Ali Edwards's Blog, page 80
November 18, 2021
December Daily® 2021 | Special Guest Azzari Jarrett
Hi friends!
On Tuesday, I shared a few ways that you can capture more meaningful photos in December.
Today, I’d like to take it a step further and share few meaningful photos from my own personal December Daily® albums over the years. I love looking at layouts for inspiration, but today I’d like to talk about the “why”.
Why did I take the photo that I did and how is it meaningful? Let’s dive in.
December is always filled with lights. Every year when we pick out our tree, I love to capture the lights at our local Christmas tree farm. I intentionally capture the lights completely out of focus because I love the sparkle against the evergreen of the trees. This fits in with my theme of not focusing on taking the “perfect” photo.
For me, this is meaningful because it almost seems like a work of art. I know that I can pair it with embellishments to bring out the story of that day.
Here is how it looks in my album, paired with embellishments to bring out the story of that day.
Another way I capture meaningful photos in December is through black and white photography.
I love to post process my images in black and white when I want to draw attention to an activity and not all of the colors in a photo. Here, my daughters are practicing a duet on the piano. By converting the image to black and white, my eyes are drawn to what they are doing in that moment in time.
And here is how I included it in my album.
In December, many of my most meaningful photos are taken in low light. I love natural light, but sometimes that is just not possible when the days are so short.
Many digital point and shoot and phone cameras will automatically adjust settings for you to capture images in low light. If you have a DSLR, you have a little more control over your camera settings. You can increase your ISO, slow down your shutter speed, and use a larger aperture on your lens. I also find that using a tripod is helpful in when capturing images in low light.
Here is how it looks in my album.
I hope that this has provided you will some ideas for taking more meaningful photos in December.
Remember, the most meaningful photo is the one that you take. The moment you don’t let pass by. One that represents you, your family, and your story.
Thank you for joining me this week!
For more from Azzari:
Find her on Instagram.
Explore her shop.
November 17, 2021
December Daily® 2021 | Foundation Pages
December Daily® 2021 is quickly approaching and I'm super excited to share a closer look at what I've done in my album to get ready for my stories.
I shared a look at my starting place last month and have added a few more things to my album. The purpose of today's post is to share images and a video walk-through so you can see where I'm starting and what's waiting for my stories in December.
I'm really excited about the new album size this year (10x8) and can't wait to add in some full page photos. As you'll see below I don't have a foundation page for every story I'll be telling in December - I generally like to have a good idea of at least a handful of stories I'll tell and then from there I'll create as I go and will be sharing here + on YouTube each day during December as I have in the past.
In case you are just joining us for this annual project know that you are invited to:
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (videos for DD will be posted here on the blog + on YouTube) Join our December Daily® Facebook Group for community, ideas + inspiration Follow along on our December Daily® Instagram account for inspiration + ideas Play along with our December Daily® Product Play workshop where our team is sharing one idea per day in November Check out our December Daily® $5 Prep Day (this was held earlier this month but all the content is accessible to watch any time) Check out the December Daily® Blog Archives for years of ideas
Bring on the magic of the season. I am looking forward to sinking into December and telling one story per day in my album.
Let's dive in to an overview video:
Here are images of where my album is at right now along with some notes + thoughts:
For my Reason Why page this year I adhered one of the
canvas pockets onto a sheet of pattern paper. These have been sized to the size of the page protectors in the album and work great as a background for your stories and content. On the outside of the pocket I added a fabric patch and the "2021" numbers from the Main Kit.
On top of the tags I used the
Holiday Phrases Stamp Set to create my titles and journaled below.
Green Twill Ribbon is from Amazon.
I decided to start off my album with a full page of alpha stamping. Technically I'm working ahead on my first story + I'm totally okay with that. I used the
6x8 Alpha Stamp Set to create a reminder for myself about how I want to move through the month and the season. In between the phrases I used the plus sign stamp from the Holiday Icon Stamp Set with Redwood Ink.
Inks used for this stamping were three different greens from Tim Holtz:
Peeled Paint Distress Oxide, Rustic Wilderness Distress Ink, and Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide. Tim's inks seemed to work better with this particular stamp set - the Crafters Inks were a bit too juicy and I had a hard time getting the line to show up.
I'll share a process video for this one with my Story One post on December 2nd.
To go along with my full page of stamping I'm hoping to include images of our family members like I did in a past year in a
2 inch x 2 inch pocket page protector.
In addition to the 2x2 photos that will be added I'll also add some embellishments. I added one of the
wood veneer embellishments and then re-stamped the plus sign + Redwoods ink to link it back to the stamping on the opposite page. On top of the plus sign I embossed a #1 from this stamp set using white embossing powder.
As you'll see I've got lots of sticky notes to help myself remember ideas for stories, photos, and embellishments. This helps me remember ideas I had or things to think about related to stories I might tell or other things I might use or include.
Story Two will likely be the back of the 2 inch x 2 inch pocket page plus one of the shipping tags (
available digitally if you missed the physical version). I hope to document 10 things I'm looking forward to this holiday season. I added puffy number stickers from the Main Kit to the back of the wood veneer embellishment.
Story three will be a list of simple joys using the -ing words from
the Holiday Phrase Stamp Set stamped onto one of the large tags paired with the felt number three. I used the We R Memory Keepers Hole Punch to create the holes to fit into the album.
I added a little embroidery thread "x" to the fabric/canvas phrase.
Next up I've got one of the divided pocket pages that came with the 10x8 album. Inside the pockets I've got a journal card from the Main Kit about "decking the halls" along with the die cut/glitter "calm + bright" from the Main Kit slipped into the top pocket. I might add some sequins to that and stitch across the top to create a shaker pocket.
As I was working on my pages this time I pulled out my box of large numbers that I've collected over the years from past projects. It's not very often that I would use all the numbers in one project so I have an interesting collection of random numbers that are perfect for adding into this project. I'm not 100% sure that I'll use the large wood four for this story but I've got it pulled out just in case.
I keep this box in one of my drawers at my table and really like having all of them stored together.
Next up in the album is one of the
10x8 Vellum Sheets. I added a "right now" chipboard speech bubble from the Main Kit and plan to either add circle photos or circle journaling spots to the inside of those circles for this story. I added the "making a list" card to the back side of the previous page and will likely use that as the jumping off point for my story (maybe the photos I add there will be things on my list).
A lot of the papers this year have grids on them that could also work here if you didn't get the vellum sheets (there's a pattern paper that is very similar as well as other straight line grids).
For the next story I'm imaging that I'll added the
Main Kit pocket card to the middle of the 6x8 transparency (and add a second one on the back). Currently it's attached with a small paper clip (they are super useful when you are wanting to keep elements together before actually constructing the page).
Notes to myself here include a reminder that the back of the vellum wreath page includes 6 circles and that I might want to add a photo to the edge of the transparency. Love all the page size options.
The white felt 6 is from a previous collection.
As mentioned above I think I'll add another of those pockets from the Main Kit to the back of the transparency. That might simply hold the story for the day or I might pair it with the next page.
For the next page I cut up a piece of
transparent plastic to create a clear foundation. My plan is to layer the wreath circles from the Main Kit across the page to hold a photo and story.
While waiting for the story + photo for this page I'm simply paper-clipping the circles together to the top of the transparent page.
Next up I know I want to use the December Moments die cut page so this felt like a good time to add it to the mix.
Next up is a page I created using one of the 3x8 transparencies and two of
the plastic frames. I stitched them together on my sewing machine to create the page. This is another example where you can add more or less depending on your story. I can imagine a bunch of funny face images going in those spots similar to a photobooth.
Next up I added one of the 1/2 circle die cut pages and am thinking that it will go with the next page which is one of the
vellum sheets.
On top of all the speech bubbles I added puffy numbers from the
Main Kit and will find 12 things to document.
One of the
6x8 transparency pages is next. Lots of possibilities with this wreath design.
I'm considering cutting this envelope in half to hold the tags (a download available in the
Prep Day digital package). I'll also likely add an Avery Index Tab along the edge.
Goal is always to have kids + adults fill these out. I'll add ribbon to the top of each one.
One thing that I often add to my albums is felt. This year we offered the large felt numbers and in addition to that I wanted to play around with adding a full page of felt and stitching one of the die cut phrases from the Main Kit on top.
I kinda love this very simple, bold page in the middle of lots of fun patterns this year.
On the back of the fabric page I'm probably going to add my pie chart (an idea that was shared during the
Prep Day this year).
During Prep Day I showed the pie chart living in this pocket I created using pattern paper and
Grafix Plastic and it still might end up living there or I'll add photos and words.
Adhered directly behind that previous pocket page is a piece of pattern paper with another
canvas pocket adhered on top. I took the journal card out and replaced it with tags and shaker tags. I'll add a story to the "little details" tag for this day.
Next up is a page I put together for
December Daily® Product Play this year which includes window cards adhered to a transparency.
I followed that up with another 10x8 pocket page with directed journal cards (tell a story about what I'm currently embracing) and a die cut phrase from the Main Kit. I really like that this page will likely be similar to a page earlier in the album as it brings some cohesion to the design. I'll probably turn that bottom pocket into a shaker pocket with sequins if I do that on the earlier page.
It's also often pretty refreshing to come to a page like this in the project where I'll simply be printing out a photo or two and writing down some words. Keep that in mind as you plan ahead in your own album.
I love the idea of combining these two pages together so that's my plan for another story. One of the things that's really fun about this album size is that you have all kinds of construction options for page sizes and shapes.
I have one more page in my album before a few ideas for Christmas Day (saving that particular page for the Product Play workshop). I know I want to use the large felt 2 + 5 for Christmas Day so I stitched them together. I might add holes and put it into the album via the rings or I might add it inside a full page protector. I'll make that decision later.
The last page I have in my album right now is this grid pattern paper where I could add little snippets of photos or tags or other things after we've experienced the day.
One other thing I did as I got started on my foundation pages was go through some of my stash and pick out a few things that might work really well to support my December stories. Here are a few things I pulled out that might find their way into my December Daily® album this year:
December Daily® 2021 Main Kit December Daily® 2021 10x8 Album (similar) December Daily® 2021 Canvas Pockets + Tags December Daily® 2021 6x8 Transparency Sheets December Daily® 2021 10x8 Vellum Sheets December Daily® 2021 Fabric Holiday Patches December Daily® 2021 Painted Wood Veneer Pieces December Daily® 2021 4x6 Holiday Phrase Stamp Set December Daily® 2021 6x8 Alpha Stamp Set December Daily® 2021 Holiday Icon Stamp Set December Daily® 2021 6x8 Number Stamp Set 2 inch x 2 inch Page Protector December Daily® Shipping Tag Bundle (digital available) December Daily® Plastic Frames Set December Daily® Shaker Tags Green Twill Ribbon Ranger White Embossing Powder Versamark Heat Gun We R Memory Keepers Hole Punch Avery Index Tabs Tim Holtz Mini Paper Clips Grafix Plastic Sheets 12x12 Peeled Paint Distress Oxide Rustic Wilderness Distress Ink Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide AED Redwoods Ink
November 16, 2021
New Quarterly Scrapbook Kit : Stars
Heads up that our fourth Quarterly Scrapbook Kit (Stars) is now available.
If you previously purchased the Heart Scrapbook Kit, the Circles Scrapbook Kit, or the Hexagon Scrapbook Kit (when they were available via subscription) the this will be auto-shipped to you.
NOTE: One big change we made to the Scrapbook Kit is that the pattern papers are now single sided! No more having to choose which pattern you want to use.
Here are reminders about how this Quarterly Kit works:
The kit will be available for $34.99 and that includes both the physical kit AND the digital files . The digital files will also be available separately with next month's regularly scheduled digital release.
Shipping will be free domestically and $4 for international addresses.
This first kit will ship separate from other subscriptions, but the remaining kits will ship with your existing subscriptions.
This is an auto-ship subscription which means that when you sign up for this first kit you are signing up for the other three as well (this is the same set up we use for the One Little Word® Mini Kits ). Subscriptions will remain available while supplies last. If you miss this first subscription you will be able to start with the second one when it releases if they are available. If we have extra inventory of this first kit when the second kit becomes available the first kit will move to the shop and regular shipping rates will apply.
We do have a few of the following Scrapbook Kits available outside of the subscription (they are $39.99 when purchased outside the subscription if any are still available):
Circle Scrapbook KitHexagon Scrapbook KitHeart Scrapbook KitWe will be offering this subscription again in 2022 with four new themes: Rainbows, Black + White, Numbers, and Tags.
Here's a look at what's included with this kit:
The digital version of this kit will be available separately in December.
And here is a look at the full kit:
And a closer look at the components:
Thank you! We hope this kit helps you tell some of your stories!
November 15, 2021
December Daily® 2021 | Special Guest Azzari Jarrett
Hi friends! My name is Azzari Jarrett and I am so excited to be here with you today!
This week, we are focusing on photography and its role in December Daily®. Since 2014, this has been one of my most favorite projects because it combines two of the things I love the most - photography and scrapbooking!
Whether you’ve decided to use a physical or digital album, or a hybrid approach this year, I think we can all agree that photography can play an active role in telling the story of December.
Today, I wanted to share a few ways that you can capture more meaningful photos in December.
1. Focus on the feeling, not an aesthetically pleasing photo.
Instead of focusing on the most aesthetically pleasing photo, try capturing a feeling of Christmas that you’d like to remember. It doesn’t have to be a picture perfect moment, simply a moment in time that matters to you or your family.
In this photo, I captured this handmade gingerbread house that my daughter made. Should it matter that the image is slightly out of focus? Of course not! It captures the December story that I wanted to tell that day. Capture the perfectly imperfect.
You’ll find that looking at photography this way is so freeing! When you are focused on capturing a feeling, there is no right or wrong way to go about doing so.
Try not to overthink it. What makes a good photograph is independent of technique. If the photo you capture evokes the feeling you felt at that moment, it can never be wrong. Capturing that moment in time to tell that December story will always be right.
2. Leave negative space in your photo for journaling.
I love to leave negative space in my photos in order to include journaling directly on the photo.
Instead of capturing the stockings on our fireplace directly, I made sure to position them on the side of the photo, leaving the left open for journaling. In this way, you can tell the story of that day directly on the photograph itself.
3. Use the camera you have.
It can be easy to get caught up in wishing for better camera equipment. “If only I had this, I could capture that…..” The new and next best thing is always around the corner. Don’t be fooled by any of it.
Use the camera you have. The camera on your phone is perfectly fine. Your point and shoot camera is great. Start where you are, with what you have now.
Get to know your camera. I find that when I want something new, it helps if I concentrate on learning more about the camera that I have. Am I using all of the features? Is there a setting I haven’t tried yet?
Remember - no one else knows your life like you do, and no one else can capture your stories in December better than you can.
I’ll be back later this week for more photography tips for December! In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions.
For more from Azzari:
Find her on Instagram.
Explore her shop.
November 13, 2021
Glow Story Kit + December 2021 Stories By The Month Kit
Today's the 13th of the month and that means a new Story Kit, Story Stamp, and Stories By The Month kit. This month we are focusing on stories related to the theme of Glow.
Honestly, this theme is just fun. It’s an awesome opportunity to celebrate the ways that you + those around you glow and shine light out into the world at large. Let’s light up this month together with stories of the ways in which we are glowing right now.
Initial story ideas for this theme include:
What is your greatest pleasure/lights you up right now? What gives you a glow?
In what ways do you let your light shine bright in your life?
Who lights up your life? Tell that story.
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:
Love this sample from Kelly Ishmael using this month's 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™:
Again, thanks so much for subscribing and/or considering our
Story Subscription program! If you have any questions about this program please let us know below in the comments.
Ali's currently working on her pages with this month's kit and will share them in the classroom. Here's a look at a couple pages that Lisa put together with this Glow kit:
Stories By The Month™ kits include 4x6 chipboard, 3x4 and 4x6 cards, a 3x4 stamp, a sticker sheet, and an embellishment (wood veneer, cork, fabric, etc).
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).
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.
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.
November 12, 2021
In Case You Missed It | November 12
Happy Friday, friends! Welcome to the latest In Case You Missed It. Just a reminder that this is a quick post that will happen every Friday afternoon with all the updates and links that have happened throughout the week. So, let's get to it:
DECEMBER DAILY
The 2021 December Daily® collection is now available in the shop. Find the collection here.
STORY CHATS
Tonight! Friday, November 12th at 7pm ET we will host our monthly Story Chat for the new GLOW theme. Lisa, Ali, Morgan, and Jenny will be diving into this new theme. Monday, November 15th at 10AM ET we will continue our weekly live chats about December Daily® with a conversation about photography. Join Lisa, Amy, Neela, and community member Autumn as they talk all about photography. In addition, we will have special guest Azzari Jarrett sharing her insight into taking more meaningful photos in December. She will be sharing content on the blog and we’ll also be talking live with Lisa, Azzari, and Ali on Thursday, November 18th at 10AM ET.
PIECES OF HOME
Join us next week as we document Pieces of Home, our next chapter in the Pieces of Life project. Find more info and a free download over on the blog here.
QUARTERLY SCRAPBOOKING KIT | STARS
Just a heads up that the Star kit is coming on November 16th. Full pictures of the kit will be released on the 16th.CREATIVE TEAM INSPIRATION
Our Creative Team is sharing their projects using the Whole Story Kit™ over on the blog. You don’t want to miss their gorgeous projects. Find them here.
CLASSES
December Daily® Product Play: Back to Basics // For 30 days in November you’ll receive one new idea per day (for a total of 30) brought to you by members of our December Daily® Creative Team, our AED Creative Team, and Ali. Ideas in this workshop will focus on physical products from the Main Kit and our 2021 collection. Our goal with this workshop is simple, fun ideas to use your products to spark stories. Register or learn more here.
As always, we’re so grateful to have you all as members of this community! Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!
November 11, 2021
December Daily® 2021 Live Chat | All About Stories
Starting the first week of November, we will be hosting a series of live December Daily®-themed conversations on our December Daily® Instagram account.This week’s theme was stories and we were thrilled to welcome host @frecklepickle, Creative Team Members @lindalovescreating, @peacock.pigments, and community member @ohsnapholly for this conversation! You can find a recording of the conversation below, or on our Instagram account.
Next week we're going to be talking all about photography and it's role in December Daily®. We have two live chats planned next week, our first with the group on Monday, November 15th at 10AM ET. Our second conversation, happening on Thursday, November 18th at 10am ET, will be with host Lisa Varshine, Ali Edwards, and special guest contributor Azzari Jarrett. We're thrilled to have Azzari contributing next week as she takes a deeper dive into capturing meaningful photography in December.
As a reminder, our themes for the next few weeks are:
Week of November 15th // PhotosWeek of November 22nd // Playing With ProductWeek of December 1st // Let's Go!Week of December 15th // Mid-Month Check-In
Final dates, times, and guests will be shared as we get closer. Recordings of the conversations will be available on our December Daily® Instagram account and will also be shared here in the blog.
As always, thank you so much for being a part of this community!
November 9, 2021
AE Creative Team | Whole Story Kit™
This past month we have been investigating and telling stories about what it means to be whole, and today we are delighted to share with you the special projects that our Creative Team made using the Whole Story Kit™.
Also, just as a reminder, this Friday, November 12th, is the last day to subscribe and receive the WHOLE-themed products.
As always, we are so grateful to our Creative Team for sharing their stories and creative inspiration with all of us!
November 5, 2021
Stories Revisited Returning 11/8
The two day Stories Revisited Event will start on Monday, November 8th, 2021 and will run through Wednesday November 10th, 2021 at 11:59 ET.
Twice a year we offer a Stories Revisited event where we bring back any inventory we have available from past Story Kits™, Story Stamps™, Stories By The Month™ kits, Add Ons, and kit components (excludes the past three kit themes). Quantities are limited because we are simply bringing back products that were originally offered to subscribers. The event that starts on Monday will contain only physical products as we have split Stories Revisited into two different events, one for physical kits, stamps and components and one for digitals and classes. Our Stories Revisited: Digitals & Classes even will run in early 2022. Please note that access to the Story Classrooms are not included as part of your physical product purchase during our Stories Revisited event.
This is a great time to grab something you missed, something you might want more of, or give my products a try if you've never purchased anything and wonder what the kits are all about. My goal in product design is to create intentional products that invite and encourage you to tell your stories. ⠀
⠀ ⠀
For more information on my subscriptions click here:
Story Kit™, Story Stamp™, Stories By The Month™, and Story Class (this includes the kit classroom + the digital kit).
To check out images of past kits go here.
Past Story Kits™ Available:
AmpersandLaughStrongEvening Bloom
Past Story Stamps™ available:
Ampersand LaughStrongEveningBloom Kindness
Stories By The Month™ Kits available:
August 2021July 2021June 2021May 2021April 2021March 2021
In Case You Missed it | November 5
Happy Friday, friends! Welcome to the latest In Case You Missed It. Just a reminder that this is a quick post that will happen every Friday afternoon with all the updates and links that have happened throughout the week. So, let's get to it:
ALI EDWARDS + LAURA WONSIK STAMP RELEASE / STORYTELLING BASICS
This week we released amazing new stamp designs from Ali and two new sets from Laura Wonsik. In addition, we restocked lots of our favorites Storytelling Basics. Digitals for these stamp sets will be available next month in our regularly scheduled monthly digital release. Shop the collection now.
DECEMBER DAILY
The 2021 December Daily® collection is now available in the shop. Find the collection here.
STORY CHATS
On Monday, November 8th at 4pm ET we will host our second chat in our weekly series of December Daily® themed Instagram Live conversations, in this one we will be focusing on all things story-related. Last Monday’s conversation is now available in the blog.
CRAFT THE STORY YOUTUBE SERIES
In today's Craft The Story video Ali is sharing her process for creating a layout using the new Currently Messy Circle stamp Set. Please note: this video is music only, no speaking. Find the video here.
CREATIVE TEAM INSPIRATION
Our Creative Team is sharing their projects using the November 2021 Stories by the Month™ Physical Kit over on the blog. You don’t want to miss their gorgeous projects. Find them here.
CLASSES
December Daily® Prep Day // Join the December Daily® community for a fun online prep day on Saturday, November 6th, 2021. Use this opportunity to finish past December Daily® projects or start working on your project for 2021. This year we are delighted to welcome Laura Wonsik and Pam Baldwin as your hosts for Prep Day. Ali will be online and participating and sharing ideas along the way as well. Entrance to the classroom will be available upon registration, and we have included some fun party prep ideas and a printable package to help you get ready for the day. The first live video will start on Saturday, November 6th at 9:00 am Eastern. Register here.December Daily® Product Play: Back to Basics // For 30 days in November you’ll receive one new idea per day (for a total of 30) brought to you by members of our December Daily® Creative Team, our AED Creative Team, and Ali. Ideas in this workshop will focus on physical products from the Main Kit and our 2021 collection. Our goal with this workshop is simple, fun ideas to use your products to spark stories. Register or learn more here.
As always, we’re so grateful to have you all as members of this community! Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!
