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

In the Orchard

Fall is just around the corner in my neck of the woods. We are still having warm days, but rain and chilly weather pop up, too (Welcome to Chicago weather). What better time than now to share some Apple Picking Layouts with you? Are you going to an orchard soon? Have you already been? We love this family activity.

Amber LaBau Designs has a wonder kit to document your day at the orchard. It's called In the Orchard, and you can find a list of all supplies linked at the bottom of this blog post. I came home with so many photos from that day that I decided to do two two-page spreads. Above is the first page. I wanted to use a larger photo for the first page, so I grabbed a template to achieve that. This is no new tip, but in case you haven't heard it, I always try to take at least a few pictures that have a lot of sky or grass. That way, I have a great background for a title.

The bottom right corner is a 4x6 template that I modified to fit the theme. (link at bottom of this post). Templates are a great way to get a little more into your layout!

I used another large scale photo on the next layout, using a photo of my daughter holding a cute little apple she picked out in front of her. I love the look of a repeated stamp, like I did here with the "Apples" stamp in the elements kit.

I had so many stories to squeeze in from this memorable day! Write them down, or record them somewhere so that you have them when you are ready to scrap. (Or ask your sister with the better memory, as I did.)

Page 1 and 2 together.

Here is Page 4. As you can see, I am a pocket page scrapper. I used a lot of the cards from the In the Orchard Pocket Cards set, but I also like to add items from the coordinating paper collection, as in the top right card in this layout. I also used papers in the middle card below.

And here is the final layout. I really had to narrow down my photos from the day. I chose the best quality ones and the ones that told the story I wanted to document.

Layouts 3 and 4, side by side.

I hope I've inspired you to document your apple orchard adventures, or to get out and go apple picking!

Holly Genc 
Amber LaBau Creative Team Member
Original Post can be found at www.amberlabau.com

Supply List:
      

In the Orchard Papers                 
In the Orchard Elements           
In the Orchard Pocket Cards
Cork-abet Alphas

4x6 Template from the DISCOVER Memory Pockets Monthly