Thursday 18 December 2014

Day 17 - Documenting December

We had an overnight visit from a gorgeous friend & her 2 kids as part of their Christmas break.  It was so great to catch up. The kids played mostly well and loved their giant sleepover in the lounge. The grown ups talked and laughed until the wee hours and drank more than a few wines. And it was genuinely great fun. However, today I'm a little less than enthused to achieve much at all. And today, more than ever, I'm grateful for those foundation pages I created in November.

I'm part of the fantabulous DT Documenting December for The Stamp Spot and am using the main, teal & red kits for my December Daily album. Partly due to my lack of motivation but also by my bursting at the seam album, Day 17 is a single page. And it just happens to match nicely in my album with Day 16.



Both of the cards are from the main kit - Teresa Collins Tinsel & Co range. The day card has numbers, sequins and wood veneer from the main kit. I gold embossed the star wood veneer. I also added washi from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit to the card background.

The journalling card has a Kellie Stamps on the bottom with watercolour over the top. The stamps at the top are from Heidi Swapp. I did some script writing with my Wink of Stella gold pen and added just a couple of random heart stamps.  It's pretty simple today.

In my album the pages look like:



Thanks so much for stopping by.  For more inspiration, check out Michelle from The Stamp Spot and also the other awesome DT members:











Have a fabulous day.


Art journal - love is all you need

Today I've been art journalling. I'm part of a journal circle & each month create a new page on a mini art journal. Once complete I send off to the next person & wait to receive the next journal. This is today's effort:


The base is a glad wrap ball tapped on various distress inkpads & patted on the paper. Inks I used were bundled sage, iced spruce, peacock feathers, crushed olive (my fave), antique linen, mustard seed, frayed burlap. I think that's all of them. A quick spritz of water over the top. 

Next some script writing using black soot distress paint and some painted love hearts. I also hand cut some love hearts out of washi & added torn strips of washi. 

Finally I doodled around the edge of the paper with black pen adding love hearts & a pattern. 

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great day. 

Gabby xx


Wednesday 17 December 2014

Day 16 - Documenting December

Last week the lovely Michelle from The Stamp Spot suggested to the DT to include some specific journalling around 14 for 2014. The idea being to include 14 items in whatever theme you wanted on day 14. Well, it's day 16 so I obviously missed the 14th, but that happens. However, I love the idea of a  year in review so I have done it today. Today has ended up being a one pager in my DD album with no photos.


The day card is a gorgeous piece of bokeh vellum from the teal kit. I added the doily, numbers and wood veneer stars from the main kit. The large star I covered with gold glitter washi.

The top card is lift up flap. The outside is kraft card with washi from the teal kit and stickers from the main kit. I added a gold foil word cut with my Silhouette.

The inside of the flap is vellum where I have written the first 12 things.


Between the vellum & the photo behind I have created a file card from white card. I have written the final 3 things on this card and then placed it backwards in the pocket - ie so it can't be seen through the vellum. There is a washi covered tab sticking out the top indicating that there could be something more in there. However, my more personal journalling is on this card so I'm not really fussed if people don't pull it out.


I really enjoyed the process of looking back over the year. I initially was worried I wouldn't have enough to write for 14 things. I ended up with 15 and could have written more. Thanks so much Michelle for the prompt :-)

Thanks for stopping by to check my DD progress. For more inspiration, check out Michelle from The Stamp Spot and also the other awesome DT members:











Have a fabulous day.


Day 15 - Documenting December

It's the last day of our short break away.  Tomorrow is back home to the never ending list of jobs and the craziness of only 10 sleeps till Christmas. *breathe deep, grit teeth and enjoy*

I'm part of the awesome DT Documenting December group for The Stamp Spot and am using the main, teal & red kits for my December Daily.

Left side:



A couple more pictures from time in the boat. My husband, the captain as always. Quite frankly, I wouldn't really know what to do, but Zac is all over it.  He'll have his boat licence before me. We hit the water early one morning and the kids ate Cheerios in the boat. And of course played with their food. The stickers are from the main & teal kits.

The balsa tree at the top is the back side of day 14. Tree is the same both sides in a see through pocket.

As for the songs card... well, that was a 'filler' card I created when doing my foundation pages. The music print perfectly lent it to documenting our favourite Christmas songs.  Does it fit here on this page? NO! But it has stayed because it is the reverse of the day 14 date card & I wasn't re-doing that one. I'm just going with it being one of those odd things that get put together.

Right side:

During this whole DD journey, I've been enormously inspired by Ali Edwards and printed a 5x7 photo with a large white background. Still the same printer issue that I haven't spent any time trying fix it. One day I'll work out how to print them at 6x8! I added text prior to printing, using one of Ali's favourite fonts Remington Noiseless.

And the big question - where is the day indicator? When making my foundation pages I made a day 15 6x4 card on acetate. I had planned to cut it down & pop it in the pocket where the songs card is. But I couldn't swap that card out. So instead I turned the card on its side, punched some holes & have slotted it in between my two pages.


 

The number is a wood veneer from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit on a gold glitter circle. This is attached to acetate. The reverse side is a doily and a vellum piece with joy embossed - Michelle created this as part of the teal kit.

This is how it looks in my album:





Thanks so much for stopping by. For more inspiration, check out Michelle from The Stamp Spot and also the other awesome DT members:










Have a fabulous day.

Monday 15 December 2014

Day 13 & 14 - Documenting December

Woohoo!!! High 5 me!!! After a crazy, hectic week I'm back up to date with my December Daily. That alone has me super excited. A few very relaxing days away with the family only add to it.

I'm part of the fabulous Documenting December DT for The Stamp Spot and am using the main, red and teal kits for my DD.

I've combined days 13 & 14 on this post simply because together they are one double page spread in my album. There are 2 reasons for this. The first - we've spent the last few days fishing & generally relaxing so there are not as many photos fighting for a guernsey. Which brings me to my second reason - I'm trying to reign in my pages as my album is already bursting at the seams and it's still 10 days to Christmas.  There will need to be some creative displaying in the days to come.

Right, on to the pics. Day 13



The kids are hanging with i devices playing minecraft, as you do on holidays. I added a foil sticker from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit. 

The day pocket is white card with a repetitive pattern from Kellie Stamps and some water colour over the top. I added washi tape and wood veneer from TSS kits. The number is from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit.

Finally, the 4x6 is kraft card and I have hand drawn a border around the photo. I have added washi tape, sequin, brad, stickers and enamel dots from TSS kits. The stamp is from Elle Studio.

A pretty simple page, but the memories are captured and that's the important thing.

Day 14:



Finally the balsa wood christmas tree makes an appearance. You can check out my 'how to' here in my foundation pages blogpost. BTW I'm still loving this tree & have even bought more balsa wood for future projects. 

The day card is paper from Bo Bunny Candy Lane range - this paper just sings to me.  I added sequins, stickers and the glitter numbers from TSS main kit.

The pages look like this in my album:



Yep, super simple pages but they really capture the essence of our break away from life for a few days.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you're managing to keep on track with your DD project.  If you want some more inspiration, check out Michelle from The Stamp Spot and also the other awesome DT members:











Have a fabulous day.


Sunday 14 December 2014

Day 10-12: Documenting December

These 3 days have been super *SUPER* crazy. School concert, kindy concert, last day of kindy, last day of school.  Seriously I don't know how we keep up. And I've busily documented these days in my December Daily album.

I am so loving this project, mostly for the opportunity just to press pause and reflect on the moments.  I can't believe Zac has finished year 2 and junior primary and will be in a new class with a new teacher next year.  Gosh, when did he get so big?  And another reminder that time marches on regardless... Hannah has finished kindy & can't wait to start school next year. Just not sure where my littlies have gone. Gee, it will be so quiet at home.

I'm part of the awesome DT December group for The Stamp Spot and am using the main, red and teal kits to get our memories documented.

Just a reminder with my photos - I'm away at the minute at our farm/shack and have taken these photos outside on my brother-in-laws ute. Not my usual spot, but they're not too bad.

Day 10.


Today it's Zac's school concert.  This year is a cabaret theme and his group is doing Singing in the Rain. On this page is a water colour circle die cut with a Kellie Stamps attached to acetate {behind this is a TSS flair}. The embossed pocket on the right was created by Michelle from TSS as part of the teal kit.  I added stickers, enamel dots and washi from the teal kit. The number is from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit.

The tag inside is white card with glitter washi from the teal kit and a sticker from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit.

The 4x6 is the reverse of my handmade patterned transparency with a nice picture of Zac patiently waiting his turn.


The other side is photos from the concert - which are terrible quality. Action shots, inside, at night - definitely not my area of expertise.  But, they record the memory so they're in! The top right pocket is an embossed vellum card from the main kit with some Heidi Swapp stamps added. The bottom right pocket is white card with enamel dots and the photo attached with washi both from the teal kit.  And a little bit of script writing with my Wink of Stella gold pen.

In my album Day 10 looks like:


Day 11:


Today is Hannah's kindy concert and graduation. The day card is from the red kit and already had that gorgeous ribbon sewn to it.  I added sequins, stickers, wood veneer and numbers from the main kit. The journalling card is also from the main kit and I have added washi from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit.


The top left pocket is white card with washi from the main kit. The sticker and twine are from the red kit. The top right pocket is also white card with the same red twine tied around it.

I added a sticker from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit to the photo at the bottom.

Day 11 in my album looks like:


Day 12:


This is it. Last day of year 2. Last day of junior primary. Zac had a few roles at assembly today. The year 2's hosted and Zac's part was in thanking the parent volunteers.  Later in the assembly the junior primary performed the nativity play, Zac was a narrator. Love this school for the opportunities it provides for the kids.

The shaker pocket is from the teal kit. I added washi and numbers. The 4x6 is paper from Teresa Collins Tinsel & Co with a doily and mini tinsel from the main kit. I have used Heidi Swapp stamps.


The journalling card is from the main kit with washi from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit. The embossed card was created by Michelle for the teal kit.  To this card I added sequins, glitter oval, glitter washi and a tag from the main & teal kits. On the tag I added a Kellie Stamps.

I added a gold foil sticker from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit to the photo of Zac with his teachers.

In my album, Day 12 looks like:


Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you're doing well keeping up with your December Daily.


Day 7 - 9: Documenting December 2014

Right, so things have been crazy 'round here! Like it's any different for anyone else.  It's been the last week of school/kindy & I've been trying to fit in all manner of Christmas activities on top of everything else.  And in all of that, something's gotta give.  This week its been my blog posts & some of my December Daily

But that has all changed now.  Friday school finished & BAM we hit the highway for our farm/shack on the Yorke Peninsula.  And I gotta say, there's something pretty darn good about just stepping out of the rat race right at this minute. Can really recharge my batteries to power through the rest of the month.

Ok. So I've been mostly doing my album while I've been blog absent.  I'm using the super sparkly kits from The Stamp Spot - the main, red & teal kits are my go to.

There are 3 days in this blog post so I'll warn you right now, it's pretty photo heavy. Also, I'm out of my normal environment & don't have my white background. Ack! These pics have all been taken outside on the back of my brother-in-law's ute.

Day 7

The vellum card, wood veneer & number are from the main kit. The stickers are from the teal kit. The other 2 pockets are paper from Teresa Collins Tinsel & Co range.  One has with script writing and the other a hand made tag with sequins, rhinestones & washi from the kits.



On this day we visited Santa and it really was a magical experience.  He spent so long speaking with the kids about Christmas, their wishes, his reindeer, getting surprises.  The kids were just spellbound.  I loved just watching them interact.  We also got an official photo.  I've used a 6x8 page protector with the 6x4 photos back-to-back. Around the photos I have machine stitched pockets & added sequins and gold thread.



This is the back.



The last page for the day has the journalling cards.  The space down the bottom is waiting for a gold foil silhouette cut saying Magic.  I did cut this the other day but the m was distorted & time was not available before heading off to the farm *picture husband tapping his foot impatiently*.  It's the first thing on my list when we return. The glitter card is from the teal kit and the cork Christmas tree & stars are from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit. The final card is paper from Teresa Collins Tinsel & Co range with stickers from the main & teal kits.

Day 7 looks just like this in my album:




Day 8.


The glitter shaker card is from the main kit & I have just added the number.  The journalling card, paper clip and tag are also from the main kit.  I have used a Heidi Swapp stamp on the tag and added washi from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishment kit. Finally I used a Kaisercraft stamp with the gold ink.


Lots happened today so I needed another journalling card.  This one is just white card with 2 layers of washi at the top and bottom. The bottom card is from the Teresa Collins Tinsel & Co range with a star die cut giving a peek-a-boo to the photo behind. The banner is purple foil from one of the pretend parcel decorations - the kids just couldn't resist opening one *about 5 actually* to see what the tiny little gift inside was.  Hmmm... the piece of foam was a little disappointing. I have added a sticker from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit.  

In my album day 8 looks like:


Day 9

Overall, this is a pretty simple page.  To the day card I have added glitter & wood veneer stars and the number - all of which is from the main kit.  I have also added a Kellie Stamps on top.

The bottom left pocket is white card with a piece of gold doily and a Heidi Swapp Christmas ephemera attached.  

The bottom right pocket is white card base with a white doily and a sticker from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishments kit.  I really wanted a gold border on the card however don't have my embossing stuff with me at the farm *can only take so much* so I improvised with my Wink of Stella gold pen.  And it worked a charm.


The journalling card is from the main kit & I have used the gold gel pen for the writing. Next to it is an acetate piece with a flair from the red kit.

The 4x6 pocket is another piece of acetate stamped with white Stazon to create a pattern transparency.  I may add something else to this pocket - perhaps some typed strips of journalling.

In my album day 9 looks like:


Ok.  That's it from me for this one.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you're enjoying your December Daily journey.



Tuesday 9 December 2014

Day 5 - Documenting December

Right, so, it's the day after the day I promised day 5 but hey, that's how it goes. And as an extra sign it's busy, I'm getting this blog done while I'm relaxing at the hairdressers... as you do!!

Day 5 was a great day, as Friday's often are. Santa made a visit to playgroup and Hannah was excited. She normally takes a fairly wide berth around Santa but today she was quite happy to go right up to him. Perhaps it was the gift in his hand :-). And that gift - a battery operated chirping, talking bird - has been a real winner. 

Today I'm using the stunning teal & main kits from The Stamp Spot as part of their design team for Documenting December. 

The left side:


The date card is from the main kit. I added some washi & stickers, also from the kit. The number is from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishment kit. I've also done a little water colour script writing. 

The journalling is on kraft card with Teal Zing embossed Christmas trees. 


The right side is a 1/2 size insert. The photo is on a journalling card from the main kit with stickers & washi added. I used my tiny attacher to staple a Heidi Swapp acrylic arrow. On the side I have attached a tag with a sticker and mini tinsel. 

I added some water colour to the journalling card. 


The back of the insert is also just a simple photo & journalling card. I used the Rhonna Designs app to add text to the photo. The journalling card is from the main kit and I have journalled with the gold gel pen. 


The next "page" is the front of my sneaky 4x4 insert. I created this page on my phone using Rhonna Designs app for the text and a collage app to put it together. 

And this is how it looks in my album:




Thanks so much for stopping by. I am loving my December Daily journal for so many reasons. Top of the list is being able to just stop & reflect on each day. It lessens the blur of life. One of the other reasons is I'm actually getting my photos printed, journalled and in an album. It is truly wonderful to have something to look at that's not on the computer. 

I hope you have a great day & are also enjoying your DD journey. 


Sunday 7 December 2014

Day 6 - Documenting December

No, you're not mis-reading, I haven't yet done my day 5 blogpost.  That will be tomorrow.  Things have been a little hectic, as December can be.  Adding in a family birthday and I've also just been diagnosed (yesterday) with shingles.  I'm less than enthused with this, as you can well imagine.  I'm grateful that so far I don't seem to be suffering to badly with it {itchy as all get out though}.  I'm also exceptionally grateful that my wonderful husband is currently home from work.  Small blessings.

I'm part of the DT group with The Stamp Spot and am using the main, teal and red kits from The Stamp Spot {which are truly stunning} to create my December Daily album. Today I've added in stamps and a few extras bits from my stash. 

Ok, so day 6 in my album starts with my sneaky 4x4 page protector. I created this as part of my foundation pages and I still love this page.


The base is vellum with gorgeous teal dots.  I've added a doily, stickers, star sequin, tag from the main kit. Twine and enamel dots are from the teal kit and the number is from the Freckled Fawn very merry embellishment kit.


The next page is a full 6x8 with a red glitter base and white card on top.  I have used washi & stickers from the kits for the title.  As well as my new Wink of Stella red & gold pens. I'm already a little bit partial to these, though I really need to work on my doodling. This page is all about my shingles - woohoo!


Turn it over and there are birthday celebrations for John's uncle.  I've used a white card base, added photos, stamps, watercolour script writing and sequins.  Pretty simple, but looks like a party.


The shaker pocket on this page is from the red kit, handmade by the lovely Michelle.  To this I added washi and stickers from the kits. The journalling pocket is white card stamped with red stars.  The kraft tag has washi and ribbon from the kit.  I have used my sewing machine to attach the tag to the card. There are also a couple of pearls which I have coloured with a gold marker. The fabulous Beth Patfull, one of the other awesome DT members, did a very similar pocket which I absolutely loved.

And this is how it looks in my album:



Thanks so much for stopping my.  Day 5 will come tomorrow, I promise.

If you are after more inspiration, please check out Michelle at The Stamp Spot and also the other awesome DT members:










Amanda Miller

You can find me on instagram as @gabby_ingo and I'll also be linking up with Ali Edwards December Daily posts on her blog.

Have a great day,