OK, I'm gonna be honest. I almost didn't finish this album. In January my computer was stolen from my car and a lot of photos I took in December were lost (as well as my sanity for a couple days—heh).
But last weekend we were at Todd and Laura's house and she showed me her December Daily album (my first time to see it in person, which is somehow SO much better than seeing photos), and it inspired me to complete mine with the photos I had on my phone.
I'm so glad I did because this album is so special! I can't believe I almost gave up.
Ready to see?
This year my book feels random and I'm into it because I know that 1. it almost didn't even get made, and 2. our December really WAS random. It was busy and crazy, but more special than ever.
I shared before, but my album this year is made of three December kits (all designed by my friends, yay!), and Laura and I shared the kits. The main bulk of products used as well as the album is from Ali Edwards. I also used some pretty stuff from Kelly Purkey and Gossamer Blue.
I would have to go back and look to be sure, but I feel like Jeremy was more represented in this year's album. I love that! He has had a lot going on in his career. His new studio is beautiful and his project, Violents, has been taking up a lot of our free time. It's an exciting season!
In December I posted How To Scrapbook Your Memories With Not-So-Good Photos. Here they are in action. I'm learning that grainy photos really don't bother me that much. I might not post them on Instagram as much, but here in my scrapbooks I love and appreciate them because they're our memories with our friends and they make me smile.
From one of my parties, I had a whole bunch of Instax photos. So I used a piece of elastic and my mini stapler to make some smaller pockets that hold the groups of photos inside. It's still pretty easy to pull the Instax photos in and out to peek through the piles. There are some pretty funny party pics in there.
One of our happiest (and most hilarious) holiday memories this year was taking Penny to the mall the Sunday before Christmas to make a build-a-bear. Penny named her reindeer Lovie and it was basically the best $84 we ever spent.
Christmas Eve is where my book gets REAL sentimental. It was our first year to host Christmas Eve at our home. My parents, my brother, and Penelope all spent the night and waited for Santa to arrive.
As you can see above, Uncle Jeremy is really good at playing swords with wrapping paper rolls. That lasted… a while.
(More Instax photos and another solution for storing them in my book where they don't fit in the page protectors.)
Another Instax stored with holes punched. And my letter to Penny Bloom for when she is much, much older. 🙂
And that's that. Here's a sparkler photo we took on NYE.
Like last year, I saved a spot for storing the Holiday cards we received from friends and family (they are still in a drawer in our entryway, except for this one that arrived at my work!).
To finish off the year, I thought it would be fun to put our favorite albums of 2014 (Alvvays and Beck's Morning Phase). I always like looking back on that kind of stuff in our older books.
And a couple party pics from NYE! I'm so glad I finished my messy, imperfect December album.
The end. Till next time. xx! Elsie
Credits// Author and Photography: Elsie Larson. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions.
78 Comments
First I have to say I am truly sorry about your laptop. I haven’t backed mine up since… uh… 2012 or so, and I would be devastated. I hope you didn’t lose anything irreplaceable. I am so sorry. But… On to the good stuff! This December Daily is amaze! So joyful, genuine, messy, sweet, fun and real. This is the good stuff. I’m inspired!
I’m so inspired by this scrapbooking series. I’m collecting lots of ideas because my husband and I are going to be foster parents in the near future and we want to make a book for each child that we get. Maybe we’ll also make a “before you came along” book of just the two of us!
This is so good! I really want to do my own, but I’m not that creative so may have to search Pinterest.. Thanks for the inspiration! xx
xbeccabe.blogspot.co.uk
I love scrapbooking! Although you’ve made mine look like a total failure! Ha! Thanks so much for the inspiration, yours is so wonderfully beautiful. Also I love your little doodles at the bottom of the page, linking to different topics (unsure if they are new or if i’ve just been blind before). xx
I’m so glad you pushed through and finished this beautiful album! It came out so nicely, and there’s such a great sense of satisfaction from finishing something, isn’t there?
x Kathryn
Through the Thicket
I love that you are sharing some scrapbooking again and that ha didn’t give up on making the book. Sorry about your lap top. What a crummy thing to happen esp around the holidays 🙁
That is such a cool looking book!! So creative!
Wow, it turned out beautifully! Thanks for sharing 🙂
http://www.mintnotion.com
These little scrapbooks are so much fun! I tend to get caught up in making big scrapbooks of “the important things” (don’t get me wrong those are fun too) but these little ones are so cute, so many moments that could otherwise be forgotten. I need to make more little books!
Wow thats amazing!! Very inspired to do one for myself now
love this! maybe i should start too.. 🙂
http://www.luna-michelle.com
What size album did you use? I feel like my 12×12 is too big and the mini too small haha yours looks like a happy medium 🙂
Thank you for sharing your very special December with us Elsie (the intimate moments like your letter to Penny too!)
I’m sorry to hear about your computer but I’m glad you took the time to finish this project 🙂
Can’t wait for my package to arrive and to start 52 weeks of scrapbooking!
I LOVE this album, Elsie! Ugh, what a drag to have your computer stolen. I’m so sorry. And with December photos of all months! However, this album turned out just beautifully. You inspire me so very much! Bravo, dear!
Circus & Bloom
♥♥♥
I LOVE this album, Elsie! Ugh, what a drag to have your computer stolen. I’m so sorry. And with December photos of all months! However, this album turned out just beautifully. You inspire me so very much! Bravo, dear!
Circus & Bloom
♥♥♥
Lovely idea… I’m in!
Lovely idea… I’m in!
What a beautiful album! I love seeing other peoples scrapbooks, as I am just starting my first Project Life binder. So sorry to hear about your laptop and photos 🙁 But happy you had plenty on instax & mobile memories!
Lx
This post makes me want to start scrap booking. I love the style of it, such a shame about your computer, you seem remarkably calm. I love reading this blog.
Really nice album, Elsie! Can I ask what dimensions it is? I got a 4×4 mini album which is cute but it’s a little small for the everyday stuff.
Looks like a perfect pile of everyday memories. I mean, I think most of life is random, and it’s cool to make an album that’s true to that. This reminded me that I still haven’t made a dent into my growing list of photo to-do’s. I mean, I can’t even remember the last time I printed out photos (yikes!).
Thanks for sharing the inspiration!
xo. Hanna
‘m sure your future self will thank you for this x.
http://jeansandmacaroons.blogspot.dk
The best scrap book ever! Thank you for the inso Elsie 🙂
Really nice album, Elsie! Can I ask what dimensions it is? I got a 4×4 mini album which is cute but it’s a little small for the everyday stuff.
I absolutely love your scrapbooking! It’s such a lovely idea and your designs and ideas are so pretty. It’s definitely something I want to try and I think I will be looking to you for inspiration!
I love it!!
This is amazing and so fun – even bette that it’s random. I’m so sorry to hear about your laptop – but am so glad you were able to make something so beautiful! Your niece is a lucky girl xo
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
Thanks for letting us take a peek into the December album! It’s definitely a great source of inspiration!
Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Bloglovin’
Loved this post! I really would love to do something like this, maybe i’ll give it a go one day 🙂
Thanks for sharing some of your world xx
You are so good at scrap booking!
Jillian | http://jillianeliza.blogspot.com
So sorry to hear about your computer being stolen 🙁 but the scrap book looks fab! Definitely inspires me to start making one for 2015! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tiffany C
x
A) I love this feature. As someone who has only been doing Project Life scrapbooking for a year, it keeps me inspired and gives me new ideas
B) Kudos on finishing the book and turning a really sucky situation (I am sorry your laptop was stolen) into something positive with a lovely book of memories.
🙂
Oh, scrapbooking looks like fun!
Thank you for sharing this with us, what great memories and wonderful pictures!
I am starting a scrapbook for 2015 and at the end of the year hope to look back at all the great times!
Leah
I think using the plastic pockets for scrap-booking is a fantastic idea! It eliminates all the gluing and cutting, and looks nice and clean. =)
Jill
Latest Post: Spiral into Fit – I Spiralized Every Meal For a Day!
Scrapbooks are my go to birthday present, they’re so personal.
MAKE-UP GIVEAWAY + Valentine’s day make-up
scrapbook sundays is my absolute FAVORITE feature!!! well… along with “at home with” 😀 can never EVER get enough of your scrapbooking – its so inspirational. thank you! <3
cute blog!! 🙂
http://annazuerker.blogspot.com
Major stationary crush!!
I am so getting on this ;D #Inspired
Gemma x
littleroosrainbow.blogspot.co.uk
Wow this is so impressive! I love how each page is different but still so pretty!:)
Lauren x
I love scrapbooks!!
http://www.angerawrs.co.uk
Thank you so much Hilary!
xx- Elsie
Nice idea!!! You should do it!
xx- Elsie
Stop it! I wish I could see yours. I’m sure it’s gorgeous!!
xx- Elsie
It’s 6×8.
Our ABM album system is coming out SOON. It’s 9×12 and it’s the perfect size, in my opinion. I’ll share more as soon as I get samples in!!!
xx- Elsie
Thanks so much Kristina!
xx- Elsie
It’s 6×8. They sell albums similar to this at Studio Calico. It’s called the Handbook.
xx- Elsie
Okay, okay, fine… You win. I’ll start scrapbooking again. Seriously, though, I haven’t even printed my wedding photos from almost 2 years ago! I’m loving these mini-books; they seem so much more accessible and easy to get done quickly. Thanks for the inspiration!
love this, what an adorable idea!
https://www.2minxinx.com/blog
Great idea, I go to garage sales and buy bargain items to see what kind of books I can make. Works out great, find buttons,jewelry and many other itrms, it’s like a challenge.
This is such a good idea, and it’s inspiring me to make one of my own! I used to scrapbook all of the time, but I haven’t done it in so long. This looks like a fun, non-intimidating way to get back into it!
Lovely … will give it a try.
it looks amazing! such a lovely way to cherish those memories of daily life – i can’t imagine how fun it must be to look back at these in ten or twenty years!
xo, cheyenne
Oh wow. This inspires me to start making my own scrapbook album…
http://annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com/
Sorry for your laptop but glad that you finished this albus it is so inspiring!!!
🙂 I love love love these pictures and the idea of collecting and saving memories that way <3 really lovely
I´d love to recreate something like this some day and to have so many funny and lovely memories to look at when I´m old and remember all those amazing moments 🙂
thx for such a lovely marvelous inspiration
x
Thanks for sharing.
I can’t imagine how stressful and disturbing it must be to have you laptop stolen … I’m sorry it happened to you.
That said, I’m so glad you finished your album! It’s beautiful, I just how colourful and full of memories it is. I think random albums are the best!
Seriously need to start doing this http://www.hannamarielei.com
I can’t get over how sweet and fun this is!
I’m not really sure if I’m the scrapbooking type, but if I ever have a lot of time (and fun art supplies) in the future, I’d love to try it out.
-E
I LOVE TO SCRAPBOOK, I DON’T DO IT TOO OFTEN, BUT THIS WAS SO INSPIRING. I CAN SEE A WHOLE NEW WAY TO KEEP RECORDS OF SPECIAL MEMORIES, OTHER THAN THE TYPICAL SCRAPBOOK. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!
First and foremost, im so sorry to hear about your laptop!
I absolutely loved loved LOVED!! this post. I was near sentimental when you got to the part about penelope’s first xmas at your house (gosh, such a lil cutie she is!). It has so much detail and sentimental value. I LOVE how you were able to show us a few ways to store multiple photos that wouldnt make it to the sleeves and what not. brilliant!
I have to be honest, scrapbooking was such an unknown territory for me but I always admired it from afar. Your enthusiasm, posts and particularly Scrapbook Sunday segments have allowed me to be brave and throw myself in and start to make my own. I hope you continue with lots of scrapbook posts- they are so motivating and inspirational!!
Thank you for the reminder that my books don’t have to be “perfect” — it is more important that they get DONE! 🙂
hey elsie,
do you have one post that encompases this idea? like, products you use, ideas and such? i love this idea, but would love a great “let’s get started” post.
thanks so much!
Hi Angela! This post should be helpful: http://abeautifulmess.com/2014/11/scrapbook-supplies-101-what-you-really-need-to-get-started.html 🙂 -Jacki
I’m really in love with your scrapbooking pages!
I’m so excited to begin the 52 weeks ecourse 🙂
xxx
Love your scrapbook! I was wondering what size photos are you printing and what type of printer are you using?
I love how you stored your instax shots! I’ve been trying to find a organized way to store them since I haven’t seen to many photo albums that fit them and these are perfect!
Such a great idea. I can’t wait to do this for a big year like 1st year of marriage or baby’s 1st year. The memories will mean so much more.
http://www.thrumypeepers.com
Really cool DIY idea!
http://www.daintyandchic.com
Really cool DIY idea!
http://www.daintyandchic.com
Love it! I can not wait for Messy Box, any update when it might be revealed?
I am so sorry your computer was stolen (yuck!) but this still turned out wonderfully! I’m glad you decided to complete it.
wow. i ♥♥♥ this idea!
Elsie, this is probably my favorite DD example. I love how you’ve used all the different products to create a uniquely you book! It’s stunning! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Elsie, would you like to give some tips or tutorial of how to make a yearbook that isn’t monotone and full of life like your scrapbook did?
Every time I fall off the scrapbooking bandwagon one of your posts shows up and it reminds me why it’s so important. I almost teared up a little reading the letter to your niece as I love doing things like this with my own.
http://www.agreatperhaps.com
these are all so so cute!!! I just got really excited and I’m hoping elsiecake is your snap chat name… just tried adding you, Elsie! 🙂
You’re the best.
love, polly