My Journal Your Christmas Album Supplies

Happy Monday morning readers!  As promised, here is a video showing all of my supplies for my Journal Your Christmas album.

Part I

Part II

**I had to split the video in half, so you lose a few seconds between the first one and second one.  Sorry abut the train you can hear; I cannot do voiceover at this time, so I have to talk on the video.  And, my camera stopped recording before I realized it, so you guys missed out on the stamps I'll be using throughout my album.  I may try to make another video of the stamps I'm using.
 
Just a little update on my album, I've been keeping up with the journaling prompts.  I've also been pretty good about capturing photos that coordinate with the daily In Focus prompts. When I do projects like this, I really, really wish I had a photo printer at home.  I don't necessarily want to send photos to a printing lab every week, let alone every day.  I like to print a month's photos at a time.

I've made my title page, pages for Prompt #1-#6.  These still aren't completely done because of the lack of photos, and that bothers me!  But I'm happy that I'm working on it.  

Are you making a December album?  How are you doing on yours?

xoxo,
Heather

List of Supplies

Patterned Paper:  Bundled Up by Crate Paper 6x6 Paper Pad; Hello December by Glitz Design 6x6 Paper Pad; Peppermint Stix-Believe by Heidi Swap; Peace Love Joy by Lawn Fawn Collection Kit; Peace Joy Love by Lawn Fawn Petite Paper Pack; Oh Tannembaum-Magical by Studio Calico; Merrymint Gold Star Kraft-Magical by Studio Calico; Making A List-Magical by Studio Calico; All Is Bright-It's Christmas! by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages; Reindeer Flight-It's Christmas! by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages; Nutcracker Court-25th and Pine by BasicGrey; Chevron-Santa's List by Teresa Collins; North Pole-Reflections Christmas by Lori Whitlock for Echo Park Paper Co.; Silent Night-It's Christmas! by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages

Stickers:  Titles and Accents Sticker Sheet-Hello December by Glitz Design; Industrious Border Stickers by Tim Holtz; Good Tidings 6x12 Label Stickers by Chic Tags

Embellishments:  Good Tidings Clear Acetate Tags by Chic Tags; Good Tidings Photo Toppers by Chic Tags; Noel Bits & Pieces by Elle's Studio; Noel Frames by Elle's Studio; Noel Lil' Snippets Labels by Elle's Studio; Noel Cutouts by Elle's Studio; Citrus Twist Kits Exclusive Christmas Labels; Merry & Bright Flair Button by Two Peas; Star Ornaments Flair Button by Two Peas; Hello December Wood Veneer Tile Set by Two Peas; White Christmas Lyrics Wood Veneer Card by Two Peas; Natural Bark Stars by Prima Marketing; Citrus Twist Kits Exclusive Wood Veneer Letters, Stars, Peppermint Swirl Shapes; Peace Joy Love Flair by Lawn Fawn; Peace Joy Love Mixed Sequins by Lawn Fawn; rhinestone gems; Citrus Twist Kits Exclusive Flair; Hello December Giant Rhinestones by Glitz Design; Chalkboard Wonderland Silent Night Washi Tape by October Afternoon; Santa's List Chipboard Buttons by Teresa Collins; Bundled Up Photo Overlays by Crate Paper; "Dear Santa" Mini Bag from It's Christmas! Mini Bags Assortment Pack by Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages; Bundled Up Journaling Cards by Crate Paper; crocheted snowflakes; white doilies; gold doilies; 25th and Pine Jumbo Die Cut Numbers by BasicGrey; Home for the Holidays Sprinkles by Doodlebug Designs

Alphas:  Hello December Alphabets and Words Sticker Sheet; Tomato Red Alphabean Cardstock Stickers by Jillibean Soup; American Crafts Thickers-Reindeer Font in Red; Good Tidings Gold Letter Stickers

Hello December!

Happy December everyone!  Can you believe how quickly this year has flown by?!  I certainly cannot believe it.  I'm looking forward to using this time of year as a way to "take back" the Christmas season.  If you are familiar with that phrase, than you must be taking Shimelle Laine's Journal Your Christmas.  Let me tell you, I am so excited to be taking this class!  

Last year, I "participated" in December Daily.  I still haven't finished my 2012 album.  It was extremely difficult to take a Christmas/holiday-season picture a day.  I was doing Project Life at the same time and didn't want to combine my December Daily and that album.  There would be days I was struggling to find something holiday to photograph.  My husband and I do not have kids yet, so we don't do too many holiday-themed activities, certainly not enough to document daily.

When I read about Shimelle's class a couple months ago, I knew this was the type of Christmas documenting I wanted to do.  I wanted something that helped capture new traditions with my husband and our current family gatherings with our childhood memories and how the Christmas season has changed over the years.  Just typing this makes me so excited for my album this year!

Now, I promise I will blog about my kit I'm using for my album this weekend.  I may do a video because I bought a small tripod during my Black Friday shopping!  I did want to show you guys some pictures though of my start up process for my Christmas album.

Here is the actual journal I will be using to write about the prompts.  I will be putting together a mini album, but I know that I won't be able to scrapbook everyday.  I didn't want to set myself up for disappointment right off the bat, so I got realistic.  I didn't want the "not being able to scrap daily" aspect of the holiday season to get in the way of me doing the journaling and documenting the season.  Enter in my homemade Christmas Journal!

 I am so proud of myself with this journal!  I didn't buy it!  During my lunch break yesterday, I went out looking for a slim journal.  I wanted something I could take with me pretty easily and something slim enough to put into a page protector at the end of the project.  I couldn't find anything.  And I was so angry because I used my whole 30 minute lunch looking for one.  I was going to stop by Target on my way back into Springfield, but as I was driving I remembered I had some paper at home. I had an "aha" moment!  I'll make my own journal.  I have a graph paper pad, in the legal size, that was perfect for folding over.  I folded 15 sheets in half and tucked them inside one another to make a booklet.  Then, I took some paper from Lawn Fawn's Love, Peace, Joy collection and cut it 1/4" bigger than the pages.  I then sewed everything right down the middle fold.  Voila!  A simple, handmade journal!  I decorated a little bit with the tag and label on the front cover and a 4"x3" Crate Paper Bundled Up journaling card on the inside cover to hide my stitching from adhering the layers on the front.  The bark stars and sequins are not adhered, but added as a prop, just for you guys!

Here's a little peak at my work space last night.  This was the first time I actually dug out my kit supplies.  I was able to make my journal (shown above) and the title page for my album.  I was pleased with myself for getting that far.  I didn't think I'd be able to get anything done last night, but I did.  Tonight, hopefully I can get my Christmas Manifesto page done.  

As I go through this journey, documenting my Christmas, I'll post more on my blog.  Also, if you're interested in seeing other Journal Your Christmas-ers, check out #christmasjournal and #JYC2013 on instagram and Twitter.  If you want to see what I'm doing this Christmas, follow my instagram @hsweet12 with the hashtag #asweetchristmas.

Also, you guys have until tomorrow (Wednesday) night to link up how you "kill" a kit for the Just Two Midwest Girls scrap challenge. Details for the challenge can be found here.  Those that enter have a change of winning a $5 gift certificate to Two Peas in a Bucket!  Come play along!

Happy December,
Heather

Inspiration Wednesday

Happy Hump Day lovely readers!  I decided to do something a little different this Wednesday-I'm going to bring you a post full of what's inspiring me lately!  I'll still bring you On My Wishlist Wednesday, but probably only 1-2 times a month.  

Here are some things that have been inspiring me lately.  

Starting from the top left corner...

• I love the color scheme in this layout by Two Peas in a Bucket's Garden Girl Shimelle.  Lately, I've been loving a bright color paired with black and white.  I also like how this layout uses some journaling cards from the Becky Higgins Project Life Midnight Core Kit.  If you've been reading my blog, you all know how much I love this core kit and since I have hundreds of these cards, new ideas for using them are always appreciated.

• I am loving these stitched vellum pockets full of little goodies, i.e. sequins, punches, die cuts, wood veneers.  I love the snowflake in this vellum pocket by Two Peas member jrench.  I also like that the pocket is stitched to the top of this page.

• If you guys couldn't tell by my photo collage, I am feeling so inspired by December Daily(TM) albums, Christmas albums, etc.  I love the page of pocket protectors full of little goodies.  It's such a great way to break up a Christmas album or any album for that matter.  Plus, there's an excuse to use all those holiday-themed embellies you have!  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the website I originally pinned this from to give proper credit.  If anyone knows, please let me know.

• Wilna Furstenberg.  Enough said.  Everything she creates is inspiring!  Besides the super trendy chalkboard look this layout shows, I love the banner underneath her photo.  I've really been meaning to try this.

• Another Two Peas Garden Girl I admire is Corrie Jones.  This particular layout was made by her for Elle's Studio, but she's created a layout like this for a Two Peas video.  I love the idea of drawing shapes with spray mist.  I lovely way to create your own background/pattern paper.

• I love how Kristina Nicolai-White painted this title for her layout.  I recently did something like this on an upcoming project I'll be posting on my blog soon!  Get excited!

• I LOVE GOLD!  I don't know when this happened, but I have suddenly been all about gold-in my crafting, in my clothes, in my accessories. I not only love this quote, but I like how it looks like gold foil.  Just beautiful!

• These next two inspiration photos are from Michelle Wooderson.  I am in love with everything she creates.  I love her layering techniques, her style, her use of mixed media in a bright, colorful way. I love this sequin pocket with the gold doily.  In this post, she also has pictures of other pockets she jazzed up.  The last photo I cannot find the exact post for, but I love the layering with the tag.  Using tags is one of my favorite ways to embellish a page.  

Hopefully these photos inspire you to create something that you've recently been loving.  Link up what's been inspiring you in the comments section.

Also, you have until midnight tonight to link up your Halloween projects for the Sweet & Kelster blog challenge.  Information and details can be found in this post.  There is a $5 gift certificate to Two Peas in a Bucket for the winner!

xoxo,
Heather

Project Lifein' It Tuesday

And another week has come and gone.  Oh boy, I cannot believe it's the end of October...and I'm just starting the month of September in my Project Life album!  At least I am continuing to document our lives.  

Side note:  I finally made a decision on my December Daily (TM) 2013!  Back in this post, I talked a little about Christmas-themed lines and kits.  I went a little overboard though... I pre-ordered the Citrus Twist Kits Christmas Daily Pocket Life kit AND the Christmas Daily Main Kit.  I couldn't help myself!  I loved the color scheme in the Pocket Life kit, but I loved so many pieces from the Main kit too.  I don't get add-ons with my monthly scrapbook kit and I've been pretty good lately about not buying scrappy stuff I'm not going to immediately use, so I thought it was okay if I overloaded on Christmas stuff.  Plus, I don't have any Christmas papers. The only bad thing is I won't get these kits until the middle of November.  But I'm excited nonetheless!

Back to Project Life...I have a spread from the beginning of September.  This is honestly just a bunch of random stuff that happened.  I don't think there is any particular story I have to tell.  

  
I used Simple Stories original SN@P! line.  That line is so much fun!  And it really made it easy to complete this spread.

I have been obsessed with sewing small banner clusters on my PL cards.  It's easy, but adds a lot of personality and texture to a spread.  Also, I am loving these Jillibean Soup Alphabeans.  I bought 5 different colors the last time I was at Archiver's.  

 

This is a fun technique I tried for the first time.  I've written on photos before, but never with white ink!  I love it!  I like the look, even better than black ink.  I actually got the idea from my dear friend Kelly.  I remember reading a post on her blog about writing on a photo with a white pen.  Unfortunately, I can't remember the exact post, but it was definitely her blog!  She has lots of fun techniques; you all should check it out.

If you didn't notice, I'm also digging printing on my PL cards.  But I ALWAYS recommend printing out your text first to make sure it fits in your designated text area.  You guys should try it!

Okay, that's it for me today. I'll be back tomorrow with some wishlist favorites.  And on Thursday, Kelly and I will be posting another challenge!  Don't forget, you guys have until Thursday, October 24th to link up your take on our watercolor challenge.  There is a prize involved that will consist of a scrappy product(s)...Just sayin' *wink, wink*

xoxo,
Heather

On My Wishlist Wednesday-Documenting December

Morning friends!  Sorry I have been completely MIA for the past couple days.  Monday I was in St. Louis visiting one of my friends before she moves to D.C. for a new job.  I was so exhausted Monday night when I got home, aka I was too lazy to write a post.  And yesterday I was just so tired, with no energy to write even a late post on my Project Life.  But, I will be posting a Project Life spread tomorrow.  

So, what did you guys think of my special announcement last week?!  Are you all as pumped about this blog series with the wonderful Kelster Jean as I am?  We are still working out some details on our first challenge/project.  As soon as we finalize that, I'll let you all know!

So, on to my wishlist...This week I wanted to talk a little about this concept of  December Daily™ created by Ali Edwards.  I participated last year for the first time.  I have yet to finish my album, mostly because I was so done with Christmas by the end of Christmas day (the last few months of 2012 were really overwhelming for me, with getting married and then the holidays; I was just over everything).  I wasn't really prepared to take on this mini album as I should have been.  I have all my photos printed as well as my journaling, my album and all the pretty embellies, stamps, etc. in a box; I just haven't sat down to complete it.  This year, I want to approach the idea of documenting our Christmas season a little differently.  Here's my plan:

-purchase a kit without an album.  I have a turquoise/aqua Simple Stories album I want to use because I really want to incorporate this shade into my color scheme for the season.  I also like the idea of a kit because I can get little bits and pieces from different companies, instead of buying whole packages of embellies and probably spending more money.  Also, everything already coordinates!

-not to do a traditional daily documentation.  My husband and I do not have children yet.  We don't do Christmas-y things everyday in December.  I want to document everything Christmas-y/seasonal starting with Thanksgiving to the New Year.  I don't want to feel pressured to try to do something Christmas-related everyday.  That was difficult for me last year and I didn't like some of the pictures I captured.

-pre-make my pages.  It won't be all the pages (because I don't know what we'll be doing) and they won't be numbered, but I just want to definitely get my Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve/Day pages made.  I'll pre-make some other pages, as well as get the cover and "title" page completed.  I want to be able to take this thing with me to journal my thoughts and activities as they're happening or to at least journal directly in the album without writing it down in a notebook.  I just want to be able to add pictures, dates, and journaling.  

When the talk of a December album starting happening at the beginning of September, I was not ready for it at all!  But, now that fall has kind of kicked in (it's still in the 80s here in the midwest), I've been getting pretty excited about my December album!  I actually want to start working on completing my 2012 December album!  

So, now that I have officially bored you all with my thoughts and excitement about a December album, here are the various products I may get in addition to a kit/want to use in my album.  I still haven't decided which kit I'm going to purchase. I'm really holding out to see what Citrus Twist Kits releases.  I just want my kit to have that turquoise/aqua color in there.

I love everything in this October Afternoon Daily Flash mini collection.  I love the papers, the embellies, the stamps.  It's probably one of my favorite Christmas-themed lines this year.  The only bad thing is it doesn't start shipping until November.  I'd like to get my album ready by the beginning of November.  

I also love the Peace Joy Love line from Lawn Fawn.  Again, it's that blue/aqua color mixed in with the traditional red and green.  I like the sequins, flair, and stamp set in this line too.

These are the two Christmas collections I am loving.  Hopefully, I can get my hands on pieces from each and you'll be seeing it in my Christmas album!  Are you guys doing a December album?  How are you approaching it this year?

xoxo,
Heather