So this...(+ more info)
Tags:totally should have gone into my Christmas Art Journal. But I got excited, started punching Christmas cards and adhering and all of a sudden I was done. And it makes me happy, regardless of size or album location. Simple and easy, kind of like last year, but still its own creation.
Once again, my square punch has worked it's magic.
Edited:Ok friends, let's see if I can address some of your comments and questions on this one.
The punch I used for this layout is from Marvy Uchida. It is either this one or this one. The body of the punch is red and the width of the square on the punch is just a bit larger than 1.5 inches. Too bad they don't put the product number right on the punch.
Since I am all about simplifying I came to the conclusion that I do not need to keep all the Christmas cards I received this year. I loved getting them. I celebrated each one that came through the mailbox. And now that Christmas is over I would still like to have a bit of a record of the cards from this Christmas, but I certainly don't need to hang on to them all.
IT IS OK.
How do I decide which part of the card to punch? I think what I have always loved about punching is that I am taking a bit of something and bringing it together with other somethings to create an entirely new something. When I was punching I tried not to think too hard. I laid my punch with the metal side up, slid the card in, and moved the card around using the window as a guide. When I saw something that looked just fine and I punched. Some of the photos were too large to get everyone in the square and that was totally OK. My vision was to bring together a bunch of bits of this year's cards - not preserve each one in its orginal state.
How did I keep it all straight? I actually debated a bit about not lining it all up this time. But in the end, the lines won out. I think the secret to keeping it straight is by starting with one of the top or bottom corner squares. If you want you could even measure to make sure the distances are the same from the edge of the square to the top edge and the side edge. I have gotten so I can eyeball it pretty good. I also laid all the squares out before I started adhering to get a general idea where the "big" square would be placed on the 12x12 cardstock.
Did I scan and reduce the cards? Nope, just punched them as is - big or small I found something to punch and then moved on to the next one.
Hope that helps a bit!

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92 comments
I cant wait to do this with my 2005 Christmas Cards!! I think I might do this with regular greeting cards, the kids birthday cards, etc. I LOVE saving cards; but, they do add up! :-) But, I made a goal to get 2005 scrapbooking caught up to December; then, watch out world .... I am going to borrow this idea and run with it!!! Have a wonderful New Year; keep that inspiration coming ... I am loving it. I worked yesterday and last night and I am caught up untill Sept. Three more months to go!!!
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FABULOUS!!!! I love it!
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Ohhhh, I love this page. Lots of personality. Thanks for sharing.
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Love this, Ali...so cool to see my little ones on your blog! :)
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Simply Beautiful!
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You have inspired so many of us Ali, go check out the gallery at 2peas! Love this idea - I always hate throwing the cards and pictures away each year.
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Ali: You are a genius. This LO is the best idea. I always keep my cards and they take up way too much room. What a GREAT way to "keep" them, without actually keeping them. Pure genius! Happy New Year :)
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Incredible idea! I had to "scraplift" it of course! Only instead of punching photos I used the small little copies that come in the index cards from the photo service place. It didn't turn out as fabulous as yours, but it was a good "year in review" type of page which was inspired by your awesome layout! Thanks so much and keep up the great work in 2006!!! We all want to see more of your work and continue to be inspired! THANKS ALI and have a BLESSED 2006!
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I am so doing something like this with all of our cards! Thanks, Ali!
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Thanks again for the inspiration Ali. I did one and posted it on 2peas:
http://twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=730647
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Ali, this is freaking cool.
Happy New Year!!!
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Ali,
This way such a great idea for all the Xmas cards! I never throw out the cards but then I never really look at/use them again. I'm thinking about doing this with the b'day cards I get too!
Happy New Year!
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Ali
Happy New Year...You are so inspiring:)
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ali~
this is such a great and inspiring idea. i have just begun scrapbooking and i am certainly putting this in my ideas file for next year...happy 2006!!
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Thanks for the inspiration. I used the same theme for my 2005 recap on my blog.
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gotta love it, a.
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totally awesome... you are so inspiring! Is it ok if I scraplift this digitally for my new years LO!?
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i'm sooooo scraplifting! thanks for the inspiration....other than cutting the fronts off to adorn packages for the next year (which never happens, mind you), i can never figure out what to do with all the cards...such a shame to throw them away, but you'd need a storage unit just to house all the kept cards! lol
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Ali - you are SO inspiring! I just finished a lift of your card LO. . .it's on my blog!
I have truly enjoyed your posts - thank you for sharing so much of your life and your self.
Happy New Year!
Hillary
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How inspiring....like many of the other posters, I just finished a lift of your layout. I have always struggled with how to preserve the memories of our cards and this was the perfect idea...I may even have to start doing this was fun mail I receive throughout the year since it is few and far between with the invention of e-mail. Hope you have a wonderful New Year....thanks for all your inspiration.
Kristy
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