Subscribe in iTunes Free
Minibook: My 2008 Focus Journal
How do you plan to keep track of and evaluate your goals for 2008? I made this minibook. On the front cover is my one-word theme for the year, BUILD. Last year I laid a strong foundation for the areas I on which I want to focus and this year I look forward to building on that foundation.
I also journaled statements for my four focus areas around three of the edges.
You know how I love to reuse and re-purpose items rather than dispose of them. I often keep things that are in good condition, even if I don’t yet have an idea for them, like the negative envelopes in the photo below.
I had about fifty of these that I no longer needed since we switched to digital. Last year I pulled them out of my photo storage box and, unwilling to throw away (or even recycle) something that is in perfect condition, I saved them with the idea that I’d find a good use for them someday.
I just trimmed away the top of the backside of the envelope and recovered them with patterned paper. Each envelope has its own month. At the start of each new month I will adhere my goals for that month. Over the next thirty days, or at the end of them, I will write my thoughts and evaluations on a note card (unless I find something else to salvage). I may or may not decorate the note cards.
On the back of the envelope for the previous month, I’ll adhere pictures that go along with my goals and projects…which, again, I may or may not decorate. The pictures will face their own month.
If you’re interested in making a journal like this one, you’re not likely to have the same stack of negative envelopes waiting for transformation. But what do you have? You could do something similar with the envelopes that arrive in your mail box everyday. Just cut the flap off (or keep it and use it) and recover.
If you created something else to hold your New Year’s Resolutions, share it with us by leaving a comment and a link.
noell,
i love this album! what a great way to repurpose the negative envelopes! fabulous!!!
Comment by noel joy — January 3, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
Love it! What a great idea! I’m going to link my entry in my blog tomorrow to yours for all to get inspired!
Comment by Deb Wisker — January 3, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
Hey Noell,
I love thisidea1 I have to look through all my recycled stuff to do this album.
When are you going to do another live scrapping event. I can’t find the dates that you posted. If you can just post them so I can put them in my new calendar I would appreciate it. I had a great time last time.
Thanks, Linda
Comment by lindy — January 3, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
Thanks, Deb, I look forward to seeing that link!
Linda, I’m just here for a second…Paperclipping Live will be every Tuesday starting next week. I’ll post it in an entry when I have a chance.
And, just so I don’t leave anyone out…HI NOEL! =+)
Comment by Noell — January 3, 2008 @ 6:35 pm
Wow! Honestly I made one myself long ago using envelopes as well but that one I made to put all my budgets in different bill. BUT not as GORGEOUS as this. I would say PERFECTLY DONE!!! APPLAUSE to your creativity.
Comment by Bhane — January 3, 2008 @ 6:40 pm
I love this idea, what a great project. Thanks for sharing this. You always have such clever and unique projects!
Comment by MamaSheg — January 3, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
[...] at the Paperclipping site, Noel Hymann has directions on how to make a really cool focus album. Filed under Friday Freebie, Scrapbooking [...]
Pingback by Friday Freebie - embrace life at MamaSheg — January 4, 2008 @ 1:05 am
Noell,
I can’t get over how creative you are.
Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful idea.
I can’t wait to try it myself.
Thanks,
Inez
Comment by INEZ — January 4, 2008 @ 10:10 am
Thank you for sharing!
Comment by Yumi Gjærum — January 4, 2008 @ 10:41 am
I’m all about this. Just this morning I was reading a book about writing down goals, and then I see your post. Definitely going to do some version of this album. Thanks!
Comment by Mandy — January 4, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
This is a great idea. I am not good with the design and such - I do plan on using some index cards to do the same.
Thanks!
Comment by Tony — January 4, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
wow….what a lovely little album…fab idea…thanks for sharing!!
xo
Comment by Annie — January 5, 2008 @ 1:44 am
LOVE,LOVE IT! Great and very creative idea!
Comment by Maria — January 5, 2008 @ 2:12 am
Hi Noell,
This is a gorgeous idea to display your Goals for the coming year. Using the inserts you’ll be able to reuse it for next year as well… now that’s recycling. I love how you’ve used the different coloured papers for each month.
I never throw out anything.. you never know when you might need to use it. My son has a good laugh & always makes a comment before he throws out anything… sure you can’t use it for your craft!
Thank you to who clicked the link on my previous comment to my scrap blog & has brought me back to your creative talents. I’ll definitely post about this gorgeous Focus Goal Journal.
Comment by Gaida — January 5, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
Love this concept….Brilliant girl!!!
Talk to you soon!!!
Hugs…
Dedra..
Comment by Dedra — January 5, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
I love how you used the negative envelopes! I have a bunch of them too! Thanks for the idea.
Comment by EmmaJ — January 7, 2008 @ 9:28 am
Wonderful idea and so very creative. I love reusing things I hate to let go of and you did a beautiful job with your art. I love the idea of this and love your website. Awesome! (BTW…I live in Payson and visit my grandkids in Mesa all the time. Nice to see someone here from my area!)
Comment by Sassy — January 7, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
This is the coolest little thing!! I know just the thing I’m going to use too!! We are always getting envelopes back from the bank that are similar to the ones you used. I use them for all sorts of things and now I have another one!! Thanks for the idea!!
Kay
Comment by Kay — January 8, 2008 @ 3:27 am
Here’s what I’ve created. Thanks for the inspiration.
http://www.messycanvas.com/2008/01/free-my-goals-album-for-2008.html
Comment by Mandy — January 9, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
What a great book & design! How clever & creative to reuse & repurpose the negative envelopes. I am always saving what my boyfriend calls “junk” and eventually it becomes some of my favorite projects–good to know others do it also. Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Daphne — January 10, 2008 @ 5:02 am
What a great idea - so inspiring!
Comment by Fleur — January 10, 2008 @ 10:54 am
What a great Idea! I find if i keep my goal written in front of me where I see them often…I actually work toward then.
Comment by Candace Barrows — January 10, 2008 @ 4:07 pm