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This gratitude journal was a custom order, and the client gave me a bunch of leeway with the design. He asked for a guided journal to give to his uncles for their wedding—something they could fill out together for the first six months of their marriage. I suggested a somewhat rugged leather journal bound cross-stitch style, and from there, work began.

After adjusting my already existing gratitude journal design to be used for two people in tandem, I printed the pages, then folded, sorted, and trimmed them as I usually do. I chose a soft tan leather for the cover with a nice outside edge. For the stitching, I used the thinnest section of my leather lace cutter to make a cord, then began stitching. I’m still new to the cross-stitch style, so it took a bit longer than I would’ve liked to stitch, but I now have quite a few ideas for improving the process on the next ones. Once it was complete, I trimmed a bit of the excess leather and attached another length of cord to the flap to wrap around and keep it shut.

When the client came to pick up the book, I’m happy to say he was thrilled. I hope his uncles love and appreciate the gift.