December Daily® 2015 | Foundation Pages, Video Overview + Free "Intentions" Printable

Here we go!

Welcome back (or welcome if this is your first adventure) to one of my most favorite storytelling adventures: December Daily®

I've been getting my album ready recently and am here today to share my start. I'm primarily using the  Main December Daily® Kit this year with a few things added in from some of the Mini Kits as well as a few additional products from my stash (there can never be enough stars). As I share my images below I'll be sure to identify which products come from which kit if they aren't from the Main Kit

I'm taking my own advice this year and making this project work for me. This year it means simplifying my foundation pages a bit to give me a little more freedom in December to get the stories told I want to tell. As you view the pages below you'll see that not everything is adhered down or pockets stitched/fused shut. I've also included a video overview at the bottom of this post for a more in-person look at where I'm at with my album. 

A couple other things I know to be true as I embark on this adventure again: 

  1. I am very likely not to use a full 2-page spread for each day. Right now I've left more than enough page protectors in the album to accommodate a 2-page spread (a left and a right page) for 25 days. I know I'll be adjusting that as I go because not all stories need a spread. 
  2. I am loving the neutral, white and grey this year with pops of red and green and silver and gold. 
  3. I shared my Design Map a couple weeks ago - basically the current layout of the page protectors. If that's helpful you can download it here. My current pages seen here follow this set up but keep in mind it will likely adjust as I make my way through the month and don't always use 2-pages for a spread on a particular day. 
  4. Please forgive the color discrepancies in some of my images below. I had a challenging time editing these this time around (dealing with loss of daylight).
  5. I'm excited to add more embellishments from the Main Kit to my photos and journaling as I identify the stories I want to tell over the course of the 25 days. I'll also be printing any daily overlays on demand vs. printing them in advance. This will allow me to print them on my photos as well as onto cardstock without printing so many out in advance that I end up not using. I've cut up cards from the Main Kit 6x8 pages and have them in a basket on my table along with a box of other embellishments from the Main Kit ready to be used in December. 
  6. I love this project.

BEGIN WITH AN INTENTION

If you are in my Storytelling With December Daily® workshop you heard me talk a lot in the presentation this week about setting an intention for December/the holiday season/the album as a really wonderful way to begin this process. Last year I offered a free printable to begin your album with the title "My (or Our) Reason Why" and you can still grab that here if it speaks to you. This year I'm starting off my album with a page titled "Intentions" which is similar to my reason why in terms of stating in advance why I'm embarking on this adventure again. Click the text below the image to download the easy-to-print PDF/PNG package.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE INTENTIONS PACKAGE.

If you'd like more inspiration and ideas about setting your intention and telling your story this year there's still time to join my  Storytelling with December Daily® workshop. This is my first time offering an in-depth and official December Daily® workshop and over a thousand people have joined in and are sharing and supporting one another as we head into December. The first lesson includes video walk-throughs of all nine of my past albums with thoughts on what I've learned and loved over the years. The feedback about the content has been really great. We still have a few 4x6 stamp sets available that ship free to you after registering for the workshop (the class shop page and images will be updated when they are all gone). 

Here's a look at my starting point for 2015 (video at the end of the images): 

It's really hard to see via these images but I embossed the inside of my cover with  White Embossing Powder (White Opaque Zing) and this 12x12 star stencil from The Crafter's Workshop by Jenni Bowlin. The size of the stencil is awesome because you can lay it right down in the album and then use Versamark Embossing Ink right on top without having to reposition a smaller stencil. 

You can see it better in this close-up here: 

The silver star is from the main kit and the metal "15" are an older product from Tim Holtz. He has  something similar still available that is about 1/4 an inch shorter. These numbers are not actually attached to the album, rather I used placed the brads and then used a rolled up Sticky Dots inside the number to adhere it to the album. 

Opposite the embossed stars I added one of the printed transparent pages with a red snowflake and the rubber December Daily® banner on top (all from the main kit). I adhered the rubber banner to the snowflake and the snowflake to the patterned transparency using  Super Sticky Red Tape

Currently the next page is holding the "merry happy love joy" pattern paper from the  Main Kit. I might leave it as is or I might add something to it. I kinda just like it as it is

On the backside I included my Intentions page for 2015. You can grab this printable up at the top of this page. I included a couple different colors for you as well as the PNG file that you can use as you'd like for your personal projects. 

I used  Tim Holtz scissors to cut one of the wood snowflakes in half and adhered them with a Scotch Dot N Roller adhesive

One of the things I did while setting up these pages was play with  metal rimmed circle tags, embossing powders, stamps, and a 1-inch circle punch (among a few other things). For this sample I used the Icon Stamps and the Holiday Circles Stamps (both part of the December Daily® collection this year). The embossing powders I'm using this time include: Zing White OpaqueTim Holtz White (works just like the White Zing),Tim Holtz Red TinselTim Holtz Gold TinselZing Pewter Metallic, and Zing Green Metallic. I stamped and embossed the above circles onto white cardstock, punched them out, and then adhered them to the metal rimmed circle tags. The black and gold "noel" pattern paper is from the Jasmine Jones Mini Kit and the "E" (for my last name) is part of the alphabet that's included in the Kelly Purkey Mini Kit. The chipboard gold star is from my stash of stars. 

Opposite my intentions page I have one of the 2 inch x 2 inch pocket pages. I cut off the third row of pockets (just laid it on my trimmer and cut it off) and added a 2-inch index tab. Inside I stamped "tis the season" on both sides using  Memento Luxe Gray Flannel Ink. Into the pockets I added some of the metal rimmed circle tags I created above + a wood snowflake + a silver star (both included in the Main Kit).

On the back side I punched more circles from pattern papers and adhered them to the backs of the circle tags. I also used the white embossing powder on the back of the silver star. 

Knowing that December 1 begins on a Tuesday I decided to  cut out "tuesday" using white cardstock and my Silhouette (traced the PNG file) and lay it on top of a piece of thick, clear plastic. Bazzill offers this and it's called Plastic Paper. The sheets I have here are from Studio Calico - I looked on their site but I didn't see them anymore. You can also achieve this same thing by simply cutting up some extra page protectors to slip inside the pockets.  

Day two currently includes an embossed large red #2 + one of the Jasmine Jones gold foil cards. The other two 3x4 pockets are empty.

Sometimes these foundation pages are a challenge to look at online because the backs of other cards are often still visible that will be covered when the final stories are told. 

I took one of the large red letters from the Main Kit - the 2 obviously - and used the "celebrate this" stamp + white embossing powder to create the textured pattern on top of the 2. To keep the two in the pocket I simply used some of the gold stripe washi tape from the kit and folded it in half across the top of the pocket. 

Day three includes the "3" card from the Main Kit + a "magic" card from the Kelly Purkey Mini Kit and an embossed 3x4 card from the Jasmine Jones Mini Kit.

Day four includes the "4" card with some small gold stars around the circle. It also includes the "ah, yeah" card, a tree, and green striped paper from the main kit.

Day five currently includes a full pattern page of stars, a #5 from the  Emily Ley Mini Kit, and a set of five numbered tags (Main Kit) held together with one of these loop pins from Tim Holtz

Right now the tag set is just sitting in a 3x4 pocket. My plan is to do some kind of list of five "somethings" on this day and will either write or attach photos to the back of each tag.

On the loop pin I also added a metal  circle philosophy tag from Tim Holtz ("cherish") and a wood star. The wood star is either from a previous December Daily® kit or from Freckled Fawn - again it came from my star stash. 

For day six I've got the back of day five and one of the 2 inch x 2 inch pocket pages. I took one of the white number tags and cropped it to 2 inch x 2 inch. I also added a couple more of those metal rimmed tags with the embossed circle stamps. 

In between day seven I added the full page "most wonderful time of the year" transparency (main kit).

The day seven card is from the  Ashley Goldberg Mini Kit

For day eight I embossed another one of the large red letters - this time with a small star stamp. I paired that chipboard 8 with one of the super cute cards from the  Emily Ley Mini Kit

Day nine currently features the #9 card from the main kit. I embossed the back of the red eighth (it's actually the pewter color but looks different here). I might not leave the 8 there or I might put a card or photo behind it - not sure just yet. On the full page 8.5 x 11 I slipped in one of the large wood circles. I'm thinking about doing a full page of circles (photos, etc) but want to wait to see what story I'm inspired to tell on that day. 

Day ten. I love this 6 inch x 8 inch paper from  Ashley Goldberg's Mini Kit. I'm thinking of writing on that tree with a silver or white pen once I know my story (I'm still skeptical of white pens). 

Right now day eleven only includes one of the white number tags - I'll be using it in some way or another. One thing you might see me do is use that tag as a page in the album - punching three holes using it that way. Maybe a photo on the back trimmed to the same size as the tag. 

For day twelve, which currently begins on the back of the 2 inch x 2 inch pocket page, I cropped another one of the white tags to fit into the pocket. I've also added the branches full page pattern transparency here. 

Wood "december" circle from the main kit paired with a 13 card from Ashley Goldberg's Mini Kit. 

Day fourteen includes large red numbers, the back of the wood circle + a wood star, the "favorite moments" card from Jasmine's kit and the embossed "december" 6 inch x 8 inch page from the main kit. I'll likely emboss something onto those numbers again - another stamp maybe once my story is established. 

Day fifteen features the "golden days" 6 inch x 8 inch pattern paper + a "15" card from the  Ashley Goldberg Mini Kit + a silhouette cut using this digital set: Daily Stories & Photos. I used the same plastic 4 inch x 6 inch piece I used on the "tuesday" at the beginning of the album. Those two cuts have been sitting on my desk for months and when I started putting these pages together I decided to include them here. 

For day sixteen I've included the "around here" card from the main kit + a gold chipboard 16 from the  Emily Ley Mini Kit that I trimmed to fit into the 2 inch x 2 inch pocket. 

And for some reason I didn't get a shot of day seventeen - but you can see I've got a white number tag in there waiting to be used. 

Day eighteen includes one of the silver stars + the word "eighteen" from the One Little Bird Mini Kit. I love those little chipboard numbers. 

In the image above you can see both days 19 and 20 ( 20 is obviously in the next pocket page). I paired one of the activity cards from Emily's Mini Kit + the #19 from Ashley's Mini Kit + the "happy holidays" 4x6 from the main kit. 

Day twenty-one features another one of the white number tags + the a 2 inch x 2 inch pocket page. Right now I've got another metal rimmed tag + a wood star + one of the wood trees. I might end up cutting that page down so they are less pockets when the day actually arrives or I might need them all. 

Day twenty-two features the "jingle all the way" pattern paper + two two's that were part of a metal number set. I have no idea on the source - anyone else have those and remember who made them? They are not attached to the page yet. 

For day twenty-three I've added the 6x8 hand drawn words pattern paper + the full page transparency with the circles + a today card + a wood snowflake + a "23" from the Emily Ley Mini Kit + a 3x4 "fa la la" card from Jasmine Jones Mini Kit

Christmas Eve currently includes a "24" card from Ashley's Mini Kit + a "good times" card from the main kit + one of my all time favorite cards designed by Jasmine and included in her Mini Kit ("together"). Rather than hoarding it I'm using it. 

For the twenty-fifth I'm leaving it pretty open and spread out over a couple of pages. Above you see the tree pattern and the 6x8 "ho ho ho" page from the main kit. 

Current last page is the "merry christmas" pattern paper from Ashley's Mini Kit. In the next page of pockets I've got a red snowflake and the "25" badge waiting. I ended up with a few more page protectors after the 25 spreads that I'll take out after I make my way through the month. 

Here's a look at my album via a video overview:

Again thank you so much for joining me in telling your own stories in your own voice this holiday season! If you have any questions about your order please feel free to connect with my Customer Service team here (make sure you are logged in to your account before starting your conversation). I'm happy to answer any process questions in the comments below. 

Bring on December!

SUPPLIES USED IN 2015 FOUNDATION PAGES

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95 thoughts

  1. KarineC says…
    11/13/2015

    What are the chances of the stamps being restocked before Christmas? I'm kicking myself for not ordering a couple of the sets.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      11/13/2015

      Hi - these stamps will not be restocked.

  2. PaigeSF says…
    11/14/2015

    Ali, I just love seeing what you do to prep your DD album. I don't know if I'm the only one, but I really struggle to create foundation pages in advance. I always think that because I can not predict ahead of time what stories will be lived on each day, i don't know how large I'll want to print the picture, how much room the spread will take, and what colours will compliment.

    I've always created each day as it comes. The only things I prep in advance are: preparing my materials/kit, doing my cover, intentions and perhaps a title page.

    What do you do if the story you want to tell ends up not 'fitting' in the foundation you create? And maybe I missed it, but did you already share your album cover?

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. AliEdwards says…
      11/14/2015

      Hi! For me, I like and welcome the creative constraints (most days anyway). What that means is that I make my story fit the pockets for the day - sometimes I do move things around if I have a very strong opinion that I need to for a particular story, but for the most part I welcome not having to choose what it will be on any given day (I like limiting my choices).

      There's absolutely not a right or wrong way to approach it :). Sounds like you have a set up and a routine that works for you which is great!

      I'm using the album that has "merry" printed on the cover and am not doing anything extra on the outside.

    2. PaigeSF says…
      11/14/2015

      Thanks Ali! Yes, I an see the freedom of fitting the story to the page rather than the opposite which can have limitless choice. Hmmmm....I'm going to sit with that for a day or two and see where I land.

  3. RondaLF says…
    11/14/2015

    Love all your ideas. I lost the email that told us how to get the sticker off the album. Could you post that somewhere? Thank you.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. AliEdwards says…
      11/14/2015

      Hi - here's a link that's pretty basic: http://www.studiocalico.com/community/december-daily-2015/topics/82453-2015-december-daily-album-sticker-removal-tutorial. Other things that have worked for people include heating it up a bit with a heat gun or using Undu.

    2. RondaLF says…
      11/20/2015

      Thank you Ali.

  4. spolknc says…
    11/14/2015

    Hi. I love your pages and I was wondering what paper you used to print your intentions.
    Thanks

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      11/17/2015

      Hi - this year I used Bazzill White.

  5. Pinkpea14 says…
    11/14/2015

    Hi Ali, the metal numbers are from Tim Holtz, I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby quite some time ago. I used mine for my 2010 DD...Was not able to find a link. Thanks for the inspiration...on to year 7 of DD. :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      11/17/2015

      Thank you!

  6. Jessica_Upton says…
    11/16/2015

    Hi Ali, I love your foundation pages! Thank you so much for all of your amazing inspiration. I just wanted to give you a heads up....I have wood veneer stars coming to my shop (Color Cast Designs) for Black Friday. I currently offer the wonky stars in acrylic, but will have them along with some other goodies in my shop next week. I would be happy to send you some.
    Thank you for your awesomeness!
    Jessica

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. ashleymoseley says…
      11/16/2015

      COOOOOOOOOL designs!! I am bookmarking and thinking about what I want to place an order for!

    2. katie1980 says…
      11/17/2015

      Beautiful acrylics, Jessica! It's a shame it costs quite a bit to ship to the UK and I've already spent more than I should recently ;)
      I will have to bear these in mind for other projects. Thanks for sharing.

    3. AliEdwards says…
      11/18/2015

      Thanks for the offer Jessica!

  7. katie1980 says…
    11/17/2015

    Ali, I love the heat embossing on the numbers. I would not have necessarily thought to do this, but now that you have shown us the way, I am definitely seriously considering it! I have some fab stamps and great embossing powders, so this is highly likely to make it into my album this year - both on the chipboards and in my pockets. I love your foundation, it is gorgeous. I can't wait to see how you fill it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. picaloflies says…
    11/17/2015

    Ali, how do you get the pattern paper in the metal ring tags? And, would you please link where I can buy the Avery tabs? Thank you!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      11/18/2015

      Hi - the pattern paper is punched using a 1-inch circle punch and then adhered on top of the white center of the metal tag. The index tabs are available on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/1SDMRWS

  9. stephieboots says…
    11/20/2015

    Your foundation pages look really good Ali. Just a request for next year... I bought your main kit and one mini kit but maybe next year as well as your full main kit you could do an embellishments only version? I would have bought another main kit for extra embellishments, maybe even two, but I didn't need two more sets of papers but would love/need more of the embellishments. In particular the giant alpha - or maybe you could at least consider including more letters next year as you can't even spell December or Christmas with the ones that are included?

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Velazem says…
      12/10/2015

      IKR! Or just omit the letter or number altogether for a complete set of either one. I love the numbers but l felt jipped when I noticed that.

    2. AliEdwards says…
      12/10/2015

      Definitely including that in my notes for next year. In regards to letter stickers, sometimes I just imagine that people already have so many of them :) that it's a nice opportunity to mix in what you have with other special items in the kit.

  10. RondaLF says…
    11/20/2015

    Hi all, some of you, like me, failed to get Ali's great stamp sets that are sold out. :( I found some Hero Arts Christmas stamps that may work for the embossed circles. They aren't the same as Ali's but would fit nicely in the circles. If anyone is interested here is the link. http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002W4VP8S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. tammyeberhard says…
    11/23/2015

    Ali, the metal numbers you used for December 22nd were actually sold by Making Memories. There were 20 numbers in the package (2 of each number) and they were simply called - Making Memories - Metal Numbers. Mine were color "antique silver | 32146" and they appear to be the same color as yours. I'm sorry but I was not able to find a link online to purchase them. The packaging says 2009 on it.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      11/23/2015

      Thank you!

  12. buggin2stamp says…
    11/23/2015

    After watching the videos in your DD class and reading this blog post I am now wavering towards prepping the pages ahead of time. I need to make a decision by the weekend and get prepped. I love your album so far. I am so stoked about doing DD this year because it is my first year and I know it will be special because I purchased a home in September so I can go crazy decking my house inside and out which will definitely get me in the Christmas spirit. Thank you so much for what you do. You provide tools and support for us to document our lives. And it has really helped me appreciate my life so much more.
    Melissa

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. 432359 says…
    11/25/2015

    Ali, you were talking about white pens. I think I finally found one that works pretty good (at least considerably better than all the other ones I have tried so far) - an oil based Sharpie. They come in metallic colors also and I found them at my local Michaels.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      11/27/2015

      Cool - I'll try it out - thank you!

  14. Lwills54 says…
    11/26/2015

    How do I get my word document onto the pdf? The PDF Intentions is on adobe reader and im not being able to paste my word document into that:( I have elements but not sure how to do it there either. Suggestions?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      11/27/2015

      Open a new document in word and then go to Insert to insert the PDF into your word document. Then on top of that you would create a text box to input your words. Here's a video tutorial that shows you how to do it with a PNG file - the steps are the same with a PDF: http://aliedwards.com/2011/02/adding-text-to-overlays-long-journalers-in-elements-and-word-video-tutorials

  15. PrinzessinN says…
    11/30/2015

    Thank you for the intentions page. I made mine:
    http://prinzessinn.blogspot.ch/2015/11/december-daily-2015.html

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. justapixel says…
    12/01/2015

    Ali,

    I must thank you. This is, amazingly, my third year starting this project. I have a terminal illness and having these books to leave to my family gives me great joy. Without the inspiration provided by you, as well as by other bloggers you allow to link here, especially Marie from Stitch in Time, I know I'd never complete one. My prognosis was 2 years and I'm on 4, for which I am incredibly grateful. I look forward to this every year, it gives me so much hope and reflection on my life .

    May I make a suggestion? I chase down every link you provide,every night, which keeps me up late! But many linkers are not doing albums, they are just people highlighting their blog. I understand the desire, being a blogger myself, to get hits, but it isn't helpful to click on links and see non-album blogs when looking for ideas and inspiration. There are many of them so it takes a lot of time to see them and click away.i agree that many have lovely families but seeing photos of family activities is not what I, and I assumme others, come here for. We are looking for album ideas.

    Of course, there is always compromIse. I don't know who adds the links, but maybe it would be possible to seperate them, one section for family blogs who don't do albums and another for album inspiration? Or perhaps a mark with an astereck or something? I do need my rest but I'll stay up late for DD!

    Thanks for your consideration and for being a muse all these years *hugs*

    Ann

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. jlharbal says…
    12/01/2015

    LOVE your foundation pages! Thank you for the inspiration.
    I made my front cover and "my reason why" page this last weekend. I used your download from last year. It resonated more with me. Who knows...maybe next year I'll have an "intention" :)
    Thanks!
    http://jennifermartinovici.typepad.com/crazyjen/2015/12/dec-daily-2015-cover-reason-why.html

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. rrmason says…
    12/01/2015

    What font did you use for your Intentions page? It is awesome!

    Thanks!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/01/2015

      Are you talking about the text? The text is Sentinel.

    2. rrmason says…
      12/03/2015

      Yes! Thank you!

  19. kgolby says…
    12/02/2015

    Love the tiny 2x2 page with circle tags...so cute! Are you planning on stitching the pockets closed so tags don't slip out? Thanks!

    ...kara

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. AliEdwards says…
      12/02/2015

      I used the Fuse tool to close them up!

  20. mhnice says…
    12/09/2015

    Hi Ali! I think I found those wood veneer stars.

    American Crafts Printshop Laser-Cut Wood Veneer Shapes, Stars, 28-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G990DIK/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_UQpAwbXQQR4CF

    Reply 0 Replies

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