December Daily 2010 | Day Two

Here's a good example of being flexible - the story I'm telling for Day Two actually happened on Day One. No problem, no stress - just telling the stories I want to include.

Page one uses my 6x8 layered template set. I think the circle Santa is from Pretty Little Studio and the little paper clip is 7gypsies. Want to read more about the #2 tag? I've got a post on that here.

The paper on page two is vintage wallpaper.

A couple close-ups:

I trimmed this photo to be the same size as the tag on the other side of the transparency. I added a bit of stitching and word stickers from The Girls Paperie Christmas sticker pad.

Sigh. Love.

I added the text directly onto my photo in Photoshop. I'm cropping the images for this section to 5x5 inches x 6.25 inches. The two fonts (which are also used in the digital templates) are Lucia BT and Sentinel.

JOURNALING : For Simon the visit to see Santa was, in Chris’ words, an awesome combination of “comfort and belief.” He walked right up to the man in the red suit, sat on his lap and told him about the legos he would like to have this year and proceeded to ask him, “Do you have those?” Anna, who is not yet two, was super excited at the prospect of seeing Santa. There were lots of excited “Santa” words earlier in the day and on the way to the mall. Once there though, all it took was one look at the big guy and it was a definite no-go for her. Simon got his photo and we headed to dinner at Mucho Gusto. At dinner Anna kept patting her knees and saying “lap” and then “Santa lap Anna.” We asked her if she wanted to go back and sit on Santa’s lap and she said “yes.” We headed back over to the mall and tried again. It was a “yes” up until the last minute. We got her to wave and say hi and it was all good. Next year sweet girl, next year.

The foundation for this page can be seen here.

DAY TWO SUPPLIES : Art Warehouse Hollyberry Transparency, Studio Calico Mister Huey Apple Jack Color Mist, Making Memories Number Stickers, Vintage Wallpaper, Shipping Tag, The Girls Paperie Christmas sticker pad; Ali Edwards 2010 December Daily 6x8 Overlays

All posts related to December Daily can be found here.


TODAY'S POST SPONSORED BY : Elle's Studio
Along with their paper tags, Elle’s Studio has digital items, too - currently the digital items are all 20% off through the month of December! Most of their digital items are items that they have retired, but sometimes they throw something totally new in the mix! Don’t forget to check out their blog and facebook page!



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96 thoughts

  1. Terri Porter says…
    12/03/2010

    This is the most beautiful photo of Anna! Those eyes are amazing. And the story really brought back memories of my boys and how different they were about going to see Santa. Have to give Anna credit for trying at least.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Nancy says…
    12/03/2010

    UGH! I've waited to do this project since I saw it a couple of years ago. I had a great start in celebrating my sister's birthday and shopping at Williams-Sonoma. Yesterday was spent wrapped up in our blankets reading or watching movies. Both of us were sick. Thanks for the idea of telling stories no matter what day they happen. Today is decorating and then celebrating my brother's birthday. Thanks again for being flexible and showing us that we can be flexible also.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. steffb says…
    12/03/2010

    You inspired me to put my santa story on today (we went last Saturday). Ours contains a crying baby since at 18 months he can't really communicate with words - but he sure did with his tears! Love it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Megan says…
    12/03/2010

    Ali thanks so much for sharing. I thought I would attempt December Daily this year...but strictly on my blog, then when it is finished I will print it all out on carstock and assemble and album.....your pictures and writing is great, thanks for the encouragement and the challenge of december daily.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Alexandra says…
    12/03/2010

    I love that Simon asked Santa if he had his legos - such a great question - well done!
    I also love that you let Anna experience Santa in her own way - it's empowering for a little one to do it in a way that they are comfortable with instead of cramming a tearful child on Santa's lap for the sake of a photo. I'm sure Anna's beautiful little heart is totally happy with her Santa experience. So cool. Yay for you! Yay for Anna!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. steffb says…
    12/03/2010

    Another thought, this year my DD (six) learned about Santa - I thought she was ready as she kept asking pointed questions, but it turned out I was WAY wrong. She was devastated, in tears - she said, Mom, I didn't want to know the truth, I just wanted your OPINION! Her dad ended up smoothing things out for her, but wow, what a sad story. I'd like to document it in my album but I need to hide it somehow so that as her brother gets bigger he doesn't discover things too early too! I see a flap or pocket in my day 3!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Tere (Marie) says…
    12/03/2010

    I'm feeling a bit behind, not stressing, really I'm not. I almost feel like I need to "watch" what others are doing before I can get comfortable choosing pics and printing. But I did do the 1st last night....will work some more. Your pages inspire me.

    And I almost didn't recognize Anna, seems her looks might be changing some, she is perfect! I love Simon's story.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Heather Johnson Photography says…
    12/03/2010

    After reading your advent calendar story yesterday, I dug up pictures of my advent calendar project from three years ago. It was made out of toilet paper rolls believe it or not, and was a wonderful November project to do with kids. (And extremely low cost, just need to remember to save rolls all summer!) I posted it on my blog today, check it out: http://www.hgjphotographyblog.com/?p=349

    Hope to get people to play along next November and make one with me. I think it would be great fun to see what people come up with!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. AmyW says…
      12/03/2010

      Love your dd pages and your calendar.

    2. Heather Johnson Photography says…
      12/03/2010

      thanks!

  9. Estellita says…
    12/03/2010

    My second day was not so full in actions, but i had lot's of things to share. I will have to be more simple, because my album will be too big ... Today, it's very simple for the third day ... Happily !!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. TracieClaiborne says…
    12/03/2010

    Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!!!! You make it all so pretty and inviting and memorable and fabulous!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. dawn says…
    12/03/2010

    Just a tip that I thought to share for hiding your gifts from the kids this year. I have done it the last two and so far it works. Try hiding them in the empty boxes, bins, tubs, whatever you use to store your decorations, trees, etc. in. We have two artificial trees we put up so in each of those are the things for my girls and my son's goes into the one tub that holds all my Chritmas village houses. So far they haven't a clue, because these are always in the attic in the same spot all year. Even after they are wrapped I put them in there and that way they are organized by each child too. I think this idea was in a family fun magazine. Hope it helps anyone who's got little sneaky peekers.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Debbie P says…
    12/03/2010

    Ali, your daily photos for Day 2 are amazing. And I love the story. What a couple of cutie pies! tfs

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Rebekah Pontow says…
    12/03/2010

    Love the story of Anne not wanting to sit on Santa's Lap. I have a 2 and half year old and am so worried she won't go sit on his lap. You seemed to relaxed with the fact she didn't - did you feel upset about it? I think I would be somewhat bummed out - especially since I don't have an older kid to get that precious picture. Thanks for sharing - any tips on writing on a picture in photoshop??

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2010

      Hi Rebekah - not upset at all :). There will be many more chances in the future - happy to let her go at her own pace, at her own comfort level (especially with a "strange man in a red suit). She was definitely interested, wanted to check him out - just not sit on his lap.

    2. Heather says…
      12/03/2010

      When my daughter was little, she didn't want to sit on Santa's lap either. She did love talking his ear off though. lol So I got pictures of her standing in front of him, talking to him, and then my husband held her and stood next to Santa (holding her on his other side) while I got some portrait-style photos. She was totally cool with that, and I got my pictures. :) I think she was 4 when she figured out that he always gave her candycanes; after that she was totally into sitting on his lap for a photo! LOL

    3. Rebekah Pontow says…
      12/03/2010

      I saw a great photo of a kid not wanting to sit on Santa' lap, but willing to take candy....the pictures told a great story!

      How can I write journaling onto my photos by the way??

  14. AmberCA says…
    12/03/2010

    Such a cute story.....see this is why I love this project!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Erika Bates says…
    12/03/2010

    love this layout Ali! love the idea of looking at the happy side. i had to do this on my day 2 as well since our plans to do the tree got totally messed up, so my 3 year old and i got out our Christmas jammies and danced around the house to holiday music instead...it will make a fun memory

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Tricia says…
    12/03/2010

    I love your pages!! I love the photo of Simon and Anna walking together with their antler ears. I love how you told the story and I love how you handled Anna's hesitancy with Santa! I just love it all! You are amazing in your ability to be able to communicate what happens in your family each day. They are all so lucky!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Steph says…
    12/03/2010

    On the road to album set up, the lightbulb was not clicking on the transparency thing...NOW I get it and LOVE it!

    My goal was to not make any new supply purchases for this album, so my "transparencies" are a mix of only a sparse few I had on hand, some vellums (that now looking at them won't give the same look, but ok with that - take it all in stride, right?) :) And, the rest home made jobbies with presentation binding clear covers and as per your suggestion in an earlier post - staz on ink stamping.

    Having fun...each day telling the simpler stories which may not have been formally recorded.

    I have a story to share:

    how cool is it that my local newspaper's online version offered a snowstorm photo contest yesterday. My Day 2 pic of my oldest daughter shoveling had been my pic of the day, taken early in the morning. Anyhow, my pic was one chosen, so it was featured on their website! Of course that printout is now my new and improved story for yesterday and for being chosen, I won a gift certificate to our local favorite restaurant that we are using to go out to a Date Night dinner tomorrow night to celebrate our anniversary (which is today).

    So, as you can see December Daily is spreading good things all over the place! Thank you! We will have a toast to you tomorrow night, for had I not done this album, I may not have necessarily ventured outside at 7:30 a.m. to watch my daughter shovel, let alone take a photo of it and think to submit it in the newspaper photo challenge and win our Anniversary dinner! Cheers!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. dawn says…
      12/03/2010

      Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!

  18. Melissa says…
    12/03/2010

    Thank you thank you thank you. I was worrining about telling a story later that already happened. Nothing that spectacular went on yesterday and I was stretching for a story but today I have 2 stories so I will do one from today for day 2 and the other as day 3 and save my stretch for later when I can really pull it all together! (If what I said makes any sense you are a genius!)

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Wilna says…
    12/03/2010

    So, for the second day i have only one picture and one page... but i guess "go with the flow" is the motto... : )

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2010

      It totally is :)

  20. Erika says…
    12/03/2010

    No stress going with what works as long as it is documented is my approach. Wednesday's are hetic for us due to a 7:00pm dance class and I almost got caught up stressing n the fact it was day 1 of the December Daily and I had not worked on my page.I took a step back and said hey what we do today or not can be documented another day just as long as I do it. So last night I did day 1 and 2. My advent calendar plan for tonight since the temperature is cold here in fl(I know other areas are colder but for us it's cold :) is Hot chocolate at Starbucks. Can't wait to document that. And if you have a blog and don't have the time to work on your page at least type a draft of what happend and work on your page later. Enjoy the season and don't strees we have enough going on in our lives.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. amy tangerine says…
    12/03/2010

    how cute, ali!
    love that you are giving permission to focus on the story and not be so concerned about the individual days.
    also really enjoying seeing everyone's projects & how different they are!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Lisa W says…
    12/03/2010

    You did a beautiful job capturing the story behind this outing! Loved reading it! :) You are always soooo inspiring! Happy Holidays. . .I'm off to print some pics. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Christy Miller says…
    12/03/2010

    I'm loving that you used a day one story for day two. I've got day one and two started so far and I'm not using coordinating stories for the correct days either. Also, as a way to move away from my "week in the life mindset" I have a list of things that I want to include about Christmas and I'm just taking pictures each day and then filling in my pages as I go. I'm still including the story so that's all that matters. I also removed my overlay pages so as not to overwhelm myself with pages that I think need completed.

    Thanks for sharing your pages and thanks for everyone else sharing too! It gives me motivation to keep working on this everyday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. December Daily | Ali Edwards says…
    12/03/2010

    [...] PAGES December 1 December 2 December 3 December 4 December 5 December 6 December 7 December 8 December 9 December 10 December [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Lesley says…
    12/03/2010

    Great photos!

    Reply 0 Replies

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