December Daily - Day One and Two

Well, we finally made it to December, and even amidst the chaos of my life at the moment, I really want to do this project this year; even if it means just a few moments of quiet journalling each day to get our story of waiting for Christmas down on paper. I have LOVED the process of putting it together (poor Mike has had to look at every little change I made along the way - he's been a good sport), and these first few days have been great so far.

Here is the cover (it is made of those canvas boards from Michael's, just sawed off to size). It ended up being about 8"X8" - I have loved this size lately, especially for mini-albums.

For a few of the days, I altered some page projectors so I could included a few smaller photos (it's as easy as straight sewing...) Here is Day 1:

and Day 1 before pictures and journals:

The next page is similar to Day 1 (as it is the back of Day 1) The only difference is that I have included numerous journalling blocks throughout the album, so I have a bit more space to write. Here is Day 2:

And Day 2 prior to pictures and journalling:

I love, love, love the simplicity of words and photos.

Have you hugged your kids today?

It has been a week since I began working again. It has been a week of transitions for all of us. It has been an emotional week. It has been a struggle for the kids to make sense of the chaos that seems to be entering their world. It has been hard for me to find my teaching hat again after two years of being out of the classroom. This past week has had it's toll.

What surprises me most about this week is how much I miss my kids. I never realized how much I love getting hugs and kisses from them. I never realized how important my time with them is for me as much as it is for them.

So, hug your kids today. I know I am going to when I get home...

Today...

...I nursed 2 very sick children

...I accepted a 4 week subbing position (that starts next week...aaaaah!)

...I finished the first step of making about 500 croquettes

...I listened to alot of Blues Clues

...I finished another layout

...I checked out some daycares for the very first time in my life

...I worried about my children dying

...I wondered about how things are going to work out

...I watched my kids sleeping (and cried while watching them)

...I am thankful for a husband who encourages, loves, hugs and treasures me

Genius

I ran across this great discussion by Elizabeth Gilbert (the author of "Eat, Pray, Love") and had to share it. I LOVE her take on genius and creativity - what it means and what it doesn't mean. According to Gilbert, if you think you are a genius, it really isn't about you or what you've done or what you've learned or how smart you are, and if you think you aren't a genius, it isn't about what you haven't done or what you can't do or how inept you think you might be.

What I love about this concept is it takes the ego out and puts humility in it's place.

So many times I let fear and doubt make decisions for me - this idea of genius being 'another', takes me out of the equation. If I make something beautiful or write something profound, it is a gift. If what I try flops, it's a learning moment.

It is so amazingly simple.

grrrrrrr...

It has been an insane week of playing catch up on all sorts of projects in the midst of helping out by sister-in-law (who just had the cutest baby ever!!). One of those projects was a video of our family summer vacation to Oregon. It was at least 8 hours of work taking 4 or 5 hours of raw footage to a 20 minute review of our 3 week long trip. I had it all done, saved it for Mike to watch before I burned it onto a DVD when somehow we lost it. I found the file, but somehow it was corrupted and will not open. I see it...but can't open it. Oh, the tears that were shed. So...I am trying again. Hopefully it won't take as long this time. (And this, as I told Mike, is why I make scrapbooks - because they don't just 'get lost') grrrrrrrr...

December Daily 2009: Step Two

You now have a basket full of greens and reds and blues and browns and all the wonderful colours of the holidays. I am so glad there are some of you participating - even if it means just cheering me on! I can't wait to see what people come up with and I'm looking forward to sharing my finished product, too!! It is time to switch brains a bit, and move onto step two.

1. Put on some Christmas music (very quietly in the background)

2. Decide on the size and format of your album.

This is where the fun begins...and where your creativity comes in. There are so many options for mini-albums (one of the reasons I LOVE them so very much) - anything from square 6X6 post-bound protected pages to every page being a different size. There are quite a few blogs out there that showcase different ideas. Here are a few ideas, and you can also just type in mini album in google for loads of images...(and if you need help figuring out how one is made, I am the queen of 'lifitng', so I can probably help you figure out how it's done!)

I am planning on using different mediums for each page - including cardstock, envelopes, transparencies, chipboard and fabric, but because this is YOUR album and YOUR Christmas celebrations, do what works best for you. Keep in mind that keeping your photos 4X6 (and designing your album around that size) makes it ALOT easier to slap it in each day. Also - if you don't use your computer to journal, it is probably a good idea to have some space for journaling laid out so you just have to jot your thoughts about the picture/day.

Most importantly, have fun thinking about what you want this to look like. My experience has been that if I plan properly, the putting together of things is pretty much brainless (the old "measure twice-cut once" rule that Mike reminds me of so very often). That being said, I know no everyone's brains works the same way mine does :).

Check back for more steps in the December Daily process and remember to book off the weekend of the 6th for putting your album together.

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On another note - here is a layout I put together for a class I am taking - it is the intro layout, and I was so happy to blow this picture up and use it (and yes, it is a bit vain, but you have to admit, I was a cute kid...)

December Daily 2009

Well, here we are, just under a week away from Halloween (please don't ask me about costumes...), and it is time to start thinking about Christmas and all the wonderful family traditions and decorations and food and baking and ambience that goes along with the season. What bettter way to remember all these family traditions that through a december daily? And I am inviting you to join me in starting this journey.

I have never made one (so you can't use that as your excuse!), but am taking my inspiration from ali edwards, and her plethora of ideas and motivation. This is a great place to start, if you are looking for alot more information or just some answers to your questions.

This is actually a very simple process; not very complicated, especially when it is broken down into a few easy steps. So, the first step is to gather your materials...what does this mean exactly?

1. Put on a Christmas CD

2. Find a box/basket

3. Find all your Christmas paper/Christmas ribbon/Christmas embellishments (are you getting the hint - anything Christmas that might work in a mini album) and put it in the box/basket. Don't worry about things matching to having too much or too little stuff; just throw it all in a box and we'll worry about that later.

4. Take a deep breath, and go have a cup of tea. :)

One of the key things to making this project work is having it done in advance so the only thing you have to worry about in December is enjoying the season and slapping on a picture with some journalling (all of 10 minutes each day). So, in order to get this album put together, I have set aside Friday evening, November 6 and all day Saturday, November 7 at a friend's social room in her condo building (lots of room for everyone to create). If anyone is interested in joining me, I would LOVE to share this journey with you (remember, this is my first time too!). This isn't a "class" or something that I would "lead" - just a space for idea sharing and encouraging and laughing together. Let me know if you are interested in joining me, and I will set a space aside for you.

And for those of you who live very far away, please come along on the journey - there is no reason you can't join in the fun. (why not open your home and get some friends together on the same weekend?)

I'm off to find a basket and get my Christmas supplies in it...that's not too overwhelming for the next few days is it?? Check back in a few days for the next step...