molly irwin

December daily, pages 20-24

Losing momentum is my biggest weakness where these little mini books are concerned. The past week was busy and the pictures sat on my table waiting for my return.  It feels different coming back to this a week later, as I mentioned previously -- as though these happenings are a world away.

I have learned a lot doing this December Daily project. A few of those (personal perspective) lessons:

• I'm feeling that the simpler, softer and subtler patterns work best for me.

• I like the photos all on their own. (meaning without patterns and other things around them) I'm not sure how that is going to manifest itself in my future story-capturing -- but I know that it will, and I know that it will be an immediate change.

• I need to capture the words in the moment instead of later. It is far more meaningful and real that way.  After the fact writing on my part reads like just that.

• I wanted to use my fun products on this book and I'm glad that I did, but my favorite little aspects have less to do with purchased products. I like the stiching. I like the paint, I like the punch, and I loved incorporating some of the fun digital elements.

Thank you new friends for your warm response to my pages.  I really appreciate every kind word, and makiing new connections with you here in this space.

And now, on with the pages ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I was out doing a last minute grocery run, etc. Paul and the kids readied the house for my Mom's arrival.  They also played pirates (which explains the note.)  The envelope contains my list and a note Paul left me on the kitchen table. Hilarious, no?

 

 

If it's obvious to you that I rushed through putting together the last few pages, that is because I did.  It is more important that I finish and not let a loss of momentum stop me, than to wait and try to "get it right." It's a lesson I want to carry with me into the new year.

Get it done. Sometimes good enough is good enough. Know what I mean?

Tomorrow afternoon I'll share the Christmas day page.

Celebrate 2008. Celebrate the possibilities for 2009!

december daily - day 19

 

This one is really as basic as it get; just photos and words.  I think I began to get very distracted putting this together as the holiday approached.  Strangely, the 19th of December seems like a lifetime ago; so much as taken place since then.

... and the journaling:

   

still in the spirit :: holiday inspirations

 

[December flickr favorites; photo credits here.]

We are still very much in the Christmas frame of mind and hosting a rotation of family and close friends. Enjoying every bit of the season with good music and dinners, dc sights, and cheer.  Hope it is warm in your hearts as well.

after

 

Santa summary: playmobil, horses, monkeys.  Now: naps, play + dinner prep.

Merry Christmas, all!

Merry Christmas

   

December daily pages forthcoming will have to wait until after Christmas I'm afraid. Each day I upload the photos, format them to size in a document and write the bit, so I won't have to re-create anything.  I'm on track in that respect.

Yesterday was the calm before the flurry, which began with a mad rush for all last minute things, including shopping for stocking-stuffers. I went with really simple things: little sets of washable markers on a clip, Burts Bees, bunches of wooden grapes, a bicycle bell, schleich animals, chocolate bells, playdoh. My kids never tire of these classics. I hit the grocery store and baked a batch of chex party mix (new for me) and a batch of ginger stars. Tonight I'm making more cookie dough and bread starter.  Lots of kitchen work with Bette Midler to keep me company. (highly recommend)

There are bathrooms to clean and new red flannel sheets to be laundered. There are table linens to press and a centerpiece to assemble. The liquor store ... Whole Foods for mini crab cakes and, if time permits, baking my own baguettes.

Tomorrow my Mom arrives!

Here's wishing you and your family a joyous and peaceful holiday. 

december daily - days 17 + 18

 

Do not adjust your monitor. Yes, that is a blurry photo, but it sums up our neighborhood walk perfectly. 

There is another vintage Santa printed on inkjet canvas sheet and mounted to chipboard.  I noticed this morning that there is a similar digital element on sale for just .25. Don't know how long that price will hold. At that price it just makes sense to add it to my little collection.

That is the actual newspaper headline from the Washington Post, scanned and reduced to fit the page.

 

And day 18:

  

This one is as simple as it gets, but it's one of my favorite photos from the project, and I didn't want to detract at all from that.

Here's a closer look at the journaling.

   

Can you believe we are closing in on Christmas Eve? I cannot. Today there is much to do: cookies, still some shopping, and helping a little elf with some hand stitch work for her sister's gift.

Days 19 + 20 coming tomorrow.

cinnamon ornaments

 

Probably everyone has seen these, but just in case you need a last minute little something for your tree, or to hang with a gift tag on packages, these are super simple and very fragrant.

In the past I have made tiny stars, but I keep coming back to the basic gingerbread boy shape. The recipe can be found lots of places online; I used this version, with a touch of glue, which gives them a very hard dog-biscuit-y texture -- not to be mistaken for cookies by little ones. Just in case be clear about that.  They aren't edible.

Cinnamon ornaments will keep for several years tucked in a zip lock bag. The little pile above was made last year and they still smell wonderful.

I'll be back later today or tomorrow AM with a December daily post.  I've been enjoying an evening by the tree with Paul insead of rushing off to assemble my pages.  So good to do that.

december daily - day 16

 

Well ... Hello!

Hi to all those nice new people visiting and leaving me kind comments yesterday. Thank you very much for the sweet things you've said about my December daily project, and the blog.  Ali is one inspiring person. I owe her a debt of gratitude and find her remark very touching,

There were a few questions:

The retro snowflake punch is from Paper Source. 

Also, regarding the holiday CD project:I hate to disappoint, however, I'm a bit pressed for time between now and Christmas, and won't be able to upload a pdf file of those just now. It would take some maneuvering on my part to get that together. Perhaps it is something I will resurrect next year, almost did this year, but time got away from me. Please, if you are interested, check back early next Nov. (gosh that sounds like forever away, doesn't it?)

The colors in today's photo seems a little hot. The red is actually not quite that strong. It was rushed together; I'm feeling today like plugging along through. I'm enjoying the process of framing through the lens each day, and assembling my thoughts on the paper, but today (just a wee bit) am feeling the pull of a busy schedule, but ... I WILL accomplish this.

december daily - day 15

 

The story of Marty's new (to him) bed.  Click image to enlarge to read.

I've had a question about the date 'stamp' on my pages. It is an element created just for this project in microsoft publisher, using word art.  I envisioned something like this because I don't have a lot of number embellishments, and it's just quick for me to pop it over the picture each day.  There is a similar circular number digital brush, designed by Ali, available here.

 

The other detail added here is scratched edge overlay, by Anna Aspnes, for designer digitals. 

Just FYI: I did not use photoshop to incorporate my digital elements.  I have photoshop, but I'm using microsoft publisher and pulling the .jpg images open on top of my photo file in that application. So if anyone is PC-based and using that software, that should work for you as well.  I DON'T reccomend adding that software to your platform if you do not already have it.  It is already outmoded, is not compatible with print shops, and I only use it because it's familiar. 

 

Clock by Heidi swapp. Metal arrow turn and brad: 7 gypsies, canvas strip with words self created.

 

On the back of yesterday's page I left open space. (In other words, this page precedes day 15)  I want to include some narrative here about what books the kids are enjoying this year.  We've had a holiday book basket for the last three years running and each year they gravitate towards different titles, depending on their interests and reading skills.

I'll come back to that later, so I don't get slowed down or off track maintaining the daily commitment.

remembering Christmas

Christmas at five years old. Remember that?

Well, I don't have such a great memory on those details, but this photo has, over the years filled in some gaps where my memory is lacking. 

Obviously it's posed, but I just love it ... my sister and I with our new dolls, (that's me in the front) a bit of the tree in the foreground, and the mid-century modern furniture that remains stylish still in my Mom's home. 

I remember tobogganing down the hill on this sled what seemed like many times that winter. I don't remember playing with that doll.  So there ... experiential gifts should take priority over things.

There may or may not be a bunch of pictures of this holiday.  All I know is this is the one in my mind. It is the one that defines my childhood in my memories.

As I shoot images this month, I'm mindful of that. I relish the responsibility of framing childhood memories for my own kids. Next year I may choose an even more simple format of putting together a 'December Daily' project, but I'm pretty confident, if at all possible, that I will want to do it again.

Day 14 coming later today. (Yikes! Is it really just 10 days away?)