Lucky, lucky girl

Holiday Daily 2011 - Days 2 & 3

I completed both yesterday and today already. I also have ideas plotted out about 75 percent of the remaining days before Christmas.  It feels good to be organized and on top of this project. Of course, it is only Day 3...

Day 2 - November 26

For Day 2, I chose to document letters to Santa. So that grandparents and other family could get a jump on holiday shopping, we had the kids look through toy catalogs last night and circle what they wanted. Then, they each picked out a couple of things to include in a letter to Santa.  Madtown also wrote a letter to Holly Claus, who is in a book we have been reading the last couple of days.

Included 2 photos - one of Madtown writing and one of Little Man helping me to write his on his colored/stickered paper.  Added ribbon (Michaels) a circle punch of corrugated paper (saved from a cover cup holder from our local coffee shop) and a Dear Santa pin from Evalicious. 

On the right is a photo of Madtown's letter (at least the first page) with all of her adorable Kindergarten spelling attached to some kraft cardstock (Kraft Depot). I added a circle tag with some October Afternoon Paper and October Afternoon letter M.  Since the tag was a little too white (and my punch of paper a hair too small) I also sprayed the circle tag with Mr. Huey's Classic and then Tattered Angels Glimmer.  I did the same for Little Man (with a D).

Flip the page and you see Little Man's letter and my letter to Santa describing our letter writing and what the kids want.

Typed letter with my vintage typewriter.  Elle's Studio tag.  Star is painted red and with glitter paint.  The Santa is Anna Griffin. 

Day 3 - November 27

For Day 3, I documented the Nativity Sets. Seemed appropriate as they have been played with constantly since I unpacked them on Friday.

Layout was inspired by an Inspire Co. catalog page.  I typed the text again with my vintage typewriter (I recently moved this into my craft space and love the convenience of pulling it out and typing with it - even easier than typing up on the computer).  The page is edged with 7 Gypsies Gaffer Tape. I sprayed the 2 and 7 with a healthy does of Tattered Angels Scarlet Glimmer Mist (love how easy that makes to recolor raw chipboard).  I added some ribbon and a Making Memories plastic flower.

Having fun so far. Hoping I can keep it up.

Holiday Day Daily - Day 1 (November 25)

I have decided to participate in the "December Daily" project again this year.  This will be my fourth year and it is one of my favorite memory keeping projects.  As our holiday season begins with our tree trimming the day after Thanksgiving, my "Holiday Daily" album starts with November 25th.

Cover and Title Page

I decided to go with a 6x8 chipboard album this year. A little bigger than I have done the first couple of years, but a little smaller than my 8 1/2 x 11 last year. For the cover, I covered both front and back with some great vintagey paper. I added a burlap ribbon, another ribbon from my stash and a large chipboard star - painted red with red glitter.

I couldn't find a way to include the year on the cover that I was happy with, so I chose to go with a title page.  I used my vintage typewriter to type the title and date and added some washi tape. Simple and setting a theme of simplicity for this years album. 

Day 1 - November 25

Day one highlights our Friday tradition - trimming the tree and putting out the holiday decorations.

I knew early on that I wanted to include a photo of the tree and lights. I had read an article last year about blurring the lights and loved the look.

I added some Ali Edwards word art to that left photo (I plan to use a lot of full page photos this year - love that look - and chose and album size that will let me do that easily).

The right side is a hambly transparency with a tag to incorporate the date.  To do the tag, I set 2 chipboard numbers (2 and 5 for the 25th) and sprayed with Mister Huey in white. There wasn't enough contrast, so I went back over with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Scarlet. Still not enough, so I went back and traced the edges with a gold pen. In the end, I like how it turned out.

To incorporate the day's story (decorating the tree and house), I printed off three photos from tree decorating and attached them to folded cardstock.

Ribbon behind the photo is Terese Collins and the little tab is October Afternoon. It folds open and I stamped "the tree" and hand drew a little journaling box.

Very simple. I expect that some days I will be feeling more creative, but I am good with this start.

It's fun to be doing this project again. Now I just need to figure out what I want to include for today. 

Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I am sitting here, a little quiet time while the kids rest and the turkey (for our impromptu Thanksgiving dinner hosting) roasts and thinking of all I have to be thankful for (including my little bit of quiet right now).

Thankful for...these two, who get along more than they don't and who's hugs and kisses can brighten any day.

Thankful for...this guy, who is my anchor.  Who is wonderful. Even if we drive each other commpletely nuts sometimes.

Thankful for...the time that this wonderful grandfather was living so near us and the relationship he had with my children.  We miss him dearly.

Thankful for...the beautiful (and extended) fall we have been enjoying. Time to play. 

Thankful for...creative time. Alone. With the Kids.  Just time to get fingers dirty.

Thankful for... photos. Of good times. Of memories.  Of our family.

Thankful that the holiday season is upon us.  I love this time of year.