December Daily Catch-Up: Days 3 - 6 with Holly

I'm sharing more of my progress today on December Daily 2016. Go back to this post to see how I set myself up, to do this project as a digi book this year. I am still deciding whether I will print this as a 6x8 book, or print the pages and put them in a binder.

Day 3 was actually a two-parter. We spent the afternoon at Auntie Deb's making dough ornaments, before heading out to the Morton Arboretum Illuminations. I felt both deserved a 2-page spread. The first page features "Holly" papers & elements by Amber LaBau Designs. I'm also using her Story Grid, Vol. 2 (modified) on the left side.

Day 3, Part 2. The Morton Arboretum Illuminations was beautiful!
Credits: Amber LaBau City Sidewalks Pocket Cards & Elements. Ali Edwards' 6x8 December Stories Layered Templates.

Day 4 was another awesome holiday tradition that we just started last year, our trip out to a tree farm to chop down our Christmas Tree! This place is so picturesque, especially with the snowfall we got while there! I loved the horse-drawn wagon ride in the snow with those majestic Clydesdales!
Credits: Sahin Design's Holiday Collection, Template: Story Grids, Vol. 2 (modified) by Amber LaBau Designs.

With so many great photos and memories from Day 4, it got another 2-page spread. I had some sweet pocket cards from The Crafty Pocket. I suggest checking out her shop for some coordinating flair!
Credits: Happy Christmas, Story Grids, Vol. 2 (modified) by Amber LaBau Designs, Holiday Hand-drawn Phrases and Holiday Word Art, Vol. 2 by Ali Edwards.

Day 5, this was our tree trimming, which actually occurred the day before (shhhh!). When there is an event on the day, I put it in that slot. If I don't have anything related to that date, I fill in. This project is about doing what works and not sweating the small stuff. Like Ali Edwards says, "It's about the stories". Credits: MPM, December Wonder  and Ali Edwards' 6x8 layered templates.

Day 6, Brunch with Santa. Again, this occurred on Saturday, but I'm putting it here and talking about the kids pictures with Santa, or non-pictures.... I'm using the December Wonder MPM (a subscription at the Lilypad).  Most of the cards shown are by Paislee Press. This monthly collection is a collaboration of designers at The Lilypad.

Thanks for catching up with me and December Daily!
Holly | www.paintedladiesjournal.com
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Setting Up My Digi "Document Your December"

Have you been enjoying the beginning of your December? Did you decide to do a scrapbook project just for this month? This is only my second year doing one. Last year I created a physical book. I decided to go digital this year. I think it will be very easy to keep up with, especially if I have my digi kit pulled together in one place. And if you haven't started yet, it's not too late! Start now, who says it has to start December 1. Or maybe you've already been taking photos.

I made one folder on my computer called "2016_DYD." I also have a folder under here called "2016_Photos" to dump the pictures into, on a daily (or even weekly) basis! Here's a screenshot of my folder structure:

You need a few basic things to have organized. 

• Calendar of Events
• December kit (elements, papers, cards)
• Template assortment (I'm going with 6x8)
• Numbering System           

Calendar of Events. I like to look ahead at local events and known commitments we have for the Holiday season and put them on a calendar. I use Google Calendar and make one called "Holiday Schedule". Then, I just google events going on and put them in when they work. You can see that I've got a lot of blank spots. "Elf Mischief" can fill in where needed. There are lots of stories about the holidays that can be told to fill in those days that don't have things going on. Stocking on the fireplace, story behind a specific ornament on the tree, favorite holiday food.

Your December Kit. First, pick your kit. Amber LaBau's new release last month, "City Sidewalks" was just a perfect fit for me. Here's the paper and element kit. Here are the coordinating cards.

You will also see me using this kit in this year's Document Your December. This is Holly Papers and Holly Elements.

Template Assortment. I purchased some of the Ali Edward 6x8 layered templates this year to use for this project. 

I wanted more variety, though. So, I took the Amber LaBau Story Grids and modified them to 6x8. The Story Grid v2 works best for this, but I recommend the whole collection of story grids for 12x12 pages. They are a nice change of pace! They are bundles into two collections. 

Story Grids Anthology | Vol 1 and Story Grids Anthology | Vol 2

I'm also mixing it up with a combination of photo overlays. Ali Edward's combo pack and Amber LaBau's 3x4 overlay set and 4x6 overlay set. These also come as pdf printables, if you are doing a hybrid project.

Numbering System. I wanted an alternative option for number my days (or events). I will also be mixing these Countdown Cards Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. I like that I can used these as cards with journaling, or as stamps over paper or photos. The other great thing about them is that they are not December specific.

Here are a few of my first pages! Our elf arrives on December 1st, so that is my typical first layout...I know the elf gets mixed reviews, but my kiddos are so excited and happy to see him! And that makes me happy.

Day Two was a holiday stroll in our neighborhood. I'm still waiting for the image of the photo with Santa to come from the photographer!
Stay tuned to social media for more layouts all month! @paintedladiesjournal

Make No Little Plans - 2016 Scrapping Goals

So when Holly and I started our blog last year we started with a joint post on our goals for scrapping. Well we have been at it for almost 1 year and I think we have both accomplished a lot... But still there is always more to get done.

2015 was the second year that I am 100% digital.  I am still loving every.single.minute... With my crazy work schedule I find that I can get short bits of time to work on layouts through out the day - commuting to and from work on the train, traveling on an airplane or in the evenings. I don't have to "find" my stuff or pull anything out other than my laptop which I have with me all the time anyways! I have completed challenges at various stores (you often win freebies this way), have a few assignments on digital CTs (Creative teams) and generally kept up with Project Life.

Here are some of my favorites:

Using Janet Phillips templates from the Daily Digi and kit by Just Jaimee Storytellers

Glamour Ghoul collab by Libby Pritchett and Amber Shaw at Sweet Shoppe

Using Chelle's Creations and Prismatic from Heidi Swapp for Project Life

I also started a project that I have mentioned before - my Christmas Card albums. I have 6 years of cards already printed in 2 books. In 2015 I will add my December Documented (like Ali's Edward's December Daily - just not daily stories)

Here is the first of 2 Christmas Card books I completed

Officially I am complete through middle Sept, with several other fall weeks completed in Project Life. I have a Shutterfly coupon which expires on 1-31-16 so I am trying furiously to finish up... This is the first year I have printed a bound book - 10x10 size and I am loving this size! I do love the printed 12x12 from Persnickety but I only have so many shelves so something has to give.

I also have worked (inconsistently) on my vacation album from our trip to Spain last Dec/Jan. I am using the Month of Challenges at The Lilypad to try and get some of these missing pages completed. So far I've been very successful at using the challenges to fill these holes.

By the numbers- PL layouts completed - 110+ ( I did a lot of pages from our summer vacation)
Fun/Challenge pages completed - 60+
Spain vacation pages -40+
Challenges completed- Iron Scrapper at Scrap Orchard - 24+
CT teams -2
Guest CT- 2 teams

Studio Basics Hello World at the Daily Digi

So what are my goals for 2016.. as Daniel Burnham said "Make No Little Plans..."

Finish was my One Little Word last year and I did get a lot finished but I was derailed mid year by some extended family health issues and did not finish My Week in the Life- but that is life (pun intended!). I will have a full blog post about my project and my process using the Project Life app.

Finish my Spain trip album - and take some of my favorite pages and create mini albums for each son so that they can have their own  This album I am printing 12x12 through Persnickety

Finish my December Documented and Christmas card album for 2015.  Depending on the number of pages I may combine this with 2016... I love the ease and size of the Shutterfly 10x10 books. (will link you direct to Shutterfly site with affliate link)

Finish my 2015 Project Life and continue in 2016 - I love this project.  I may change it up a bit this year - blog post to follow on this too.

Continue on 2 creative teams - realistically work and family come first but I find being on a CT really helps grow my digi skills and my productivity and proficiency...Plus I LOVE playing with pretty new stuff (you noticed I never said I spent less digi scrapping vs. paper scrapping...)

Finally and most importantly I want to document/scan lots and lots of old photos, scrapbook layouts and memorabilia.  To that end I got the BEST gift ever from my hubby - A Shotbox! I don't know if you have heard about this yet but it will revolutionize they way I am able to incorporate memorabilia.
I promise to do a whole blog post this weekend but for right now I'll share some pics and a link to their website...Shotbox.me. (This is an affliate link so if you are so inclined to purchase I would love it if you used my link.)

Extremely portable and comes with its own bag - which was a surprise to me

I also got the side shot to photograph 3D objects

As I said the carry bag is awesome - everything has its own spot and can be easily carried on your shoulder.

So that's it...of course that is plenty!! I also will be a much more regular blog contributor - Holly as been doing such a fantastic job and as you can tell I have been creating so I just need to share more and more regularly.

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"Wrapping Up" December Daily

I have persevered with this album. It is basically done (just need to do something with that Calendar Page from the kit! Coming later this week on IG. Follow me here to stay tuned!)

Went back and finished those "blanks", like Day 10. That Holiday Party with friends!

Heidi Swapp Oh What Fun Tags, Shimelle Tinsel Bow, and pre-stamped "die cut" made with the Days of December Stamp Set. 

Another filler page for #14, a Polish family tradition that took place in November. Assembly line homemade pierogi making! We freeze them for Christmas Eve dinner.

And #18 was also a filler. I took all those random Elf on the Shelf photos from the month and made one spread about our funny, sneaky, sometimes naughty elf. I made those custom word strips in a Word document. It makes for super quick journaling!

Day 22 was dedicated to a Christmas Break playdate! Being a Stay-at-Home-Mom is way more fun with good friends around the corner.

Day 23. This actually happened after Christmas, but I had to squeeze it in this book. The Polar Express! 

Dec 24 with the Genc side! Lots of cousins. Lots of fun chaos!

Heidi Swapp Oh What Fun Stickers, Paper from her Marquee Holiday Paper Pad, and an glitter arrow from my stash!

Some times you just have to include those less-than-stellar photos because they capture such a sweet moment that you really want to remember.

And Dec 25. Christmas Morning at home and Dinner with the Coulter side!

What do you do with that back page, when you dedicated a 2-pager to each memory? Well, I have an unofficial #26, I suppose...

I plan on making a Flip-o-Gram, or similar , later this month of the final, final album. Find me on IG to stay tuned for that!

Hope your holidays were nice and I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Previous Blog Posts:

December Daily Prep

Week ONE

Week TWO

Week THREE

Holly of www.PaintedLadiesJournal.com

Take 10 Kits Creative Team Member

Keeping Up with December Daily

So, I had resigned myself to knowing I'd have to be okay with falling behind on December Daily last week since it just got crazy, schedule-wise, gearing up for Christmas. Somehow, though, I think I have the most photos to share in this post...I think I love this project too much. I just kept saying, one more page.

  
Day 15. (Ok, I skipped 14 and have to go back for that one). My middle son's school program!

  
Incorporated a 4x6 vertical flip! This book is full of these!

   

  
Day 16. My oldest had her school program this day.

   
 
Simple Stories enamel dots, Heidi Swapp sticker, Pink Paislee tiny words, a stamped cutout made with the Days of December Stamp set. I love how these supplies come together so easily from Take 10 Kits. Makes me more efficient!

 

 Day 17. Our elf brought us Christmas donuts this morning! And the little trickster, took a bite out of one!

 See the donut on his face?!? 
  

Shimelle tinsel bow!

  

    

  

Day 19 (yes, I also skipped 18). We saw Star Wars! Had to include it, plus the plaza had pretty holiday lights.

  

  

Day 20! We went to ZooLights! Another family tradition for us.

    

Two flips, no waiting! I had to make sure the page on the opposite side was done before I could do this one because I folded the sticky part of the flip over the top of the page. It still lays flat nicely!

    

ZooLights produces a lot of photos...

    

This is one of the Sn@p divider pages. There are 3 in this book. In a previous post I talked about waiting to finish these types of pages all at once. I did it this week! Got out my modge podge and foam brush.

  

21. This is one of those holiday memories that happened before December, so it got added in wherever I had a blank! Back in November we saw the Lights Festival on Chicago's Michigan Avenue. Mickey Mouse ceremoniously turns on the tree lights lining the Mag Mile.

    
   

  
I also did something with my cover! The acrylics were out for some adorable dough ornaments I made, so I decided to paint my cover while I was at it. I like the painted barn wood look! I covered the wood veneer with gold ink. I'm not sure if I'm done with it, but I do like the minimalist look. What do you think? Does it need more?

Thanks for taking a peek inside Week 3 of my December Daily. It's so close to being done!

Holly with www.paintedladiesjournal.com

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