Ok, I'm usually not this girl. I'm usually against Christmas until Thanksgiving. However, on November 1 when the entire world started celebrating Christmas, I got a little in the spirit of things. So much so it seems, that I even started my December Daily. Yes, I do realize that this sort of goes against everything that December Daily is. However, I've now decided that all the lead up to Christmas - as in Snow Head Day! - deserves to be documented as well. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. I've realized that the little things like Black Friday Shopping, or Snow Head Shopping, or just the Christmas concerts that happen throughout the season are deserving of storytelling as well. You may say I've spent a little too much time on Pinterest in the last few months. Or you may say that I've finally gone way to Christmas. Both of which are completely true. But honestly, once I start, it's hard to stop getting in the spirit. And since I'm way ahead of the game this year - something I'll only be for a few more days, then I'll be just as far along as everyone else is - I'm feeling even happier to be singing Christmas carols, and scrapping away with santa stickers. And even finishing my first Christmas book of the season. Yay Christmas!
Until about an hour ago, this madness was my kitchen table. You see, I decided that December Daily was going to be completed this evening. And apparently, when I put my mind to it, things get done. Because it's done, and it's adorable - in my opinion that is, in case you were asking. I had every intention of completing it on the go like most scrappers do. I have huge respect for those ladies - especially the ones that finish it, then photograph it, then blog about it. It's a massive undertaking; one that I failed miserably at. I managed to get to Day 10 before abandoning it in favor of actually buying, wrapping, and distributing gifts. However, I kept track of the photos I was taking, and the stories I wanted to tell, knowing that I would definitely get back to it eventually. I just didn't think eventually would come so soon. I mean, I hate to say this, but last year's still isn't complete. So I kinda figured this year would be more of the same. But it seems organization is the key. I had everything Christmas all set and and ready to go. So it was only the matter of printing the photos on my handy dandy Selphy, and writing the stories on my journal cards. Add simplicity to the list as well. My new motto is Simple is Better - apparently it's working well for me! So without further ado, here are just a few of my favorite pages. (Please ignore the weird shadows and carpet background. I finished at night, and when you finish at night, you need to photograph at night, and there's NO good light at night - at least not in my house...)
In an attempt to celebrate the little things in life, I've decided to do December Daily again this year. Last year, it went much better than I had hoped. I'm not entirely happy with how the album turned out, but I kept up with it all through the month, so that's progress for me. And since there's always fun things happening around Christmas, it was pretty easy to find things to scrap about. This year, I have a new motto for creating the album - Simplicity. I've learned I like the simple look as opposed to all the crazy scrap-happiness that some people prefer. Don't get me wrong, it's gorgeous but way too difficult for me. My new guru in the simple scrapping movement is In a Creative Bubble. She makes amazing pocket scrapping cards, and I'm in love with her style. And it just so happens she designs whole packs for Christmas each year. Let's just say I spent a lot in her shop this year. (The page above is just one of the many I bought!) Also, in my rush to be organized and just a teensy bit OCD, I've made a list of all the things that I have to scrap in the month of December with corresponding dates for each item. Yep, I'm that girl. But the more I think about it, the more I realize I'm sort of losing the fun and the whole point. The point to celebrate the days in December is to focus on the beauty of the season, and not to make it a chore. I want to experience Christmas for what it is instead of what it should be. So the list is getting tossed, and I'm leaving it up to chance. I'll still have all the other lists that I need to keep my sanity in the month of December - cards to make, presents to make, presents to buy, things to decorate, etc. but I'll be documenting all of those things as I go, and hopefully getting just a bit surprised by the awesomeness of the season!
~ It's about 65 degrees here in Maryland. At the moment, they're predicting it'll be 75 on Christmas day. Last year, it was in the 30s and flurrying on Christmas Eve. Oh yeah, this year's weather is so much better! ~ Every single one of my Christmas cards was handmade and made it out the door in a timely fashion. I may have epically failed at all the other crafts that were dancing around my head, but the cards were super cute and on time.
~ "Greensleeves" by Manheim Steamroller - I'm so loving this techno version of the classic. My grandfather's organ could play this song at the press of a button, so it doesn't hurt that each time I hear it on the radio I have warm fuzzy thoughts of him. ~ Bright red nail polish - My nails may not be long and manicured like they're supposed to be, but for me any little bit is an achievement. They were just begging to be painted with a Christmasy color. ~ The I Love Lucy Christmas special. I just love seeing the old shows pop up on television. Nothing can beat her comedic timing. And honestly, if you don't laugh at Vitameatavegamin, you have a cold dead heart. ~ Waiting anxiously for family to open the presents I've picked out. If I could give them the gifts right now I would. I may stress and mumble and generally fall apart in December, but every once in a while, I have a spark of inspiration! ~ Trying out December Daily has been super enlightening. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm completely up to date - I think I've made it to December 11 - but I do plan to finish. I've taken photos and notes of what to include, and after Friday, I have plans to get back on the ball. It's not nearly as gorgeous as other's I've seen, but so far I'm happy with it.
What I Hate about Christmas 2015:
~ Apparently the Sun didn't get the memo that it was 65 degrees. It's been raining, more like pouring for the last 24 hours and it's supposed to continue doing so through tomorrow. Do you know how difficult it is to transport gifts in a torrential down pour? ~ My either defective or possessed Christmas tree, that refuses to actually need water. The whole house smells like pine which isn't a bad thing, but the darn needles are falling at an alarming rate and when I check for water, my fingers come out a slightly reddish hue - obviously, it's the devil, right?
