Ali Edwards's Blog, page 95
April 23, 2021
Making Gelli Print Papers For Paper Crafting
In this week's Craft The Story video (Episode 16) I’m sharing how I play with gelli plates + paint to create papers to use in my memory keeping projects. I go over supplies I use, basic techniques, and then take you along with me as I create a variety of prints.
Also, heads up that my Hello Story 3 workshop starts on Tuesday! Come join me as I focus on creating scrapbook projects using cut paper, no photos, and repetition.
Let's dive in:
SUPPLIES5x7 Gelli Arts Gelli Plate6x6 Gelli Arts Gelli Plate9x12 Gelli Arts Gelli PlateDeli PapersRanger/Dylusions/Dyan Reaveley Creative JournalBrayerArt Foamies Foam StampsTim Holtz StencilsStencils (link to hundreds of options at Scrapbook.com)Tim Holtz Rose stencilMini Liquitex Paint SetGolden Titan Buff PaintGolden Light Magenta PaintGesso (white paint)Catalyst Line WedgeKraft CardstockWhite CardstockFiskars Large ScissorsFiskars Small Scissors
April 16, 2021
In Case You Missed It | April 16
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:
CRAFT THE STORY YOUTUBE SERIES
In this week's Craft The Story video (Episode 15) Ali is sharing what a day in her working life looks like right now. Her description: Have you told a story about your work life right now either via video or photos and words? I loved doing this via video and think it will be especially fun to look back on in the years to come (also wishing that I would have done it 10 years ago to witness the difference between then + now). Find it here.
CLASSES
Hello Story 3 is open for registration! We’re excited to share that Hello Story 3 is coming and class starts April 27th (Ali has pushed back the start date, needing a little more time to finish her content) . Hello Story 3 features three storytelling structures/techniques that will bring both creativity and clarity to your documenting process: no-photo layouts, cut paper collage, and repetition. Through in-depth explorations of each topic Ali will share with you how she uses each of the story structures to get her stories told. Register here.
CHATS
On Monday, April 12th, we had our first Story Chat about the theme EVENING with Ali and creative team members Lisa Varshine, Laura Wonsik, and Amy Gretchen. If you missed it, a recording will live on our Instagram account under our IGTV (find it here). These chats will also live in the Story Classroom, available to subscribers. Story Chats will happen the 12th of every month with a variety of contributors. After our first one, we’re excited to fine-tune the format and implement a few changes to make it even better next time.
CREATIVE TEAM
Our creative team is sharing their projects using the May Stories By The Month Kit over on the blog. You don’t want to miss the beautiful pages these ladies have put together. Read it here.
SALES
Earlier this month we kicked off our Retirement sale for the Story Planner Collection. Grab pieces from this collection for up to 70% off! Find the collection here.
We’re so grateful to have you all as members of this community! Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!
Day In The Life™ 2021 | Special Guest Kasha Gage
Today, we're excited to welcome creative team member, Kasha Gage. She's going to be sharing her completed Day in the Life album.
Hello everyone. Today I’m happy to be sharing with you a closer look at my 2021 Day in LifeTM album. I love this one-day documenting project and am so thankful to have participated again this year.
Whenever I go to tackle a “bigger” project – whether it’s like this or Week in the Life, I like to give myself some space and time from the words & the photos. I know this method may not be everyone – there isn’t a right way or a wrong way here. But it’s what I’ve found works best in helping me finish these projects.
In the walkthrough video below, you’ll hear me talk about a couple of design choices I considered and reasons why I decided to go in a different direction.
I’m also offering a couple of ideas + suggestions for those who are documenting this in their Project Life but aren’t sure where to start.
Let’s jump right in to the video.
Here’s a closer look at my album via images.
For this documenting day, I used the story prompt “around here” as my lens. I cut a slit in the 4x6 journal card to hold one of last year’s DITL tags (these are available digitally). Stamped twenty-twenty-one, added a phrase sticker + mini-chipboard heart (from this year’s kit), and added the date using black puffy stickers from the Storytelling Basics collection.
My album followed a formula (for the most part). I printed all of my journaling directly on the “around here” journal card and on top adhered a mini-chipboard heart on top of one of the boxes.
I printed all of my photos here at home – sized to 7x4.25 inches. For some photos I added white chipboard phrases (from last year’s WITL and still available) on photos where I felt it added something.
Playing with pockets. In between photos, I used the (2) 3x4 pockets that were included with the album to hold my journaling. I printed my journaling on inkjet transparency.
Even though there’s white space in both of these photos – I intentionally didn’t fill them in with embellishments. That way it wouldn’t detract from the simplicity of the journaling.
Day in the Life reminded me just how much I love capturing + documenting my everyday lives. I hope this provides some inspiration for your Day in the Life album and I look forward to the next documenting day together later this fall.
ABOUT KASHA
Hi, I’m Kasha Gage. I’m originally from the Midwest but Connecticut is where my husband & I now call home. I love capturing my life via photos + words. Memory keeping allows me to blend my passions for photography, design and storytelling. You’ll usually find me with either a book, my camera or making my 10th list for the day (not necessarily in that order or a one or the other).
For more inspiration from Kasha, make sure to follow her on Instagram: @kashakgage.
A Video Story Of A Random Work Day
In this week's Craft The Story video (Episode 15) I’m sharing what a day in my working life looks like right now.
Have you told a story about your work life right now either via video or photos and words? I loved doing this via video and think it will be especially fun to look back on in the years to come. I'm also wishing that I would have done it 10 years ago to be able to witness the difference between then + now. My work days also look a little different when kids are here (they are here every other week).
Let's dive right in:
Mushroom Coffee Re-useable Paper Towels from Marley’s Monsters Evenings Story Kit + Classroom Pieces Of Me Notebook One Little Word® 2021 Workshop Get To Work Book Planner Scrapbook And Cards Today Crop + Create Event Moleskin Notebook (I use this in conjunction with my Get To Work Book for additional thoughts and brainstorms)BOOKS ABOUT STORYTELLING SHOWN IN VIDEO
The Magic Of Memoir The Art Of Memoir Words Are My Matter Design Is Storytelling Storyteller The Memoir Project You Deserve The Truth Stories That Stick Memory Craft
April 15, 2021
AE Creative Team | May 2021 Stories by the Month™ Physical Kit
Stories of messy moments. Stories of doing hard things. Stories of life right now. Today we are delighted to share the special projects made by our awesome Creative Team using the May 2021 Stories by the Month™ Physical Kit.
And just as a note: although this kit is currently sold out, last month we were able to add more subscribers from the waitlist and we hope to do the same this month. So if you are interested in subscribing, please be sure to join the waitlist.
As always, we are so grateful to our Creative Team for sharing their heartfelt stories and creative inspiration with all of us!
Week In The Life™ 2021 | Eight Weeks to Complete
Hi! This is Jess Forster and I’m thrilled to be sharing more about #eightweekstocomplete. Hands up if you’re excited to document Week In the Life, this year? Keep your hands up if you haven’t finished last year’s album. For those keeping track my hand was raised the entire time. Yes, it’s true, I love Week In The Life and this year marks my 11th year participating. With that said, I have a few unfinished albums left to complete.
Myself and other creative team members including Ingunn, Kim and Lisa, are using the excitement and time, leading up to the start of 2021 Week In The Life project to finish our previous incomplete albums. Calling it #eightweekstocomplete, this fun community challenge is designed to encourage each other to work on and or finish our albums. Using the hashtag, #eightweekstocomplete, we are posting our progress on the Craft the Story Facebook Group and Instagram to keep ourselves accountable. You are invited to work on your previous WITL albums or another incomplete project from now until May 10th. For those wanting to play along and keep track of your progress, please use the hashtag.
For me, I am working on two WITL albums including those from 2015 & 2018. After flipping through both albums, I realized that my 2015 album is almost complete. My game plan is to tackle it first. I have made a list, day by day of tasks that I need to finish. This list is itemized, day by day, and includes the breakdown of photo sizes, journaling and embellishments needs.
Once my 2015 WITL album is completed, I will move on to my 2018 album. I know that I likely won’t finish my 2018 album this year but I can still make progress. I like spending time with my photos and journaling and I think there is value in this journey. It also helps to give me photo & story ideas for this year’s 2021 Week In the Life project.
If you’re reading this consider yourself invited! Everyone is welcome to participate. Tag myself, Ali or the other creative team members on Instagram or the Craft the Story Facebook group, when you have completed a task. Let’s encourage each other and make some progress in our Week In the Life albums together!!
Find us on Instagram: @jess_forster @smultringunn
@kimdocumentslife
@frecklepickle @aliedwardsdesigninc
Thanks for reading!
Jess
April 13, 2021
Evenings Story Kit + May 2021 Stories By The Month Kit
This month we are focusing on stories related to the theme of Evenings.
A few months back we tackled “mornings" as a story theme so it feels like a good time to tackle “evenings." Every single day we are alive we experience an “evening” and now is the time to take a look at and document some of your own evenings. What do you love? What do you dislike? What is different about your evenings compared to past years? So many stories to share.
Initial story ideas for this theme include:
What is your current evening routine? Document what your bedtime rituals Can you think of your most favorite way to spend an evening? Detail that. Think of one piece of your evening routine and go deeper with the story.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 (f
ull 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).
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.
April 9, 2021
In Case You Missed It | April 9
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:
First, we want to express our gratitude for the beautiful way this community embraced the Pieces of Me project this year. We have loved getting to see these pieces of each of you and feeling more connected. Thank you for letting us tell stories alongside you.CRAFT THE STORY YOUTUBE SERIES
In this week's Craft The Story (Episode 14) video Ali is sharing a look at her Pieces Of Me project in progress. Many of you have joined in this week in this self-portrait adventure where we are getting ourselves in our stories. We have absolutely loved seeing your images - most especially your faces. Beautiful, brave, resilient women + men who are showing up and having fun both in front of + behind your cameras. Each day this week Ali has set aside some time to print her photo(s) and add them into her Pieces Of Me notebook along with some journaling. She filmed myself working on this project each day and brought that together for today's video. She plans to share the other three pages in the coming week. Find it here.CLASSES
Hello Story 3 is open for registration! We’re excited to share that Hello Story 3 is coming and class starts April 20th. Hello Story 3 features three storytelling structures/techniques that will bring both creativity and clarity to your documenting process: no-photo layouts, cut paper collage, and repetition. Through in-depth explorations of each topic Ali will share with you how she uses each of the story structures to get her stories told. Register here.CHATS
Did you miss the Hello Story 3 Chat with Ali and Lisa? They talked in depth about what to expect from Hello Story 3, how it relates to the other Hello Story classes, and what’s to come in the AE Classroom. Find it on the Ali Edwards Design Inc. Instagram account, under IGTV. You haven’t missed it….yet! We’re introducing a new monthly event: Story Chat. Starting April 12th, we’ll be hosting a LIVE conversation on the Ali Edwards Design Inc. Instagram account to discuss the new story kit theme and possible story ideas. For our first discussion, we’re excited to have Ali and creative team members Lisa Varshine, Laura Wonsik, and Amy Gretchen. Stay tuned for the final time!SALES
Stories Revisited Sale: Digital Kits & Classes! Now through the April 12th, we’ll be offering past Digital Story Kits for $14.99 and Story Classes for $10. Moving forward, we’re changing up our Stories Revisited Sales. This sale will include previous Story Classrooms, digital Story Kits and digital add ons and later this summer we will offer our previous physical Story Kit and Story Stamps in Stories Revisited: Kits & Stamps. Find it here.We’re so grateful to have you all as members of this community! Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!
AE Creative Team | BLOOM Story Kit™
This past month we have been documenting stories of blooming together and embracing slow and steady growth. And today we are delighted to share with you the projects that our Creative Team made using the BLOOM Story Kit™.
And just as a reminder, Monday, April 12th, is the last day to subscribe and receive the BLOOM-themed products.
As always, we are so grateful to our Creative Team for sharing their stories and creative inspiration with all of us!
Pieces Of Me 2021 | Project In Progress
In this week's Craft The Story (Episode 14) video I'm sharing a look at my Pieces Of Me project in progress.
Many of you have been joining me this week in this self-portrait adventure where we are getting ourselves in our stories. I have absolutely loved seeing your images - most especially your faces. Beautiful, brave, resilient women + men who are showing up and having fun both in front of + behind your cameras.
Each day this week I've set aside some time to print my photo(s) and add them into my Pieces Of Me notebook along with some journaling. I filmed myself working on this project each day and have brought that together for today's video. I'll share the other three pages in the coming week.
If you are reading that post at another time or you missed our community documenting time it's totally not too late to embark on this project for yourself. More details can be found via the Pieces Of Us archives.
Let's dive in to the video:
Here's a closer look at my notebook spreads:
NOTEBOOK IDEA : Fill that longer page with a photo. In addition to my smaller photo (cropped to 4.25 inches x 4 inches wide) I printed a second larger foot photo (cropped to 4.25 inches x 8.25 inches) for the first page of the spread. I'm using Scotch Rolling Adhesive to adhere these photos into the notebook. On top of the photo I added a pleather embellishment from the Ups + Downs collection release.
For my journaling I used the "these feet" stamp from the Pieces Of Me stamp set.
NOTEBOOK IDEA : Fill that longer page with pattern paper or painted paper or scrap paper. I ended up using some deli sheets that were leftover from a previous gelli plate printing adventure. I love when the left over pieces (or in this case the deli sheets that I rolled my brayer off onto) can be just as cool and functional as the original prints.
NOTEBOOK IDEA : Stamp on top of your pattern paper (or scrap paper).
NOTEBOOK IDEA : Another way to use that longer page in the spread is to print out your journaling. I took what I wrote in my Instagram post and then copied + pasted it into photoshop and printed it on Epson Matte Presentation Paper. Loved having a home for that longer journaling. Below my photo I added a piece of pattern paper from the Heart Scrapbook Kit and a chipboard piece from the Ups + Downs collection.
Check out how I approached documenting this project in 2020 here.
Pieces Of Me Notebook
Pieces Of Life Felt Folio
Pieces Of Life Folio + Notebook Bundle
Pieces Of Me Stamp
Staz On Ink
Deli Paper (for gelli plate prints)
Scotch Rolling Adhesive
Epson PictureMate PM400 Printer
Epson XP15000 Printer
Heart Scrapbook Kit
Rolling Date Stamp
Micron Pens
Fiskars Paper Trimmer
Fiskars Scissors
