december daily 2012...a revelation:)

 

it will sound funny to you, most likely. but it has taken me 3 years of december daily albums to finally realize something that to me is "big". i love monochromatic schemes when it comes to albums like this. i crave a sort of 'minimalism' to keep things calm and cohesive.

 

in retrospect, i did this unconsciously with my 2010 album. and even my 2011 album - mostly monochromatic. (which reminds me - i've never shared any of the 2011 album here...i'll do that over the next month or so).

 

it may sound silly, as i said, but it's a big "aha" moment for me to realize what works for me. because i love so many of the december daily albums i see around blogland and message boards - they're bright and vibrant and multicolored. but i just haven't been able to articulate that in my albums. so glad to have the clarity:) i can still admire and enjoy those other beautiful albums - but for me, it doesn't work to have many colors.

 

so here is my simple cover. i embossed this stamp and then added silver Thickers. then i misted over the rest of the chipboard cover.

next i covered the brown fabric with white duck tape and added a strip of silver and white washi tape.

i'm new to misting - i see imperfections. it bothered me for a day or two...but now i'm truly buying into ali's mantra to "embrace the imperfection". it's really ok - nobody but me will even take notice.

here's my little collection of supplies (which has since grown a bit) that i started out with before finally deciding on very simple, repetitive foundation pages. i'll be sharing those in the next day or two - just waiting for some decent light to take photos.

this makes me happy. it resonates with me in terms of being simple, calm, and cohesive.

thanks for stopping by:)

december daily 2010

 

as i start putting together my foundation pages for another december daily, i am also finishing up my albums from 2010 and 2011. i just wanted to quickly share my favorite page from my 2010 album. it makes me happy to look through these pages, finished or not. i really continue to enjoy this concept and process...

this day just included outtakes from a quick photo shoot i did of our boys for our annual holiday card.

this was the year i went with a monochromatic, vintage look to my pages, the base pages which you can see here, if you'd like.

i'll be back before long with some photos of what i'm putting together this year...think white, silver, gray...with touches of sparkle and metallic paper:) i'm sure i'll add an accent color or two - maybe aqua? not sure:)

autumn...and holding

 

 

yes, we've had a bit of snow...and yes, my thoughts are turning towards christmas. but - i'm still enjoying the last of autumn and these pumpkins still adorn our table. it just doesn't seem right to change the decor until thanksgiving...

 

 

this old and water-damaged art is something i pull out every fall and place on the mantel or prop against a wall somewhere. this year, i found the sweetest little owls in the target 2.50 bins and added them to the mix.

 

 

they just caught my eye and tickled my fancy:) especially for 50% off - why not?!? with $3.75 invested in this little vignette, i don't feel too guilty if they only stick around for one season;)

are you still enjoying autumn...or have you moved on to winter decor? either way - hope you're happy and healthy!!!

cinderella pumpkins

i've been wanting to share photos of the beautiful pumpkins we received from my parents again this fall. i've fallen completely in love with the many varieties of pumpkins i've been learning about lately. the cinderella pumpkin is absolutely a favorite.. it has a gorgeous deep red orange color and the shape...oh the shape! it is truly like cinderella's coach in the old storybook illustrations!

these three cinderellas are nestled by a lumina pumpkin, that strangely enough, is more light aqua than white this year:) just beautiful.

i found a little information about the cinderella that i'll copy and paste here:

Cinderella Pumpkins are a unique French heirloom whose correct name is "Rouge vif D'Etampes". The source of their nickname it that they resemble the pumpkin that Cinderella's fairy godmother transformed into a carriage. This pumpkin is recorded as having been the variety cultivated by the Pilgrims and served at the second Thanksgiving dinner. There is something magical about them. Cinderellas make a delightful decorative accent for the fall season, but additionally their flavor is good for any pie or winter squash recipe.

i loved stacking a few pumpkins in my white planters this fall. they're still out there and still bringing me joy each time i glimpse those gorgeous orbs out my front entrance:)

november 6, 2012...election day

Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves -- and the only way they could do this is by not voting.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, The Wit and Wisdom of Franklin D. Roosevelt