a book of notes, for my mom:

March 30, 2011

Has anyone been reading my blog since the original book of notes? That was quite some time ago. But I remember going from 100 views a day to 3000 or something that one day, for that post.

So you may remember last year, I shared that my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Over the months, everyone was so encouraging and sweet. Your notes and comments about my mom were such a blessing. We were able to go to the chemo sessions with my mom, but on her very last treatment, Nick and I were on our honeymoon. So since I couldn't be there, I put together some notes for her. I also got my brothers in on it, and since they're boys and this is really not their thing, it was even more special that they wrote sweet little notes for our mom.

Thought I'd share this book with you. Hopefully you can be inspired to make your own book of notes for a friend or loved one. They make great heartfelt gifts. I would love to receive one from.. nicholas ;)
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In the Chinese culture, we have animals for the year we are born. I am an ox, my older brother is a tiger and my younger brother is a rabbit. So I had these martha stewart animal shapes laying around and we each wrote a note on one. Well, I improvised using a cat for my older bro, since there weren't any tiger shapes ;)

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My older bro typed his letters and glued them onto the cards I gave him. lol. I tried to use lots of yellow, since that is her favorite color. It is always fun to make these little books, and more importantly: my mom is now cancer free! We are truly blessed.

85 hello's:

  1. That's so wonderful to hear such good news. It makes me think that life isn't really as bad as it seems. Beautiful notebook. Wish you all the best.

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  2. Love the idea! I think I'll definitely want to make one in the future. :)

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  3. This is such a sweet post and what a creative idea :)
    I am happy for you and your family :) All the best x

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  4. What a lovely sweet project. I think this would be a great way to commemorate other huge life events, like a graduation, wedding, or baby. The time and thought you put into a project like this is more valuable than anything you could buy

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  5. This is absolutley wonderful! Thank you for sharing danni!

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  6. That is sweet beyond belief. I love notes and letters and stationary - this is a wonderful idea.

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  7. letters always mean the world to me. i love this sweet idea...so thoughtful and creative. :)

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  8. This an such a wonderful and heartfelt idea. I think I might have to borrow it. My mom recently had a stroke and cannot read well, so I am going to alter your idea by creating a book of picture and objects that are meaningful to my mom and family.

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  9. What a great suggestion.

    I think this idea can transcend any particular occasion and be used in the most heartfelt of ways.

    A small gesture os kindness that can last a lifetime.

    I am going to bookmark this and share with others.

    Mr. Goodwill Hunting

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  10. Firstly, so happy to hear about your mom!
    These books are great - definitely go to have to have my girls do some for Grannie and Grandpa!
    Thanks so much for the inspiration - PS I have those little animals lying around to - now I know what to do with them!

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  11. i remember when you made one of these for nick! i loved that one and i love this one too. i'm so sure your mom will so cherish it :)

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  12. hooray! so happy to hear that your mom is cancer free ^_^ love this idea. and the book itself is beautiful :) i've always liked books with little envelopes and compartments with notes hidden in them. have you ever read the griffin & sabine books? it's a love story that unfolds as you read each letter tucked in an envelope.

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  13. I love that you made another book, Danni! :) This is so thoughtful...I bet your mom would be so delighted to receive it! :) So cute that you got the boys in on it too...that's extra special!

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  14. That is great news, Dani!! So happy to hear that! Love the "note" book! You have such a beautiful family.

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  15. You're so sweet & thoughtful, Danni. :) I'm so happy to hear that your mom is cancer-free.

    btw -- the jolly postman is one of my favorite children's books, too! i have it on my shelf right now & i never get tired of reading it!

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  16. aw this is such a lovely project! so nice to have all those little notes and thoughts kept together. and i'm so happy for you to hear that shes cancer free!
    i really love this little book idea!

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  17. Wow that truly is something special!! How wonderful! I'm so happy to hear your Mom is cancer free! Good for her! The note helped! =)

    Melanie's Randomness

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  18. This is beyond beautiful. Such a special present. Hope your mom is doing well.

    Savy

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  19. This idea is very lovely and so happy with the news about your mom.

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  20. I adore this book- so sweet & sentimental. Your Mom must treasure it so much. Especially now that she is cancer-free: YIPEE!!!!!

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  21. Yes! I remember the original book of notes. I believe it was how I originally found your blog! So glad I did. I love these kinds of things. And this is very beautiful and special. Sigh.

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  22. Such a beautiful idea. And your photography is completely amazing. Love how well you have documented them.

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  23. what a great testimony, danni! i'm so glad to hear that your mom is now cancer free, praise God! thanks for sharing this story.

    i love the book as well. such a lovely and sweet gift for a mom! i'm curious to find out how you did the binding on the book itself... or is it just a readymade notebook you picked up somewhere?

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  24. Thanks for all your sweet comments everyone!

    @ivana | love ardently Hi Ivana! I actually just put some pages together and sew up the middle for the binding :) It's pretty durable!

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  25. Beautiful books! So happy to know your mom is cancer free!

    What type of glue do you use when you are doing these types of projects? I have used so many different types and have not found a favorite yet.

    xoxo

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  26. I wasn't around for the original, but I'm so glad that you posted this. It's such a sweet idea!

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  27. That's beyond wonderful news about your mother! :)
    This book is beautiful and one of the best gifts anyone could give someone. You're an amazing daughter!

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  28. What a beautiful idea, straight from the heart. I love it!

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  29. Wow, that is beautiful in both sentiment and design. :)

    Glad to hear your mom is now cancer-free!
    Kathy

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  30. Thank You for the wonderful news about Your Mom!
    The book of notes reminded me of some sweet days from a couple of years ago :)

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  31. This was such a sweet idea! It's so good to hear your mother is cancer-free. That book of notes would be sure to cheer anyone up. :)

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  32. What wonderful news!! This is such a lovely idea, I may just have to make my own for a graduation gift! Thanks for sharing, and you and your family are just wonderful : )

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  33. The book looks beautiful, I am sure it is much cherished. My sister lives in a different country to me and we regularly write letters to each other. There's something about the written word that no technology can replace

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  34. This is so cute, Danni! I love it, and I bet your mama was soooo happy to receive such a thoughtful present!

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  35. SUCH a lovely gift! She must love it so much. Handmade gifts are the best!

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  36. this is so sweet and seems so effortless! your mom is one lucky lady to have you guys...for sure! i love everything about this. thanks for sharing.

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  37. This is really nice. Well done. I like the typed letter specifically. Very nice touch.

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  38. @Elizabeth Elizabeth, I actually just use glue sticks!

    But if you need some good glue/tape - this is the strongest I've come across! It's what I used to make my wedding invites:

    http://www.buy.com/prod/adhesive-transfer-applicator-gun/q/sellerid/14387982/loc/111/203348132.html

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  39. Hooray for being Cancer Free! What a lovely gift your mom will be able to treasure :)

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  40. how lovely...a good reminder that we should all tell our loved ones just that, that they are loved.
    My little brother is unwell at the moment and as I went off the phone today I said 'love you' but not sure if he heard. Gonna phone again tomorrow and say it loud and clear.
    (he won't thank me!!!!)
    fee ♥
    (so glad it's good news for your Mum. My #2 son has recovered from childhood cancer and I never take a day for granted as a result, Just wish everyone could have the same outcome)

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  41. What a sweet idea! I'm glad to hear your mom is doing well. :)

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  42. oh that's so great to hear Danni! and i just love the notes you did. my best friend is having a baby in a few weeks and i wanted to do something for the baby representing the year of the rabbit this year. think i'll do something similar and frame the rabbit!

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  43. this is a beautiful idea. i'm sure she LOVED it and will always cherish this. great great work.

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  44. This is so sweet!
    That would be a wonderful idea for my grandma who is in chemo now for breast cancer! (and a great gift for many occasions)
    Do you DIY the whole book? Just cardstock and a sewing machine? Or do you purchase the book and add the elements?
    Just curious!
    :)

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  45. This is gorgeous, and I love your blog (this is my first visit, & I plan to stay). I love it & am so glad your mom is now cancer-free!

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  46. Such a neat and adorable book, and GREAT news about your mother. That is such a great blessing for your family!

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  47. I have only recently started following your blog but I just love each and ever post! However, seeing the post from last year about your mom really touched my heart. My dad was diagnosed last August and I still haven't been able to write about it. Your words echo my heart and I am so happy about your mom's test results! Praise the Lord! Looking forward to continue reading your posts.

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  48. This is the next thing on my "to-craft" list! Thanks for the inspiration today and always!

    Hailie
    http://hailiedurrett.blogspot.com/

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  49. mtbluestocking30 March, 2011 16:34

    What a lovely idea -- and so beautifully executed! Nothing like swirling a little (or a lotta!) love around.

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  50. I am so happy to hear your mum is better. My mum is having chemo and radiation therapy at the moment and is is hard to feel so helpless. i am going to start a book for her today...
    xxx

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  51. oh danni!! i think i just teared up a lil, ok i really did! this is such a sweet little book you made for your mom, she must be soo proud of you and how creative you are and the fact you got your brothers to join in on it as well~~

    nicholas... did you hear danni's request?? ;)

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  52. that is the most beautiful idea! I have ideas swirling in my head! So great to hear that your mom is cancer free!

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  53. I love this! Your little book of notes was how I found your blog, through a wedding site sometime...somewhere...I've been reading ever since. This book is so pretty. I think it'd be really neat to create it almost like a little time capsule--say, fill it with a few things at a time for a couple months before someone's birthday, then put it away for a little bit before giving.
    Oh, and I love the yellow!

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  54. Oh my gosh this is simply precious! I absolutely love little homemade gifts and journals and trinkets such as these, I think they are so much more meaningful than something store-bought.

    You are sooooo creative <3

    ~TRA

    http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

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  55. I'm so happy to hear your mom is doing better! This is such a beautiful project. :o)

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  56. This is so charming.
    I know your mom must've loved every bit of it!
    You all are truly blessed!
    xo

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  57. Beautiful book!!! I am working on a little project for my best friend who is going over seas for half a year this year. This is definitely an inspiration...
    And praise the LORD that your mother is cancer free!!! :)

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  58. Ok, now that I've wiped the tears, I can tell you how beautiful and how timely this posting is. My dad will start cancer treatment next month.

    You have inspired me to try and do a book of notes to him. He is so special to me. Thank you.

    I hope your mom is doing well.

    I hope to see you on Sunday at IVC.

    hUgS,
    Rose

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  59. so beautiful. congratulations on momma dear being cancer free! i know all your prayers & sweet encouragements strengthened her spirit immensely during that time :)

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  60. great idea - I'm going to make one for my fiancee for our anniversary this year before we get married in September - yikes! thanks for the idea!

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  61. Such a sweet post, i am glad to hear your mom is well now

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  62. That's wonderful news about your mother! This book of notes is such a wonderful treasure to receive. Hmmm I think I must do this for my mom.

    Thanks!

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  63. Danni, this is such an incredible and thoughtful project. I'm so happy your mother is healthy and that she now has this book to treasure and show people as proof of how awesome her children are (as if she needs proof).

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  64. What a splendid thing. I'll bet that was one proud Mama :)

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  65. what a great idea! binding books can get rather complicated sometimes, but i never thought of machine sewing it...
    and thanks for the reminder of the jolly postman. i loved that book as a kid and think i will need to head to the bookstore this weekend to pick up a new copy!
    praise God for answered prayer! thrilled that she is cancer free!!

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  66. Oh Danni, this is such a lovely idea!

    I am going to put together a jar of notes and compliments for my mum for her brithday - that way she can pick them out at random when she needs a pick me up.

    Blue Skies
    Charlotte xo

    blueskiesblog.blogspot.com

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  67. this is such a beautiful and inventive idea! I am so inspired by this.

    ~Andrea

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  68. I thought for sure I haven't been reading your blog this long, but I remember that post! It is such a sweet idea and I meant to do it for someone special but didn't have time. Thanks for the reminder. You are clearly not just creative, but a very thoughtful person. I don't feel like I'm wasting time when I read your blog.

    * Julia

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  69. This is such a lovely post. I really feel inspired to make my own. It's my mum's birthday soon and I've been wanting to make something really special for her, and I think something like this hits the spot!

    My mum was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, and since then is cancer free too. It's lovely to hear your mom is as well. :)

    - Alex <3

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  70. This is the cutest idea! Where do you get all of your paper supplies to make this type of thing? I make something like this for wedding sign in books and am looking for more supplies!

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  71. This idea is so unique. My husbands mother wrote letters to God during her cancer diagnosis, and being in design we scanned in her handwritten letters and turned them into graphics with artwork to be printed on canvas. We all hung them in our homes! I love hearing about these thoughtful doings that inspire!

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  72. Love everything about this. You have such a distinct way of combining colors and textures...maybe you could share some tips with us one day!

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  73. Danni this is so amazingly beautiful!!!! Such a fantastic idea to include notes from all the siblings too! I really have got to do this....I just have to!!!!
    And how amazing that your mama is cancer free! BIG HUGS TO YOU and your family :D xoxoooxox meg

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  74. Love it! I love the touches of yellow. I am so happy that your mother is now cancer free!
    I made a similar book for my friend when she was moving away for college... such a fun, little project.

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  75. I wish I'd known you when my mom had cancer. This would have really lifted her spirits. You are truly thoughtful to create such a loving and creative gift. Now that you mention it, I think it was that original note post that brought me to your blog!

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  76. I love your book of notes and made one for my husband for Valentine's Day. However, I could not figure out exactly how to make the book part. Could you give some suggestions or instructions on how you make the actual book. Thanks a bunch, it is really appreciated.

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  77. What a lovely little book! It's so simple and so gorgeous... I do believe I shall have to make a book of notes for someone!

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  78. Hey Danni, I was just wondering how exactly you make these little books of notes? I REALLY love them and I was wondering how you bind them together? My grandma has throat cancer and I think she would love to receive one of these. Thanks!

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  79. Fabulous idea. I'm scheming of what type of book I can make. Thanks for the inspiration! Chic Rooms

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  80. Your mom is cancer free! That's really, really wonderful news! I believe in miracles and always love to hear when miracles happen. So happy for you, your mom and your family. What a pretty present this book is, too. :)

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  81. very awesome to hear your mom is cancer free! love your book of notes; great idea!

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  82. How beautiful. So delightful and tender. Great that everything turned out in a good way!

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  83. Wow, I WISH I had been reading since the original book of notes post!!! Where have I been all this time? This is one of the most inspiring things I have seen in a while. Thank you!! I just read through every notes post that you compiled. I am so touched. It makes me want to reach out and act on my good intentions. Thanks for that encouragement! (I came over from Good Mail Day. I am so happy they linked to you.)

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  84. And so glad to hear that your mom is cancer free!

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Friends, Thank you so much for reading + supporting my blog, and for taking the time to leave me a comment. Your comment support truly means so much to me. Have a lovely day! xo, danni