My Take on a Christmas Album...

I love the idea of doing a Daily December album and I love looking at what everyone does. But, I know I could never do it. I've tried. I've failed.

I've tried setting up the base of an album before hand and quickly learned I can't scrapbook like that. I can't have my page pre-designed before I know what I'm going to be putting on it? Know what I mean? I also can't do it daily. The stress of missing a day and then feeling behind would make it an impossible thing for me to complete.

But, I do want to do a Christmas album. I want to capture our precious memories. And I want to be able to play along while everyone else is making these fabulous albums.

So I'm trying something new this year. I'm doing a 25 Christmas Memories album. I'm using an 8x8 album with divided photo pages. I'm doing it this way because I'm super excited about doing Project Life this year. But, I don't want to get started and then quit (I know myself too well!). So, I thought if I did my Christmas album in a format similar to Project Life I could get a feel for what works for me and get in the groove before the new year!

So far I'm loving it and I don't feel stressed about doing it at all!

And the cool part is that the way I'm doing it works perfectly with BPC's 12 Days of Christmas class (which I'm an instructor for)! I'm mixing our family activities with the prompts from the 12 Days of Christmas class. This lets me make the memories and capture my thoughts and photo's while they are happening and then after the holiday's I can work on putting my pages together. Without stress! I know the class is setup for 12x12 layouts, but I figure I have an 8x16 rectangle to play with so the dimensions are the same and I can make it work. I'm super excited!

Here's what I've got done so far. This is my title page.

And then it will open up to 25 memory pages.

Here's a look at my first one.

These divided page protectors are fun because I can see through them to see peeks of what's behind and use the little pockets to put in little things, like these stars, and be able to see the pictures behind.

The only thing I'm worried about is that I'm thinking this album I started with is going to be too small. I've only got 4 days (not even the full 4 days) worth of stuff in here and it's already getting full.

Happy Holidays!

Supplies used so far:

InLinkz.com

Comments

[shay]

I LOVE the pages you've done-- where are the page protectors from, i NEED them!!! Love everything you do & glad I got to meet you at Scrapfest :]

[Judi Church]

I just love this idea. I've never seen page protectors like this--are they available at retail outlets? (I'm in Canada) You are so creative!!

[Lisa Day]

Thank you!! They are available at scrapbook.com here http://shrsl.com/?~1pk6

[Lisa Day]

Thank you Shay!! I was wrong when I said 2peas. They are available however at scrapbook.com here http://shrsl.com/?~1pk6

[Dawn W]

This is amazing! You could have been describing me! I too have wanted to do a DD, but some days are gone before I even know it, much less thought to take it the camera. Way too much stress! This format is perfect, thanks for the inspiration!

[Lisa Dickinson]

awesome idea, lisa! i, too, am a DD flunkie but I think this is a more manageable project :)

[debbie]

loving this! i'm finishing up 2010 and at day 17 it is overflowing! I may have to scale back for this years book.

[Geralyn]

This is gorgeous! I love your divided page protectors!

[caroline hancock]

i love it, i didnt do one either this year, i started my PL on the first of Dec lol, i was itching to get started on it

[Emily Hammann]

I Love love love your pages!! I, myself LOVE big fat albums, so I like that yours is already headed to be that way. I generally use D-ring albums because I know I can fit a lot of pages in them. :) I look forward to seeing more pages!!!

[C. Rayevich]

love this! thanks for the inspo, i'm behind on dd and was thinking of chucking it and starting something like this instead =)
xo

[Denise Nichols]

Beautiful beginning to your album. You have me wishing I had gone with dividers. I love how you did the gold stars. My holiday book always becomes bigger than I intend. I don't think I have one that will sit flat, but I start with good intentions. LOL

[Tammie]

I really like your honest take on the entire December Daily project. It can be very overwhelming - even with pre-made pages.You've given me a new way to approach the project. I think I'll rename my album to "2011 December Memories"!
Thanks for the inspiration

[tiffany h.]

I love your take on DD. Like you, I have a hard time planning and preparing the pages ahead of time. I've considered doing something along the lines of your album and now you've convinced me! Keep us updated on how the binder works out. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Lisa R]

I love the idea and look of your album! It's gorgeous! Thanks for sharing esp. since I cannot seem to do a Daily Dec album either :( However...I will see you in BPC's 12 Days of Christmas class! Yay!