Documenting December - It's a Wrap!!!

I was pretty darn excited to finish my December Daily album last month. Between prepping for the album, scrapping each day as it happened and blogging about it, I was done. Love December, lurve Christmas & loved my first December Daily album, but I was pretty over looking at it come mid-January.

And while things are still fairly fresh in my mind, I wanted to wrap up my album with a few notes to myself so that when November (kidding, really October) hits this year & I start to get all gung ho again about DD I can have a reference point. Mostly a reminder not to go too overboard, as per usual.

Last year I was incredibly fortunate to be selected as a Documenting December team member for The Stamp Spot. Michelle from The Stamp Spot is fabulously talented and also a wonderful person. It was such a pleasure working with her great kits. For my album I used the main kit which was gold, white & kraft.  I also purchased the teal & red add-on kits. They were all divine & the quality was outstanding.

For the album I used a Snap! 6x8 with a variety of pocket protectors. My trusty sewing machine also helped to alter the protectors too.

Okay, notes...

Will I do December Daily again?

Yes, absolutely. I loved it, however there will be some changes.

Album size...
I'm happy to go with a 6x8 again with the pocket protectors. And that's a bonus because I have so many protectors left over! *bazinga*

More of...

The stories & traditions. I got so caught up in the daily aspect that lots of the little (but oh so important) things were missed - or I just didn't have the space.
One story/photo a day. Make them work for my album and spread it over the month.

Less of...
Everything!!!! Hahaha. Mostly kidding. As you can see from the photo, my album is BURSTING at the seams. So this year there will be less photos, less of the daily - that stuff is for my PL which will be up to date **don't ask me how I'm doing on that!!**.  Less of succumbing to my own crazy notions that I need to document it THAT day.

Will my album be less full this year?
Unlikely!!! But the really important stuff will be in there.

Major note to self... Read this post again in October!!!

Documenting December 2014 - Getting Ready

It's well into November & I am like a busy bee getting to ready for my first Documenting December project!

I first saw the December Daily phenomenon in December last year. And I was blown away by the concept. I wanted to have a go at it but it was already the crazy season & I was overwhelmed by where to start. So I decided that this year I would get in on the act. The amazingly talented Ali Edwards originally created the December Daily idea, check out her blog for more info.

To make it even more exciting, I have been very fortunate to team up with the gorgeous Michelle from The Stamp Spot as a member of her Documenting December DT Team. *woohoo, go me!!*  Michelle released a main kit full of gold, white & kraft - just dazzling really - and lots of add on kits in a variety of colours. And they are all full of sparkly goodness. With great difficulty, I managed to narrow my kit selection down and will be using the stunning main kit as well as the red & teal add on kits. Check out Michelle's blog post to see all the beautiful details of the kit.

I was pretty excited to receive my kits *read running around the house with my shirt pulled over my head like a soccer player* and set them up just so I could stare at them!

I have joined my 3 kits together in this little wooden box which has compartments built in, just perfect for all the pretty bits.

Some of the kit bits I can't wait to use are the balsa wood, burlap and the doilies.  I am so loving the shaker pockets Michelle has handmade.

I also managed to snare the Freckled Fawn Very Merry December Embellishment kit from Michelle too.  Because you can never have enough embellishments!!!  There is quite a bit of winter specific in the kit which just doesn't apply to me, so I've picked out the bits that will work for me.  The rest will go into my PL bits.

My album of choice is the Snap! Teal & Kraft 6x8 binder which I also got from Michelle.  I haven't started on the cover yet, so it still looks just like this! 

And lastly some other bits I'm using from my own stash - stamps (Heidi Swapp Project Life & Kellie Stamps, sequins, colour shine (in gold, of course!) & rhinestones.

In addition to the gorgeous patterned paper in the kits, I'm adding some white & kraft card stock, gold, red & teal glitter card and some extra patterned paper from Teresa Collins Tinsel & Co range.  All of these are in 12x12 size which I'll be cutting down to size as I need them.

I've started doing my foundation pages and will share pics of these soon.  In the meantime, check out The Stamp Spot blog to see pictures of foundation pages from all the DT team.

Are you doing December Daily this year?