My darling friend Michele from The Scrap Shoppe is here this morning with a gift idea I know y’all will **love** as much as I do! Take it away, Michele!
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Hello, Positively Splendid readers!
I’m Michele, and I create at The Scrap Shoppe.
I’m so excited to be here as part of Amy’s Swell Noel series!
I’m blown away by all of the fun projects that have been show off thus far.
Today I want share an inspirational little book that would make a perfect stocking stuffer.
I’ve dubbed it
A Book of Mental Hugs
Basically it is a little homemade booklet of positive and heart warming thoughts.
A little pick-me-up when feeling bogged down with life!
It reminds you to keep things in perspective and see the positive things hiding the in background.
So let us get started on creating this book!
I have 5 pages of positive thoughts available for you to download (see the end of the post).
Each page contains 6 little sheets for the book.
Print out the 5 pages of positive thoughts.
Cut out the 6 book sheets on each page with a paper trimmer, scissors, or X-acto knife.
The order of 30 sheets of inspiration in the book is completely up to you.
There are 4 themes in the pages.
The first, and most abundant, is full of feel good things to remember.
Another page contains positive thoughts for parents.
(good for when your children are on your last nerve) 😉
Another page contains words of encouragement and personal enlightenment.
And yet another page provides spiritual insightfulness.
There is also a cover sheet for our booklet.
Print and cut the two sheets out.
They will be the front and back covers of the book.
There is a thin white line in the middle of the front and back covers.
This is the crease line. Using a bone folder or similar object, carefully fold the book covers.
Apply double-sided tape to the back of each cover and press down.
We now have our front and back covers of the book!
Now comes the fun part!
You get to decide how you want to bind your book. There are many options!
You could go with a simple binder ring (or two). Large brads would also be a fun option.
I’m going to go the ribbon route!
I’m going to work with sheer and grosgrain white ribbons.
I measured approximately how much of the grosgrain ribbon I would need by holding it up to my book. Then I trimmed two pieces of ribbon and applied double-sided tape to one side of each. Then I attached the ribbon to the book.
To attach my sheer ribbon, I need to create to holes in my book.
In the center of each piece of grosgrain ribbon, I punched a hole in just the front and back covers of the book. Then I used the cover as a template to punch holes in the rest of the book pages.
I lined up all of the holes for the book and bound them with clothespins to prevent any of the pages moving while threading the sheer ribbon through the holes.
From the back, I pushed my ribbon through the holes and tied a loose bow in the front.
(You don’t want the sheer ribbon to be on too tight or you won’t be able to flip through your pages.)
And our little Book of Mental Hugs is complete!
I have a download for each page available.
It is up to you whether you choose to print 1, 2, or all of the sheets for your book.
You never know when someone could use some words of encouragement and there might not be anyone around to provide it. This book of hugs will know just what to say
just when they need it!
I think its safe to say that all of my girlfriends as well as myself will be enjoying one of these come Christmas!
Thank you so much for having me over, Amy!
I would love to have you all come visit me when you have a chance. 🙂
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Michele, you are simply amazing! I love everything about this sweet project. What a meaningful, lovely gift to give someone special!
Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
Thanks so much for having me over, Amy! And for your sweet words. 🙂
Thank you for this adorable way to assemble positive thoughts. I think it will make a great gift!
Oh what a wonderful idea and great girlfriend gift!! Thanks so much for sharing this Michele!
Oh, this is beautiful! I can’t believe you’re giving these printables away – Thank you!!!
What a great little gift idea! Thx so much for sharing the printables 🙂
This is soooooo fabulous Michele!! I love this idea – what a great gift/stocking stuffer! It would be great for Thanksgiving too.
I love the printables for it – they are super cute!!
Thank you so much! I have two aunts, a sister and a cousin who could all use this! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this Michele!! Such a great idea! All of the pages are just lovely! I love how you put together the booklet as well. You are so talented my friend 🙂
What a SWEET idea, Michele!!
This is a great gift idea! Thank you for sharing the downloads.
Thank you so much for this! This is really generous of you and I don’t have the skills to do this by myself. I have a friend who will hopefully really like this. 🙂