Anticipation.
So much I am anticipating right now. Christmas morning and all the excitement that Simon is already expressing. The addition of this new little person to our family in less than two months. How things will change and how they will stay the same.
[ Making Memories Flocked Vellum Snowflake Paper, Fancy Pants Brown Trim, Fancy Pants Tis The Season Felt Heart, Tim Holtz Trinket Pin, Sharpie Poster Paint Pen ]
I thought we would be doing the Santa letter last night but other things got in the way (homework and play with Dad who had been away for a couple days). Big plans for tonight. Instead I decided to document a bit about how I am feeling right now (journaling above).
Here’s my steps for today’s page:
Print/develop photo to 4 inches x 6 inches. Cut Making Memories flocked vellum snowflake paper to 6 inches x 9 inches (the size of my book). I love this snowflake paper – it makes a great crinkle noise.
Adhere photo to top of snowflake paper and add brown trim. Hand-write "anticipation" with Sharpie Poster Paint pen directly on top of photo.
Attach felt red heart (from a Fancy Pants Tis The Season holiday felt pack) and trinket pin from Tim Holtz with a glue dot. I removed two of the brown trim drops before adhering the heart to give it a bit more room.
Type, print, and adhere journaling strips below photo.
This little snowflake (from Meri Meri Accents – I have had this one in my stash for quite awhile) was added behind the number 8 circle on the back of the transparency that opens this day.
Here’s a look at the page with the Art Warehouse Mistletoe Transparency on top:
And open:
And the before:
[ Art Warehouse Mistletoe Transparency; #8: Every Jot + Title Red Circle Numbers ]
And a couple things to keep in mind as you work on this project:
1. There is no "behind" in this process. Sometimes things get in the
way and that’s just how it is in life. Don’t be discouraged and don’t
give up completely. There are still great stories to be told during
this time of year even if you don’t get to put something together
everyday.
2. This process is about sharing and encouraging and telling our own personal stories. It’s not a competition. If you find yourself comparing your album to others in the gallery, take a deep breath and remember why you are doing this.
Celebrate the season. Read more about the concept of a December Daily Album and links to all related posts here. See many more examples from participants in the Flickr December Daily Group.
What a great looking album. Nice photo too!
Happy holidays!
OMG…. Ali, you make SUCH lovely things…. I´ve had a terrible day at work and really just want to lie down and cry because of it all, but after taking a look at your day’s beautiful work I´m sitting here with tears in my eyes – of just joy! I wish you and your family the very best of Christmases – with all your anticipation ♥
Love that ball fringe on your page — great touch. I have to say that I am loving this project — I love really focusing on each and every day — I think it makes me appreciate the little things more!
My favorite page so far. Too cute. Mac
I just wanted to tell you that I love your December Daily posts. They are like a drug to me. It seems like I refresh my browser every 30 minutes to see if you have posted a new one for the day. You have inspired me to create one as well. Happy Daily December! Bring on the Memories!
thank you for being so encouraging. i am so far behind and was tempted to let the project go but now i feel confident in getting it done when i can and not feeling like it has to be done by christmas.
your baby bump is adorable.
I love the felt heart with the Tim pin, it looks beautiful. And thanks for the words of encouragement, I’ve felt like I’ve been scrambling for weeks!
Thank you for taking the time to share your album with us each day. I look forward to seeing what you’ve done with your album. Love that photo too.
simple and beautiful
Great page! You look SO cute preggers. And I just love the word “anticipation” for this page. (I bought that paper too and love that crinkle sound…LOL)!! Now I just have to get one of those white pens!
~PattiHutch
what a precious page! What a beautiful capturing of all the moments your experiencing this year. Really a work of art!
So amazing, so inspiring.
Loving the belly shot.
This entire project is just so gorgeous, thanks for sharing. I hold my breath for the next update!
Love,
Theresa
My favorite page so far – your tummy is darling ~~~
you are so inspiring, and your creative spirit is quite contagious. thank you for these wonderful daily posts.
Another great entry for your Christmas book. The word ‘anticipation’ is perfect for that photo. Thanks for the pick-me-up today!
Sue
Ali
that picture is beautiful.
Julie
Thank you for the encouraging words today. I’m feeling so far behind and am not sure that I’ll catch up any time soon. It was a good reminder that if I can at least get the stories down in a notebook, I can work on the pictures & finishing later. Thank you for sharing your book with us! It is beautiful!
thank you, just what i needed to hear … the “behind” part.
Also, thank you for this inspiration. I needed a little decorative element to add today, but wasn’t sure just what.
Very cute baby bump!
Thanks for the “there is no behind” comment! I’m planning on completing (and have been) my album on the weekends. I gather up my pictures/words for the week and then put them all together on Sunday while my hubby watches football. LauraP
Thanks Ali for reminding us that this album IS about documenting how you ENJOY the season and not focus (stress) on getting the layout perfect or done on time.It’s so easy to get carried away {lol}.
I love how you document your feelings on this day and how the page came together. Looking forward to your next page.
Simply FABulous.
Ohhhhh! Your tummy shot made me feel all warm and fuzzy! Precious.
=) Diane
first off, you look FANTASTIC!
Secondly, a question: With flocked vellum, what kind of adhesive did you use for the photo? I was wondering if the flocking interfered with what I would usually use (Kokuyo perm dotto)…did you use glue dots?
When I read your post I felt you were talking specifically to me. I guess we are all too busy for our lives. When I was young I stayed home with my kids. We cooked and created and hiked the mountain everyday. I was a wonderful life. My wish for you is that you can enjoy your beautiful children everyday. You are very beautiful and I very much appreciate your beautiful picture. Thank you with all my heart for sharing.
bump-a-licious!!!!!!! you look sooooooo cute!!!!!! thanks for the daily inspiration
great photo of your baby belly in front of the tree!
Kris – I just used the dot-n-roller
. Seemed to work just fine.
Such a precious photograph! God bless your sweet heart, and the little one you’re carrying!
Ali-
I just love it and the feeling it captures! 
I love day 8! 
I became a mom (again, after 8years of trying, my oldest was 8 when my daughter was born)again in 2007 and I remember the feelings I had when it was Christmas time and “anticipation” was definitely one of them! 
I may have to do one of these books for the past 2 years! 
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. 
What a beautiful pic!
Look forward to seeing what you do with your album each day.
I was relieved when I read your last two comments, I found myself a bit stressed about not keeping up with mine. I had printer issues from day one and from there I started struggling with the whole process. I finally set everything aside. I have kept up with my photos and journaling and look forward to getting back to it soon.
I saw that picture and just “Oh, Ali how beautiful.” Of course there is lots of anticipation in your house. Merry Christmas to you all.
Lori
Ali, your book is so precious. And the photo for yesterday is fantastic. Whomever said “A picture is worth 1000 words” was right…
Completely inspired by you today Ali! Our first wave of Christmas cards came in and all I could think was how I could use those in my book.
Happy Holidays to that adorable growing family of yours!
What a beautiful page for so many different reasons. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thanks for the encouragement! I haven’t worked on my album since Friday and was starting to wonder if I was going to touch it again! I have continued to take pictures and have jotted down some notes. I’m really proud of what I’ve done so far and I know I will complete this project! Thanks for sharing your album as you go!
Beautiful!
Good Golly Ali,
How in the world do you have the time to create such wonderful things? You seem to have found the perfect balance between work and family, and I’m in awe! I love the pic of your “baby bump” in front of the Christmas tree…too precious!
Keep up the good work and have a happy holiday season full of blessings and family!
your album is lovely and i just have to tell you that i have an almost identical photo of me on new year’s day this year, pregnant in front of my christmas tree…that was how i started my 365 photo a day project…looking ahead to all the exciting changes that were coming! i’ve noticed that we’ve had other similar shots/ideas and it’s always fun to see what you’ve done! enjoy…
YOUR BELLY IS ADORABLE!
Do you have a doula yet? I can fly out. Really. I can.
Your belly is so incredibly beuatiful and that photo is to be cherished for sure. Lovely! Lovin’ your Dec. daily book.
I am just loving your album and it has encouraged me to do one for the season as well and I am loving doing it everyday.. What a beautiful photo of you by the tree. Can’t wait to see what you do for the rest of the month.
Angie..Congratulations on your new addition.It took me 10 and a half years to be blessed with another little one and she is now three… time flies.
Hi Ali- Just a curiosity question . . .
Actually, it’s in regard to the letter to Simon. I have done this in the past in my kids’ school albums, but I am just curious if you pick a special time to have Simon read your letter (or read it to him) or if you just have it there for later or for whenever he might read it when he’s older. Either way obviously is great (!!), but I guess I was curious about your approach.
Beautiful sentiment. Also love the latest posting. =) Thanks as always.
p.s. Always wish I’d taken more preggo pictures. Love that one w/the tree!! It will be cherished in years to come. =)
Michelle – I read it to him last night when he was going to bed
. Whether he remembers it down the road or just comes across it…it will be just fine.
Just love everything you do! I have used a lot of your ideas and techniques in an expecting mini-album I am making for my oldest daughter. She is due in 2 days and this our first grandchild so I am sharing in the excitement you are feeling now. Merry Christmas to you!
Great page, thanks for the comment about “not being behind”. This is my first scrapbook venture, and I made the book, have been journaling daily, photos daily, but no finished pages. No free time until the week after Christmas, but I am hoping the journaling and date stamped pictures will guide me in page creation. I’m so grateful for this project; already I’ve captured a lot that I would have missed about the last nine days.
love the page with the tummy pic. should really get one of my tummy soon too, allthough I’m only 20weeks it’s huge this second time around..Thanx for the inspiration
Love your babybump!
Congrats and i’m so happy for you guys, i bet the anticipation is so exciting! 
Merriest Christmas!
I’m totally loving being a part of this Doccumenting December album. It’s so relaxing and fun to note daily what’s going on in my life this year. I teach a grade of Year 1/2s and they love seeing what I do. In fact, they’re making their own (highly modified) version. Too cute!