Have you heard of the December Daily?

If you haven't, it is a mini album documenting the 25 days leading up to Christmas.  I believe it is a registered trademark of Ali Edwards, a wonderful story teller, teacher and artist in the scrapbook world.  (Read to the bottom!  I have a special for you!)

Intriguing?  What is the story of your December as your family begins celebrating the traditions of the holiday season?  Have you ever documented these traditions?  Do you remember your childhood traditions?

Close to My Heart does not have an exact replica of the "December Daily" as created by Ali Edwards but we do have products that you could use to create your own mini album and tradition record of December 2015.

Begin with this 30 page – 8¼" × 6½" mini album with a mix of papers: printed vellum; printed, cardstock-weight; and page protectors in various styles. Kraft hardcover with foil gold accent, wire-bound.

 From here, you can just add your own photos and journaling telling the story of your December and holiday traditions OR you can add some detail with the Holiday Happenings Assortment.

This set of cards,  mini envelopes and stickers allow you to add special details highlight moments and memories.

Finally, you can add some more dimensional detail with the Holiday Happenings Badge Buttons.

Created to coordinate perfectly with the album and assortment, you can add these special badges to finish off your album.

Wait, that is not all.  Of course what is December without sparkle?  When you purchase this set of three items in the Holiday Happenings Mini album set by November 30th, I will add a free package of Assorted Sparkles to make it shine! Shop on my website here. 

This special is only through me, Independent consultant and all products are while supplies last.  This would also make a special gift for a family with a new baby or newly married couple. 

Happy memory keeping,

Michele

Pocket Album: Pura Vida Style

As an earner of the Close to My Heart Costa Rica Trip, I was able to participate is a Secret Sister Swap during the trip.  I was spoiled rotten by my secret sister (who happened to also be the one I was gifting).  Her name is Kimberly Deines from Colorado and this is the lovely Pocket Album she created for me.  Can't wait to highlight the special events and memories from the trip in this book.

The cover was created using the Skylark paper packet and Framework Alphabet.  Below, she used a card from the Balloon Ride Picture My Life set as well as cuts from the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.

The stamps she used were a gift we were given as earners of the Costa Rica Land Tour.  Pura Vida means "pure life" and is a common greeting and expression in Costa Rica. 

These pockets have cards from the Surf's Up Picture My Life kit.

When you purchase this album, every page includes a pocket.  Kim covered some of these pockets to create a more traditional album page. Above she added 4x6 flip flaps on the right for more photo space.  Below, she created a tag with one of the cards from the Balloon Ride Picture My Life Kit.  You can also see that she used a mini flip flap. 

Thank you Kim for this special album!

I am back...well virtually!

After convention in DC, it has been a whirl wind of activity in the Rowley household.  And now, we find ourselves packing for our next adventure.  But, I wanted to at least leave you with some scheduled posts sharing some recent artwork and thoughts.  So first, a board book. 

This 6x6 board book is perfect for any mini album or "story" you want to share.  I created mine when it was still raining in Seattle and I was looking forward to some summer sun.  Thus, my title, Summer Wishes. I plan to put in photos of the experiences that have and will bring us sunshine this summer, even if the big yellow, warm, globe in the sky stays hidden.  The Splendor paper packet produces sunshine on the pages, even without the photos and the cute a-door-ables hide surprises yet to be discovered.  Enjoy the "tour" of this book.  If you are interested in a workshop to create a book, contact me.  Or, if you want the cutting guide, email me for the worksheet. 

A-door-able covered with B&T paper.

A-door-able covered with B&T paper.

A-door-able stamped with first and second generation stamp and then sponged with same colored ink.

This set of pages has an insert of a "short" page to add more space for photos. 

Back cover with a-door-able, stamped and photo clip added as a clasp.

A wedding gift on the Veranda: Faster, Simpler and Easier!

This past weekend I attended a wedding shower for a friend.  I really wanted to make a gift for her but started a little late.  I made the card first, figuring I could shop from her registry if I needed too.  The paper spoke for itself so I added a sentiment, some ribbon, brads, and a butterfly from the Just Blooms and was very satisfied with the finished product. 

Then, I started making a keepsake box.  I used the My Creations Memory Keeper and covered it with the Veranda paper.  I used Modge Podge to glue the paper to the box (but did not Modge Podge over the paper as this causes lots of wrinkling).  Again, I finished this box very quickly because the beautiful, coordinating paper made it easy.  I was pleased with this special place to keep wedding mementos and a place for a photo on the front. 

Do I have time to do another project for my gift?  Full confession here.  I wasn't sure I could add to it so as we were out running errands, we bought a gift card to compliment the treasure box.  Then, we came home and I discovered I had a couple of hours in the evening so I delved into a 9x9 Accordian Album which fits perfectly in the memory keeper.  Using some inspirational artwork from another consultant, I started and completed this album.  Close to My Heart...Faster, Simpler, Easier!  And it was such a delight to see her appreciation for my gift, knowing I had made it, coordinated the papers to match her wedding colors, and had so much fun! 

Grown With Love

More art using this stamp set. This is a page in my All Sorts Album (Z1224). It has six chipboard pages with 5 different designs. It can also be integrated with pages of the Acrylic Mini Album. The measurements are 6 1/4 x 7. The photos of our cabin trip with my dad and his wife enjoying the grandkids will make an memorable Christmas gift for them. Shhh.