December Daily Album : Part Two

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Now comes the fun part: selecting + organizing + numbering pages.


One of the things I aim for in this album is variety: sizes, textures, colors, edges, etc.


For this album I cut a bunch of pieces 6 inches x 9 inches and arranged them inside the album (or as close as I could get with some circle + die cut papers). You will cut yours to whatever size makes sense for the book you are using. After putting them in I did other things: tearing, cutting smaller, creating decorative edges with the Fiskars Threading Water Punch, etc.


Next, as you will see below, I added numbers to each page.


For me, this book is less about decoration and more about documentation. What that means is that when the time comes in December to add my words and photos I will not spend a lot of time trying to figure out what I want to add product-wise. I don't have any plans to spend more time each day than it takes to upload and print a photo (here at home), write up some journaling, and adhere it into my book (and maybe add one embellishment or a couple word stickers). I don't want this album to take up more time than necessary during the holiday season. Again, I want to be present and experience the season and do a bit of documentation as we go along.


I like to do documentation as we go along, rather than after the holidays, because I find that I have a tough time remembering what were the specific important or poignant or endearing or special parts of the day months after the fact (sometimes they are comments in passing or very simple things that end up meaning the most). Instead of "we went to see Santa today" I want the journaling to be more personal and real: how did Simon react, what was special about the moment, did he say anything silly or wonderful, what made it unique from last year, etc.


Those are the things I want to capture in this album.


As you will see below this is all about keeping it simple. Don't spend too much time deciding where to put the numbers or journaling blocks. Get it done. When December rolls around you will be working with what you have in front of you rather than starting from scratch. Making it work is a creative task in and of itself.


Day One:


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[ Clear Scraps XL Deco Acrylic Page (cut in half + used the second half for Day 18); Ali Edwards December Daily Photo + Journal Overlays ]


Day Two:


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[ Scenic Route Kraft Photo Mattes; random playing card tucked behind the tabbed photo matte ]


Day Three:


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[ Art Warehouse Mistletoe Ledger; Ali Edwards December Daily Photo + Journal Overlays; Fiskars Threading Water Punch (for decorative edges) ]


Day Four:


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[ Hambly Climbing Vine Antique White Transparency; Tree: Art Warehouse Noel Epoxy Sticker ]


Day Five:


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[ Baseball card page protector cut to size; Every Jot + Title Red Circle Numbers ]


Day Six:


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[ Creative Cafe Dark Red Polka Dot Felt; vintage circle 6 card; American Crafts Ribbon #57604 ]


Day Seven:


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[ Paper Source Red Envelope; American Crafts White Subway Foam Thickers ]


Day Eight:


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[ Art Warehouse Mistletoe Transparency; #8: Every Jot + Title Red Circle Numbers ]


Day Nine:


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[ Heidi Swapp Overlay Dots; Ali Edwards December Daily Photo + Journal Overlays ]


Day Ten:


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[ Art Warehouse Mistletoe Dot Die Cut Paper; American Crafts White Subway Foam Thickers ]


Day Eleven:


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[ Making Memories Flocked Vellum Snowflake Paper; still needs a number ]


Day Twelve:


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[ Making Memories Flocked Dot Papier Rouge Paper; #12: Every Jot + Title Red Circle Numbers ]


Day Thirteen:


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[ Random Chipboard Piece; Scenic Route Berkley Red Letter Stickers ]


Day Fourteen:


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[ Heidi Swapp White Moments Clock Overlay; #14: Every Jot + Title Red Circle Numbers ]


Day Fifteen:


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[ American Crafts Bushels of Fun; Jenni Bowlin Studio Boy Icons Printed Journal Ticket; American Crafts Black MOMA Remarks Letter Sticker Book ]


Day Sixteen:


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[ Paper Source  Pocket Envelope; Scenic Route Berkley Red Letter Stickers; Tree: Art Warehouse Noel Epoxy Sticker ]


Day Seventeen:


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[ Unknown Music Paper; American Crafts Mumbo Jumbo Black Letter Stickers ]


Day Eighteen:


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[ Clear Scraps XL Deco Acrylic; Ali Edwards December Daily Photo + Journal Overlays ]


Day Nineteen:


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[ Making Memories Skinny Stripe; Circle Sticker: Art Warehouse Christmas Cardstock Stickers; American Crafts Black MOMA Remarks Letter Sticker Book; "Merry:" Unknown ]


Day Twenty:


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[ Jenni Bowlin HOME Bingo Card (may be replaced with one from her holiday collection coming soon); Circle Stamp: Savvy Stamps ]


Day Twenty-One:


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[ Baseball card page protector cut to size (end up with four pockets); American Crafts White Subway Foam Thickers ]


Day Twenty-Two:


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[ Art Warehouse Die Cut Mistletoe Text; Ali Edwards December Daily Photo + Journal Overlays ]


Day Twenty-Three:


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[ Heidi Swapp Overlay Dots; Tree: Art Warehouse Noel Epoxy Sticker; American Crafts White Moma Remarks Letter Sticker Book ]


Day Twenty-Four:


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[ Making Memories Artisan Solid Die Cut Paper; Scenic Route Berkley Red Letter Stickers ]


Day Twenty-Five:


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[ Art Warehouse Dear Santa Hollyberry Paper; Scenic Route Berkley Red Letter Stickers ]


These albums get more stable (vs. just a piece of patterned paper as a page) when photos are added. Some photos will cover the entire page, some will be cropped and arranged on top of the patterend paper, and others will be added in as pages themselves. Most of that will depend on what happens on that particular day. Take a look at last year's album to see completed examples.


Edited: Feel free to leave questions in the comments today. I will address them in a post tomorrow.


Dottedline


Am I skipping Thanksgiving?


Someone asked in the comments yesterday if I was going to do anything for thanksgiving/November/gratitude-related and the answer is YES. I am hoping to have more information and details on a great project for you soon! I mainly just like to get this one out and done with early on as I have lots more projects planned for the lead up to December (you can see the holiday projects I did last year here).


Dottedline


This is part of a series of posts on creating a December Daily Album. All posts can be found here.

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148 thoughts

  1. Sabrina B. says…
    10/29/2008

    I just love how you layer everything. It always turns out so beautifully. Do you plan the order in which the pages go before you cut? Every time I attempt to layer transparencies, die cut pages, etc. I feel like I am trying too hard to make it all look good. I guess I am trying to make it all look cohesive when the pages are closed and not just a jumbled mess. Any suggestions or hints on how to make them flow? Your album from last year really inspired me and I am definitely doing one this year. And, of course, I love the one you just posted! You make it look so easy!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Emily says…
    10/29/2008

    Where do you get all your great supplies? (I know sort of a silly question) but I find it very hard to find good or any local scrapbook stores, do you mostly shop online? What are your favorite sites? Thanks, EM

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Sabrina B. says…
    10/29/2008

    Another question I meant to ask was... On last year's album I know you mentioned that you added pages in between; did you ever run into a page that you had to move the numbers or embellishments around to fit the photos that you wanted?

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Michelle says…
    10/29/2008

    Question: Do you know if most estsy shops that offer paper products use acid free / lignin free papers? Especially those places listed on your giveaways. I tried looking at the sites but didn't see a reference.... Thanks so much. =)

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Judy H says…
    10/29/2008

    I am looking to being with my family during the holiday season. My family lives in a different state than I. I am from a large family of 14 siblings. I love getting together with all my sisters, brother, nieces, nephews. I go both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can hardly wait to show them my Christmas album.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Karen says…
    10/29/2008

    Hi Ali -
    Thanks for sharing!
    I have a question for you - as you do mini albums like this for Christmas, do you also complete more traditional layouts for Simon's album?
    Thanks again!
    Karen

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Candy says…
    10/29/2008

    I would love to know how you would suggest translating this project to digital. I am a fully digital scrapper now, so I don't have anything in the way of paper supplies. I still have a few favorite tools. Should I make 25 days of quickpages to just drop pics and journaling into? Or templates?
    Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions?

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Natalie T. says…
    10/29/2008

    Hi Ali....
    It's Natalie T. from Orange County. I have dusted off my supplies and started on this album. I'm on page 14 today. You're such an inspiration. I love the fact of printing a photo a day from home to add to this album, but I've yet to own an awesome home use photo printer. All the ones I've gotten from Costco the quality of the photos would turn out all grainy and the color was always off. I ended up returning all of them. Is there a photo printer out there that you just absolutely LOVE???? I'm in the market for another one!! Thanks!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Crystal LaDoux says…
    10/29/2008

    Would love to do this project, is there a more budget friendly album I could use that you know of?
    Thank you
    Crystal

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Karen Chan says…
    10/29/2008

    I want to be entered into the draw for the two very cute kits. What I look forward to most during Christmas is hosting a big Xmas dinners for my friends and family. I also look forward to capturing the reactions of kids as they open presents. Of course my furry kids won’t miss out a thing as I’ll be baking some doggy treats for them and to give away to their furry friends. I’ve been thinking about doing this every year but this year I really want to try and donate my cooking skills to make a nice dinner for the homeless. If I could win either one of these kits, it would be a great opportunity to use it to journal and document my upcoming memorable Christmas. Thanks Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jamie Rex says…
    10/29/2008

    How beautiful! I had to share. I started my album last night, and was so delighted to find this morning that I did several of the same thing you did. Your genious is rubbing off on me after all these years. I've been a fan since 2004. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Karen says…
    10/29/2008

    Love this! Where did you find the vintage circle card?

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Annette says…
    10/29/2008

    What type of hole puncher do you use? I'm working with a 6x9 format and my single puncher won't go through some of the thicker items. Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. jonipossin says…
    10/29/2008

    QUESTION...
    What glue, etc. do you use to adhere something to an acrylic page? Archivers suggested 'Tombo Vellum Adhesive'. I tried it on my December album and it shows through on the backside of the acrylic.
    Thanks!
    Joni Possin

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Patti says…
    10/29/2008

    I am in LOVE. I happen to get to this site from ??? Wow - this sure makes life worth living and journaling and scrapping.........a worthwhile project and a beautiful keepsake, for sure. The layout of each page is easy to follow and does not appear overwhelming to complete. I can't wait to start this project for the holidays. I am a cardmaker and now am thinking I need to ressurect my scrapbooking days - I am truly inspired by your projects. Thank you for sharing this. How do I sign up for your updates to your blog........I'll search on your page but hadn't seen it. That's OK - I'll "favorite" it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Ana Fonseca says…
    10/29/2008

    Ali, I just got your book (Sharing your Story) and I'm in love!! I ordered 2 chipboard mini albuns and I can't wait to make my first mini book! My question is very basic: How do you glue the paterned paper on the chipboard pages? (rolling adhesive dispenser, glue stick or spray adhesive or something else)
    Thanks
    Ana Fonseca

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Kylie T says…
    10/29/2008

    Hi Ali,
    For those of us who want to do the December Daily Album but don't have a colour printer at home, do you suggest getting the photos printed (at the store) daily, once a week, or compliling into a folder on the computer and printing them all at the end of December, which in my case will end up mid-January hehe.
    Thank you for sharing your album with us, I think I read another comment along the same lines, but I know that I would love to see a photo of each page prior to putting the photos + words on, next to a photo of the completed page. Only if it isn't too much work! :)
    Kylie

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. becky says…
    10/29/2008

    I love the D Reeves album - that frosted white acrylic look is just so Christmasy - do you know where to find ANY?? did it come with pages inside - or just covers?
    It's hard to see the paper source pocket envelope - do you have a closer up shot?

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Lisa says…
    10/29/2008

    Hey Ali---thanks again for a great idea, I love the book, I even started on mine last night, so excited to use my stash. I am looking forward to the food and the family of the holiday season and of course, the scrapbooking. I love those kits, they are great, there are so many cute etsy shops. Again thanks for sharing, you're the best! ---Lisa

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Deborah says…
    10/29/2008

    Hi!
    Question: How do you know that what you've made for a certain day will work for that day? For example, the envelope you used - how do you know it will work for Dec. 7 and not better for another day? Am I over-thinking this? Also, how do you make it all look cohesive?
    Thanks for all your info and inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Kylie T says…
    10/29/2008

    I know I have already asked a question, but I thought of another lol. Will you be making a Flickr Group so we can all share our pages from the album?
    Thanks

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Amy says…
    10/29/2008

    I was going to ask Kylie's question. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Lyn says…
    10/29/2008

    What type of adhesive do you use on you acrylic pages?

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Karne says…
    10/29/2008

    What photo printer do you use?

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Stephanie George says…
    10/29/2008

    Hi Ali,
    I so completely admire your ability to work efficiently and to get so many projects finished. This isn't really relating to the Christmas album, but I wasn't sure where else to ask... I have often wished I could apply your theories to my own albums (especially my wedding album which I still have not completed and an India travel album started four years ago!). I think the problem is that the really significant albums in our life are the ones we want to be extra special, and then we get overwhelmed and never get them done. Anyway, all that to say, I know the next challenging album to complete will be when I get pregnant (all the steps of pregnancy and of course the baby's firsts. I have thought about this a lot and have wondered how I will tackle it, and I'm not even pregnant yet! SO, I know you are pregnant and must already be doing some of these things. I was wondering if you have in the past or would in the future consider doing a post on your baby projects. It would be soooo helpful!
    I thought your pre Christmas album would be an interesting type of album to set up ahead of time for documenting a pregnancy...
    But of course, I'd like to see your version!

    Reply 0 Replies

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