December Daily™ 2011 | Day Twenty-Three

Welcome to December Daily™ 2011 | Day Twenty-Three

First off, I hope you had a really lovely Christmas that was filled with lots and lots of twinkle lights. We had a really nice, quiet, low-key Christmas with a fire burning in the fireplace all day (something I love).

Over the next couple of days I'll be sharing the last few pages in my album. I know many of you are working on your albums as well. I hope we can continue to encourage each other to complete these albums and that you are finding joy in the process.

NOTE | Designer Digitals After-Christmas sale began today. All Christmas products are 30% off until 6am on January 1st. A great time to grab some products for documenting your holidays.

Here's Day Twenty-Three:

The story I'm sharing for Day Twenty-Three comes from Chris.

He had the kids for a couple days leading up to Christmas Eve and I asked if he'd be willing to share some words and photos about their time together for this album. I'm hoping to continue to include his voice in future projects that tell stories of our kids lives. He was willing and I was appreciative and Dropbox was useful for sharing the photos.

The first page of the spread includes three photos. I added chipboard letters to each of the photos (and added those same numbers to the jouranling on the next page).

Between "Notes" and "Dad" I stamped "from your" and cut up a chipboard accent from the Echo Park sheet to fit in that space. The label and "merry and bright" pieces are from October Afternoon Holiday Style Collection Miscellany.

For the journaling today I added it directly onto the background cardstock foundation page. I set up a new canvas in Photoshop and made it 5.5 x 6.75 (the size of the large space inside the overlay). I did a test print on regular paper and then temporarily adhered the foundation page onto the test print (I usually hold both up to a window to be able line up the pages correctly).

Here's what it looks like when it came out of the printer:

Some days throughout the month I just printed the journaling onto a new sheet of cardstock and adhered that to the foundation. It's all about what works best for you (and sometimes what's easiest one day is more complicated on another day).

And here's a look at the pages inside the album:


SUPPLIES | DAY TWENTY-THREE


Click on the images to link to the products.





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42 thoughts

  1. MichelleGB says…
    12/27/2011

    You are an inspiration on how to handle difficult times and how to make your children your priority despite the circumstances. I wish you all peace in the new year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Theresa S. says…
    12/27/2011

    As many have mentioned above--you are the epitome of grace and dignity. Keeping it civil is not the "easy" way and by that I mean it is easier to let the hurt take over and lash out at your former partner. I have been there. What you are doing for your kids is what is right to do. It is not easy, but it is the right thing to do.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Mallory says…
    12/27/2011

    I love how you and Chris can still be mature and civil to one another for the sake of your kids. My fiance's parents are divorced and are horrible to each other. I feel so bad for my fiancé and his 13 year old brother. It makes me sad that they can never be in the same room and I think about future weddings, graduations, birthdays, and holidays. And now my son, I feel sad that he'll never know his grandparents together and if one isn't at a special function. You are a strong woman Ali, and Chris seems like a wonderful father. I hope 2012 brings you both happiness.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Martha Thomas says…
    12/27/2011

    Ali, You have been a BEAUTIFUL example of a gracious woman in this season. I am so encouraged reading all the comments and the examples of strength of other women you are inspiring. What a gift you have...to bring all sorts of ladies together to share their stories...of happiness as well as pain. Wow. You are such a beautiful woman. I am blessed to just look in on your story. And I as well have been silently praying for you at different times during this season. I just want to echo all the beautiful comments of support your are receiving. You are a blessing....don't ever forget that!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Katie says…
    12/27/2011

    Love when she sings that Tangled song!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Yolanda says…
    12/27/2011

    I have deep admiration for the both of you, as parents to these children, committing to capturing and telling their stories. It would be so easy to be selfish right now. We would all understand. We'd all forgive you for it. But instead, Chris takes time to photograph and write. He shares the stories. The moments you weren't able to share with them, a reality that certainly has its sting, even when bound with acceptance. And yet, despite that reality, you've still made a page that celebrates the days they spent together during this holiday season. It's so, so admirable.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. libby gordon says…
    12/27/2011

    Ali I am so impressed with your quiet grace and dignity handling this time of change. I can't even imagine how hard this would be. Change is hard for any child but for a child on the spectrum (I have a 16 yo DS with Asperger's), it is extremely stressful and challenging. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Sherry Eckblad says…
    12/27/2011

    Your albums each year are always amazing and I strive to one day have mine look half as nice as yours. I love all the journaling that you include with it.
    I had wondered over the past 4 months or so why you didn't include photo's of Chris or talk about him. I was sorry to read the above post and realize that you two were no longer together. But so glad that you continue to include him in the December Daily. My parents split when I was very young and would of never done something like this. So good for you. I can't wait to finish up the last few days of December and to complete my first Dececmber Daily album.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Benita says…
    12/28/2011

    Sending you a big hug!
    ~ Benita

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Raylene says…
    12/28/2011

    Your kids will benefit Big Time from the way your life is going . . . .My son & I talked for a couple of hours on Christmas eve after everyone else went to bed. He is 32 now and he shared with me the tough time he had out in the world after he left home. My husband & I are 34 years married, love each other dearly, and there was rarely any fighting in our home as the kids grew up. My son mentioned how difficult it was for him to handle conflict on the job, customer service, etc. as he had no idea because we got along . . . too well, apparently. The stress he experienced was huge and it caused problems for him for years. What a shock for me to hear this!

    So you see, there are definite benefits to not-so-wonderful-childhoods!! It took him years of hard slugging to acquire the skills to handle the "real"world". Who knew???

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. EvelynB says…
    01/02/2012

    I have a question about printing that I know you have mentioned before--when you print directly from Photoshop, does your printer print the image exactly as it appears on your screen, without cutting off edges? Since you changed printers from an HP to Epson did you research printers to make sure they print all the way to the edges? Also, how are you liking the Epson compared to HP? Thanks!!

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  12. Dec Daily Day 23 - Snaps of Our Life | Snaps of Our Life says…
    05/13/2012

    [...] Dec Daily Day 23 by Beth Posted on December 26, 2011 Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress PluginIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Ali Edwards’ Blog [...]

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  13. Sandra says…
    10/25/2012

    I admire you for being a grownup about your divorce. My brother is going through a separation (probably a divorce too) and they are both acting like jerks. I can't even see my nephew because of this situation.

    Anyway...a technical question. How do you get your letter stickers to line up so nicely? Do you draw lines with a ruler? I almost never use alphas because I have SUCH a hard time with them!

    Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies

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