December Daily® 2018 | Days Five Through Nine Using A Travelers Notebook

I'm super excited to finally share my December Daily® Days 5-9 from our trip earlier this month to New York City. 

We ventured to NYC because it was Simon's choice for a 16 year old trip. He gave me a list of the things he wanted to do and see and we stuck pretty close to that with a few other things added in that the rest of the group was excited about as well. It was a family trip that included my Mom, my sister Jessica, my niece Gabrielle, Simon, Elliott, Katie and me. We had an awesome time seeing all that we could see over a couple days. Simon's favorite was seeing the Statue Of Liberty. Mine was seeing Hamilton. 

I shared my initial idea and a walkthrough of this TN (travelers notebook) in my Foundation Pages post for 2018. This idea was an excellent solution for me to document this time we were traveling. 

Here's my basic documenting method for this project: 

  • Before Travel: Set up travelers notebook.
  • During Travel: Use the notebook to write down stories for each day day (basically a recap of what we did each day) while we were traveling, take photos, collect some ephemera that could be used in the project. 
  • After Travel: Print full page vertical photos, add some ephemera, write up an "I want to remember" page, and add a few embellishments.

If you are interested in learning more about my approach generally to travel memory keeping I invite you to check out my Travel Product Play workshop

I love how this turned out. The overview video below includes an in-depth look at the process I went through after we got home from the trip. I used the Canon Pixma MG7720 for printing all the photos used in this project. 

Here's a look at how I brought it all together: 

My MInd's Eye Starry Night Pattern Paper was used as the cover of my TN (travelers notebook). A red label sticker from the December Daily® Sticker Bundle was added on the outside.

For the "NYC" I used my Mixed Alpha Stamp Setgreen (Willamette) ink + a rolling date stamp below (this was all done before we left as part of my Foundation Pages for my 2018 album). 

Before we left, but after I posted my Foundation Pages, I printed up this itinerary and added it to the album. I used the Large Travel Words 4x6 Stamp Set to add the word "adventure."

Make sure to check out the video at the bottom of this post to see the actual process I went through. Essentially I do all the words and photos first and then at the very end I add in a few embellishments. The chipboard heart here is from the Be Merry + Celebrate Chipboard Bundle

Words + photos for the win. Setting up a place for words + photos in advance of the trip? Also winning. 

My embellishment strategy was super simple: add word/phrase stickers to most of the photos. I love keeping it super simple like that and limiting the supplies I have access to when I'm finishing it all up. 

Joy chipboard circle is from the Be Merry + Celebrate Chipboard Bundle

This trip was so awesome. All his favorite movies coming to life. 

I loved incorporating things I picked up along the way like this sheet from Shake Shack. It's the liner they use on their trays and it worked great as another page in my album. I cut it to size and folded it in half and it became a page. Large plastic circle is in the December Daily® Main Kit

In the video you'll see my use a long-reach stapler to staple these two plastic circles in place. 

This paper was from The Color Factory which is an awesome temporary exhibit. If you are in or around NYC just go. 

I added in a sheet of vellum to create another page. I seriously loved adding this vellum page and will definitely do that again in future TN projects. It was great as a home for a few additional photos that I punched using a 3 Inch Circle Punch. The "our story" circle sticker was from a past One Little Word® product collection

On the back I was able to repeat that same circle shape. I also added one of the clear plastic circles that were a recent Add On option for Story Kit™ subscribers

Photos for the win. 

For this page - which is the opposite side of the vellum - I cut out the bag I received when purchasing a book at the Statue Of Liberty. Super fun to cut that out and add it right onto the vellum. 

On the backside I used my 3 inch punch again for another photo of some of our group. 

Seeing the Statue Of Liberty for the very first time in person was really moving. I would totally visit again. 

We made the climb up to the crown which is TINY. I had no idea how tiny it was. I held Gabrielle's hand the whole time - or maybe she was holding mine. 

And the blue sky. Man. Hard to beat that. 

Definitely had to include a few photos at the airport. Our trip home was a super, super long day of hurrying up and then waiting. 

I really loved taking just the little bit of time it took to jot down those initial handwritten fact-based pieces of our adventure. 

And I also loved coming back home and writing out a list of things "I want to remember" that are more from the heart reflections vs. facts about the trip. Having both these two styles of journaling within this one project makes the whole thing feel complete for me. 

Love these guys. 

Katie and I basically decided this should be an annual adventure and it should be our office Christmas party. Ha. I don't know if we will actually be able to make that happen but I love the idea. There is so much to see and do in NYC. This trip was really focused on the things that Simon wanted to see and do (his 16 year old trip) - which was just fine with all the rest of us. Also, we got our super puffy coats at Target (Champion brand) before we left and we LOVED them for the super color temperatures. 

On this second to the last page I cut up little pieces of the ephemera I brought home to create this organized collage. Bits and pieces for the win. 

I finished up the album with another building/sky shot and a circle punched photo of our group taken by my Mom. 

A couple things to note: 

  • I initially thought I would be stapling the pages all together to create the binding. It ended up way too thick for that. At this time I'm just leaving it how it is as it seems to function fairly well when I flip through the pages (you can see that in the end of the video below as well). 
  • Big thanks to my friend Jess for suggesting this as the way to tackle this piece of the month. I loved doing something different within the album and I loved being able to just experience the trip and have a plan in place for the storytelling when I got home. 
  • I want to say a big thank you to the community for giving me the freedom to do something a little different within this project. 

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46 thoughts

  1. LynneGillis says…
    12/17/2018

    Love, love, love this! We will be traveling the week between Christmas and New Years, and I am going to try this. idea for capturing that time. What I appreciate most is that you've made it so do-able... and done in a way that ensures you experience the moments instead of worrying about documenting all the time. That, to me, is priceless (and something I often need a reminder to do!). Thank you for this.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Maxpuppy says…
    12/17/2018

    I love, love, love everything about this (and have bookmarked it for future reference) ... thanks, as always, for sharing!
    And, blimey ... just how tall is Simon these days!!
    I have Days 6-10 here: https://thiswestlondonlife.com/2018/12/14/december-daily-2018-days-6-10/

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. beriuqam says…
    12/17/2018

    When I clicked on your blog and saw this I might have screamed, "YES!"

    I love this project (the DD) so much and all of the innovation you show us year after year, but this has been by far my favorite thing ever. I love the way you did the numbers on the envelope. I love how flexible this is. I like traveling during the holidays and I always have to really limit what I want to do, but this is perfect. I actually used an offshoot of this idea when I saw it on your site as I was finishing up my album from last year, and I will be doing something similar with a small journal I have for a trip we're taking to NY later this month.

    This came out a million times better than i could have imagined, and my expectations were high on this one! Ha ha.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. cporter says…
    12/17/2018

    Wow. Just wow. Thank you for sharing and for all you do for our “little” community of memory keepers. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Momany says…
    12/17/2018

    Love it! I have a theory that once you see Hamilton, every time you think about it you get a certain feeling. I call it the Hamilton experience.😊

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. sparkle says…
    12/17/2018

    Loved it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. RhondaN says…
    12/17/2018

    I love this Ali! Loved the papers you used, the pictures are stunning and glad everyone had a wonderful time!
    BTW- when I click on your 3 inch circle punch link it takes me to some transparency sheets.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/17/2018

      Thank you! I'll update that.

  8. Ruann says…
    12/17/2018

    Ali, you're an amazingly talented, organized and giving individual. You give us all inspiration in so many ways. Thank you for this memory keeping group and sharing so many creative ideas with us. I'm not sure how I'll use your TN idea in my album, but I definitely want to do something similar, I love it. And, sorry you came down with the sniffles during the holidays, but hope you and your family have a very peaceful and Merry Christmas!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. hgauvin says…
    12/17/2018

    I just LOVE this! And being to close to NYC (I'm in CT), I want to schedule a trip with my family. We've been several times but mostly to go to shows. We need to go as tourists and see the city that way! Thanks for the push and for sharing this awesome addition to your DD album.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. ahiggins83 says…
    12/17/2018

    Really love how it all came together! I’m borrowing this idea for our trip to Texas Dec 27-31. Previously I know you said you didn’t punch holes in the story kit envelope as there wasn’t enough room. Did you just push the Tim Holtz pins through the plastic? Thanks!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/17/2018

      Pretty sure I used a paper piercer tool to get the holes in there first.

    2. ahiggins83 says…
      12/17/2018

      Makes sense! Thank you! <3

  11. ElenaFarinas says…
    12/17/2018

    Dang!!! I want to go somewhere for a few days just so I can do this!!! I love it Ali! It i fun and a GREAT addition to you DD.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. sobxgirl says…
    12/17/2018

    This was so awesome Ali! I never thought I was a travelers notebook type of documenter but seeing the way you captured so much was really inspiring. Thank you for always sharing.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/17/2018

      I have felt like that before too. When I was working on it I really, really liked it for this kind of story.

  13. tksbaskets says…
    12/17/2018

    Ali, I appreciate all the effort it take to be able to share your process with us. I can honestly say looking at your blog and watching your videos is a highlight of my day in December. Work has prevented me (really busy at work) from finding leisure time with my own DD so I'm enjoying yours and those sharing on our awesome FB group.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. erinnwenrich says…
    12/17/2018

    I did the TN for a trip we took to SLC over 12/1-3. It worked great! Thanks for the idea. We are taking a trip to NYC right before the new year, so I'm thrilled to hear of someone else who went to Color Factory. It was on my list but I was on the fence. Now we are definitely going! Thx for sharing it.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/17/2018

      We thought it was a really fun experience - something different.

  15. tinka323 says…
    12/17/2018

    LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE this, Ali!! And it makes me even more excited for my upcoming visit to NYC in January!! Now my head is spinning with ideas on how to capture that short (just 2 nights 😢) time along with the Kenya adventure! Thank you for all the inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Honore says…
    12/17/2018

    Thanks for sharing your adventure...and your enthusiasm for capturing the story + photos in a TN! I’ve been wanting to try that medium and am now, after watching & experiencing your process, ready to give it a whirl for a trip I took to the PNW Sept 2017!
    Happy Holidays and
    Cheers~

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. jchurch2 says…
    12/17/2018

    You are so darn talented It boggles my mind. This little insert is spectacular! Going to watch the video so I can figure out how to make a travellers notebook myself. ❤️

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. nirupama01 says…
    12/17/2018

    This rocks so much!!! I have been dying to see how you tackled this and it is just wonderful.

    Sharing my current DD pages too:
    https://avinashhecker.blogspot.com/2018/12/december-daily-day-12-trail-of-lights.html

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. jchurch2 says…
    12/17/2018

    I have two questions.....are all the pages held together with washi tape or are some loose?
    When you adhere photos, you can move them after the tape has touched the two surfaces. What tape runner do you use?
    Thanks so much for your inspiration!!

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/17/2018

      They are all technically loose - meaning you could take it all apart at this time. The washi tape is on all the original pages that were folded to create the inside pages. The things I added in - like the vellum - does not have washi where it was folded. The tape runner I use is a Scotch Dot Roller - love it. In the video I do adhere and then pull it back up right after - to reposition (it's technically a permanent adhesive).

    2. jchurch2 says…
      12/17/2018

      Thanks, Ali.

    3. tnscrappn says…
      12/27/2018

      I had a question about the washi tape as well. Just to clarify, the washi tape is used as an embellishment. It is not needed to hold the pages together because they are folded, right?

  20. smultringunn says…
    12/17/2018

    Ali, this is so cool. I've tried to make a TN for a couple of different trips because I like the idea of them, and I think your video made me realize what the missing link has been for me - setting up a design structure in advance! Love love love what you did here!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. cblancha8 says…
    12/17/2018

    Thank you for sharing! I love this little notebook! I have a 3-day trip from October that I've been wondering how best to document (TONS of photos) and something like this would be awesome.

    An idea for the binding, if you decide you want to tie the pages together - pierce some holes about 1-in apart and use a book binding stitch.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Jeannew says…
    12/17/2018

    So great, Ali! We are traveling to Cabo for 9 days after Christmas and I think 8 will br8ng a TN and try this. What a wonderful trip! And I am totally with you on Hamilton!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Sumncsu says…
    12/17/2018

    This is so fabulous...the color page is so much fun. You will certainly treasure these stories forever.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. theblueberryscrapper says…
    12/17/2018

    Absolutely perfect, worth doing, even better than I imagined, I love it too much 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. nashsurg says…
    12/17/2018

    Love this! I am going to use this idea to document a travel experience in early December to Canada for my mother-in-laws funeral. I like how this will be in a pocket so it feels more private. Yet this is such a momentous event I think it needs to be included, to celebrate her and our love for her. I am giving it a little time before I tackle it, but in a way it doesn't seem right to not include it...

    Reply 0 Replies

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