writing journals

Skywalker has a very vivid imagination. I try to encourage him to use that imagination to write, but it was his teacher who recommended we start a writing journal for him. Skywalker LOVES video games. His teacher thought it would be a good idea to start a writing journal where he could write about his game characters. He could write stories about what they do outside the game, like do they have families or hobbies. He could write about things his characters do after he turns the game off. 

We were so excited to start this project, that we had to decorate a composition notebook! We turned this... 

into this... 

(this notebook Heidi and I made... this one isn't Skywalker's, lol) 

I remember when I was in high school, my friends and I would decorate composition notebooks and pass them back and forth with notes to each other. We would cover our notebooks with wrappers to favorite candies/ drinks, fabric... we would color them with sharpies. Sometimes we'd end up with so many layers on top of it that the cover was like a book itself. I thought it would be fun for the kids to get to decorate their writing journals the same way. 

We started with a few sheets of scrapbook paper and mod podge. 

The kids cut the scrapbook paper into different shapes and sizes and strips...

Then, using the mod podge for paper, they covered the notebook with the scraps of paper. 

You can embellish them from there. Add ribbons, rhinestones... paint on them, stamps, vinyl. We added burlap around Heidi's and painted her initials on hers.

I can't wait to read all about Pikachu and Mario's adventures in Skywalker's journal! He was so anxious to get started once we finished decorating. I just know he's going to come up with good stuff. I heard something about Triggerhappy eating money????