Thursday, December 31, 2009

December Daily 2009 {in progress}

A couple of things about my December Daily.



1. I get all of my photos printed in about 2 batches...I don't know how people work on it every day. They must use a lot of ink on their home printer or make a lot of trips to the developer.



2. Not every picture is from the exact day that matches the journaling and I am okay with that, as long as they are from December.




3. I type all my journaling in Word....a paragraph a day, maybe a story or two...then I print out LOTS of days at once and assemble with the pictures. (I don't have a lot of handwriting in this ablum....I may need to add some.) Some people may not like the look of a typed document on top of a patterned paper, and I suppose I could use transparencies for some stuff, but it really doesn't bother me to have a block of journaling....I keep it consistent throughout the book.



4. I assemble the papers way in advance so they may not match the pictures perfectly and I am okay with that. I don't have a theme this year, but I like the idea of using one thing over and over...or going with a color scheme...May have to do that next year!




5. I used a lot of HAMBLY overlays this year--YAY!!




6. I decided to go with a 3-ring album, it is awesome for moving and removing pages.


7. Stitching! Aaaaaaw yeah....Something totally new for me this year!



Also, I like to print off important blog posts to help tell the story from this month.

8. I still need to add some big numbers on most of the pages. I bought a sheet of numbers 1-25 and I can't find them anywhere....

I had to improvise here...Loving this leg lamp with a '4' inside it....totally random and perfect to tell the story of my 'A Christmas Story' crop!!


9. Some of my journaling is blurred out. I had some horrible family stuff happen this month and it is private. I am sure you understand....If I hadn't assembled this book way in advance, my family trama probably would've discouraged me from even making this book. But. I had to finish it.


10. I will continue to journal and take pictures through January 3rd, as I am still on vacation and I would like to include New Year's.

11. I printed all of my photo collages onto cardstock so that I can include more pictures:



As you can see, I didn't put this in order of what happened each day...I didn't assemble it with what happened each day either. I created the book months ago, journaled every day, took tons of pictures, made photo collages and then I put it all together with stitching, stamping and stickers.



I am ready to put this December behind me. Woke up to a beautiful snowfall on Christmas morning, it was a glorious bright, white enchanting snowfall...but this December definitely wasn't one of my favorites.

I wish I could say that it has been great....

On paper, in this beautiful album, in the pictures, it looks like the perfect twinkling December.

I did my best to give back to the students at my school, to create some handmade gifts for people who would sincerely appreciate them, to spend quality time with my friends and family.

I feel like I am doing everything I can to live a good life, to make good, healthy choices. I suppose that is all I can do....give my best effort...

My parents will not change, cannot change and do not have any desire to live a healthy, sober, happy life.
It really does suck.

But dealing with all of this is part of my daily struggle, even in December.

And for what it is worth, I must document the good, the bad and the ugly. It makes it easier. To say it out loud. To understand. To deal. To reflect and to look ahead to the future.

So, thanks for reading...your comments really do matter to me. Happy New Year!

I am working on what my one little word for 2010 will be....What's yours?

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Sew Happy {Parade}

Here are some beautiful sewing pictures from we heart it.....they are totally inspiring me right now!









Tuesday, December 29, 2009

What am I doing now?

Lets see.....Here are a few things I have been doing lately:
1. Sewing. I got a sewing machine for Christmas so have been making aprons to wear at school. I have also been sewing on paper--SEW fun!!

2. Went to see Avatar in 3D last night...visually stunning....an epic story courtesy of James Cameron directing....



(p.s. I am really excited to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D)

3. Thinking of buying some workout equipment....seriously, the roads are so slick, still covered in slippery slush and ice from the storm last week and I really need a good workout. I don't want to buy a gym membership because I will never use it....I hate bumping in to people at the gym....and I don't like it when people can watch me work out....Also, I have been feeling super fat lately. {maybe it is the chocolate covered donuts I am eating as I write this??}

4. Watching Dexter....just finished season 4...wow.....
5. Working on my December Daily...I have decided to make it go through January 3rd since I am on Christmas break and lots of things are still going on with my friends and family. I will take some pictures today.....
6. Taking down the Christmas decorations. I hate it that I am spending all of my vacation cleaning house and taking down the holiday decor, but I just can't stand it anymore, I want the house to be clean so that I can find some inspiration to create. I hate it when I feel so creative but I don't have time to make anything and then when I do have the time (like now) I don't feel inspired at all!!! Don't get me wrong, I am still making stuff with my sewing machine...but I just don't feel that 'inspired' vibe....that mojo...the creative juice that pushes me to make something new and amazing.
7. Wearing tons of headbands. Look at this LoveTaza headband I got for Christmas...it is AWESOME!


8. Playing Words with Friends. I am addicted to this scrabble game on my phone. Username: nelliemaeii if you want to play me.
9. Getting ready to start Style School. It looks like it will be an amazing class, starting very soon...I have been trying to gather supplies.
10. Not sleeping in....It is my vacation and I just can't sleep in....booooo...All well, I can get more done if I get up early. ;-)


*some images from we heart it....

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Gingerbread Collage


Spending the day working on my December Daily!!! I got a sewing machine for Christmas so I am adding lots of fun stitching elements. I am also including all of my fantastic photo collages like this one. Spent an evening last week making gingerbread houses and gingerbread men with some friends. It was sooooo fun. My first time to decorate cookies!

Anyway, my December Daily is coming along very nicely. I can't wait for you to see more!!

I hope to have several crafty posts this week, please check back!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Polaroids from the Christmas party


I literally took a couple of hundred pictures at my Christmas party. I narrowed it down to about seven that would be appropriate for the criteria that I find to be generally acceptable news for my blog.

Below you will see some holiday decor, including the way that I 'elfed' my house covering it with paper decorations like snowflakes and paper chains. You will also see a golden owl centerpiece, I created this using a thrift store owl spray painted gold, pine cones also sprayed gold, an elevated pie plate, a wreath and a mini-santa hat--super easy and cute!





We had a really fun gift exchange....I got a new pink SNUGGIE!! I love it!!


I was so excited to see my friends sincerely dedicated to the masquerade theme. This was something really unique...and they were totally into it. I created a list of Christmas themed people or things and everyone drew something from a hat. Then, they had to go into the craft room and create a mask based on what they drew. I let them trade if they really hated the one that they drew. I told them it would be completely worth it, the prizes for first, second and third were awesome. It was amazing seeing their creations. They came up with some great stuff. The abominable snowman took first place...isn't he the greatest:
Next year, I think I will have everyone decorate a gingerbread man based on a theme....hmmm....I am working on something really great. This could be a fun new tradition! I am so excited for Christmas!!