christmas album 08.

So as I mentioned before, I have some great ideas for Christmas projects, (crafts, recipes, holiday decor etc.) and believe it or not, I've already got something to share.

I know. Usually I just tell you I'm going to do it, and never get around to it. You can blame that on my over ambitious lifestyle.

Anyways, I can't take credit for this one, but hey, that's okay sometimes you just can't do it all. So I found this adorable idea on Ali Edwards blog for a Christmas Album. So the basic idea is to create an album. Each page has a number for every day in December. (you can choose to go only to 25, I did, and so did she) Then, in December you add pictures and journaling to share what you did on that particular day of the month.

Does that make sense? I know what I'm talking about, and it kinda confused me too.

She explains it a little more eloquently. Ali explaining the album. 

If you are going to do this, I highly recommend reading her blog, this is a concept that she came up with, and she just has an amazing way of inspiring you to record your history and to tell your story. Definitely worth the read.

Okay, so compared to hers, mine is not as cute, but since I committed to using only what I own from my scrapbooking stash, I was forced to choose from things that maybe didn't just make me get excited, but at least I'm using what I got and not spending more.

Okay, who are we kidding, IF there was a scrapbook store in Sarnia I would have been buying up the latest and greatest in scrapbook supplies to create the ultimate album, but since there isn't, I'm forced to use what I own.

Alright, on with the pictures. I still need to make a front and back cover for my book, but haven't decided if I will go with chipboard or some sort of plastic covers. Still working on that. So this is the guts of the book.

Day 1.

Each page is a different size, shape, material and really an eclectic gathering to add interest and make it fun. I love that you can see other pages poking out and through the transparency.

Day 2.

Your probably wondering why I'm allowing the adhesive to been see on the back of page 1. It won't matter once the book is assembled. It will be covered up by pictures and journaling blocks. So even if the back of your paper isn't too pretty, don't worry, it can be fixed.

My day 2 is a file folder.

 

Day 3.

 

 I don't think you can really "plan" your days to fit your papers etc. So even though this is a recipe card, it may not end up getting a recipe on it. Know what I mean? It kind of makes it fun and a challenge to make your pictures/journaling work with what you've already made.

Day 4. (in case you're wondering, yes I post all 25 days, so if this bores you to death, feel free to skip to the end or just close the window, I promise I won't be mad :D )

 

Day 5.

   

day 5 is kind of tricky to see, but I used baseball trading card pockets. (I have used them on tons of books and they are so super cute when filled with pictures and papers) Here's a different view so you can see better.

 

Day 6.

 

Day 7.

 

Day 8.

 

Day 9. 

 

My day 9 is a attached with a swingy tag thing. (like what clothing price tags are attached at stores) So I can add additional pictures or journaling, since it's such a small page to begin with.

 

Day 10.

 

Day 11.

 It's a transparency, if you're having trouble seeing it properly.

Day 12.

 

Day 13.

 

Day 14.

 

Day 15.

 

In case you can't see it well, the snowman is holding the day number for this one.

Day 16.

 

Day 17.

 

Sorry, I must of been hitting the wobbly pops hard at this point, cause these pictures are bluuuurry... I only allowed myself to take 1 picture of each page, so I wouldn't spend hours sorting through to find the best ones. I just have to make do, and so do you. LOL!

This one is hard to see too. Pint sized transparency page.

 

Day 18.

 

Seriously camera, focus.

Day 19.

 

Day 20.

 

Day 21.

See even I make mistakes sometimes. I already punched that hole in my paper (back of page 20) ended up hating it, so I covered it up on the front side, and it ended up looking pretty cool from the back. Day 21 is another folder like day 2.

Day 22.

 

This is the page I hate the most... you gotta have at least one in a book. So it may change sometime in the future.

Day 23.

 

Day 24.

 

I chose to do another baseball trading card page for the 24th because we do pajamas on Christmas Eve, so I thought perfect; 3 pockets, one for each of the kids in their jammies.

Day 25.

Is just the red cardstock you see behind day 24. I really want to do something special with this page, and I just didn't see anything in my stash that really spoke to me. So it's on the back burner for now.

Phew. If you made it through all of that, and your'e still with me, then wow, you must really love scrapbooking... or me. (one or the other right?)

So here are some last things I wanted to share from my personal experience making this book.

• the pages are really plain for a reason. You can't really add embellishments until you know how each page will be set up with pictures etc. Set aside Christmas embellies or other color matched trinkets to add as you make the album. Keep them in one place to avoid searching for that perfect something.
• Punch your side holes first before stitching or adding your numbers. I did mine last, and I had to pick a couple of my date stickers off to punch my holes. Plus my crop-a-dile didn't cut through my thread from my sewing and damaged quite a few of my pages.
• Make sure you have enough pages spread out between top and bottom of the book. You don't want the top really bulky or the bottom really bulky. Does that make sense?
• don't worry about colors matching from page to page. By the time you have all your different pictures full of an assortment of colors, it really won't matter much that your pages aren't all holly red or evergreen. :D

Now, if you're wondering what kinds of things I will be adding to my book, here are some ideas that I've tossed around.

• Kids writing letters to Santa
• getting the letters from Santa in the mailbox
• Christmas baking
• acts of service
• weather outside
• holiday decorations
• receiving Christmas cards from family and friends
• our Christmas card picture for 2008 
• decorating tree
• hanging stockings
• Christmas caroling
• gifts under the tree
• nativity scene
• hot chocolate and hay rides
• looking at Christmas lights (remind me to tell you a funny story about this)
• kids school concert
• sledding

To name a few. haha.

I realize that this is quite a project that won't be taken on by many, but if you do decide to do it, I would love to see what you come up with, as I know that each book will be quite unique. I promise the other Christmas stuff won't be quite as labor intensive as this one.

Comments

[kristi]

I am going to make one! already started actually. I am wondering what size your pages are?
it looks great!

[Bobbi-Jo]

I also saw this idea and want to do it! I think your book turned out gorgeous! Now you'll have to share the completed pages each day in December ;)

[shelly]

Seriously I love the idea, I love the albumn and the whimsy of it. Its goin to be awesome when its done. I wonder if I have what it takes to do something like this? Its helping me to think about it early and to have fun and make memories and that's what its all about! Thanks for posting it all Amy. (I stayed with ya)

[Lynn Crapo]

YOu are amazing! I love the way people think......and share. Thanks for the inspiring ideas!

[Crystal Heron-Stevens]

Hey. I actually had this on my list of todo's this holiday season. I will be home for most of the month off of work and thought it would be a great project. I very seldom check out ali's site and surpriselingly I did recently and loved this idea. If you don't mind I am going to share this post on my blog.

[Verna]

This sounds like a huge undertaking. Good luck.

[amanda]

I thought pregnant people were supposed to be lazy and sleep all day.

Good luck with the project... if I had a clue about scrapbooking, I might have done it to. Nah... who are we kidding.