I spent a chunk of today hanging out with my dear daughter and her 3 littlies, after hanging out with just her for a few hours last night!
The above series of photos started with the middle one as in the middle child (and middle photograph), the biggest one's photo came next and then I realised I was missing one set of feet... the littlest one. Right on cue he woke up from a nap and rolled onto his tummy... perfect for Nannie to grab a quick photo and know that all was right in the Grandparent world with a photo of each.
These gorgeous kiddos are so loved, so fun and I love to just hang out with them at their house. Hours just fly by.
So very blessed.
Here are the photos for my album from last night, we rounded off our evening of Christmas shopping with grocery shopping.
My dear daughter is the queen of packing so much into her boot space. Somewhere under there is a double pram!
My journaling for this evening begins... The Tale of Two Trolleys...
May the rest of your day be filled to the very top with love, joy and blessings,
Today has been all about tidying up the last remaining messy areas around home.
I have been attending to all the rest of the house over the past couple weeks. I have decluttered. Really decluttered. A total of 29 large boxes have been donated to various charities and organisations. Some I had to deliver, some came by and collected. Then the deep cleaning happened.
My store kit surplus and my December Daily album supplies were the last to get tidied and rehomed. I absolutely favour our dining setting, it is not the traditional dining as such but more like a bar with barstools. We have a large 10 place outdoor setting, we have 5 stools at a breakfast bar off the kitchen so we really didn't need, nor would we use any kind of formal setting. The only trouble is, it is the perfect height for crafting at! I prefer to stand when I craft and the kitchen bench top can be a little low, this bar height table is perfect.
Finally this area made it to the top of the to do list.
This photo will be printed at 4x6 and slot into that size pocket on a 2 3x4 1 4x6 page protector.
Crazy busy days with work still have stopped me from actually printing photos and getting them in the album.
This day and what I have included actually happened on the 17th.
Whoa! Now that's a bit different!
I struggled to find a story I wanted to tell for the 16th. It was an uneventful day, spent at home, working. Work wise it was huge, every day this week has been huge and 4 hours sleep per night has become the norm. I get so much done between 11pm and 3am that it is worth the sandpapery eyes for the first hour when I wake.
Today's spread is about a special, love her long time, friendship.
We met when our daughters were just weeks old. We were neighbours with one house between us. We connected. We have been friends ever since.
Our daughters (who were our only daughters at that time) are turning 25 next birthday. The girls are just 24 days apart in age.
I caught up with this beautiful friend very briefly, I received a gift and a handmade by her card. Our catch up was so unexpected that I did not have a gift for her, I am yet to purchase/make it. We both love a handmade homemade Christmas, each year we bake and cook our way through most of our gift lists. My friend is so much more organised than I.
My beautiful card perfectly in the 4x6 pocket, I have inserted the back portion of the card only so that the front/top is like a flap and can be lifted up to reveal the message, the tag from the handmade gift sits in the top right pocket.
Due to work commitments I have yet to journal ... considering it is almost like I am a day ahead (this unexpected meet happened the morning of the 17th) I am giving myself 24 hours to get that done and into the album.
Here is today outside of the album:
I know when I look back on this album many years from now, I probably wont remember that this happened on the 17th not the 16th.
It is Christmas themed.
It did happen in December.
Close enough is good enough for me.
and let's face it..... I have work to do!
If you are participating in December Daily, I hope you feel you can make it your own and not be bothered by what others do or don't do
Today's album entry is all about the first lot of Christmas Gift wrapping.
I am very late to the wrapping party this year, and a very long way from my best 'record' of wrapped and tagged by Mid October.
My attention is diverted in a few directions, the one front and centre is the decision to close my online scrapbook store website. I am devoting a non Christmas type day in my December Daily album to this and it will just slot in whenever that is obvious or convenient. It sure is a part of my December 2015.
In addition, I have my eldest son arriving on Christmas Day and that in and of itself is HUGE! He will be here for several weeks so lots to plan for and factor in.
Also my Mum lives in our Granny Flat on our property now, so of course we accommodate her needs and incorporate her into the entire day, the days before and all the days after instead of sometime during Christmas Day. Mum and I have been nutting out our Christmas Dinner menu, dividing up tasks, checking off ingredients already on hand, making lists of what is still to be purchased.
We have similar lists going for gifts.
Thankfully, a time pressure of meeting up with a lovely cousin for some Christmas Shopping has helped me get this gift wrapping show on the road finally.
That very same time pressure has meant that I did not get photos of them inserted into my December Daily album. They are in but there is absolutely nothing else in there with them yet - no embellishing, no journaling either. Each year I include some of my wrapping paper into the days spread, all of the completion of this page will happen tomorrow.
Here are the photos that will go into my album:
This last pic is my absolute favourite.
The tinsel is in focus but the gifts are not. The lights have picked up the glittery pattern or the burlap ribbon. I quite like shots that are a big different to the norm every now and then.
There is also another gift, this time a combined gift, being delivered today also:
I think I prefer the option of leaving them all 4x6 - so 2 facing pages with the addition of an insert in the middle for journaling on one side and snippets of wrapping paper, twine and ribbons on the other... I have a game plan in mind.
That brings the grand total of Christmas Gift recipients to 7 so far!
It is a start.
May you day be full of good cheer (and wrapping if you are like me and trailing behind a bit!)
This single 4x6 photo will go into the flip side of the 4x6 pocket from yesterdays spread, in the 3x4 pockets above it I intend to put a piece of the packaging from the teas that I will purchase tomorrow. I will most likely buy from T2. As soon as I am home, guess what I shall be brewing up for my Mum and I? !
and the second story is about my decision, well actually my actions following my decision, to close my online scrapbook store website, The Stamp Spot.
Initially I had thought the end of January would be when I would feel ready to announce and get hustling... today I woke, thought on it some more, and acted. I did not know today would be the day that I would feel ready. I am so glad I do feel ready. The response has been very humbling indeed.
This strip of journaling is 4" wide x 8" tall and will sit as an insert in the middle of the album, the reverse side will have some stats listed that I have been recording as the day has unfolded following my announcement.
Beautiful emails, messages and an avalanche of orders!
Still, I know this decision is right for me, for my brand, for my little 'spot' in the world of online commerce.
I have been practising living in a more 'grey' zone in life in general. Ali Edwards, God love that woman!, first brought the idea of 'grey' to my attention quite a while ago. You know that knowing, that feeling when you hear something and it just resonates with every part of your being... well Ali's use of the word grey hit me like a wave of reality.
I need more grey. I need less black. I need less white.
I need to not know what is just up ahead, or miles down the road. I need to not know all the little details. I need to not know what my plan a, b c d and all the way to z are.
This leap of faith today, this leap into the grey feels amazing. I cannot believe how excited I am to not know what is next.
Sure I have some ideas, some of those ideas are very grand and would require negotiation and communication with people I don't even know their names yet. Some ideas are teeny tiny... yet are equally exciting.
I like routine. I like repetition. I feel safest with black and with white.
However on this adventure...
I am embracing grey!
Best wishes for feelings of right and good and whole,
Today is all about one of the very special ornaments that adorn our Christmas Tree.
Each year in honour of my late Father (and my born too early premature Daughter, her ornament will feature later in the month) I purchase a new ornament.
Some years I find it extremely easy and straightforward - see the perfect ornament, purchase it, hang it on the Tree. Some years, such as this year, I struggle.
You would think I would have this annual ornament selection down to a fine art, I have, afterall, had 17 years experience. Yes. Sadly. 17 years.
Many a shopping trip ended up with no special ornaments.
Finally I found the one that spoke to me, that represented all that my Dad has meant to me this past 12 months.
It is a beautiful ornament made from paper (the irony was not lost on me given I own an online scrapbooking store), the pearls are just beautiful (again the irony not lost on me in their representation of wisdom), a little sparkly but not too much (my Dad was often told he had a cheeky twinkle in his eye) and the colour sage (wisdom, clarity and cleansing). Each years ornament has not felt so representative of my Dad or the year that we have travelled through without him, I find the more December Daily's I participate in (and complete) the more my awareness has developed. I am and will be eternally grateful to Ali Edwards for beginning her own journey and then sharing that journey with the entire world.
Of course I document these ornaments in my December Daily album.
These ornaments are the last to go on our Christmas Tree, they are the first to be taken down. They are so very special.
A one page spread (well actually its a 2 page but I am only featuring one here, that photo at the top of this blogpost has been printed, trimmed and placed on the left of this spread with a bunch of handwritten journaling)
The top left is a close up printed at 3x4, the card on the top right is from the Seven Paper Felix Collection for Studio Calico, the bottom 4x6 pocket holds my photo with journaling atop and a vellum with gold foil stars sheet over top of that.
A close up:
and finally the photo out of the pocket with the journaling clearly visible:
It's been an interesting and challenging road in my family and in my household this year.
My elderly Mum (76 at the end of this week!) moved to our Granny Flat at the end of March this year.
I am so proud of her, 17 years without her husband, a husband that took very good care of her. My Dad, ever the handyman and fixer upper!
We miss him, we honour him, we remember him.
I invite you to surround yourself and your loved ones, especially the elderly members of your family, with love and care.
I very nearly used this photo and journaled all over it! However when I went to edit todays photos I preferred the one I ended up going with, so nice to have a choice.
I have tried something a little different (though certainly not rocket science) with my journaling for this spread.
I typed onto some patterned paper from the kit I am using, trimmed it down a little and put overtop a 6x8 sheet.
Some gold glitter alphas were added. I have decided I will go back and add repeated stamping but (as yesterday) due to commitments I ran out of time.
It is so important to me to keep completely up to date with this December Daily project, I acknowledge I have a fear of being left behind (in general, in life) and it plays out every December!
Now if I could just apply that sentiment to Project Life documenting then all would be well in my Memory Keeping world. Yes, it is a goal for 2016.
The photo is a page in and of itself, I simply left enough extra border on the left side to allow for the hole punching.
Having Christmas decor in our ensuite might seem a bit odd I suppose, no corner of our home is considered safe from festive decorations!
I invite you to celebrate your today, for every day in December is about enjoying all that the Festive Season brings,
These photos were not taken today, they were taken this December though. I thought that I wouldn't get to use them until tomorrow Day 12 but no Christmas story has appeared as yet today and due to commitments this evening and tomorrow I wont get time to write a story.
That's how I roll some days in December.
I am also conscious of there being more everyday stories of late than Seasonal ones and ... well .... it is a December Daily album after all.
Each time I visit family or a friend, I always, always snap a pic of their tree.
I have used an Ali Edwards 6x8 template and simply clipped the photos into place using Photoshop Elements. Printed, trimmed and into the page protector.
Once again no number placement has happened yet!
Just a one page spread for today.
These ornaments on my Aunts tree are people I am related to - my late Nana, my late Poppie and my late cousin.
The bottom left quadrant is a photo of my Aunts wrapping paper and gift tags for this year. That is another set of photos I take - others wrapping paper!
Later in the month I will share the special ornaments I have on my own tree, ornaments purchased and lovingly hung to honour my late Father and my late Daughter.
Even though loved ones cannot be with us physically, they are in spirit.
They will be honoured, respected and remembered.
I hope your day has some moments of reflection, life is so precious.
and... I still could not decide on the placement of the numbers 1 and 0!
No surprises there.
I seem to have a lot to say this December, a lot to journal. I feel I have hit my groove with this December Daily Project this year. Almost like the past few years I have been in training and now I know my way around a December album. Past participation has taught me (as Ali Edwards says herself) it is about the sum total. I interpret this as the sum total of each story plus each photo, what makes it into the album and what does not. Maybe even who makes it into the album and who does not. It is a mixture of seasonal stories, photos and events sprinkled with the everyday stories.
Not every time, but certainly regularly, when I open my album to add the next day I re read my "This December..." journaling.
Definitely a touchstone, definitely a reminder of my intentions for this album and this season.
Day 10 is just (just as in no photo and in no way minimizes the importance of the story within) journaling and is housed inside this glassine bag (I simply punched holes in it) and written on 2 4x6 sheets, both plain Kraft cardstock. I hand wrote this journaling.
Whilst I am not sharing the actual words here, I can mention that they focus on the Christmas Spirit as shared with me in my family, amongst my friends in real life and my online friends. It is a nod to another form of self care, of the need for human contact and relationship.
Taking the time to stay in touch at this busy time of year, taking the time to just ask "how are you?", taking the time to check plans and when each is free to catch up in person, taking the time to listen to struggles, taking the time to celebrate non Christmas related achievements, taking the time to simply connect and to say the words that convey how much each cares about the other.
I am truly blessed at this and every time of year, today's entry is simply a way to honour these very important people in my life right now.
The following photo is showing the bag open with a journaling card peeking out:
The following photo shows the tag outside of it's pocket:
and finally the rear view of the glassine bag:
The journaling exercise for Day 10 in my December Daily album has been good for my heart and dare I say soul.
As I wrote I could feel myself filling with gratitude, I am so very grateful for my life and those that I hold dear.
May your day be filled with loved ones, near, far and wide,
Today celebrates the last day of single digits for December, so cliche but will say it anyway.... December is zooming along.
Catching my breath yesterday was a nod to self care and a nod to Peace and Calm, I so needed it.
Day 9 is all about the much anticipated School Report arrival in the mail. School finished back in November, each year we forget about it until that big envelope lands in the mailbox.
I checked the mail on our way out the door yesterday, immediately set upon by the student and was such an awesome report it required that I pull over at the top of our street and pay attention to the teen who proudly read it out. The only subject below expectation was English, thankfully a subject he does not need for his chosen career path.. and the priceless retort of "Well I would do a whole lot better if she were hot!" Teen boy right there! In all seriousness the repore you have with your teache/sr, and at his age appearance and/or level of respect given by teacher to student and student to teacher is very much reflected in results. He excelled in the subjects where this level of respect exists. The usual array of comments of kind, thoughtful, courteous, a pleasure to have in the classroom, enthusiastic were there... along with a few funny comments - yes my youngest son is quite the comedian and quite the keeper of all things just.
Day 9 (by default) includes this left hand page... it is from the One Little Bird digital December Daily set for Ali Edwards - a 6x8 paper that I decided to print on specialty transparency paper - I printed this several weeks ago and finally found the spot for it. Initially my intention was to have it as a stand alone divider style page but having cut it in advance to 6x8 it just would be too small for that idea in an 8x8 album where there is a lot of distance between holes and the pockets beginning.
I simply slipped it into the flipside of the previous day 8, then removed it to add the gold die cut star and some word strips (Felix Collection by Seven Paper for Studio Calico, 1 sheet of which can be found in this comprehensive kit) and returned it to the pocket.
Day 9 left side:
Day 9 right side:
That piece "every picture records a little story" is a Jillibean Soup white die cut (1 of similar design is included in this kit), I simple adhered it over top of the photo.
Next page (fllipside of the 6.5x8.5 photo):
I stitched in place a piece of gold strip transparency (yep you got it - also in the kit) using gold metallic thread on the upper and an off white in the bobbin.
Then it was just a matter of slipping in a bunch of 'spots' to journal on, 3 4x6 cards (kit), adding another Jillibean Soup white die cut onto the Kraft 4x6 card, and a bag I made using gold spot glassine paper, a Sizzix die and my Big Shot. Inside that bag is a burlap paper tag cut from the dies that Ali had in her shop.
Close up of the stitching detail, love metallic thread:
It can be a bit tricky keeping transparency material from slipping all over the place, stitching very slowly and repositioning as you go works, also a walking foot (used by quilters) is invaluable for this kind of project.
Number placement is top left - I know that day 10 is most likely a no photo day so will use the glassine bag I pre prepared to slot my journaling in, I flipped the bag over to the back side before I placed the 9 where I did, I like to see the previous days number sometimes.
And on the subject of number placement....
Just a quick revisit of Day 8 - I struggle to find the perfect spot for number placement and decided, after much fiddling, I would just throw the 8 inside the page protector and come back to it another day (maybe never!) and this is almost the exact spot where it settled - I went with that. Clearly overthinking is a habit I have with these number placements! I have yet to place days 6 and 7.
It is quite a grainy capture (taken from my phone as an afterthought to share here).
Thank you for visiting my little spot in the huge December Daily world,
After yesterdays dramas and scary happenings, a day at home was required today.
Nothing Christmas themed happened, just the usual housework, small business work, orders, a trip to the post office, a quick visit to my daughter and grandsons, a cuppa with my Mum, some paperwork to attend to for my Mum and catching up on my December Daily album.
The previous 2 days have been spent away from home, long days, tiring days. No photo editing or printing.
I remedied that today and got caught back up.
Day 8 Right Side:
I have left the photo at 6x8 (I needed to reprint as I had resized this to 4x8 but it just wasn't doing it for me. I seem to continually forget I have an 8x8 landscape to use and not a 6x8.
Day 8 Left Side:
Totally inspired by Ali Edwards to use large stamps, I took Ali's example and fashioned it to make it my own.
Here is the process I used to achieve both stamping and typewritten words:
Using a 40lb American Crafts 8.5x11 sheet of vellum, I inserted it into my typewriter and typed my journalling. I didn't measure between blocks of journaling but knew I needed to leave good sized gaps. I also wanted to alternate the sides on which the journaling appeared.
The finished sheet of vellum with all the journaling and then cut to fit an 8x8 page protector:
I then adding the stamping using a stamp set by Studio Calico (one I received for taking a class) and Cherry Ink by Avery Elle. Slipped it into the page protector and called it done.
Perhaps the only Christmas themed element today is the colour scheme, red roses, green foliage and white stones in a water feature.
I have enjoyed the pause from Christmas themed events and happenings, I have enjoyed a day of reassessing, of slowing the pace, of crossing my t's and dotting my i's, of texting and talking with my kids and other family members, of regrouping and of a little self care... and of smelling the roses in my garden.
I have taken the time to begin processing recent events and revelations. Heads up: tomorrow (Day 9) is also a slower paced, stay at home kind of day. I think I will take the opportunity to photograph some favourite ornaments and continue processing and re-evaluating.
You, or rather I, just have to roll with it. I can't do complicated at this time of year.
I hope you day is bright and filled with peace and contentment.
Yes this Christmas we have an addition to the family. A gorgeous and sweet baby boy joined his Mummy and Daddy, siblings and extended family in August.
Christmas is magical in and of itself, however it is much more so when there is a First Christmas to celebrate also.
I find myself noticing all these cute First Christmas outfits, tree decorations, pregnant bellies and teeny tiny newborns every time I am in a shopping centre.
All of the above was plentiful today.
Today was a huge day of Christmas shopping.
My youngest son and I met up with my Aunt and second cousin for a day of gift buying. Specifically my Aunts gift buying. Now wheelchair bound with oxygen tank on board it felt like a miracle to actually all get to the shopping centre on time and meet at the designated spot!
We head off, navigating a busy shopping complex can be a challenge at the best of times, combine that with a wheelchair and that seems like a walk in the park.
Lots to look at, items to carefully choose, lists to cross off (even ones that get accidentally dropped and are found after having to retrace ones wheelchair tracks to retrieve it!), multiple coffees, bathroom visits etc etc etc. I learned a lot, and came away from my day with the utmost respect and first hand knowledge of the life of a wheelchair bound/dependent person. And for their carers/attendants, it's a physical job!
I also came away with killer lower back pain, along with 15 000 plus steps recorded on my fitbit.
There's that shopping list!!
Several stores later, more items checked off, we enjoy a quiet lunch, I get to sit down, all I can manage is another large coffee! This was my first one and the others that followed were equally large or larger!
Here is how the day looks in my December Daily album:
One of the first large Department stores we went into I saw this seriously cute and I thought rather unique advent block calendar... not surprisingly it was very near the toy section. I printed it 6x8 and made it a page of it's own (not inside a page protector). This time I left a small white border around the photo.
Turning that page left me another full page photo opportunity option:
Also snapped early on in the day (thankfully I did because the medical emergency that ended our day was just a few hours away!), here my youngest son helps out on wheelchair duties...
Opposite this page are a few snapshots and journaling on the top photo (done in Photoshop elements before printing)
Between these two pages I have added a glassine bag, holepunched on the bottom so that it sits horizontally in my album.
The front of the bag has a Simple Stories Photo pocket (they come with a strip of self adhesive so super easy to attach just about anywhere). I cut a number transparency to 4x4 and slid it in. I definitely wanted a see through element to go in this pocket and I was thinking my album has quite enough sequins for now, so a shaker pocket was not an option.
Inside the bag sits some journal cards, kept enclosed with a round gold paper clip.
As hinted at earlier, the day ended rather abruptly, though we were all nearing the end of our capacity anyway. A too sweet drink for my diabetic Aunt tipped her over the edge, what we think was a hypo episode unfolded very quickly and at an alarmingly dangerous pace. Thankfully a security guard was passing by, I flagged her over, she called for backup, we increased the oxygen to it's maximum capacity and rode out whatever that episode was. My cousin had turned up just prior so her being there was a whole lot less scary for me.
I hope your December is unfolding in a mild and pleasant way, dangerous and alarming are no fun at all!
Today is the day... 4 extra large Christmas Puddings need to be made.
They need to be put on to boil as early as possible... the biggest of the 4 will take 7 hours today and another 2 hours on Christmas Day.
My sweet (& fave) Aunt has kept the family tradition of Christmas Pudding going since she inherited this task several years ago.
My grandmother, whom I helped with the Pud for many years during my childhood, had her own recipe. She also had a 'secret' recipe for the accompanying infamous Brandy Butter.
When my Aunt went through the recipe books not one of them seemed to be what she recalled as THE CHRISTMAS PUD her Mum used to make.
It took her 3 years to perfect the recipes found - my grandmother was notorious for not writing down any modifications made to any recipes, with many many recipes simply stored in her head. Some, like the infamous Brandy Butter, were never recorded, were kept very secret until such time as she knew she would need to share them if the tradition was to have a hope of continuing.
That Brandy Butter recipe source remains a mystery to this day. The only recipe found that comes close does not come close in taste nor specialness.
For the past 3 years running I have assisted my Aunt in the making of the Christmas Puds, each year we have increased the amount of puddings or the size of the puddings.
This year our biggest amount and sizes yet - 4 very large ones.
Almost 5 kilos of dried fruit, 13.5 cups of breadcrumbs, a dozen eggs the crazy proportion of ingredients goes on.
We begin just after 9 and we are done and have the first on to cook at 10.30! My cousin helped this year so that definitely sped up the process of measuring ingredients, peeling grating and juicing also.
The all important part of tying off each pudding basin after covering with pleated greaseproof and then topped with foil, secured with string ready to hit the boiling water waiting for it atop the stove.
Last year I drew a quick diagram of my Aunts stovetop, I did the same this year... a tradition in and of itself now!
Last years diagram:
Then of course came the washing up... we use huge mixing bowls to get this job done! Once cleaned up it is simply a matter of checking on the big pots holding the puddings, ideally water half way up the basins is best, you do not want them boiling dry!
I have yet to edit these photos, add the meaningful journaling and print ready for my December Daily album.
I fear that because this day and the next are difficult days to document (due to my Aunts health and diagnosis) I will not continue with documenting December 2015. I know that my future self will regret that deeply so blogging the day will avoid that regret.
I urge you do document the good, the bad and the downright sad and not just in December, all stories make up the whole person.
Cheers
Michelle x.
PS I have not forgotten Day 5, the time to document it and share here just hasn't happened.
They are each beautifully different, different personalities, different likes and dislikes and each has a special place in my heart, reserved just for them.
To protect these precious children I have concealed their faces and anything that which may identify them.
Day 4 left side:
A full 8x8 photo of the littlest, it is his first Christmas!
Day 4 right side:
A collage of more photos of this littlest one with a space for some journaling sits opposite, it is 8x8 also. A collage of those teeny tiny precious hands!
Day 4 Middle page:
In the middle sits a smaller page protector (5.5 x 8.5). The 2 older grandchildren are in the photo that is adhered to plain blue American Crafts textured cardstock. This serves as a flap on the outside of the pocket ensuring that inside there is a lot of room for journaling, there is also room on the back if I need more space. The flap piece (photo matted on blue cardstock) is secured on the left edge only, to the back white cardstock with garden variety clear packing tape. I have mostly seen washi used to secure pieces together but knew that the photo was going to take up the whole of the flap. I may add a co-ordinating piece of washi on the inside yet. The Christmas Tree flair badge is half foam adhered on the right so that the flap can slip under on the left. The number '4' will most likely go just below the flair badge.
The cardstock and flair badge are from my kit which can be found here. And it's currently 15% off!
That journaling is almost done but not included, and will not be shared here.
I have journalled in the form of a letter to each grandchild.
Thank you for visiting or revisiting, thank you also for the lovely comments that are being left, it really is the Season for giving and sharing.
May the rest of your day be filled with time spent with those you love and hold dear, that sums up my day for sure!
Cheers
Michelle x.
Details of this project, December Daily, can be found on Ali Edwards website. Ali created this annual project several years ago, many thousands the world over participate each December. You can check Ali's blog during December where she shares each days photos and story's. There is even a facebook group now... just search December Daily 2015 - over 3400 like minded memory keepers are there!
This year I definitely wanted some black and white photographs in my December Daily album. Getting in rather early with achieving that before the days race away on me.
Day 3 spread as it appears in my album:
Pink embroidery thread was in place from Day 2, I cut off another 15cm or so to fashion a bow, added a flair badge (from my kit)then adhered it down using foam squares.
Left side:
Right side:
Once more I have used a Heidi Swapp Countdown in Silver number, a few sequins adhered on plus a gold glitter enamel dot. All are included in my kitavailable for purchase here.
This is one of many story's that needed to find a way out of my head and into reality, story's that demand more real estate, more thought and more time. I intend to document many more this December.
Releasing and sharing this story has been good for my heart and good for my soul. It has freed up some headspace. This juxtaposition of emotions has been a real life, every single day, challenge.
I wish for you a magical memory keeping kind of day,
Day 2 is all about this years Christmas Giftwrapping selections.
As detailed in the journaling on the photo (done in Photoshop Elements before I printed the photo as an 8x6), this year features gold, white, kraft and pink.
I am a huge fan of white and kraft giftbags, so much so that I buy them in bulk, usually lots of 50. I buy a medium sized bag along with packets of gold and white tissue paper.
For some years now I have purchased rolls of paper (both large and belli band size) in bulk from Wrapco. Definitely favouring the plainer main papers, I save the patterns for either the belli bands or the extras that I simply must add to a gift. It doesn't feel complete without lots of trimmings. Selecting my gift wrap colour scheme is every bit important to me as selecting the colour scheme of our Christmas Tree.
Every.
Bit.
Important.
..... and they must co- ordinate! Later in the month I will decorate those paper gift bags and those plus any wrapped gifts are sure to make a blogpost of their own!
I am using the above photo as a page and not in a page protector.
Here is how is sits in the album:
In keeping with a gift wrapping theme, I have 'tied' up the page with some pink embroidery floss, added a tag which I die cut using Ali Edwards set of 3 tags offered in her December Daily release of products back in October, embossed it using a Sizzix embossing folder and simply threaded the floss through the star shaped hole and tied a bow to secure it. I added the '2' from Heidi Swapp Countdown numbers pack in Silver (also in the kit), plus a star sticker and a 2 gold glitter enamel dots. A very simple page and there are no prizes for guessing that a photo will be on the flip side for Day 3!
Backtracking to the flip page of Day 1 .... I have added a few embellishments and the 'joy' die cut from the kit (you can purchase yours here)... however, as is often the case for me, I have come up with an after the fact plan for making this page more than a decorative page. Always thinking of ways to utilise album real estate.
in order to execute my idea, I will need to cart my album or perhaps just this page with me during December.
I will be sure to share what it ends up looking like towards the end of December.
Update from Day 1.
I finally got the extra journaling home sorted. I complicated matters by printing on vellum because then there was a stability issue. Vellum doesn't hold up long term as a stand alone page, I didn't want Day 1 to end up taking 3 sides of 2 page protectors, I didn't want the additional journaling on show as such. Perhaps it's easier if I show you the solution I came up with....
This pic shows it sitting tucked inside the page protector behind the journal page that was already done and dusted. To make obvious there is something additional I topped the vellum over cardstock (die cut using Heidi Swapp hand drawn stars die set), I stapled a bow cut using a die by Pinkfresh Studio to the top.
Here it is pulled up a few inches...
Here it is pulled all the way out.... yes, it is blurry as I did not want to share all of the words
Here is the remaining journaling after I removed that which I choose not to share ...
The words that I have edited out pertain to my elderly Mum and consist of some of my thoughts and feelings on having an ageing parent. They are good thoughts simply not appropriate to share here. The journaling has been typed onto a Paislee Press Minimalist 6x8 Template, the pink paper at the top is in the One Little Bird December Daily Digital Kit for Ali Edwards. I did reduce the opacity to around 60% for the body of journaling and left the header closer to 100%. I then printed on American Crafts 40lb vellum.
Thank you for stopping by, hello again if you have visited previously. This is one project I enjoy working on and blogging about usually daily during December.
Here is my December 1 ... it is a work in progress ... I have journaling to add but can't seem to get the wording right (for me).
So far my words feel too broad, I think I will narrow it down by changing my journaling to a Letter format.
Disclaimer: the photos are not great, it is pouring with rain here today and I have had to photograph inside under fluorescent lights.
This is how Day 1 sits in my album:
2 facing 6x8 pages, the photo and the journaling cards have been printed at 6x6. Originally I had them in 6x6 size page protectors but it didn't really fit with the before pages (I share those further along in this blogpost).
The left side:
The right side:
I have not added the number '1' as yet, I seriously cannot decide which or where that is to go, I also want to factor in the hidden journaling in the form of that letter mentioned above and think that if I add a flap type extra piece then I would want the number to go on that.... the jury is still out clearly! This journaling pictured above would be the flap outside of the pocket so as to make the journaling underneath hidden. Then again, I might just add a bag or envelope for the hidden journaling and call it done.
This chance encounter with an elderly lady whilst waiting for my Mum to be finished at her Optometrist appointment was pure magic. Totally the highlight of an otherwise ordinary Tuesday, totally heart warming and comical and priceless. Story's emerge quite simply and easily if I am open to them, if I remind myself to remain aware. Sometimes the story has not come (in past December's) until the day is very nearly done.. literally in the very last hour of the day. Past experience of participating in this Project has taught me that.
Each morning up until Christmas Day, when I begin my day, I feel a level of excitement and/or anticipation of what story I might discover today.
Thank you toAli Edwards for sharing this concept with the world of memory keepers alike.
Below is my opening page which includes my hopes and dreams for this project this December. The star die cut from glassine paper has been fused inside the page protector, star sequins added around it then that section fused closed above and to the right. This left the perfect spot for my typed piece of "this December".
A close up of the journaling detailing my "this December" -
and finally the next page (the one that is visible through the star fused opening page).
It is simply a 6x8 page that may or may not be added to ... it is simply a high contrast print that highlights the see through aspect of the opening page.
Well... until today I was ready mentally but perhaps a little less ready in the physical/work flow/work space kind of way.
This past week, even past 2 weeks has flown by, I have been super busy with decluttering and then donating the 'declutter' ... 10 large boxes went to a local Respite Centre, 6 boxes have been collected by a Girl Guides Leader and I have another 6 or so almost ready for collection this weekend. Paper and fabric .... each stash is shrinking shrinking shrinking!
Today was the day I felt compelled to have my December Daily supplies organised completely, I had made a start on this but didn't finish, along with my work station.
This year I am going with similar to last year... I use a largish clear plastic tray. I purchased mine at IKEA a few years back and from memory it is marketed as a cosmetic storage type of tray. It is quite deep, approx 8 cm and rectangle in shape - 38cm x 24cm. It worked really well for me last year and I am confident it will again this year.
Above is what is left in those 6x8 4x6 4x4 and 3x4 supplies, along with my essential extras - stamp sets, a stamp block, stamping inks, adhesive, tiny attacher, dies, washi, very small embellishments (in the mini white pail), journaling pens, alpha stickers, doilies etc.
This year, in addition to this tray, I am using a clear round tower picked up from my local variety store -
Here it is all opened up, each layer has a collection of bits and pieces that would otherwise get lost in the tray. I chose it for its transparency and the separate compartments. This too is marketed as a cosmetic type of storage item.
These 2 items plus my album will all hang out together most likely on a section of my office desk.
Last year I had a dedicated long narrow table for all my December Daily supplies and albums. I was undertaking 5 separate albums and only 2 of those albums had the paper collection in common, so separating out the paper type supplies was important. This year it is still undecided how many albums I will complete but it is definitely less than 5. Additionally, the kit from The Stamp Spot has far too much in it for one album. There is also less real estate available in our home, together my Mum and I share a spare room for our fabric adventures, it was this room I set up in last year.
I have not decorated the outside of my album. I felt it was a mistake last year to do this very early on.... the layers of embellishments did get a little damaged and had to be re-secured a few times plus I didn't actually love it by the time the album was complete. Maybe I had just seen to much of it, I work on my album every day.
This year I have decided to leave decorating the cover until either a. inspiration strikes or b. the album is partially or fully completed and I will know how to set the tone more accurately.
From the top my album is a long way from full, again another change up from last year. I have prepped pages but I am not numbering them and I am leaving some page protectors completely empty. I think this stems from using an 8x8 for the first time, I don't have a few years of experience up my sleeve as I have had with 6x8 albums. Those extra 2 inches of real estate is making an impact already!
I have put this American Crafts 8x8 album up against the previous years 6x8 (these have included Simple Stories, October Afternoon and Studio Calico) and it is deeper by 1 to 2cm, that too is making an impact.
I plan a video walk through when I am happier with the album content and the balance of different size page protectors. I am using a combination of the 8x8's that came with the album (10), Studio Calico 6x8's in various configurations (6x8, 1-4x6 2-3x4; 2-4x6; 4-3x4) plus Studio Calico 6x7 Handbook in a Snap's and the odd 6x6; 5.5x8.5; 4x6 and 3x4 - really mixing it up this year! Already I am thinking it's too mixed up page protector size wise... time will tell.
A quick look at some of the pages and how they sit in the album...
This first one I am almost certain will be my opening page, I fused the star using the WeRMK fuse tool around some gold spot printed glassine that was die cut using Little B dies - stars, added sequins around it then fused to the right and along the top. This left an approx 2.5" narrow 8" tall strip left. I have cut white cardstock to fit this tall narrow pocket and I plan to write or type my 'Reason Why' journaling on it.
Up next, this one has a 6x8 space to the right with just a piece of patterned paper in it so far and a 2x8 sequin pocket created using the Fuse Tool. The co ordinating sequins have settled to the bottom, you can see through to the next pages quite easily.
This next one was a real creative brain challenge. I wanted homes for at least 4 tags. I cut the tags and used them as templates so as to know where to fuse their pockets. They weren't pockets until I cut through the top layer of the page protector with a rotary cutter, I used a thick piece of card inside each pocket to stop the rotary cutter cutting both layers... in hindsight it probably would not have mattered and in fact might be a good idea because then tags could be inserted and easily accessed on the flip side. Effectively making 2 tags per pocket. I think I will make this idea reality before December 1. I ran a strip of 3mm Little B wash along the top of each cut pocket to make the opening more obvious... this will probably not stay there permanently.
The next page was inspired by Ali Edwards 4th week lesson in Storytelling with December Daily online class. Ali created a tutorial on how she has made flip ups and flip outs in previous December Daily albums. This is a 5.5 x 8.5 inch horizontal page protector from my stash (I think its an S.E.I. from many years ago). I cut white cardstock to fit the pocket in full and then trimmed the blue 6x8 piece of cardstock (out of the kit) to 5.5 x 7 inches and added a flair badge (also from the kit). When adding the badge I put foam squares on the right side only so that the left side could have the blue cardstock tucked under to keep it in place. I really like how this has turned out - an organised yet blank canvas ready for the right story.
I know that I will need homes for longer stories this December and for some stories to have hidden journaling.
Last share today, this one is one of my faves. Again using the Fuse Tool I made a home first for the aqua 4x4 piece with die cut tree, this left the perfect home for the die cut white "Every picture records a little story". A 4x8 pocket was created in the process - I am looking forward to a photo being this size and I can journal my story on top of the photo.
A whole lot of fusing using the Fuse Tool has been happening, and this year more than any other year I have many more 'peep through' pockets and elements. The Fuse Tool is helping me make the most of the 8x8 size page protectors without having to buy any more supplies than I already had in my stash.
Each day, depending on the story I am telling, I will select a 'story appropriate' partially made page and run with it, sometimes it will include a photo, sometimes it will just be a photo, sometimes there will be no photo.
My Design Team have been getting busy with getting organised also.
Melinda shares her set up here - super cute, super organised trays and bright pink post it notes have Mel all set up ready to go come December 1
Beck is crazy organised and you can go checkout how she has achieved this here. Beck has even posted an album walk through YouTube video (spoiler alert : the cute Miss Tilly, Beck's daughter joins in the fun!)
Design Team Member Beth posted her blogpost quite early on, you can find it here. Sadly, Beth's heavy study commitments, which wont end until mid December, has meant she needed to step down from the Design Team. We will miss you Beth (*insert sad face emoji).
I hope something/anything that you read here or on my Design Team members blogs inspire you to join in in the December Daily fun.
Of course you can go straight to the December Daily Mastermind and inspirational Ali Edwards website. Here Ali shares all her past albums, runs a December Daily specific class, a December Daily specific facebook group and updates her blog daily during December along with December Daily supplies and can be found here on her website, simply click on the various tabs at the top to navigate you way to the various areas.
Sharing all things Design Team for The Stamp Spot with you throughout November and kicking off with the albums of choice for this December. Each Design Team Member for this year has completed December Daily albums in the past, some are sticking with the tried and true, some are changing it up album size wise.
You can read the low down on December Daily here at Ali Edwards's website.
Beth is again using a Simple Stories Snap Binder 6x8 in red, this has been Beth's choice for the past few years, I think it clever to keep the same colour and style of album and am picturing them on a shelf all lined up...
Beck will be using a Project Life 6x8 Red with White polka dot album, screams Christmas doesn't it? !
Melinda has chosen the beautiful Project Life 6x8 Classic Faux Leather in Gold album to document her December memories this year
Renae will be using the very popular and super Christmassy Simple Stories 6x8 album from the Claus & Co Collection
Bernii is changing it up this year (last year Bernii totally rocked a 6x12 gold album) and has chosen a Simple Stories Snap 6x8 binder in Teal
and I have chosen an American Crafts 8x8 album (from quite a few years back) in red, it has been sitting here as yet unused, it's red and 8x8 will give me the creative challenge I am looking for. Previously I have only ever used a 6x8 for myself and all of the multiple albums I have completed, with just one time using a WeRMK 4x4 album.
Added bonus is that the Studio Calico Handbook page protectors fit the D rings perfectly so no repunching holes at all required.
What album are you using this year? Is it the same as last year or are you changing it up?
I have some albums still available instore along with page protectors, also more page protectors are on their way from the US and are expected to be instore from approx November 18, hopefully before.
Hello and welcome to all my new readers, lovely to have you here!
Today's post is all about my wonderful, amazing and oh so talented Documenting December 2015 Design Team.
We are 6 strong this year.
In comparison to last year, much less in numbers but certainly no less in talent and crazy enthusiasm. These ladies all generously share their ideas, their inspiration and their creative endeavours and adventures in their usual blogging lives all year round, I am blessed to have them joining me for this December's Memory Keeping whirlwind.
(if you have ever documented your Festive Season previously you will totally get my choice of the word 'whirlwind'!)
All but one member travelled this journey with me last year... allow me to introduce and reintroduce this beautiful bunch...
Bernii and Beth currently Design Team with me, previously so had Melinda and Beck joined us last year, this year we welcome Renae.
Bernii
Bernii's (very busy) creative life can be found here - http://weekendatberniis.blogspot.com.au/
Beth
Beth will again be sharing her December journey here - http://bluepondbee.weebly.com/blog
Melinda
Melinda shares her creative adventures here - http://melindasweetman.blogspot.com.au/
Beck
Beck posts snippets of her life and love of December here - http://beckholder.weebly.com/
Renae
Renae embarks on her December 2015 Design Team journey with us, we welcome her with open arms.
You can find Renae and her everyday here - http://theredwren.com/
and myself Michelle, right here (just scroll back if you haven't already, to learn more about me, my diy adventures, my personal opinions, thoughts and perspectives. Please do ask questions if anything seems too general, there are no assumptions here).
Between now and December 1, 2015 my Design Team Members along with myself will be sharing our creations made from the Documenting December Kit for The Stamp Spot... you can purchase yours here
To celebrate this announcement of The Stamp Spot Documenting December 2015 Design Team, for the next 48 hours you can enjoy 10% ($6.00 AUD) off the purchase price of your kit (it includes standard parcel postage with tracking within Australia) by using this coupon code:
DT2015
Cheers
Michelle x
To learn more about memory keeping in December, please visit the Founder Ali Edward's website here, Ali recently opened a December Daily specific class, you can purchase your spot here. I am in class and would love to see your there!
Here are the papers that I have based this years Documenting December kit on - Studio Calico's Felix range (well worth the wait!) :
Let me unpack this kit for you.
6x8 papers, a total of 9.
First photo shows the A side.
Second photo shows the B side.
3x8 papers, a total of 4.
A side:
B side:
4x6 papers, comprising patterned, plain, glitter and clear acetate, a total of 18.
A close up showing the b side of the patterned papers:
4x6 specialty papers, including gold foil acetate, cork, text and gold foil vellum - a total of 4:
3x4 papers and cardstock including gold foil, silver foil, glitter, plain, vellum and foiled vellum - a total of 10 ; and 4x4 embossed cardstock and plain vellum - a total of 4:
Some close ups:
A bunch of various size cards including Project Life grid and lined 4x6 cards, Project Life grid 3x4 cards, a SC Felix 3x4 print, foiled acetate, patterned paper, plain vellum, printed vellum, burlap paper, glitter felt and origami gold foil - a total of 26 pieces.
And now the fun part!
All the pretty embellishments, first up the metallics and whites.
Included are alpha stickers, label stickers, stickers 1 each oval and square, gold thin strip stickers, 1 each of 4x4; 3x4 and 3x3 white printed on acetate overlays by Prima (designs will vary), 1-3x4 Heidi Swapp page protector, 1-3x4 (or 4x4) Simple Stories photo flip pocket, 1 die cut glassine mini envelope, 2 white doilies, 2 gold foil doilies, 1 minc foiled Heidi Swapp 3x3 card (designs will vary), 1 large 1 medium and 1 small glassine bag, a sheet of black and white label stickers, 1 die cut Jillibean Soup 3x4 card (designs will vary), a sample card of 4 co ordinating washi tapes 50-60cm of each design, 1 black Merry Christmas embossed vellum piece, 1 American Crafts silver metallic journaling pen PLEASE NOTE: some of the metallic pens are faulty/dry and any that don't pass the test are being replaced with a Sharpie Metallic Gold pen, 1 gold Reindeer embossed vellum piece and white (or gold or silver) glitter foam very large 2 and 5.
Close ups:
and even more white and metallic gold and silver embellishments - 3 gold tags, 2 Teresa Collins gold foil edged label stickers (shapes will vary), die cuts including ampersand, diamond, reindeer, stars, ornament, Christmas tree, gold and silver foil round stickers, white arrows, white and vellum punched labels, mini gold stars, 5 white swing tags, 4 punched banners (metallic paper designs will vary), 10 each gold and silver large star sequins, 5 jingle bells and metallic round papers clips and more punched stars.
Next up is the coloured embellishments - various wood veneer pieces comprising large stars, geotags, stars and hearts, gold camera and gold geotag, punched paper circles, punched arrows, die cut 'joy' word, punched large glitter circle, 1 sheet of SC Felix Christmas words (either red or green), 1 American Crafts 'Merry Christmas' stamp, 1 roll thin green (or pink or yellow) washi tape, 1 glitter strip self adhesive, 1 green (or pink or gold) journalling pen, 1 pencil (designs vary), 3 mini tags, various paper clips, 2 pink doilies, selection of coloured sequins, 1 WeRMK needle, metallic red floss, twine, raffia, wool and china cord, a selection of enamel dots, 2 punched tabs and 4 EXCLUSIVE to The Stamp Spot co-ordinating flair badges.
and some close ups:
and last but not least 1 set of Heidi Swapp Silver plus Aqua (or Gold plus White) Countdown Kit (happy to accommodate your preference while stocks of each last) :
There you have it... and here's where you can get it - click this link and it will take you straight to the kit instore at The Stamp Spot.
As always, I really enjoy putting kits together, I can assure you of the quality of products used, the careful thought and planning that goes into my kits, especially my Documenting December kits (2015 will be my 4th year and as many know I put together multiple albums, not sure if this year will be 4 or 5!). I really do know from extensive experience what makes completing albums possible - the key is quality, colour co-ordinated supplies already cut, punched and embossed ready and available to prep your album in advance.
You can never be too organised for memory keeping in December!
Any questions please don't hesitate to shoot me an email - info@thestampspot.com.au
December 31, the last day of December, the last day of 2014!
I want to shout a big yippee, woohoo, yeehah to my awesome Design Team, this post is tinged with sadness, for it has been an amazing month long adventure spent with a bunch of December Daily enthusiasts, and the end of December also means the end of this Design Team.
Each has battled a variety of curve balls that life chose to throw at them, each has done their absolute best, I am so proud and honoured to have journeyed with them throughout December.
Here is a roundup (in no particular order) of two each of their pages from their December Daily 2014 albums:
Gabrielle Ingerson
Beck Holder
Tanya Watson
Melinda Sweetman
Stacey-Lee Collis
Amanda Horne
Beth Patfull
Amanda Miller
Bernii Miller
Kirsteen Young
To finish off this December Daily adventure some Design Team members have ideas, tips and
tricks to share with you -
from Beth:
The best thing BY FAR was to be pre prepared before December started. Even though I had really organised all my pages before I didn't use them all or in the order I had them in. But that was great. It meant I had lots of premade pages to choose from. Also being really busy with work all the pre prep was great. Really advise getting a kit. Helps minimise choice and also stretches you creatively.
from Melinda:
One big take away thing has also been the prep. But my biggest was definitely going with the flow. Massive curve ball with my Pops passing but I am ok with dropping the ball. Life still happens and priorities can change in an instant. Sorry if that is depressing but I have many many times beaten myself up over being "late" or running behind schedule and really, it's ok.
from Stacey-Lee:
Minimising choice with a kit. My normal scrapping is waaay slower from flicking through cards etc My number 1 takeaway is don't put pressure on yourself to follow what everyone else is doing, your style is your style and having said that, even what you planned or thought your DD may look like may change, let it happen. Number 1 best tip to keep up is printing photos at home.
from Beck:
Not printing photos at home has held me back big time. Be prepared,move things around and go with the flow, start with the end in mind, the sum of all parts is greater that each individual day, do your own thing. Enjoy it!
from Kirsteen:
Be prepared, buy a kit, add any extras that match from your stash at home and then create create create in advance (I wish I'd done more of this). I agree with going with the flow, doing your own thing and most of all be kind on yourself (we are the only ones who put pressure on ourselves!) and ENJOY!
from Amanda M:
I like to go with the flow from the beginning and not have pre-prepared pages. I take my inspiration from my photos. The gold kit was a definite plus for me this year as I couldn't wait to play with it every day!
Thank you for your time, this has been a very photo heavy post!
It's Satuday 27 December 2014 and I can call my December Daily album done for another year.
Totally love finishing a project.
Each year between Christmas Day and New Years Eve I take some timeout, I finish my December Daily album and I usually sigh with relief... no different this year!
Day 24:
On this day I have celebrated time spent with cousins and their children and 2 of my children, one day we will get the terminology correct with second cousins, third cousins etc - for now just cousins will suffice.
Day 25, Christmas Day
Photo orientation meant that turning the album sideways and using a vertical shot of my son opening his one and only gift from us worked best.
I have a page of journaling that isn't included in this blogpost.
Day 26, Boxing Day
This day marked 55 years since my parents said "I do" and I was super glad my Mum had stayed Christmas night and we could spend a few more hours chatting and reminiscing.
Boxing Day is the day I take down the Christmas Tree, to be honest by the day after Christmas Day I have had enough of all things Christmas and it's just got to go!
I had a few phone calls to return and so tried to do both - chat and pack up the tree one handed. All was going well until it came to the tinsel!
Wont do that again in a hurry!
I hope your December memories have been photographed, recorded, documented or noted ... if not in an album yet then handy so that those memories make their way into a keepsake of some sort. I say it often, if you don't document any other special occasion, then December is a total must!
It's a great feeling closing the album on December 2014, I am ready and have been for about a week to welcome in 2015. I will again be participating in Ali Edwards project One Little Word - more info can be found here - and I have my word picked out (as of last night - cutting it fine again) and will share that here soon. If you are thinking of joining then do so soon, Ali has a discounted price of $26 until December 31, after that it's $31.
I am shaking up my memory keeping processes in 2015 and will not be documenting our life in a weekly format. It wont be monthly either as such, it will be far easier to show than to explain and I would be most appreciative if you continued reading about me, my immediate family and our lives as we journey through 2015. So many stories to share alongside the everyday life captures... 2015 will indeed go down as the Year of the Story in my memory keeping life.
Thank you for your time, your comments here and your messages on instagram and facebook,
Thank you December, you were your usual Christmassy crazy self!
As much as I love Christmas time as the next person, it's not all Tinsel and Baubles.
Sad.
But true.
I like to keep my December Daily album Merry and Bright however I simply cannot ignore the fact that sadness exists too. I miss my Dad terribly, and so much more so at Christmas. We had our special Christmas traditions, the usual of course, but putting up a Christmas Tree each year is so very bittersweet. In fact, there were a few years where I simply could not put up a tree. I have moved on from that place, but still I find myself needing to honour his memory and acknowledge my sadness. Day 22 is about my Dad, I have journaled and I have cut a letter to Dad on my silhouette.
Yesterday I used an acetate insert as a page, today I was able to utilise the back for another pocket and journaling on a tag. I have stapled the vellum with machine stitched stars to the acetate, I was careful where I stapled so that it didn't detract from the photo on the flip side - I stapled in the very dark areas of the photo. I have used vellum as the pocket as I didn't to cover any more of the washi stripes as I had done on the photo side.
More info on this Project called December Daily can be found on the creator Ali Edwards website - www.aliedwards.com then click on projects.
The real estate in my album is becoming more and more valueable, and I am finding myself looking for ways to preserve some space for the BIG day.
Today uses a washi taped piece of acetate, on it I have sewn a 4x4 photo of a hand painted Santa to make it a pocket. I then decorated a plain white tag with gold ribbon and will journal on this.
This ornament has a very special story and that story has never been documented before.
Photo taken before journaling. I am undecided what I will do with the reverse side as yet.
More info on this December Daily project can be found on the creators website - Ali Edwards - simply click on the Projects tab at the top.
Playing catch up with my December Daily posts, crazy busy with 2 birthdays and a family Christmas party in the space of 2 days and throw in a sick day just for an added bonus! NOT!
Day 18.
December 18th is my Mums birthday, this year she turned 75. We celebrated with a morning tea and of course Birthday Cake (that lemon butter recipe sure comes in handy in jazzing up a plain sponge cake - the link is at the bottom of todays post.). This day takes up one page protector and one handmade insert. The front side of the insert is simply 2 photos on acetate, the rear has another photo and quite a bit of personal journaling, I haven't shared the flip side.
Day 19.
This day was spent from go to wo preparing food gifts. The morning saw lemon butter, tomato relish and caramel fudge baked. The afternoon saw those baked goodies decorated, plus the wrapping of other gifts I hadn't managed to wrap yet.
Day 20.
The day of a 1st birthday party and a Christmas party. I woke fine but was actually still unwell. Too unwell to attend either partys.
Left side:
Right side is an enlarged photo of the patchwork quilt made for Miss X with a little square photo of her enjoying some icecream cake:
I have kept this post brief as it does span 3 days. Super glad I have caught back up, I am not a good finisher if I get too far behind on any project.
Hope you memory keeping is travelling along smoothly, a few speedbumps along the way happen to most, if you continue to take photos (or in my case have photos sent to you) and make a few notes, you can easily catch up at a time better suited to you personally.
More info on this project December Daily can be found here.
Ali blogs her December days regularly here, along with all sorts of other amazing projects.
Each December I try to include a photo of a store display, this year the Teddy Bears in our local Target's window stopped me in my tracks.... super cute, positioned as if they were looking out and down.
I have wanted to use more of the brushes I have purchased over the past 2 years and liked how this one has the teddies peeking through and over and under. I have also included a photo I took a few days ago when fruit shopping, we have an amazing green grocer very local to where we live and the produce is always first class. The colours in the photos blended well and gave this pic a home.
Day 17:
and how the second page of Day 16 and a single page Day 17 appear in our album:
More information on December Daily can be found here. Ali Edwards the creator of this awesome concept, blogs her December days here.
Day 16 documents a visit to our relatively new but totally cherished friends.
A sweet family of 5, plus the dog, the cat, the guinea pigs, the geese and the chickens (totally embracing a tree change!) they moved to our area during 2014 and our teen sons met at school. Us parents met via our kids and I will be eternally grateful our paths crossed and our now firmly intertwined.
Love love love this family!
I have been wanting to try Ali's idea of a big photo used as a page, however it wasn't until I played around with various setting on my office printer and the photo editing software I use that it occurred to me that I could actually do this! Ali's photographs always look pristine... I don't have a you beaut camera as yet... I have begun shopping around and asking advice, the technical jargon is becoming less mind boggling, though I do have quite a way to go yet before a purchase is made.
(Feel free to leave your recommendations in the comments, any help is greatly appreciated)
This sweet family's Christmas tree is just beautiful, my friend shares my love of gold!
Twinning!
I asked permission to snap some pics of the ornaments, a memorable 10 or so minutes was spent chatting by the tree about the various ornaments and their significance. I made the bold statement that Christmas trees are like fingerprints, every tree is unique!
We also looked through the stack of Christmas story books, my friend has written a note to her child/children (it's a long standing tradition) and dated her message inside each book each Christmas. I did take photos of these messages however they are far too personal to share here. I also ensured Miss S privacy was maintained by taking a shot from the side.
Here is how I documented our time spent with this fab bunch:
Left side:
(journaling will go on the white tag inside the 2x2" glassine envelope)
Right side is the full photo used as a page (more photos are attached to the back of this photo... I will show that further down):
Clear acetate stamped with stars using Stazon Gold Metallic ink provides a spot to turn the page. The acetate strip is sandwiched between this large photo and the photos on the back.
How these two pages look in the album:
The reverse side of the large photo:
I kept the one large photo as big as I dared, next time I will go a touch bigger - this left a gap of approx 1cm between the 2 4x6" photos on the back - I hand gathered/pleated some gold ribbon and adhered to cover this gap... I really like how it separates the 2 and adds a horizontal splash of gold and some texture ... win win.
More info on this project I am undertaking (and so far keeping totally up to date with, eeep!) can be found on Ali Edwards website - www.aliedwards.com December Daily is found under Projects.
Another December Daily day documented, another DIY project completed!
Yup I am a DIY'er... I love challenging myself and accomplishing things using items/products/ingredients I have on hand or can cheaply source. If you are not keen on becoming a DIY'er I strongly STRONGLY recommend just giving DIY a go, then decide for yourself.
In keeping with my handmade theme this Christmas, I went on the search for something to add to the jars that I purchased ages ago. These jars will hold homemade relishes, fudge and butters and a chunky white or gold piece to hang off them with their tags I thought would be a nice finishing touch.
I watched a you tube video on ornaments that used air dried clay. For the life of me I cannot find it to share with you ... it used commercially produced air dried clay and from memory the instructor said it was made from paper pulp.
The moment I had some spare time I began searching for where to buy this product. I couldn't seem to find it anywhere locally and so I asked the gorgeous girls in my Design Team... Stacey-Lee (who is a keen diy'er and absolutely gets my passion for DIY) replied superfast... she had found a recipe! Score! Woohoo!
Within half an hour I was underway with my first ever batch of DIY air dried clay... you do need to experiment with the quantities especially the water component, it is very much climate dependent. The first batch I made was on a very wet rainy day, they took far more than 24 hours to dry out and in my impatience I helped them along with some time on a very low temp (60 degrees C) in a fan forced oven.
The second batch I made with my little crafty friend (Miss S is 11) and we had to add quite a bit of extra water, it was a very hot and dry day. Make a few batches and you will know just by the look of the mixture what you need to add, easy peasy I promise.
This page in our December Daily album documents my first batch of DIY air dried clay ornaments, but first here are some process photos and then a link to the closest recipe I found:
I have used Martha Stewart gold gilding paint to finish off my ornaments. I will thread with twine from Lawn Fawn (they make a gorgeous natural twine with a metallic gold thread).
Each year I reflect on the year that has been on the day that corresponds ie 13 in 2013, 14 in 2014.... I did not include my 2013 list in our December Daily album last year however I do wish I had. It's relevant to December and as other memory keeping projects take a back seat during December, my list last year was misplaced for some time.
My 14 in 2014 reflection list was not thought about much before - I do have more journaling on the tag inside the envelope but it's a tad personal so left those details out of this blogpost. That journaling is about moving forward in personal relationships and my gratitude, absolute gratitude for second chances.
Today's page is without a photo, it was an interesting experience to just write without preplanning, I didn't know if everything I wanted to include would fit, I figured if it didn't I would just cut another piece of vellum and continue on. No preplanning meant the most prominent/significant lessons and experiences came to fore of their own accord.
Once again in this album, a page with journaling has happened on a 'difficult to access' page - the opening to this pocket is via the previous page and so only the very interested will bother... perfect. It is handwritten on vellum in a gool ol' black bic pen.
More on December Daily can be found here, Ali updates her blog each day also.
If you have been following my blogging journey for even a short while you will know 2 things:
1. I am a passionate PASSIONATE DIY'er
and
2. I am a passionate PASSIONATE supporter and maker of handmade
so....
this Christmas I am flexing both of those passions and creating as much of a handmade Christmas as is humanly Michelle possible!
Enter my project that combines both!
Some months back I spotted some jelly rolls of fabric at my US wholesalers site... I personally loved the colour palette and wasn't thinking of this project at the time. I did share the rolls (3 in total) with my dd and we eliminated the patterns she was not a fan of.
The 'merry' is a brush by Ali Edwards from her Noel digital collection - you can find them here.
Ta-DaH!
hard to see from the pic I know and that is on purpose, obviously my dd wont see the finished article until Christmas Day - it's a table runner, the reverse side has a matching teal/green plain fabric. I have purchased other co ordinating items to include with this gift - I haven't worked out or have the time to diy those items but hey... give me more time next year and who knows lol. I will need to take a course in ceramics/pottery first to achieve this. Hmmm now there's an idea to add to the skills and techniques list for 2015!
Here is how I have documented my Day 13 (it happens to be coincidentally her birth day number so very fitting to be showcasing this on this day):
The top right pocket card has some of the actual fabric adhered to it, bit of texture, bit of memorabilia.
Here is how Days 11 12 and 13 look in the album:
I hope December is kind to you, and you are kind to yourself.... that if you are undertaking this project December Daily that you are enjoying the process no matter what day you are up to documentation wise. As Ali says so well... it's not a race, it's not a competition - your story, your memories are yours and how and when you document is entirely up to you.
Another super simple, super brief documenting for today.
Half a page protector in our family album, that's it!
It does have some hidden journaling behind the photo which I wont be sharing here... it ties in with the caption on the Cadbury Little Wishes wrappers
I wish for ...
What do you wish for this December?
I have a few pics of the albums I am working on this December.
For my eldest sons album (he is currently living and working in Canada) I am using Lawn Fawns Snow Day collection.
My friend Paula's album (I am using Pink Paislees Merry & Bright line - actually just one half of the 6x6 paper pad which I cut into 4x6 & 3x4 cards, the scraps I have punched shapes from, the silver foil numbers set and the Ephemera pack though only about half of it as its very winter themed)
Day 4 is unfinished as Paula has some words and memorabilia to include so have left strategic spaces.
and days 7 and 8 have blank cards, no photos, for journaling. As it will be a busy look once journaling is added, I have kept the cards the same pattern.
More details about this project called December Daily can be found on the creators website - www.aliedwards.com then look under Projects.
It's school holidays, it's lots of various Christmas things but probably more non Christmas.
Sleeping in, late breakfasts, movies (son), online gaming (son) reading (me), getting caught up with Revenge (thank you dd), always with the air conditioning on!
This photo from my teen son was a result of a funny comment that I giggled at. The comment was made by Beth, one of my Design Team members about her teen son and then a photo Beth shared of her dog Axel... my son asked what was so funny so I read out the comment... I was then greeted with the pose I captured that is todays photo and story.
Super simple, super brief!
My shortest ever day in the history of December Daily! Partly because I am getting stuck into gifts that are not finished, partly because the real estate in my album will be scarce come the 25th, partly because it's a slower pace with school holidays around here and .... I know I have some major events from the 18th onward where multiple photos will be included and therefore multiple pages will be used.
Day 12 will slot under Day 11 so those 2 days will be on the one page protector.
More on December Daily can be found on Ali Edwards website - www.aliedwards.com then click on Projects. Other awesome projects are listed there and One Little Word is another I participate in - 2015 will be my 4th year and registration opens very soon, maybe today depending on where you are in the world.
Day 9 dawned and I realised I haven't wrapped one gift, I haven't made one gift bag!
I had intended to do some over last weekend, that just didn't happen.
It did happen today!
..... Well giftwrapping happened today and the rest of the giftbags will happen tomorrow, just not enough hours in the day! AKA Keeping it REAL!
A quick trackback to my giftwrapping supplies - gold, kraft and white in keeping with this years colour palette...
and the results from today efforts:
Surely it's no surprise to see stamping on my giftwrapping and giftbags (as well as tags, most of which were created last week)...
Most likely a tutorial will appear in the next few days, hints and tips and also how to get rid of those annoying 'extras' of ink when stamping on slightly uneven surfaces and the thickness that comes with layers of the bags.
Day 9 photos documented in our family album:
Left side:
Right side:
Open spread with the days mini envelope tag:
a bit of an afterthought in adding in a photo with pull tab - it just sits behind the bag... I had printed off more photos than I needed and didn't want to waste this one
and keeping it real .....
This amazing and totally gratifying project called December Daily was created by Ali Edwards, visit her website www.aliedwards and look under Projects for December Daily. You will also find an array of other projects, Ali just rocks!
Inspired by Ali Edwards Day 5, I decided Day 8 was a good day to go with a 'no photo' day.
A few days ago (ironically on day 5) my teen son Chad left this note for me on my typewriter -
I wanted to document this and more 'Chadisms' and include them in this album - each has been said or discussed or typed during the first week of December.
Here is how that documenting appears in our family album:
Left side:
Right side:
using these products:
a close up:
in the album:
Double page spread prior to adding a DIY Transparency:
I had a few stamp sets out, all designed by Ali Edwards and had a little spare time so went ahead and made another transparency. My thoughts were on overlaying it to obscure the journaling slightly. Those not interested can flip the overlay and the page and move on to the next day, those interested can flip the overlay and have a read.
This transparency uses Stazon Opaque white ink and one of Ali Edwards Story stamp sets on a clear acetate sheet. This is by far my most favourite DIY transparency to date.
and how all of this appears in our family album:
Thank you for joining me again on this journey through December, documenting each day.
More information about this project and its creator can be found here.
The first Sunday in December has now become our traditional day for baking the Christmas Puddings. Multiple because 3 households are involved.
Several years ago, after my Nana passed away, her Christmas Pudding recipe kind of went with her. Amongst her recipes, something which sounded similar, was discovered by my Aunty Judy (pictured). The biggest keeper of traditions and memories is this Aunty, who also happens to be my fave, my godmother and my daughters godmother, pretty much my second Mum. She tells me it took her till around the third attempt to 'crack' the closest to Nana's recipe she believes she will get.
Christmas Pudding, home made custard and Brandy Butter were the standard when my Nana was alive. It just wasn't Christmas without them. I am so grateful my Aunt persevered and perfected the recipe she found. Nana is not with us, but her tradition lives on. Even Nana's pudding basin is used for the large family get together pudding. The old coins no longer used, my Aunt cannot bear the thought they might get lost (one got swallowed many years ago and it makes up one of the mini envelope story prompts on our family tree!) I am an apprentice for now but know that I will take over the reins one day, though I hope and pray this is not for a very long time.
Day 7 is snapshots of my day spent at my Aunt and Uncles house, hanging in the kitchen, drinking lots of tea and reminiscing about Nana and her hilariously funny habits and mannerisms. Recalling Christmases past and the story of last Christmas when Nana's pudding basin seemed lost - it wasn't and has been reinstated this year.
Day 7 spans 3 pages, here is the first left side:
The page opposite (right side of first open spread):
These 2 pages as they appear in the album:
Turning to the next page, left side:
and as this and the page opposite appear in the album:
I have been working on the other albums that I am undertaking this December, timewise I have been stretched - looking for a lost dog takes a lot of time, our endeavours have continued to be in vain.
Other album pages catch up :
December seems to be rolling along at a fast pace, I am hanging in there staying caught up on our Family Album and working on the others as time and receival of photos permits, in some ways it has been good to be busy with this project. Of course, there are people doing it far tougher this Festive Season and a dog is not a person, though our boy does (did) seem human most of the time!
Further info on this sanity saving project December Daily can be found on Ali Edwards website www.aliedwards.com under Projects.
Very little in the way of Christmas activities happening in our house today. The most Christmas spirit I could rustle up was the beginning of pooling gifts to wrap under the tree and a shot of my grandsons mini trampolines arriving.
It's Saturday, it's raining if not very overcast, and we are dealing with the reality that our family dog that went missing on Monday December 1st, probably has gone for good. Its been a tough December so far, trying to stay positive and hopeful, doing what we can to find him... and a whole lot of praying. This is not the first time he has got out of the yard, not by a long shot, but he has always, always come home. Every endeavour has been made to make his escape impossible, including a low grade electric fence. He simply finds another place to escape, one night he must have been digging the entire night as he had to get under 2 fences to escape. We have a total of 280 metres of fenceline and we have done the best we could.
We have spent all week looking, door knocking our neighbourhood, registering with all sorts of Lost and Found organisations and facebook pages, we have had lovely friends and family share our posts.... he has not been sighted anywhere. We have driven all through streets near our home several times at different times, family that live nearby have done the same. Nothing.
Left side:
Right side:
The 2 page spread as it appears in the album, with the obligatory mini envelope date tag:
It not an easy story to document, it's not an easy journey to be on. I did not want to document it in case it made it more real. It is what it is, and I (perhaps selfishly) wanted to put this story to bed as far as my December Daily album goes.
It's not Merry and it's not Bright.
More information about December Daily can be found on Ali Edwards website www.aliedwards.com click on Projects and you will see a bunch of sections, one of which is this awesome annual project called December Daily.
I am a huge fan of DIY. The factors that drive me, when time permits to DIY, is the creative process along with the fact that some products come in multitudes and I may only really need a few, or if I need more I don't want them all the same.
By far, the creative process is the biggest reward. I enjoy challenging myself, thinking outside of the box so to speak, improvising and substituting. I also like to make the most of the supplies I have already invested in and if repurposing is possible then that is even greater reward.
Transparencys or Overlays is one such product.
I don't use a lot in my Project Life album but I sure do in December Daily. My first attempts were last year, I used Stazon opaque white and Stazon metallic silver. As silver is not in the colour scheme this year I have, so far, only created with white. I have recently added a beautiful brand new Metallic Gold ink pad and refill to my stash but yet to experiment with it.
Materials needed:
Transparencys or clear acetate (available at office supply type stores)
Stazon opaque white ink pad and refill (you seriously need the refill as this inkpad will dry out 50 times faster than any other inkpad you own!)
Stamps and clear blocks (preferably with grid lines, my block of choice is a Fiskars stamp press)
Baby wipes and stamp cleaner
NOTE: Stazon stamp cleaner is NOT recommended for clear stamps - over time it will destroy your clear stamps) I find the clear stamp cleaner by Technique Tuesday cleans stazon ink off beautifully and easily especially if the ink is not completely dry. If it is it may require 2 cleaning sessions.
Secure you transparency to a hard level surface, I secure to the reverse side of my Silhouette Cameo cutting mat - it has grid lines and its a slick surface. I use washi tape to secure.
Once secured, ink up those stamps and get busy stamping. Any mistakes, any misfires - grab a baby wipe and wipe it right off!
Alternatively you could try using stickers and rub ons. Punched tabs can be added as page turners however I wanted to try something different so went for shapes that are identical when mirror reversed and then stapled to the transparency.
For this next transparency I added a punched 1" circle but punched from folded vellum and let the punch 'hang' just past the fold so as to preserve a folded image. I secured gold thread using my tiny attacher then covered over the staples with a transparent star sticker. I have multiples of this star sticker so I placed another one on the flip side to cover the back of the staples.
I plan to giftwrap or prepare bags and boxes which will hold handmade gifts over the weekend.
With much less time today to devote to December Daily I decided to simply document my 2014 Christmas Giftwrapping supplies.
I pulled everything out, took some photos and then placed in a box on top of a chest of drawers in a spare room. Pulling supplies for memory keeping projects and of course December Daily works so well for me. I figure it's the way to go for giftwrapping as well!
Gold, kraft and white is the theme of all things Christmas this year.
The Christmas Tree decorations.
Our family December Daily album.
The Christmas Giftwrapping.
Day 5 in my December Daily album consists of 2 pages in an open spread plus a transparency insert. The transparency is one of my DIY's and I have included one again today because it solves my (mild) dislike of the reverse side of my journaling on vellum from yesterday. I have a quick tutorial including a few tips here.
Left side without transparency:
Left side with transparency:
Right side without transparency:
(with the mini envelope of today)
Right side with transparency:
How the spread appears in the album, with before and after flipped transparency:
To learn more about this memory keeping in December project, December Daily, please visit Ali Edwards website www.aliedwards.com click on Projects and in there you will find (amongst a whole bunch of totally awesome and varied projects) December Daily.
Today I gave a girlfriend in need a helping hand with her annual baking. Paula (also a recipient of an album I am documenting for her) is crazy busy. 6 kids ranging from 23 to 5, husband is a Pastor, their old Queenslander is on the market for sale and tomorrow is the 2 youngest childrens last day of school. Paula goes all out just before every school break and especially for end of year holidays.
On the list this year for handmade items (for a total of 5 teachers) are: Tomato Relish, Caramel Fudge, Lemon Butter and Rocky Road Wreaths. I have helped with the Caramel Fudge and Lemon Butter, leaving Paula with the Tomato Relish and Rocky Road Wreaths. Paula also includes a purchased item in the figurine or jewelry line and a good bottle of red.
It was good practice for me as I am gifting handmade this year (where possible) and Lemon Butter and Caramel Fudge are on the list. Paula is kindly making extra Tomato Relish in exchange for my help... win win!
Day 4 spans a double page opening plus a DIY transparency in between.
Left side:
(includes the day 4 mini envelope tree decoration)
Right side:
The single word list on this page celebrates all that we love, talk about, acknowledge and value in and of our long term friendship. The odd seemingly negative word 'neglect' is simply a part of this relationship... we do sometimes neglect to check in on each other... however we both know it is simply a consequence of extremly busy lives. Our lives have crossed and parted and recrossed and re parted so many times... I believe that is normal of all long term friendships.
Close ups of the typewritten on vellum words -
and with transparency on top -
Transparency a side:
DIY Transparencys are very easy. A sheet of transparency/acetate, Stazon Opaque White ink and a stamp set and block/stamp press. I have made a whole bunch so you will see more as December rolls along. I shared them on Instagram recently - search #thestampspot or follow @thestampspot.
Flip side:
I have added the Caramel Fudge recipe in photoshop over top of a photo of the fudge, inserted into a 3x4 flip pocket, added sequins front and back and the machine stitched it closed.
Day 4 as it appears in the album:
.... and with the transparency flipped -
Further information about December Daily can be found on Ali Edwards website - www.aliedwards.com and is listed under Projects.
Hope your December Daily is plodding along nicely,
(Yield 1250 mls yes 1.25 litres, this is a bulk/gift giving recipe!)
Ingredients -
2 1/4 cups caster sugar
12 large eggs (8 whole; 4 yolks only)
1 1/4 cups lemon juice (I needed the juice of 9 lemons with an average whole weight of 100g, juice must be strained)
5 250ml capacity glass jars with lids
Method:
Sterilize the jars if you haven't already. I put them in a pan of cold water, with water inside jars about half way up, set on a hotplate/stove on high heat and bring to the boil. Turn off heat and let set a few minutes. Carefully pick up jars and set on the microwave turntable and microwave for 2 minutes. Special care must be taken to slowly heat the glass jars especially if you are in any doubt they are not made of tempered or heat resistant glass.
Carefully remove jars from microwave, tip out water and place inverted on a clean cloth/tea towel to drain.
Put sugar and 12 eggs (8 whole 4 yolks only) into a heavy based saucepan.
Whisk like crazy till mixed well and smooth.
Add strained lemon juice and turn the stove/hotplate on to a low heat.
Stir continuously for approx 8 minutes on this low heat.
Increase heat to medium (don't be tempted to go higher, the eggs need to stay emulsified and not scramble, they will if heated too quickly) and continue stirring for a further approx 10-12 minutes. Mixture should coat the back of a wooden spoon. The mixture thickens further as it cools so don't think its not thick enough at this stage.
Pour into sterilised jars. I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup that fitted inside the jars. Taking care not to spill on the outside or top of the jar makes for nicer presentation and an easier clean up of jars.
Next time I shall use a wide mouthed funnel! It was fiddly getting the butter in the jars!
Tap the jar bases on countertop (teatowel underneath, we don't want them breaking after all that mixing and stirring!) and put lids on immediately. As the butter cools it creates a bit of a vacuum inside the jar, this will help extend the use by date a little.
Let cool on countertop for an hour or so and then place in the refrigerator. This time we are cooling slowly to maintain the glass integrity.
I would normally have purchased this years special ornament long before today.... it would seem a multitude of reasons kept me away from the shop I like to choose it from.
Finally, I got there, I found the perfect ornament and now it hangs on the tree. Traditionally it is the last ornament to go up - I like to hang it in solitude... and it is always the first ornament to come off the tree and is packed far more carefully than it probably needs.
It's not just about an ornament. This is for my premature daughter whom I only got precious though very little time with before she passed. Her due date was Christmas Eve. This ornament is one of the many ways I honour her memory, especially at Christmas Time.
A last minute change to yesterdays page - the inclusion of a vellum envelope, actually worked out perfect for todays spread. I added another vellum envelope so they will sit back to back in the pocket and I am particularly pleased that the opening to the envelope is from the previous page. Most people will flip past, you have to go back to the previous page to access the envelope and the journaling inside. I photographed my pages prior to including the journaling, its hidden journaling also with the words being written inside a folded card.
I am also pleased that today's story could span the double spread, a place for lots of journaling, some photos and some prettiness with gold accents and stitching. Seems most fitting for such a special ornament and story.
Left side first then close up of how the envelope works:
Right side:
And as the double page spread appears in the album:
(with the days mini envelope included, of course!)
A few close ups as well:
Just in case you are wondering where the other albums are... don't worry I was a little concerned that no photos were filtering through yet, I received 11 overnight so I shall be getting busy with starting and getting up to date with those.
More information about December Daily can be found on the creators website - Ali Edwards - www.aliedwards.com click on Projects and December Daily is in there.
In keeping with my intentions for a Handmade Christmas this year (where possible and practical) I got busy making gift tags today. My Day 2 is a single page showing my efforts.
Gold, kraft and white continue to reign supreme in my crafting world so no surprise that's what I am going with for giftwrapping and tags this year. I have rolls of kraft, gloss white and gold paper, rolls and rolls of twine, kraft and white gift bags, even the jars to put my homemade edible gifts in have a white lid! I have used kraft and white cardstock, a Lawn Fawn dies called Tag You're It and Quinn's ABC, twine from Lawn Fawn also (it has a beautiful metallic gold thread running through it) and heat embossed using Zing metallic and Zing glitter embossing powder both in gold. The stamp set is an Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday - Tis' the Season.
Day 2:
Close up of top left pocket:
As the page looks in the album:
Perfect spot for Day 2 mini envelope to sit in the top pocket left side - its the back of a Day 1 photo and until I decide what I will do with all the mini envelopes I will leave that pocket unembellished.
Clearly my teenage son is introducing some of his sense of humour into this years Christmas! I am feeling Festive early, like before December even began. Perhaps thats because I created a 10 strong Design Team to showcase the kits I sold in my store The Stamp Spot, kits I designed and made all the handmade elements. It seems we have been talking December for weeks!
You can click across to their blogs via these links:
This year, in alignment with my gold obsession, I wanted a new look for our tree.
It had to have gold, lots of gold. Gold tinsel, gold baubles, gold bells... gold gold gold!
I didn't want to buy a whole Christmas trees' worth of decorations though, so I settled on new tinsel and one box of baubles, a rather large box but still just the one box. I also knew a few weeks back that I truly wanted a handmade feel to our tree, I wanted to see handmade by me on our Christmas tree.
Using the cutest mini envelope die, I die cut 24 in total (some kraft with gold stripe, some white) mini envelopes and also die cut numbers 1 through 24 (no prizes for guessing lol). After putting the envelopes together, I gathered a bunch of embellishments, things like die cut stars, strips of glitter tape and other punched shapes and worked my way from 1 to 24. 24 mini clothes pins were added so that they were all ready to adorn the tree once up.
Here is Day 1:
The left side is a photo of the tree, I tried something different in photoshop elements, the photo editing software I am still learning. I blurred the entire tree and then unblurred sections, the technical term is called Depth of Field :
The right side is the photo I shared further up this blogpost, with an explanation of the idea behind the 24 mini envelopes, a grown up version of an Advent Calendar if you will - the contents of each of the envelopes are stories I want to share with my youngest child, he is the last one at home now. Each envelope has a 3x3 piece of cardstock that has a story prompt stamped or written on it - for example - "Let me tell you about the Christmas when I was 8 years old and great Nanna shocked us all ..... ", "Let me tell you about the year Mrs Tucker almost choked on a coin in the Christmas Pudding", most start with "Do you remember......". The idea is that each night after dinner he will find that days number and open the mini envelope and read out the prompt... I will then share the story with him.
I handwrote (yikes this is a first!) my journaling using a Copic Mulitliner 0.3 black marker onto lightweight vellum and attached some star sequins with my Tiny Attacher.
It is an afterthought, but I plan to somehow include every mini envelope.. yes all 24.. into my December Daily album somewhere. Not sure if this will be on the day... would make great date numbers, or, if I will add all together in a few page protectors at the very end of the album... still undecided.
For now I am going to throw them onto the full spread shot (I always appreciate the sharing of how the day looks within the album) then return them to the Christmas tree.
Mostly because if I remove them, come Christmas the tree will be quite bare of decorations!
Day 1 spread as it sits in the album:
I hope your December is off to a wonderful start, it wouldn't be December for me without an album dedicated to recording those precious December memories.
Further information about December Daily®, the concept and the creator Ali Edwards can be found here.
Each December I undertake multiple albums - each album has a recipient that is either too busy, not a memory keeper or isn't remotely interested in the process but loves the end result of their album.
Our family album is my main focus and the one that will be shared here by far the most. The others will pop in and out throughout December. I am dependent on the recipients sending me photos and journaling, and as with my own photos they need editing and printing, the journaling needs to be typed up onto cardstock/vellum/acetate, printed and inserted. I have little control over what and when I receive photos and information and so it is done when I receive it and when I have the time.
They will all be completed however sharing here will be intermittent.
With this in mind, I will also focus on sharing our family albums foundation pages and for now just the opening pages of the various other albums.
I painted the kraft coloured section with Martha Stewart gold gilding paint, added 2 styles of ribbon and then embellished with a white doily cut down a little, a Christmas tree die cut from burlap, a die cut star from gold foil cardstock and the word 'joy' Lawn Fawn die cut from gold glitter foam.
Inside the album cover:
Another white doily (actually 3 doilies atop each other for solid white colour and to be a bit sturdier), adding the mini envelope, words and numbers stickers and flair from the kit - Documenting December 2014 kit by The Stamp Spot.
The opening page:
and in no particular several of the rest of the pages, though not all as this blogpost would be far too long:
I am very happy with where I am at heading into December 1st - which is today!
Hello December, I'm ready!
Opening pages of some of the other albums I will be undertaking, I have prepped 2 6x8 albums and 2 4x4 Instagram albums, 3 of those 4 opening pages make an appearance today:
Thank you for your time today, for further information regarding the concept of December Daily, please visit the creator Ali Edwards website - www.aliedwards.com and look under the Projects tab.
Much fun, much time, much satisfaction .... this sums up my December Daily preparation.
4 (which might become 5) albums
130 (plus) pockets now occupied by cardstock, sequins, fabric, vellum and/or embellishments
100 (plus) pockets ready for photos
3 trays holding each albums remaining products
1 basket for tools such as tiny attacher, adhesive runner, scissors, pens, heat gun, ink pads, stamps, embossing powders, foam dots and squares etc
All will now take up residence on a table under a window in my sewing room...
Ready....
for all that December will bring.
I don't work on the albums at this table, this room faces north and doesn't have great lighting. This is where the albums and supplies hang out during December. I work on the albums in our family room, sometimes at the kitchen breakfast bar/bench. I grab whichever album/s I will work on next plus the tray of supplies and the tray of tools, once done I return them to the table. This room has a door so I can simply close it for when the grandkids are over.
Completing multiple albums for December Daily is certainly a challenge.
But...
it's not as difficult as that may sound. Here is what I have learnt about completing more than one album:
Organise, organise, organise.
Complete each day on that day, if possible. If not then as soon as you can after.
Regroup, reorganise, replace.
Everything back in its' respective tray, assess whats running low and replace where necessary. Shuffle common supplies around to even out the trays eg paperclips, sequins, wood veneer
Repeat.
Follow the same format, process, sequence each day/night/morning/afternoon. This takes the guesswork, some of the stress and most of the timewasting out of the equation.
Routine.
Establish from day one when, where and how you will document your December memories. Stick to that routine whenever possible. Of course there will be days when its just not practical or even remotely likely... but get back to your established routine as soon as you can.
Each (Yes each!!) of these amazing and creative Design Team members have a set of these 3 Christmas flair badges (exclusive to The Stamp Spot) to give away. Bernii and Amanda M. will run their giveaways a bit later in December.
To be in the drawer to win simply follow the links below to their blogposts and comment (according to their guidelines) to win!
You need to leave your comments by Sunday evening (check the closing times on each blog) and winners are announced on each of the Design Team members blogpost that I linked you up with.
This is the next round of introductions for The Stamp Spot December 2014 Design Team.
Today I shall introduce you to Stacey-Lee, Kirsteen and Bernii.
First up, please meet Stacey-Lee
Hiya, I am Stacey-Lee and I am honoured to be a part of The Stamp Spot Documenting December 2014 Design Team. Along with my Husband and 3 kidlets, I live a little South-West of Brisbane and this will be my first year of participating in December Daily.
I am using a 12x12 Red Faux Leather Project Life Album and an array of pocket pages along with The Stamp Spot Main Kit and a variety of elements from all of the add on kits, along with a few repurposed items and a little bit of my stash.
This album will be all things Christmas, I intend to document each year from 2001 (the year my eldest had his First Christmas) through to 2013 with at least a double spread each, a page of what Christmas was like for both Hubby and I as kids, plus this December, in great detail.
Letting go of the Daily expectation, I hope to include all the things Christmas related in here along with my normal Family PL album.
I have chosen not to decorate the outside of my album as it will live on the shelf amongst all my other 12x12's and as I'm a very match-matchy kind of person with no other album fronts decorated.
At first, I found it difficult to pre-prep pages without photos but I know that December is a very busy time for this family, so laying down some foundation pages and having a list of what photos will most likely be included really helped. That and letting go of the need for it to be perfect (things can be swapped around and added to as December rolls along) lead me to these pages so far.
I've tried to utilise the back of each card as much as possible, to make the awesome kit elements go even further (remember, I have many years to cover in this album)
I especially love the coloured vellum cards showing the back of the other side through just a little.
See Stacey-Lee's December documented here on her blog and also on Instagram.
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Next, please meet Kirsteen Young
I'm Kirsteen and I live on the east coast of Scotland in the UK with my husband and our two little boys. I have been scrapbooking for almost 10 years and cannot imagine a life without papers, stickers and double sided tape. I am blessed with two sons, two goddaughters, four nieces and a nephew and I have a scrapbook (or two) on the go for each and every one of them. I am documenting our story one photo at a time.
I am a member of Craft Island's (UK) creative and social media team and and part of The Stamp Spot's (Australia) Documenting December 2014 Design Team.
This year I intend to incorporate documenting December into my Project Life album. I am currently using Amy Tan's Live the Life You Love, Love the Life you Live 12x12 album although this is seriously full and I'm only up to September. It is very likely that I'll split my 2014 Project Life into two albums and my second album just happens to be a WeRMK 12x12 in super shiny GOLD - a perfect match for the main Documenting December kit from The Stamp Spot.
With my kit, I have created a stock of cards in sizes 4x6 and 3x4 to pick from throughout December.
You can follow Kirsteen's December journey on her blog and also on Instagram.
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Todays final intro goes to Bernii Miller
Hi there Stamp Spot gang!! It is Bernii Miller here with you joining in on the December Documented fun!! I am an avid memory keeper and love it an all forms. I love to flip between Project Life, layouts and mini albums and my style varies as much as the many and varied paper collections I am working with.
I am so excited to be joining in on the fun here at The Stamp Spot and hope that I may be able to give you some inspiration and some ideas on how you can use your The Stamp Spot December Documented 2014 kit. The golds, textures and natural elements that in this kit are just amazing!! Michelle has gone above and beyond to create a kit that is easy to put together and coordinates seamlessly. Michelle has worked hard to hand craft so many of the elements in the kit - which let's be honest saves her customers so much time during the festive season. I know, for me personally, I just do not have time to sit and create as much as I like to, so using this kit is perfect for me.
An example of Michelle's work can be seen in my "selfie" card. Michelle had hand crafted the 6 x 4 sequin pocket card ( saving me so much time) and I simply decorated the front with my photo and some of the elements from the kit.
My plan for this year's album is to stick to only black and white photos while only using theStamp Spot December Documented 2014 kit which is primarily gold and white. I am so excited to try this out this year!! I am also using the Gold WeRMK 6 x 12 album which I purchased from The Stamp Spot store and choose this size as last year my little 6 x 8 album became terribly full very fast.
I can't wait to share my Document December album with you through out the month of December and please, if you are using The Stamp Spot Document December kit, we would love for you to share it with us on our facebook page and if you are on Instagram, please tag us by using the store hashtag - #thestampspot.
You can follow my December journey here on my blog and also on Instagram.
Till next time
Much Love
Bernii.
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Thank you for joining me on this series of Introductions of my Design Team for December 2014, there is one more member to meet but lucky Amanda Miller is soaking up our Queensland sunshine as she and her family enjoy a mini break... Amanda will stop by next week and share what her special role on the Design Team is.
For further information regarding this awesome annual Project called December Daily®
please stop by the mastermind and creator Ali Edwards site - www.aliedwards.com. You will find December Daily® under Projects.
This fantastic Design Team for The Stamp Spot will be blogging and sharing often and all throughout December... be sure to stop by their blogs very soon (as in this evening, as in approx 4 hours from now, as in 6pm aest) as each has something to share with you, share being the operative word!
Once the cat is out of the bag and the elf is off the shelf, I will be posting a link to all of their blogs to make it super easy for you to participate in this 'share' thing they will have going on.
In my previous blogpost I announced the Design Team for December 2014 for my store The Stamp Spot, and began introducing this awesome bunch one by one as they shared some of their Foundation Pages from their December Daily 2014 albums.
.... a Project Lifer (have completed 1 full year and am up date for 2014!),
.... a card maker,
.... a copic colourer and occassional scrapbooker.
.... and most importantly a wife and Mummy - I have an amazingly supportive hubby and 2 little guys, Jacob (almost 5) and Hunter (turned 2 in August), and all 3 of them together are my everything.
This will be my 2nd year to complete (because, I am so going to do that!!) a DD album. Loved it last year and can't wait to get started this year!
I am using the main Documenting December kit from Michelle along with the teal and red add on's, my album is by Studio Calico. I have also added a few bits from my own stash but think the most used items will be stamps, embossing powder and ink, these kits had so many amazing goodies!!
I am hoping to stay on top of this project this year and hopefully with the planning I have done that will help!! I thoroughly enjoy the creative process of each days entry into my album and once I have the photos printed I can bring the page together quickly and easily. Having my supplies organised and close by will help me make the most of the time I will have available, this could be divided into snippets sometimes, life is pretty busy with 2 little guys!
Some Foundation Pages from Melinda:
You can check in on Melinda as she updates her album throughout December on her blog or via Instagram.
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Next, please meet Tanya Watson
Hi! My name is Tanya, together with my 2 kids - Jacqueline 15 years and Cody 6 years, I live in a small town called Tuakau in New Zealand and this is my 6th year (yes 6th!!) of participating in December Daily.
This December I will be using the main kit plus the teal add on kit along with other elements from my stash. I have a 6x8 Snap Album (brown ) prepped and have included extra pockets cut down to fit the album, also some patterned paper from my stash that fits for Christmas. I'm also going to be using a gold 4x4 album for the kids Advent activities this year and I chose the Instagram Kit #2 to work with for it, there are still a few left instore, you can find them here.
I have added the date numbers to all my pages and will embellish my pages as I go, adding my journalling and photos. For my 4x4 album I have only done the cover page and plan to do each day at a time.
Im lucky enough to have a room dedicated to my crafting -I will have my desk set up with December/Christmas supplies, all at arms length. I have 2 tables which will allow me to leave it all out for the whole month.
I keep a note book handy and I have drawn up each page so its quick and easy to document any comments the kids may have said that I want to remember along with my photos that I want to use for that day - it's all there for when I put it into my album. I try to do as much as I can each day and will get photos printed every 2nd day.
Every year I always add photos of my big tree as well as Cody's little tree, Cody's prize giving, kids last day of school. Also, on Christmas Eve I let the kids open any presents that are under the tree given to them from people they won't see on Christmas Day. This year I'm planning a Christmas Eve box that will have new pyjamas to wear that night, a new dvd to watch, popcorn, favourite lollies and a few other little things, maybe a new set of clothes to wear on Christmas Day ...
can you tell I love December and can't wait to document it for another year!
I will be sharing my pages on my blog feel free to drop by and say Hi!
More foundation pages by Tanya:
4"x4" album -
6"x8" album -
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Next, please welcome Amanda Horne
Hi! I'm Amanda from the mid north coast of NSW. I am a wife, Mum to 3, Nanna to one (so far!) and a shift worker.
I have been scrapping on and off for 18 years, my life is super busy that’s why I love thinking out side the box when it comes to craft. I enjoy the Project Life style of Memory Keeping, it's so much fun, a big fan of Heidi Swapp's collections and finding new crazes like December Daily.
Christmas is a particularly special time of year for me and my family, I am looking forward to documenting it in detail.
This year I have chosen a WeRMK Instagram album - Teal Stripe for recording our December. It will perfectly match the Instagram Kit # 1 - find it instore here.
You can pop on by and say hi to Amanda at her blog and also on facebook - Scrapping Our Blessed Life.
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To learn more about December Daily® please visit Ali Edwards website - www.aliedwards.com (you will find it under Projects).
I will be back again soon to introduce the rest of The Stamp Spot December 2014 Design Team, you will get to meet Bernii Miller, Kirsteen Young, Stacey-Lee Collis and Amanda Miller.
We all intend to celebrate with lots of giveaways!