Welcome back for another edition of my December Daily 2013!   I feel like I just lost a whole week and I have no clue where it went. UGH!  Not cool since today is December 16th already.  Well, let’s keep it rolling today.  Here are the last few pages of my December Daily countdown album.  I’m sure you’ve noticed there are no photos  in this type of DD.  True, but that’s not to say some smaller wallet sized photos or even a few 3×3 or 4×4″ Instagram photos can’t be added later.  It’s all about just getting it done sometimes.

December 12th ~ It’s a special day in our family, my Dad’s birthday!!  I left this larger page in my album partially ‘blank’ with lots of space for photos.  Well, it’s not really blank because it’s patterned paper of course.  The red glitter die cut jouraling spot is actually from the My Minds Eye Lost & Found (I think).  I just tied it up with some May Arts red burlap string and added the Maggie Holmes Gold Glitter Thickers and called it done!

December 13th ~ It was Friday the 13th, but I don’t think anyone can apply any of that superstitious business during this holiday season!  Page 13 is also super simple.  It’s a 4×6″ Simple Stories Signature Elements card.  All I did on this page was add some cute Studio Calico Wood Veneer Trees (from my Etsy Shop) and the lucky number 13 in those super sparkly Gold Glitter Thickers by Maggie Holmes.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy as our sweet Hannah always says 🙂  ** You can see page 15 ‘hanging out’ below page 13 also.  I love to create mini albums with different sized and shaped pages. It keeps the album interesting and interactive.  It’s also fun to see other page elements sticking out along the sides.. at least I think so!

December 14th ~ This is the flip side of the card above (page 13).  Again, it’s very simple.  I only added some Studio Calico Wood Veneer Chevrons and the Maggie Holmes Gold Thickers.

Next, you finally get to see all of December 15th.  This page was already a little ‘busy’ with all the wording, so I only added a few other elements to it.  Buttons, SpiegelMom Scraps Sequins and more Maggie Holmes Gold Thickers. 

Mini Album Tips

Even though all my pages are completely different, it still all ties together.   In order to have any album feel cohesive you should follow a few simple tips (unless that’s not the look you’re going for of course!).  The first way I kept my December Daily mini album cohesive is by keeping a few specific things the same throughout the entire album.  It’s doesn’t really matter what things you keep the same, but pick a few and stick with them.   I chose to use only two manufacturers whose paper lines mixed and matched well, Simple Stories and Fancy Pants.   Next, I wanted some smaller common elements to stand out throughout my December Daily.  To accomplish this I chose the Maggie Holmes Gold Glitter Thickers.  ** Just a heads up when you want to use the same exact letter stickers though.. make sure you buy enough of that particular sticker set.  This does take some extra planning, but it’s worth it in the end.  I ended up using three of the Maggie Holmes Gold Glitter Thickers to get all the numbers and letters I needed.  That being said, I still have plenty of stickers left on those three sets for many more projects.

Ok now to wrap it up (pun totally intended here), check out how the page elements from a separate page are sticking out along the side.  Keep your pages in mind as you’re building your albums and every so often fold the album closed to see what it looks like.  If you like this look, definitely try it out.  The fact that the red and light blue contrast nicely against each other, really make this some pretty eye candy to look at!  Plus that light blue chevron page has some machine stitching on it.. sweetness!

Etsy Shop News!  I now have a Gift Wrapping option in my shop!  Just add it to your cart and check out like normal.  I’ll gift wrap your purchase in a smooth Kraft paper, tie it up with bakers twine and include a handmade card.  I’ll send it your way OR to an address you specify (within your same country).

It’s getting to be crunch time everyone!  I hope everyone has a good start on their holiday shopping.  This week is my Husband’s normal week to shop.  He takes it down to the wire sometimes, but he’s always a very thoughtful gifter.  Love that man!

Oh… and I still owe you a couple Project Life layouts too!!  They’re coming, I promise!  TTFN!

~Jody