Calvinball Bonus Rule #2 - Using a GIS Sketch or template

One of the first rules that was added to Calvinball this year was to use sketches from Get It Scrapped.  I love using sketches as a starting point for my scrapbook layouts.  If left to my own devices, all of my layouts start to look the same.  The use of sketches helps me break out of my box in this way.  I tend to modify and alter sketches to better suit my photos and the story I am documenting.  I may rotate the sketch or change the sizes of the photos.

Always and Forever Sisters

I created this first page, Always and Forever Sisters, of my daughter and her oldest (step)sister, using a sketch (#101) from Get It Scrapped.  I really liked the mix of photos and embellishments that it shows in the sketch.  It also provides a good deal of white space potential.  I used one of my page kits that I created for my Calvinball Prep. 

Amazing, Beautiful You!

I also created Amazing, Beautiful You! using a Get It Scrapped Sketch (#97).  This layout is a letter to my daughter about all the ways that she amazes me every single day.  In the journaling I noted how loved she makes me feel and her recent tendency to pass out hugs and kisses, which has been a nice change from a few months before when she was rather stingy with giving out love.  I also created this page with the same page kit as the first one above.

Let Your Style Shine

You can see that my style still shines through these pages despite having used sketches for both of them.  My favorite things to add to scrapbooking layouts are gems or sequins and other small little bits within my clustered areas.  I also included my handwriting for my journaling, which I try to do for every layout.  And of course, I love including patterned paper - its my favorite product to buy!  You can find even more sketches for inspiration on my Pinterest Board.  Get It Scrapped as a ton of sketches on their blog as well.

Increase Your Productivity and Speed with Sketches

Usually sketches increase the speed and productivity for my scrapping, which is one of the reasons I enjoy using them.  Especially in a competitive speed scrapbooking challenge like Calvinball!  When I start with a sketch I spend about 30 minutes per layout.  Normally layouts like these two would have taken me at least an hour to complete.  The reason sketches greatly increase my productivity and speed is because the design choices have been made for you already.  Even better, by combining sketches with prepped page kits you can be even more productive and open yourself up to increased creativity as design and product choices have already been decided!

Do you use sketches in your scrapbooking?  Do they seem to help or hinder you in your process?  I'd love to hear about any other sketch resources you have, just leave me a comment down below!

What is a Brain Dump?

Making Brain Dumps Part of Your Routine

Scheduling Based on Location

Scheduling Based on Kids and Distractions

Brain Dumps for Idea Generation

Tips and Resources

I’ve been using a bullet journal for several years on and off.  This year, since my Word of the Year is Focus - I want to really work on daily plans so that I can focus on getting at least my top three goals completed each day.  Last month, I did okay at daily planning, but I'm hoping by simplifying some part of my process that I will do even better this month!

Why I Plan

Let's take just a minute and discuss planning.  There is magic in the act of putting your intentions down on paper.  Somehow things just seem to happen once you write them down.  This applies not only to your big dreams and goals, but also to your daily tasks!  That is why I'm working on making daily planning part of my routine.  I'm a very busy Momma to a lovely 2 year old, and planning helps me to remember life's little moments (through my monthly calendar and daily notes), while also letting me get stuff done so I can actually focus on my daughter.

When I don't write stuff down, it all builds up in my head until my head feels like it's going to explode.  I will get more frequent and downright horrid migraines if I don't get that crap out of my head.  That's one reason that I love brain dumps as part of my daily planning sessions.  It gets all that junk that is bouncing around in there out of my head and onto paper so I can actually start crossing it off!

Another reason I plan is that it actually helps to increase my focus.  The act of planning helps me figure out what my top priorities for the day are, and planning helps me to break those priorities into action steps so that I can actually get them done without feeling overwhelmed!  Now, let's take a peek at how January worked out for me in my bullet journal and what February is starting to look like.

Changes, Experiments, and Lessons Learned.

In January, I experimented with the addition of a weekly layout as a way to track the tasks that I accomplished each day.  These tasks were my "Big 3" tasks and goals that I decided were my priority for each day.  While I did love being able to review all the these I accomplished at the end of the week that moved me forward in my bigger goals, I found that by adding this extra step to my planning process resulted in me simply not filling them out.  Plus, my daughter was sick for the last two weeks in January, which probably didn't help with using these weekly layouts.  Therefore, I decided for February to just nix them and move back to using strictly my daily pages for planning.

Another thing that I'm switching up for February is playing around with having an editorial calendar spread so that I can have easier access to the content that I am creating for my blog, YouTube, and other social media outlets (like Twitter and Instagram).  I created a spread that divides each page into two quadrants that gives me enough lines for two weeks on each page.  I also divided these weeks into four separate sections, one for each of the social media areas that I'm focusing on creating content for (Blog, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter).  I made sure that each week had 7 lines, so that I have each day of the week represented and can make notes on what content I've created for each platform on that day.  So far, I really like seeing everything altogether in this fashion, but this spread may need additional tweaking for next month.  We will see how it works out!

Finally, I've decided to allow myself some leyway with color coding, at least until I can find my highlighters that are currently MIA.  Last month, I did pretty good about coloring for about half the month and then it completely dropped off (I'll continue to blame my daughter being sick, despite the fact that it just added another step that put me off this whole planning process).  Instead, I'm going to outline the boxes in black pen this month for my monthly tracker and daily time tracker (with written notes on what I was doing), and then color code it later - probably at the end of the month because that's how I am.

That’s pretty much my setup so far for 2016.  I’m sure it will continue to evolve and change - that’s one of my favorite parts of the Bullet Journal system, it can work for you however you need it to!

Peek at My Current Art Journal

Using Pocket Page Protectors and Project Life to Catch Up on December Daily

I’ve fallen way behind this week in my December Daily process.  I had a major infection in my mouth due to a tooth that needed removed in the second week of December and never managed to get caught back up! I decided to focus my second week of December Daily on using pocket page style protectors and project life cards so that I could work on quickly catching back up. 

December Week Two Highlights

The highlights of our week included treating ourselves to Starbucks, getting my tooth pulled, looking at Christmas lights with Atty, and making Jello Jigglers.  We also took an inventory of what Christmas presents had already been purchased (I shop throughout the year), and decided what else we needed to buy.  We played, a lot!  Atty loves to toss balloons back and forth.  She can play with a balloon for about an hour, which is amazing in toddler time.  I also picked up a couple new learning games for her.  One was a matching card game using seasonal (winter) icons, and she had such a blast playing with it!  We also began our traditional holiday evening movies marathon.  We started with watching Elf, and also managed to watch The Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty, and The Cat in the Hat's Christmas special this week.

Choosing Your Cards and Page Protectors

I started my process this week by choosing a selection of pocket page style cards and protectors that would accommodate my photos from the week.  I also wanted to leave some openings to add in some clear elements and shaker pockets.  I used a mix of different manufacturers such as Simple Stories, Pink Paislee, and Becky Higgins Project Life (Heritage Core Kit).

The Project Life App

Another way that you can catch up quickly on your December Daily project is through the Project Life app if you have an iPhone.  I did a quick review this week on the print quality and how you create a project in the app.  This would be a great way to quickly get caught up on December Daily, so that all you have to do is slip them into 6x8 (or whatever size) pockets and move on to this week!  I also used this app to do my journaling and create collages of my photos for this week.  I enjoy processing my photos this way because everything is all together when I get to assembling my pages.

 

Washi Tape Shaker Pockets

Embellish to Tell the Story

How is your December Daily process going so far?   Are you behind?  Are you still excited about this project?  What are some of the things you’re loving about it?  I’m loving how my December Daily album is beginning to come together.  It is so interesting to see your foundation pages fill up with photos and memories.  It’s like your photos and memories are breathing life into your album. 

Highlights from Week 1 of December Daily

Friday the 4th

Atty started the day off with some hot cocoa and wanting to wear her big girl undies.  She wore two pairs throughout the morning, until she peed in them - which made her mighty upset.  After round two, she decided she wanted the diaper back on, which was perfect timing for nap. 

Saturday the 5th

We headed out for shopping around 10 am.  Atty ended up falling asleep in the car for a nap so we drove around for while, and I hit the scrapbooking store to pick up some new goodies for my December Daily, and then we headed to Walmart for groceries and Christmas shopping.  Along the way in Walmart, we found quite a few good ideas for Atty, including a trike that she loved.  We let her have the trike early, and she was able to get a good ride round the neighborhood.  I also got some super cute pictures of me and Atty in the grass. 

Sunday the 6th 

Jamie and I were up all night on Saturday, so when Atty woke up I stayed up with her and Jamie went to bed for a while.  I made her a yummy breakfast of peanut butter toast and banana.  We enjoyed a morning of cuddles and Little Einsteins and Bubble Guppies.  I ended up sleeping most of the afternoon and into the evening, once he woke up.  Then we cuddled up and watched the new Lion Guard movie (again).  And Atty cuddled on me until she fell asleep.

My Thoughts After One Week of December Daily

I think it’s going pretty well since I’m working on it in increments and playing with a variety of techniques and tools for my December Daily Quickies.  The quickies are helping me progress through my album and helping with limiting choices that would otherwise get me stuck.  This is a great way to keep yourself interested in the project, just switch things up and work on different parts of your album.  Another tip is to keep it simple on days that you have a lot of pictures or the world is keeping you hustling and bustling.  For example, I created just a simple 4x6 journaling card about the day that I had a migraine that knocked me on my butt for the entire day.

Capture Everyday Stories

Don’t forget to capture your everyday stories.  I know we are all in full holiday swing,  but your everyday life is important too.  I’ve had several everyday stories that I’ve already included in my December Daily, along with holiday stories.  I’ve included stuff about our first December snow, my daughter’s fascination with hot cocoa, her desire to wear big girl undies, and her love of the Christmas tree (which includes hugs).  I’ve also included our holiday stories about putting up the Christmas tree and going shopping for gifts and making paper chains as a family. 

Feeling Uninspired with Your Photos?

Sometimes the thing that holds me back during December Daily is a lack of ideas for what kind of photos I should take.  Here's some quick ideas to help give you a jumpstart if you're feeling uninspired.

• Get some selfies of you in this season.  Especially, if you’re the main photographer of your family.  RuKristin does a wonderful series called Thursday Three, where you take a self portrait and list 3 things about you right now.  This is a great way to get some photos of you into your album.
• Get some photos of your shopping.  This could be your shopping list, your items as you’re checking out, unloading the goodies from your vehicle, stashing them wherever you hide presents until you get to the wrapping step - or even wrapping if you’re ahead of the game! 
• I love tree photos.  Not only of the whole decorated tree, but close up of favorite ornaments, the process of decorating, and children around the tree. 
• I don’t know about you, but I live on coffee.  Especially at this time of year.  Have you gotten any shots of your coffee mugs yet?  It doesn’t have to be your Starbucks or a special treat.  This could be a great time to document a favorite mug, or even a favorite kind of coffee or creamer.  I’ve taken photos of my favorite seasonal creamer in the past (Peppermint Mocha), as well as a variety of mugs. 
• What about your home?  Have you taken any pictures of the interior of your home yet?  Our homes seem to change during this time of year.  From fireplace mantles to coats hung up, even our kitchens!  Show us what life actually looks like for you in December.

December Daily Week 1 Video Flipthrough

I filmed a video flip through of my album so far, including dates and photos for the first week.  Hopefully, it will give you some inspiration on ways to incorporate a little extra something into your December Daily.



Check out more December Daily videos on the December Daily 2015 playlist I’ve created on YouTube.  It includes all video flip-throughs of my mini album so far, as well as all of the December Quickies!  Please comment below on how your December Daily project is going so far, I'd love to hear all about it!

December Daily Quickies (2 & 3)

Often, when we get new products, we immediately want to use them without fully understanding how.  Stamping is one of these areas for me.  I’ve been addicted to stamping for a long time, but they can be a considerable investment.  If you’re anything like me, stamping is a technique that can cause dread.  I always feel like I’m going to mess it up, and my project as well!  It’s definitely a technique that lives in the bottom of my toolbox!  Despite this, stamping can be a great way to create some custom pieces for your projects quite quickly.  Today’s December Daily Quickie is all about trying out some stamping and letting go of the need to have a perfect finished piece.  The nice thing about using this technique for December Daily is you can easily create a project life card (or pocket page card) and if you absolutely hate it, you haven’t completely ruined your entire project (or scrapbooking layout).

I’m totally in the beginner phase of this technique and what I’ve learned has mostly been trial and error.  Jennifer McGuire is a great resource if you want to learn more.  I enjoy stamping to create my own custom papers, backgrounds, project life cards, tags, and journaling cards, despite my stamping issues.  Today, I’ll walk you through stamping some custom project life or pocket page style cards that you can use in your December Daily album.

I have gained an understanding about myself, that my stamping will not be perfect right now.  Not without practice.  So I’m trying to incorporate stamping into more of my art and crafting.  And I’m trying to accept the imperfections that come because they add more handmade charm.  As you play and practice, you will get better.  Even if you don’t have the desired success the first time, you can keep at it.

Selecting Inks

For these four project life/pocket style cards I used a selection of Christmas and Winter themed stamps plus a few everyday stamps mixed in.  The inks I am using are Distress Ink - Mermaid’s Lagoon, Colorbox - Gold, and Memento - Black.  Distress Inks and Memento are water-based dye inks, while the Colorbox is a pigment ink.  Dye inks are water-soluable so they will react if you try adding water or other water-based materials (like markers, watercolors, or other Distress products).  Dye inks dry a bit quicker than pigment inks, because pigment ink doesn’t soak into the paper like dye inks.  This quality about pigment inks makes them a good choice when you are going to be heat embossing.

I always have a harder time using colored inks - they don’t stamp cleanly for me.  I have some real issues with Distress Inks stamping properly.  I’m not sure why I have these issues and it’s something I’m continuing to experiment with so that I can figure out what I’m doing wrong.  I prefer to use just plain black ink for stamping, as I seem to get the best impressions that way without messing up constantly.  But for today, I decided to get some practice, experiment, and play.  These cards will be used for my December Daily days 3 and 4.

2nd Generation Filler Card

The first card I created is a filler style card.  I chose an image of a snowflake from Close To My Heart (Flurries) and the Distress Ink (Mermaid’s Lagoon) and the Gold Colorbox ink.  I tested out the stamp ink colors that I had pulled out that I thought would coordinate with the other papers and supplies that I have in my December Daily Kit.  I decided that to get a blue that would best coordinate with my other supplies I would do a second generation stamped image in the Mermaid’s Lagoon.  So I stamped a full strength version onto a scrap piece of paper and then stamped my 3x4 card.  I started my 3x4 card with a blue snowflake in the middle of the card, and continued stamping working my way to the outside of the card.  I wanted a symmetrical design so I stamped two gold snowflakes on either side of the blue, slightly offset from the blue and off the edge of the card. 

Using a Background Stamp Plus Focal Images to Create a Filler Card

The second card that I created is another filler style card using a Dylusion background stamp set (Graphic Backgrounds) and Studio G stamps.  I started with a Dylusion stamp of text.  It looks like a bunch of writing, scribbles, overlapping one another.  I did another second generation stamped impression using the Mermaid’s Lagoon color so that my cards would coordinate.  I love the Dylusion stamps.  For some reason I seem able to get good impressions from them.  I also like that I can use the Dylusions without any kind of mount and can just pounce the stamp across my surface with little concern if the impression turns out perfect.  After I stamped the Dylusion stamp across my card, I wanted to bring in some focal images from the Studio G stamp sets.  I chose the word art “Let it Snow” and some snowflakes.  I scattered the “Let It Snow” randomly on my card in black ink.  For the snowflake clusters, I chose to use the full strength Distress Ink to add some contrast to the card.  I also stamped a border for the card using the snowflake border stamp that is part of the Studio G set.

Learning from a Fail

I attempted to stamp using the Distress Ink and some journaling style stamps to create some journaling 3x4 cards.  Unfortunately, I had some issues with getting a clean impression.  My image ended up looking very blotchy so I tried stamping it several times, just to get a couple of images that don’t look horrible.  I think I was simply pressing too hard, but I’m not 100% sure.  Despite, the fact that I can’t use these for a journaling card, I can cut these out and put them on a tag or something and still make use of them.  Don’t be afraid to have a piece that doesn’t work out how you expected it to.  Try to find a new use for it!

Mixing Everyday Stamps with Seasonal Projects

The last card, I decided to use some everyday stamps.  I applied the same ideas as the first card for my background of the gold circles.  I took the Colorbox Gold Pigment ink and a circle stamp from Martha Stewart’s Heart and Flower stamp set, and I began stamping with one circle in the center and the others in a symmetrical design on the sides of the first.  I also decided to stamp the coffee cup from TPC Studio’s Coffee Cafe stamp set as a focal image using the Black Memento ink.  I still felt like the card needed something, so I added the sentiment.  This card will be used in my December Daily to represent the day that I had a migraine.  I tried everything to get rid of that thing, including some rather excess amounts of coffee.  Don’t forget you can add in your everyday stamps that you have in your stash by using similar colors that you are using in your seasonal projects.  Snowflakes, presents, and holly are not the only icons you are allowed to include in your December Daily!


I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s December Daily Quickie.  I’d love to see any projects you make with your stamps!  And if you have any tips for making stamping easier, please share in the comments below! 



Remember, its okay to not be a master at something.  You grow by practicing and experimenting.  It's okay to play, even if you don’t have the desired success.  Imperfections in stamping simply adds to the handmade character of the piece.  

How is your December Daily coming along so far?  I'm still playing a bit of catch up myself!  I have always started my December Daily on Thanksgiving, because it is the beginning of our Holiday season (and since I work in retail Thanksgiving has become Christmas shopping part 1).  So I'm working on documenting the several days leading up to the start of December.  Beginning on the 28th of November, we began the process of putting up the Christmas tree and decorating.  This is Atty's first Christmas being involved in the holiday preparations (she's only two), so she's super excited about all of these new changes.  The page of my December Daily that I'm working on today is all about her first experiences with the tree and also the process of making some paper chains to decorate the tree with. 

Let's Cluster!

December Daily Quickie #1 is all about creating clusters.  Clusters are literally just a grouping of elements that can either be used to further tell your stories or add a little bit of design to your page.  Clusters are a great way to add a pop of embellishment with little effort.  There are so many different ways that you can create your clusters from layering washi tape or scraps of patterned paper to tags and diecuts or stickers.  Clusters can be complicated or simple.  If you have only fifteen minutes and you want to add a bit of detail to your photos, using clusters is a fabulous technique. They work in pocket page layouts, scrapbooking layouts, or even in your planner!

Think About Your Embellishment as a Story-telling Element

This is an example of one of the photo mats that I create using clusters of diecuts.  My photo will go on the front of the card, while my journaling will go on the back.  These will tell the story of our family creating paper chains with markers, crayons, paint and inks, along with some glitter on red, green, and white cardstock.  These sheets will be cut and assembled later so that my daughter can help hang them onto the tree!  I wanted to continue this story through the use of my embellishments, so I choose elements that reminded me of decorating the tree.  The trim the tree banner was definitely a favorite for beginning to tell this story.  When I found the diecut about the tree ornament hangers, I just knew I wanted to use it for this story as well.  I continued the storytelling elements through the use of the stars, which were a common element on the decorated sheets. 

Top Tips for Creating Clusters

• Start with something that you can use as base piece - this may be your photo mat, a tag, or a large diecut or a scrap depending on what you are planning on using your cluster for later. 
• Once you have your base piece, decide on what your large elements will be and begin to place them, scatter your medium size pieces and end with your smaller pieces. 
• Make sure to overlap pieces and tuck pieces behind others. 
• Inking all the edges with ink can give a consistent feel for the whole piece.  Or you could outline with pen.
• Add finishing touches such as splatters of ink/sprays, enamel dots, doodles, or whatever small details you feel are needed. 
• Odd numbers of similar items in your clusters can make them really interesting - odd numbers seem to attract the eye better.  For example, three different but round elements can make a great cluster when combined together.
• Other ideas of items to use in your clusters - flowers, doilies, enamel dots, stamped images, scraps, punched shapes

For my clusters today, I’m inking my edges in black Memento Ink and focusing on using diecuts from a K&Company and a Heidi Swapp (Believe) diecut packs.  Also, I’m trying to keep these clusters fairly flat, since the clusters will be part of my photo mats that are tucked into pockets, and I don’t want anything to get stuck or not come out of the pockets properly.  No matter how you decide to create your clusters - packed full of embellishment goodness or simple and elegant, just remember to have fun!


My second photo mat will tie in with a photo of my husband reading a book to my daughter.  I wanted to keep embellishments to a mininum on this piece, because I will be printing a 3x4 photo for the front and a 3x4 journaling card for the back.  So I really didn't have much room for much decorating.  But I still wanted to add a little touch of something.  So I pulled out some washi tape to act as a base for my diecut corners and added that cute Heidi Swapp banner at the top to go along with the photo of my daughter and my husband during their reading time.

Plus 3 More Photo Mats

While I was able to create two of my photo mat clusters on video, I did finish three of them off camera so that I could complete my spread.  This photo mat will hold a picture of me in the process of finishing putting the tree up and spreading out the branches.  So I thought the Deck The Halls tree from the K&Company diecut pack was the perfect fit!  I kept this card really simply and just used the tree, some border stickers, and the joy word piece from Heidi Swapp (Believe) to finish it off.


This photo mat is another one that I kept simple.  The photo for this piece is of Atty wearing her Santa's hat, while I continue to work on the Christmas tree.  Since it's the opening day for our album, I thought the Season's Greetings sentiment worked quite well!  The back side of this photo mat is a large diecut from K&Company.


 The last card I have to show you for today is for some 2x2 photos of my daughter knocking the tree over onto to me.  Yep.  The little stinker thought that was the best thing ever!  For this photo mat, I played around with some punched shapes (the Christmas trees and tiny stars) as well as some circles I fussy cut from a piece of patterned paper.


The backside of the card is a Christmas recipe card that I cut down just a smidge so it would fit onto my photo mat.  The journaling and another 2x2 photo will end up on this part of the card, so I decided not to embellish yet.


I hope I have inspired you to get creative with your embellishing and incorporate some of your storytelling elements into this part!  Look at some of your items in new and different ways!  You can use a Christmas recipe card as a journaling spot, or as a photo mat!  Pattern paper can be cut up for decorative elements and punches can be used to create your own diecut pieces.  While I was embellishing photo mats, you could also use these ideas to create your own Project Life style cards for your December Daily album.

Don't Forget Your Small Stories

The last several days have just been about small stories in our family.  On the second, it snowed for a bit.  So day 2 is all about our first snow in December.  It was coming down pretty hard in the morning when we left for daycare.  Atty was excited to be able to come home and play in the snow after school.  Unfortunately, it snowed throughout the day until about noon and then it melted before she got home!  It wasn’t very sticky snow - I never saw any on the road, just a soft dusting on the grass and the roofs.


Day 3 is all about my migraine.  I had a horrible migraine from the time I woke up and it continued through the entire day.  Jamie even drew a bath for me and I soaked for about an hour in complete darkness and it never let up.  I even took a nap for several hours and the darn thing hung on tight.  Coffee and Dr. Pepper and food didn’t even take the edge off.  It’s been a miserable sort of day where I can barely think a coherent thought.  I have no photo from this day, and I’m not sure how I’ll document it for my album.  Perhaps I’ll just write this story on a journaling card and that will be sufficient.

How is your December Daily progressing so far?  Leave me a comment and let me know about your successes and your problems so far with this awesome project!

I'm so excited that December is here! I'm a little bit behind on my December Daily posts this week, because of a bout of migraines. I hope you'll forgive me! First off, my new project, December Daily Quickies, began yesterday. I have already shared a selection of the supplies I will be using this month, along with my foundation pages so far. I filmed a quick introduction video, just in case you've missed the premise of the project.

December Daily Quickies Project

Basically, throughout the month of December, I will be posting quick 10 to 15 minute videos to help encourage and inspire you to creatively document your December memories and get your stories down onto paper. No matter if you are a scrapbooker or an art journaler or just a planner enthusiast, these quick ideas should help you to use some of the supplies you have on hand to embellish and actually finish your December memory keeping projects this year! These videos are designed to give you inspiration that can actually fit into your busy December days. I hope you'll join along with me this month as we document these precious and magical moments this month.

The Rental Car - Our December 1st Story

Today, I'm also sharing some highlights from our family's December 1st.  Our December 1st story began with the car not starting again when I went to take Atty to daycare around 5:30 am.  This has been an ongoing problem for us - this is like the fifth time in the last month.  So after we found someone who could a) break into the car - because the power locks weren’t working and b) jump the car.  I managed to get my daughter to daycare and headed to get the car fixed - cuz I’m over this thing!


The repair shop told me they would try to get the car fixed by the end of the day, but no guarantees.  I was expecting to hang out at the repair for a couple hours and then be able to use my car for the rest of the day!  Unfortunately, I could either have a shuttle take me somewhere and find a ride back when it was done, or I could rent a car.  So I rented a car, because I had things to do and a daughter to pick up before “sometime” when the car might be fixed.  The rental car was a beautiful 2014 Ford Focus.  It was a dream to drive.  When I finally got the call around 3:30pm that my car was done, I was a bit sad to have to return the car.  I only drove about 30 miles in it and it cost about a 1.50 for the gas, but it was awesome to drive in something that smooth and gorgeous!

So that's our story for the 1st of December.  I'd love to hear about what you are documenting for your December so far!  Check back tomorrow for more stories from our December, plus the first December Daily Quickie!

Today, let’s talk foundation pages.  No matter what size album you have decided to use, your next step is deciding on what size of pages you will include in your December Daily.  There all a ton of different sizes that you can add to your book - 12x12, 8x8, 9x12, 6x8, etc.  I love to have a mix of sizes so my books tend to be close to 8x10, so that I can mix in whatever sizes I want to.  Last year, Nicole Jones did her December Daily as a 12x12 project life album, and Ali Edwards is using a 6x8 album, as she has done for several years.  Another great example to look at is Stephanie Bryan, who has been doing a mini album for every month of 2015.  She has used a variety of sizes thus far, so no matter what size you decide on for your December Daily album, she should be able to offer you some inspiration while creating your foundation pages.

Questions to Ponder when Thinking about your Foundation Pages

1. What kind of pages you want to include - Are you going to do 6x8 pocket style or mini scrapbook layouts or interactive pages or a mix of all of the above?
2. How close to finished do you want your foundations to be - Are you wanting to simply be able to stick the photo on and write up your journaling?  Or are you going to add embellishments once that day comes around?  Are you going to date each page before december gets here or leave it blank to give yourself some flexibility?
3. After reviewing your past December Daily albums - What page size really worked for you?  What page size (or style) prevented you from continuing on through your album?  What stumbling blocks did you have last year?  How can you prevent these things for this year?

These are things that you should think about before moving forward.  Instead of doing the same thing because that’s what you have done in the past, maybe its time to do something new.  How can you simplify this process for this year?  Remember we want to be able to actually finish our December Daily this year!    Be open to any unexpected and new ideas that come up while you are making these decisions!

Use Your Foundation Pages to Plan Your Album's Flow

Foundation pages are also a great time to look up sketches for your page designs if your going that route.  If you’re using a variety of page protectors, you can arrange them in a starting order during this step as well and map out the flow of your album.  I like to do this as well, even though I use a variety of page styles.  For days that I know will have lots of pictures I try to have lots of potential for photo mats and photo pockets.  Days like Christmas Eve and Christmas Day tend to have multiple pages and photo mats for me.  Foundation pages are also a good time to plan out your numbers (for your days) if you’re going that route.  I tend to want to leave my numbers off my foundation pages in case I decide to rearrange the overall flow of my pages.

My 2015 December Daily Foundations

For my December Daily foundation pages this year, my foundation pieces consist of my album (which I purchased at Michael's in a pack of mini albums at 8x10), some file folders (to do the Kathy Orta style pages), 6x8 BoBunny page protectors, cards, envelopes, rings for my album, white, black, and green cardstock, and two manila envelopes.  I am using Kathy Orta’s YouTube video tutorials to create some of my foundation pages.  Kathy Orta has three different December Daily YouTube series (December Daily Lapbook 1, December Daily 2 - using envelopes and greeting cards, and Lapbook 2).  I primarily used the December Daily Lapbook 1 videos in the creation of my foundation pages for this year.


One comment on using Kathy Orta’s tutorials, I always alter Kathy’s instructions to make use of page protectors instead of her hidden hinge binding system.  The reason behind this is that I NEED the flexibility of being able to rearrange my pages, which I cannot do with her hidden hinge system.  But the great thing about using her tutorials is that you can often replace her hinge with a page protector that has been cut down to the size of her hinge - and then you can use it in a ring bound album!


My foundation pages may look a lot more complicated than yours.  If this is not your style, a really great example of simple foundation pages is Ali Edwards.  Foundation pages are not a quick process for me.  I think that is my own personal downfall.  Ideally, I would begin in November and slowly adding to my foundation pages throughout the month, so that I would just have to add my journaling and photos through the month of December.  Unfortunately, this never works out in my favor.  Although, I had every intention this year of getting my foundation pages very close to completed before December, I am once again starting December with the bare minimum.  Luckily, I had already planned for something like this!

So throughout the month of December, I will be hosting daily (or every other day) videos of projects that you can do in 10 or 15 minutes that will allow you to embellish your December Daily album, while working on completing our projects this year!  So far I have covered my past December Daily albums and gathering my supplies, check back for the next December Daily quickie!