Finishing up December Daily

Day 22 (a little card inside the envelope talks about the tulips):

Day 23:

Day 24 (includes my blog post from the 27th that talks about everything that happened over the last few days leading up to Christmas):

And Day 25:

And the back, which features this cool idea from Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas :

So, wow. I did it.

I will definitely be going this route again next year: setting up an album before December to record daily things + photographs over the course of the month leading up to Christmas day. I love that I now have something I can hold in my hands that shows the progression, that documents the moments (mainly in photos), that has a beginning and an end. My structural format may be different next year (part of the fun of coming up with a foundation), but the overall daily process will be the same.

Thanks for cheering me on along the way.

Making the Squares
A couple questions in the comments yesterday regarding the collage (or mosaic) of inspiring photos. If you use Flickr you can easily create these mosaics using Big Huge Labs Mosaic Maker. You specify the number of photos across and down and where they come from (mine usually come from my favorites).

I also often make photo gatherings in Photoshop to use in my projects. Or sometimes I just use a square punch. You can read how I go about creating these groupings in Photoshop in a past issue of my newsletter here (scroll down to "Creating Photo Gatherings in Photoshop").

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67 thoughts

  1. rani Shah says…
    12/29/2007

    such a beautiful and vivid journey-the album is gorgeous!!! looking forward to creating in the new year! Best wishes to you and yours!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Haylee says…
    12/29/2007

    Congratulations your album looks awesome! Thankyou for posting the pages throughout the month, I've loved following the month with you. I am definitely going to try that next year- it is such a great idea. Happy New Year Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Leonie -Australia says…
    12/29/2007

    Ali this album is so amazing & inspiring, it is one my most favorite albums I have seen I just love that it is so many different sizes, textures etc, & that it all works together so beautifully, Well done & Happy happy new year to you all.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Candi Tardio says…
    12/29/2007

    i agree with the other posts...i have really enjoyed looking every day for your next day completed in this mini album!!!
    great job!!!
    happy new year!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Anne Alley says…
    12/29/2007

    Thank you Ali for the inspiration! Where did you find the poinsetta flower? I'm definitely doing an album like this next year!
    Happy New Year (and Go Beavers!).
    Anne Alley

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. T-Wan says…
    12/29/2007

    Your album turned out great and I think I'll attempt to do one next year...may actually have a sepcial event as the reason for doing it.
    Great job.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Erin Glee says…
    12/29/2007

    Yes, you did it, Ali! And you did a beautiful job of it...the December Daily Album turned out SO COOL! I wish I had started my own along with you-next year for sure...thanks for all your inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Jill in Eugene says…
    12/29/2007

    Thanks for your inspiration my friend. And some encouragement for those of you who are thinking about it for next year, I am currently doing mine now - as I type - and I love it. I looked through all of my photos today from Christmas - chose the ones for each day in the album (although some days don't have photos and Ali says 'that's okay' :)and sent them to 1 hour at Walmart. I hit a great after Christmas sale at Ben Franklin crafts (in Springfield, all Christmas s/b products are on sale for 70% off(including a huge supply of Christmas stamps) and the rest of the s/b supplies are on sale for 20% off) I didn't have an album to use, so I found an old hard back music book at the thrift store for $1.50 and I'm adhearing straight to the pages. Just so happens that this book has 25 pages ! How perfect is that. So, be encouraged. Even if you don't start one this year - the supplies are on sale ! You can't beat that and you're hubby can't complain. Ali - I can't wait to show you. Now to come up with an idea for next year ! Happy New Year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. nessa says…
    12/29/2007

    this album is absolutely fabulous!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. ELLIE says…
    12/29/2007

    It truly was wonderful to see you documenting your month - the whole process - the ideas you used (and materials)...very inspiring.
    Thanks for sharing it all Truly beautiful!!!
    Peace--Ellie

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Debby Schuh says…
    12/29/2007

    Thank you for sharing your Christmas with us! What a great feeling to have it all done...t is fabulous!
    Have a happy new year and looking forward to lots of fun memories we'll create in 2008!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Lisa says…
    12/30/2007

    Fabulous Ali--- I am so doing that next year! Thanks, also, for the link to making photo collages. With all the Christmas pics, I think 2X2 is the way to go!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Kristine says…
    12/30/2007

    Love love love it! What a gorgeous project. I have to say that I totally admire your flickr photo galleries. Happy 2008! Can't wait to see more eye candy from you coming our way.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. amanda says…
    12/30/2007

    It's such a wonderful record of such a busy time of year. What at treasure it will be look at once again NEXT December. So beautiful and very inspiring - well done, Ali! And Happy New Year to you!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Deb Wisker says…
    12/30/2007

    Very cool! Thanks for sharing! I looked forward to each new entry!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Julie Howard says…
    12/30/2007

    Beautiful album, Ali! This has been one of my favorite holiday projects. Can't wait to see what you have planned for 2008!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Laura Reaux says…
    12/30/2007

    The album is so lovely! I definitely want to make one next year. You inspire me, girl. Congrats on completing it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. tracy says…
    12/30/2007

    I used big huge labs to make a mosaic for my christmas card this year-25 photos in all. it turned out great!
    http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1268099

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Penny says…
    12/30/2007

    Ali, the book is outstanding. Just love it. Such a family treasure.
    I have been interested in creating the Flickr mosaic since the first time I saw it on your blog a long time ago. I had extra time on my hands yesterday (unusual) and finally used Big Huge Labs to make one off Flickr favs. It was so easy, and fun.
    Happy New Year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Sharon F says…
    12/30/2007

    This is awesome! What a terrific memory and process. You make it all look so easy and when you put it together ahead of time and then fill in it really is.
    Thanks for the inspiration and I look forward to your fresh and fun ideas this
    next year.
    By the way, I bought your calendar last year and have enjoyed looking at it at my office. Loved all the inspiration, its especially helpful to be reminded to embrace imperfection and its all ok while I am struggling with something at work. It puts things in perspective and reminds me to let my creative side out there too. Please considering doing another one perhaps for 2009.
    happy new year!
    sharon f.
    oakland, ca

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Sandra Marek says…
    12/30/2007

    OMG! What a beautiful album and a wonderful idea! I love it! I'm gonna have to try it. TFS Have a happy New Year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Lisa Dickinson says…
    12/30/2007

    I've so enjoyed your posts this month Ali! Every day, I sit down with my coffee and just admire this incredible album you've created. It inspired me to take lots of photos over the holiday season and now I am working on putting my album together - my first mini album! Thanks so much for sharing your amazing talent with us! All the best in 2008!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Jessica says…
    12/30/2007

    Ali,
    what a treasure that you will have FOREVER.
    i love it and hope to see it in person soon.
    Cheers!
    Jessica

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. noell says…
    12/30/2007

    Ali, it was so fascinating watching your process and progress with this book. Thank you so much for sharing step-by-step. I'd love to know if it was difficult to keep up with all the other demands happening in December or just a nice break.
    But my big question is this: Did you fit everything you wanted to document for Christmas in that book, or are there still pictures that you'll use for a Christmas layout as well? I know we're all different and we would all have our own answers. I'm just curious what you'll do.
    Thanks so much and Happy New Year!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. jenn says…
    12/30/2007

    AWESOME! I loved coming here to check out the album progress! You are sooo creative! thanks for being an inspiration!!! happy new years Ali! May god bless you even more this year!

    Reply 0 Replies

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