December Daily 2009 : Day 23, Day 24, Day 25 & Reflections On The Process
This is another one of those projects that I love to finish. I love to start it and I love to be done with it (another reason I just do the 25 days). There is no doubt that I will do it all over again next year.
One of the big things you will notice is that I ended up going with a thick ribbon/twine (from my stash) rather than the metal rings to hold it all together. It just wasn't working. I don't love what I ended up using but it will be fine (not ideal because it's hard to turn & would not be easy for little hands to look through). Read below for more observations from the process.
DAY TWENTY-THREE
A shopping list paired with a circle glitter paper from Making Memories. Two circle epoxy and one button accent were added on top of three circles (one from Love, Elsie, one from K&Company, and the button from American Crafts).
Here's the original:
I ended up moving the pocket page to the back (see original below) because I wanted to the photos and the words to be front and center (vs. inside the pocket).
The journaling talks about our day: where we went, what we ate, and how over-the-top excited Simon was about Santa visiting and it finally being Christmas. Word art is from my Hand Drawn Holiday collection at Designer Digitals.
And probably my favorite photo of the season:
Nothing better than matching PJ's on Christmas Eve. Scallop punch along the edge is the Threading Water Punch Fiskars. Attached the little card that came with the PJ's to the top of the page.
Here's the original:
I backed that enlarged photo from Christmas Eve with another from Christmas morning (before doing the border punch). I traditionally don't take too many photos on Christmas morning just because there are so many other things to be paying attention to and celebrating, but I did get a couple this year.
Word stickers along the edge are a few seasons back from Making Memories. The little Santa ticket is from Jenni Bowlin.
I typed up (literally with my old typewriter) two little notes: one for Simon and one for Anna talking a bit about their experience Christmas morning. The handwritten "Dinner Info" card talks about what we cooked this year (prime rib and pommes Anna). The punch along the top of the notes is the Apron Lace punch from Fiskars.
For the final page I moved the canvas pocket (originally Day 24) and added a little strip and used rub-ons to add the word "bits." I collected a few things and tucked them inside.
On the spine I added key, a metal circle with the word "believe," and a small manila tag (I added the E09 with Jenni Bowlin rub ons).
WHAT I LEARNED
I am reminded once again that if I don't jot down notes to myself or document something specific for a particular day I will not remember it. The details or even something that would have been a great little note is gone if not written down. I do use the photos as jumping off points, but without the written words it's a lot harder to remember details even just a couple weeks later.
In looking back through my previous year's albums I think I will go back to the simple 2 or 3-ring approach with a front and back cover next year (vs. an album). I liked the adventure of doing something new and trying something different this year, but I think my preference is for the other format. I also think I like the smaller sizes better.
I liked creating those stitched-pocket pages but didn't really like having more than one of them in the album. I did end up with one on the last page (after the 25th) that worked well as a place to store extra bits from this holiday season. I ended up wanting to just see a photo or paper instead.
I really liked using the eyelets to secure the holes on each page.
I wish I would have kept more of the packaging from some of the gifts to include in the album (fun way to remember some of those gifts).
I am planning to create another layout about the holidays for our family album that will include more photos from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I like that my December Daily becomes more of a highlight (or a favorite photo selection) rather than holding everything.In the end, as I gave this album a little hug and packed it away until next December, I said a prayer of thanksgiving. Thanks for the opportunity, thanks for the awareness of the blessing of our everyday lives, thanks for another season of magic and joy.
This
post is the last of a series documenting the month of December 2009. You
find out more information and view all the completed pages of my album here. Share your work in the Flickr gallery here.
absolutely beautiful album. i really enjoyed doing mine for the first time this year. i took your yesterday and today class and enjoyed it so very much. was wondering if you have any plans in the near future of doing another bps class?
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I never tire of looking at your work. You are so creative and the combinations you come up with are so beautiful. If I only had an ounce of your talent!
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Loved watching the whole process unfold Ali. Thanks! I did one last year and loved it. I pulled it out several times to look through it and share with people in 2009. I am planning to finish a Jul 2009 Daily that I started in Nov. For the December Daily this year, I decided to help my sister (non-scrapbooker) with one while I was visiting her for the holiday (on the other side of the country). I ended bringing everything back with me to finish. :)
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I finally posted my dec daily pics on flicker. Now I just need to print out my remaining photos for the month and complete the album. I can see how having a photo printer at home is key to finishing this album in a timely manner. I need to place an order with scrapbook pics soon.
This is my second year of the Dec Daily and I really love documenting this time of year. It is truly priceless what kids say/do during the holidays and any day for that matter.
Thanks for the inspiration to complete another DD!
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Thanks, as ever...so inspiring! Only wish I had the time...still, I'm off until 28th Jan so am hoping to , at least!, do the Christmas '08 and '09 collage that I 'pinched' from you!!
My Word this year is 'flourish' and I am sooooo determined to do just that....with your books already 'dog-eared', I need to let go and soar with creativity...
Fingers crossed for me..
Sharron H
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I love everything about your finished DD album! I am finding myself a little behind this year because of sickness, but with all my daily notes been taken and all my pages pre-made, hopefully i will feel well enough to finish soon.
Here's a peek at my pre-made album:
http://createalifeyoulove.blogspot.com/
Amber Osburn
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I love you.
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Thanks again Ali - this project helped me get through a lonely holiday season, to really focus on all the good things about it when I really wanted to wallow in self-pity instead! I liked seeing your thoughts about the project, too. I'm going to take the time to make some notes and paperclip it to my October 2010 calendar.
Happy New Year!
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Ali...I am sure you are really busy but I was wondering if you could tell me what font is the open letters that you used for the number 24? I have admired that font for a long time and would like to purchase it. Thanks for your time.
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Ali,
You totally inspired me to do a December book this year. I bought a small 3 ring binder kit that was originally for Christmas recipes and altered it. My 4 year old loved every part of it!! He gets tired of me constantly taking pictures of him, except in December :o)
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Thank you for sharing your December album process. It is beautiful and so inspiring. I look forward to following along every year.
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Ali, I just wanted to say thanks for this inspiration! I completed my very first December Daily album this year and am already planning next years! It has truly inspired me to get back into my scraproom!
I pray for you and your family a very healthy & happy New Year!
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Hi Ali, I'm not sure this is the best way to ask, but maybe you'll answer. Where do you get the large eyelets you used on the clear and acrylic pages? All the ones I have are not large enough for the d-ring binder I have. And how would you set them? I don't think my setter would work either. Any advice would be so helpful!
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Hi Ali,
I finally did it...just today I finished putting my December Daily together. Thanks for inspiring me...as always! I LOVED this process, and will do it again! Now I just need to catch up on your Big Picture class. (I'm LOVING it too!)
Thanks!
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I love your album--I especially love the spine with the key and believe. I am looking forward to the December Daily project again this year. Please remind me how, as an "alumni", I get to get back in to the forum/classroom part of it? Best wishes to all for a successful December Daily again!!
Amy
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