December Daily™ 2011 | Day Twelve

Welcome to December Daily™ 2011 | Day Twelve.

I wanted to reach out to those of you who are having any sort of frustration with this project (such as not enough time, lacking motivation, supply issues, printing issues, camera issues, family issues, work issues, guilt, pressure, etc.) and remind you that there are no rules. There are no rules that it has to be done in a certain amount of time. There are no rules that it needs to look a certain way. That you need to tell certain stories. That you're supposed to keep up and post and be merry all the time.

This project is supposed to be fun. It is supposed to be uplifting and encourage you focus on the things that are good this time of year.

It's not a race.

But there is a goal - the goal of documenting your own personal stories from December 2011.

I'll take a collective deep breath with you if you don't mind.

Okay, onward.

Here's a look at our Day Twelve:

My story today is about the kids writing letters to Santa. A personal favorite tradition because I love to see what they write/create.

6 x 4 photo on the right. 5.5 x 3.5 photo on the left.

I did a little misting (pretty sure I need to practice that technique a bit more) on the Teresa Collins Christmas Home Notes pattern paper. Hero Arts Basic Uppercase are the stamps used in the title. The arrows are from Studio Calico's Scrap Pads - wrapped around the edge and stapled with the Tiny Attacher.

I did a zig zag stitch on the seams between the pattern papers and the photo.

The "e" circle was cut from Jillibean Soup Raisins pattern paper.

Simon's letter made my heart happy. In the jouranling I talk about how much I loved that he started his letter with a thank you all on his own.

Stamping out some of the journaling always takes a bit of time but I can't think of a time I didn't like the result. Totally worth it.

I repeated the pattern paper from the first page on the second with a couple thin strips (also repeated the zig zag stitching). The big poinsettia along the bottom is from the Echo Park Seasons Greetings Chipboard set.

Here's a look at both pages in my album with the daily transparency insert:

Happy half-way point for those of you who are creating an album up to the 25th.

SUPPLIES | DAY TWELVE


Click on the images to link to the products.





Holiday Gift Wrap

TODAY'S FEATURED SPONSOR | Paper Source

Paper Source is one of my personal favorite places for gift wrap supplies. A couple things I picked up this year include the Candy Cane Duct Tape, the Red/White Twill, the Merry Christmas Twill (which would be great in a December Daily album), and the Muslin Bags (great for small treats).



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61 thoughts

  1. dawn says…
    12/13/2011

    This was such a sweet story, love that Simon and the way he thinks. Such a great kid he is. It was a perfect picture of them.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Maureen Mahurin says…
    12/13/2011

    Terrific pages Ali! I love Simon's letter and his Santa PJ's. I'm not doing this project this year, thought it would be too much with Project Life too, so I am documenting our December traditions within Project Life. Love seeing your pages each day, such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing them!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Flavia says…
    12/13/2011

    Great introduction! I feel exactly how you described: I started greatly doing my first 3 pages in time but then ... first the internet connection, then the photocamera and now both the printer and the scan! I feel like battling against destiny! and more important I feel like it will be impossible to recoup the journaling (though I am passing a great december). Hope to find the time to do the past days. Thanks for your encouragment!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Brooke says…
    12/13/2011

    Deep breath too! Not too much Christmas going on around here - and I know that is ok but I'm struggling with NICE stories to tell. I'm still taking photos and jotting down my journalling and will come back when I'm in a better frame of mind. Love the stamped out journalling too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Rina Abbott-Jard says…
    12/13/2011

    You really are awesome Ali, thanks so much for diligently sharing your passion with us. You have had a really significant influence on how I view my own life and my families' and friends' lives. Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Monica says…
    12/13/2011

    These pages are just gorgeous! I take it a little easy this year, just making a page here and there. But today I have to make a page, since I became a grandmother again today!

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. Shelly says…
      12/13/2011

      Oh how wonderful!!! Grandchildren are such a blessing! Congratulations!!

    2. Ali says…
      12/13/2011

      Congratulations Monica!

    3. Mallory says…
      12/13/2011

      Congratulations!! :)

  7. Mallory says…
    12/13/2011

    Hey Ali. I love the concentration on Simon's face as he's writing his letter. Great picture of your darling children! I'm wondering what time do you get up each morning and post?? I woke up at 6:30 eastern time this morning to enjoy my coffee and have an hour to create before the baby wakes up, and I was amazed to see day 12 already up, wow!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      12/13/2011

      Hi Mallory - I set my posts to post at 6am EST (they are completed the day before).

    2. Shawna says…
      12/14/2011

      Us east-coasters thank you!!!!! xoxo

  8. Sandra ltb says…
    12/13/2011

    yes fun - thanks for reminding us!
    Love your work.
    Sandra ltb

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. LoretteC says…
    12/13/2011

    My kids are all grown now so I am reminiscing about when we used to do this! I miss those years! Enjoy them while you can... they grow up too fast! Thank you for reminding us to be easy on ourselves and have fun with the process.
    LOVE Paper Source...

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. HeatherC says…
    12/13/2011

    Beautiful page -- Writing letters to Santa is a big deal here too -- this year both girls were able to write words -- very exciting. I did my page last week -- I also took photos of the letters --- it can be viewed here
    http://creatingdaybyday.blogspot.com/2011/12/december-1-7.html

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Aimee says…
    12/13/2011

    Glad I am not the only one falling behind. I keep thinking... today I will catch up, and that has yet to be the case! Beautiful pictures, beautiful pages.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Anya says…
    12/13/2011

    Love it! One of my favorites so far this year!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Nicole says…
    12/13/2011

    Thank you for the reminder Ali! And yes, happy half-way point. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Katie Scott says…
    12/13/2011

    Hi Ali: 1. What a great idea to have them write letters to Santa about the video, 'm going to make sure we do that too. 2. Today's post was perfect. We had "one of those days" yesterday and I realized at the end of the day that even though I did take a few photos in the morning - the day was really about having a challenging time, so instead of including pictures, I just wrote about the day. I've been doing a lot of photo so I think having a day with none is a good change. 3. I also want to include some of the full page photos like you do, maybe I'll order some of those today and back track them in. 4. I've been keeping up with December Daily - but I think one of the main reasons is to post my link on your blog -its like weight watchers for scrapbooking. Thank you again for this awesome project.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      12/13/2011

      I love that too Katie :). I know that if there's a way for me to be accountable I'm more likely to get it done (like posting my Project Life pages each Tuesday).

    2. Erin B says…
      12/13/2011

      <3 'weight watchers for scrapbooking' ...so cute!

  15. Melanie says…
    12/13/2011

    Absolutely beautiful, as always. I'm struggling this week, even though my DD pages are super, super simple. Just cannot find the time to sit down and do with all I have going on. Perfect timing for this note of encouragement. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. MK says…
    12/13/2011

    My favorite page so far as I love this tradition in my family. Even though my girls are older I still have them write a letter to Santa. In order to receive you must believe, not sure if they understand the real meaning behind this statement but someday they will. I have taken your advise and approached this year so differently. Letting the stories flow organically and the photos will follow. I have not printed any pics out yet, I do that in batches. Loving this project, thanks as always for the inspiration.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Elaine Bieman says…
    12/13/2011

    really cute. Although my oldest son will not write out a letter this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. ShellyP says…
    12/13/2011

    I love this post Ali, when I start reading there are "no rules", now that makes me so very happy! :) I think that's what I love so much about your projects and scrapbooking in general-no rules! I'm a "color outside the lines" kind of girl-I think you are too! Merry Christmas!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Cathie says…
    12/13/2011

    half way? no way! wow. beautiful post and layout.

    thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing the idea of the Dec. Daily with us.

    This is my third year participating and I think I've finally found what works for me because I'm having so much fun even though the season is getting crazier and crazier. The DD is now a part of my personal Christmas tradition and the albums are among my most favourite Christmas treasures. It is a lot of work but I can't imagine Christmas without it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Kara says…
    12/13/2011

    Good Point Ali! I found that I had to pack up my supplies last night in order to make room for other Christmas projects. I have decided to keep taking photos, collecting bits of life, and documenting in my journal what stories I would like to tell each day. After the holidays I will be able to go back and finish the album easily. I do love this proejct and look back at the years I have done before, just not enough space or time this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. laura g. says…
    12/13/2011

    i am struggling to keep up (not in a stressful way) i am on day 5 which is almost complete i have been jotting down notes and printing out the pictures so i am keeping up with that i hadn't made my pages before hand as i wasn't sure what direction i wanted to take i have been drawing out pages something like ali's digital pages and found that worked the best i really like the strip of pattern paper at the bottom i am determined to do this project as i think it will be fun to look back on it next year at this time ali inspries me!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. rhonda says…
    12/13/2011

    The look of concentration on Simon and Anna's faces are priceless and Simon's pjs are too cute! I love this project and my family loves it too, I couldn't do it without their support. Thanks Ali for the encouraging words and support too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Lida says…
    12/13/2011

    I am glad I read your words of encouragement for today. It has been a frustrating past 3 days and I was about to give up on the Dec daily. You are so right. This is for fun. Thanks for bringing me up.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Carlye says…
      02/18/2014

      This arlctie went ahead and made my day.

  24. kelly says…
    12/13/2011

    love. thanks for the reminder. i find that now (after several years of completing this project) i am much less stressed about the whole thing. it is all about the words and photos and it really does enhance my enjoyment of the season.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Dana K says…
    12/13/2011

    Thanks Ali. I've only finished 3 days so far but I have been taking pictures and making notes for each day. I'm trying not to stress about it. I'm hoping to get some scrapping done at my monthly crop on Saturday and if I don't get this album done until January, that's OK too.

    Reply 0 Replies

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