December Daily™ 2013 | Let's Begin!

sharewonder

Welcome to December Daily™ 2013!


I'm so excited to embark on the documentation piece of December Daily™ once again. Can you believe it's December 1 already?

I'll be sharing my Day One tomorrow (living it today, posting it tomorrow).

Here's a few thoughts for you as we move forward this month:

1. No stress. These projects are supposed to enhance our joy during the holidays and not distract from it or cause additional stress. What works for me is to carve out a little time each day to create my page (it also helps that I know you guys are reading and playing along). It might not be possible for you to work on it everyday and I might do a couple days at one time too depending on how our days unfold.

2. Make it work for you. It's so fun to see what other people are doing and get awesome, creative ideas from their spreads. On the other hand it can be overwhelming and easy to play the comparison game. When you start feeling that way bring it back to your core reasons for embarking on this adventure in the first place. What works for me is to focus on one story per day.

3. Enjoy. That's the bottom line. Enjoy the season and then enjoy the process of documenting it. You might want to focus on the words or the creative process or the photos - do what makes you happy. This project continues to be a great way to get intentional about December.

MORE IDEAS



MY 2013 FOCUS


The last few days I've been thinking about my focus for 2013.

One of the things I noticed as I looked back at last year was the lack of "good" photos. I could tell that I put less thought into the photos I was taking (I think it was a reflection somewhat of how I was feeling last December) - the lighting, the composition, etc. It's not all about taking awesome photos but I know I can put more effort into that this year. I love the enlarged photos from my past 6x8 albums so I'm hoping to include more of those this year.

I'm also looking at my calendar for the month and seeing what things can be added and/or subtracted to make it a more joyful season. I have cozy, peaceful visions in my head - and lots and lots of twinkle lights.

Ready, set, go and enjoy December!

GIVEAWAYS & DAILY SPONSORS


Be sure to check out the December Daily™ 8 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS starting today over on my blog. Each day from December 1 through December 8th I'll feature two companies. The giveaways will open at 3am PST and comments will be closed at 9am PST the following morning. We will announce all the winners in one post the following week.

Also, I'm super thankful for the companies that have signed on to sponsor December Daily™ this year. I'm excited to share them with you at the bottom of each post. Please check them out!

SHARING YOUR WORK


Each day I'll include a section to share your work - day one will be included with my post tomorrow. You can also share your work in the December Daily™ 2013 Flickr gallery.


OCC_500x60

TODAY'S POST SPONSORED BY | ONLINE CARD CLASSES

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the crafter in your life?  Look no further!  We've made it easy to gift ANY of our classes at Online Card Classes.  Perfect for the new or experienced cardmaker.

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

41 thoughts

  1. dawn says…
    12/01/2013

    Happy December 1st !! I can't believe it's here either, time has flown by this past month. So excited for this month and the adventures it will bring. Keeping it simple and using my PL to capture the memories. Our calendar isn't that full, lots of time to just sit by the twinkling lights and enjoy being together.

    Thanks Ali for sharing this month with us, looking forward to seeing it unfold thru your lens and the others joining in.

    Happy December Daily everyone!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Song says…
    12/01/2013

    Happy Advent - I've a very busy month ahead but I'm determined to find time to do my December Daily. I've not had time to join in the last 2 years but today when I dug out the 2009 & 2010 journals I decided it's worth the extra 'enhanced joy'!

    Thanks for sharing again Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. jeni says…
    12/01/2013

    Think I am already overthinking this!! Need to remember to keep it simple!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Christen says…
    12/01/2013

    Thanks for sharing! I'm starting to feel excited about the season and this project always helps me focus on it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Peggy says…
    12/01/2013

    Looking forward to my DD adventure with you this year Ali!! YEAH!!! Have a great month!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Jane says…
    12/01/2013

    So excited and buzzing with ideas from all the wonderful inspiration around.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Toni From says…
    12/01/2013

    So excited about DD this year Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Andrea Williams says…
    12/01/2013

    I am so glad December is here! This is my first December Daily and I can't wait. I have so many ideas dancing in my head. Thanks Ali for inspiring me each and everyday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Terri Porter says…
    12/01/2013

    So excited to begin December Daily again! I'm with you, Ali, in the desire to take better photos this year. Yes, I love using my iPhone to capture all the little things but as good as it is, it can't compare to my "big girl" camera and so I'm going to make an effort to have my big camera with me more so I can mainly shoot with that. Love going back to the 6x8 size where photos can really shine!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Marie A. says…
    12/01/2013

    Great post. You just inspired me to summarize it and to set "my own" DD 2013 rules.

    1- It's supposed to be fun, not stressful.
    2- Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be.
    3- Don't compare your work/process/results with others.
    4- Enjoy it! Do and focus on what makes you happy.
    5- Get intentional about December. Go, See, Do!

    I'm really excited about DD. So ready to begin. Thanks a lot for all the inspiration Ali!

    Best regards from Québec city

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/01/2013

      Love the Go, See, Do!

  11. Theresa says…
    12/01/2013

    Yay! It's the best day of the year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. PjP says…
    12/01/2013

    "Changed Priorities Ahead," as the traffic signs in Britain say. I had ambitious plans for a lavish DD this year but we adopted a new puppy last Sunday and I'm having to simplify things a bit. It's all good though: this time next year I'll be glad that I took the time to enjoy Rosie's puppyhood, which will fly by far too quickly.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Jessie McLaughlin says…
    12/01/2013

    Happy December Ali! So excited that it is finally time to start! Have a wonderful Dec 1!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. CJ says…
    12/01/2013

    And so it begins... I so look forward to making a December Daily album every year, thank you for the inspiration Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Roseann says…
    12/01/2013

    My second year and I am looking forward to it. Really enjoyed looking back at last years album. So many good memories.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Sylvia says…
    12/01/2013

    Can't wait to start - thanks so much for all the inspiration and awesomeness!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Louise says…
    12/01/2013

    So excited! And thanks so much for the chance to win these goodies! Happy Hares & Rabbits day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Petra says…
    12/01/2013

    Happy First of Dec Ali. I think the "make it work for you" is so important. Thank you for all your lovely inspiration and templates that make it south easier.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. MichelleB says…
    12/01/2013

    Looking forward to spending this December once again being inspired by you and others documenting the season. I've got my album and supplies and some determination to get this done!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Paula says…
    12/01/2013

    I am going super simple for now, for I will be putting all of it together after Christmas this time around. I am going to take at least one DD photo a day and immediately note the date and a quick journaling starter - maybe a feeling or a word for some days. Lots of good and not too good stuff happening, but that's ok, it's all worth remembering.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Rosana says…
    12/01/2013

    Thank you Ali...Im hoping to complete one this year :) You are so kind in always sharing everything...wishing you a Happy 1st of December :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Maritza Torres says…
    12/01/2013

    Happy December! Do you have a dec daily logo for this year? Thanks.

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      12/01/2013
    2. Ali says…
      12/01/2013

      Working on that right now! Totally slipped my mind!

    3. Maritza Torres says…
      12/01/2013

      Thanks!

  23. Peanut says…
    12/01/2013

    Awesome sponser! I just love Online Card Classes!!!!!!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Donna U says…
    12/01/2013

    Happy December! For me, it is a birthday month (that would be today!) and makes December that much more fun.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/01/2013

      Happy Birthday!

  25. Jessica says…
    12/01/2013

    Yay! So excited!!! :)

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.