!
    I’ll have to keep my eye on that cute crown of his!
    … and I LOVE the journals! Great gifts!ReplyCancel

  • Dana - What book have you been studying in your small group? My husband and I teach our Young Married Class at our church. Sounds like something that would be helpful!ReplyCancel

  • Krystal - OMgoodness! I love this idea! I have a friend who has birthday soon, maybe I can whip her out a prayer journal! Thanks for sharing! Love these ideas!

    And by the way, I LOVE your christmas card! So cute! I could squeeze mr. Levi!ReplyCancel