It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Can you believe that all the stores are already in full-Christmas mode? In fact, there were sales of Christmas trees the week of Halloween! Whatever happened to waiting until after Thanksgiving?

Well, I'm caught up in the fever too. Since we will be gone for the week of Thanksgiving, I decided to start preparing my December Daily book so it will be ready for Dec. 1. Last year was the first year I've done this and I have really enjoyed looking back on that traveler's notebook. At the time, you don't think you are doing much, but in retrospect there were lots of events and special moments. (It doesn't hurt that I have four little grand boys to document as well!)

This year I am going to continue in the traveler's notebook standard size ( 8.25" h x 4.25" w).  I will do one day per page.  This size is perfect for me - not too big to intimidate or be able to complete, but  big enough to document and decorate. And, if not, I can always add a tip-in.

Here is my cover:

Everything I used on the cover was from my stash except the acrylic title which I just bought at Tuesday Morning. When I saw it, I thought it would be perfect for this.  The charm dangle was given to me in a Christmas swap a few years ago and I was waiting for the perfect place to use it.

And inside front cover:

I added a pocket on the left for bits and pieces I find to add to the book. The right page is entirely made from a Michael's ad, even the borders!

December Monthly Calendar:

This calendar has mainly washi tapes and a stamped label for Christmas Day.

Back inside cover:

The main image again is cut from the Michael's ad and layered with printed paper and card stock.



My December Daily is now ready for December 1. I can't wait to start filling it with December memories!

Documented Life - Week 29!

July Theme - Ephemera

July 19 - Week 29

Art Challenge - Photographs and Memories

Journal Prompt - "All That I Have to Remember You" ~ Jim Croce

It seems that I have been using photographs and memories for the last few weeks' spreads, so I wasn't sure where to go with this week's prompt. In the end I was inspired by Rae Missigman's interpretation of the theme using a black and white photocopy of family members and then using ephemera, paints, stencils, mists, collaged painted paper circles for the background.

My father died in 1987 and I have always loved this photo of him. He was a painting contractor and carpenter and really knew his craft. We lived in a small ski resort town and he was well known for his impeccable skills. Many wealthy tourists built expensive vacation homes there and he was the contractor everyone demanded. Long before the days of Loews and Home Depot custom-mixing paint colors with a formula, he could do it by eye - tell him the color you wanted and he would mix it! I feel blessed that I inherited some of his color sense.

This is how the page started. I glued down ephemera - book text and strips of paint chips (a nod to his painting career) and some of Rae's painted paper circles I'd bought from her etsy shop.  Once that was all dry I started adding layer upon layer of paints, mists, stencils, stamps and doodles.  

It's a little hard to see, but I handwrote the title "remembering Dad" at the bottom of the right page. Around the photo I wrote adjectives that described the man he was (i.e. quiet, humble, loving, talented etc.). I also wrote his name at the top and along the left side his date of birth and death. He died just a few weeks after his 64th birthday - way too young - and I miss him every day. This is just a small tribute to this wonderful man in my life.

Documented Life Project - Week 24

June Theme: Travel Journaling

Week 24

Art Challenge: Recording Memories

Journal Prompt: Take the Road Less Traveled

For this week, I chose to document our trip to Colorado with our grandson, Drew, a few weeks ago as it's the most recent one we've taken. 

We had flown into Albuquerque to babysit the boys but had to go a few days early because of flight availability. So we took that opportunity to drive up to Buena Vista, CO, where my husband's almost-ninety-year-old aunt lives. I hadn't seen her in four years and she'd never met Drew.

For this spread I covered the background with torn maps, adding one of Colorado on the top. Then I added some paints and stamping in the background. I also used photos of the Collegiate mountain range and of Drew at the river near her house. 

Memories of the trip were journaled on the back of a vintage postcard. The "road less traveled" journal prompt was perfect, as we took a wrong turn at one point and ended up taking the scenic, but longer, route there!

I'm looking forward to next week's prompts to be posted tomorrow. I can't believe that it's almost halfway through the year already!