Hello Again

In the last 15 days I've been on 15 different airplanes. 

From Eugene to Portland to Miami to Lima to Iquitos to Cusco to Guayaquil to Baltra (Galapagos Islands) to Bogota to Miami to LA to Eugene (and back and forth between a few of those). 

The travel within the travel. That's a lot of time on airplanes. Enough time to read three books (more on those later) and play a whole lot of Candy Crush. 

It feels strange to be back in my house. Amidst my stuff (oh how that desire to purge is in high gear again) and the regular routines of life. 

Huge, running hugs from my kids. Home. 

I've been lucky to be able to travel with Jim West of ScrapMap over the last four years - each trip leaving a million little memories on my heart and mind. Each trip punctuated by my own personal thoughts and feelings and emotions about where I'm at in my own life. 

People travel for all kinds of reasons. 

For me it's another opportunity to learn about the world (via sights and sounds and tastes), to do things I'm afraid of, to deepen relationships with my fellow adventurers, and often to reflect on the life I'm living back home. 

And oh yeah, have some fun. 

I'll be sharing more from this adventure in the coming weeks. 

So as I settle back in I want to say thanks for sticking around even when I wasn't blogging regularly. The break from access to the internet was good for me. 

I know it was a bit of a crazy time to be gone as there is a whole lot of stuff happening around here in the next couple of months. In case you've missed it here's a run-down of what's coming up: 

  • Week In The Life™ begins on October 27th and people who ordered kits have started receiving them. If you get yours in the mail and you notice that the page protectors have a couple different pocket configurations (specifically a 2x2 pocket page), never fear, I'll have an updated design plan available soon that uses those as a substitution (you know how I love to go with the flow). As usual, I will be sharing my words and photos throughout the week right here on my blog. Also as usual, you don't have to have a kit to participate. It's so much more about the words and the photos and I'll share more thoughts on my documentation goals for this year next week. Digital templates for 2014 are now available for those of you who like to incorporate those into your project as well. 
  • Lens Of Joy, my newest 4-week workshop, begins November 1st and this one is all about my photography processes and looking through the lens. You can read more about this workshop here. I'm super excited about this content. 
  • December Daily® kits for 2014 are now available. We hope to have "real-life" images available soon (including the albums) vs. the digital mock-ups (which at least gives you an idea of what you'll see in the kit). We also have a limited number of 2013 December Daily® kits available here
  • The October Story Stamp™ is also now available and this month's theme is Get Real. If you are a current subscriber you can access the education content while you wait for your stamps to arrive (click on your user name and then select My Classes). 

I also wanted to send out a general thank you to everyone as we all acclimate to this new site. I don't intend for it to always be like this - having Week In The Life™, a workshop, and December Daily® this close together is a little crazy-making (oh yeah and a 2+ week trip out of the country on top of that). I'm excited to get back into the routine of sharing layouts and projects and stories.  

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23 thoughts

  1. Jgk04 says…
    10/16/2014

    Welcome back :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. tammyeberhard says…
    10/16/2014

    well said Jgk... Welcome Back! We missed you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. jstock17 says…
    10/16/2014

    it's good to travel . . . but it's good to be home. Can't wait to hear/see more of your trip.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. mtercha says…
    10/16/2014

    Wow, you must be exhausted, but hopefully in a good way. Sounds wonderful. Michelle t

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. jlrude1970 says…
    10/16/2014

    Good to have you back!! Can't wait to hear about your adventure!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. erink88 says…
    10/16/2014

    Glad you are back. I am wondering if you will offer the past stamp sets from your Tell your story? I am just finding out about this (from a blog post from someone else) and am interested in the first set of stamps. Can these be purchased now?

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. AliEdwards says…
      10/16/2014

      Hi! Start a conversation with Customer Service below (click on Contact Us). They can let you know - I think you can still get the first set.

    2. Fabscrapper says…
      10/16/2014

      I sent a request for this and was told that the first set is not available

  7. Kimmie says…
    10/16/2014

    We missed you. Glad you are back and looking forward to December Daily!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. colletties says…
    10/16/2014

    Yes, yes. Welcome home. Glad you are safe and sound.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. papergoddess says…
    10/16/2014

    Welcome back! I love travel, but I don't think I could do what you just did! awesome. I'm really looking forward to Lens of Joy!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. anniebeagle says…
    10/16/2014

    "Huge, running hugs from my kids" made me ponder when the last time was that I RAN to hug someone... Kids are awesome. Your trip sounds amazing and exhausting. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jana_NJ says…
    10/16/2014

    Welcome back !

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. younggirl says…
    10/16/2014

    Welcome back! Can't wait to see your pics!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Johnny_Mills says…
    10/17/2014

    Ali, which December Daily album color will you be choosing this year?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      10/17/2014

      Good question! I think red.

  14. Emmaj says…
    10/17/2014

    Welcome back! So where are you going next year with Jim West?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      10/17/2014

      Next year I'm taking a break due some other international travel (teaching at events in France). In 2016 we are planning for Bali.

  15. Blissmamaof3 says…
    10/17/2014

    Will there also be a December Daily class this year?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      10/18/2014

      I'll be sharing my process, pages, etc on my blog just like I have in the past - no cost.

  16. Tootles1108 says…
    10/18/2014

    Happy you're home safely! I love your new site and everything that goes with it. Anticipating great. Adventures ahead!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. normademello says…
    10/25/2014

    All of your pictures are beautiful and we always look forward to check them out. Print your pictures on canvas as a memory of your adventures. You can also print your above picture and make it into a beautiful wall accessory. You can visit http://www.canvasmyphoto.com/ to get more details as well.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Qldaussie says…
    10/28/2014

    Ali you are an inspiration to me and I too love to travel and I'm currently reflecting on a lot of things in life. Time is one of them and appreciating the here and now moments. Looking forward to hearing about your travels.

    Reply 0 Replies

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