365 - The Same, Only Different

I anxiously awaited the opportunity to pop my last photo into the template to complete Page #3 of my 365 book. I love how Anna's (free) template can be used in different ways.

I'm not sticking to a week to one page, rather opting for a flexible flow of whatever mood strikes me.

Nine days in one template.

Four days in one template, with a simple merge to show off the ice on my windshield.

The first eight days you saw when I was thinking about beginning with the end in mind.

I anticipate a few one photo pages as well. I'll just adjust the template as those days happen. Looking forward to seeing how the year in photos unfolds!

11 Things I Love About LOAD and 4 Ways I Make It Work

I love LOAD (layout a day). Why?

1. Lain. She's a hoot.
2. Amazing community of supportive people.
3. Thoughtful prompts each day.
4. I'ts a nice kick in the pants to get our memories documented.
5. It gives me justification for being creative EVERY DAY for a month!
6. It makes creating a more natural part of my life.
7. Inspiring interviews from inspiring people. Some new to me, some old friends.
8. I dig through my photos, which is ALWAYS fun.
9. I see things my life a little differently, a little happier when I'm done.
10. I have a tangible outcome for all of the time I invest. LOVE THAT.

How do I make it work with a job, a child, and a husband who expects I help out a little around the house?

1. I open Photoshop in the morning and work on my page throughout the day.
2. I keep it super simple. Photos+words. 
3. I use templates. A LOT.
4. I don't stress over my pages. Just create.

Do you love LOAD? Thinking about it? I hope you join me!

Project 365: Begin With the End In Mind

You've finished your first week of Project 365! Congratulations.

It's been helpful for me to start the project with my final result in mind. Am I going to put them together in an album? How many details do I want to include? How large do I want the finished book to be?

So many options.

In 2008 I included a photo on each page. I started 365 in March, so the book is shorter than 365 pages.

Click here to view this photo book.

In 2009 I took a different approach. I used Anna Aspnes' Templates and included a week on each page with journaling. I changed each page up a bit as well. I changed the color with each spread. There is A LOT more going on on these pages than is typical for me! And I'll be honest, I'm not done with it yet! Here's a look at a few of the pages. I have all of the photos and journaling. Just need to get it done! Credits here.

After including so much in 2009, I included less in 2010. I used Ali Edwards' Grid Template and a little word art. Just photos. Super simple. And well. I'm almost done! Credits here.

For 2011, I'm grabbing the best of both worlds. A little journaling and a grid style from Anna Aspnes'. I'm going with a black background to make the photos jump off the page. I have a fun idea for changing this template up each week!

You can find this template at a free download on her blog! I used her Art Play Celebrate Value Pack for the paper. I like the challenge of the landscape photos as I'm definitely more of a portrait shooter, it will be good to get me out of a rut!

What is your plan for how you will bring your project together? Link me up in the comments to your ideas! Anyone just blogging them this year? I'd love to see.

How LOAD Changed My Life

The real count down has begun for me! Only 28 days until LOAD 2/11 begins!

I took part in LOAD 10/10 thinking, I'll complete some layouts, think about "story," and make it through a week or so.

And then...

I was completely enamored. I loved the community. The prompts. Lain's awesome interviews. Yes, she interviewed me. And? It was AMAZING! Even if I sounded like a geeky, photography obsessed goob, her questions had me really thinking about why I spend time behind the camera and why I scrapbook.

On her website, Lain claims LOAD may change your life. Well. She wasn't wrong. I loved finding the stories I needed to write and capturing them together with some of my favorite photos. I got into a great rhythm of putting together pages without worrying about them being perfect. I got them done. They are some of my favorite pages because they are truly some of my favorite stories.

I cannot wait for February 1st to arrive so I can feel that inspired again. Best part? February's theme is INSPIRATION!  My plan, at this point, is to scrap each of my 365 photos as I take them in February. I'll see what inspires me when February arrives though!

If you want to be inspired and get those memories captured, join me for LOAD 2/11. It may change your life too.

Adding The Every Day To December Daily

We have a lot of water in our Northern California rivers with more rain expected. Seeing the park flooded has occupied a certain 5 year old's brain, so I included it in our December book. We were able to take some time while it was not raining to go see the park, show him all of the water, and see the fabulous clouds with blue sky peeking through!

Everyday life goes on in December, so I thought it was important to add it in. I struggled a bit with the title of the page. The template said, Merry and Bright, which just didn't seem appropriate. A quick erase and a little addition and I think I've summed it up better. Do you struggle with including the everyday in your December Daily book?

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Have you joined the new flickr group? Just for those of you I've had the privilege to help in your photography journey! Fun conversation, prompts and more to come!

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Check out my post today at TheDailyDigi! Lot's of fun with holiday lights AND a give away!

Catching Up With December Daily

I knew as soon as I took this photo it was going on December 14th's page. I'm playing a little catch up this week. How about you?

What Do You Do When December Daily Falls Behind?

It happens. Things get busy and I'm not able to make a page. I'll even admit that over the weekend, I grabbed time to do nothing. NOTHING. It was bliss.

So, yes, that put me behind doing my December Daily pages.

My strategies when I anticipate falling behind:

• Take a few more photos to trigger my memory (even if they are with my phone)
• Blog small details if I can or make notes on my phone.
• Go with one photo pages.
• Keep it simple
• Don't stress, there are no December Daily police.

I've got photos and my photos trigger my journaling. I'm planning on snagging some of my journaling from my blog as well.

This year's book is featuring more one photo pages. They are quick to put together, giving me time to focus on the journaling.  I've learned from my 2009 and 2008 books that journaling makes my heart sing!

What do you do when you fall a bit behind?

Looking for Cooperation For Christmas Photos?

Do you have difficulty getting cooperation for photos at Christmas? Want to know my trick?

Offer to adorn him in lights so he can be a Christmas tree.* It helps if he is five years old and determined to dress up in "every costume in the world." I'll need to add this to my list of methods to capture active kids.

The trick to low light photos? Spot meter and expose for his face.

How do you get cooperation?




*promptly bathe him after.

How I Speed Up My December Daily Pages On Busy Days

This week is PACKED with activities in our house. I love this time of year, but it can get crazy and a bit hard to keep up with December Daily.

I've given myself permission to have some December Daily Do Over Days! I grab a page I've already completed, swap out photo and journaling. Change an element or two (or none). I am then able to breathe easier and carry on to the next day! I want to complete my album AND enjoy the holidays. I've got to strike that balance!

I only took a few photos yesterday, this was a favorite. Sums up this time of year so well.

How are you balancing December Daily and enjoying the holidays?

How I Photograph Holiday Cookie Baking

I do not dress my child up in costumes for photos, I really don't. I do, however, set up our cookie baking for the best results!

Making Gingerbread Vegans is a favorite tradition, both to make and eat. Once we prep all of the ingredients in the kitchen, I move the entire process to the dining room table. I position the rolling mat so Ian's side is to the window or so the window is directly in front of him. You can tell in these photos where I positioned him in relation to the light.  Since I never ask him to move, I get more cooperation.

Once he gets cutting it's easy to wander around to get the best angle and light for a shot or two. The elf costume is just a bonus!

Click on the photos for product credits.

Do you have any favorite holiday photo taking tricks?

December Daily Day 5 - The Story Of The Elf

Class starts tomorrow. I always get a little nervous excitement brewing the night before class, hoping I've not missed anything, anticipating the chatter in class, and looking forward to seeing everyone's photos.

Preparing for class has me scrambling a bit to keep up with December Daily, but I'm determined. I've learned from past experience to keep taking photos and jot down what I can. I'm going to allow myself a skipped day here or there if I need to.  For yesterday, I'm leaving it big and black and white. I loved it the moment I saw him on the tracks. Do you have those moments you just know you're going to love the photo?

This year's book is turning into documentation of everywhere Ian wears his elf costume. Since he's worn it EVERY DAY since he received it, expect to see a lot of it! I'm certain he'll appreciate this book on the coffee table when he's fifteen.

Are you seeing any themes develop in your December Daily Project?

Narrowing Down the Photos For December Daily

I've selected my six photos to compliment my one photo layout of December 4th! Thank you for all of the great ideas and for gently pushing me toward my decision.

I loved all of the ideas you shared:

• Put them all in a grid, similar to my post.
• Make a flip page with the stories behind them.
• Include a baseball card style page.
• Use an index print of all pages.
• Create an elf minibook.

Loved them!

So why did I pick only six?

I know this book will be printed 8x8 at Shutterfly. With my books from 2009 and 2008, I've found I like my photos a bit larger so I can really see them. I'll include pages with fewer photos, but those are typically non-people photos.

I loved the suggestions to include my mom and the cup. It becomes so easy to make every page an Ian page, he's filled with the magic of Christmas this year! I like that I'm left with a good overview of a special day.

I am still mulling the elf minibook idea! What ideas are you considering for your December Daily book?

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Capture Your Holidays Through The Lens starts tomorrow! I'm so excited to help you capture special moments! The first lesson includes the technique for the light photo in the bottom corner above.

Thank you to everyone who has registered and spread the word. You are an amazing community of friends.

Selecting Photos For A December Daily Page

December Daily is filled with choices about paper, embellishments, journaling, AND photos. Today is a difficult photo day for me.

Not because the day was too busy to take any, but because it was too filled to narrow it down to a few. You know those days. Family visiting. Birthday party to attend. Santa to visit. Lights to see. All in one day.  Exhausting holiday fun.

Everyone is sleeping all snug in their bed except for me. I'm sitting in front of Lightroom. Sorting. I could create a 20 page book with today's photos. And I would really like the book.

What makes it even more difficult? A costume. A stinkin' cute elf costume my mom made for Ian. He's been wearing it since she arrived yesterday. I'm not THAT mom that dresses up her kiddo for photos, but HE is THAT kid that dresses up and asks to be photographed.

Here is Page 1 for today. The story and the costume must be in this year's December Daily book. I've decided to include 6 more for the day on another page. The choice is made more difficult knowing each photo contains a story.

So here are a few of my choices.  Which would you include?

How I Chose My December Daily Paper

I work to keep things in my life simple. I might even put too much energy into being simple. Is it possible, I need to simplify simple?

I've planned my December Daily pages in my mind for weeks. I knew I was going with a white background and a big, photo first style. Something like this page or this page from October's Layout A Day.

I sat at my computer, brought all the pieces together with my December 1st photo. Moved things. Changed things. Walked away. Lamented. Moved more. Slept on it. Picked different whites. Used no paper at all. Flipped the orientation. Considered going with a 6x8 size instead.

Where did simplicity go? What was I thinking?

And then...

I did it. I simplified.

Does it look familiar? I am now considering kraft paper and Ali's templates holiday tradition. It feels right.

How are you keeping your December simple?


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I have a winner!

McScraps5 was randomly chosen for a free spot in Capture Your Holidays Through The Lens! Congratulations! Stop by her blog to see her beautiful December Daily book.

25 December Daily Photo Ideas

December! It's here!

If you are taking part in Ali Edwards' December Daily project or just documenting your month one day at a time, finding inspiration for a photo everyday can have its challenges. There are days you are just too tired to mess with your camera. Days you forget to take a photo until the last minute and there might even be days where you just feel stuck for an idea. The tree? Again?

Here is my 25 December Daily Photo Ideas downloadable pdf for a little inspiration! I am going to use it as a scavenger hunt through the month and maybe even a page title or two!

Enjoy! I'd love to hear which you find and which inspire you the most!

December Daily 2009

I've finished 2009 just in time to get 2010 started!

Click here to view this photo book larger

His face just kills me! Can you honestly look at it and not smile?

December Daily 2008

Ali Edwards' December Daily project is one of my favorite projects each year. We love to sit as a family and look back over our special moments. It is the small details I enjoy most, the words Ian said, the discoveries he made, and the traditions we create.

Click here to view this photo book.

Do you do a December Daily project? What do you love about it?

25 Days of Thankful - A Project

We've started a project in our house that I can proudly say we've kept at for 4 days! Perhaps a new family project record.

Before dinner each evening Ian and run into the backyard and collect the largest leaf we can find from our Mulberry tree. After a little dirt removal we set it on the dinner table with a marker. Through dinner we each talk about one thing we are thankful for. Ian seems to always go first and is quick to provide something concise and sweet.

Nov 1 - I'm thankful for plants things with you Mom
Nov 2 - I'm thankful for my family
Nov 3 - I'm thankful for keeping our house clean
Nov 4 - I'm thankful for my family

A little repetition is okay for me! I will show him Nov. 3rd when he's 13, just as a little reminder!

I write each of these on our leaf and we leave it as the centerpiece of our table.

The next day we repeat it. I'm loving watching the leaves from the our first days begin to slowly dry out as we add new ones to the pile.  I wait holding my breath just a bit to see what Ian is going to come up with each night.

In case you are curious, here is my list
Nov 1 - I'm thankful for my boys
Nov 2 - I'm thankful for difference of opinions
Nov 3 - I'm thankful for cupcakes
Nov 4 - I'm thankful for place where people know our names

And Shea's
Nov 1 - I'm thankful I learned to cook
Nov 2 - I'm thankful for a relatively transparent democracy
Nov 3 - I'm thankful for my family to come home to after a long day
Nov 4 - I'm thankful that when I had meningitis, I had no ill effects

Since the leaves will eventually be placed in our compost bin to become part of our garden, I'm capturing each of our statements on a card and will bind them together. Cathy Zielske made this even easier with her Thankful 4x6 Photo Album Project kit. It is in the DesignerDigitals store tomorrow. I've taken a little twist with it, since it's intended to be passed out for family to complete at Thanksgiving Dinner. I'm hoping to bind it to have at dinner. I'm not worrying too much over the photos. I used an iPhone photo from a new cupcake shop we found, but plan on using anything that fits! The leaves will show up somewhere in the process too!

So, what would your thankful list include? Today, I'm thankful to celebrate one more amazing year!

Capturing Life One Photo At A Time!

We are on LOAD Day #14! I haven't missed a day of capturing our stories. I am loving digging through photos and finding those with moments and memories I need to write down. I'm keeping it simple because, well, I have a lot of moments! And wow, does this boy love to make faces!

 Credits at DesignerDigitals

Credits at DesignerDigitals

On another note, I'm offering Your Life: Captured Through The Lens again! This is MY MOST popular class. I love watching people's skills develop through class and love seeing the bits and pieces of everyone's life. Early bird registration ends on October 19th!

If you've taken the class, what did you enjoy most? What did you learn that most benefited you?

If you've not taken it, what questions do you have about it? What's holding you back? ;)

I'll have a little something for two of you just for leaving a comment. 

Have a great day!

We Have A Winner!

Thank you for all of the wonderful comments on My Three Lens Weekend Post! It makes me so happy that I can help so many of you capture the moments of your life. This will be a post I come back to every time I doubt why I blog!

Gloria from Bolivia, you are the winner of a pass to Your Life: Captured Through The Lens. Class starts on November 2nd!

Looking forward to seeing you in class.

For now, I'm back to LOAD. I'm having a load ;) of fun and truly can't remember the last time I felt this inspired to document our life! Here's a quick look at a few of my favorite pages so far.

Credits here and here