Document Your December at The Lilypad

I wrote this post for this’ year’s Document Your December at The Lilypad. Disclaimer: this post contains some affiliate links to Amazon where I purchased many of my supplies (I purchased them all at full price, but if you use my links I’ll get a small commission towards future purchases).

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I have been making a December Daily album since 2010, and have always mixed in hybrid and physical products. Over the years, I’ve experimented with many different sizes and systems, and I’d love to share my experience with you! Of all the projects I’ve embarked in, this is definitely my favorite and that’s why I’ve kept at it for close to ten years now.

Here are the eight albums I’ve completed so far, 2010-2017.

Yes… I am a year behind! And that’s OK. Most of the years I complete my album in December / early January, but for the past couple years I’ve ended up putting together the album almost one year after the fact. But I always get it done, because of how precious these albums are to me.

Getting started…

If you haven’t done any hybrid projects, I recommend you warm yourself up to this month-long project by making some cards first. But be forewarned… it’s how I got into hybrid myself, and it’s a slippery slope! 😀

First of all, figure out if you want to outsource your printing, or if you want to print at home. The latter is what works best for me, as I like to get things done in one sitting (i.e., design on my computer, print it out, and put it together). I use a Canon Pixma printer. It has a letter sized paper tray, as well as a smaller tray that fits 4″x6″ paper, which is super handy!

Essentials supplies include: printed digital designs and photos, scissors or trimmer, a ruler, and your adhesive of choice. I use a Fiskars Procision trimmer, as well as a Tonic Studios mini guillotine, and Tonic Studios Tim Holtz scissors for cutting. My Tim Holtz ruler is my favorite since it’s clear. For adhesives, I love Gunglider pro tape for larger things, and a glue pen for small embellishments and sequins.

Gather other supplies you may want to use, which can include physical scrapbooking products, stamps, paint, washi tape, cutting machines, sequins, glitter… the sky’s the limit!

TIP #1: Find the process that works for you

There are 3 options: 1) prepare your foundation pages ahead of time; 2) work as you go, in December; 3) put together the album after the fact. I’ve done all three, and that has helped me figure out my preference.

In 2010, my first year, I made the album in advance, since I knew I’d be traveling for most of the month. I used a 6”x4” ring binder, and used my digital cutting machine to add fun borders to the pages. However, since I was traveling, I didn’t have a chance to put together the album until after my trip. This experience taught me that options 2 and 3 are more suited to my style (I like to match each page with the day’s photos).

TIP #2: Choose the format that works for you

I have tried many formats over the years, because I like to switch things up.

I have used ring albums, either by making the pages myself, or by using page protectors. And I have also made some albums from scratch.

Here are a few examples of all of these options. In 2010 I used a ring album, and made my own base pages. In 2011, I made my album from scratch (this is still a favorite out of all the albums I’ve made!), and in 2012 & 2013 I used ring albums with page protectors.

Having a set format with page protectors helps me speed things up. It is also very easy to use the 3”x4” and 4”x6” journal cards from the Document Your December products.

TIP #3: Choose the layout

Do you want to dedicate a single page to each day of December, or an entire spread, or just base it on what content you have for the day? … this brings us to my next tip.

TIP #4: Choose the content that you want to include

Everything that happens in December, or only holiday events? I have decided to only include holiday related events my albums.

TIP #5: Make it cohesive

You may want to stick to a particular color scheme throughout your album. Monochromatic albums always have a striking effect. In 2016, I made my album using a black traveler’s notebook, with metallic accents throughout, and adding a touch of color with printed digital designs.

But overall, while I admire the classic elegance of albums with a cohesive color scheme, I usually end up mixing different colors throughout the album. If you prefer to switch things up like me, you can add a common element throughout the album, such as a date element, to give continuity.

In my 2017 album, I used the December Days No 4 (Numbers) by Sahlin Studio throughout, and applied the DYD 2018 | Glitter Styles by Mommy-ish to change the color to match each page.

Whatever your preference may be, the best part is that the Document Your December products will make it possible for you to fit any theme you choose!

TIP #6: Add memorabilia!

One of my favorite aspects of making a hybrid album, in addition to the customizability, is that you can add memorabilia in your album! I’ve saved holiday themed paper supplies, gift wrap, and paper coffee cups to add into my albums.

This is an example of how I included a paper bag and pieces cut out from a coffee cup in my 2015 album.

TIP #7: Embellish!

The fun part is to add physical embellishments to add interest to your pages.

And don’t forget to decorate the cover and spine of your album!

OK, now that we’ve covered the basics, I’d like to show you what I have started putting together with the newest Document Your December supplies.

I decided to use a small 4”x4” ring binder that I purchased years ago. I also have acetate numbers to go with it, and I measured them to figure out the size of my digitals.

Since I love incorporating different textures in my albums, I printed a few designs from The First Sign – Kit by The Committed Crafter and from the Lumi Collection by Lynn Grieveson onto vellum paper. (Note: when printing onto vellum, make sure to use the vellum setting on your printer, or use the quick draft option).

I used an 8.5”x11” sheet of vellum so I also used some older DYD pieces to fill up the whole page.

Here you can see my Fiskars Procision trimmer in action. I love it! And it also folds up to half size if you are cutting smaller things, or for storage.

s

 

2019 Documenting

{this link contains affiliate links, which means that if you choose to purchase an order I will get a small commission at no cost to you. I only share products that I truly love, and in most cases were purchased by me}

I’m off to a good start in the new year! For 2019, I want to document in 3 ways: weekly Project Life, daily journaling in my Hobonichi cousin (A5 format), and weekly documenting in the Hobonichi weeks traveler’s notebook.

I have gotten started, and I will share a couple projects here, which were inspired by Pantone’s color for 2019: coral.

Here’s my title page for Project Life, made using hybrid cards from The Lilypad’s Memory Pockets Monthly: MEMOIR.

I’m still working on my weekly spread.

And here is my first week in the Hobonichi weeks  (before adding journaling):

Stamps used:

Sakuralala 365: Fuyu, Me Time

Sweet Stamp Shop: Monthly Script Stamp, Year Round, Pour Decisions

Studio Calico: I believe they are all retired, but there is a digital version of the Conrad alpha here. Stickers and washi are from past Documenter kits/Planner kits.

Ink: Distress Oxide in abandoned coral.

 

What about you – have you gotten started on documenting 2019? I’d love to hear your plans!

Document Your December with The Lilypad!

Hello! As promised, I’m here today to share a few of the pages I made for my 2017 December Daily album using the Document Your December products from The Lilypad.

The traveler’s notebook cover is a passport size from Foxy Fix in Sugar Coconut leather, with a gold foil embossed pine tree.

And here are a few of the pages I made.

Supplies:
Home for the Holidays | PapersHome for the Holidays | ElementsDecember Days No 4 (Numbers)Home for the Holidays | Journal Cards 1 by Sahlin Studio
Deer from Alpine Bundle by Rachel Jefferies

Supplies:
Merry Everything Elements and Merry Everything Cards by Sahin Designs
December Days No 4 (Numbers) by Sahlin Studio

Depending on what happened each day, I dedicated a whole 4″x6″ page to it, or combined it with other days.

Supplies:
Fa La La La La: Bundle by Rachel Jefferies
December Days No 4 (Numbers) by Sahlin Studio

And in some case, 2 pages for one day.

Supplies:
Home for the Holidays | ElementsDecember Days No 4 (Numbers) by Sahlin Studio
Alpine Bundle by Rachel Jefferies
The snowmen are a physical stamp from Mama Elephant, which I colored with Copic Ciao markers.

Supplies:
Alpine Bundle by Rachel Jefferies
December Days No 4 (Numbers) by Sahlin Studio
DYD 2018 | Glitter Styles by Mommy-ish

I think this next spread is my favorite so far. 🙂

Supplies:
Home for the Holidays | PapersDecember Days No 4 (Numbers)Home for the Holidays | Journal Cards 2 by Sahlin Studio
DYD 2018 | Glitter Styles by Mommy-ish

So festive!

Supplies:
Fa La La La La: Bundle by Rachel Jefferies
DYD 2018 | Glitter Styles by Mommy-ish
December Days No 4 (Numbers) by Sahlin Studio

Supplies:
Fa La La La La: Bundle by Rachel Jefferies
DYD 2018 | Glitter Styles by Mommy-ish
December Days No 4 (Numbers) by Sahlin Studio

I’m a little bit over halfway through the album, so I hope to complete it soon, so I can start thinking about this year’s album! What about you, do you make a December Daily album? If so, what format are you using this year?

 

Studio Calico November Kits: Sonnet

Hello and happy November! The Sonnet kits go for sale today at Studio Calico, and I got a head start using some of the digital products for this month.

This is an 8.5″x11″ hybrid page. I used the 12″x12″ Sonnet digital papers and the Sonnet 6″x8″ digital stamp on the background, which was printed on a piece of cardstock.

Then I added some embellishments from my stash – wood veneer letters, chipboard stars and sequins.

Also… did you hear about the latest stamp subscription from Studio Calico? It’s a 6″x8″ stamp set.

You can subscribe here.
It’s a really nice set, I see many used for the numbers – birthdays, milestones, year in review (like how I used it for the pumpkin patch, but with some photos that recap your year)…

Have a good start of the month!! Only 2 months left to wrap up 2016!

Around the World

Sahlin Studio and Britt-ish Designs have put together an awesome Project Mouse: Around the World collection – 11 countries are represented! You can also purchase the countries individually if you want.

Credits:

Project Mouse (World): Italy by Sahlin Studio and Britt-ish Designs

I pulled out some of my travel photos to use with this collection.

Credits:
Project Mouse (World): Italy by Sahlin Studio and Britt-ish Designs
Project Mouse (World): Japan by Sahlin Studio and Britt-ish Designs
Project Mouse (World): Morocco by Sahlin Studio and Britt-ish Designs

Such happy memories!

Credits:

Project Mouse (World): China by Sahlin Studio and Britt-ish Designs

Here are some details:


I added some stamping too using the Asia stamp set.

Have a great weekend!

August Kits at Studio Calico: Young at Heart

Hello and happy August! As has been my tradition since January, I made a couple of hybrid pages using the digital releases from Studio Calico for the Young at Heart August kits. They are both 8.5″x11″. From what I’ve seen of the kits, this is going to be a good month!

To make this page, I used these digital products:

The background was made repeating one of the journal cards from this set, and the hearts are cut out from another of the cards. I recolored the labels to match.

I stamped the title using an old 6×8 alpha stamp called Oliver, and since the colors turned out to be brighter than I expected (I blame it on the matte photo paper, which is awesome for printing, less awesome for stamping), I added some vellum to the bottom of the page to tone it down. I love the result!

To make this page, I used these digital products:

I fell in love with the design and colors of this greeting card by Jasmine Jones, so I used it as my background, combined with one of the 12×12 digital papers and a printable word strip.

I hope you have a great start of the week and month!

Happy Wednesday!

Hello and happy Wednesday! Halfway through the week, and the weekend couldn’t come sooner! I have two projects to share with you today. The first one is a notecard set I made for the April Project Parade at The Lilypad.

Credits:
Pen and Wash Spring by Lynn Grieveson

I used my Silhouette to cut out the flowers and just laid them on top of kraft card bases. I love how they turned out!
Next, I made a page with some products that are 50% off today for the weekly Something Old, Something New sale!

Credits:

I hope you have a great rest of the week!

Studio Calico February Kits

Hello and happy February! It’s Reveal Day at Studio Calico for the Savannah kits, and to get in the mood for these lovely new kits I have made a page with some of the digital printables.

The hard part was to get my husband to pose in the photo.. plus it’s been so dark here lately! In fact, this is an older photo, so I will swap it out as soon as we take new pictures. I’m hoping today is the day! 🙂

The 3″x3″ card printable set I used also is available as a physical product (starting at noon EST today if you are a subscriber, and at 3 PM EST for everyone). I resized the cards at 2.5″ for my page prior to printing them out. I cut out all the labels with my Silhouette so they are ready to go – super handy for Project Life with the Documenter kit! I love that they come with a blank version and a version with some pre-printed words on the labels – I chose to print the latter.

I also used some heart puffy stickers and an old stamp to finish this page.

For the cards that say “I love you”, I used my newly discovered foiling technique.

Happy Reveal Day!
If you want to start a new six- or 12-month subscription you can get a new Hello Forever planner ($54.99 value) for free in your choice of color. Just use GRAYSTONEFREE, MELONFREE or CLEARSKYFREE at checkout in the promo code box. 🙂 Offer valid this month only!

Hello Friday

Hello and happy Friday! I have a bunch of fun, colorful pages to share today, made with the new releases from The Lilypad (20% off through the weekend)!

Credits:

All of Me Loves Dressed Down Templates by Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs
Glitz Girl kit and Glitz journal cards by Lynn Grieveson Designs

It’s also the day of the release of the Memory Pockets Monthly collection, which is absolutely fantastic this month!

Credits:

I had to cut of my poor husband’s head in this photo because there was a lamp right behind him that looked like it was on his head – ugh! I hate when that happens, and of course I didn’t catch it at the time I took the photo.

Finally, I made a hybrid page using the MPM add ons by Sahlin Studio.

 

Credits:

Not your typical snow colors… but I love how it turned out!

Have a wonderful end of the week!

ETA: and I scrapped one more over the weekend!

Credits:

Drama Queen Adore by Valorie Wibbens
Adorable: So Transparent by Allison Pennington