Stories Of Summer : Summer In The Life MiniBook by Monika Wright
SUMMER IN THE LIFE MINIBOOK
BY MONIKA WRIGHT
THE BACKGROUND
Two years ago, I fell in love with Ali’s December Daily adventure and right then, my love of mini albums was born. Her posts and the December Daily Flickr gallery led me to discover that I really like the idea of telling our family history in small doses. I get to concentrate on a specific subject and tell the story in as much, or as little, detail as fits into my schedule at the time.
How many of you wanted to play along with the Week in the Life project several weeks ago? Yeah, me, too. It didn’t work out for me though.
My schedule was full with a birthday, Mother’s Day, design team projects and last days of school for two kids. And one of those last days was really “THE. LAST. DAY.” My oldest graduated from high school. EEK! Didn’t I just graduate from high school myself? (No, Monika, you did not. You graduated a very long time ago. Back when all those songs they sing on Glee were hits the first time around.)
THE MINI-ALBUM
That’s how this Summer In The Life mini-album came to be. Okay, you got me... it originally started out as a giveaway for the anniversary celebration week at write.click.scrapbook. and quickly evolved into much more. While assembling the mini, I made another one for a friend and then I thought to myself, “Monika, you silly girl, why aren’t you putting one together for yourself, too?”
THE DESIGN
To begin I chose four words I wanted to focus on for the summer: play, splash, laugh, chill. After choosing my summertime words, I designed page tabs in bright, happy colors, which were printed on matte cardstock at home on my awesome Epson R1900 printer (see free PDF download at the bottom of this post). Another choice would be to print them on photo paper.
Next, I trimmed my patterned paper and cardstock to 4x6. I know, I know. You’re thinking that 4x6 is just not all that exciting. Or inspiring. Remember, I originally designed this album as a giveaway? And, honestly, I think the majority of us print our photos as 4x6‘s, which makes covering the back side of patterned paper with a photo effortless. The result? A completed mini page in no time at all.
Behind each tab, I included an envelope for memorabilia, a manila tag, a page of graph paper, a time card and a vintage book page. It doesn’t take any more time to pull out four of something, rather than just one, so why not? I then sorted my paper and cardstock into piles that fit the color scheme of each tab. That’s not really necessary, but that’s just the way I roll.
I embellished a few pages by adding tabs, ribbon, journal spots, label stickers and chipboard so that I could print photos and just slap it in there. Yes, I did just say slap it in there! Remember the goal is no-stress and fun, fun, fun! Although I generally use my Zutter Bind-It-All for mini albums, I felt that this project called for binder rings. Other alternatives would be ribbon or ball chain.
With three kids at home, I won’t have much time to be at my craft desk. They’ll be much more interested in the fun, fun, fun part! I’ll need to get it done quickly, which will be easier with my pre-assembled pages.
THE PROCESS
I don’t intend to document each day of our summer, just those that strike me as a good story, a special memory or as an example of another ordinary day in our extraordinary life. I’ll also include bits of life (receipts, to do lists, movie stubs - we plan to see Toy Story 3!).
I also know that not all my pages will have photos. I plan to include stories in this mini-album, which will include:
- conversations between the kids that I overhear and don’t want to forget
- things I remember doing with my brother during our summers at home compared to what my kids are doing together now
- our love of Cherry Limeades from Sonic on hot, humid days
- a page to document each family member’s favorite Summer memories, in their own handwriting if I’m lucky!
AN INVITATION
Won’t you play along and record your summer memories, too?
If you’d like to use these four tabs in your very own SUMMER IN THE LIFE mini-album, click below for your free download:
Download MonikaWright_SummerMiniBookDownload
Note: The CHILL tab came as an afterthought, but we all need a little CHILL time don’t we? I know that I will definitely be trying to sneak a photo of my husband taking a cat nap on the settee in the gazebo while we’re taking a break from swimming at Nana’s and Papa’s!
ABOUT MONIKA : Although she didn’t begin documenting her family’s stories until 2008, you can usually find Monika in their combination scrap/computer/laundry room crafting and pretending to her husband and 3 children to be doing much more laundry and ironing than is actually being accomplished.
When the kids aren’t begging for computer time, using her markers or sneaking pretty paper, Monika is creating projects and layouts as a design team member at write.click.scrapbook. In addition to having one of her December Daily pages featured on Ali’s blog, her work has been featured on the blogs of SEI [http://seilifestyle.blogspot.com/2010/03/monikas-favorite-things-book.html]
and Colorbok. Her Etsy store, i love it all, has mini-albums in stock similar to this one. Use code ALI to receive 20% off one item in the store through July 30, 2010. Monika blogs, when she can, about projects she loves.
Monika, I like how you've established parameters by focusing on select concepts. Also, love the yellow binder rings, and white reverse text. I think I'm changing out my own book to white rings as it gets all fat and happy.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. and thanks for the downloads!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love this, Monika. What a wonderful collection of ideas. Thanks so much for sharing - and the downloads!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
What an adorable album and great idea! Thanks for the inspiration, and a download to get it all started.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali -- been meaning to write -- really like these ideas for summer memories -- great idea -- has got my creative juices flowing -- thank you!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love this idea! No vacation for us this year but this would be a perfect way to highlight our summer. Thanks for the download!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ok this is a silly question; but how do I download something like this? Do I "Click to Create PDF using Acrobat.com" or "Click to save this file to your computer" Love this little book!!
Thanks for your help!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I usually right click with my mouse hovering on the download link and then a menu pops up allowing me to do several things: you can either {open link in a new tab } and print directly from there or if you want to save the download for "forever" use you click on the { download linked file ) or { download linked file as } if you know exactly where you want to save the document.
Good luck, hope this helps. Have fun with your Summer mini!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali - you know what I appreciate about all these story keeping ideas? Simplicity. Although it's a process, it's not overly taxing. I can do this.
Sarah
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Great book! Thanks for the download.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
P.S. The link to Monika's etsy shop doesn't work. I'd love to see what she has for sale. Thanks.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love summer but I never scrap the things we do. What a great easy way to start doing just that. Thanks so much for sharing your book with us. Great ideas!!!!!!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
i think this is the etsy site since the link is not working:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/iloveitall?ga_search_query=i+love+it+all&ga_search_type=seller_usernames
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Love this idea! I have played along with Ali the past 2 years for her December Daily and love the idea of doing something similar to document the summer but not having to do it every day. Thanks for the inspiration! I'll be playing along!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi there...Monika here!
I would love for you to visit my etsy shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/iloveitall
and I blog at:
www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.blogspot.com
I am just now in the process of adding a few more mini's to the shop, so please come back if they're out of stock!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am so glad that you like the Summer in the Life mini! It's so easy when all the prep is done at one time and you just have to add the photos, some journaling and maybe a little embellishment (but it's not required).
Isn't Ali just an inspiration to us all? YES!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Monika here...
I got hooked on mini's when I first saw Ali's December Daily in 2008 and did another in 2009. I'm so glad to hear that you're playing along. I'd love to see what you come up with if you'd care to e-mail a link. I blog at www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.blogspot.com. There's an e-mail link button on the right sidebar.
The most important thing is that you have fun with it all. It doesn't have to be complicated. Don't forget to download your free Summertime tabs, the link is in the post or on my blog.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Yes, that link works!
Thank you Melissa for adding this. That really is such a sweet thing to do for me. I appreciate you.
Now go have some fun and don't forget to document it in your mini!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
So glad you like the album and the download. Hope you have fun with your Summer in the Life mini!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, thank you for these organizing these great posts. This has been the highlight of my day to see what inspiration is posted next. Monika, I absolutely love this concept. This is completely doable for me - I can't wait to get my book together. Thanks for the inspiration.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thank you Dawn, and everyone, for your kind words and enthusiasm...my heart is full and happy and overflowing right now. Just to know that I helped someone to find a fun way to gather their memories for safekeeping is a good thing!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I cannot tell you how much I need this book! I have not scrapped in over a year since my youngest was born. I don't want to miss out on the fun everyday things that we do... and this will allow me to capture those moments! I really appreciate you sharing this project with us... and more over for free! I know I can comfortably put this mini-album together and have it out so that I can record moments and place the photos in when I get them printed out. Thank you again!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I cannot tell you how much I need this book! I have not scrapped in over a year since my youngest was born. I don't want to miss out on the fun everyday things that we do... and this will allow me to capture those moments! I really appreciate you sharing this project with us... and more over for free! I know I can comfortably put this mini-album together and have it out so that I can record moments and place the photos in when I get them printed out. Thank you again!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I cannot tell you how much I need this book! I have not scrapped in over a year since my youngest was born. I don't want to miss out on the fun everyday things that we do... and this will allow me to capture those moments! I really appreciate you sharing this project with us... and more over for free! I know I can comfortably put this mini-album together and have it out so that I can record moments and place the photos in when I get them printed out. Thank you again!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I cannot tell you how much I need this book! I have not scrapped in over a year since my youngest was born. I don't want to miss out on the fun everyday things that we do... and this will allow me to capture those moments! I really appreciate you sharing this project with us... and more over for free! I know I can comfortably put this mini-album together and have it out so that I can record moments and place the photos in when I get them printed out. Thank you again!
Sign in or sign up to comment.