December Daily™ 2013 | Day Two

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Welcome to December Daily™ 2013 | Day Two.

DAILY THOUGHTS


The kids came home yesterday (after a weekend with Chris) which always includes a transition period and a lot of hugs. The thing they were most excited for was to open their Lego Advent calendars. Long time readers will know that's a pretty big deal around here. But everything changed when Simon discovered an elf had arrived.

Here's a look at my Day Two:

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Day Two ended up being two spreads (a total of four pages). It sounds like a lot but I wanted to include the Santa letter which gave me space for another photo.

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The first two pages include a 4x6 journal card where I wrote about the elf appearing at our house + a photo of Simon and Anna calling Chris to tell him about the elf + an enlarged photo of the elf + #Christmas word art.

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Along the edge of the photo I added some of the red trim that was included with the Studio Calico kit. I used a Crop A Dile to punch the holes. To adhere the trim I used 1/8 inch red line tape.

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I love having some things included in this project that aren't in the page protectors. Love the mixture of the two.

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Adhered to the back of the elf photo is the letter that came with her from Santa (free printable courtesy of Design Editor.

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Around the edge of the letter I added some of the gold glitter ribbon from the kit - cut in half right down the middle of the roll to stretch out the yardage over the next 23 days.

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The big red chipboard circle is from Studio Calico's Magical Collection (not included in the kit but available here).

I have to tell you that my heart was bursting a little bit to see Simon and Anna's shared joy this afternoon. They decided on the name together after some back and forth and then they had a couple secret meetings with one another. I love that they are getting to the place where they look to each for input and are able to share in each other's joy (at least for a moment or two).

And man do I love those enlarged photos.

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49 thoughts

  1. katie scott says…
    12/03/2013

    I love your mix of black & white & color photos and also the small and full page photos. I'm making a note to self to remember to make print some larger and b&w photos.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Brooke says…
    12/03/2013

    So cool! Long time reader here - and I know how well the name Twinkle fits into your family. I thought you picked it! I've pulled out my bigger camera to get better quality shots this season. Such a difference!!

    FYI - The link for the Santa letter is blank.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2013

      Thanks Brooke - fixed that!

  3. Kathy says…
    12/03/2013

    So excited to see the Elf on a Shelf on your Day 2 spread....I have wanted to get the Elf for the last couple of years but he was always sold out and this year I ordered it in time and it came out yesterday and the kids were looking everywhere for it even though it was right in front of them which I thought was funny. I'm excited to document his journey through December each day and maybe put a grid like page with where he ended up each day. Sienna moved him this morning to the top of the pantry for her brother to find which I thought was funny......love December Daily...Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Judith says…
    12/03/2013

    Loving your posts, pages and photos. You can see the joy on their faces which is just lovely. I am following along but behind already! Am going to try and keep going this year cos you have inspired me :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Amy says…
    12/03/2013

    Love your pages so far! Do you know where can I find those page protectors besides in the Studio Calico kit??

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Carrie says…
      12/03/2013

      Try Etsy or EBay. Both had sellers with them earlier today.

    2. Ali says…
      12/03/2013

      Hi Amy - it looks like most places are out of the actual Studio Calico Handbook page protectors. Here's a link to SC that includes their albums (which come with the page protectors): http://www.studiocalico.com/shop/handbook-album-system?aff=2bb2a5ce

      You could also check out Simple Stories - they have 6x8 (or close to that) page protectors as well.

  6. Petra says…
    12/03/2013

    Love it Ali and the daytime pics sure do look awesome! I posted some Night time ones tonight of my Day 3 on my blog. Not awesome but I work during the day so better done than not at all!
    I visit your blog several times daily. Just to Oooh and Aaaah. Thank You for all your lovely inspiration.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Michelle says…
    12/03/2013

    Yay for Elves on Shelves! Yes to daytime pics, have done this myself today. I am a new fan of enlarged photos, your layered templates make is so easy to achieve fantastic results in minimal time. Also I think its great to see elements from other collections being utilised for December Daily, your Magical chipboard piece is perfect. Wearing my mum hat now, being in the 'same place' at the same time, those moments which expand into minutes and hours are truly priceless.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Krista says…
    12/03/2013
    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Monika Wright says…
      12/03/2013

      THANKS!

  9. Peggy says…
    12/03/2013

    I live in a small town and can't seem to get any one to print 6x8 photos. Can you help me? Where do you print yours? THANK YOU!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2013

      Hi Peggy - try Persnickety Prints! I print here at home but they are great and offer this size (and lots of others). persnicketyprints.com

  10. Kim Norment says…
    12/03/2013

    Hello Ali,
    I have been a long time fan of yours! Your work is so inspiring and beautiful. I am going to take the plunge into digital so I can utilize your great handwritten words. I'm going to get photoshop elements and also wondered if you can recommend a lower price photo printer? I want to print the larger photos like in your December Daily but probably need a lower price point than the one you use. Thank you,

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2013

      Hi Kim! I've had great luck with printers from Epson and from HP. I don't have working knowledge of any other specific printers or companies but those are the two I'd recommend to check out (and these days I'm definitely an Epson fan - great printers).

  11. dawn says…
    12/03/2013

    I love the story from today, such happiness on their faces! Was thinking of doing this for my kids this year even though the oldest are almost 17 & 16 but Sam is Simons age and would love it. My mom used to decorate with cute little doll elves when we were younger so I asked her to look and see if she has any packed away to use for this.

    I love too that they worked together on the name, bring on the TWINKLE!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. molly says…
    12/03/2013

    Red pom pom trim! Delightful! Happy December, Ali!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2013

      Oh you know it!

  13. Kathy P says…
    12/03/2013

    Love your clear pages where the focus is on the activity or item!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Mindi says…
    12/03/2013

    I love your spread today Ali !! We also had an Elf come, our first one ! The kids get so excited each morning to see what "Harry" is up to. I am also going to include an Elf day for Day 2.

    Amy -

    The page protectors are made by Studio Calico. You can find them at scrapbook.com and also twopeasinabucket.com, among other places. Hope that helps.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Sylvia says…
    12/03/2013

    Love your day 2!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Patti L says…
    12/03/2013

    Is this their first year with Elf? I can't remember if I've seen one visit your home before. So fun.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2013

      Yes - first year. They are familiar with it as Chris has one that's visited his house the last two years. This year we are expanding the joy over here too.

    2. Patti L says…
      12/04/2013

      That's awesome! Your such a good Mommy, hope you know that.

  17. stacyk says…
    12/03/2013

    Ali, I am loving my DD album already! Thank you for your ideas! Looking back at my DD from 2012, which I do often, because i love it so much, one of the things I adore are those enlarged pics. They are soo sooo cute! Your DD is shaping up to be awesome. I look forward to seeing your project throughout the month. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Kim H. says…
    12/03/2013

    So fun! My 11 year old named our elf Twinkle Star about 5 or 6 years ago which is very similar to your elf's name! Enjoy!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Ruth G says…
    12/03/2013

    So much fun! And you're right, as a parent there is no better feeling than when your kids are getting along (even if they are conspiring or working together against you there's an underlying joy!) So happy that Simon and Anna are there, however briefly!

    TFS!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Debbie says…
    12/03/2013

    What a beautiful story!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Megan Anderson says…
    12/03/2013

    I love the whole mix you have going on! Seeing Anna's & Simon's joy is so special as well :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Lida says…
    12/03/2013

    Of course, your Dec Daily is fabulous. Always inspirational.

    Question, what happens when the a December day is ordinary, nothing holiday related? Do I skip the day or blend with another day?

    I'm a little stumped right now and it's only day 3.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2013

      It's totally up to you! I've done pages talking about going to the dentist, a write-up of 10 Things that are happening in my life right now, etc. It doesn't have to be all holiday related. Check out this post for some more ideas: http://aliedwards.com/2011/11/december-daily-2011-25-ideas-and-story-inspirations.html

    2. Lida says…
      12/03/2013

      Thank you. No. 3! Okay, this should get me back on track!

  23. December Stories: 1 – a different December | Field Journaling says…
    12/03/2013

    […] and combined with the Field Journaling smaller style. This post is linked to Ali Edwards’ Day Two. […]

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Ckah says…
    12/03/2013

    You are so inspiring. You're pages are always so good!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Nicole Harris says…
    12/03/2013

    How did you print the enlarged picture? Do you have a link to a tutorial? I also love the idea of including pictures or "things" that aren't in page protectors.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2013

      Hi Nicole - I print them here at home on an Epson R2000 printer (an ink jet printer). Basically I upload my photo, open it in Photoshop and crop it to 6 inches x 8 inches at 300 dpi and then print it on letter size photo paper. We are looking to see if we already have a tutorial in place on how to do that.

    2. Nicole Harris says…
      12/04/2013

      Awesome! Seems simple enough. I will play around with it. Thank you!

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