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. Alexandra says…
    12/06/2010

    Thanks for showing us that an 'ordinary life' day can still fit into the December Daily so nicely. We don't do something Christmas/winter related everyday and that has been a bit of a concern for me - gonna let that one go and just document the day - whether Christmasy or not. Thank you!

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

      You're welcome - it just happened for us that we did a bunch of holiday related-stuff over those first four days ;).

  2. Anne M says…
    12/06/2010

    How funny that we both used a shopping bag on yesterday's page!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Estellita says…
    12/06/2010

    love your layout ;-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Shelley says…
    12/06/2010

    They have a great role model for sharing--thank you for always being so generous with your time and talent.

    Question--what photo printer and paper do you use at home? Your prints always look so much better than what I get out of mine.

    Reply 1 Reply
  5. Holly S says…
    12/06/2010

    Ali-loving keeping up with my DD and seeing yours. Quick question...are you planning on using a photo everyday? I love that you have little ones that give you tons of chances to photograph them...it's just me and my husband so no 'kiddish' things to photo or story tell about. OH and I LOVE that you are giving us permission to let go of perfection...sometimes we need to hear that:)

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

      Hi Holly - in past year's I've always had a few pages without photos. Here's links to a few of those:

      Write a letter: http://aliedwards.com/2009/12/december-daily-2009-day-three.html

      Include a catalog image: http://aliedwards.com/2008/12/december-daily-day-3-part-two.html

      Other ideas: talk about your favorite Christmas memory...or just talk about what you did that day...or what you are hoping for this year...talk about how your life is different now vs. when you were a kid...

      Any story about you right now is an important peek into your world :).

  6. kathryn says…
    12/06/2010

    Oh man, I thought I was being so creative using the Trader Joe's bag. When I saw it I thought it would be so perfect and immediately cut it out and added it to my stack of dd pages!! For some reason had the feeling you would be including it in your book at some point. =} Gotta Love TJ's!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Erika says…
    12/06/2010

    I simply adore that photo!
    I think I need to go for a long drive to Trader Joe's for a shopping bag :)
    Thank you for the inspiration & nudge to keep going!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Rebekah Pontow says…
    12/06/2010

    Great story about siblings! I will have to see if I can get a story like this with my daughter and her cousin who are usually at odds over the toys at Grandma's house. I was wondering if there are any items at Designer Ditgital's for 30 days, instead of 25 and 31? Thanks Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Jenn V says…
    12/06/2010

    That is so awesome that you cut out the grocery bag! I did the exact same thing and when I did, I thought "I bet Ali would love to add this to her December daily, its the perfect size." Aren't they awesome bags this year? I also cut out all those cute snowflakes to use as embellishments.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Tiffany says…
    12/06/2010

    Loving watching this book develop! As I work on my pages each day, my biggest challenge is how to limit the number of photos to include. How do you feel about the photos and stories that aren't told every day? Do you have plans to use the other photos you take every day in any other way in the future? I'm just getting back into memory-keeping and I can see how getting more experience with story-telling and mini-books will help shift my focus. But right now...it's hard to let them go.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Tere (Marie) says…
    12/06/2010

    Ali....I'm always in awe.
    I'm lagging a bit in my "assembly". I'm 100% successful in picture taking...count 385 this weekend. That's where I struggle. Too many options and how do I narrow it down...which ones tell the "story". I'm trying not to get frustrated. And I've watched your videos many times, but seem to spend too much time playing in PSE. I know by the 25th I'll be better, but right now in the assembly part.

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. Tere (Marie) says…
      12/06/2010

      Also...your twitter link to the DD Vol. 1, can they be adjusted ti 6x8?

    2. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      I sent you a tweet back on this one but I'll answer it here too. It can be done, but it would be a lot more work that it's worth I think!

    3. Tere (Marie) says…
      12/07/2010

      Thanks, sorry about the double ask.

  12. Jenny Alfonso says…
    12/06/2010

    Thanks for the gentle reminder Ali! I think you read my mind last night :) I was just thinking that I really didn't like the way my DD day 5 turned out. After staring at it and wishing I could change it, I just let it go. I know I will love it. Your pages are awesome as always!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. mandee mattioli says…
    12/06/2010

    Just an FYI... you can find the Metallic Pens (FABER-CASTELL)in gold and silver at Michael's in the fine arts section. No other colors though. I think you can get them on-line there too.
    They also have a huge selection of the Sharpie Paint Pens now too. They are up by the register when you leave. They are new at my Michael's. I know that you like them too. Just thought I would share for those who are looking for some good pens to use on the photos.

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

      Good to know Mandee - must just be the colored metallic set that is not yet available (at least that's what the marketing rep says :)). And also good to know about the poster paint pens - love those!

  14. gscrapbooks says…
    12/06/2010

    I am loving everything about this process! Thank you for sharing everything about the process. :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Tweets that mention December Daily 2010 | Day Five | Ali Edwards -- Topsy.com says…
    12/06/2010

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ali Edwards, Josephina Mydreama. Josephina Mydreama said: December Daily 2010 | Day Five: First off I wanted to take a minute to welcome anyone who may… http://goo.gl/fb/rnkRX [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Heather M. says…
    12/06/2010

    I absolutely love the moments that you capture, so dear. Thank you for all that you are sharing with us!

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

    HI Ali-
    I am having a difficult time trying to figure out how to use your overlays, etc in PS. I don't use elements (I have PS CS3)...and I was wondering if you could point me to a direction where there was a tutorial on using these products with the program I have. I thought I saw somewhere you said CZ had one, but I'm not finding it (and in her class @ BPC, she uses Elements) Help! :)

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

      Hi Lacey - I left you a comment over on the Flickr message board too :). If you can give me some more information on what you're having trouble with (more specifics) I'm happy to help. I use CS4 as my regular program (just use Elements for tutorials). You can email me ali@aliedwards.com if that's easier. There's just a few little differences between the two programs (at least in working with these products).

  18. Sue TR says…
    12/06/2010

    Hi Ali
    Thanks for the post, your album looks great! I'm glad you included the "regular every-day" in your book...not just the super-happy kodak moments ... I just need to find time to work on everything! I am finding that as my kids get older (i have 9 yo twins) they are staying up later and so I have less crafty time in the eves!

    Thanks for the link to your paper cutter...my birthday is wednesday and I might just take my coupon down to Michaels and treat myself to a little present!

    This project is really helping me get past some creative issues so I can move on to other things so I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for that!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Lori says…
    12/06/2010

    i so look forward to seeing you decdaily page for each day! thank you for the inspiration. i am loving the templates, twill, christmas blocks and wordart that you created. I am so glad i bought the items (on sale!). these items are saving me a lot of time and i can focus on photos+words!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Jenni Hufford says…
    12/06/2010

    hi ali!

    I LOVE how you used the trader joe's grocery bag. i remember you did this a few years ago in your DD and i saved one and am using it again this year too :)

    Today i went christmas shopping and bought a gift a fossil-- the shopping bag is WOODGRAIN!!! I came home, cut it up, and i am using it in my DD for the page about our christmas tree. :)

    i am loving your posts!!!

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

      Total score on the woodgrain Jenni :)

  21. Margaret C says…
    12/06/2010

    Ooh - I agree with the no judging. I have actually stopped looking at other people's because they so much more together/better photographed/artsier/sweeter etc. They are what they are and I am LOVIN documenting my December. Thanks to you and Shimelle for the inspiration ( and resources ! )

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Shelley D. says…
    12/06/2010

    Ali - I have used your layered templates before with no problem. I am trying to use the 6x8 templates (in PS Elements 6) and it won't let me mask the photos. The photo layer has a + sign on it that says it "indicates a frame layer" whatever that means. I've watched your video twice. So frustrated...any suggestions?
    Thanks!

    Reply 6 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Hi Shelley - is that happening on one particular template or all of them? I opened them in my Elements 6 and don't see any + signs.

    2. Shelley D. says…
      12/06/2010

      All of them. I went back to another template (your calendar template) to see if it happened in that, but it didn't. I also went to PSE "help" and can't really even figure out what "indicates a frame layer" (shows up on the photo in the photo layer) means or how to turn it off. THANKS!

    3. Ali says…
      12/06/2010

      Hmmmm - let me see if I can find someone who knows more and see what they suggest.

    4. Shelley D. says…
      12/06/2010

      THANK YOU SO MUCH!

    5. Ali says…
      12/07/2010

      Shelley - here's the feedback I received:

      "It sounds to me like she is dragging the photo UP from the bin onto her document.

      When you do this in PSE6, it makes the item into a Smart Object and makes it difficult to work with.

      Remind her that in that version of Elements, she will need to double click the photo in the bin to select it and to make it active (large in the editing window.) Then she can use the Move tool to drag it down onto the template (or document) in the Project Bin."

      If that's not it let me know and we'll try something else.

    6. Shelley D. says…
      12/07/2010

      Good morning Ali! Wow...so simple. That was totally it. I haven't worked with templates in a few months, so I knew it must be something stupid I was doing. THANK YOU SO MUCH (and also to whoever figured it out)! I am so excited to work on some of my pages with these templates today.

      THANKS AGAIN!
      Shelley

  23. Deborah says…
    12/06/2010

    In love with your book thus far. Question: Was it you who had a link to a list of great Christmas books for children? Or maybe it was in an older blog somewhere? I swear I just read it on someone's blog, and I can't recall whose. Thanks!

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

      Hi Deborah - I bet it was this link to SouleMama: http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2007/11/our-winter-read.html

  24. Amy says…
    12/06/2010

    The linking gadget/widget is very, very cool =0). I am having a blast so far - definitely much more laid back than last year. I really like the "planned ahead" 6 x 8 pages, it takes some stress off of finding the perfect page/element-to-use-as-a-page for that day. I love the transparency/acrylic middle page a lot - this is definitely a winner.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Sarah Stegall says…
    12/06/2010

    Love what stories and images you are capturing! How do you get your children to cooperate? Evertyime my son sees that I am even close to the camera he wants to take a picture rather than be in one. We are having some SUPER moments at our house but I am having a hard time getting everyone to stay put!
    Any suggestions?
    Thank you, ALI!!!

    Reply 0 Replies

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