Ali Edwards's Blog, page 198

AE Digital Creative Team Projects | Click Digital Story Kit™

Hey friends! Today I wanted to share some Creative Team inspiration using the Click Digital Story Kit™. 

Also - a quick heads up that I'm doing  Day In The Life™  today in case you forgot or missed the announcement. Read more details  here . 

Each month we take the designs from the Story Kit™ and Story Stamp™ and turn those into a digital kit (not all products translate but most do). The Digital Story Kit™ is only available during the month that the story theme is live (until the14th of the month). The best part of the digital kit is that you can use the designs again and again vs. a physical product that is a one-time-use. You can also adjust the sizes of the elements to fit your own specific design. 

You can subscribe to just the Digital Story Kit™ - or if you subscribe to both the Story Kit™ and Story Stamp™ you receive this kit for free. 

Here's a look at what the team made with the kit this month (a combination of digital and hybrid projects): 

Annette Haring // Love how Annette took two pieces of word art and enlarged them to create her title. And of course I always love stories of the reason why. 

Sasha Farina (click to see a post on her blog about this page) // Awesome enlarged word-art title from Sasha - she's so great at combining embellishments. Love the stitching here as well. 

Pam Baldwin // Adorable photo and banner to go along with it. Pam printed the word art onto a tag and combined it with a bunch of other embellished tags, strung together across the page with twine. 

Lindsay Bateman // Love the scale Lindsay used here in terms of making her photos small and pairing them with a bunch of repeated hearts and the word photos. 

Kelly Schmidt (click to see a post on her blog about this page) // Nice combination of words and photos on Kelly's Project Life spread. I like seeing how she used the journaling cards to hold her stories. 

Emily Webster // Emily's spread is such a great reminder that simple is lovely. 

Donya Gjerdingen // Donya took the 4x6 "here's the story" card (a personal favorite of mine) and turned it into a 3x4 to fit her design. 

Cristina C. // Cristina used a variety of products here to document her story of visiting Chengdu, China. 

Teresa Victor // I really liked how Teresa enlarged the number banners and how she placed the "take more pictures" circle embellishment inside the camera. 

Hope you have a great week!

Day In The Life™ Tomorrow May 12th

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow I'll be documenting a Day In The Life™ tomorrow (May 12th, 2015) and you're invited to play along. 

If you are new to the concept, check out my Day In The Life™ projects page for past examples and a short video overview, or my Day In The Life™ blog post archives. 

From the time I wake up until I hit the pillow at night I'll be taking pictures and jotting down notes about my day. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you approach this project: 

There's no right or wrong. Sometimes I've taken a hundred photos on the day of this project and other times I've ended up with 20. The more I do it the less photos I tend to take - I think that's because I've gotten better at knowing what kind I personally want to include. That said, I'm always delighted and surprised by the things I do capture on these days - magic is almost always found. Have fun. Think of it as a game - how can you demonstrate your day purely via photos? Even though I generally like to include words along with my images, it's helpful to think about what best captures the hours of my days right now. Stop it right now if you are saying to yourself that your day is boring. Your day is what it is. Document it. I don't work in a traditional office environment but I still spend quite a few hours at my desk. Each time I do this project I look for something to capture - often it's something that's the same as I've captured in the past (such as the same angle of my working at the computer) AND something that's different. I challenge myself to capture a new angle of the same stuff - it's a great way to practice and play with your photography skills. And please, please, please remember that what you deem boring today might be just the thing you wished you remembered five years from now. Perspective is key and your story is worth it. I generally enjoy using my "big" camera for this project because even though I love the convenience of my phone - and it's what I use most regularly - some of my most favorite everyday life shots have come during this project day and the quality of my bigger camera is really hard to match with the phone. But, as is almost always the case, the best camera is the one you have with you. Give thanks. Look around you - there is so much to be thankful for. Use your lens to capture that along with your regular routines. If you have trouble remembering, set an alarm on your phone to go off at specific intervals. Even if you stopped what you were doing each hour you were awake and took one photo of what was happening in front of you at that point in time would be so awesome. The last few times I've done this project I've liked noting the times of things. The numbers make great embellishments in the finished project. 

If you've got tips to share from previous experiences feel free to share them in the comments below. 

Enjoy! Use the hashtag #dayinthelife if you are sharing your images on Instagram. 

Give Sunday | 18

This year, in honor of my 2015
One Little Word® "give," I'm sharing a hand-drawn quote each Sunday here on my blog.

Click here to read my initial post and download the #givesunday word art title and checklist for helping you to give a little something today. You can also view all the past #givesunday quotes via the archives. 

Click here to download the #givesunday 18 quote. Please note: If you are reading this post via email you need to click through to the actual blog post to download the file. 

You're invited to join me. What will you
give today?

Have a wonderful Sunday. 

Love You Anna Layout & Story Kit™ Sale

Today I wanted to share a layout I put together yesterday that uses a bunch of things that have been sitting on my table. I actually love that concept as a challenge - what's on your table right now and how can you bring it together into a layout. When was the last time you approached a story that way? 

Products are made to be used my friends!

Here's a look at what I came up with: 

This layout features, among other things, the pie chart transparnecies that were include in the Click Story Kit™. It also includes this awesome outline alphabet stamp set (called Kit Alpha) from Studio Calico around the outside of my main content area. And rather than continue to hoard my collection of word/phrase stickers I decided to bring a bunch of them together as a piece of the pie.

I began the process for putting this page together by finding a recent photo of Anna. She's so cool. 

From there I printed it at least 8 inches tall (the width of the pie chart when all put together). I used four pieces from the pie chart to cut a template which I then used as a guide for cutting my photo into a half-circle. I adhered it down onto white cardstock using foam dots.

Each of the pie chart pieces got a different treatment: 

The top one features "2015" using these AE white alphabet stickers.  The second one I used the transparent piece to cut a template out of cardstock (so I could use the transparent piece again in the future vs. adding the word phrase stickers on top) and then added a bunch of different word // phrase stickers on top and trimmed them all at the end to fit to the pie piece. I love how that turned out - such a great way to use your stash.  The third piece of the pie features the "this is life" die cut sentiment that was also included with the Click kit.  On top of the fourth piece of the pie I added an assortment of stars from previous Studio Calico kits. 

After figuring all those pieces out I used orange ink and these outline stamps to stamp around the outside of the circle.

In the bottom corner I added three more sentiment stickers. 

I like when they become a little poem/message. 

Around the outside edge of the page I added washi tape (pretty sure this is an old roll from Freckled Fawn). I've done this before and I'll do it again - love how it frames the page. 

I finished the page off with journaling around the interior edge of the washi tape and with the small circle gold star embellishment in the middle of the pie chart. 

SUPPLIES
Click Story Kit™ (transparent pie chart and sentiment label and "I love you so" sticker) Kit Alpha from Studio Calico Memento Luxe Morocco Orange Ink Pad AE White Alphabet Stickers Yellow Airmail Washi Tape Precision Pen .01 Seven Paper Word/Phrase Stickers: Pink // Grey Tim Holtz Small Talk Stickers Maggie Holmes/Crate Paper Tiny Phrase Stickers Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (which you can now get in my shop) Assorted Star Embellishments (because you can never have enough of these)STORY KIT™ & STORY STAMP™ SALE

Also, don't miss out on the 
Story Kit™ and Story Stamp™ sale happening this week. Generally these kits aren't available without a subscription so this is a great chance to grab one if you're interested in seeing what they are all about. Check out the Sale here. 

Around The Yard | Spring 2015

Happy Monday!

A couple things to share with you today: 

1. Today is the last day to join Type - my 12-week online workshop that is currently underway. Registration closes tonight at midnight PST.

2. I'm currently having a sale on select past Story Kits™ and Story Stamps™. If you have an interest in those check out what's available here. Please note that this sale does not include the education portion of the Story Subscription or the Digital Story Kits™.

3. I loved listening to this Jess Lively podcast this weekend where she interviewed Alexandra Franzen. This was my first introduction to Alexandra and I was really impressed with her approach and ideas. Worth a listen if you are looking for an uplifting, inspiring listen this week. 

4. There's a really awesome mail-in-rebate going on right now for my oversized Epson R2000 printer on Amazon. I love this printer and have used it for a number of years for any photos larger than 4x6 and recommend it if you are looking for the convenience of an at-home printer that can print up to 13x19. There's currently a $250 rebate in effect through 5/31/15 putting this printed in the $400 range. Check it out here. 

5. I took some time to photograph around my yard this past weekend (and ended up making a layout with these images for this week's content in the Type workshop). Here's a look at what's growing and blooming right now: 

All photos above taken with a  Canon 5DMKII  and a  24-70 lens .

Give Sunday | 17

This year, in honor of my 2015
One Little Word® "give," I'm sharing a hand-drawn quote each Sunday here on my blog.

This week's quote comes from my friend Amber Housley. She included it in some words she shared on one of her Instagram photos this past week. Her writing totally resonated with me, especially this quote. Here is the full text of what she wrote: 

I spoke last week at Inspired Retreat and shared my journey of the last couple of years. How I had it in my mind one path to success and when things changed, I fought against it. I put a lot of band-aids on truths and failed at a lot of things. It all eventually brought me to this new starting place that I didn't want to be. What? Start over? I asked. There's a sad feeling you get when you're stuck in one place and it seems like the rest of the world is just moving forward, and you're frozen in time. But rest assured, in time you start to get cozy in that spot and you realize it's exactly where you needed to be -- perhaps to catch your breath and just be. Tonight, a friend asked me "so what's next?" I smiled and was so content and happy in saying, "I don't know. I'm just enjoying where I'm at right now." Sure, there's lots of things I would like to start but for once I don't feel like I have to do them all at one time or all right now. There's a peace that comes with saying "it all doesn't have to happen right now." So I sit back on the sidelines, just wanting to do what makes me happy and what fills my heart with joy...and cheer everyone else on.I hope you know that this life and business journey doesn't have to be that glorified phrase emblazoned on Pinterest and art prints: "hustle!" I wish we said 'hustle less and live a good life more.' 

Thanks for sharing your heart Amber.

Click here to read my initial post and download the #givesunday word art title and checklist for helping you to give a little something today. You can also view all the past #givesunday quotes via the archives. 

Click here to download the #givesunday 17 quote. Please note: If you are reading this post via email you need to click through to the actual blog post to download the file. 

You're invited to join me. What will you
give today?

Have a wonderful Sunday. 

Do You See What I See

Aaron snapped this photo of me last weekend as we were celebrating my friend Todd's 40th Birthday (that's him there next to me). I've known Todd since my very first week at college - I was 17 which means we've been friends now for more than 20 years. He's part of a group of friends from college who all live here in town. He gives good hugs and laughs easily - always has.  

As I looked at this photo, the phrase that kept popping into my head was Do You See What I See? And then I started thinking about photos of ourselves and why we like or don't like them and all the underlying layers of stories that can go along at any point in time about who we are and how we got to right now. 

Here's what I "see" when looking at this photo: 

I see a woman approaching 40, with all the wounds and gathered strength from experiences that go along with midlife. I see a woman genuinely laughing and enjoying being in the company of good friends. She loved that it lasted until the wee hours of the morning and included dancing.  I see a woman who watched her new love and her old love stand together at this party in a long conversation about homes and kids and politics.  I see a woman who loves wearing stripes and who debated about the white jeans but was happy with that choice in the end.  I see a woman struggling to figure it all out and struggling to remember that she doesn't have to have it all figured out.  I see a woman who loves and lives her work, sometimes to the determent of those around her because it can be tough to turn off.  I see a woman who often spends a crazy amount of time in her own head - for better or worse.  I see a woman with a 13-year-old son and a 6-year-old-daughter who sometimes questions where the time has gone and how did I get to right now?  I see a woman who misses some pieces of the last chapter of her life but who also can't imagine this new chapter without the experiences of the last one.  I see a woman who is, no matter what, thankful for the combination of experiences that have brought her to where she exists today. 

After writing these up I asked Aaron what he saw when looking at this photo. His responses were very typical Aaron - funny and sarcastic and literal. I like the opportunity to bring his voice into my stories. Here's what he saw: 

He sees that the guy with the tucked in shirt might make me laugh but the guy with his shirt untucked is the one that gets to put his arm around me.  He sees that the only reason I'm not holding a drink is because I drank all mine already.  He sees that I'm near the exit sign, which could potentially mean I want an easy getaway if I start to panic (back story: he's been with me on more than a few occasions - concerts and airplanes and such - where I've needed anti-anxiety medication to alleviate my issues with crowds/enclosed spaces/lack of control).  He sees that I'm not wearing my glasses, which must be a sign of "something" and that come on, it's a 40-year-old birthday party and at least half these people should probably be wearing glasses. 

When he first messaged these back to me I laughed out loud. I love that he's a truth teller and witty and I love that his response was not the same as mine in terms of getting all reflective and serious. It's one of the things I like about him, that he brings a levity to the table for me that I sometimes forget to bring for myself. 

Photos are powerful story sparks. There is so much below the surface that relates to who we are and the ways we see ourselves. Take a look through your own collection of photos and pick one and answer the question, "Do you see what I see?" Begin each of your statements with the same repeated phrase, "I see..." 

This month's Story Subscription theme is Click. We're telling stories of our relationship to photographs and photography and supporting each other along the way. All Story Subscriptions include education and additional inspiration to help encourage you to tell more of the stories of your life. 

Day In The Life™ | Tuesday, May 12th

Elise asked me when I was going to do a Day In The Life™ again so we're doing it. 

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, May 12th. 

There's no cost to join in the fun. All you need is a willingness to document a single day in your life from the time you get up to the time you go to bed. Most people do it with a combination of words and photos and a few other fun products added to the mix. The photos that come from this project tend to be some of my favorites. I'm looking forward to doing it again. 

Here's a video we put together about Day In The Life™ last summer for the launch of my new site that might get you excited about documenting your own regular, ordinary everyday: 

Check out more information on my Day In The Life™ project page. You can also see all my past Day In The Life™ posts from my archives. 

39 Little Things I'm Thankful For Right Now

I was re-reading my Gratitude In The Middle Of The Mess post this morning and figured a public list of things I'm thankful for right now would be a pretty good idea. 

I'm not currently smack dab in the middle of a mess (something to give thanks for right there), but I've been there many times with work, kids ups and downs, divorce, autism, anxiety, new relationships, emotional stuff (why does it all have to happen at the same time), personal expectations, etc. It's nothing different than many of you are facing or have faced and man it can be so hard to see straight when it feels like it's all crashing down around you. And when you're in the middle of the mess sometimes finding something to be thankful for can help change your thought patterns. 

Today I'm sharing 39 little things I'm thankful for simply because I'll be turning 40 later this year and it seems like the perfect number right now. My list includes a random assortment of things I just like or buy or consume or people or memories - really anything that came to mind as I've been brainstorming for the last week or so: 

I'm thankful for honest conversations with true friends who get me and listen to my crazy. I'm thankful for spicy hot V8 warmed up in the microwave.I'm thankful for Haribo gummy bears. I'm thankful for popcorn & cheese & apples for dinner.I'm thankful for Trader Joe's flower prices & selection. I'm thankful for my Kindle. Our relationship has been good. Still lots of paper books on my nightstand, but I'm loving the Kindle option. I'm thankful for the way Anna says "I love you" a lot. I'm thankful for lemons. One of my favorite scents as well. I'm thankful for allergy medication - especially this time of the year. I'm thankful for Simon's love of adventures. I'm thankful for people who call me on my crap. I look at it as a path to growth - each time it gives me a new chance to choose a different response the next time. I'm thankful for Spotify playlists. Right now I'm listening to one called Relax & Unwind. I'm thankful for hot baths.I'm thankful for people who share their stories honestly and with open hearts, even when it's hard. I'm thankful for wisteria, lilac, hydrangea, peonies and dahlias - all my favorite things that grow in my yard. I'm thankful for Pureology shampoo and conditioner. I'm thankful for all my white dishes. Some from Crate & Barrel and some from JCPenny and some from Target and some from thrift stores. I'm thankful that my kids like to read. Simon's needing some prompting right now to get him to pick up a book, but I get how that goes and know he'll find another one soon that interests and excites him. I'm thankful for the seamless tunic length Mossimo tank tops from Target.I'm thankful that I get to work from home. It's not perfect but I'm super thankful for the opportunity. I'm thankful for great stories like All The Light We Cannot See (the last book I read on my Kindle).I'm thankful for pizza parlor pizza. I'm thankful for friends I've known for 20+ years who remember all the crazy old stories and still love to laugh about them as much as I do. I'm thankful for the opportunity to try to figure some stuff out and whole-heartedly accept the rest. I'm thankful that my parents live at the beach and that they are just rad people in general. I'm thankful for time to clean up my office. I'm thankful for fireplaces. I'm thankful for weekend soccer games where I get to watch Anna express the mighty competitive side of herself. I'm thankful for post it notes. I'm thankful for Uniball Vision Elite pens which continue to be my favorite everyday life pens. I'm thankful for getting to start over again each day. I'm thankful for Netflix, because really, it's awesome. I'm thankful for white towels. I'm thankful for deep breaths.I'm thankful for airplanes that take me to new places. I'm thankful for Anna's school and Simon's teachers. I'm thankful for the chance to sit on the couch and watch movies with my kids. I'm thankful for random texts from far-away (and near) friends saying hi and I'm thinking about you. i'm thankful for the chance to be alive. To live this life, even with all the ups and downs. This world is insanely amazing and there is always, always, always something to be thankful for every single day. 

When was the last time you made a list of all the little (and/or big) things you are thankful for in your life right now? 

Have a wonderful week. 

Give Sunday | 16

This year, in honor of my 2015
One Little Word® "give," I'm sharing a hand-drawn quote each Sunday here on my blog.

I found this quote from Cheryl Strayed (author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar) this week on Erin's Design For Mankind blog within a post titled: Hair, Today. That post is definitely worth a read today - lovely perspective. Love the idea of contemplating what things we are hanging on to that are no longer needed - physically, emotionally, spiritually. 

Click here to read my initial post and download the #givesunday word art title and checklist for helping you to give a little something today. You can also view all the past #givesunday quotes via the archives. 

Click here to download the #givesunday 16 quote. Please note: If you are reading this post via email you need to click through to the actual blog post to download the file. 

You're invited to join me. What will you
give today?

Have a wonderful Sunday.