10 Things
Tags:1. December Daily making is in full-effect around here. Look for an initial foundation post on my projects blog on Friday. If you want more info on what this project entails, as well as past albums, take a peek here.
2. Struggling a bit in the transition home after the last trip. Yesterday was the first day that I actually felt even a little like myself. It doesn't help that the house is still half-unsettled from the move. I'm someone who very much likes to feel settled in my environment.
3. Simon is huge. Seriously. He got off the bus yesterday and I caught my breath. Big. Up to my shoulders (I'm 5'9).
4. The crock pot is my friend. My Mom always told me that one of the paths to sanity was carved by making or prepping dinner early in the day. She so totally knows what she's talking about. The busier I get, the more stress creeps in, the more comfort and sanity I find in having something planned and in the works before 5pm.
5. No travel through the holidays this year. YES. We had talked about traveling to see family but have decided to stay here as Simon has decided that our chimney will work very well for Santa.
6. Toddlers are challenging and amazing and crazy and wonderful all in the same instant.
7. I ordered a new sewing machine after watching this video and reading her recommendation. I want to make circles like that. When you click the link you might want to check out more inspiration on her site including her really cool travel journals. I also love how she calls what she does gorilla sewing. I first learned about Dispatch from LA after seeing a journal my friend Catherine's made after taking the Remains of the Day workshop.
8. We've had a house-guest for the last week named Howard. He's Chris' Chinese tutor and is in transition between school and the working world. It's been fun having him here and chatting about the cultural differences between life in the US and China. He tells me he's eaten more cheese while staying with us than any other time in his life.
9. After holding off for awhile I finally tried misting with Studio Calico's Mister Huey Color Mists this past week and now I want to mist all kinds of stuff. More on this in my upcoming December Daily post. Last night I was trying it out on acrylic - it was still wet when I went to bed so I'm not sure how long it will take to actually dry. When I was in Greece I saw some cool stuff that Ronda was doing with it and I was also inspired by a layout created by Leah Fung in a past issue of Scrapbooks Etc. magazine.
10. Glee. I love it. I can't help it. I was catching up on episodes I missed while I was out of the country the other night and I was completely laughing out loud by myself in the living room.
WEBSITE HOUSEKEEPING: I found out yesterday that people have been having an issue when linking to my site and receiving a "Connection Reset" message. You were still able to get to my site if you clicked refresh or clicked on the link again. That is NOT acceptable - no one wants to click twice. I was actually having the same issue but thought it was just me and had been chatting with my web person about the issue. We think we found a solution to the problem but if you are still receiving a message that says "Connection Reset" could you please let me know via the comments or email me.BIG THANK YOU: To those of you who helped me reach my $1000 Komen Race for the Cure fundraising goal. Excited to run this weekend. Cathy is pushing me to run under 30 mins for the 5K...that's my goal.



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107 comments
You're the second person I've run across this week who's had a link posted to the Remains of the Day scrapbook. It's kind of neat, and I'm not at all that style of scrapbooker (so far!). She sews those circles using a darning foot. You can probably buy one for your current sewing machine, but you'll enjoy a new machine too.
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Can't wait to put my Dec Daily together again this year! Also, I took Mary Ann Moss' "Remains of the Day" journal class and it was the best creative investment I have ever made! I plan to do my Dec Daily in the Remains of the Day journal style this year...isn't it wonderful to gather together the wonderful ideas of all of these creative minds online and blend them together along with your own personal style and ideas? Joy!
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I can't wait for December Daily again!! I was wondering if you are planning to do another kit through Cocoa Daisy again?
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Can absolutely NOT wait 'til friday!!!! CAN NOT!!!!
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So looking forward to see your December daily solution, ali. I have enjoyed your december albums so much the last couple of years. :) :)
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Can wait to do dd again this year - just your 1 page got my inspired. I've already shopped a few new things for the album and have picked out my album. I plan to do more album prep ahead of time this year :)
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you will be so happy with Mary Ann's remains of the day class! and you will love free motion sewing- but be careful- it's addicting! You can see my shabby journals on my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/tgilmartin/sets/72157624907794115/
have fun!
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I need to catch-up....I really think I could quit my job and become a full-time "documentarian".
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....holy moly, just saw the video, heart be still...more inspiration to follow....
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Yay for Decemeber Dailies! Can't wait for Friday. This will be my third year creating one. :) Totally agree about crock pots. Would love to hear what recipes you use in it.
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Hooray for Dec Daily. Not only did I find last years such a wonderful keepsake that I love to look through, i found it was great to make me have some "me time" each day, even if it was only 15mins.
I so hear you on the crockpot, I've just become a Mum for the 3rd time and currently have a 6wk old, a 17mth old and a 3yr old. Crockpot is my friend too and I try and have my evening meal done for everyone by 4pm so we can play in the park before dinner.
Looking forward to Friday's post.
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Ali - Last year was the first time I had done a December Daily album. I thought I wanted to "make it as I went along", so that I could embellish on top of photos, create a page that "matched" the day, add journaling where I wanted, etc. What happened was, the season moved very quickly, and I had a hard time keeping up. I ended up finishing it long after the holidays were over and I was out of the mood.
This year, I will definitely create the whole album beforehand, and enjoy the process from beginning to end.
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yah daily december i love what you do mine is again different size pages and stuff as i love that affect, im also making one up for my 11 year old daughter for her to do as she got her very own camera for her birthday this year so want to see what a 11 year old thinks is important to docucment, and i think once a week we will sit down and put our weeks photos in etc, as i have a note book that i write all my journalling in and print photos weekly at the local chemist.....im looking forward to it as the first week of december we are off on a little family holiday so it will be cool to add that into the album....thanks for your photos looking forward to seeing more pages and info on this Ali
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Dangit, I wasn't going to sign up for another class! A friend of mine sent me the ROD link about 6 months ago, I really want to use it for A Week in the Life. I've been trying to find a negative comment on the class, but to no avail. Looks like I need to sign up!
I saw the link to the sewing machine - how does this one differ from a standard machine? I have a White Jeans model and can do the basics on it...will it work for a ROD journal as well?
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also wanted to say re the height of simon, im not 100% sure how tall i am lol but my 11 year old daughter is nearly taller than me now, i know im definally not short mmmm might need to buy some shoes with heals on them i think lol
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Love, love the December daily albums! This will be my first year doing one so I'm super excited. Can't wait to see what your DD looks like this year!
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Best of luck with the race. Thanks for running for us.
By the way, I broke down and watched GLEE for the first time last night. I now know what I have been missing. It makes me smile to know that you are also a fan!
Take good care of yourself,
Leora
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Just had to say that I only discovered Glee about a month ago, and promptly ran through the whole first season on Netflix in a few weeks. Fabulous!! I haven't seen any of the new season because I hadn't finished the first season yet and I didn't want to skip ahead. But now...do I watch the new season? Wait for a set to come out on DVD and catch up then? Last year they did a half-season set so at least I wouldn't have to wait a full year but...but...can I wait at all?! LOL!
And secondly, just seeing all of that prep for December Daily is such eye candy!! You're tempting and teasing us, girl. :P Look forward to seeing more about it soon. :D
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Hi ...cant wait for December Daily....Will we have an opportunity to purchase a kit ?? and if yes, when?? Thanks!
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Hi Theresa - there's no organized kit this year. I'll be providing product links and suggestions in the post tomorrow.
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Am seeing some Hambly and other fun stuff from years gone by.
I'll sheepishly admit that I've never actually COMPLETED a December Daily - although I've started many and managed to separate my Christmas goodies from all others. Maybe this will be my year!!
I'm so looking forward to seeing what it is you're conjuring up, Ali. It's a vicarious enjoyment since mine are perpetually "in progress". :))
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I am so very excited that you have discovered mists! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am. You are so over the top talented I can't wait to see what you do with them.
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