As the new year starts, so do our projects. David and I have already begun working on his Book of Good Memories. The idea behind this project is to create a book full of things that make him happy so that if he’s having a rough day or he just wants to look back and remember things that brought him joy, he can have them all in one place.
It also allows us to craft a little bit together and gives him a chance to practice writing and thinking more deeply about why a particular item/memory makes him happy.
We aim to do about 1-2 spreads a week. Some weeks we do more and others less. But if we end the year with one full book, I will be happy. I know these won’t be interesting to many of the readers here. That’s why I am posting on the weekend since those are quieter. These pages are meaningful to me and I want to preserve them. With that said, here are two more spreads from our book:
The left side of this spread is some tracing David did. He loves to trace and I do, too. The immediate gratification of seeing something recognizable that you created is sweet. The right side is a book he created in Spanish class which talks about butterflies and it was really beautiful so we made a little pocket for it.
And the next spread:
I love this page! It’s a printout of a digital art piece he created at school. I loved it so much that we glued the whole thing down and then created a little flap on the right where we could slip in his journaling because we didn’t want to cover any of the art. We just added one piece of sticker to it and this spread was done. I love love love looking at this one.
There we go. That’s all for this week. More coming soon.
David’s Book of Good Memories is a bi-weekly project for 2012 with my seven-year-old son David. You can read more about it here.
I find this really interesting and inspiring. Two of my children are 9 and 11. I would love to find the energy to do this with them. The older would especially benefit.
thank you
An absolutely fabulous idea. I was pleased that David would want to attempt something like this…for many reasons. I am so impressed with the quality of his work. Keep it up, sir. I will be here to see what makes YOU happy because at the same time, you are making me remember when. A long time before scrapping took off. Thank you!
Hi Karen,
I wanted to do as you did and list all my goals for 2012 but I can’t seem to find a way for it to work. I’d like to have everything detailed and in one place but I don’t want it to be too stern. Could you please give me a piece of advice? How do you do it? Thank you if you can answer.
I meant with scrapbooking supplies!:)
what do you mean? do you mean you want to make a layout about your 2012 goals? i am happy to help as much as I can but I am not sure what you mean 🙂
Oh. I thought I remembered that you were doing a booklet with your goals written on each page but I proably got it wrong. Never mind, then. sorry. 🙂
I think this is a fabulous idea and have done similiar thing with my kids..unfortunately because of their busy teen lives they haven’t kept up with it. I know that they love looking back on what they have recorded though..and if nothing else it’s a seed planted that one day may get watered by their own enthusiasm and choice.
I love this idea! I work with children and think this would be a great project to do with them. Thanks.
This is a great idea to give a young child a coping strategy for rough days. I love the digital art print. Please pass on my compliments to David. Often, even as adults, we have trouble realizing our vision. I’m so glad that David’s school/teacher/the computer was able to help him realize his vision. He’s only 7 and well on his way. Keep up the good work, David.
I love his pages, so cool to see his work and words there to enjoy. So happy for you two having this project together. That digital page is amazing, please tell him for me. I am interested in seeing his pages too, all your posts are fun and interesting to read so please don’t stop.
Happy New Year, Karen!
This little art journal is so precious! You’re such a fun mom! David’s pages are way too cute.
Would it be possible for you to make a video on how you decorate these Moleskine books? I recently went to Barnes & Noble and found the Moleskine books. They looked so blank and unattractive that I just could not stand buy one.
If you could give us a video tutorial, I would run back and buy the journal. Thank you! I hope you consider this request.
hmm it’s nothing special, i paint mine and then add some tape. I think I have some photos, I’ll dig them up for you. I know they don’t look so nice in black but there are red versions too. At least on Amazon 🙂
Karen hello happy new year! I’m looking forward to the development of the memory journal. Not sure if I missed the post with the details of the journal or if you have not given information but I wanted to know what type of journal is it? Size? How was it put together? Thanks!!
love, love, love this idea. I have a nine year old that gets stuck on the little negative things that happen. I will have to try this with him and he loves crafting – double bonus.