Hi friends! My pal Ali Edwards invited me to join here December Daily challenge this year. I love the concept! It's a simple mini scrapbook that you fill in each day in December, leading up to Christmas. The thing that excites me most about the project is the challenge to capture more daily moments during the busiest month of the year.
I used this Studio Calico kit as a base to get my album started. I also pre-cut a bunch of cards in the sizes of the page protectors with additional patterns that I like.
You can use any supplies to make this album, but getting prepared before December starts is pretty important since it is SO incredibly busy. The more you can prep now, the more you'll enjoy the daily ritual later! 
I packed a basket with everything I'll need to work on my album in December. I think this solution is best for me because I like to be portable, moving my supplies from room to room around the house (and, of course, scrapbooking while watching TV is kind of the best!!) I love that I won't have to worry about buying supplies since I've already bought a bunch of stuff (maybe too much even?) I'm so excited!
I didn't pre-make too many pages in the album because I like to have my photos before I scrapbook, but here are a few things that I have done so far—
The inside of the front cover. I used these number stamps to make a fun repeating 2013 pattern!
And the title page. I plan to keep this page see through, and add a page of large photos behind it.
One last (very important) item I need to do before December is write out a long list of photo ideas! I expect to use both iPhone and SLR photos and this list will help me to stay mindful of little moments I can photograph.
For more information of December Daily watch Ali's getting started videos here and here. I hope you can join the fun! I'm excited to document our holiday season together- I've never made an album like this before! xo. Elsie
Credits// Author and Photography: Elsie Larson
79 Comments
i can’t wait to see the finish result.
🙂
This looks like so much fun! I’m going home to start mine now!! thanks!
Wow, what a fun project! Now I’m feeling inspired 🙂
Oh, fun! I’m so happy you’re scrapbooking, again! 🙂
love this idea!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
This seems like such a fun and great project. Can’t wait to see the end result.
Elsie, that is so cool! I definitely want to make one this year. Can’t wait to see the finished result!
how cute !
Love Love Love!!! And a great way to connect with mothers, daughters, sisters this holiday season.
xoxo ~Shari
http://www.pinkblotmom.com
These aren’t for sale in Australia. I wish they were, such a great idea!!
This is so exciting! Can’t wait to see the result!
xx The Expert Dreamer
JOIN MY GIVEAWAY!!
This is the coolest idea ever! unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to get everything ready in time. But I am as sure as heck trying to work it in!
xo,
rn
http://www.rachelnicoleblog.com
Sounds awesome, like the papers
Really crafty! Anticipating the final product! I also really love the idea of putting everything you need in a basket. Portable! 🙂
Carla @ Love Cartista
I’m really happy to see you scrapbooking again because I absolutely love your style!!
But I’m a bit sad to see you using the Studio Calico kit and promoting this company as there have been so many issues (quality control, customer service, damaged product, the list goes on and on..) with them and the way they treat their customers… I hope they won’t get too many new customers through this post who will much likely be disappointed in some way in the end..
Wow, it already looks great, and you haven’t even really started 🙂 I can imagine it will be a peaceful moment working with your album, taking a break in the busiest time of the year.
How marvelous! Can’t wait to see the finished scrapbook! Such great patterns! 🙂
http://sometimesgracefully.com
fun! i really want to get into scrapbooking, but not sure how..
feeling inspired though!
xo, cheyenne
Didn’t you guys just make a kit for Project Life? Why wouldn’t you support their company/your own product? I was going to head to the store this weekend to buy your kit, but if you don’t like it, I’m guessing it’s not worth it.
That’s just so cute, I wish I did things like that too…
xoxo
http://www.sannejorna.com
I wish I was as good at scrapbooking as you are. I always get lost in the middle and then have a hard time finishing…but I sure love looking at your pretty ideas.
Love this idea!
I documented every Christmas with my children this way – they are 12 and 14 now.
xxxx nic
I LOVE theese kind of posts! So inspiring! But I have a question. Is that mint coloured stamp a “date-stamp”? I’ve been looking for it all over without any luck. May I ask where you got it? (I don´t live in the US, but I am hoping you got it online?)
This looks so great and I love the beautiful designs!
Nice!! I love it!!
Welcome! I’ve been doing this sling with Joural Your Christmas for 4 years. You will cherish your album. Can’t wait to see your photo selection. You always find unique ways to document?
I love the idea and to think that December is just around the corner makes me so happy!
Hi there, first time to your blog via Local is Lovely blog. I’ve done Ali Edwards’ December Daily Project for the past 4 years and I love doing it. Make sure you take photos of “around your home” all the decor, presents, gingerbread making etc. I’ve also purchased the Studio Calico kits 2 years in a row but this year decided I’ve got enough in my “stash”. My advice is to stay on top of printing photos and the journalling on the day if you can help it because December all becomes a bit of a blur and you can forget. Taking photos visiting Christmas Lights are fabulous for this book too. You will have so much fun and there will be lots of Links on Ali’s posts so you can get inspiration and ideas about what to photograph.
Here’s a link to some of my photos from last year that went into my book.
http:oureverydaylifeinpictures.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/december-daily-photos-2012.html
http://oureverydaylifeinpictures.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/christmas-decor-around-house.html
http://oureverydaylifeinpictures.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/healthy-yoghurt-treats.html
You will love this project…………if you enjoy that you will have to get on board for Ali’s “Week in the Life” (WITL) Project which I have done for the past 5 years when Ali does it.
http://oureverydaylifeinpictures.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/week-in-life-2012-witl.html
Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
Oh, this looks great. I really have to start mine 😉
Such a great idea! I just may have to take part!
xx
Super nice!!!
You’re all kinds of awesome. Love the stamped card
I can’t wait to see the finished result! I love your scrapbooking pages!
xoxo
Anna
http://lolly-loop.blogspot.de/
I’ve been trying to get into scrap booking for a while. I tried and failed. But I am slowly learning about supplies and ideas on how to start. This project sounds awesome.
hey guys,
just wanted to ask how it is going with the “A Beautiful Mess” app for android? You said it will be released at the end of october but now it’s november? I’m sorry, but i’m so excited to finally have this app on my smartphone! 🙂 Would be nice, if you can give me an answer..
Your blog is so beautiful, love it!
greeting from germany,
vanessa.
Nice project!!!! I am looking forward to see the result! 🙂
believeinforestmagic.blogspot.com
Such a fabulous idea. I cannot say enough about my love of your blog. It is my daily (several times ?) dose of greatness! Yay!
What a wonderful idea this is… we definitely have to make some for the -fatcatconnection-!
Love from Germany and have one inspiring weekend!
http://lasagnolove.blogspot.de/2013/11/have-wonderful-weekend.html
B&B
Really good idea! It forces you to take a breath and enjoy each day in December although the occasional stress outbursts!
What kind of page protectors did you use for this and the project life album?
This looks fun!
thank you for this idea! i have loads of holiday papers and goodies from last year’s cards…this project is perfect! (and another way to craftily celebrate and record the magical season!) xo
This is such a great and fun idea!
Where did you get your album?
I love December Daily! If you make a photo list, would you mind sharing it! I did okay last year, but my photos were lacking. Your photos would be great inspiration!
American Crafts is the parent company to:
Studio Calico (where this December Daily kit is from);
Crate Paper;
Pebbles and;
Project Life (for whom Emma and Elsie designed a kit).
So she is kinda “supporting” her own product if you like.
This is a December Daily kit, Elsie and Emma’s kit is a Project Life kit. They serve different purposes.
Elsie did say she was invited by her friend, Ali Edwards – (who just so happens to be the December Daily queen) to do it, so she’s joining in. (Steps off soapbox)
I loveee the lettering!
http://uniqueperspective-eb.blogspot.com/
How sweet! I’m celebrating baby’s first Christmas this year so I may have to dig back through those tubs of old scrapbooking stuff and get it together.
I love this post! It’s like an early christmas mental gift for Me!
So doing this 😀
http://www.sweetswithfreaks.blogspot.com
I really love this idea – I get so much inspiration from your scrapbooking ideas. I think I’ll wait until January to start a similar album since I usually need something creative like this to carry me through those cold winter months. Appreciating everyday life is more difficult then in Wisconsin, and something like this could definitely help.
Exciting! I’m going to do it too! Never heard of it before, thx for sharing!
Hi Jay.
We love our Project Life kit and we use it all the time. 😀
With that said, I’m not going to limit myself to only one product just because I designed it.
🙂 elsie
Hi Marit!
The stamp is by Amy Tangerine (via twopeasinabucket.com)
xo- elsie
Hi Paige,
This book is similar to Project Life (just smaller). It came with the kit.
For my Project Life album I use lots of different page protectors from Project Life (usually buy them on Amazon or at Michael’s)
xoxo! elsie
Hi Emily!
It’s a part of the kit linked above. They have similar ones in the scrapbooking section at Target if you don’t want the whole kit. 😀
elsie
I love this idea – I am extremely tempted to try it. I’ve wanted to try scrapbooking for a while and might take this opportunity to attempt a small project…
This is so great! Definitely joining the challenge.
December seemed so far away!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/illamaqua-cameo.html
This is an awesome idea!! I love doing scrapbooks!!
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
Love the idea of getting all the pieces together beforehand – brilliant! I started something like this a couple years ago but I quickly lost the ambition because I was starting from scratch everyday, for every page. I’m going to start digging through my stash right now!!
I love this idea. I am so bad about keeping up with photos. This would put me ahead of the plan. Thanks for sharing.
Love your DD so far! This is a great format – I love the 6×8 size and the variety of styles the page protectors come in. I’m doing my own version of what might be called ‘Dailey Dailey’ in that I am journaling like crazy in the evenings – more like a diary – and printing that journaling and putting it into a Simple Stories SNAP binder and adding photos and memorabilia. It’s kind of a reverse scrap style where the words are the starting point and dominate the content of the book, rather than the photos.
Can’t wait to see your DD as it comes together!
Thanks!
I swear, scrapbooking just seems to come so easy to you! Gorgeous!!
I can’t believe its going to be December already, thanks for the post ,preparations are definitely on its way.
Well this is just adorable.
What a lovely idea, im going to try andmake time for it
Right, Vix! Elsie is supporting American Crafts. Studio Calico, Pebbles, Crate and Becky Higgins (PL) are part of the big family.
You can see this here: http://www.americancrafts.com/
Love Elsies PL kit, I want to buy it and use it together with the December Daily Kit by Studio Calico.
I like Alis DD, but I like Shimelle Laines “Journal Your Christmas” too. 🙂
Elsie, you are my scrapbooking hero! Welcome back! Its fun to see how you will make this DD album. I want to lift some ideas if that is ok for you?
I’m glad i’m not the only person getting ready for the festive season! I’m sooo excited! haha 🙂 XX.
Love this idea! I just went to a card making party that uses the same materials. I LOVED it! I’m interested in creating a personal scrapbook soon! Love the kit!
EverydayEphee.com
I love this idea! I am loving your blog too. WOW!
This is such a great idea and I can definitely see the value of preparing before hand! How specific do you usually get with your lists of photo ideas?
I’ll join in too! Such a nice idea!
Can’t wait to create it for my sister as a present! I also just want to say that you guys are inspiring so many people around the world. I follow your blog since a long time and today i thought i let you guys know that you are such great rolemodels!
Thanks for sharing,
Lore
http://whatloreloves.blogspot.de/?m=1
I love these little albums. Do they work with Project Life inserts or did you have to cut your own paper for all of them?
I love the entire concept of this!! Something that will remind you of everyday in the festive season!! Such a great little project idea that I defiantly want to do!! 🙂
Jack – http://jackedwardbevan.blogspot.com
Ooh I think I may do my own little version of this. Very exciting!
Rosie x | Every Word Handwritten
Beautiful! Love the cover page and stitching.
I have just got my folder ready to go, i am really looking forward to doing this 🙂 It also inspired me to unpack my craft room and sort it out after moving. Can’t wait to see your finished product.
Tori xx