I journal. You may wonder how I have anything left to say, seeing as how I blog so much. Well, that's a good point. I guess I just have lots of thoughts and need multiple avenues in which to express them.
I've had five journals throughout my lifetime (I just started on the sixth), some more well-kept than others. I have them all stashed away in my "treasure chest". I flip through them every once in a while when I'm home and trying to get rid of things. It's neat to go back in time and see what was on my mind, my worries, my joys, my life. I've always had this odd habit of naming my journals. I'm not sure why.
I started my first one, which I named Daily Nicole, on December 29, 1998. I was 10 years old. Odd name, I know. There's history behind it, if you ever want to know. I just found a funny entry written in November of 2000:
"Joel is the best.
He's my best friend.
He's so cool!"
He's my best friend.
He's so cool!"
Lol, it makes me laugh. I was a loving sister (at times).
My next journal was started on August 9, 2002 at 11:49 pm and I named it Garfield. Aptly named because it was bright orange and had a cut-out picture of Garfield on the front. I wrote something interesting in the front that I had forgotten about. Here's what I said: "Note to my family: If anything happens to me, go ahead and read my journals. My prayer is that you will get a better look at what is/was going on in my life and how I have drawn closer to my Savior. Your dearest daughter, sister, and friend, Christy Joy Kurtz." Interesting, very interesting. I'm surprised I said that!
The next one was started on August 20, 2003 at 1135 hours. I named it Pickle. Aah, I crack myself up sometimes. I mean, really, pickle!? What in the world!? I think it was because the pages were a nice bright green color. Funny, funny.
The next one is the huge leather one. I started to get into the habit of putting notes, pictures, and other mementos into my journals and that's what made it so thick. I began it on February 5, 2006 at 1124:22 hours. Unfortunately, I don't think I ever named it. Sad, I know. I don't know why, guess I just never thought of a name that was good enough.
My next one was named Blue Belle and began on September 17, 2008 at 0450:38 hours at the Front Desk of Thatcher. I got really attached to this journal because it represents an incredible amount of spiritual growth in my life. I would frequently write out favorite Bible verses, Ellen White quotes, and sermon notes. I finished it on May 12, 2009 at 0821:05. I was loathe to put it aside because I love going back and looking at lessons I've learned. I have to relearn them so many times and I find I learn from my mistakes better if I've written them down.
The whole reason I started posting this blog was to post the pictures of my newest journal. Sorry, I guess I got distracted reminiscing. I've been wanting to make a nice reusable leather cover to go over a standard sized blank book but I had planned to do that up at camp and I needed a new journal sooner. So I was trying to figure out what to do and I didn't want to go spend any money. While going through my stuff, I found a not-so-visually-appealing blank book on my shelf. Here's what I did next:
HOW-TO
I didn't think to take a picture before I started my project but you can see the fabric that I tore off of it in the first picture below. Yeah, it wasn't so cool. But I got to thinking that maybe I could recover it! I pulled out a pair of shorts that I grew out of but was saving because I wanted to use the fabric in a jean quilt that I plan to make some day when I have time. (lol) By sewing together some different parts of the shorts, I was able to make a cover for the book. I then used a hot glue gun to glue it on. The coolest part is that there is a neat pocket on the front where I can keep my nice pens. Plus, I think it makes it look unique.
I know you're all dieing to know what I named it! lol. Well, the front pocket has "UB-10" stitched into it because the shorts were by a brand of clothing called Union Bay. So I decided that would be the name of this journal: UB-10. Haha, I know, it's weird, but I thought it kinda sounded cool. Like I was a scientist naming a newly discovered star or some other celestial body. I started UB-10 on May 12, 2009 at 0915:58.
My next journal was started on August 9, 2002 at 11:49 pm and I named it Garfield. Aptly named because it was bright orange and had a cut-out picture of Garfield on the front. I wrote something interesting in the front that I had forgotten about. Here's what I said: "Note to my family: If anything happens to me, go ahead and read my journals. My prayer is that you will get a better look at what is/was going on in my life and how I have drawn closer to my Savior. Your dearest daughter, sister, and friend, Christy Joy Kurtz." Interesting, very interesting. I'm surprised I said that!
The next one was started on August 20, 2003 at 1135 hours. I named it Pickle. Aah, I crack myself up sometimes. I mean, really, pickle!? What in the world!? I think it was because the pages were a nice bright green color. Funny, funny.
The next one is the huge leather one. I started to get into the habit of putting notes, pictures, and other mementos into my journals and that's what made it so thick. I began it on February 5, 2006 at 1124:22 hours. Unfortunately, I don't think I ever named it. Sad, I know. I don't know why, guess I just never thought of a name that was good enough.
My next one was named Blue Belle and began on September 17, 2008 at 0450:38 hours at the Front Desk of Thatcher. I got really attached to this journal because it represents an incredible amount of spiritual growth in my life. I would frequently write out favorite Bible verses, Ellen White quotes, and sermon notes. I finished it on May 12, 2009 at 0821:05. I was loathe to put it aside because I love going back and looking at lessons I've learned. I have to relearn them so many times and I find I learn from my mistakes better if I've written them down.
The whole reason I started posting this blog was to post the pictures of my newest journal. Sorry, I guess I got distracted reminiscing. I've been wanting to make a nice reusable leather cover to go over a standard sized blank book but I had planned to do that up at camp and I needed a new journal sooner. So I was trying to figure out what to do and I didn't want to go spend any money. While going through my stuff, I found a not-so-visually-appealing blank book on my shelf. Here's what I did next:
HOW-TO
I didn't think to take a picture before I started my project but you can see the fabric that I tore off of it in the first picture below. Yeah, it wasn't so cool. But I got to thinking that maybe I could recover it! I pulled out a pair of shorts that I grew out of but was saving because I wanted to use the fabric in a jean quilt that I plan to make some day when I have time. (lol) By sewing together some different parts of the shorts, I was able to make a cover for the book. I then used a hot glue gun to glue it on. The coolest part is that there is a neat pocket on the front where I can keep my nice pens. Plus, I think it makes it look unique.
I know you're all dieing to know what I named it! lol. Well, the front pocket has "UB-10" stitched into it because the shorts were by a brand of clothing called Union Bay. So I decided that would be the name of this journal: UB-10. Haha, I know, it's weird, but I thought it kinda sounded cool. Like I was a scientist naming a newly discovered star or some other celestial body. I started UB-10 on May 12, 2009 at 0915:58.
1. The original fabric that I tore off
2. Blank book without the original fabric
3. My cool shorts that no longer fit but whose fabric is going to a really awesome purpose!
4. The finished product. Yay!
Well, I know you got more than you bargained for if you read all that and I won't blame you if you decided to skip most of it. But I had a nice walk down memory lane. Memory lanes are funny things, though, they only mean something to those who have a vested interest in the memories.
13 comments:
your new cover looks awesome!! you did a great job on it. and cool name too.
i cant help it. but when i looked at the pic of your very full leather book, i was look "ooo, just imagine all the formulas and inventions and science things waiting to be patented that could be in something like that" yay christy. you should keep your stuff. hehe.
How fun, Christy!
your new journal is extremely Christyish! I like it! thrifty use of your shorts :) speaking of thrift...
Shaila found a dress today at a thrift store we went to today and she was certain you'd like (I wasn't convinced ;)... but it was to small, I wanted to call and tell you but I didn't have service. but we were thinking about you!
Christy-- the new cover is fabulous. Way to go. I'm all about the pen-pocket and the recycling idea :)
Can't wait to see you!
Jen - if someone ever find your journal in 100 years or so, it will be like finding a lost city! They will be astounded at your ideas and inventions! :D
Caitlin - heehee, thanks for thinking of me! Seeing as how you two disagreed, I sure am curious as to what it looked like!
Emily - Looking forward to seeing you too! I've really enjoyed your latest blogs! I wish I could write like you! You have the rare ability to write with great depth concerning just the hint of an emotion. You can pin it down and express it when it's so ephemerel that most people miss it completely.
Love you too, sister dear :)
that's a cool idea. i need to get a new journal too! although this is my first one to be completed. maybe one day i can be like you christy. :)
Yay Christy! That reminded me of the time that my Chinese teacher gave me a really ugly looking binder that was pink and had sparkly "girly" written all over it. It wouldn't have been so bad if I was 7, but I was about 16 and practically died of embarrassment. My mom was awesome though and sewed some beautiful Chinese brocade on it. It was really difficult (as I'm told) but I loved it!
I'm sure you'll enjoy your journal for years to come because it will also have great memories of your shorts -- and your ingenuity! :-)
That's awesome! I wish I had been motivated enough to keep a journal. I probably have as many as you do, but each of them only has a couple of pages filled. But there is one tradition that I do have that is related to journaling. Every December 31, I stay up until midnight, and around 10:00 p.m., I take out a journal and write about the year that has passed: the high points and low points and how things changed and developed in my life. Then I "sign off" with the time, date, and my signature, saying goodbye to the year and hello to the next. That's one tradition I think I will keep. :)
Oh. By the way, I just love your new journal! It was such a great idea, and it looks so cool! I jealously want to copy you, but I suppose it would be worthless since I probably wouldn't write much in it anyway...
Sarah - Yay Sarah! Getting a new journal is always so fun! All those fresh pages that will soon hold thoughts and feelings from the life that you have yet to live. Congrats on finishing your first one!
Martina - Oh dear, I could imagine my own reaction to something like that! Your mom sounds like my mom - always ready with a practical solution to fix the problem! Mom's are really good at that, aren't they!
Christen - That is a really awesome tradition. I like it :) Maybe we will be in the same place some New Years Eve and we can do it together!
You're such a faithful journalist, Christy! That's amazing. I have one that I started about 2 years ago... it's only half full. :)
lol, Linnea, I've seen your journal and your handwriting is SOOO small that it will probably take years to finish it! I commend you on your thriftyness!
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