December Daily 2012 - Ready to Go!

It's been a mad dash to the finish and this is the latest I've ever been getting this project prepped and ready to go.  The last two years we've traveled over Thanksgiving so I always made sure it was completely done and prepped by mid November.  Having the luxury of being home this year has been a blessing and a curse.  While the cover came together okay, waiting for kits to arrive and other items that I had ordered left me playing the waiting game. 

As you have already seen I'm using a Studio Calico Handbook album this year, the size is one that I've come to love that I know works well for the things that I like to include in this project.  The album comes with a variety of page protectors and I also purchased additional 6 x 8 inserts as well. 

I usually like to have a full two page spread for each day and the last few years I've used Hambly overlays in between each page (lets all let out a collective, 'why did you have to go Hambly!').  I was undecided as to what I was going to do until I received my kit from Kelly Purkey.  If you were lucky enough to grab her kit I'm sure you are gushing over the amazeballs-ness of the vellum and gold overlays included in the kit.  Since my pages are 6 x 8 and the vellum pieces were 6 x 6 I had to come up with what to do.  I decided to play around with printing on vellum myself as a way to incorporate some favorite holiday quotes, sayings and song lyrics that matched the size of Kelly's pieces for some cohesion.  Here is what I ended up with.

They are 6 x 6 pieces and I used 36 lb. vellum that I purchased from here.  It's lovely paper to work with, not as sheer as thinner vellum but I liked that it was a bit more opaque, plus it printed really well.  I choose a variety of things to print.  Some are quotes from favorite holiday movies and specials, some are from Christmas Carols, all things that meant something to me.

As you'll see below I used some Dear Lizzy gold dot vellum to make 4 inserts.  I used the gold doilies and wrapped them around the edge.  I will probably back these with white woodgrain paper as I like the look of this vellum when it has a backing.  The vellum envelope came with Kelly's kit and I wrapped the last two doilies around the flap.  The three letterpress cards also came in Kelly's kit and I decided to use them as inserts as well.  I just punched two holes in the short side and they fit right in between the rings.  The last four vellum pieces I've left as is.  I will probably add something to them as the month goes.

I've also decided not to number my inserts as I've done in previous years for two reasons, a) I kind of wanted to do something different and b) this will allow me to move things around if needed.  Kind of cheating I know but if an insert works better on a different day I want the freedom to be able to move things around.

I also made up some simple inserts for myself this year.  I printed these out on regular copy paper because in years past I've printed them out on nice cardstock in color and ended up not using them and going with either a full sized photo or something different.  These are here just to let me know what day is what and I have the .png files ready to go if needed. 

I also made a 6 x 4 version to use on the divided page protectors. 

I might even end up cutting some and using two pockets for one photo, like this.

Here is the whole shebang laid out on my floor.  I tried to think about events that are already planned and placed things appropriately where I could.  I still need to make two inserts and once the Studio Calico 25 Days class launches on Saturday I'll take care of them.  I'm going to make two of the envelopes that Marcy Penner designed for the class.  I loved having envelope inserts last year so I definitely will add them.

I also tackled and completed my title page.  I loved the new cut files that came out from Studio Calico and modified this star background for my needs.  I cut it with my 36 lb. vellum and backed it with pink POW glitter paper.  I stitched around the edge with gold thread and also outlined each of the stars.  The tag was cut with my Cameo and stamped.  I glitter embossed the edge of the tag using Recollections  Gold Tinsel embossing powder. 

The back of the title page is backed with some Crate Paper that I ran through my printer so I could add this quote. 

I needed to add another insert so that I could have a full two page spread for the 1st so I added a little calendar that I made and printed on vellum.  the Joy flair came with Kelly's kit and the paper was from my stash.  The date and sentiment at the bottom were stamped with the AC Christmas roller date stamp.

And there you have it, done and ready to go for Saturday!

Getting all of this done made the biggest mess imaginable so I spent some time cleaning up and organizing my supplies.  I moved some things around a bit to make space on my work table for all of my supplies.  Here is a photo of how I've organized my stuff.  I have a 12x 12 paper storage box organized with all my bits and pieces inside, a paper organizer that holds all my 12 x 12 paper and two sorters next too it; one for alpha stickers and the other for scraps.  And yes, the packaging for those deliciously evil pretzel snacks will probably made an appearance in the album.

Here is a look at my whole work table, clean and ready to go.

What has always worked well for me in the past is to work on each days pages that same night.  I usually wait for good morning light to take photos and get a post up here.  My plan is to continue that way this year as well.  If I get behind a day or so, check back, trust me I won't get too behind.

I still have not decided how to incorporate Project Life into all of this.  I guess after the first week, I'll be able to make a better call on that.  I don't plan on stopping so I just need to see if I have enough to cover in both places.  TBD on that.

Phew, longest post ever, thanks if you've stuck with me until the end.

Happy December Daily-ing to you if you are playing along as well!  It really is the Most Magical Time of the Year!