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").
Ali,
What a gourgeous and inspiring project!! I love those tulips. I have a thing for tulips....my mom says that my grandfather used to grow them in his front yard...I was too little to remember that...but there must be a bit of good memory in tulips for me!!
Have a great 2008!!!
:D Shirley in Florida
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A phenomenal album and another to add to my "Ali" collection of projects to complete someday. This one, however, is sitting on my desk waiting to be played with. Unlike you, I am not as ambitious as documenting 25 days. I am going for the shorter 12 days of Christmas - Christmas Day to Epiphany.
I have a question however. I made the star out of plastic packaging (didn't think that I would ever use three stars at $4 a piece)but am now wondering how you attached it without glue showing. I don't want to try and end up messing up the cover because I know acrylic scratches easily. Also, I am having an isuue with fingerprints and "stuff" clinging to the acrylic. Any secrets or is that just part of the magic?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Joan
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Hi! I have been lurking here for all of December and gleaning heavily from all your fabulous ideas! I am wondering though, I made my mosaic, and it is fabulous, but when I go to put the html code on my blog, it makes it as a tiny thumbnail. What am I doing wrong??
Help!
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thanks for the flickr info...it's been on my mind!
Love the entire album. It's just so cool.
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I don't see how you have the time that you do, but I am so glad that you make the time to leave a living history for Simon and sharing it with us, so that we may take what suits us and help us leave our history with OUR family. You are truly remarkable, Ali, and THE Queen of Scrapbooking!
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Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful 2008! Everything you shared this month alone is just fabulous, whenever someone asks "where did you get that idea?" I have to share your blog....thank you so much for doing what you do :) have a great one!
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Hi Ali,
Loved the album! I'm going to try it next year. I was reading the blog about how you use Photoshop. I understand that there is a huge main program and also Photoshop Elements. I have also heard that there is a very large learning curve with this program. I do not know a thing about graphic design, and if I purchase the program, I would only use it for photos. Would you recommend the whole program or would the Elements be enough for a total novice? If you have time, as I realize you are very busy, could you please email me and let me know? Thanks.
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Very cute. Santa wrote a computer generated letter this year...as he can now read. Our youngest can read his name so Santa just left his name. Love the penguin idea.
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Your December Daily album is such a beautiful way to capture moments of the heart and senses, without losing their freshness. May the New Year bring you many more moments to savor and cherish!
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What a cool album! It is fun to see how somebody elses life is somewhat similar to your own! Thanks for the link to the photo mosaic site! I was wondering how you did that! Way cool! Happy New Year to you!
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It has been so fun to see the pages you've created for this album. I love the concept and I love how it turned out. It's gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.
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Ali answered my question, and I think I had it first, which makes us friends, because we've had a meaningful give and take conversation, to which I am delighted.
I'm going to have to go drink out of my Ali "Capture Life...Create Art" coffee mug and read my new "Eye for Design" book I got for Christmas.
Dang. I've never been a groupie before. I voewed not to do that. But, life is short...why not have a hero!
Off to make some SQUARES! Squares rock. (I'm cheering for squares, too. I'm starting to scare myself. Somebody rescue me.)
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I've so enjoyed your album and I working one something similar for 2008. I'm setting up an 8x8 album with a layout for each month, special holidays we celebrate, plus birthdays. My plan is at the end of each month or event go back through my photos and pick 2 and journal. Thanks for the great idea and explanations!
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Thank you so much for such wonderful project. I truly enjoyed the process and I am very happy with the results. This was a beautiful gift and for that I am very greatful! Wishing you a Happy New Year and please receive my warmest regards for you and all of your loved ones!
xoxo Olga, Miami, Florida
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Beyond beautiful. You inspire me in so many ways. My blog is even named for your inspiration: http://livingasalifeartist.blogspot.com
I am a simple person that hopes to meet you some day. Someday.
Have a Happy New Year.
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Love it!! Thanks so much for sharing, you've inspired me to do a little dabbling in scrapbooking even though I put everything away/donated most of my stuff.
Question: when do you take down your tree & Christmas decorations? Just curious!
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Thanks for the inspiration. I did one too & am loving looking back at the the wonderful "every day" stuff that I documented this year. -Kelly
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FAB-U-LOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
great project!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Cheers,
Karen Geckler
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Ali, I don't think I've ever commented here, but I have been a regular reader for awhile now (linked through Aby Garvey). I couldn't pass the opportunity to thank you for allowing (me) your readers to follow along on your December journey. I love the way this book was created at the present so as not to miss any important moments. At times I think I was more excited about your next adventure than some of my own! :) You are such an inspiring person! Keep up the great spirit! Happy 2008 to you and your lovely family.
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I'm glad to hear that you had a wonderful Christmas.
Congratulations on finishing your beautiful December album! I have followed it every day along the way and it surely has inspired me to think outside the box. Thanks, Ali!
Thanks also for the info on how to create the mosaic. I couldn't get it to work at first, but when I tried it in Firefox rather than Safari it was a breeze.
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Ali,
I love your blog and have been reading it for probably more than a year now but I just about never post a comment. Totally inspired by what you've done capturing your Christmas memories. I am looking to buy a digital SLR and wondering what camera you use. I am pretty sure you have mentioned it before but I can't find it. Really like the quality of your photos and am hoping to get some good quality ones of my family too.
Enjoy the New Year.
Thanks,
Tammy
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Ali, I have reading your blog for sometime now and love the idea of your album. Happy New Year!
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Beautiful... absolutely beautiful! ~ kim
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Also, thanks for the how-to for the flickr mosaics. I had never been to flickr before today. I checked it out and I LOVE it. I made a mosaic and put it on my blog. I even included some of your pictures that I love. Thanks!
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I just love your work.great job
Denise
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