December Daily 2010 | Creating A Foundation
Hello December Daily 2010.
I know many of you out there are thinking, "how can you even be thinking about Christmas?" I totally get it. Completely. I'm really all about my pumpkins and planning a Halloween party right now. But here's the deal: I also know, from a few years of experience, that planning ahead is really the key to enjoying the process of daily documentation during December.
If this is your first time embarking on the December Daily project or if you'd like a general refresher I recommend checking out my December Daily compilation page for many more details and ideas (and to see how its evolved from year to year with a complete listing of all the posts). You can also check out my past December Daily projects in a portfolio format here: 2008, 2009.
If you're here for round two or three or four, welcome back.
Today is the beginning of a series of posts about creating a December Daily album. The basic idea behind this project is to create an album that will hold your 2010 December stories. My album runs from December 1 through December 25th - some people choose to go through the end of the month but I've found that by the time Christmas hits I'm ready to move on to the next thing.
There are so many different ways to approach this project:
- Some people make it a game to use what they have on hand (all those years of stocking up on holiday products and then making one layout is paying off). If this is you, your goal over the next week is to get all your stuff in one place.
- Some people mix old products with new products (this is me).
- Some people do all digital albums.
- Some people do a mixture of digital and paper (this is me too).
- Some people do big albums and some people do really small ones.
Today's post will be an overview of my 2010 album. Next week I'll post step-by-steps for a couple pages, go into more details about the cover options with step-by-step images, and include a couple video tutorials on how to work with the printable elements I'm using in my album.
After next week you won't hear much about this album again until it gets much closer to December. Beginning on the 1st or 2nd of December I'll post my completed page and include information on my process, the story, supplies, etc.
DIGITAL ALBUM: Wondering about a full digital album? I've got a new set of products in the works that should be in the shop next weekend. Look for another post on that coming soon.
APPROACH + PROCESS
Each year when I start thinking about my December Daily album I like to do things a bit different - usually nothing drastic but enough of a change to keep it interesting. This year the biggest change you'll notice is that I've keep all the pages the same size. If you take a look at my past albums (2008 or 2009) you'll see that the pages are a mixture of sizes. This year I decided to keep them all 6 inches x 8 inches.
Another change? I made two different album covers this year: one using the Teresa Collins Bracket Shape Covers and a second one using recycled chipboard. The Teresa Collins Bracket Shape Covers were covered with sticky back canvas, painted, misted, and embossed - I'll show the full step-by-step next week. The second option, the one with the white circles, uses a sheet of specialty paper (working on a source) adhered on top of a piece of recycled chipboard trimmed to 6x8. I'm still not sure which one I'm going to use but I'm leaning towards the white one.
In terms of the process for putting this album together, my biggest suggestion is to break it down into small tasks and tackle one thing at a time. One project is cutting the transparencies to size. One project is pulling out numbers to add to the transparencies. One project is printing + cutting out the hybrid pages. One project is punching holes. Get the idea? Are you seeing why I like to work on this part in advance?
INSIDE PAGES | THE FORMULA
The formula for my 2010 album is very simple: a printed transparent page with a date and/or embellishment + a . Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Each and every page is 6 inches x 8 inches.
Here's a look at all the transparent pages laid out on my table:
If you're interested in making one similar to my 2010 book here's the basics of what you'll need:
- 13, 12x12 transparent sheets (see below for a supply list of the ones I used) that will be cut so you get 2, 6x8 inch pieces from each sheet.
- My 2010 December Daily 6x8 overlay package from Designer Digitals for the photo and/or journaling pages. The package includes a PDF file for simple printing if you're not familiar with Adobe Photoshop. The PDF file includes days 1 through 31. Look for a video tutorial on working with this package to come next week.
- A front and back cover.
- A variety of numbers, holiday papers and embellishments.
- A willingness to document the month of December and not stress about making it perfect or capturing every last detail.
- A commitment to enjoying your holiday season and being present with your family and friends. I continue to find that the process of participating in this album actually grounds me to the here & now and helps me be more conscious of how I live my holiday season.
Here's a look at the 2010 December Daily overlays when printed on Bazzill Basics Cream Puff (Scrapbook.com 12x12 | 8.5x11) which is what I used throughout my album. You can also view these foundation images via my portfolio (click on an image and then click the arrows to go forward or backward throughout the portfolio).
You could easily wait to print these out until December and add your journaling right onto the PNG file + print as you go. These could also be placed on top of photos in Photoshop before printing (along with your journaling).
OPTION: One way to adapt this album to your own working style or family stories would be to do all transparencies and skip the printable portion. Your photos could be added in as the additional pages. Or maybe you're more interested in focusing on the words + photos. If that's the case maybe only use the printables and skip the transparent pages. Lots of options. If this is your first time I suggest playing along with me and being open to adapting as you go.
MY CURRENT PLAN WITH THE PRINTABLE PAGES: Above is a look at a sketch of the printable page and a completed page (using a photo from 2009 as a sample). My plan is that those two blocks of space will be used as a home for a photo (or a collage of photos), and/or journaling, and/or pattern paper.
I like that I'm creating a specific foundation for myself that has a bit of structure but will also be flexible when it comes to documenting each day. On some days I envision using that large block of space exclusively for journaling. On those days I might use the small block for a photo that captures the essence of something - a piece of the whole. On other days I might fill the large space with a photo and use the back of the cardstock for my journaling.
NOTE: Two 4x6 inch photos would fit perfectly on the back for those of you that don't print at home and find it easier to use a photo developer to add your photos once a week or at the end of the month.
My goal with these foundation pages was to keep it simple. One or two accents and a number on top of each transparency. There's nothing earth-shattering here. It's a matter of picking out a few things and sticking them down (or stitching them as the case may be) and creating a home for your December content. A couple days don't have numbers (all the printable pages have both the number and the specific day of the week for 2010). Little bits of red machine stitching is the main way I attached elements to the transparencies - staples are always another good option.
You can do this.
Here's a look at the entire foundation:
DAY ONE
Anna Griffin Georgette Holiday Collection Double-Sided Cardstock Pack (inside cover)
Teresa Collins Star Transparency
AE for Technique Tuesday Good Cheer Stamps
Red Stitching
DAY TWO
Art Warehouse Hollyberry Transparency (green is sold out but here's a red one on clearance at scrapbook.com)
Studio Calico Mister Huey Apple Jack Color Mist
Making Memories Number Stickers
Vintage Wallpaper
Shipping Tag
Fancy Pants Tradition Flocked Transparency
Tim Holtz Silver Numerals: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
DAY FOUR
White Circle Paper
Maya Road Sheer Clocks
Jenni Bowlin Vintage Christmas Chipboard Buttons: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
DAY FIVE
Every Jot & Tittle Red Number Tags
Hambly Chic Circles Transparent Overlay
Ormolu Christmas Tag (circle-punched)
KI Memories Lace Cardstock Numbers
Hambly Clearly Heavy Overlay
DAY SEVEN
Hambly Grey Doily Decor Overlay: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
Making Memories Number Stickers
(I think the oval with the tree is from a K&Company chipbox from 2009)
DAY EIGHT
Hamby Red Vintage Plaid (looks like there's no more red, but other colors are available)
AE Christmas Boxes from Designer Digitals
American Crafts Playroom Thickers (in green here)
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint Dash of Red: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
DAY NINE
8.5x11 Baseball Card Page Protectors cut to fit
Bazzill Basics Star Chips (painted red)
Making Memories Metal Rimmed Tags
Tim Holtz Silver Numerals: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint Dash of Red: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
DAY TEN
Teresa Collins Noel Collection Christmas Transparency
The Girls Paperie Eclectic Chipboard Alphabet: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
DAY ELEVEN
Teresa Collins Red Number Transparency
Maya Road Grosgrain Pleat Ribbon: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
DAY TWELVE
Maya Road Scroll Frames Chipboard
AE for Technique Tuesday Good Cheer Stamps
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint Dash of Red: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Union Square Moments Seamstress Paper: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
Hambly Clearly Heavy Overlay
DAY THIRTEEN
Teresa Collins Star Transparency
AE Christmas Boxes from Designer Digitals
Jenni Bowlin Red Kindergarten Alphabet Rub Ons
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint Dash of Red: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
DAY FOURTEEN
Art Warehouse Hollyberry Transparency (green is sold out but here's a red one on clearance at scrapbook.com)
The Girls Paperie Eclectic Chipboard Alphabet: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
DAY FIFTEEN
Fancy Pants Tradition Flocked Transparency
Jenni Bowlin Mini Bingo Cards Christmas
DAY SIXTEEN
Tim Holtz Silver Numerals: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
Picture It Pageframe Large 8 inch Acrylic Star
DAY SEVENTEEN
Hambly Chic Circles Transparent Overlay
The Girls Paperie Christmas Ribbon Trims
DAY EIGHTEEN
White Circle Paper
Every Jot & Tittle Red Number Tags
DAY NINETEEN
KI Memories Lace Cardstock Numbers
DAY TWENTY
Jenni Bowlin Christmas Printed Tickets
Hamby Red Vintage Plaid (looks like there's no more red, but other colors are available)
Jenni Bowlin Red Kindergarten Alphabet Rub Ons
DAY TWENTY-ONE
8.5x11 Baseball Card Page Protectors cut to fit
The Girls Paperie Tinsel & Twig Christmas Sticker Pad
AE Christmas Boxes from Designer Digitals (available on Saturday)
DAY TWENTY-TWO
Teresa Collins Noel Collection Christmas Transparency
Studio Calico Mister Huey Apple Jack Color Mist
Making Memories Number Stickers
Shipping Tag
DAY TWENTY-THREE
Teresa Collins Red Number Transparency
K&Company Handmade Collection Fabric Art Lace Frames
DAY TWENTY-FOUR
Hambly Grey Doily Decor Overlay: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
Elle's Studio Vintage Christmas Flash Cards
Every Jot & Tittle Red Number Tags
DAY TWENTY-FIVE
Making Memories Metal Rimmed Canvas Tag
The Girls Paperie Eclectic Chipboard Alphabet: Two Peas | Scrapbook.com
Anna Griffin Georgette Holiday Collection Double-Sided Cardstock Pack
And there you have it.
You can do this.
Start now. Start simple. One task at a time.
Whenever possible, don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. Adapt it for your family, your lifestyle, your situation. The real joy comes from getting yourself to a point where you are ready to record the little moments in December - those little bits of life that happen so fast but that build on each other year after year. This album is a place for those memories.
Don't worry if you don't do something holiday related everyday in December. The stories and photos you include don't have to be holiday related - all of my previous albums contain non-holiday entries that document simple daily stories. I include what I feel like including from one day to the next.
Again, be sure to check out previous December Daily project posts on the compilation page. Feel free to include your questions here in the comments section.
Again, you can do this.
SHARE THE LOVE | DECEMBER DAILY BANNER, FLICKR, TWITTER
You're also invited to share and communicate with others about this project. Here's some links to get you started:
FLICKR GROUP: 2010 December Daily (view past galleries here: 2008, 2009)
TWITTER HASHTAG: #decdaily
BANNER: Last year there were some requests for a blog banner. Feel free to add this to your site (the code is listed below):
DAILY SPONSORSHIP
This year I'm offering daily sponsorship spots throughout the month of December on December Daily posts. Please email sponsors@aliedwards.com for more information.
For a full list of December Daily posts go here.

Elle’s Studio has just released their new designs for the holiday season. They have the perfect tags for your December Daily projects, advent calendars, scrapbook pages and more!
GORGEOUS! love everything about it, especially the transparencies you've used. I can't wait to get started, this is my first year, but I already have all my Christmas stuff pulled together.
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gorgeous! I love the use of transparencies this year. do you display your past DD albums in your home during christmas???
I do - I put them away with the Christmas decorations and then bring them out as I start getting the house ready. Not sure where I'll display them in our new house, but Simon always loves to look through them (especially to see his photo with Santa).
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I really do want to jump in this year and do my 1st December Daily! I already bought the album and I'm planning to start tomorrow working on the pages! I'm doing it all hybrid so I have quite some printing to do. :)
Ah yes, the printing :). I know all about that! This wasn't too bad but it does take some time...the cutting more than the printing for me.
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Ali,
I'm giddy with excite about your December Daily project. I need to rush off right now, but had to take a quick peek. Lovely!! I'll be back later with a cuppa tea in hand to enjoy this post. I'm totally determined to do a December Daily this year. Thanks for the inspiration.
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Can't find the twitter thingie. I am very new to twitter, but I went to find people and it told me there was no such thing. Help!
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Great album already!! I can't wait to see what you'll do. I've been 'collecting' alot of transparencies, so I'm glad I can make use of it. Thanks so much for sharing another beautiful album!!
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So excited! My 3 YO son and I created our first page last night - he punched shapes from a magazine and I glued, now we have a lovely Christmas tree collage. I think it's time to get out those Christmas CDs and work away. ;-)
I love that.
What a great idea to involve your son in creating a page. Might just have to copy that if you don't mind.
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Thanks so much for sharing and getting me motivated. Going to start this over the weekend! Thanks:)
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beautiful and inspiring! this will be the third time around for me, can't wait. thanks for sharing your process - i really like to see all the pages out next to each other, it helps me to understand how the whole book will flow when it's spread out that way.
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Thanks Ali. I've got my notebook out and plans written down. I peeked into the drawer I keep Christmas stuff in and wow, I have lots of leftover numbers. I really really want to go digital, but I'm no technically challenged....
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Ali, your creativity is amazing and inspiring. I have been doing December daily since 2008 and it is my absolute favorite project ever. Planning ahead makes it so much easier, and I thoroughly enjoy the process every year. Thanks for sharing all your ideas, and for the reminders in October. Here in Ecuador the stores are already decked out in Christmas gear, so I guess we're getting into the spirit early this year.
I can't wait to see your finished pages.
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This is awesome! I heard about it from a friend who has done it the last couple years and I went looking for it! I wish I had done it for the last 21years! My kids are getting older, the youngest being 11, and we won't have too many more family Christmas' like this! Sad, but I hope to capture the moments to hold on to. I am determined to do this and enjoy each day! Thanks for all your hard work Ali in making this easy for us!
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thank you ali! even tho it's only oct. the DD album has been on my mind and i love, love, love what you've come up with this year. the beauty of it's simplicity is brilliant. i had already picked up the teresa collins album, thinking it looked very "ali-like."
thank you for sharing it w/ us and i'm looking forward to working on it this weekend. thanks too for putting so much time, effort and detail into this post-i've already printed and made notes (i think i enjoy the planning/putting together of this project even more than adding the day to day photos and journaling in dec!).
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It looks great. What fun. I've been trying to decide whether to even do one this year. After seeing yours I'm hooked again. Grin.
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In July of 2008, you were in Chicago and did an album class (which I was wait listed for) at Windy City Scrapbooking. The idea was just like this..document everyday of the month. Well, I bought the kit and used it for August '08. Let me tell you..it is my favorite album to go back and look through. Not only for the stories inside, but for the artsy, design side of me..LOVE it!!
Since then, every year, I say I am doing December Daily...even collecting for it..but never got to it. Let me say that setting it up early is key...at least for me. It makes actually completing the album so doable. I am done saying I am doin it!! I am going to get it done this year!! At least I have lots to start me off..haha
Thanks Ali, for all the inspiration!
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Your book is lovely! Truly inspring!
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I am so excited to begin again, and equally excited to see what you have in store at Designer Digitals. I did a fully digital album last year, that I later printed up with Shutterfly, and we STILL look at it weekly together. It's wonderful to relive the moments with my 3 year old, and also it helps this aging mommy remember everything about the year before. Brilliant idea Ali! I am trying to get friends on board this year too! We go to Disney this year Dec 11-16th so I really have to be prepared this time around :)
Disney in December is so fun! We did that a few years back and it was just the right time :).
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OMG.....freakin' AMAZING!!! Totally inspired to get mine done this weekend!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about it!!
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I love the simplicity of that white circle paper. I would definitely go with that cover. Where did you find such a love paper?
I found it at my local art supply store - I'm trying to get a source for it and will let you know when I get an answer. If anyone else can find it online that would be awesome - it comes in one large sheet.
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I am so excited. I am taking a class at a retreat in November that is all about building a December Daily album. I don't know if I can wait that long to get started. I have been collecting stuff for months and just ordered all those goodies from Elle's Studio. I just want to get started. I am doing Week In The Life next week to get myself in project mode. Hopefully that will help. Thanks again for your inspiration.
Gina
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[...] you are interested in doing this along with me this year, check out Ali’s post today here. I would also recommend joining the flickr group, it gives constant inspiration…and if you [...]
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My 1st December Daily! I'm so excited, but a little lost too. Are the transparancy pages going to be just by themselves, nothing more added to them? And then the daily pages go between them with photos on each side if needed??
Also, I can't get the Java script for the banner to work on Blogger. The image doesn't appear on my site after I've added it.
The transparency pages are going to be just by themselves - they are done. I might add something small to the back of each one in the place where you can see the back of the element attached to the front. New content will be added to the journaling/photo pages that I've printed out ;).
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Great album! Love the transparencies and keeping the size the same.
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I'm so excited about this project. I feel like this is one that I really could participate in - seems very doable. Thanks for the inspiration! You ROCK Ali!
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I love your December daily's. It always inspires me to try and document December better and find the joy of the Holiday season.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Jennifer
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