49 lists | a mini album

In just a few weeks, I'll be turning 50.

While on the My Mind's Eye Design Team, I created a 49 Lists mini album repurposing the cover of a vintage book, adding in pages made with gorgeous MME papers, embellishments, journaling cards and other little found goodies. The idea was to journal throughout my 49th year so that when 50 rolled around, I had a snapshot of who I was during that year.

Here's Where It All Began

To celebrate the last year I'll ever have in my 40's, insert a very long sigh, I decided to share a bit of who I am, how I feel, what I think and what makes me, me, with my future generations. I doubt that my children will find this very interesting right now, but in years to come, I'm hoping that it will help them to understand who their Mommy was during her 49th year of life. 

I would love to know how my Mom felt at 49. And most certainly my Oma since she lived all the way in Germany.

My theme of 49 lists works out just perfectly for me. There are 52 weeks in a year which means I'll be reminded to create a list at least once a week. I've already journaled 5 list topics since my birthday in late March. Want to take a peek? This type page is a lovely way to hide a more private note.

My journaling card already had the numbers and all I had to do was add the places I've called home in my 49 years. It's hard for me to believe that I've lived 15 years in one place...longest streak ever for me.

After removing the book pages, I used a variety of Decorative Tapes to cover the spine area and add a few more strips to the back cover as well. See how I've utilized my tapes to signify the number 49 below?

And I just had to include a page from the original book I recycled. Using the library card from MME, I created a pocket and added a Decorative Brad. You can also find more library cards in my shop here.

One list at a time from now until my next birthday, which will be the big Five-Oh!

Rather than just trimming your paper to the exact size, add a variety of page styles to your mini album project. Knowing that I would be more apt to list each week if my album pages were already trimmed and semi-embellished, I created nearly all my pages at one time. I purposely left room in my album to add additional pages using the new collections as they are released.

I created a List Love Pinterest board a while back and added possible listing ideas as I found them. As I was trimming and creating my pages, I was so happy to find that many of the die cut titles and journaling spots were perfect jumping off points for my listing all on their own.

Here's one to show you how I've semi-embellished a page, inserted a note about a possible list topic and it's all ready for me to journal my thoughts.

By repurposing an old book cover and removing the pages inside, I've created a "new" book with colorful pages and embellishments using a variety of collections from My Mind's Eye.

Here's Where I Am Now
I've been journaling my lists in bits and pieces in my Filofax while I'm waiting in the school pick-up line or while Gordon watches his car shows...he likes it when I "watch" them with him but then gets distracted and doesn't realize I'm doing a bit of journaling while I watch. Hee hee.

Having my pages pre-cut, hole-punched and ready and waiting for me has been wonderful. For this set of lists, I just nabbed a few journaling cards and got to listing. By adding some baker's twine, chipboard die cuts and letter stickers I've upped the style factor and added a bit of my personality.

And of course, how could I do lists without the appearance of my new favorite friend, washi tape. By shopping my stash, I found some Thickers, letter stickers, a guest check and a library card to fit my mood.

In the top left list, notice that I used the name of the MME paper line, Lucky In Love, as my journaling jump off point. For the "10" list, I actually didn't add the Thickers until after the list was finished and had to add the zero sideways, but I love that I did it that way now.

For my favorite drinks, which I now realize I did not title {I'll go back and add that now} a retro guest check seemed perfect.

I'll be posting the rest of my lists throughout the month as I count down my last days in my 40's and enter a new decade, sure to be full of adventures and memories and joy!

Sources
Find more charming mini books + journals.
Here's my List Love Pinterest board.
Download your tutorial with tips and suggestions here.

Find the library cards I used here.
Find book binder rings in numerous sizes here.