A few weeks ago I shared my Summer Manifesto.
Ever since then I’ve been thinking of a way to make those intentions a bit more visible.
What I really wanted was something I could flip through and add to as we experience our summer.
I ended up creating a Summer Manifesto 6×6 Album that includes room for words and photos. The album package is available at Designer Digitals and includes layered templates for use in Photoshop (so you can customize colors and backgrounds) and a 43-page PDF for easy printing (which is what I ended up using).
Here’s the basic steps I followed:
- Print the PDF or play in photoshop and print the individual pages (Persnickety Prints prints 6×6). I printed on Epson’s Premium Presentation Matte Paper. If you print the PDF file there are 43 pages. At first I thought I would do it on photo paper and use a Slick Writer for my journaling but decided to go with the presentation paper because I liked the texture better.
- Trim pages.
- Adhere pages back to back. I used Scotch adhesive around the edges.
- Punch holes. I used a Crop A Dile for punching the holes.
- Add 1-inch binder rings.
- Write your manifesto items.
- Add photos and more writing throughout the summer.
Here’s a look at some of the inside pages and progress:
If you choose to just print the PDF the cover is shown above.
I decided to open the PSD file in Photoshop (all included in the album package) and use a photo as my background instead.
You could totally use this as a way to record your summer at the end of the summer and make all the “number” pages with a photo for the background.
On the front cover (and to end the album on the back) I used a 6×6 piece of Hambly’s Clearly Heavy Overlay.
I was very sad to learn recently that Hambly was closing it’s doors. I’ve long loved and extensively used their overlays in a variety of projects.
On the inside cover I adhered a 6×6 piece of Amy Tangerine’s Oh Happy Grey to the back of my photo cover.
I also added a piece of 6×6 Hambly yellow bicycles from my stash.
This is what it looks like when you print out the pages (minus my own manifesto item number one that’s handwritten on the left page). I’ll be adding a photo on top of the “photo here” section and adding words to the “summer story” section as we experience our summer.
One of the reasons I went with simple binder rings (vs. something like The Cinch – which I seriously considered) is the ease of adding more pages or photos over the course of the summer.
I added just one photo so far. I’m going to print mine with a white border this time for variety.
The Epson PictureMate Show 4×6 printer I’ve been using and loving has this as an easy option.
I had 13 items on my manifesto but decided to add in a few more pages as options if something comes up I want to add. The package includes up to number twenty.
The printable package includes a “Goodbye Summer” page to end your album. On top of that I added the Hambly bicycle overlay + a Clearly Heavy Overlay.
My plan is to share more throughout the summer as it all unfolds. Here’s to celebrating and experiencing with intention!
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So sorry to hear about Hambly! I don’t often find their overlays but love them when I do. This is a beautiful album idea but our Summer goes across 2 years (12/13). Any ideas on how to title that?
I would do TWELVE-THIRTEEN.
Any chance you could make a 2013 available for us Aussie who have bought this. Thanks Ali x
Hi Diane – thanks for purchasing the template. You could do it yourself simply by erasing that bottom line of text and using Bebas (the font) to type in the date you want to use.
Yay! I bought this yesterday and love it sooo much already. Love to see how you changed the cover a bit, and love the idea of being able to add to it. Thank you!
Love it! Love it!
LOVE.
Love what you have created. Simple yet beautiful.
I am really going to miss Hambly. I sure hope someone else in the industry will manufacture similar products to the extent that Hambly did. Keep us posted if any thing develops.
Ali-
LOVE this idea! i can’t wait to purchase, and work on our own Summer book. thanks for sharing!
This is so so cool, my friend.
I love this. I’ve been playing with setting up my own summer album today. I’ve never done it before-I’m not a huge mini album person. I’ve been using your brushes all day.
LOVE LOVE..on my way over to digital designs right away..glad the colors are customable..red yellow green are my colors for this summer…thanks for creating + sharing Ali!
Do you think I could print this on the color copy machines at FedEx Office using an acid free card stock? I could probably run them through front/back and not have to stick the pages together. Their machines now let you bring your files in with a flash drive so I don’t need to print a master copy at home.
Totally worth a try. The thing I would be concerned about is matching up front to back – let me know if you try it!
Flipping awesome. The kids and I have already completed several items off our manifesto and I’m loving it. It’s like an intentional mini December Daily. Makes me so happy. Looking forward to the Story Retreat next week.
Love this album! I’m looking forward to getting it and customising for my Winter Manifesto that I did… It’ll be awesome to get to record recipes and photos and details about all the items on the list! I think its a great reminder to actually follow through with my manifesto items!
I will enjoy making these albums for grandchildren. I do everything digitally, and wonder if you can tell me why CK Ali Font letters connect up perfectly in Microsoft Word, but in Photoshop Elements 8 they don’t connect. I use a PC. Thanks.
Can’t wait to purchase this!!! Photoshop is also on my wish list- really want to try some of the hybrid things I’ve seen. Thanks for another great project idea:)
Hi, Ali. Do you know of another source to get the clearly heavy overlays? I tried an internet search with no success. Thanks!
A google search would be my suggestion – but since they have closed up shop and they will likely be more difficult to locate. You might try something like the For Sale/Trade board at Two Peas to see if someone has it in their stash and would be willing to sell it.
I accidentally purchased a package of heavy clear acetate sheets, 8.5×11″, at Archiver’s. I don’t think they have 12×12″ though. Note that they will not go through any of the 3 Epson printers I have—-I bought them as transparencies (and was told they were) so I’m disappointed. I never thought about using them as cover pages though.
They would totally work as covers!
Ali, you are genius!!.. Thanks again!!..
Love your album (and the ideas beyond it)!
I really love this:) What a great idea to make it so visible that you will be accountable and have a great summer. I’m planning on trying out that margarita recipe very soon.
THis is awesome!
This is awesome! Can the year be changed in Photoshop to use it every summer? Thanks Ali.
The text layers for the titles can be deleted and you can add in new words (but they are not editable text layers where you just use the type tool to backspace and re-type).
So love this! I will be doing this little album for sure. Thanks.
Love this clever and creative idea!
What a nice idea for a mini book! I just wrote out my manifesto and posted it on a kitchen door to see it all the time and remind myself: summer is here, it is short and I need to act! Thanks for the kick to do it, I love looking at my list a lot.
Ali, I wish you would go into the overlay business! Your ideas with overlays are awesome throughout the year and we “digi-challenged” folks need someone as talented as you – I love Hambly, but I bet your overlay ideas take this product to the next level
I second that idea, Ali! I am going to go into serious withdrawal with no Hambly overlays and I know I’m not alone.
thanks so much for this album! this is going to be so much fun!
What a fabulous idea! I know you’ve heard this a million times before, but it’s so worth repeating: You’re a VERY talented lady! Thank you for sharing. And oh yes! Ali Edwards overlays…I better start saving my $$$!!!
Love this book! We always do a small list of what we want to do for each season. I never thought of creating a minibook from it! I can’t wait to purchase this template.
Question, How are you liking the Epson PictureMate printer? Trying to decide if I want to purchase it or not for project life. I’m thinking it may keep my on track better to print at home.
Totally happy with the printer. It’s great.
Ali, they look great….will definately purchasing it (I see Di from Australia has already got hers…hi di… she is one step ahead of me.
PS… for those people who don’t have photoshop elements you can download a 30 day trial for free…maybe gather all your photos and stories, get the templates and then download the free 30 day trial and put your book together at the end in one go and then print. Say you some money until you are ready to buy it. It’s worth a thought.
Thank You Ali for the font tip! Very useful!
Love it! Especially the overlays!
awesome idea love it !!!!
This is fabulous Ali, thank you again for sharing your projects. When I first saw your template in DD, I was unsure how it would look. Now, I am thinking yes yes yes it’s a great way to celebrate summer without too much pressure. And baths be able to enjoy summer’s simple pleasures.
This is totally awesome, Ali! Love it! Thanks for the constant inspiration. Making a holiday manisfesto has been so great for my family and made a real difference in how we spent our 4 week school holidays (we live in Singapore) this year! THANK YOU and may your summer be just as wonderful.
Love this concept for a mini album. Would you be willing to create one without the summer stuff on it? Or would it be easy enough to erase that part?
Hey there! I wanted you to know that you inspired my daughter, Grace, and I to create a summer manifesto! We have already accomplished a number of things on our list. Last weekend, we went to the Baltimore Inner Harbor and had the most amazing time. I’m not sure we would have gone on this great adventure without our “Summer Manifesto.” Thanks!!
Awesome.
amazing idea, i do need to work on my summer plans!