December Daily 2016: The Learning Curve

Hey guys

Welcome back, today I thought I would talk a little about my December Daily preparation and rationale. I have a video that explains all of this too if you'd like to listen to my dulcet tones! I have linked that below.

I started by analysing how December Daily 2015 went for me and the problems I faced:

1.  I lose interest in scrapbooking when I don't have variety

The album I selected to use was a 5x7 album with exactly 30 pockets, this lead to very little room for variety in the album and I got bored way to quickly which meant I didn't finish the album.

2. No ring binder makes for a boring album

The fact that the pages were all sewn in to the album meant I struggled to add anything interactive that added interest to the process.

3. Red and Green = not my colour scheme

I love traditional Christmas colours in my house, but it turns out I just cannot fall in love with a scrapbook page using red and green - so the colour scheme has to be more versatile

4. Christmas doesn't start on December 1st for me

I ADORE Christmas, don't get me wrong but, when I'm taking a picture on the second of December about the weather outside I don't know how to use Christmas themed products to embellish the page, I need something more winter themed to use on days that are not directly linked to Christmas!

5. When I'm uninspired the project will never get finished

Worst of all despite my best intentions I lost interest in the album, I hadn't fallen in love with it so I lost interest and couldn't find my mojo to complete it!

So the plan for this year....

• A 4x4 Album from Becky Higgins - it is a ring binder album so perfect for adding extra ephemera, paper bags and envelopes

• A mixture of bright colours - the Snow and Cocoa range was my inspiration, I love the pinks, green, teal, red, black and gold. The colours have got me so excited I've started some page prep already!

• A homemade kit - I used new products and products from my stash that are winter / Christmas themed and having a pretty kit has made me feel a lot more inspired and excited for December Daily.

• A selection of pocket pages - I have used 4x4 and 2x2 pockets for this album, I also have my fuse tool ready for some shaker pockets or making odd sized photo pockets!

I'm really excited to get started on my December Daily album this year and I'm ready to be successful.

Thanks for reading :)

Check out the video:

DIY Embellishments: Cute Photo Frames

Hey Guys,

I decided to find some ways to use up my stash, in particular my scraps of paper and after browsing Pinterest and YouTube I got excited to make these cute little photo frames.

What you need:
Some card of some sort or sturdy scrapbooking paper
Paper trimmer
Small knife
Ruler
Cutting board
Glue and embellishments (I used some scraps and cut out hearts and circles with my punches)

Start out with your backing paper I used a 4x5 piece of craft card, then using my knife and a ruler I cut out a 3x3 square from the centre ensuring that around 3 sides the boarder is about 1/2 and inch with a 1 1/2 inch boarder at the bottom.

Then embellish, I went with some layers of frills, I cut in to a strip of vellum to make almost a tassel effect and layered some of my favourite paper scraps on top, these are again cut in to with scissors to create a frilled effect, then a small strip of my favourite arrow washi tape from Hobby Craft. I stuck some hearts and (as littleHotTamale calls them) some 'halfsies' where using my punch I cut out some small circles in both scraps and glitter paper and then cut the glitter paper in half and layered on top. I used two Tim Holtz tiny words to stick on too.

There are loads of great and inspirational YouTube videos that show how to make some of these frames - a great place to have a look if your planning on making some cute embellishments.

Happy Crafting :)