Ali Edwards's Blog, page 115
April 2, 2020
New Workshop: Hybrid Product Play
Looking to play + get more stories told with your current stash of digital products? Come join me in a brand new online workshop: Hybrid Product Play.
Please Note: The original Hybrid workshop is strongly recommended but not required as Hybrid Product Play will not cover all the basics in the same way as the original workshop. Right now you can sign up for the original Hybrid workshop for 30% off using the code: HYBRID30
The goal with Hybrid Product Play is to give inspiration + ideas related to using digital products in paper projects beyond what was covered in the original workshop. My message to myself and to my Creative Team is to just play: play + show me what you come up with for working with these kinds of digital products in your paper adventures.
In this three lesson/three week workshop we'll get creative + play with the following:
Lesson One/Week One: Digital Journal Cards
Lesson Two/Week Two: Digital Stamps
Lesson Three/Week Three: Digital Embellishments
Each week you'll receive a lesson from me and then two additional lessons from members of my Creative Team showing how they like to play with these core digital products to get their stories told.
In addition this workshop includes a full Digital Kit (valued at $19.99) as well as other downloads throughout the workshop depending on the projects:
The first lesson will be available on Tuesday, April 14th but the classroom is now open for you to download the digital kit and check out some of my favorite supplies for working on hybrid projects.
Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to seeing you in class!
March 26, 2020
The Art Of Noticing | Stories In My Notebook
Last week I embarked on my first The Art Of Noticing adventure using the notebook we offered last month.
When I initially envisioned the kinds of stories I would tell in this project I was thinking about looking for beauty + really practicing paying attention. The stories I ended up telling are more about what our life looks like within this new normal right now. I was sick for a good portion of the days I was documenting which influenced the kinds of stories I told. I stared those stories and images on my Instagram account and then was able to use that as the content for this notebook once I was feeling better.
Here's what I loved about working in this notebook:
Each spread is an opportunity to play. I loved diving into my stash to help support the stories I'm telling within this notebook. I liked that one page could use pattern paper, another use a photo enlargement, and another use leftovers from my art journaling adventures. I loved that each story has a home with a specific place for the photo and a specific place for my journaling. I loved that I can write things down in the moment on the lines provided or I could add them later when I copied and pasted from what I'd written on Instagram. I loved that I have a home for little stories from this time.
My plan is to continue adding stories to this notebook that are related to staying home.
Check out a process video at the bottom of this post!
If you missed out on the notebook you can always pick up a blank travelers notebook or make your own with papers you may already have at home.
Here's a look at the stories I included in my notebook:
For this notebook I decided to cover the first page with a bold + bright pattern paper and to create a pocket using vellum + red line tape that holds some journaling about this notebook as a whole.
I used one of the stamps and punched it using a 1.25 inch circle punch and adhered it to the center of one of the colorful bursts.
Art Of Noticing Notebook (digital version available here) Art Of Noticing Stamp Set (digital version available here) 1.25 Inch Circle Punch Vicki Boutin Let's Wander Let's Get Lost Pattern Paper Magical Forest Vellum Rose Gold Rainbows Redline Tape Avery Index Tab 1/2 Inch Corner Rounder
For each of my stories I printed my photos using my Epson PictureMate PM400 and cut my photos to 3.25 inch x 2.5 inch and adhered them into the preprinted box. I copied the journaling I had shared on Instagram directly onto the lined journaling section.
For this story I looked around on my desk and grabbed one of the pieces of deli paper that I had been "rolling off" onto when creating art journaling pages recently. I used a rolling adhesive to attach this to the page. You can see more about that process in my Stamp Week video here.
Ranger Ink Dina Wakley X's Stencil Deli Paper Rolling Date Stamp StazOn Ink Chipboard from a past kit 1/2 Inch Corner Rounder
For this one I wanted to play with big letter stamps on top of pattern paper. After stamping I ran the page through my sewing machine (this is before I adhered it into the notebook) to add some texture. On top of the circles on the pattern paper I added a few chipboard circles from past kits.
Maggie Holmes Sweet Story Soft Serve Pattern Paper Tim Holtz Cutout Upper Stamp Set Ranger Archival Ink Red Geranium Chipboard Circles from past kits Rolling Date Stamp StazOn Ink Art Of Noticing Stamp Set 1/2 Inch Corner Rounder
For this page I decided to play around with a brush pen on top of a house pattern paper.
Vicki Boutin Let's Wander Around Here Pattern Paper Kuretake Brush Pen Rubber Triangle Rolling Date Stamp StazOn Ink 1/2 Inch Corner Rounder
Another option for the full page that accompanies your story is to print out a photo. For this one I printed a photo of Facetiming with my friends for coffee in the morning. On top of the photo I added a fun new shaker sticker from Amy Tangerine.
American Crafts Picnic In The Park Shaker Stickers 1/2 Inch Corner Rounder Rolling Date Stamp
I love that you can make these as complex or as simple a spread as you want them to be. For this one I printed one photo of Simon and one of Anna and then just added a few word/phrase stickers on top of the enlarged photo.
1/2 Inch Corner Rounder March Stories By The Month™ 2020 Word Phrase Stickers Word Phrase stickers from past kits Rolling Date Stamp
Another fun way to play with these pages is to create your own stamped pattern. For this I used the "O" from the Tim Holtz Upper Cutout Stamp Set and three different inks. I stamped "simple" + "beautiful" + "things" onto a paper heart from a past kit.
Inks: Rose Garden, Honeyman, Tillamook 1/2 Inch Corner Rounder Tim Holtz Upper Cutout Stamp Set Art Of Noticing Stamp Set StazOn Ink Paper Heart from past kit Rolling Date StampPROCESS VIDEO
Here's a look at how all these pages came together:
Thanks so much for playing along with this project.
AE Creative Team | March 2020 Stories By The Month™ Digital Kit
Despite all of the uncertainty this past month, many of us are also celebrating the return of Spring and all the stories related to embracing the change of the season. Today we are delighted to bring you some creative inspiration from our awesome Creative Team using the March 2020 Stories by the Month™ Digital Kit.
As always, we are so grateful to our Creative Team for sharing their projects and the stories of their lives with us!
March 23, 2020
Day In The Life™ 2020 | March Documenting Day
Today I'm sharing how I added my first Day In The Life™ 2020 documenting day stories into my 3x8 album.
The first documenting day for this year was held back on March 5th, but you can do this project anytime that works for your schedule! For this first day of storytelling I used -ing as the jumping off point for my stories. The second documenting day will be later this year - most likely in the fall - and I'll use this album to hold those stories as well. We've got a few kits + album bundles left in the shop if you want to grab one to support your Day In The Life™ stories this year.
I used the "Day In The Life™" stamp from the kit for the spine of 3x8 my album.
Check out my full process video at the bottom of this post for how-to details.
Here's a look at what's inside:
For this project I'm using the
2020 Day In The Life™ kit paired with the Day In The Life™ album bundle along with a few other things.
As I often do with projects like this one, I created a design formula that I followed for all my content from this documenting day.
On top of each of the plastic dividers (these come with the album) I added a tag from the
Shipping Tag Set.
I decided to print my photos to 6 inch x 8 inches and use that photo as the base for my story. I used a bone folder to fold my photo (the fold is about 2.5 inches wide) and adhered a strip of pattern paper to the flap. On top of the pattern paper I added one of the Adhesive Fabric Icons.
On top of each of the folded photos I added one of the 1/2 circles from the 1/2 circle pad in the kit.
On the back side of the photo I adhered two things. First I cut up the extra transparencies from the album bundle (I didn't use all of them - if you did just add pattern paper on top of the holes) and used a strip to cover the holes. Second I adhered the 3x8 journal card (adhere this first so you can cover up the extra part of the transparency). Use a 6-hole punch for the album holes.
And repeat - starting all over again with the transparent divider and a shipping tag!
The next pattern paper I included is from Vicki Boutin.
I learned that it's better to use the bone folder on the outside of the photo (you can see this in the video as well).
Floral pattern paper is from Jen Hadfield. I used three pattern papers and repeated them each twice.
The Tim Holtz Mini Clips work great for keeping the folded part folded.
Repeating the pattern papers.
Here's a look at how this all came together at my table:
Thanks so much for joining me for this day of documenting!
If you like this kind of memory keeping check out the new Week In The Life™ collection which will be available on March 24th.
Day In The Life™ 2020 Kit
Day In The Life™ Album Bundle
Day In The Life™ Shipping Tag Set
Day In The Life™ Adhesive Fabric Icons
Precision Pen
Jen Hadfield Hey Hello Happy Day Pattern Paper (floral)
Vicki Boutin Let's Wander Day Tripping Pattern Paper (color rays)
Amy Tangerine Picnic Park All The Colors Pattern Paper (rainbows)
Rolling Date Stamp
StazOn Ink
6 Hole Punch
Tim Holtz Clips
Bone Folder
March 20, 2020
Week In The Life™ 2020 | Product Preview
Welcome to the product preview post for
Week In The Life™ 2020!
Since 2005 I've been taking a week each year to specifically document what happens over a seven day period. I've done this in good times + in bad times and it's always been something that adds meaning to my life as I document what is real.
This year is obviously dramatically different than in years past. For many, life is completely different from any other "normal" period of time and how it's all going to play out is uncertain.
Insert a big deep breath right there. What is certain is that this is a chapter in our lives and a story that can be told while we are living through it. It's going to be hard and it's going to be messy but we can bring a little bit of clarity, a little bit of joy, and a little bit of gratitude through the process of documenting our experience. This has always been the invitation with this project (and all my projects for that matter) but this year more than any other it might be just what you need to help you make a tiny bit of sense of life right now.
Below you'll see an overview of the new Week In The Life™ collection that will be
available next Tuesday, March 24th at 9am PT. These products are in the warehouse and ready to ship to you.
I will be documenting my week starting on
Monday, May 11th, 2020. Right now that feels like an eternity away. We generally select a timeframe that is about a month out from when we release and begin shipping the products. This gives the products an opportunity to get to other parts of the world before the project begins.
This year we will be offering a
Week In The Life™ Prep Day (similar to the December Daily® Prep Day) on Saturday, May 2nd. We are still finalizing details and I'll share more when we have that information available and registration is open.
If you are brand new to this project I suggest checking out the
Week In The Life™ project page for background information.
SHIPPING SPECIAL | US customers will receive free shipping on any item included the Week In The Life™ shop category if you spend $60+ dollars. International customers will receive $15 flat rate shipping on any purchase over $60 as well. Use the code "WITL2020SHIP" at the checkout to receive these special shipping offers. *Shipping offer valid through 11:59pm EST on 3/31/20. Must enter promo code at checkout to receive special shipping offer. Cart must include a minimum subtotal of $60 from the Week in the Life™ shop category to qualify. Offer subject to change.
For the first time we are offering two Mini Kits for this project vs. one larger Main Kit. The first is designed by me and the second is designed by our friend Kiley In Kentucky.
Here's a look at what's included in the two minis kit this year:
Below are additional new products you will find under the
Week In The Life™ shop category. Let's get some stories told!
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST: Purchase one Mini Kit + one Album Bundle and receive this stamp set for free using the code WITLSTAMP. We have a limited number of these for this promotion and the rest will be offered as a shop item.
This year we are offering the three chipboard sets individually vs. as a bundle.
I think you guys are going to love this one! The sticker book includes two sheets of each design.
These are 6 inches tall.
We are also offering these pouches without the kit contents.
As always, thank you so much for your support. Please let me know if you have any questions below.
March 18, 2020
AE Creative Team | April 2020 Stories by the Month™ Physical Kit
Stories of Spring. Stories of transitions. Stories of routines. Today we are delighted to share some creative inspiration from our awesome Creative Team using the April 2020 Stories By The Month™ Physical Kit.
There are so many storytelling possibilities in this little pouch of products. As always, we are so grateful to our Creative Team for sharing their stories and creative inspiration with all of us!
March 14, 2020
March 13, 2020
The Art Of Noticing | Join Me Next Week
You're invited to join me for a new community project next week: The Art Of Noticing.
For many of us, life is likely to look different than normal next week. I'll be taking this opportunity to notice the beauty in what is otherwise an uncertain time.
The concept is simple: open your eyes to things in your life that you might otherwise miss.
The format is simple: a travelers notebook with pre-printed pages that include a spot for a photo, drawing, etc and a lines to hold your words. Note: We've sold out of the notebooks that we began offering in February. If you missed out on one of those you can grab a digital version of both the notebook and the stamp set, pick up a blank travelers notebook, or use another way to document your experience such as sharing words + images on Instagram (because that totally counts as memory keeping).
The invitation is simple: join me in opening our eyes even wider to the beauty and awesomeness that surrounds us. If you share on Instagram please use the #aeartofnoticing.
I'll be using the prompt "today I noticed..." as the jumping off point for my stories. Remember that the box on the preprinted notebook can be used for all kinds of things: a photo, a drawing, a quote, ephemera, etc.
I used a notebook for our recent Las Vegas adventure and then finished it off during Stamp Week. Here's a look at some of those pages and some ideas for how you might want to work in the notebook:
As always, thank you so much for being part of this community.
Friends Story Kit™ + April 2020 Stories By The Month™ Kit
In the
Story Classroom this month we are focusing on stories related to the theme of Friends.
Here are a few thoughts about this particular theme:
This month we are taking a closer look at our stories of friendship from yesterday and today. When you think back over your life you probably have all kinds of stories related to making friends (as a child + as an adult), losing friends, friends who are family, etc. Now is an awesome time to get those stories told.
Initial story ideas for this theme include:
What kind of friend are you? Make a list.
Did you have a best friend growing up? Tell that story.
What do your friendships look like as an adult compared with when you were a kid?STORY KIT™
The
Story Kit™ includes:
Here's a video overview of the
Story Kit™ and Add-On options this month:
STORY STAMP™
The
Stamp Set:
Here's a video overview of the Story Stamp:
DIGITAL STORY KIT™ (Included with the STORY CLASS)
Your digital kit and the classroom and any Add-Ons purchased will be available to you on the 15th once your card has been charged for the month.
Here's a look at what's included in the Digital Story Kit™:
And a couple peeks at the layouts I created with the kits this month in addition to the one featured at the top of this post (full details, including process videos and how-to handout, are included with subscription):
Again, thanks so much for subscribing and/or considering my
Story Subscription program! If you have any questions about this program please let me know below in the comments.
Stories By The Month™ kits include 4x6 chipboard, 3x4 and 4x6 cards, a 3x4 stamp, a sticker sheet, and an embellishment (wood veneer, cork, etc). Stories By The Month™ Kits are all based on the designs we offered digitally each month throughout 2019.
Here is a full look at the kit:
And a video overview:
This subscription is a great option for those who are looking to tell more calendar/everyday life sorts of stories.
Add On options are available to all Story Kit™, Story Stamp™, and Stories By The Month™ subscribers
(this excludes Digital Story Kit/Story Class subscribers since you don't have any part of your subscription shipped already). Please note that the Crafters Ink pad option will only be available to Story Stamp™ subscribers.
Current and new subscribers can select + purchase Add-On's via your new drop-down menu access under your user name in the top right corner of the site. If you subscribe to more than one you will have a Box for each subscription and the ability to purchase Add-On's for each one. Depending on product availability subscribers may be able to purchase the Add-On's after the Add-On period has ended and regular shop shipping rates will apply because they will ship separately from the kit.
Check out
this post for more information about this new subscription, including differences between the subscription options offered.
March 11, 2020
AE Creative Team | YOU Story Kit™
This month's story theme has been about celebrating all of the special people in our lives. And today we are delighted to share these creative and heartfelt projects by our awesome Creative Team.
As a reminder, this Thursday, March 12th, is the last day to subscribe and receive the YOU themed-products.
As always, we are so grateful to our Creative Team for sharing their stories and creative inspiration with all of us!
