DECEMBER DAILY 2017 INTRO + DAY ONE

So, I decided to write a blog post. To you, this will appear to be the first, but it's not. I wrote my last post [of many] 2 years ago. Well I read them today, they were embarrassing... delete.  I didn't even read them all before I wanted to punch myself, and decided I needed to erase every bit of that from sight. Actually I want to apologize to anyone who has read them, the fact that I actually had that crap on the web. I may have contributed to everything that is wrong with the internet today.

So here's to hoping I don't post crap anymore. AND that I actually post.

I just finished December Daily 2016 this past month. Okay, maybe more like 2 days ago. A year behind. And while I like it, I don't LOVE it. I think the fact that I waited a whole year to actually make it, played a part. But it's complete, stories are documented and I learned. Moving on.

Now that December is over, and I have all my photos taken and organized, I'm getting to work on December Daily 2017 (hopefully I finish it). What I learned from my 2016 DD is that I did too much. So my plan for DD  2017 is to simplify. Even if that means I don't use all my favorite products.

INTRO:

I kept the opening simple. It's not entirely finished. I have to sit, stare and think about it. The back of the tag is blank. I may end up quoting my MIL and what she said to me after looking at my 2016 album. She just summed it up better than I could after looking at a December Daily with fresh eyes for the first time. Also, by quoting her prevents me from writing something similar to last year's Reason Why.

My MIL talked about the traditions we have and why we have them. In last years album I talked about how their family traditions have become such a huge role in my own upbringing traditions, if not more over the years. She also talked about Christmas being with those we love that are here as well as still remembering those who have passed. In last years album I had a story about watching an old VHS tape form the 80's of my grandma talking to me about Christmas. So she talked about how special these albums will be for my children when some who are present now with them, won't be around when they are older.

The tag used was an Add-On from Ali Edwards November Story Kit. The 2017 4x4 card came in a Kelly Purkey kit designed by Jamaica Makes (LOVE that kit). And the DECK the HALLS came from Ali Edwards (I can't remember if it was in the Main or Liz Tamanaha's kit). I like to include some sort of "Deck the Halls" in my albums, because Deck is my kids and fiancé's last night (mine eventually, still working on that hurdle)

Similar to last year I wanted to include a photo of my dog, Maisie. I feel December is so cram packed with stuff going on, it's easy to forget to include pets. Also, she's as much as my baby as my own children are. And like all my scrapbook albums I always start off with a photo of my kids. I just like being able to open up an album and instantly tell where my kids are at in age, height, and appearance.

DAY 1:

 

On December 1st, I had planned to just document my front porch since I set Christmas decorations out this day. But you know life happens and better stories happen. This day was also the Day our Elf, Decky Hall, showed up. My kids were so flipping excited. My daughter wanted to write him a letter to answer questions (If adults can touch him) and set some ground rules for him to stay in the house unless going on her playset (bossy little thing).

So where she was writing was just perfect. I snapped some pictures with both my DSLR and phone, and saved her letter. I kept Day 1 simple. One, that's my goal this year, and two, I  just loved the photos and wanted them to stand out. Which is also why I decided not to include journaling.