This year I'm trying to find fulfillment; meaning that I am looking to live with more intention so that I can see the beauty in every day and appreciate those Little Wins™. I haven't been doing as great as I had hoped, but as I always say - your new year can start at any time. This is why I decided to make my own Little Wins™ notebook. It's just a small, leather bound notebook that I can keep in my bag to document any positive or beautiful moment I observe or experience throughout my day. Whether it's someone else's action I've noticed or a step I took in my own life, acknowledging those Little Wins™ will help me more fully appreciate them. Plus, I love the action of actually writing something down rather than just taking a note in my phone or snapping a picture. It really connects you to the moment in an organic way.
Of course, what New Year would be complete without some nutritional goals? Fulfillment, after all, spans across all aspects of life, including my health. That's why I've started carrying ZonePerfect® Chocolate Peanut Butter Nutrition Bars and ZonePerfect® Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Nutrition Bars in my bag. They help whenever my sweet tooth seems to be acting up so that I feel like I am indulging while actually I'm having a nutritional and great-tasting snack that will keep me on track. Plus, with no less than 10g of protein and a unique blend of vitamins and minerals, it will help keep me fueled and satisfied, no matter what the day has in store!
Now for the Handmade Leather Notebook Tutorial. You will need:
scrap piece of leather
waxed thread
a few spare pieces of paper
a pencil
scissors
a mallet (I used a kitchen one... it's all I had on hand)
damp paper towel or sponge
a needle
pliers
leather hole-punch
leather engraving tool
Directions:
First, using your paper towel or sponge, dampen the leather in the areas you are going to stamp and/or hole-punch. Once the leather has gone back to its original color and is still cool to the touch, you can begin your stamping/punching.
Next, test out your text on a scrap piece of paper and then use it to trace an outline into the leather. I mostly freehanded which means I didn't do the best job... Luckily this notebook is just for me. (This is why I am not great at crafts, I have no patience.)
Also, using your three-hole-punch tool and mallet, create stitching holes down the middle of your leather so you can stitch it all together.
Now, use your leather to trace an outline onto your paper and cut it down to size.
Once you've got your paper cut, line it up on the underside of the leather and begin stitching it all together.
Since I used about ten sheets of paper, I found pliers to make my stitching process much easier.
Once your notebook is bound, simply fold and crease it down the middle and you're done!
Now, grab your ZonePerfect® Nutrition Bars, your leather notebook, get out there, and see/create those Little Wins™!
P.S. Be sure to follow THIS LINK to earn $1 by purchasing 1 5-pack of ZP bars. ZonePerfect® #MyLittleWinsSweepstakes
