Hidden In My Joy

In February of 2023 I launched  An Ounce of Joy giveaway. 

I spent about a month filling envelopes with an ounce of snippets from my stash and sent them all over the country...and a few outside of the country. I loved every minute...it was one of my most memorable and engaging joyful puttering projects.

Once again I have found a purpose...and it was hidden in my joy. 

Several days ago I shared a little pack of papers that Judy sent to me to turn into a personalized joy journal. 

I actually used Judy as a test case....and her journals (I made two) are on the way to her and should arrive tomorrow unless delayed by the snowstorm. THAT is what I talked with the postal clerk about on Saturday....he was very helpful and didn't mind hearing about my project.

Here's a sneak peak at the cover of one of Judy's journals. The other one is very different with the bright purple paper you see above setting the tone. I'll share that soon....and a bit of the insides of both.

I was giddy as I opened the envelope and sifted through the papers....it felt like Christmas. I loved the challenge of coming up with a cover design and turning the papers into something unique.

When I am absorbed in cutting, folding and stitching, I am in a place of peace.  when I am doing it for someone else, I am in a place of joy. 

I would love to make a Joy journal for you!

You don't have to decide now....I will keep this open for a little while. If you don't know what you would do with one....I'll share some ideas and what I am doing in my own journals over the next several weeks. I will be blogging about Judy's journals and others if I get takers. I know this is not everyone's cup of tea....so you can just follow along and cheer us on. Or not. Of course I have no idea what the response will be so I am leaving it up to the universe that it will all work out.

If you're interested...read on. The rest of you can get on with your day.

The following information will be on the blog on the Your Joyful Puttering page along the sidebar.

Here’s how the Joy Journal Project will work:

Send me a small pile of papers in a color scheme you love. Some should be foldable foundation papers....some can be thin and some can be a bit heavier. 

Papers can include greeting cards, calendar images, junk mail, art projects, gelli prints, children's art and stationary. Images that I can cut out with irregular edges are fun and images on good old copy paper are a nice weight to work with. Plain paper is good too. Anything goes really. Your journal could also be all neutral inside with just places to write and tuck. No art needed.

Don’t send too much, I can only make one journal for each person. Your papers should fit in a 5 x 7 or legal size envelope and not cost much more than a stamp or two to send. Five to eight medium to large pieces and a hand full of smaller pieces like art scraps, stamps or tickets would be useful. 

If you don’t have many papers....no worries. I have plenty to fill in the gaps. But I do need at least a couple inspiration papers. Everyone has something.

Don’t send anything too precious…I might cut it up. 

You can request certain plain filler papers from me: mixed media, watercolor, graph paper, lined paper or simple art or simple gelli prints. If you don’t specify, I will mix it up inspired by your papers.

You can choose your journal shape: about 5 x 7 or about 4 x 9 (legal envelope size). If you don’t specify….I’ll choose. I want the finished journal to fit into regular envelopes keeping the mailing costs under $5.

Include $5 to cover mailing it back to you. Any extra money will be used to buy items for Maine Needs. International requests might need a little more postage and we can discuss that through email. 

If you don’t have my address, you can email me at joyfulputtering@gmail.com

Make sure you have a clear return name and address on the envelope or include it inside. 

I will open one envelope at a time finishing one journal before moving onto to the next one. I hope to work on these a few hours every day this winter, but you will have to be patient because some days fill up with other things. 

I will share some of the process and a glimpse of each journal on the blog using first names only and where it is going. You know I love to share my joyful puttering. Please let me know if you would rather not have your first name published....that will be just fine.

I would love to see and share (if you're OK with that) some of what you do with them if you’re willing...but that is not required.

Questions? Email me at joyfulputtering@gmail.com

Let's spread some joy!

MaryAnn