December Daily : Day Seven
A little letter to Simon.
Tonight Simon will be writing his letter to Santa so I thought it would be appropriate to write a letter to Simon. I think this will be a nice tradition to add in to my December Daily books in the future.
I started off with a bit of thinking. What did I want to tell him about this past year? I wondered what things he will remember (he has a crazy good memory) and what things will just remain in the past? What did I want to say about how much he has grown and matured in so many different ways?
I ended up writing about how proud we are of him and all the ways he has grown this past year. Little things and big things. Things like independently getting on the bus, dressing himself, doing his homework without too much drama, and being excited about being a big brother, etc. He is such an amazing kid.
If you don't have kids (or kids at home) consider writing a letter to your spouse, partner, or maybe even to yourself. You letter could focus on this past year, how you feel about the season, or something about your life at this moment in time. Adding in some content such as a letter gives added depth and meaning to your album as a whole.
Here's a look at how it came together:
[ American Crafts Precision Pen .03, Making Memories Fa La La Trims, Scenic Route Grey Grid Patterned Paper, Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch ]
I cut a sheet of grey grid patterned paper to fit inside the envelope and used the Threading Water Punch to create a decorative edge along the top. I stitched the top in place and covered the back side with a second sheet of grey grid paper. The seam is covered with ribbon.
The envelope is from Paper Source and they offer great templates for creating envelope liners. I cut my liner using one of those templates and patterned paper from American Crafts (The Weather Outside).
And just a simple paper clip to keep the envelope closed for now. I am still decided what to do on the page opposite (the back of day 6). I am thinking of creating a tag similar to the one that Tim showcased today and adding that as a decoration.
The before image:
[ Paper Source Red Envelope; American Crafts White Subway Foam Thickers ]
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.
Oh I just love this idea!!!!! I'm going to borrow it and try to laminate the letter(s)... just in case one of us has sticky hands, sheds too many tears, or too many repeated folds.. to help preserve the letter... Thanks for a super duper idea!!!
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Ali,
What a great idea! I am so going to do this...ummmm I am the first person to post....maybe I should be doing something productive like everyone else must be?
Hug Simon tight...he'll grow up fast!
Valerie
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I agree...this is a great idea. My son's almost 2 years old so it'll be nice to remind him of things he did at this age and for his 2nd Christmas of his life. =)
THANKS!
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I ADORE the letter idea! Great!
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A gorgeous thoughtful addition.
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The letter idea is a real winner! I love Tim Holts' tags... but, I can just picture a photo of you and Simon together to go with the letter. Just a thought... which you've probably had already.
I just took a picture of my husband blowing our snow for my album (and blog) and I think adding a letter to him about how much I appreciate all that he does for me/us. Thank you for sparking that 'perfect' idea.
We have a major storm starting this afternoon going into tomorrow afternoon. As a retired teacher... I still get up to watch the school closings go across the TV screen. Tomorrow's album pages may be about just that.
Ali... this is such fun! Can't say thank you enough.
From snowy Wisconsin,
Joni
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What a great idea - I have little notes in the advent calendar ( made the box one that you did last year but adhered them to a canvas ) that I may put together in the envelope or make a page with the baseball card plastic holder to show them ~ will probably do both to see which works best in my book....you are an inspiration - thank you again for all of your time !
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I opened two saving accounts for my kids today at the bank. To write a letter on the back of the picture that goes with today is an awesome idea!
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Ali-
I just loved your letter to Simon. :) What a wonderful idea! :)
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Ali you do amaze me all the time , what a clever idea about writting a letter to Simon :)you sure are inspiration to me, way to go girl!!!!!!!!!!
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this is a fabulous idea! Will you be writing to your little bun as well?
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Simon is blessed to have such a thought-full mom. What a treasure you are creating! THANK YOU for the inspiration to create something this Christmas. My kids are getting older too quickly (they're 12 and 9) and I want to caputure some of their childhood this season.
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What a lovely idea! Someday Simon will look back at your letter and be proud of the strides he has made and know that it is because you and your husband care so much about him and every step he takes.
Sue
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Adding an envelope to a mini album is such a cute accent and could work on so many levels!
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Oh, I love this idea of writing a letter to the kids or maybe just a letter to whoever read my decemberalbum in the future. Thanks for sharing, Ali! I'm allways blown away by your creativity, and all the beautiful things you make. Thanks again!
~gudrun~
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I love the idea of adding in a little note to your son, very sweet!
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Ali,
You never cease to amaze me. I love this idea. I think that I will write a few letters and include them in my book, one for my son, one for my hubby, and one for myself. I think it will be wonderful to look back over the years and see what I wrote to all of us. I am going to try to get my hubby to write a letter too. Great idea!
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Lovely idea! Your journal & look at Christmas is very inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Ali,
I really love the idea of including a letter; I also love your idea of including one of 'Tim's tags' as a decoration. I have included the fourth and fifth tags in my album because I just didn't want to have to part with them. I can't give them away if they are glued down!
As always, thank you for sharing.
Peace,
Kelly
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LOVE IT!
i write a letter to my daughters every year on their birthday, my oldest is turning 9 on Christmas Eve, so this is the time I start thinking about what I want to say to sum her year up. my husband also writes them a letter on their birthday, though he seems to skip every other year. i hope he keeps it up through adult years as well.
will you include simon's letter to santa too somewhere? i am having a hard time keeping up with this and Christmas is coming way too FAST for me! LOVE yours though!tara
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What a great idea -- something to cherish.
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Ali, I love the idea of writing a letter. I only have a fiance to write to but I think it is really important to to slip aside a little letter to him this holiday season - talk about the new traditions we have already established in the 2 years we have been together, how we will be married next Christmas, etc. This may be my favorite thing to do during the December daily!
Also, thanks for the envelope tutorial! I have always wanted to do that and now I can!!
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ooh oh.. how lovely..:) such a lovely idea.. it'll be such a treasure.. one day in the future, opening that letter again.. oh wow!
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I agree the letter idea is very lovely. I sure hope the posts on this album will be up for a long time because I am soooo behind. Ali love your style.
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I *heart* this idea! Thanks for the inspiration Ali!
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