December Daily™ 2012 | Foundation Pages

Welcome to December Daily™ 2012.

If this is your first year I invite you to check out my December Daily™ page that includes links to all my previous albums. Some years they have been much more decorated in advance using a wide variety of products and other times they have started simple.

Just as in years past, these pages are just a beginning. This album will be built over the course of the month as I fill it with photos, words and products as the month progresses.

As with all projects I embark on, December Daily™ can be anything you want it to be. Make it work for you. I've gotten into a routine the last few years using printable daily pages that has simplified the process for me. I love having a structure set up in advance that I then build upon during December and add as little or as much glitter as I want.

I'm starting even simpler this year.

In past years I've included overlays for each day - this year I decided to skip that step.

For 2012 I decided to go with a 4x6 album (included in the sold-out kit from Studio Calico). I wanted something smaller this year, something to mix things up.

Here's a look at how I'm starting things off for 2012:

On the spine of the album I adhered a wood veneer tree (embossed with silver glitter Zing) and stamped "celebrating December" using  staz on black cherry ink and the 2012 December Daily™ stamp set.

I repeated the same tree + stamp on the inside cover.

My first page in the album is a clear transparent page (included with the kit). You could totally use any overlays for this, including ink jet transparencies or if you are lucky you might still have some awesome Hambly printed overlays in your stash.

On both sides of the transparent page I adhered a Heidi Swapp Disco Star and ran it through my sewing machine a couple times with red thread. Around the star I added some silver jewel embellishments (again on both sides of the transparency).

You can see the back is a repeat of the front here.

For the next page I used one of the chipboard pages included with the album. My plan is to add more of these chipboard pages throughout the month when it makes sense with the story I'm telling.

I used cream paint on top of the chipboard and then used the long number and sentiment stamp from the 2012 December Daily™ stamp set to create the diagonal pattern. I alternated Colorbox Silver Chalk ink and white opaque Zing and red glitter zing with the stamping. The outside lines were created by running the whole thing through my sewing machine.

The back of that page is blank for now. Most likely I'll cover it with a photo at the start of the month.

As an into page I used another of the clear transparent pages.

I used the "hello December" stamp + red glitter zing onto white cardstock and cut around the outside. I then laid that onto the transparency and cut around the edge (if I was to remove the red arrow you'd see a transparent arrow underneath).

On the transparency I created dots by painting on top of a 12 x 12 Doodling Template (Swiss Dot) from The Crafter's Workshop.

On the back I cut another arrow using green pattern paper and added a joy badge on the top.

For my foundation pages this year I designed a new set of 4x6 overlays that can be easily printed or added on top of a photo before printing.

I've been doing foundation pages using printables for the last few years and what I love about this is it takes some of the guess work out. I establish a base foundation and I build from there. Some days I just print a photo, add some text into the pre-printed 4x6 card and call it good. Other days if I feel like doing more I have space to play - add letter stickers, pattern paper, multiple photos, etc.

The 2012 4x6 December Daily™ set includes two designs - a top and a bottom (I mixed them up in mine) and printable PDF files in black, red, gray, and green.

The 6x8 and 12x12 versions will be available later this week. Please note that the 12x12 version does not include PDF files. The 12x12 can be easily re-sized to 8x8 or 6x6 if that is the size you are choosing for this year.

Here's what the PDF looks like when you open it:

I printed them out on white Bazzill cardstock (both gray and green). Even if I don't use them all I could slip some into Project Life.

Here's a little map that might be helpful if you are going with the 4x6 size too:

Here's a look at a few different ways you can bring these together:

The package includes PNG files that can be added on top of a photo before printing. It also includes a blank file (no days or dates) that I used in the above image to just stamp a number line.

Most days I imagine my pages will look something like this:

4x6 card in one pocket - most likely for journaling with a photo on the facing page. I most often do a spread but like having the option to do just one page too.

Above you can see that blank card again (included with the 4x6 set) where I just stamped the numbers. Lots of options here.

And here's a look at all the 25 days I've set up in advance, mainly using a combination of washi tape, strip stickers, small embellishments, strips of pattern paper and ribbon:

Again, a super simple way to set myself up for documenting December. Here's a quick video overview:




December Daily™ 2012 from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.

SUPPLIES


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2012 DECEMBER DAILY™ BANNER


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Share your work in the 2012 December Daily™ Flickr gallery.

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183 thoughts

  1. dawn says…
    11/05/2012

    I was so excited for today and to see your foundation pages!! This smaller size is very cute, how fun the little pages look already! The cover is simple and WHITE, LOVE IT! Thanks for the little video, always great to see this.
    This will help motivate me to get my journal ready too, can't wait for December to come now!!

    Are you worried about fitting in some of the bulky/bigger extras you usually add in?? Like Christmas cards, art from the kids, package/wrappers etc.??

    Thanks for sharing and inspiring us each year with December Daily!!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/05/2012

      Hi Dawn - I think I'll likely add larger things to Project Life or cut them down to show a "pieces of the whole" peek at art projects, etc (something I've done with this project in the past).

  2. EE K says…
    11/05/2012

    Love your inspiration, as always, Ali. Can't wait for my kit to come in!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Marie says…
    11/05/2012

    Your foundation pages are simply beautiful! To be honest, I was not sure of the 4*6 format when I ordered the kit on SC, but now I've seen your pages, I'm totally convinced! I'm looking forward to receiving my kit and starting to work on my pages. Ali, you rock! :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. iHanna says…
    11/05/2012

    Looking forward to follow along as you fill your pages. I know I will try to take at least one instagram photo during the december month that is somewhat holiday-themed. :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Fiona says…
    11/05/2012

    Wow, I love the simplicity of your pages this year. I'm not totally sure which size I want to do yet, but I love following along with you every year, and I love your templates. Either way, it needs to be super simple if I'm going to actually complete it! Love this project :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Sherry Eckblad says…
    11/05/2012

    I love it! So small and simple which for me is what will work. I am so happy I bought the Studio Calico kit now that I have seen it start to come together here. Thanks for Sharing Ali. When I see your December daily first share it makes me realizes the holidays are right around the corner. Off to get busy working on my foundation pages.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Jessica says…
    11/05/2012

    How cute! This is my first year doing a December Daily so I'm excited!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Stephanie says…
    11/05/2012

    Love how simple you went this year!! It really does make it that much easier to complete!! Can't wait to get my kit from SC so I can start creating! Thanks for all the inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Ellie A. says…
    11/05/2012

    YAY!!Looking FAB. Now I REALLY can't wait to get my SC Kit here. (making a note to find colored Stazon I only have black ha)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Lida says…
    11/05/2012

    Hurray! Your album is cute as a button!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Heather Johnson says…
    11/05/2012

    I look forward to this post all year long. Just love how simple it is this year--very beautiful! (I always enjoy, even more, seeing how you turn these foundation pages into something even more wonderful.) Thank you always for your inspiration!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/05/2012

      Me too Heather - this is super simple but when you see it all together it's really what it's all about :).

  12. theresa moxley says…
    11/05/2012

    This is always one of the happiest days of the year - seeing your foundation pages and starting DD! Hooray! I feel your sadness about Hambly.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Paula says…
    11/05/2012

    Awesome! I am definitely going to head to Designer Digitals after work to purchase this years overlays ... just as great if not even better than last years, which made my pages perfect for me!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Ra says…
    11/05/2012

    I'm doing the December Daily for the first time this year :) Going to try a 6x8in file.

    No kiddos for us so it'll be much more drinking and partying than santa visiting ;)

    Looking forward to seeing so many different decembers around the world!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Nichole M says…
      11/17/2012

      I don't have kids either, so our DD albums might have somewhat of a similar theme! Cheers!

  15. Tracy says…
    11/05/2012

    Your journal is totally stunning and elegant..looove it!
    I made my first one last year and will be taking time out to do it again this year..thank you so much for all your inspiration!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Sharon in TX says…
    11/05/2012

    I'm commenting before I've even read the post because I am so darn excited!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Toni from says…
    11/05/2012

    LOVE the 4 x 6 size. Would you please consider making a 4 x 6 size for 2011? I think many ( me included and my friends) would love to use this simple approach for our 2011 DD.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/07/2012

      Hi Toni-- Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm currently focusing on just 2012 at this point.

  18. Annette says…
    11/05/2012

    Love love love your pages! Thanks so much for sharing and for all your inspiration! So many fun options it can be hard to choose but I think no matter what we do it is awesome. Thanks again!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Michellehuegel says…
    11/05/2012

    So inspirational!!! Love seeing what you're doing every year. Last year I did an all digital 12x12 album, but this year I'm totally mixing it up with an art journal inspired paper album, maybe some hybrid stuff in there too. Love experimenting and keeping it fresh! I look forward to seeing how yours develops!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Sylvia says…
    11/05/2012

    So love it!!! Cant't wait to start mine!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Jenny says…
    11/05/2012

    Simple and classy-> puts the focus on the pictures and the story. Awesome Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Pidgen says…
    11/05/2012

    I have been waiting for this post since the middle of October!! LOL! This is so cute. I always worry that pre-decorating my pages will cause a clash in color. {ha. Now that I wrote that I'm assuming you'll just B&W the photo ... duh.} I've only done DD one year and I did a 4x6 mini ... loved it. It was so thick though, so I'm looking forward to seeing how you work around that. Very excited!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Mina says…
    11/05/2012

    Love the simplicity this year Ali! I'm loving the size too!
    Quick questions though: I'm doing a 6x6 size this year- could I use the 4x6 png n PDF files n just resize them or will it look stretched out? Or can I use the 6x8? I read the 12x12 size won't hv PDF files so I'm concerned that I can't just print them is what I was planning to do. Pls help!

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      11/05/2012

      You would need to print each page individually (which you would also have to do if you made adjustments to the PNG files in the 4x6 or 6x8 sets - can't adjust the PDF).

    2. Mina says…
      11/05/2012

      Hi Ali! Resizing the 12x12 should be no problem but there won't be any PDF files right? How would I print it right off my printer as I've done in years past? Thanks for all your help. :)

    3. Ali says…
      11/05/2012

      Hi Mina - you can totally resize the 12x12 to 6x6 - that's what I'd do if I was doing a square format vs. trying to mess with the others.

  24. nic says…
    11/05/2012

    ali, this is great! i've been reading your blog for awhile now. i did the december daily album in 2010, but i haven't managed to get enough time for it other years. i love the simplicity and cohesiveness of this album. great job!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Brooke U says…
    11/05/2012

    So simple and beautiful. I can not wait for my kit to arrive so I can play! :)

    Reply 0 Replies

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