December Daily 2010 | Day Seven

Welcome to Day Seven!

A big thing I love about this project is the chance to try out a few different things each day.

My photo today is from my iphone. I took it in the waiting room at the dentist. Simon calls these balls "jollies" - not sure where that came from but it's a cool name for them! I wasn't sure if it was going to turn out or not and wasn't sure if I was going to be able to print it at 6x8.

It worked and I love it.

I uploaded the iphone image to mycomputer and was able to adjust the image size to 6x8 at 300dpi (File/Resize). It's a bit grainy but I'm cool with that - it kinda goes along with the emotions in my journaling as you will see below.

And if you didn't notice already, if you look closely in the ornament you can see the reflection of both me (holding my iphone) and Simon. Simon's fingers are holding the ornament.

For this spread I used three circle embellishments.

All of the circles are from a set at Ormolu (looks like it might be sold out). I added the glitter star (from an old K&Company chipbox) and used the Believe circle stamp from my Good Cheer set on the other one.

Here's that cute little stamp all inked and ready to go on top of the circle tag:

I used "Leaf" - a green ink from Technique Tuesday. This stamp also includes a small "to" and "from" that I just avoided when I was adding the ink (great for making small gift tags).

Here's a look at it on the page:

I hand wrote a little sentiment and then decided to cover the whole thing with a light layer of Glossy Accents. I tucked the stamped green circle under one of the tips on the chipboard star.

You might also notice that I trimmed the circle with the star. I added the trimmed portion up on the top left of the photo. I like it when things go off the edge like that.

I also trimmed the "love" circle that ended up on the second page (I didn't include the part I trimmed off for this one). I added a staple after photographing.

Here's a look at that full page:

I did my journaling in Photoshop again today. I find I tell a more complete story when I type it vs. writing it by hand.

I created a new canvas (File/New) that was 5.5 x 6.25 at 300dpi and starting typing.

NOTE : If you're interested in learning about adding text to photos (or just using the type tool) there was a good tutorial on Studio Calico's blog yesterday: Text On Photos.

The pattern paper strip is from Basic Grey.

Here's what it looked like in Photoshop before printing.

Here's what it looked like before I adhered it to my date page (and after I cropped it from the 8.5x11).

These are the kind of pages that I know I will really love in years to come. Pages with lots of words that include both the facts and the feelings of our lives both December- and not-so-December-related.

JOURNALING : I’m feeling very tender towards my kids today. To Simon in particular. I think it’s a bit of a mix of the time of year combined with the simple passage of time. Time is flying by - it became especially evident to me when I took Simon to the dentist today. Here’s the story told to Simon:

I took you to the dentist this morning for our 6-month cleaning appointments. You’ve been going regularly since you were a little guy (probably around 3 is when we first took you and had you just sit with me) and each time has been better than the last (but most often has resulted in some upset or challenge). Going to the dentist is not really fun for anyone, but especially hard for someone who’s already sensitive to sights and sounds and touch.

Today Simon, you were amazing.

Very calm. Very brave. Very accepting of what the hygienist was doing and why we were there. When you sat in the chair the first thing you asked her was, “Do my teeth look great?” We’ve been talking daily about the importance of brushing your teeth and how you don’t want to have any cavity bugs in your mouth. Because of some recent reluctance on your part to brush before bed I told you that if you don’t take care of your teeth you might end up with cavity bugs and that would result in having to get a shot in your mouth. That would definitely be worse than having to brush your teeth before getting your body in bed. I think that was enough to get the point across.

This was also the first time I didn’t sit in the room with you. I started out in there while they did some x-rays (they were almost able to get to see all your teeth - still working on that one) and then left when it was my turn in the other room. You didn’t get upset or look worried. You knew I was right next door and when you were done you very proudly came over to the dental chair I was sitting in and told me all about it. You showed me your little white bag with your new toothbrush, floss, and paste. You showed me the ball you chose from the toy bin. The hygienist told me how proud of you she was and how impressed she was when you showed her how you brush your teeth at home. Nice work!

These are the moments I’ve prayed for for you Simon. To be calm and comfortable and confident even when you might feel a little scared - especially in a place that is safe. I’m so proud of you. I love you so, so much.

SUPPLIES : Hambly Grey Doily Decor Overlay: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com; Making Memories Number Stickers; K&Company Brenda Walton Chipbox; Basic Grey Jovial Pattern Paper; Glossy Accents; Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday Good Cheer stmap set; Ormolu circle tags; Ali Edwards 2010 6×8 December Daily overlays; Ali Edwards 6x8 December Daily Layered Templates

All posts related to December Daily can be found here.


TODAY'S POST SPONSORED BY : Color Inc Pro Lab
Surprise your family and friends this holiday season with fun and unique gifts from Color Inc Pro Lab! Choose from any of our holiday items, including: Gallery Wrapped Canvas, Standout Image Clusters, Assembled Albums, Press Print Albums, as well as Greeting Cards - all of which can be combined with any Ali's Templates to make that one special item for the ones you love. Check out our website for more information on products and pricing!



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98 thoughts

  1. Sheri Brady says…
    12/08/2010

    Day seven and I'm still managing to keep up! Can be quite a challenge with a young baby in the house, but I'm loving the draw to do a little something creative each day. Plus it's brought me to thinking much more about the moments that are important for me to document, especially on just ordinary days. After all, those are what life consists of...just regular days, all put together! Thank you for the inspiration Ali! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Trary Ubarri says…
    12/08/2010

    I was just cutting my december daily sheets and realized they didn't print at 6x8 but a bit smaller. Any idea why that happens? I used the printable version - not the PSE.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/08/2010

      When you hit Print in Adobe Reader make sure your page scaling is set to none. Also - note that the page is 6x8 related to the "crop-marks" - I've got about 1/8 border added in (it's not measured from the frame). Does that help?

  3. Carolyn HP says…
    12/08/2010

    Awesome storytelling Ali, so happy for you and Simon, it's so important to recognize such great accomplishments! Enjoy Charlie Brown's Christmas story, it's a favorite of mine that I watch every year too :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Emily & Blythe says…
    12/08/2010

    That's such an AWESOME idea for a page!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Brooke says…
    12/08/2010

    Beautiful journaling and photo today. I'm also loving all the peace going on between the colours you chose.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Catherin G. says…
    12/08/2010

    Love the photo and story.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Heather says…
    12/08/2010

    Tears in my eyes because I know and live EXACTLTY this story

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. carriep says…
    12/08/2010

    made me cry!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Jan says…
    12/08/2010

    Has anyone ever told you what a great teacher you are? Awesome job. I'm loving following along with you and seeing all your little details and tips.
    :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Crystal says…
    12/08/2010

    I love the story and how you wrote it to Simon. You are an amazing mom and your children are blessed to have you keep their memories like this. Thanks for all you do to inspire me!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Penny{scraps} says…
    12/08/2010

    Ali, loving how it's coming together. I am using your Overlays and the Template package - love it! Question, though: Do you have a link to purchase a Digi cardstock that is like Bazzill Orange Peel OR Bazzill Avalanche Grasscloth? Thanks, Ali, and Merry December Daily!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Amy says…
    12/08/2010

    oh Ali this brought tears to my eyes. I know about those struggles with the dentist all too well, our little boy is on the spectrum as well.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Tiffany H. says…
    12/08/2010

    What a gift you have, Ali! Your words are amazing and I can only imagine how much your family will cherish the memories you've recorded. I'm not participating in DD this year but have enjoyed seeing your photos + words. It really reminds me to slow down, live in the moment and appreciate the everyday (the good and the bad). Thank you for all that you share with us dear readers.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. madeline St onge says…
    12/08/2010

    Okay that made me teary. Sounds like a good day for both you and Simon

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Radish says…
    12/08/2010

    This is great this whole daily will cover a lot of different people and places and I think no way would I have saved the memories without doing this. Cheers to everyone doing this.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Katrina Kennedy says…
    12/08/2010

    Another lovely page Ali. I love the journaling to Simon. Such tender, special moments you've captured.

    Still waiting in our house for an xray of all of the teeth too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. JennV says…
    12/08/2010

    I love your journaling Ali, especially because I am a hygienist! I think its so amazing that Simon did so well, I certainly know how truly hard it is for kids to succeed at the dentist. I love how you documented something so important. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. kelly libby says…
    12/09/2010

    Hi Ali,

    I remember that some of your fans were looking for ways to put together all their facebook statuses. I saw this on facebook tonight. Not sure how good it works but still... kind of cool.

    http://apps.facebook.com/my-year-in-status/?from=bookmark&ref=bookmarks&count=0

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. candy says…
    12/09/2010

    Love how you find the most emotional photos in the simplest things! Must try and do that more often!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. kayleen says…
    12/09/2010

    Thank you for posting something totally non Christmas- I have been totally inundated with work winding up for the year that it has been a struggle for me to do anything except cope and get through each day-let alone think of something festive to do with the family each day.
    I loved your story.....I think I have just written my day 8!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. TracieClaiborne says…
    12/09/2010

    Wonderful! I don't have any pages done for mine this year but I have been working on finishing up last year's and I'm almost done! Also, I've been taking pics, journaling and making sketches for every page this year so I'll be ready to go when I get the pics. Love everything you've done so far this year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. marianne hope says…
    12/09/2010

    Hi, I just managed to update my days all in one go, so to speak. Will post more about my album on my blog later, but right now it's just daily pictures on flickr.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. K@ren says…
    12/09/2010

    My girls love to sit on my lap and look through scrapbook magazines. The part they love the most is when I read them the journalling (not always the easist thing to do in magazines). So thank you for sharing your journaling with us. This is a place in our albums where we make the personal treasures for our families. I appreciate how open you are with us to share such specail moments, feelings and thoughts.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. December Daily | Ali Edwards says…
    12/09/2010

    [...] PAGES December 1 December 2 December 3 December 4 December 5 December 6 December 7 December 8 December 9 December 10 December 11 December 12 December 13 December 14 December 15 [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Jenny Alvers says…
    12/10/2010

    I love this journaling, Ali, it brings back many memories. First, I am a hygienist, and worked with lots of little ones (and not so little!) to adjust to and conquer their fear of the dentist. It takes a bit of patience and I am glad you took Simon early & have worked with him slowly. Also, I take my autistic grandson & his twin sister to their cleanings and many times even sat in the chair with Cade as his teeth were "brushed". I know what huge milestones these are, as Cade is 9, just a bit older.
    A funny note, the first time I took my first child (my now 40 year old step son!) to have a filling I stood in the break room & cried!! And he never even felt the shot! I went in after & he asked when he was going to get it! I wish I was a scrapbooker then... you will so cherish these stories!

    Reply 0 Replies

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