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.

Comments

[Maria]

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 :)

[cathy]

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!...

[Jeanette]

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. :)

[Kathryn Johnson]

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

[Steph]

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

[kim bolyard]

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

[rani Shah]

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

[Deb Wisker]

Cool beans! Love the album!!

[rani Shah]

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

[melissa w]

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!!

[Anna-Marie Still]

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!

[rachel carlson]

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

[leslie]

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

[Haylee]

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.

[Joscelyne (Joscie) Cutchens]

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

[leslie]

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

[Kimberly White]

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

[Donna J.]

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

[erin yamabe]

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

[Anne Marie]

So cool!

[Denise]

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!

[Annie]

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

[anna]

OMG Ali , this is stunning, love it!

[Christine Villacarlos]

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

[Amy Z]

you make me giddy with all your ideas! LOL!

[Aimee]

i am so in on this project. just thinking about documenting the days leading up to Christmas makes me giddy. And that my friend, is what it is all about!

THANKS FOR INSPIRING ME>

[Tina]

LOVE this!!!!

Great idea.
You rock!

[Mary Rogers]

so excited about this albu Ali!! top of my list....we are having my mil for Christmas...so much to do and never enough time.

Just Be.

[Cate]

You completely blow me away! You are the most creative person and you always share it with us! I love you for it!!! I can hardly wait to see what else you create this Christmas!!

[Heather]

Thank you for the inspiration today!! I love the idea about the frame and the bottle caps and the advent in a box!! Has me thinking of our traditions and the things I need to get started on for this holiday season.

[Shelly]

You are amazing! You inspire! Thanks!
What kind of adhesive do you use on the acrylic and acetate pages?

[Jill]

I love this project and am going to try to complete one of my own. So inventive. I love the mixture of sizes and shapes with the pages.

[Nicky Anderson]

Always inspiring Ali and creative. Love the ideas, may have to try and fit some in around the xmas quilting projects!!!

[Marty]

thanks for all the Christmas tips in this post. I'd love to take Shimelle's class! Have a great day! :)

[Gayle]

LOVE IT!
I can't wait to see more.

[MichelleW]

Very cool! Love it that others' are already into the holiday spirit. Been listening to my Christmas tunes for weeks already (and embarrassed to say that out loud!!). Inspiring, once again. Thanks!

[Teresa]

What a gorgeous idea!!!! Love it!

[stolenbaby]

You are such an inspiration! I am new to your blog and just adore it:) Even tho I have all of your books, it's so great to be able to check out your archives and keep current on what you are creating.
I saw you and Simon at Scrapbook Fever some time back, but would have felt like a dork saying "Hi!" My DD recognized you both first-she's 6;) Simon is just a doll.

Thanks for sharing your life with us!

Marcee
Canby, OR

[Erin]

Ali.....I JUST did this idea for the month of October! I'm still working on the last days, and it is turning out SO cute. We did so much in October, and I wanted a little place for pictures and journaling every day.

[Karla]

GORGEOUS!!!!! I just figured out the idea of setting up my Christmas album BEFORE Christmas :)

I am going to be VERY busy during the Holiday season but hope to get all my artsy stuff done smoothly! Thanks for sharing ^----^

-Karla

[kate]

k, I LOVE the Christmas collage frame you did last year... I am definitely adding that to my to do list for this year... I have already made 8 handmade gifts... I am hoping to finish up with gifts in time to make some fun decor for the home... nice

[CocoCupcake]

sooo cute love that album!!

[suzi finer]

loving the acrylic wave...

[Judi D]

Love Holiday1 - I was looking for ideas for house warming gift for my niece. This will be perfect for 1st time home owners who may not have much Xmas decorations. Thanks

[Maggie]

You inspire me. And that takes a lot. Thanking God for you today. The Lord has so gifted you to be a blessing to others by the work of your hands. I praise God for that today. Keep being a blessing!

[Shelley Haganman]

I am in LOVE with transparencies and anything clear! Love the album and really love the Advent box project! Shelley Haganman

[Pam]

Love the clear book, what a great idea!
Thanks for sharing.

[Penny]

I absolutely love this. Brilliant.

[paige]

this has to be the cutest , most creative book i've seen done this year!!!!
running, not walking, to buy the CK so i can check it out completely.
thanks for such a fun inspiration.
i LOVE IT!!!!!
xo

[Barb]

Ali - I totally am in love with your acrylic album - would love to be able to make one for myself but don't even know where to begin! How about teaching this class online???PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE?!!!!

[maggie Holmes]

ali, you seriously amaze me!! not only with your creativity but that you find and make the time to actually bring all of your amazing thoughts to fruition. i can't tell you how many things i want to do but never do.... maybe it has something to do with having 4 kids 6 and under! :) anyway, love your album! such a cool idea - hopefully i can figure out a way to get something like this done this year!

[Lindsey Trego]

What kind of adhesive do you use when adhering acyrlic to paper?

[Wendy]

I was wondering about the bottle caps. My friend and I have been saving bottlecaps because we wanted to make pins, but we don't know what to fill the caps with after we put our design in them. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks

[Mireia Carbonell]

i love this project aly!

[aster lim i-mei]

hey ali. can we heat emboss on transparencies?

[Julie Howard]

Ali, I just love this album! I have been working with acrylic a lot lately, and have been having so much fun. This is such a clever idea, and will work so well to remember all the things we have planned for December! Thanks for the inspiration!

Julie

[Jackie]

What a fabulous idea! I love the acrylic look. Thanks for taking the time to share all your ideas!