Daily December 2015....album and cover page

Today I'm sharing the beginnings of my December Daily 2015 album.  I'm using an Ali Edwards album this year in red.  The page sizes are mainly 6 x 8.

 Here's my cover page which starts out with a clear overlay.

 Peek through to the main cover page.

 The cover age is wonderfully embossed and doesn't need much embellishing.

 I used a chipboard sticker, glitter star, memories sticker and the date is typed with my vintage typewriter.

Looking forward to filling up my album.  I'll be back soon for more updates.

December Daily 2015...the kits I'll be using

Hello there, today I'm kicking off my December Daily 2015 posts!  This year I decided to use both the Gossamer Blue 2015 December Memories Kit and the Ali Edwards December Daily Main 2015 Kit + an add on kit by Jasmine Jones.  I also decided to use an Ali Edwards album because the size matches the ones I've used in the last few previous years.

 Here's a peek at the Gossamer Blue kit contents, stored in a vintage cutlery tray.  I sort the smaller items with vintage Jello molds.

 Here's the Ali Edwards kit contents in green vintage cutlery tray with more tiny embellishments added to additional Jello molds.

 Here's both the kits, all unpackaged and ready to go.  I like to take all products out of their packages so I'm not fumbling with opening up plastic packages.  I'm more like to use something if it's out in the open and I can rummage through the little pieces.

I'll most likely be adding a few tags and items from some of my packaging kits from my shop too.

I'm all set up and ready to work.  This year I'll be sharing just my completed pages here on the blog.  I post little previews and works in progress + lots of other happenings on my Instagram account.  Feel free to visit me over there at Mish Wooderson.

At the first of the year I'll be sharing more on my art journey.  I've photographed and have been adding a lot to Instagram about my my year of starting over in my artful creations.  I'll be backtracking and sharing that progress in hopes of inspiring you to maybe pick up that paint brush.....and start again....or just start.  I hope you'll join me.

December Memories 2013...Pages 3, 4, and 5

Edit: Today I also have a post up at the Gossamer Blue blog showing how to create 3 x 4 pockets using the stamps from the December Life Pages Kit.  Link is here.  

Has this month just flown by or what?  My girls have a half day of school today (if they make it that long with the weather) and I'm scurrying around trying to finish a few things before our Christmas break begins.  

I've been working on my December Memories album and have found that I like to work on it a week at a time, just like I do my Project Life.  Today I'm sharing pages 3, 4 and 5 with you.  Here's page 3 which was all about getting the ornaments out from storage and decorating the tree.  

 I love to get a little fancy with the filler inserts.  For this one I stitched it with gold thread, added sequins and plopped on this big rhinestone from Glitz which was in the December 2013 Gossamer Blue Life Pages Themed Add-on.  I add dimensional items like this right to the outside of my page protectors.

 This day has an insert which was made from a 6 x 8 page protector that I trimmed down and stitched.  Now it's size is approximately 4 x 8.

 I wanted to highlight our new ornaments on one side and our vintage ornaments on the other side.  I think the addition of photos that have really close up shots makes pocket style scrapbooking so interesting.  I would love to see photos of the ornaments we hung on the tree when I was a child.

I added sequins, fluffy snow and wood veneer pieces to the top then stitched it to form a pocket.  I first stitched the trees onto a strip of clear cardstock so that the pieces wouldn't float around in the stitched pocket. 

 Here's the back side of the insert which shows my Shiny and Brite vintage ornaments.  I typed right onto the two photos in my insert with my vintage typewriter. 

On to page 4. I'm only showing half of this layout because I'm just adding to it as the days go by.  This layout is all about deer season.  I'll be adding typed pieces of vellum which note the days my family hunts.  Other photos show the camo clutter that is constantly on my dining room table during deer season and I try to snap a photo of who hunts on which day. 

 I used the label stamp from the Gossamer Blue December Memories Kit at the top of the insert below.  I typed on it then added a deer rhinestone.  I also added a wood veneer arrow from Gossamer Blue.

 This is page 5 which is a layout that shows my holiday crafts.  I'll be adding to this 2 page spread as I create things so I'm just showing the left page for now.  It shows my holiday planners and some gift sack packaging.

 Here I used the label stamp again to note what this page is about.  I used a sticker, wood veneer snowflake, enamel dots on top of the 3 x 4 card that I created previously. 

My album is coming right along.  I'll be sharing more pages soon & stay tuned for my hot cocoa/hot spiced tea station and an update on the progress of my Paperwhites.  Stay warm and snuggly everyone!

December Memories 2013....pages 1-10 (+ making a plan)

It's such an exciting time if you've joined the holiday album band wagon....or December Daily....or December Memories as we're calling it at Gossamer Blue.  I've shared my album cover and inside cover page and now it's time to share my inside pages, days 1-10.  

Where do you start?

This year I'll be documenting in my regular Project Life album just as I regularly would for any month. I'll be posting some ideas on that soon but today I'm focusing on my December Memories album. I will admit that when I sat down with all of my supplies and album, I literally sat there.  And stared.  And was a little overwhelmed.  I kept asking myself, "How do you put together an entire album in advance?"  I knew I wanted to do it, I just didn't know how to go about it. 

 Make a list...
I went back to the ol' drawing board, scratched my noggin and started making some notes.  I listed all of the holiday events I wanted to document and photograph throughout December. I've added to this list since I first jotted down those ideas but it was the best starting point for my album.

Make a plan....
This is where I had an "ah-haaa" moment.  I decided right then that my album would be about specific memories, traditions and events that we celebrate all throughout December.  It would not be a daily, chronological photographic diary.  I will let those daily photos go into my December Project Life.  I decided that I wanted my December Memories album to stand alone from my Project Life.  I would devote the pages entirely to celebrating the holiday season.

Then just go for it....

Once I had my plan of attack for my pages, I just started.  I made a sticky note for each event and started collecting journaling cards and embellishments that I thought might coordinate well with that event.  Sticky notes are your best friend when it comes to this album. I started sticking things into pockets.  Three hours later I had my pockets fill with the basic journaling cards and trimmed papers.  I had some additional sessions where I spent an hour or two at a time adding more embellishments, etc.  Let it sit. Come back to it.  It all falls into place.  One key point to my album is that even though I'm numbering the pages 1-31, those numbers do NOT necessarily represent Day 1, Day 2, etc.  The numbers just represent one single memory from December.  I'm not worrying about if something is out of order.....and neither will the people who sit down to view this album.  Think about the bigger picture....think about the album as a whole and not just one day.  

My pages 1-10....

For each event, I'm devoting two pages of the album.  I will go back on some days and add in inserts like sacks or trimmed down page protectors or clear acetate sheets, envelopes, etc. I tried to add as much detail to my inserts as possible so that come December I can just add photos,journaling and a few other finishing details.  

Page 1 will be a photo of our family of 4 + Charlie.  Maybe our Christmas card photos, maybe a photo of us cutting wood in the timber.  

Page 2 will have photos of the day we set up the Christmas tree.

Here's my gold stitching at work.  You'll see this throughout my album this year. It goes so nicely with all the gold foil accents.

Day 3 will maybe be photos of some holiday decor that I set up around the house.

Day 4 will be reserved for opening day of deer season since it's on 12/4.  I'll leave these slots open all month long in hopes that we get photos of someone with a big buck.

Page 5 is open for whatever.

Here I sandwiched two stars around the star acetate sheet.

Page 6 is generic.

I used lots of sequin mixes that I offered in my shop earlier.  The gold doilies look fabulous with all the gold accents offered up this year.  I still have them available here.

More gold stitching over the vellum number.

Page 7 is open.  I used the "day #" stamp from the Gossamer Blue December Memories Kit for each number.  Even though it might not actually be Day 7, I liked the stamped look.

I added a Gold Shimmer Envelope as an insert with a stitched tag and gold paperclip. These are so shimmery in person.  I lined envelope with vintage sheet music.

Page 8 will be reserved for maybe photos of our house from the outside with the lights...or maybe a woodland scene of us gathering firewood, etc. I plan to tuck the gold doily behind a large photo.

The tag is held in place right now with a star clip.  I might move it around depending on what photos I use for this day.

More gold stitching over a vellum tree + some of the Woodland Sequin Mix from my shop (sold out for this season).

Page 9 will be about some holiday traditions.  I will have photos of some of those traditions + maybe some will be in list form on a journaling card.

A fun accent to a trimmed piece of patterned paper. You might have noticed that each and every pocket is filled, none are left blank.  I have a plan in order so that all of my pretty inserts will still be seen when I add photos.  I'll share those tips in an upcoming post.

Page 10 is all about warm drinks, my cocoa station I plan to set up, maybe the hot tea mix I make and baking.  I might need to add some inserts here.  I might need to go to Starbucks too for a red cup.  :)

More gold stitching over the tag.

More sequins added to the cute red cup insert.

These fun sacks were included in the Gossamer Blue December Memories Kit.  I attached all of them to the outside of page protectors for easy access to whatever is tucked inside.  In this case it's a Large White Parcel Tag.

Okay, that's it for this portion of my December Memories album.  Come back soon as I'll be sharing the rest of my album pages + how I plan to keep the pages nice and pretty.  For fun embellishments like glassine envelopes, baker's twine and tags, be sure to pay a visit to my shop.

While visiting my shop, you'll notice lots of fun organizing items for your holiday crafty supplies. They are going quickly so be sure to act quickly if you like something.....like this wood tray with diner dishes.

 This pretty aluminum tray with dessert cups.

 These silver plate trays with vintage jars and dish.  They will shine like new penny if you want to polish them up.

And always a favorite, these muffin tins.  

Enjoy!

Introducing the Gossamer Blue 2013 December Memories Kit....

Edit:  I've updated this blog post to provide the direct link for the kit + a few more details.  Enjoy!

It's what a lot of us have been waiting for....the Gossamer Blue 2013 December Memories Kit.  The photo below shows the kit in it's entirety.   It's a big one, friends, jam packed full of wonderful holiday supplies to create your own December Daily type album.  

Details:  The kit is up for sale early today to Gossamer Blue subscribers.  Remaining kits will be up for sale tomorrow at 12:00 Noon PST.  The price for the kit is $99.95.  A complete kit description and more details + additional photos of the cut files and printables will be available at the Gossamer Blue site tomorrow. There will be a class for this kit that begins on November 1st.  Kits did sell out last year so I advise not to wait too long if you're interested this year. Kits start shipping on Monday, October 14th.  

This year's December Memories kit comes with a Studio Calico Handbook.  I love red for the holiday season so this one is just right.  It comes with some pages & extra inserts are included too.  Plenty to do a full month of December. I haven't opened all my inserts yet but I believe there are about 32 page protectors in various sizes.

 These are the 12 x 12 papers.  I love each and every one of them.  You get traditional holiday colors with the wonderful aqua color added in.  It's kind of that robin's egg blue which is my favorite color.

 These are my three favorite patterns.  I love, love that floral design because it's so unique.  The other two papers have gold foil accents which are so striking in person.  The kit is full of the gold foil accents, exactly what I was hoping for this year.

 This photo is not stellar but I have to share...there are transparencies and pretty gold and silver translucent papers in the kit.  These are always fun for mini albums.  The bottom one is full of 3 x 4 size  designs that be cut apart for individual inserts..or maybe a 6 x 8 insert, etc.  I'll probably make some pockets of out some, maybe adding holiday confetti in here and there.  Note: I might just be able to hook you up with holiday confetti....I'm working on my Noel Notions for my shop again this year. 

 There are a ton of 3 x 4 and 4 x 6 inserts.  The individual ones you see spread out are designed by our wonderful Gossamer Blue graphic designers.  All have vertical and horizontal orientation, depending on which side you use. The one on the right with the coffee cup, hello!  So cute. What I love about these is that they coordinate with the other kit items so wonderfully.  This entire kit was meticulously hand picked by Lori and it is fantastic, you guys.  If you worry about getting your money's worth....it's worth it.  There is something to be said about one stop shopping and this kit does the trick.  It all coordinates and comes in one box.  Done.  Easy.  Less stress.  That is worth a lot, right? Oh, the bottom 12 x 12 sheets are full of even more journaling cards that you can cut apart.

 See these?  I'm so excited about these cards.  I approached Lori about getting some patterned journaling cards in 3 x4 and 4 x 6 sizes and here they are.  Our graphic designer did a great job with these.  Horizontal and vertical orientation.

We all want plenty of alphabets in our holiday kit, right?  You get 5 total alphabets with this year's December Memories Kit.  Two red, one gold shimmer, one aqua and one chalkboard.  Woohoo!

 Totally photo worthy is this gold shimmer alphabet.  It's going to look stellar with all the gold foil accents.

 Embellishments are plentiful in this kit.  Just take a gander at all of these below.  If I was shopping for kit, all of these would be tossed into my cart.  So much more beautiful in person too.  Some are flat, some are dimensional.  I plan to organize all of my kit products into some fun, vintage boxes so stay tuned for that in an upcoming blog post.

 It's so hard to photograph anything with gold foil so please ignore the weird colors below.  These are some of the accents that I layed out for you to see....so pretty and shiny.  I love the woodland accents of the deer and trees.

 Here's my favorite embellishment package.  Look at that robin's egg blue color...the candy cane...the poinsettias.  So pretty and with such dimension.  I usually try to keep my regular Project Life pages flat but with a mini album, anything goes! You might consider adhering these to the outside of the page protectors so you can feel the dimension.

 I'm a button lover so I was happy to see these two packages.  You get chipboard, regular buttons and lots of fun shapes.  There's even some holiday twine to tie the buttons with....don't leave your buttons naked, okay.

 Have fun packaging up lists and receipts, extra photos,etc with all sorts of cute sacks.  Oh gosh, these are fun.  See that wood veneer?  That's an exclusive for Gossamer Blue.  So excited for that.

 Paperclips just make me happy. I'm loving the deer again + there are more gold foil dots on those chipboard stars.

Totally cruddy photo here below because these were spread out on my countertop with poor lighting.  But a very important factor.....the kit comes with numbers from 1-25.  I know this is a big question with holiday album kits.  You can see at the bottom left, there are lots of other little blank accents where you can finish off the month to 31 if you want to. I will be stitching over these as they're nice and flat.  

These four alphabets all have numbers too so you can easily finish off the numbers with kit contents.  

I worked with Lori and Elle from Elle's Studio to design the stamp set for this year's kit.  Great quality stamps and there a lot of images packed into this set.  My favorite part is the label at the top.  You can stamp one of these right onto a journaling card...or perhaps stamp them onto cardstock ahead of time and trim them out.....then you can fill in the left square with the "DAY #" stamp and add numbers.  In the event section you can write or type your daily activity.  All of the stamps in the row with the star fit into the left square of the label.  A regular office supply date stamp fits into the "DATE" section.  Fun stuff.  

Okay folks, there you have it.  The whole kit and caboodle.  I've shown you the entire kit contents so you know exactly what you'll be receiving when your kit arrives.  You. will. love. it.  You will.  

My plan this year:  I'll be doing a blog post soon in which I explain why I'm doing a separate mini album this year vs having my entire DD in my Project Life album like I did last year.  Just some food for thought.  I plan to make my page inserts in advance as much as possible and then for the rest of the kit, I plan to use the items for my regular Project Life so it will have a little holiday feel also....and the rest of the kit will be used for cards and packaging.  

Be sure to check the Gossamer Blue site out starting tomorrow for updates on the kit, the pricing, how the class will work, etc.  I'm so excited now for December.  I hope you'll join us!