Thinking ahead (Christmas Project #2 : December Daily).

I am completely in the holiday mood.

We found out over the last few days that it looks like we will be hosting a bunch of family here for Christmas and it is lighting my fire even more for creating and decorating.

Right now I have a list of projects I am working through - figuring out which order I want to tackle them and reflecting a bit back to the things I made last year like this and these. Totally planning to make something along these lines as well.

One thing I have already made (besides starting the ATC spinner ) is a December journal which is featured in my Creating Keepsakes Studio A column for December (available in stores now). The idea here is to take some time before December to create an album that can be easily added to (photos + words) during the actual days of the month. Documenting the everyday activities of December.

I did lots of playing with this album: different sizes, different textures, envelopes and lots of transparent products. I set it up so that each page included a bit of space for journaling (added blocks onto transparent pages) and some room for a photo. The cool thing about working with a ring album such as this is that I can add in photos as pages (an entire photo could be a page) if I want to add more than one per day or do some enlargements. My plan is that from the 1st through the 25th I will simply add a photo and a bit of journaling to each page and call it good.

Here's a look at some pages from that project:

One of my favorite pages is peeking through in this photo: I cut up a Heidi Swapp transparent clock (a bit more than 1/4 of the clock) and am using it as a page all by itself. Love the bit of curve it adds.

When gathering supplies for this album, look to what you have on hand first off. I bet you may just have some transparencies, some envelopes, some stamps for the numbers, etc. that would work just fine. And for those of you out there who are looking to do a bit of shopping, take a look at the list below for products featured in this project:

Acrylic Album: d. reeves design house (8x8)
Large Acrylic Star: Picture It Pageframe
Transparencies: Hambly, Narratives, Heidi Swapp, My Mind’s Eye
Chipboard Numbers & Letters: Basic Grey, Scenic Route
Red Circle Numbers: www.everyjotandtittle.etsy.com
Metal Clip: Narratives
Letter Stickers: Scenic Route, American Crafts
Vintage Journal Blocks: Jenni Bowlin
Paint: Making Memories Cranberry
Envelopes: Paper Source
Rub On Numbers: Fontwerks

Look for completed pages to be featured on CK's website daily during December.

If you want to do something even more delightfully creative this holiday season, check out my friend Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas online class. I have done this project for the past couple of years and have so enjoyed the creative prompts and process.

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57 thoughts

  1. Maria says…
    11/07/2007

    Ali, I just got my CK today and I was drooling over this album! Such a great idea indeed! Thanks for your continued inspiration! I can't wait to give this a try :)

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  2. cathy says…
    11/07/2007

    holy moly, love this album! I am doing an album inspired along the same lines from your "life Artist" book...I love the jump rings and the freedom of adding ANYTHING.
    Thanks for being SO generous in your blog.
    Blessings!...

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Jeanette says…
    11/07/2007

    How incredibly inspiring. I just placed another order with EveryJotandTittle on Etsy today. Their tags are a classic and very elegant.
    And I'm still reeling in all the inspiration from your latest book. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Kathryn Johnson says…
    11/07/2007

    That is such an amazing project! I just love this blog-it just makes me want to jump up and create!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Steph says…
    11/07/2007

    I saw this in CK and loved it. I took Shimelle's journal class last year. May just have to combine these ideas together!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. kim bolyard says…
    11/07/2007

    this album is wonderful...I am so doing this for Christmas this year. As always thanks for the inspiration.
    I also want to thank you for the wonderful idea for my ATC spinner...I have been busy all day working on my ATC cards for my "Night before Christmas Story". I love how it is turning out. I scraplifted a few of your cards and then the creativity started to flow and I can't stop. thanksa
    peace
    Kim

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  7. rani Shah says…
    11/07/2007

    Totally love the idea for the box on the wall advent calendar-such fun!!! Thanks for the link!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Deb Wisker says…
    11/07/2007

    Cool beans! Love the album!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. rani Shah says…
    11/07/2007

    Totally love the idea for the box on the wall advent calendar-such fun!!! Thanks for the link!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. melissa w says…
    11/07/2007

    Thank you so much for putting so much work in to his blog. It is wonderful! I read quite a few blogs and sometimes the blog writers don't post for days at a time because they are understandably busy. Your efforts are much appreciated!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Anna-Marie Still says…
    11/07/2007

    Love the inspo in this post! Heading off to bed with my Dec. CK to check out Studio A in more depth!
    Shimelle's classes are great - I did the Christmas Journal last year too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. rachel carlson says…
    11/07/2007

    oh my goodness ali - GENIUS! thanks for the inspiration. i'm working on another acrylic album but this one will be a class i teach at my lss. you have given me so much more to go on so cheers to YOU! hugs, rach

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. leslie says…
    11/07/2007

    oh, christmas. love it.
    just bought the annual starbucks christmas cd. yesterday.
    and your creations are amazing. and will be.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Haylee says…
    11/07/2007

    What a fabulous idea to have a book and add to it each day. That's awesome. What an amazing keepsake it is going to make. You are always so inspiring Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Joscelyne (Joscie) Cutchens says…
    11/07/2007

    I always love your art... thanks so much for inspiring me and sharing all your stuff! I love it!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. leslie says…
    11/07/2007

    This is so cool looking! I have been wanting to make a transparency album and this is perfect! Thanks for the inspiration :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Kimberly White says…
    11/07/2007

    What a great idea! I absolutely want to do this! Thanks Ali! Just finished reading your latest book and I so enjoyed it. Going to go back and start working on the challenges! Have a wonderful day! kim

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Donna J. says…
    11/07/2007

    Ali, who makes those cool little circle epoxy stickers sitting by the album?

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. erin yamabe says…
    11/07/2007

    this is such an awesome idea!!! and i absolutely LOVE the colors you chose. those are my fave pallete right now! tfs!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Anne Marie says…
    11/07/2007

    So cool!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Denise says…
    11/07/2007

    Hi Ali - I LOVE this album you have created! It is amazing! Along with the ATC spinner...this acrylic journal is incredible! I do a lot of art journaling and would love to give this journal a try. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Annie says…
    11/07/2007

    always so full of amazing inspiration!! thank you!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. anna says…
    11/07/2007

    OMG Ali , this is stunning, love it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Christine Villacarlos says…
    11/07/2007

    thanks for sharing your beautiful work! I love it, as always!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Amy Z says…
    11/08/2007

    you make me giddy with all your ideas! LOL!

    Reply 0 Replies

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