molly irwin

December daily :: before + process

My process on this project is super simple: have some papers roughly cut to size, and some accessories and bits of pretty things ready from which to create my pages each day. So as each day's photos present themselves I'll use whatever feels right to go with them on a given days layout.

I think had I made a complete book back in October that would be fine, but I didn't, and I decided not to rush around adding undo pressure on myself (and burn myself out) over this thing before December arrives. It's supposed to be -- AND IS -- a fun and engaging activity if we keep it in perspective. Also, for me personally, I want to begin with my photos and add details to them that feel right. Does that make sense?

That said, I have done some advance preparation:

• I began with an intro page this year to set the tone for content
• I've collected some natural-themed decorative elements
• I've gathered a variety of artist-designed items for journaling*
• I've made a pocket page (working on a few more today)
• I printed out a few ledger pages (for longer notes while traveling)
• I'm adding dates as an overlay to the photos (like last year)
• I type-set a conclusion page (that I may or may not use)

Here's the inside front cover:

 

Materials: left side: Bazzill Basics swiss dot card stock in Salt. pop-up snowflake punch (lower left corner) EK Success. Heavy chipboard tag from kid's PJ's purchase at Costco, covered in Florentine holly print (sold out)  from Hollanders. Edges painted with Making memories scrapbook colors. 'Happy Holidays ribbon: making memories. 'Christmas Story' postmark Designer Digitals. Right side: green patterned paper: Graphic 45 Renaissance Fair, chipboard circle: Maya Road. Font throughout: Copperplate for windows.

... and some bits of pages in progress ...

click on photo to enlarge

* Amy Butler downloads (middle row, right), Natasha Rosenburg's angel tag (bottom row, left), both printed on manilla envelopes, and Heather Smith Jones's spruce letterpress (not shown).

To simplify things I'll itemize the materials sources on each days post.

Given our family plans, I could use about four pockets to contain the following: 1) kids letters to Santa, 2) brochure from the National Gallery of Art's holiday movie, 3) the kids Christmas pageant program, and 4) our bulletin from Christmas Eve services. So far I only have the one envelope made from kraft card stock, rub-ons and eyelets. (upper left, above) The others I'm fashioning from fabric.

The important thing to remember (she reminds herself) is to enjoy this. I'm looking forward to becoming one with my camera again, and that contemplative/reflective time to pull everything together during this season. 

I have to admit that I'm not really in the holiday spirit yet; it will come though. It always comes.

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An aside -- If ever I doubt the inclusion of my own handwriting, (which I struggle with because it's not the neatest) I only have to visit the romanitc scrawlings of Jane Campion's Bright Star production scrapbook for assurance. There's just something so compelling about making one's way through the personal penmanship of another. This -- coupled with the art department sketches -- well, I can't seem to tear myself away from that site.

See you back here Wednesday, Dec. 2nd. 

 

saying goodbye to autumn

  

photo credits: 1. Thanksgiving table, 2. Untitled, 3. found, 4. This is what is left, 5. Treehouse, 6. yellow.

We've had so much rain this season it brought down the leaves before I could identify a peak in color. I did get a few photos though, but these beauties from my flickr favorites really speak the visual language of autumn fluently.

I've been telling Marty (as a point of reference understandable to a four year old) that when all the leaves fall from all the trees, and the days become so cold you need a sweater or jacket -- that means that winter, and Christmas are near. Looks like that time has come.

This coming week begins a total focus on the season of Advent, both in my attention through the lens and here on the blog. So today, I'm revisiting my creative goals listed back in September, some of which I accomplished; others not. Then there were other creative endeavors not on the list for which I happily made time. Not bad progress given all the other responsibilities we fit into a day. 

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December daily :: making the binder

 

The inspiration for my December Daily album this year comes from an old copy of A Christmas Carolthat my Grandparents had when I was little. I really wanted to create that traditional vintage 'book-ish' feeling, so I went with a matt finish 100% cotton book cloth to cover a small photo album purchased at the thrift store. The album pages measure 8.5" x 6.5" (at their widest).

I should say that I've never taken a book-binding class and have no experience in that area, but the do-it-yourself-er in me would not be deterred. I bought an inexpensive bone folder from a local bindery and ordered the other supplies online.

The first thing I did was to give the surface a good sanding to get better adhesion with the PVA. Next I lined the inside spine with a length of 1" wide cotton trim (from the fabric store) to give it a finished look. Then with a foam brush coated the SPINE ONLY with a generous, but smooth layer of PVA. Position it to the wrong side of the book cloth (previously cut to size) applying pressure until slightly dry and firmly adhered. Next (coating just one surface at a time) I applied PVA to the covers and stretched the cloth taught around the front. Be sure to keep the binder in the closed position -- not laying flat -- as you wrap it around. Carefully fold the corners as though wrapping a gift. Lastly apply PVA to the book cloth at the top and gently maneuver it around the folds of the spine, using the bone folder to get the corners as precise as possible. Repeat with the bottom edge.

   

White rub-ons give the cover a seasonal detail, as on an old book with the paper jacket removed. I lined the inside front and back covers with dotted swiss textured card stock from Bazzill Basics. I considered using a pattern, but there will be so much going on throughout the book that I decided to leave it simple, clean white space; breathing room

Materials: Book cloth: kennett by Talas (Brooklyn) in Evergreen; white sleigh + reindeer: rub-ons: We R Memory Keepers white-out line.

Monday I'll share a bit of the inside and my organizational approach.

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This is my version of the December Daily project conceived by Ali Edwards. You should not miss her wonderful books from years past and her current process as she prepares for this holiday season.

Thankful :: November 21

[ A corner of thrift finds. Obviously other's history appeals to me too.]

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Today I am thankful for the evidence of my family history through things.

As we approach the holidays, I'm aware of the sense of tradition I feel as I carefully wash and set out Grandma's Bavarian China, or hang her faded glass bells on the tree. An inlaid wooden box made by my grandfather holds trinkets on my dresser. A plastic bag tucked in a tiny drawer holds my Dad's old pipe. One sniff of Brindley's Mixture and I would swear he's standing in front of me. That, along with his trademark wool hats (which I sometimes wear) was part of his regimen. A copy of A Child's Garden of Verses, given to my closest aunt as a child, rests on a high shelf so small people need to ask for that title. And there are other tea-colored, brittle children's books with my uncle's crude childhood inscription. Evidence of life they are; a physical presence of my people and their influence on who I've become; who I am.

The opportunity to surround ourselves with meaningful possessions is a luxury, but it's temporary. I've been thinking about how such things contribute to our foundation. They bring forth stories. They keep us grounded; in some token way helping us define ourselves. And what of the degradation in lifestyle when we are confined to a florescent-lit, 8x10 corner in a nursing facility? When our possessions are parceled and we're stripped of our personal tactile reminders. When our surroundings are -- but for a few smiling portraits pinned to a cork board -- institutionally homogenized, what effect does it have on esteem and inner vibrancy?

That dichotomy has been heavily on my mind this week as I remember my dad, my grandparents, aunt and uncle lovingly. We go through such a quick cycle from childhood to independence and back to dependency once more. I want to appreciate these little things now, while I can.  A photo/story project perhaps?

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December daily :: palette & concept

I'm getting a bunch of questions about my plans for a December Daily project, and rightfully so. It is nearing the end of November if you can believe that.

I absolutely plan to make a book again this year. It was such a great way to appreciate the season, bit by daily bit, and really sort of took any pressure off Christmas day photos, since most of the details had already been photographed throughout the month. I think Ali mentioned that once and it really rings true.

[ materials sources will be itemized next week ]

Right now my project looks just as you see above: a loosely stacked collection of papers, card stock, and cardboard, cut to size and layed out on top of each other. I began by choosing a pine green starched cotton book cloth to cover this sturdy thrifted 6.5x8 binder, with 2" rings. That spine size works well, as last year my pages were thick; a photo backed with 65lb. cardstock then backed in another layer just like it on the other side-- so 4 layers per page. I noticed that my photos last year had a LOT of reds in them by nature of the season, so I've decided to go with a palette of greens, creams, white and naturals this year and mostly nature-inspired patterns.

I keep adding and removing embellishments to see if I like them with the mix, but mostly I'm keeping things simple with bits of hemp twine, some library pockets, and some stitching (both by hand and machine) to attach things. Because we're traveling at Christmas, I want to create some places toward the end of the book for hand-written entries so I don't have to come home and type up anything after the fact.

This week and weekend has my time entirely occupied with coordinating our church/school annual Christmas Marketplace. By Thursday (Thanksgiving day!) I should have more detail to share on materials and process.

Meanwhile, in keeping with the preparations mode, you may want to check out this wonderful and comprehensive Advent resource guide at Uncommon Grace. 

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Thankful :: November 16

"Bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish. How many pieces do you wish?"

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The photo is from yesterday, but the kids managed to maintain that weekend spirit into the after school hours today, which is not always the norm on Monday evenings. We may have sunshine and the outdoors to thank for that.

For a day that began with very little sleep behind it, this day felt more like a collection of moments than a stretch of time. 

A morning drive by myself. Thankful. 

A Stephen Tyler reminder that somewhere deep down inside my yet un-showered self lived someone fierce who can (while listening to Walk This Way at least) accomplish anything. Phone calls. Emails. A meeting that went smoother and friendlier than expected. Thankful.

A grande refresh from Starbucks. Thankful.

A daughter who completed homework in record time without erasing and perfectionist penmanship. So thankful.

The 6 PM realization that even lacking sleep I am NOT overwhelmingly exhausted like I was a few months and ten pounds ago. That unwell haze has been lifted. Very, very thankful.

Thankful :: November 15

[ Our backyard tree house; Paul's latest undertaking.* ]

Today I am thankful for Paul. I decided long before we were engaged that he was someone who I would pray for entirely unselfishly. I decided that even if he was not intended for me that I should pray for all things good to be fulfilled in his life. This was a sort of revelation for me at the time, thinking of love in terms of putting another first rather than having my emotional needs satisfied. Maturity found.

Beyond the fact that he builds beautiful things, he thinks intricate thoughts and creates opportunities first in his mind and then they are realized. His kindness and humor is a gift. He makes me dream bigger, and after finding a way to make those things happen, together we ramp up to the next steps in life.

Also I want to share this quote today, found while skulking around tumblr:

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -- Melody Beattie

The sunshine has returned here today. Hooray!

Thankful :: November 14

Today I am thankful for the gray skies of autumn; the drama of all the swirly reds and golds. And for my camera that helps me stop and literally focus on small things more clearly at times.

Only four days into the declarations of thankfulness and already I'm feeling a little sanctimonious. Should we do a week of peeves after we wrap this up? kidding.
 

Thankful :: November 13

Today I am thankful for our home ... just the way it is.

I often explain our home as a work in progress, but naturally that would mean that things are progressing, when in fact we live this way. Are you guys ready for a dose of candid sharing today? Because to express my thankfulness in our circumstances is something that has been on my mind, and this is the seed of a memory-keeping project, so I'll begin it here ...

My husband, Paul, designed and built our home when we lived in "the shack" in what is now the back yard. In recent years, partly because the kids have affectionately remembered it as such, we refer to the old place as "the little house." That term is used mainly in retrospect, because during our time there it was certainly the shack. There are places where a family of four can live in a tiny one bedroom lean-to with no foundation, squishy floors, no dishwasher, and scruffy cat where it might be the norm. Among our peers however (and in this area) it was unusual. We stood out. Our circumstances were dramatically different from those of well-intentioned friends who (with more than a hint of pity) asked of our home's progress at every meeting. "It will all be worth it. ..." would be my conclusive remark to change the subject. It was temporary (Paul and I told ourselves) and would be worth it when the new house was complete. We would look back on these days as worth the sacrifice, worth the inconvenience, as though it was such a hardship. And at times it was. There was the time when during a heavy rainfall water seeped up through the floor. And there was the unwelcome urban wildlife that kept me from sleeping from January through spring. (I do tend to romanticize things in my own pensive memory, so I need to remember that.) At other earlier times though, it was sweet and intimate in a way that living in a two story brick four-over-four will never be. 

The rubble from the little house filled just two large dumpsters the day we tore it down a few weeks after Marty was born. I recall happily taking the first ceremonial swipes with the bucket of the rented front end loader. Then Paul took over as the risk of demolishing the neighbors fence outweighed my personal satisfaction. [There are pictures of this]

We never looked back; leveled out the earth and put a grass yard in its place. The first we've ever had.

To say that we moved into a dream home would be an exaggeration. But when you consider how few people in their lifetime ever build their own home, let alone one with a heavy timber frame of traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery -- it is a dream. So while there are many, many spaces to finish when it becomes affordable, this home that we live in is a daily joy. Our floors and walls are plumb and our fixtures are shiny and new. The smooth warm cherry and spanish tile floors have been installed piece by piece by Paul's hands.

 
 
While we have rooms in need of baseboards, and paint, and switch plates I don't nag. And I never ask when it will be done. I know he does all he can. In fact there is progress it's just such a big place that I need to remind myself. These spaces are inspiring finished or not. I sleep under a lucky star. I also sleep under a hundred year old southern yellow pine tree that grew somewhere along the eastern seaboard.

 

The floor of our bedroom is a mosaic in the making of blue cobble stones for our fireplace surround. It's a good thing I love the materials themselves for they've been here a while and will be installed in due time, but I'm happy ... just the ways things are. They really look like a creek bed, don't they?

Most of our neighbors have been supportive as we improved this lot from a tiny cottage in disrepair to a nice home with a welcoming porch that many believe might be a renovation of an older bungalow. A compliment unparalleled in Paul's view. There's one surly old man from an apartment down the street who will call out in passing "Are you ever going to finish that house?"  The irony humors us.

I know that our living in these unfinished spaces is still such an oddity to some. I don't sympathize when people complain about living through a remodel project. "It's worth it" is about all I bother to say. It was (and is) absolutely worth it.

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This post was partly inspired by Amy's 'moments' feature, at A Commonplace Life, on bloggers sharing their realities. It's a good thing to remember that amidst all the pretty pictures of crafty projects, the real stories can be so much the richer if we allow ourselves to share truthfully.

Thankful :: November 12

Today I am thankful for my enthusiastic kitchen helper.

These simple interactions are the most precious bit of time in my days. His excitement over helping out -- not just where cookie batter is concerned, but in doing real work: loading wood scraps into the truck, planting seeds, or carrying stacks of books upstairs -- is remarkable. He wants so much to make a meaningful contribution, and he does. Great work ethic little guy!