Decorating My Monthly Journal

Today is the first day of a new month.  That means, I get to start a new journal!

There is just something about notebooks and paper that I love.   Especially new ones.  So I treat myself to a new journal each month.

Here is my journal for March.  Brand-spankin' new!  Isn't it pretty?

 Now, I'll show you have I treat myself to a new journal monthly for very little cost.  It all starts with a composition book from the Dollar Tree where everything is, you guessed it, $1.

I made a template of the journal cover so that I don't have to try to measure it each time I decorate a new one.

What I use to decorate the covers are calendars.  Either old ones or new ones that I find at the Dollar Store at the end of the year. 

Hint:  The thicker the calendar pages are the better they work.

So I take my "window template" and all my collected calendars and play around until I find the "picture" I want for the month.  I then trace around it, cut it out and modge podge it to the cover of my journal.

Next, I received a free calendar in the mail that was too small to use for a journal cover but has perfect month headings.

I just cut out the month/year going around the writing detail and modge podge that on the cover where I like it best.  You can also add any detailing or decoration that you would like.  Ribbons, rick-rack, etc.

 I also find a printable calendar on the internet and tape it inside the front cover of my journal for easy reference.

This was my "January Journal".  All filled up with writing now.

This is my "February Journal" that I said goodbye to last night.

And once again, here is my "March Journal" ready and waiting to be filled up with my words.

This is so easy to do and gives me such a Simple Pleasure each and every month.

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