blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,577 
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Post by blemon on Sept 5, 2023 18:09:07 GMT
I'm wondering how much prep you all do in advance for your December Daily projects? Any tips about how to balance being well organized and prepped, but still flexible to accommodate the various photos you might have for any given day? I have a friend who views anything outside of the month of December as "cheating" but with all the discussion of prep day classes, etc. I'm sure I'm not the only person contemplating doing some pre-work. I know that my December is crazy, so I think I will be most successful if I can go into it with a solid plan and some pre-work to make it as easy as possible. I'm probably the wrong person for this question, but I will say that the year I did do foundation pages was the only year I actually finished my album right away (IIRC it was early January). All other years, I've finished the following year (or not finished at all, but that's another story!). My experience was that I was able to move some prepped things around to accommodate the photos and stories I wanted to scrap that day, AND, I ignored the "rule" that if it happened on December 8th then I had to scrap it on December 8th. As Ali says in her most recent years, it's the 8th STORY, not the 8th DAY of December/ the Holiday Season / Whatever you want your book to be. I love this: it's the 8th story, not the 8th day. I use numbers because I love numbers, not because what is happening in the album is what actually happened on that day. I also start my album with Thanksgiving every year because my daughter and all her cousins help my mom (their grandma) decorate her tree after dinner every year). There are rarely any stories between Thanksgiving and Dec. 1.
I prep a lot of pages in advance because I love crafting and I like having a plan for things that are more complicated. Like I'm not going to be able to do an interactive page (outside of sticking tags in a pocket of some sort) and get this thing done in a reasonable amount of time.
So for example, I know that day 9 is always going to be a story about my 9 nieces and nephews. I do something different every year but it always takes a lot of time so I start working on it in advance.
One story I like to tell is one of all of the bits of ephemera in our lives. So I'll cut up bits of the mail, boxes, receipts, tags from clothes, etc. and do something with them (usually fill a 2X2 pocket page with them). So while I start that in December, it's a page I work on all month.
And here's the other thing: it's only paper. If you make a foundation page and you don't use it, you can recycle it right in the bin or you can save it for another year. It's not going to go bad.
I don't have much else going on in November except getting ready for xmas so it's a good time to be crafty.
And sometimes a foundation page is what I described before: hey, this die cut looks really cute on this piece of paper so I'm going to tuck these both into this empty pocket page and stick it in the album to use later.
I never prep a full actual day and have everything ready except for photos. That would not work for me.
I think the rule is that there are no rules. Just have fun and enjoy the community. (And buy lots of products because getting mail is fun, just kidding, not really).
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Post by Margie on Sept 5, 2023 18:33:55 GMT
@inforchick There's a big difference between cheating and being prepared!
I do as much designing and preparing my pages before December so that I can enjoy the holiday season and not spend hours every night designing a page. I don't put any numbers on my pages so that I can use them wherever they seem right. This way, my evening (or weekend) time is spent selecting and printing photos and journaling, then selecting a page to put them on and adding embellishments. Or creating a new, more simple page. Whatever works!
I really enjoy prepping my pages when I'm not pressed for time. It's a super fun way to extend the season!
Do whatever feels right and works for you without judgement.
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Post by breakfastattiffanys on Sept 5, 2023 18:37:41 GMT
I keep a notebook of some kind, not anything special. I know what I usually take photos of and write those subjects down…first snow, feeding wildlife, Christmas tree festival, etc. I usually know about 18 photos I want to take and end up with about 7 empty spots. The numbers may not correlate exactly, but at least I have my list started.
I sketch anything I want to remember from watching all the DD content. New ways to use memorabilia, product placement, etc. The sketches are basic, but it’s nice to have a few examples if I get stuck. And I’ll write down any new YouTube videos that I want to rewatch.
I do a good job of starting my DD on time, there’s so much excitement everywhere. But a lot of times, after the first week, I just keep a journal of each day and make a check next to photos I’ve taken.
At the first of the year, or after the 25th, I play catch up. The notebook with checklist of photos and the journaling make it super easy, as those are my biggest time suckers.
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Post by anniefb on Sept 5, 2023 18:48:49 GMT
I like the Pink Fresh paper, but Im ok with with I ordered. I will pick up some pieces of this collection, but not the whole thing. Same. It's rare that I pick up a whole collection. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Sept 5, 2023 19:18:13 GMT
I'm wondering how much prep you all do in advance for your December Daily projects? Any tips about how to balance being well organized and prepped, but still flexible to accommodate the various photos you might have for any given day? I have a friend who views anything outside of the month of December as "cheating" I'm going to answer topsy turvy and start off by saying there's no cheating for DD/holiday season albums. It's not a test. There are no rules. Some of us celebrate the actual 12 days of Christmas so that runs into January anyway. Some Americans start with Thanksgiving. Your start and end dates depend on your actual preferences and traditions, period. It's not cheating. It's your actual life. ❤️ Prepping for me works best in these scenarios: 1. Putting aside papers/cards + embellishments+ special products (like a texture paste) that I know ahead of time will suit a particular story. Not doing anything special but having them grouped together to use when the memory takes place. I'm not gluing, I'm not cutting anything down, I'm just grouping items into a I-know-exactly-what-I'll-use-these-things-for page/spread micro kit. Lazy and easy but it does help when the marathon begins. 2. Play around to make generic things like inserts, interactive elements, fold-outs. I don't add titles or anything specific to these elements. They remain free of any details so I can pop them any day or story during the actual holiday season. I also use papers that are easy to match with many different types of stories so generally speaking B-sides. The key here is that the aesthetic is neutral but the foundation work is completely done. This is my scrappy "Santa's lil helper". These pages get the job finished when things get busy in December. 🪄 3. Prep pages/inserts for very specific stories and do most of the work. This only works for a very limited number of stories. A good example here is prepping the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas watch list: doing digital work with the movie schedule, printing it out, picking appropriate embellishments and papers to make the full page, etc. All that needs to be done through the holiday season is stamp the date I watched the movie and add my rating. 👍 Don't let your friend's rigid mindset spoil your prep and take away from the scrappy fun! Do what you want, when you want and how you want it! 😊 |
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Post by mom on Sept 5, 2023 19:59:18 GMT
I'm wondering how much prep you all do in advance for your December Daily projects? Any tips about how to balance being well organized and prepped, but still flexible to accommodate the various photos you might have for any given day? I have a friend who views anything outside of the month of December as "cheating" but with all the discussion of prep day classes, etc. I'm sure I'm not the only person contemplating doing some pre-work. I know that my December is crazy, so I think I will be most successful if I can go into it with a solid plan and some pre-work to make it as easy as possible. Im just going to say it - the years I prepped a bunch by making pages ahead of time are the years I got done in a timely manner. Every now and then someone will make a comment about how pre-planning the pages wont work because they dont know what they will be doing that day, yada yada yada. Ignore them. If you think it will help you then by all means, do it. I plan on doing it this year. I most likely wont make 100% of all my pages ahead of time, but I do plan on getting a good handful ready that will give me a cheat on days that I just dont have time or energy. I really like Ali's approach where she has numbers, and a general idea all planned out ahead of time. |
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Post by honeypea on Sept 5, 2023 20:23:07 GMT
The past two years I did a dedicated DD album I did no prep at all. Year one I hadn’t even planned to do it, it was a spur of the moment decision made on 12/31 and completed before school resumed. It was a delight and really easy to put together. Last year I planned to do it, but no prep, and I couldn’t ever summon the mojo. I finished it up in a fairly timely manner, but it was a drag. This year I want to do some pages ahead of time and get as much in place beforehand. My dad is coming for Christmas and staying for  probably a week-ish. And that’s my scrap room. And he’s emotionally draining (since my mom died). And I predict I’ll be stretched thin. So in order for this album to happen I’ll need to be proactive. And figure out how I can scrap a little bit in my bedroom.🫠 |
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Post by Texas Scrap on Sept 5, 2023 20:53:07 GMT
I want to chime in with others talking about prepping pages/foundation pages. For several years I scoffed at this because it just seemed like there was no way I could force fit pre-done pages into my album. Fast forward to maybe 3 years ago and I started to scrap lift some of Ali's foundation pages with the mindset of experimenting with design layouts, cool techniques, etc. I had a lot of fun AND ended up using several pages. Since then, I have participated in prep days, classes and also gotten inspo from Ali and others ahead of December. I will often keep foundation pages I like but just did not fit for a particular year. I will either add them to a past year I have not finished yet, but for which they are a good fit, or keep for the future. As a result, I have experimented and tried techniques I would not have otherwise and REALLY enjoyed the process. And hey, if you don't enjoy doing it, then its ok to stop and say you are just not a prepper in that way. My Dec Daily traditions now include the fun of planning and purchasing, the fun of trying new techniques, new products and ideas for foundation pages and prep pages for some repeat stories, and then the fun of actually putting pages together in December. I usually lose steam at the end of the month and doing the prep/foundation pages ahead of time is how I finish or come close enough to finishing. I have a couple of other principles I live by that are similar to what sleepingbooty said. 1. This entire process from purchase to page is for my personal joy. So if I want to use every product known to man on a page, I will do it. If I create a foundation page for fun and don't put it in the album, no guilt. 2. I love to learn so the classes, Inspo from other scrappers, prep day, and playing with products is an end in itself. I truly enjoy it and I have given myself permission to make the learning the end. This thread is part of that and part of what makes this experience FUN. 3. While I want to capture 25 stories, I don't have to do them in any order or follow any rules other than I do love numbering them. That means for me, some days stay undone for years, some days have only photos, some mostly products, and that is OK. It's my album so that means I need to go with how I am feeling that year, that season. |
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Post by Texas Scrap on Sept 5, 2023 20:57:06 GMT
NEW TOPIC - What Stamps have people ordered/plan to order from Ali E? I can't decide if I am going to get any as I am inconsistent in using them.
I am considering the Christmas Phrases and the Tab set - but not convinced I will use either enough to justify the cost.
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Post by honeypea on Sept 5, 2023 21:08:03 GMT
NEW TOPIC - What Stamps have people ordered/plan to order from Ali E? I can't decide if I am going to get any as I am inconsistent in using them. I am considering the Christmas Phrases and the Tab set - but not convinced I will use either enough to justify the cost. None for me. I have more Christmas stamps than I need, being that I barely use them for DD. They get more use with PL. I have the Everyday Explorers holiday prompts set and the tab + sentiments from Elle’s Studio last year, and those overlap a lot with the Ali sentiment tab. |
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,577
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Post by blemon on Sept 5, 2023 21:08:08 GMT
You guys are speaking to my heart right now.
That's all.
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Post by dewryce on Sept 5, 2023 21:09:41 GMT
I'm wondering how much prep you all do in advance for your December Daily projects? Any tips about how to balance being well organized and prepped, but still flexible to accommodate the various photos you might have for any given day? I have a friend who views anything outside of the month of December as "cheating" but with all the discussion of prep day classes, etc. I'm sure I'm not the only person contemplating doing some pre-work. I know that my December is crazy, so I think I will be most successful if I can go into it with a solid plan and some pre-work to make it as easy as possible. If I were doing DD I think it would help me appreciate and enjoy the whole process more if I did some prep ahead of time. That gives you plenty of time to relax and plan and get all of the good ideas floating around right now down on paper, and also time to truly enjoy your crafting time in December, in an already very busy month. It’s not a competition who can do the most in the least amount of time, ya know? |
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Post by jenna on Sept 5, 2023 21:10:00 GMT
NEW TOPIC - What Stamps have people ordered/plan to order from Ali E? I can't decide if I am going to get any as I am inconsistent in using them. I am considering the Christmas Phrases and the Tab set - but not convinced I will use either enough to justify the cost. Not grabbing any unless I cave with those trees but looking at that tab set I can see use beyond Christmas which automatically gives it more value. of the 61 phrases I'm seeing roughly half that I'd use elsewhere and at different times of the year. Many are generic and if you already have any tiny tab phrases you might be repeating (love, together, gratitude, etc) but ones like "happy hearts" would look so cute on a Valentine's Day themed spread. "hit the road" for any trips, "cozy/stay cozy" for Autumn into Winter, "Let's feast/Family Time/Together" for any get togethers.. even the tab stamps themselves are universal. I think it's a great value if you think you'll get use out of tabs in general. |
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Post by mom on Sept 5, 2023 21:23:33 GMT
NEW TOPIC - What Stamps have people ordered/plan to order from Ali E? I can't decide if I am going to get any as I am inconsistent in using them. I am considering the Christmas Phrases and the Tab set - but not convinced I will use either enough to justify the cost. None. Not going to lie --- unless I can find them used or maybe on AliExpress, I probably wont ever get them. I dont use them enough in one holiday season to justify the expense. Edited to add: no one come hand slap me about possibly getting them off Ali Express. I most likely wont even be able to find them, and then if I did actually find them, I'd forget to order then in a timely manner. |
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Post by breakfastattiffanys on Sept 5, 2023 21:25:39 GMT
I shouldn’t have looked at the tab stamp Jenna. It looks so usable and even though I already have the Paislee Press stamp in my box, I might need the tab set too.
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Post by Texas Scrap on Sept 5, 2023 23:06:30 GMT
NEW TOPIC - What Stamps have people ordered/plan to order from Ali E? I can't decide if I am going to get any as I am inconsistent in using them. I am considering the Christmas Phrases and the Tab set - but not convinced I will use either enough to justify the cost. Not grabbing any unless I cave with those trees but looking at that tab set I can see use beyond Christmas which automatically gives it more value. of the 61 phrases I'm seeing roughly half that I'd use elsewhere and at different times of the year. Many are generic and if you already have any tiny tab phrases you might be repeating (love, together, gratitude, etc) but ones like "happy hearts" would look so cute on a Valentine's Day themed spread. "hit the road" for any trips, "cozy/stay cozy" for Autumn into Winter, "Let's feast/Family Time/Together" for any get togethers.. even the tab stamps themselves are universal. I think it's a great value if you think you'll get use out of tabs in general. Ah you are validating what I was thinking which is this is a more useable stamp set. I also like the font as most of the tab sets I have are more of a traditional typewriter font...decisions yo make! |
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Post by Texas Scrap on Sept 5, 2023 23:13:00 GMT
In non-AE DD spending, just picked up some items from Elle’s Studio to round out my DD purchases for this year: Got the 3x4 Pocket die to make my own (stitched) pockets—should get a lot of use out of it for general scrapping in addition to DD. Also picked up the red foil chipboard numbers instead of the Ali’s red transparency numbers (better price point, and the white with red foil will work well with the white star album) And couldn’t miss out on the Christmas Carol stamp set—Christmas music is a big part of our December every year. For folks looking to beef up their Christmas stamp collections, don’t forget Elle’s Studio. Great quality stamps, usually a better price point than Ali’s… I had both the pocket die and the red foil chipboard in my Elle's Studio shopping cart along with the 3x4 square metal frame die that would make all kinds of cool photo frames out of Christmas patterned paper. I just hit BUY after seeing your post  . I'd love to see what you do with the pocket die - I had not thought about stitching on those, but I like that idea a lot and I felt like it would be super versatile outside of DD. UPDATE - Elle's Studio Goodies came today! I LOVE the look and size of the red foil chipboard numbers - that was a GREAT purchase. I have already tested out the 3x4 square metal frame die that is essentially the die equivalent of the AE chipboard frames and it works great. I just used it in a travel album and I am super excited to use it with Ali E and 49&Market papers to make some fun frames and hopefully leverage any Ali E chipboard frame inspo. If you are at all considering either of these items, both are worth it! I also bought the pocket die but have not tested it yet. EEP! Its fun to get a few early Christmas album items. |
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Post by mom on Sept 5, 2023 23:32:26 GMT
I had both the pocket die and the red foil chipboard in my Elle's Studio shopping cart along with the 3x4 square metal frame die that would make all kinds of cool photo frames out of Christmas patterned paper. I just hit BUY after seeing your post . I'd love to see what you do with the pocket die - I had not thought about stitching on those, but I like that idea a lot and I felt like it would be super versatile outside of DD. UPDATE - Elle's Studio Goodies came today! I LOVE the look and size of the red foil chipboard numbers - that was a GREAT purchase. I have already tested out the 3x4 square metal frame die that is essentially the die equivalent of the AE chipboard frames and it works great. I just used it in a travel album and I am super excited to use it with Ali E and 49&Market papers to make some fun frames and hopefully leverage any Ali E chipboard frame inspo. If you are at all considering either of these items, both are worth it! I also bought the pocket die but have not tested it yet. EEP! It's fun to get a few early Christmas album items. Ugh! I so wish I had seen the frame die before it sold out! |
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Post by janamke on Sept 6, 2023 0:14:26 GMT
NEW TOPIC - What Stamps have people ordered/plan to order from Ali E? I can't decide if I am going to get any as I am inconsistent in using them. I am considering the Christmas Phrases and the Tab set - but not convinced I will use either enough to justify the cost. I ordered the Liz stamp set. Considering the tabs one as well. I have 3 other tan sets for Christmas but this one is SO good. I like the circles one and appreciate the clean font but something is holding me back from buying. Back to the prep for DD question. My first year I prepped so much and used less than 1/3. It doesn’t work for me. But I do a lot of advance work before December, just not pages. I start watching flip throughs of previous years projects, flip though my notes, look over products and start writing down ideas. I have folder on Instagram for my saved inspirations. I use a calendar to generally figure out when we get our tree, when my daughter comes home for Christmas, etc. Those days have specific stories I like to tell. I might tackle the opening page, or this year I’m going to work on day 6 because I have an idea for stockings (we do St Nick). Today I watched Linda’s videos and now have several sketches in my bullet journal for DD. I’ve never not finished a DD album, so both ways worked, just didn’t care for the wasted pages the first year. |
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Post by janamke on Sept 6, 2023 0:22:25 GMT
Oh Ali, the circle shaker tags are a great idea but the execution… 🥴 She shared on Instagram.
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Post by mom on Sept 6, 2023 0:32:28 GMT
Oh Ali, the circle shaker tags are a great idea but the execution… 🥴 She shared on Instagram. Yikes. |
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Post by refugeepea on Sept 6, 2023 1:00:30 GMT
Secondly, I'm sorry but my brain immediately thought of chain lingerie and nipple clamps when I clicked on that embossing folder link.  My mind went there too.  You're an inspiration. I need to get cracking on my DD 2022. I always end up with the photos I need and the first 3-4 pages done and then I get distracted by shinypretty something and I forget to finish. Same. Another thing I do is get distracted by people in my home when ordering prints. My recent very small order had duplicates of every photo. 
I saw this idea on Instagram. If you are looking for a cover page or a WOW page, this is it!
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Post by carolynhasacat on Sept 6, 2023 1:13:52 GMT
NEW TOPIC - What Stamps have people ordered/plan to order from Ali E? I can't decide if I am going to get any as I am inconsistent in using them. I am considering the Christmas Phrases and the Tab set - but not convinced I will use either enough to justify the cost. I ordered the tab one over the weekend when I finally had some extra time to really look at the product and think about how I would use it. I think I mentioned it already, but I haven't purchased a physical DD stamp in ages. But I feel like stamping a bit again this year. I liked that the tab stamp had a bunch of new, versatile phrases on it. Will likely get the digital version of the Liz stamp. |
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schroema
Full Member
Posts: 497
Jun 24, 2019 14:58:49 GMT
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Post by schroema on Sept 6, 2023 1:20:07 GMT
Secondly, I'm sorry but my brain immediately thought of chain lingerie and nipple clamps when I clicked on that embossing folder link. My mind went there too. You're an inspiration. I need to get cracking on my DD 2022. I always end up with the photos I need and the first 3-4 pages done and then I get distracted by shinypretty something and I forget to finish. Same. Another thing I do is get distracted by people in my home when ordering prints. My recent very small order had duplicates of every photo.
I saw this idea on Instagram. If you are looking for a cover page or a WOW page, this is it!
that’s awesome! I love that tree! |
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Post by dewryce on Sept 6, 2023 1:24:45 GMT
Oh Ali, the circle shaker tags are a great idea but the execution… 🥴 She shared on Instagram. Yikes. Yeah, that’s bad. |
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,063
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Post by scrappyesq on Sept 6, 2023 1:30:07 GMT
Secondly, I'm sorry but my brain immediately thought of chain lingerie and nipple clamps when I clicked on that embossing folder link. My mind went there too. You're an inspiration. I need to get cracking on my DD 2022. I always end up with the photos I need and the first 3-4 pages done and then I get distracted by shinypretty something and I forget to finish. Same. Another thing I do is get distracted by people in my home when ordering prints. My recent very small order had duplicates of every photo.
I saw this idea on Instagram. If you are looking for a cover page or a WOW page, this is it!
Wow is right. This is the kind of page that makes me think I have zero creative talent at all, lol.
(and it makes me want to lift it so I'm off to check her blog).
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Post by lg on Sept 6, 2023 4:29:53 GMT
Oh Ali, the circle shaker tags are a great idea but the execution… 🥴 She shared on Instagram. Why can’t I find these? I MUST SEE!! |
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,119
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Sept 6, 2023 4:41:06 GMT
I had both the pocket die and the red foil chipboard in my Elle's Studio shopping cart along with the 3x4 square metal frame die that would make all kinds of cool photo frames out of Christmas patterned paper. I just hit BUY after seeing your post . I'd love to see what you do with the pocket die - I had not thought about stitching on those, but I like that idea a lot and I felt like it would be super versatile outside of DD. UPDATE - Elle's Studio Goodies came today! I LOVE the look and size of the red foil chipboard numbers - that was a GREAT purchase. I have already tested out the 3x4 square metal frame die that is essentially the die equivalent of the AE chipboard frames and it works great. I just used it in a travel album and I am super excited to use it with Ali E and 49&Market papers to make some fun frames and hopefully leverage any Ali E chipboard frame inspo. If you are at all considering either of these items, both are worth it! I also bought the pocket die but have not tested it yet. EEP! Its fun to get a few early Christmas album items. Oooh. Maybe I need the frame die. Test out the pocket! |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Sept 6, 2023 9:00:38 GMT
Oh Ali, the circle shaker tags are a great idea but the execution… 🥴 She shared on Instagram. Why can’t I find these? I MUST SEE!! It's on the decemberdaily IG. Check yesterday's stories before they expire. I've added a screenshot but it doesn't do justice to the hawt mess express. You need to see it being shaken. The plastic sits all wrinkled, the messy stitching is holding on for its dear life. Anybody who's watched a single shaker pocket being made by a cardmaker will cringe seeing this. She should've cut some circle outline frames or used glitter + tiny sequins.  |
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Post by lg on Sept 6, 2023 10:24:36 GMT
Why can’t I find these? I MUST SEE!! It's on the decemberdaily IG. Check yesterday's stories before they expire. I've added a screenshot but it doesn't do justice to the hawt mess express. You need to see it being shaken. The plastic sits all wrinkled, the messy stitching is holding on for its dear life. Anybody who's watched a single shaker pocket being made by a cardmaker will cringe seeing this. She should've cut some circle outline frames or used glitter + tiny sequins. Thanks - I’m not on Insta so have to rely on public view posts only. Yeah, hard to see shaker pockets once you’ve seen them done well. Here’s one example I know of, she also did another sequin filled shaker page where she used mesh to keep the sequins in that was amazing… m.youtube.com/watch?v=NkYOVEyzCFY |
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probably a week-ish. And that’s my scrap room. And he’s emotionally draining (since my mom died). And I predict I’ll be stretched thin. So in order for this album to happen I’ll need to be proactive. And figure out how I can scrap a little bit in my bedroom.🫠 
. I'd love to see what you do with the pocket die - I had not thought about stitching on those, but I like that idea a lot and I felt like it would be super versatile outside of DD.
