December Daily 2010 | Day Five

First off I wanted to take a minute to welcome anyone who may be new to my site. I've got a welcome page with a video walk-through that introduces you to some of the different areas I have here and lists popular posts you might be interested in checking out. You can read all about the December Daily project happening right now here. Thanks so much for visiting.

Welcome to Day Five!

Day Five features a grocery bag from Trader Joe's and a little photo and story about sharing. On top of the grocery bag I added a bit of metallic trim (I'm pretty sure that came from Papier Valise), a mini flash card from CariKraft, and a Tim Holtz game spinner. To adhere the thin red metallic trim I used red line tape - LOVE this stuff.

Here's a little close-up:

And a look at the second page:

Today's photo for the second page wouldn't fit in a 5.5 x 6.25 crop without losing some of the things I wanted to include (like the side of the tree).

Here's what I did to get around this issue: (1) Re-sized my photo to 5.5 inches wide and let Photoshop resize the height (about 4.5 inches). (2) Changed the canvas size to 5.5 x 6.25 and moved my photo up to the top leaving an area along the bottom for journaling.

Here's a look at my 5.5 inch x 6.25 inch canvas in Photoshop with the title and journaling added:

I knew I wanted the journaling to be on cardstock and the photo on photo paper (rather than printing the whole thing on photo paper - which would have been just fine too).

For printing the photo here at home on photo paper I de-selected all the layers except the photo. For printing the journaling on cardstock I de-selected all the layers except the text. For a more in depth look at turning off layers to print parts of a canvas, including a video tutorial go here.

Here's what the two pages looked like after printing:

I cut the photo out with my trimmer and then laid it on top of the cardstock journaling. I used the photo as a guide for the width and then cut it out with my trimmer.

The photo and the journaling were adhered to the background dated 6x8 overlay.

Along the bottom I added Hambly pattern paper and an oval accent from a K&Company chipbox (2009). I trimmed the top and bottom of the oval off to keep it within the box.

Here's a closer look:

JOURNALING : Ah, sharing. Something we all have to learn in our lives. Today it seemed to be an especially big issue around here between Simon and Anna. First it was a small peg-board game in my office and then it was the Playmobil Nativity people. Simon’s fairly protective of his things - even those that are really meant to be shared - and even those which are being played with very nicely while he plays with other things. I heard lots of “mine” being thrown around from both the almost two-year-old and the almost nine-year-old. To make it even more of a challenge, I was having a hard time today too. I think we’re all a bit off and in need of rest. In the case of the nativity Simon ended up taking the kings and shepherd to the table while Anna played with the animals and the baby in the window. They both seemed happy and content and went on their merry way in their own little worlds. Peace at last, for the moment at least.

SUPPLIES : Every Jot & Tittle Red Number Tags; Hambly Chic Circles Transparent Overlay; Ormolu Christmas Tag (circle-punched); Hambly Red Hearts on Kraft pattern paper; Ali Edwards 2010 December Daily 6x8 overlay; Fonts: Lucia BT and Sentinel; CariKraft Mini Signs of Christmas Flash Cards; Tim Holtz game spinner; red line tape

GENTLE REMINDER & UPDATES


This feels like a good time to remind everyone not to make any judgments about your album (boring, plain, too simple, too complex, etc) at this stage in the process. Remember that the beauty of it is the whole album, not any single page or layout. If there's something you don't love about a particular page than make a change on tomorrow's page (learn from what you feel about the pages you make) rather than spending a bunch of time trying to re-work this one.

6x8 PRINTING UPDATE : I also wanted you to know that Persnickety Prints prints 6x8 images. I've used them before for printing my 12x12 digital pages and they printed my Christmas cards this year. Great service.

FABER-CASTELL METALLIC PEN UPDATE : Come to find out, the metallic pens I've been using on my photos the last couple of days are actually new and will be debuting at CHA. Ask your local retailer to order some or look for them online after the show in January.

QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS : I'm trying to keep up with questions I find in the comments. If I happen to miss yours please ask it again.

All posts related to December Daily can be found here.


TODAY'S POST SPONSORED BY : Blog Design Basics for Bloggers
Our video tutorials will teach you how to create & install a custom banner, background, photo frame, signature, post divider, & happy art when you take our {BLOG DESIGN BASICS} class!  When you purchase the class you'll get these 6 READY-MADE BLOG KITS & our 5 brand new HOLIDAY BLOG KITS for free, as well as the option to purchase our ADD-ON BLOG KIT for only $20! Also, be sure to check out my BLOG & my SHOP for digital scrapbooking supplies & Kristina's BLOG for lots of inspiration!



SHARE A LINK TO YOUR DAY FIVE


I'd love to have you include a link to your DAY FIVE page here. Please link directly to your post or image on Flickr vs. your general blog link. Thank you! Also - don't feel like you need to leave a comment!

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119 thoughts

  1. Laci M. says…
    12/06/2010

    In your previous DD's I noticed you used some kind of eyelets for your paper to make sure they didnt just rip through the binding. I bought some at JoAnn's that were for belts and material items but they are really thick and take up LOTS of room on my binder rings, but the scrapbooking eyelets dont have a big enough opening to fit on the rings. So my question is what kind of eyelets are you using and where did you get them, or what other precautions are you taking to make sure your thin papers dont rip through the rings? Thanks so much! I LOVE my album, its just REALLY thick!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Hi Laci - I used some eyelets and grommets in my book last year but am not using them this year (at least I don't think so right now). Last year's book felt much less stable. I think there are a variety of different sizes available for eyelets - from mini ones to larger ones. I've got a collection of different sizes collected over the years - I would check Michaels.In past year's books - when I haven't used any eyelets/grommets (all year's except 2009) - the books have held up really well.

  2. diane says…
    12/06/2010

    What colour/brand cardstock are you using? Thanks Ali

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Kim says…
      12/06/2010

      Hi! Not Ali, but I am pretty sure she is using Bazzill cardstock in cream puff (not sure of the exact name). I think she mentions it in one of her December Daily blog posts. ;-)

    2. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Kim's right (thanks Kim) - Bazzill Cream Puff (has a really nice criss-cross texture).

  3. dawn says…
    12/06/2010

    I love that window seat and the glimpse of them playing/sharing together. Sounds like my day 4 page which left my day 5 page to be a very merry and happy page/day with my kids. Sometimes they do surprise us don't they. The little heart pattern paper you chose is perfect since they are showing love by sharing and hanging out together. Wonderful job Ali!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Cele Schaffer says…
    12/06/2010

    Your album is coming along beautifully! I had a question you may have addressed but I can't find it. Do you print most of your own pictures? Even the whole page pictures? What photo paper do you use and what printer? Do you then attach the 6X9 pictures to cardstock or the photo paper just becomes the page by itself? I am sorry for asking so much-this is my first year and I need HELP! Thank you so much Ali-you give us all so much inspiration.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Hi Cele - I print my own photos here at home for this project. I use a HP Photosmart B8550 printer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B19XPA?ie=UTF8&tag=aliedwardsdes-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001B19XPA. The paper I used is Ilford Gallerie Smooth: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006I5C3?ie=UTF8&tag=aliedwardsdes-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00006I5C3

      The photos are attached to the back of the previous day (so yes, photo paper adhered to the cardstock) with rolling adhesive: http://bit.ly/fCMNT9

  5. Beke says…
    12/06/2010

    awww I wish we had cool little paper bags like that over here!
    Just stunning Ali.......I don't wanna sound like a stalker or anything (lol) but you are my crafty idol! I've been dropping your name to everyone. :P I've been trying to get some of your books over here, and its been hard, so i might need to order online from the states

    I like how you have added today the issues of family life....kids not sharing and not feeling too great etc. I good reminder that these things are important to record along with the good days, if you know what I mean.

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. Paula in Australia says…
      12/06/2010

      Hey Beke I got into your blog and notice that you live not too far from me and we go up to your neck of the woods all the time (family) - I am in Brisbane and I got some of Ali's books from Scrapbook City in Indooroopilly - here is a link to their website. http://www.scrapbookcity.com.au/products2/ They might be able to help you find them. I have all 4 books and look at them all the time. Ali is the bomb!

      Hope this helps - Regards Paula

    2. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Thanks Paula - I think I need to write a new book :).

    3. Heather says…
      12/06/2010

      Ali I'd LOVE for you to write a new book! I have all of yours and they still inspire me more than any others! :)

  6. Amy B says…
    12/06/2010

    Thank you for sharing this story, Ali. I love it. I am reminded that no one's life is perfect, no one's kids are perfect, and we all have struggles and bad days. Instead of trying to pretend everything is magical and perfect at our house during the holidays, I am inspired to tell the real stories - even though they can be a little ugly sometimes! Thanks again :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Cool! It just happened that my first four days were full of holiday goodness...real life is always a part of everyday :).

  7. Amy says…
    12/06/2010

    Your new house looks like it has such wonderful light!! Lovely pages

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Maica says…
    12/06/2010

    Everyday is different from last day, so special, so unique, and everyday I enjoy with those wonderful photos and the way you describe your december life. Thanks for share and thanks for encourage us to do it.
    Best Regards from Catalonia

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Nicole Jannink says…
    12/06/2010

    Ali i get inspired by your daily pages and it's your posts that keep me going on to cpmplete my page daily. I am so glad i used your 6x8 overlays, because that makes my DD a whole album instead of lose pages.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Thanks Nicole - glad you are enjoying the process!

  10. Jennie says…
    12/06/2010

    Thanks for reminder...totally got crazed yesterday ...broken canon so using a point and shoot and got very disappointed with the pictures...had to remind myself it's about the memories! When I let it go...I really saw the beauty of the album! Thanks so much for gentle reminders and nudges to keep going!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Judy Webb says…
    12/06/2010

    I should have made a December book, NOT for children, but for our new dog. We are OLD and grandkids live far away. We lost our beloved Happy just before Thanksgiving. Our son gave us one of his grown dogs to be a friend to our Bichon. It would have been fun to record the two dogs and one cat becoming friends and how Abby has become our friend. [the cat has accepted Abby better than the Bichon. LOL]

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Oh Judy - I'm sorrry to read about the loss of your dog!

    2. Paula in Australia says…
      12/06/2010

      Oh Judy my thoughts are with you in losing your darling Dog. I too lost one of mine 2 weeks ago and it feels like a part of my day just isn't there anymore. Our other dog is coping quite well, probably because the other passed at home in her sleep and he would have known before we did that she had gone. A big shock and very sad as she wasn't sick at all but she was nearly 11 so we had some really good times with her being part of our family. I hope your new old doggie goes well and you are not too sad. Have a Happy Festive Season.

  12. Bonnie says…
    12/06/2010

    You always take the best pictures. Sometimes I just don't capture those moments of the kids just being kids togehter.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Sylvia says…
    12/06/2010

    Hee, I just added the TJ's bag to my December Daily too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Sara says…
    12/06/2010

    Totally loving seeing your pages! I finished pages 1-5 this weekend. Fun, fun! Love the links to other people's albums too. Great idea!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Terri Porter says…
    12/06/2010

    Ali, thanks so much for this description on how you adapt your photo to fit within the space. I mentioned in a comment to an earlier post that at times I was having a problem resizing my photo to fit in that space without trimming off vital stuff. I haven't had a chance to go back to that post to see if you answered, but this is exactly what I needed. Much easier than trying to figure out how to frame the photo when I'm taking it so that I can crop it to a certain size and not lose anything. You are a genius!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      I did respond to your question on the other post...I said something about how most of my photos were horizontal and taking photos both up close + far away to give you the most options when you go to tell the story. I thought of you as I put this one together - hoping it would be helpful!

  16. Linn says…
    12/06/2010

    Ali, thanks for sharing this page. I was a at a loss for what to do with my template when my photo just can't be cropped to the squarish size. I really like how you put the journaling below the photo and still made the page look balanced. Looks great.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Marsaille says…
    12/06/2010

    I love the way yours is coming together. I have to admit, at first I was skeptical since this years version looks so different. I was afraid it would be cold. You did say to wait until the pics and stories start filling it though! Your details make a difference too. Lovely.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Thanks Marsaille - it's always hard to really "see" the album when it's just the foundation. I'm enjoying this format...I did just look through my book from 2008 with more variety of page size. I love that one too. I figure I'll be doing this for quite a few more years to come (a good thing) and I'll have the chance to do that format again and probably lots of others as well. You can see that 2008 book here: http://aliedwards.com/about-ali/portfolio/december-daily-2008

  18. Heather says…
    12/06/2010

    Ali I just picked up your Holiday Word Art Vol. 2 at Designer Digitals. Thank you, I love them! Especially the "25 moments, stories, days" art, I think that one's going to have to go on my title page!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Michelle M says…
    12/06/2010

    I am loving everyone's links to their blogs! I especially like finding DD from people in other countries and in foreign languages! This is such a COOL project and I am so glad to be doing it! I started out with a little "scappbooker envy" and wished that my album looked like yours, but I have gotten over that and am glad I am doing things my own way! Thanks again, Ali!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Wilna says…
    12/06/2010

    lovely page! and i love the font you use in the title. : )

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Heather Johnson Photography says…
    12/06/2010

    This linking to the blog thing is super cool Ali, thanks for including it this year. I love looking at all of the pages, and getting inspired. We are all such creative storytellers--I love it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. SandraL says…
    12/06/2010

    Just purchased the printable 6x8 overlays and am trying to change color in Word but its not working. Followed your tutorial example but only the outer line changes color. Help…using Microsoft Word 2007. Thanks

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Hi SandraL - are these the instructions you are following:

      To recolor the lines of the overlay, go to View and select the Formatting Palette (I’m working in Word for Mac 2008). Click the Recolor icon near the top and select More Options at the bottom of the menu to choose a color. Click the color and the overlay should automatically change to that color.

      Do you have a formatting palette?

      Make sure you are using the "recolor" option rather than the "line fill" option. If you select line fill it will only change the outside color of the entire picture - not the element itself.

  23. Christy Miller says…
    12/06/2010

    I feel like I'm spending a LOT of time deciding what picture, what story and where and how I want it placed on my page. I probably spend more time doing this than I did making the album in the first place. Anyone else feel this way? It's not for every page but maybe it's just because I'm trying hybrid and I'm a little new at it???

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Hi Christy - I think "choosing" is one of the easiest places people get stuck. This project is a great opportunity to work on making quick choices and trusting your initial instinct and not worrying that it's the "perfect photo" or the "perfect story" for that day. Just pick one and move forward - you can do it!

  24. Jennifer says…
    12/06/2010

    Bahahahaha!! The "santa is watching" oval is perfect for this gem of a story!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Cynthia H says…
    12/06/2010

    The grocery bag looks so great as part of this layout.

    Reply 0 Replies

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