The Hungry Bear

december daily album | week five.

I wanted to document all of December because there were moments after Christmas that I wanted to share. Also I felt the album would be incomplete if I didn't document all the way to the 31st. 

Here are the last few pages for Week Five!

Day 28  One of my favorite things to do after Christmas is going post holiday Christmas Shopping. That includes shopping for Bear. :D Took him to Petco to see if there were any sales running. Unfortunately didn't see too many things but did end up getting a food tray. This helps slow down Bear's eating so he doesn't inhale all of his food at once like a...BEAR. ;] 

I just included a picture of Bear in the store with his basket of goods! I printed it regular size and cut it down to 4 separate little photos to insert into the 2x2 pocket page.

Day 29 and Day 30

Former coworker was up visting her family in Virginia. We all decided to meet up for lunch at Jackson's for Day 29. (Yup, that's right, went twice in two weeks, no shame! And you know we got the Salmon Salad!) I printed a group picture then added one of the filler cards and added a tag (Free printable here!). At the bottom, I added a filler card from the Midnight Edition Kit. It was orginially a full card that I cut in half to fit into the 2x2 pocket.

Day 30, didn't have much going on but wanted to share that I was going to start Project Life in the new year. I included a picture of the filler cards from the Midnight Edition Kit. Beautiful isn't it?! At the top pocket, I added this free printable (found here) wrapping paper and added a date stamp.

Day 31 and Christmas Card PageFor New Year's Eve, it was my brother's birthday, we didn't celebrate till the new year. I had a New Year's Day run the next day so kept it lowkey for NYE. Made a last minute new year's eve hat for Bear. :D Yup, went with another free printable (here). Thought the stars would go well with the photos.

Thought a good place to keep all the Christmas card we received this year all in one place would be with the album.  

Last PageInserted a plain sketchbook paper and added Martha Stewart ribbon paper and sticker. Wrote, "See you next year December!"  

To view all the weeks of December Daily, have pulled all the links for your conveniece:

Week One, Week Two, Week Three, and Week Four

And that completes December Daily 2014. It has been a wonderful first experience working on this album and look forward to doing it again next year!

december daily album | week four.

And just like that, the holidays is over but from what I stated early on before starting the album. I wanted to document all 31 days of December. 

Here are the pages for Week Four:

Day 21 and Day 22

It was a lazy Sunday indeed for Day 21. In the morning, we got Bear his first ever "puppachino". It's whipped cream and we believe that he really enjoyed it. Also finished baking the last three batches of cookies to bring into work. Usually I divide up the cookies and give on tray to Robert to bring into this work. Here I just created a filler card that said "Today" and the date and wrote about the day. Added a picture of Bear with his puppachino. For the bottom pocket, I added a picture of a few of the cookies I baked.

For Day 22, my friend Kevin was back in town from grad school. We went to the Caps game against the Senators. In the 2x2 pocket, I added the picture of the rink. Then at one of the stand, grabbed a 2014-2015 season schedule which fit perfectly into the bottom pocket. For the last pocket, I cut up some graph paper and added the moose wood veener. 

Day 23 and Day 24

Had a holiday work lunch on Day 23. We went to Jackson's, one of the great American Restuarants. They have such a wonderful selection of food. That day, I decided to go with Short Smoked Grilled Salmon Salad - Asparagus, tomatoes and field greens with champagne vinaigrette & a deviled egg with pecans. Before leaving, I picked up one of the Restaurant cards and cut it down to fit into the 2x2 pocket. I had a gold envelope that I cut down and added a flag and gold number 23. 

Day 24 I documented the homemade gifts I worked on this year. I ordered these wooden slices and handlettered some sayings on them to give as gifts. My friend Marie had a small request to write some herbs in calligraphy. She wanted to include herb markers with this garden kit she was going to give to her sister. I inserted a simple filler card with the date in a semi circle and wrote about the day.

Day 25 and Day 26

Christmas Day, had a quite a few things going on that day from going to my parents' house. Then heading over to Robert's family's house. I wanted to include a picture of me and my siblings. We don't usually get to have a picture of all four of us. I made this gag gift of these tshirts that said, "World's Okayest Sister (or Brother)" and all of us wore it! I inserted brown cardstock and placed gold sticker numbers and wrote in pen about the day.

Day 26 was Bear's first birthday! Had a small gathering with my sister and her dog Miso. The pups played together and had made them some pup cakes! For the humans, made a simple lunch with some dumplings.  Originally, I wanted do photobooth strips for Bear but I had forgotten that day so I placed a picture of Bear in his birthday hat and his pup cake. Inserted a gold letter "B" and wrote a little note about Bear.

Day 27

On Saturday, my sister brought over Miso for us to dog sit. She and her husband were going up to New York to celebrate his grandmother's birthday. The pups played all day, they are like engerizer bunnies, don't know how they have so much! Earlier in the day, when with my friend Marie to do some post Christmas shopping. I think it's one of my favorite things to do. Collect (hoard) cute christmas items for next year. Hey, I believe it's a win when you save money!

december daily album | week three.

Can you believe it's Christmas?! This year has flown by! Hope everyone is having a wonderfuly holiday season! What do you and your loved ones have planned for the holiday season? 

Week three of December Daily was a week of celebrations! Lots of december babies :D 

Day 14 and Day 15

Day 14, had celebrated a friend's daughter's first birthday. Happy to have been able to share this special day. For the layout, I scaled down the birthday invite to fit in the 2x2 page. Added a picture of the birthday girl. Added a letter "E" for the birthday girl and a simple gold star for the last filler card.

I went with a full 5.5 x 8.5 page for day 15. Simple monday night meal and sharing a little bit about wanted to get a kick start on eating healthier for the new year. 

Day 16 and Day 17

Another full picture for day 16. if you look closely, you can see our furry loved one that wanted to be in the picture. Too funny not to include! In the picture, it has our individual stockings and a reindeer "mugshot" hehehe.

Day 17, back to the 2x2 page layout. Added pictures of wrapping gifts and holiday chocolate. Then a simple filler card with the date. I had some red mini folder with empty label so I added some kitchen twine and a button to fill one of hte pockets.

Day 18 and Day 19

On December 18, had an early birthday dinner for my sister, Natalie. I had some brown kraft paper and added some white cake base paper and added date using a stamp. We had had dinner at Olive Garden so I printed out a part of the menu and added that in. Had previously had some Martha Stewart cards that says "who, what, where and when". This was great to journal a bit about the day. And of course added a picture of the birthday girl!

Didn't have much going on December 19 so I simplity added this lovely wrapping paper printable and added a divider label with the date.

Day 19 and Day 20

On the back side of Day 19, added a list of favorite holiday songs. For Natalie's actual birthday, I pulled in a picture from the early birthday dinner. Also had holiday lunch with a friend at True Food Kitchen, printed a picture of our food. ;] Inserted a simple filler card with the date and wrote a bit about it.

december daily album | week two.

Week one of December Daily done. Now for Week two! I have to admit, keeping up with the daily photos and journaling is a lot more difficult than I thought. You can definitely fall behind fairly quickly. 

Here is a look at Week Two:

Day 6 (Continued) and Day 7

To continue with Day 6 Party photos, on the top pocket, inserted some wrapping paper. Then added a red Martha Stewart Craft Label. On the bottom pocket, added a 4x6 photo of the buffet table from the holiday party.

Went with a four pocket view for Day 7's layout. For the upper left corner, used some leftover kraft polka dot wrapping paper from Target. Inserted a simple date/month on cardstock created in Word. At the bottom, printed out a 4x6 photo from "Run with Santa 5k" and cut it in half and inserted it into the remaining pockets.

Day 8 and Day 9

 

Mixed up the type of photos by adding a polaroid for day 8. On the upper left corner, took a picture of our mini christmas tree and added some embellishment with a gold safety pin. Added a pine tree left to the back of the kraft polka dot paper. Bottom left, inserted the same wrapping paper in red. Lastly, I took a picture of the wreath I have up on the door and added a glitter number 8 top.

Day 9, Hot Chocolate Bar day! Added a 4x6 photo from that day. Then in the bottom pocket, wrote a little about the hot chocolate bar (second year doing it!).

Day 10 and Day 11

Back to a two pocket view for Day 10 and 11. Continuing with trying to keep some white space and clean lines. For Day 10, on the top pocket, kept with the simple date/month and wrote a little bit about addressing cards for the first time. Then added a photo of addressing cards with a side of oraments and coffee!

Day 11, inserted our actual holiday card for 2014 from Artifact Uprising. We really wanted to feature Bear this year with the card saying, "Wishing you a "Beary" happy holidays!" :]

Day 11 and Day 12

Used a mailing label and date stamp and added to the envelope and secured it with a red/white paper clip. 

For Day 12, found these kraft bags earlier in the year at Target (Dollar section) and added some stocking prints. These are from cards I had from a while back (also Target) and just took them off the card and adhered it the kraft bag. Inside the kraft bag, I printed out Bear's wishlist on a smaller scale and punched a hole and added some ribbon.

Day 12 and Day 13

Back of the kraft bag, added a simple date/month for Day 12. 

Ended the week with a day in dog sitting Bear's brother, Miso! Wild night, I tell ya! ;] Printed a 4x6 photo and cut it in half for the upper pockets. For the lower left pocket, found this wonderful free christmas tree printable. For the last pocket, cut out simple cardstock and adhered a mailing label with a date stamp.

december daily album | week one.

Slowly getting back into the routine after a wonderful mini trip. Holidays are in full swing, between addressing holiday cards and prepping for annual holiday party, hope to stay updated on December Daily album. Working on this album really brings me back to the old scrapbooking days. This was really my first love, working with paper goods and photos.

Above is the title page, here I found a reindeer template and scaled it down (really really little) and traced it on to some scrapbooking paper I previously had. I adhered it to a 5.5 x 8.5 page where I typed out 2014 - Eat, Drink and be Merry!

Here's a look at the first week:

Day One

I wanted to do a full spread for the first day of December. On the left side, I printed out a full picture of the trees from the mini trip to Savage River Lodge. On the right side, I printed out the Savage River Lodge sign and for the bottom, I split and put a photo then on the other side, I put "1" and wrote a little bit about the trip. I then inserted into Martha Stewart sheet protector with two pockets.

Day Two and Three

For Day Two, on the top pocket, I printed out a picture of the breakfast basket. Added a date stamp to a mailing label and adhered that to the picture

For Day Three, I cut up a baseball page protector to create a 2x2 pocket. On the upper left corner, I added a gold number 3 sticker (This can be found at any craft store, Michael's, AC Moore, etc). Upper right corner, I got a gift card from Starbucks and placed it into the pocket. This is a great way to get filler cards! Lower left corner, a simple photo from morning coffee. Lower right corner, I looked in my scrapbooking paper to find something festive then added a wooden star (got from AC Moore, similar here)

Day Four and Five 

For Day Four, I left the number 3 sticker in the clear pocket and no backing. To the left, I took a picture of when I was at target in the holiday section aisle. I created a "polaroid" as a frame for the picture. Below the picture, I included a receipt and used a festive white and red stripped paper clip and put it on top of a Trader Joe's bag. I found some free polka dot printable and added a white textbox over it with a date stamp.

Day Five, on pinterest, there was this great "Making a List" printable. It was a great way to organize for gift giving. I added a little blurb under the picture.

Day Six

I went with a full spread for Day Six. On the left side, created a 3x3 collage and inserted some of the photobooth pictures from the holiday party. I filled the non-picture boxes with a wooden reindeer (Found at Paper Source) For the gold stars on the upper right corner, punched some stars out of some gold paper that I previously owned. On the right side, in the top pocket, I inserted the holiday invitation. On the bottom, I took a picture of part of the backdrop and wrote a little bit about the party.

december daily preparations.

Last week, I shared a little bit about December Daily Album. Today I am sharing how I am prepping to fill the album. What makes this project challenging is to capture more daily moments during the busiest month of the year.

I have started to list out the days in December and put down what I wanted to capture on that day. As you can see there is still quite a few gaps. I am hoping to fill in as I go along with some of the items listed in my previous post.

I looked through my stash of scrapbooking paper and gathering any holiday related paper I could use. Trying to keep a really simple color scheme, I picked rustic red/brown/cream. With Pinterest these days, I love the idea of free printables (who doesn't love free stuff?!) I had printed out a few cute paper and added that to my stash. I plan to add pops of color or embellishment where I can to enhance the paper. Fortunate enough I won't have to worry about buying many supplies since I've already got a good amount already :P (Good and bad thing ;])

As a lover of Post-its, I brainstormed ideas how I wanted pages to look like. This is great when an idea pops in your head and you can quickly jot it down and stick it on the page to remind yourself later.

After gathering the materials I want/need to use for December Daily, I packed everything into a basket. This is great because everything is neatly one place and portable (and, definitely love scrapbooking while watching TV!)

december daily.

So I know it's only November 13 but is it too early to start thinking about December and the holidays?! I am excited because this will be the first year I will be participating in Ali Edwards' December Daily. It is a December mini-album project that documents the 25 days leading up to Christmas. The simple goal is to capture the spirit of December via one story per day. Instead of just documenting 25 days of December, I wanted document all 31 days. I wanted to include Bear's first birthday and also my brother's birthday which happens to be on New Year's Eve.

My goal is to have a simple approach for my first December Daily. To keep with this simple/minimalist theme, I got this album from Amazon. I added an adhesive metal bookplate (got it from here) which i plan on putting this year date.

To further simplify the process, have jotted down a few things I want to capture this holiday season:

1. Our Mini Christmas Tree
2. Bear and Miso's Birthday
3. Target/Christmas shopping
4. Natalie's Birthday
5. William's Birthday
6. Snow/Outdoor with Bear
7. Baking Holiday Cookies
8. Annual Holiday Party
9. Holiday Wreath
10. Starbucks (Gingerbread Latte!)

Thought this would be a good basic start to fill in some of the days and document the rest as them come up! Do you document the holidays and how do you document?!