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Monday, November 17, 2014

December Daily - To Do or Not To Do ....and a Giveaway

 Holiday giveaway is extended til midnight on Thanksgiving!  Keep commenting on my daily blog posts for extra entries.

I love the idea of a December Daily album.  But I tried it once, made all my pages and never printed any pictures.  Plus I chose a 6x6 size and used so many layers and embellishments that it didn't come close to closing - even without those photos.  But it was beautiful and it was fun to do.

So at the beginning of the month, I waffled back and forth about the project.  I signed up for the 25 Days class at Studio Calico, but still wasn't sure.  We just don't do fun holiday things that I would put in an album everyday.  But then I realized - it doesn't have to be a December daily to be a special holiday album.  So I am approaching the project as an album to document our 2014 holidays.  I am starting with Thanksgiving and ending with the new year.  And there won't be pictures and/or journaling everyday. 

I looked at all the kits out there - Ali Edwards, Gossamer Blue, and Freckled Fawn to name a few.  Then My Scraps and More put out both an album kit and an embellishment kit.  All of these kits seemed to be a good value, but some of them required a pretty big investment.  And I didn't love every single thing about any of them.  And I have a lot of supplies.  So if I am going to do this, it is going to be with a homegrown kit.

In my first attempt I learned that choosing an album was critical to the project's success.  I knew I wanted a 6x8 album, but which one.  I ultimately chose a kraft Snap album with a black spine.  The size and price were good, it was neutral and easily customizable, there is a large variety of page protectors and it was readily accessible. I got mine at JoAnns.



 Black Snap Binder, 6"x8" - Simple Stories


But what about the kit.  I started with choosing a color palette by pulling out my cardstock and pulling sheets til I had colors I like.  I had done some Christmas layouts lately and think those color choices influenced the colors I chose for my album.. I ended up with pale blue, soft red, lime green, black and pink.



Once I had my color palette, I couldn't wait to get started with the cover.  I knew I wanted to paint it, a pale blue but couldn't find a color that was just what I wanted.  So I mixed a blue, a mint, and white paint til I got just the color I wanted.  I also pulled out my gesso and the Martha Stewart liquid gilding in gold for my cover.


I started by taping off the black fabric spine with washi tape - I'm a messy crafter.  Then I primed the album inside and out with gesso.  I painted the inside with the gold liquid gilding and a foam brush.  aIt looks amazing.  It is shiny and smooth and will provide a perfect backdrop to all my pages. (This picture doesn't really do it justice.)


Then I took on the outside of the cover.  I painted it with the pale blue paint color I had mixed and a foam brush.  I used just one coat because I really like the look (hint - I used an extra piece of chipboard and treated it just like the album cover - that way I could see how it would look with a second coat of blue paint.


The wood veneer tree was from Elle's Studio last year.  The red sequin star is from the Studio Calico Magical sequin pack.  And then a wide line green grosgrain ribbon tied in a bow finished off my cover.

I loved the end result.  It reflects the colors and feel of the products I chose for my kit.  (I'm still thinking about adding the year to the bottom branch of the tree>

Giveway:  While I was making my December Daily kit, I pulled some things that might fit right in with your holiday crafting plans.  Leave a comment on any post this week and be entered to win.  Giveaway closes at midnight on November 23rd.

Here are some of the goodies I pulled.  (This isn't a kit - its an assortment of holiday themed supplies that might fit in with your Christmas supplies,)

I'd love to know what ideas you have for adding the year to my cover - or if you think I should stop where it is.  (I know I will put the year on the spine.)

I'm going to share more about my December Daily kit building and organization later this week.  Hope you stop back. 

17 comments:

  1. I love your cover---perfect! It draws your attention, but doesn't overwhelm you. I think it is very cool that you are doing December Daily your way---I am still undecided. Some days yes, some days no. Great 'kit'--looks like a kit! Thanks for the chance!!

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  2. Love your colors! Your extras look like an awesome kit! Thanks for the chance! Pretty cover!

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  3. Great cover. If you are adding the year to the spine I wouldn't add it to the front too. I debated about getting Ali's kit then went ahead and bought it though I'm still not sure about the red album cover. Looks kinda orange to me. Lots of yummy items in your giveaway kit, so thanks for a chance to win it.

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  4. LOVE your cover!! I love the gold on the inside. (Where did you find the gold gilding?) I am so scraplifting that idea!!!! I also have love the idea of NOT do a December daily persay just doing the highlights from Thanksgiving thru the end of the year. I really like that you added non-traditional colors to your palette. Thank you for the inspiration to do a holiday album. Thanks for the opportunity to win some holiday goodies!

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  5. I love what you've done. And what an awesome giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity.

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  6. Wow! Great giveaway. I can't wait to see how your album progresses. I have never done a holiday book.

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  7. Love the cover! I would take a small round circle tag stamp 2014 on it and pin it to underside of the bow for it to dangle off, I like the tree how it is now.

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    1. I love this idea Dawn and am seriously thinking about trying it.

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  8. Love the color combo and the ribbon and that tree...so cute. You struggle with the same thing I do...when is enough enough! If you did decide to add anything, what about your last name at the top and the year underneath with some alphas? Love those FF wood veneer numbers in your stash photo!

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  9. Wow! How fun! I love the colors of the cover! I can't wait to see more. :-)

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  10. Wow Julie, love your cover, it looks amazing!!!!

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  11. I love what you did with this cover and the inside too. I have a snap album that I am thinking I want to do something good similar with. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  12. Your album cover is very beautiful Julie, the gold-amazing! I am going with a burlap album I purchased from Hobby Lobby, I just need to get started on decorating it. Thanks for the chance to win some wonderful Christmas items!

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  13. I love how your cover turned out and the inside with the gold is beautiful! I think the cover is fine the way it is, especially if you are already adding the year to the spine. I can't wait to see more and hear about how you built your kit. I've thought about doing a December Daily for years but like you, we don't think a ton of extras daily so maybe a seasonal album would be better. I'll have to think about it!

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  14. What a beautiful cover. You did such a wonderful job with it. I'll stop back and follow along. Thank you for a chance to win your generous prize. Michelle t

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  15. Beautiful cover!! Thanks for the chance to win.

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