December Daily : Request for Q&A 2009

Ali,
Thanks for your great inspiration for this project. Last year I just watched from the sidelines but this year I'm jumping in and making a book. I'm so excited about the entire process! I have a couple of questions for you:
Does the number on each page correspond to date? For example, the page with the 1 is for what you did on December 1st and the page with the number 2 on it is for what you did on December 2nd? Or are the numbers just counting the different activities/events you did during December?
What if you did something Christmas/holiday related at the end of November and want to include it in your book? Where do you put it? What if you do two great things on, say, December 12th. Do you put both on the number 12 page or does each activity get its own page?
Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/decemberdaily2009/pool/

In other forums (namely Holidays in Hand, where I am participating this year), several people have commented that they don't have time to do "holiday stuff" due the obligations of school, work, cooking, and cleaning. As though these activities are somehow less-than because they don't look like the carefree Christmases in movies. I was hoping you speak a bit about the daily aspect of December Daily and perhaps whether or not we should consider capturing and documenting these days, even when nothing "holiday" happens. What are some moments/images/objects we may want to consider documenting on those days when "nothing happens"?

That is exactly what I have done the last 2 years, and what I plan to do this year, too. I just found that the "albums" became too bulky and wouldn't lay well when shut.

I was afraid the chipboard might not be sturdy enough. Any good sources for acrylic covers? Do I cut them myself or do they come 8x8. That is an awesome idea and I hadn't thought of it. I've been admiring acrylic for a while but have not worked with it. Any sources you know of?

Jessica...any sources you know of for the 8x8 acrylic covers?

For me, the daily aspect is what's it's all about. Daughter lining up the cereal boxes for everyone's breakfast, DaDa reading bedtime stories, brother building the mega tent for his little sisters, favorite Christmas stories, story of special Christmas ornaments, school pageants, holiday decorations. You will love that you have taken the time for those photos. They mean so much more to me than the posed photos for the camera! Hope you have fun!

This is in answer to the sewing thread issue. My machine is fairly sensitive to the bobbin thread coming up from the hole. Several things I have to watch are: I have to use good thread most of the time so I try different threads (but tonight, I used cheap gold metallic thread and it worked); I have to hold the ends of the top and bottom threads a little bit tightly with my thumb and forefinger when I take the first stitch and hold them back behind the needle so they don't go inside the needle's hole and get jammed; I have to go very slowly right at the beginning of sewing the paper or protector.
I don't know why this is. I have had five machines since ancient times (the 60's) and this one just has its moods.
I also try out needles of different sizes, occasionally changing sizes depending on the thickness of the paper/board/fabric/plastic just like you would with any fabric.
I hope that helped.
Thanks, Ali, for posting last year's stuff.

Last year I got a book together, but just couldn't keep up with the daily photos, writing, etc. This year I have my own photo printer, which I think will help, but even when trying to simplify and not be a perfectionist, I'm not sure I can get it all done. Do you have any tips for making the December Daily in the midst of a very busy and full time? Also, any suggestions for using the book and pages I put together last year (including some finished/half finished pages)? Not sure if I should just go for it, or if it will be another abandoned project?
Thanks for the information and inspiration. (Even if I don't do the book, I really enjoy seeing yours come together!)

I'm not the Jessica you originally asked, but I got my acrylic covers cut to size at my local Lowes for less than four dollars (mine were 7 x 10). They could easily cut you 8 x 8 covers!

Do you have any suggestions for people who will be traveling in December? Last year my December Daily didn't get finished because we spent a week in PA/DC and a week and a half in Germany. I wanted to enjoy my trip and not worry about scrapbooking each day, but I took notes and kept things to include. When I got home I was so overwhelmed with all the photos and memorabilia that I just didn't finish it and made a whole separate scrapbook for that whole trip. I'm still stressed when I look at it and think I can only include a few photos or thoughts per day. Any suggestions for those of us traveling in December? Thanks!

Ali, I bought most of the supplies you are using this year and I wanted to tell you that the canvas album is AWESOME! I am going to just embellish it instead of covering it and replace the ribbon with rings like yours. But, I cannot tell if you used grommets for every page or not - was it just some pages? Thanks!

Hi, Ali, this is just to say we are a group of French scrapbookers and we have launched a December Daily challenge this year on our blog http://ecristonscrap.canalblog.com. We are so thankful for all the explanations and advice you gave on your previous dailies. Our presentation of the December Daily included many references to your work and it really inspired everybody. Many readers have already started putting their album together, lots of great ideas out there, and all thanks to you!

Thanks so much, Terry. I will give that a try. Admittedly I don't really sew, so that's likely the problem. ;)

I am finishing my book today. I have just 2 more days to do!! Without this challenge I never would have taken the time to do this. Ali, you help me in so many ways when it comes to documenting my memories. THANK YOU! And if I don't comment next week HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I am grateful for your Blog!! Leslie

I have a few questions:
Looking for a good strong adhesive to attach felt to paper and felt to felt.
I also used transparencies cut down to size-what adhesive should I use to attach felt/paper to the transparencies that wouldn't show through to the other side?
I know you said you were keeping it super simple and would add a few embellishments along the way...are you keeping a choice few in a baggy attached to the cover to add? Curious what those embellishments are.
Are you planning to journal using the computer or handwrite your comments or a combo of the two?
If you handwrite will you stick with one color or will you mix it up?
I am not attaching my numbers to the pages-last year I wanted to swap days and couldn't so this year I am thinking ahead.
If it weren't for you, I would not have last years to look back on and there wouldn't be one this year to look forward to-thank you!

I found this really cute paper by Little Yellow Bicycle and when I saw it I immediately thought of December Daily, so I thought I would share it in case anyone is looking for some help with numbers and/or journaling prompts:
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/little-yellow-bicycle/85185-countdown-to-x-maspeppermint-25-days-of-christmas-paper/

I am going to be gone the first weekend in December. I am not sure how to include my weekend away plus what my husband and son did. I am not too sure my husband gets the idea behind the album and am worried about his photo selections!
I love this idea and can't wait to see my final product as well as yours!
Thank you for the inspiration.

...wonderful give-a-ways!!! Love your blog!

LOVE the dog pendants!!! Pick me please?!?