Journal Your Christmas Giveaway
The first time I did any sort of journal/creative adventure during the holiday season was Shimelle Laine's Journal Your Christmas back in 2005 (check out my December 2005 archives for more).
My experience in Shimelle's workshop inspired me to create my first December Daily in 2007 that was published in my Studio A column in Creating Keepsakes magazine. The main differences being that I set up the structure of my album in advance (trying to keep it simple) and that I wanted to focus on documenting the daily activities over the course of the 25 days leading up to Christmas without specific prompts.
Over the last couple of years there have been lots of people that have combined the two concepts - creating a foundation in advance and using Shimelle's prompts as guides for page topics and inspiration.
It's a creative adventure I highly recommend so I thought it would be fitting to give away a spot to Shimelle's class this week.
One person and a friend of their choice will recieve a spot in Shimelle Laine's fabulous Journal Your Christmas online workshop.
Journal your Christmas is an online class that takes you right through the Christmas season, from the 1st of December to the 6th of January - the twelfth day of Christmas. Through 37 full colour prompts that arrive in your inbox daily, you'll be inspired by topics that let you enjoy this year's celebrations while reliving your very favourite Christmas memories, and you'll have plenty of ideas for making your pages with hundreds of beautiful examples from a variety of scrappers.
Instead of letting the holidays run you, a Christmas journal has helped many women take back their Christmas so they can enjoy and celebrate the magic of Christmas. Other class benefits include a printable Christmas planner, digital and printable supplies designed exclusively for class and a bonus guide to improving your Christmas photographs including easy-to-use tips from dozens of professional photographers.
To be entered into the giveaway please leave a comment below sharing how you plan to create a more sane holiday season (or more crazy if that's what you need). Comments will be closed on Thursday at 8pm Pacific with the winners posted shortly after.
I remember you talking about this class last year and I wish I would have taken it (maybe my 2008 book would be complete). This year I'm in no matter what!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
This year we have a new "great" newphew coming (due xmas day) so I plan to get things done earlier this year and be able to help out with the baby. My family did it for me when I had my kids so it is time to give back...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
A less intense Christmas season will be started earlier then ever for me. I have in the past started the first of December but I'm not starting the first of November. Being starting creating my holiday cards and such. Decorating will not begin until Dec. 1st but finishing last years 25 days is a much until then. Plus planning for 09.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
planning planning planning beforehand is my plan to have the christmas sane.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
More sane is definitely what I need!! Planning, planning, planning - while leaving enough flexibility that I won't get stressed if I have to change the plans at the last minute (or even abandon them altogether!)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
We are keeping it simple....we are not focusing on giving presents and shopping until we can't take it anymore! We are going to just spend time with family and friends and RELAX!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Baking cookies, decorating a small tree instead of a huge "theme tree", and focusing on the time spent with family and friends will make for a more sane, enjoyable season of celebration.....I hope!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I struggle to be happy at Christmas time because my father passed away then. This is finally MY time to let the sadness go away and rediscover the happiness this season brings.
Any and all inspiration will spur on a fresh and happy mood! Thanks for the opportunity to move forward with this class. :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I've already started:)
We had a friend come over last Sunday and take our family picture.. we got tons of beautiful photos!!! Including the one we will use for our Christmas cards/letter and several special gifts!!
It's actually a HUGE weight off my shoulders... Since it doesn't normally happen until after Thanksgiving.. and then it's a race! And I can't remember the last time my husband was in our family photo! Usually it's just the kids and me.. he hates getting his photo taken...
fa la la la la!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I don't know if it will be more sane or crazier but I really want to work on establishing a few more family traditions now that our little family is complete.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
what a great giveaway! i will be simplifying by doing once a month cooking for december, so that a majority of our evening meals will already be made.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I've looked at those online classes before, and really want to take one or the other. This one looks awesome! Thanks!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I adore Shimelle's classes!
Well, my children are older now (15, 18, 20 and 22) so, Christmas is not as hectic as it used to be (thank goodness...LOL!). Since I usually host a New Year's Eve party, I'm going to make preparations less hectic by asking family members to pitch in to help where needed.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Not sure what I'm going to do to keep it simple.... looking for suggestions now! Definitely doing normal family get togethers, holiday parties for work, put up the tree.... other than that undecided!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
going to travel to my mom's for xmas, so the mantra this year is simple, simple, SIMPLE!!! also, to let go if everyone isn't on the simple band-wagon with me. ;-) we'll see how it goes.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I plan on finishing my shopping soon so I can live in the moment as much as possible with my 4 children. I started doing my shopping in Sept about 10 years ago and it's wonderful, but I have never journalled about or made an album about the holidays, so I'd love that!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
This Christmas, we are driving to visit family instead of flying... for the first time in over a decade. We will start driving on our schedule, not the airlines'. We will leave to return home on our schedule, not the airlines'. We will give the gifts that we want to give... not just what will fit in a suitcase or can be ordered online and shipped in advance. And I will buy my husband the presents that I want to buy, not just those that will fit back into his suitcase or make it through the security checkpoints!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder this year, so for the first time I'm hoping winter isn't a total nightmare for me. This is the first year that I'm spending Christmas away from my family and I plan to make gifts instead of buying them. This is also the first year I started scrapbooking seriously, and I plan to record everything :) I'm looking forward to a quiet, peaceful Christmas in my own home.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
To make Christmas easier we are staying home. And I am making lists. Love my lists!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
This is my first Holiday season where I can't wait for it to start. I have already start my holiday stuff because everything is being handmade this year. I do a handmade holiday post on my blog every Thursday. I will be joining in on the December Daily and documenting my first season.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Less "stuff" this Christmas! More memories!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I don't have any secrets but I have learned as I have gotten older to only put on my list the traditions and memories I think are must do's and not stress the other stuff. I do try to have the bulk of my friends and neighbors gifts done early as that tends to overwhelm me.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Just take one moment at time breathing and trying to enjoying each moment of my baby first Xmas
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am planning ahead this year.
I am also taking the holiday workshop from simply101, and will be creating a holiday binder to keep it all organized.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I just want to enjoy the season with my family. I hope not to get caught up in the business of it all..the pressures..and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.
Sign in or sign up to comment.