Before I begin, I must share the question that has been racing through my mind for the last few days, "How the heck did December get here so fast?" I feel like the year is careening out of control and if I don't get my shopping, baking, mailing and cleaning done in record time, the world around me may just fall apart. Anyone else having mild panic attacks? Just sayin'... So knowing this about me, I thought it an interesting challenge to try to create a December Daily album with the rest of my life in warp speed. My album is more like the rambling thoughts that go through my head at this time of year. Here goes...
Along with our gorgeous 25 Days of Christmas collection (seriously, this is one of the prettiest collections on the market right now), we received some wonderful goodies from Maya Road. This tabbed chipboard mini album was the perfect beginning to all of the madness that is my life in December. I used the 25 Days of Christmas 6 x 6 patterned paper along with the Maya Road Sheer Calendars and really like the effect.
Look how perfectly these velvet flowers from Maya Road match the 25 Days of Christmas collection. I think they are a match made in heaven. I also love the vintage pins and striped ribbon and how well they blend with the 25 Days of Christmas cardstock stickers.
We have been getting a lot of snow in the past couple of days and when we have a really good storm, that is what the door to our garage looks like. We had such a mild November and then "wham" December opens the month like a lion in winter. However, where I live, snow is a great thing that drives our economy - so life is good.
Love the combination of cardstock stickers, pop dots and ribbon. It makes a fun little cluster in the corner of the page and makes Day 2 jump off of the page.
I'm not what you would call a strong baker, but I do have a few favorite recipes that usually turn out pretty good, the first of which is my Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Macadamia Nuts. It's practially sinful - LOL. Then of course there are the lists of gifts to purchase and organizing that is weighing on my mind and even though I can get 2 Day shipping from amazon.com, there is still a lot of pressure to get this done.
So I have to admit that I will go back and add a small photo or some kind of journaling to day 6. I was really more fascinated by the beautiful flower cardstock sticker than by what I might like to journal - kind of like the "Squirrel!" syndrome. Anyway, it blended beautifully with the sentiment on day 7 which I know I will have to stop and think about, mostly because I have literally made it through the 1st week of December - phew!
I have to say that these chipboard flowers from Maya Road were the perfect compliment to the poinsettia design in the 25 Days of Christmas papers. I just added cardstocker stickers with pop dots and Maya Road leaves to dress them up. Isn't the houndstooth paper decadent? I LOVE how sharp and beautiful this collection is.
Got a little bit creative for days 8 & 9, because I know that my two children will start hunting for the gifts my husband and I have hidden around the house, so I thought it would be a good idea to show them these pages so they know that someone is keeping track. I wrote on the behavior descriptors with eraseable pen, just so I can change it around (not really, but you get the point).
The 25 Days of Christmas 12 x 12 Expressions Cardstock stickers have every kind of letter and number you could wish for. Here I added the 8 from the stickers and put it on top of a scalloped chipboard shape from Maya Road which I used a red marker to color. My daughter's name is with the Expressions tiny alphabet, which comes in three colors.
Below is a visual product list to see what I used to put together my mini ablum.
25 Days of Christmas Products
Maya Road Products
5 Ring Chipboard Album
Mixed Blossom Mini Chipboard Set
Velvet Point Blossoms - Red and Green
Leaves
Trinket Pins - Vintage Pearl
Sheers - A Year to Remember - Black and White
Tags Mini Chipboard Set
Trinkets Ribbon in Poppy, Sand and Forest
I'll be back next week with the next round of rambling thoughts about this holiday season.
Please see the details below about how to win some fun prizes from both Simple Stories and Maya Road
- Leave us a comment here on this post.
- Become our friend on Facebook and share this post on your Wall.
- Also remember to drop by Maya Roads Blog for more inspiration - they're giving away prizes too! and leave them some love on the Maya RoadFacebook Page (tell them Simple Stories sent ya).
Thank you for joining me today!
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I love it! I will be checking every day!
Posted by: Tesa | December 05, 2011 at 02:36 AM
I just love the idea of a count down mini album! So great elements.
thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Sharon Jaeger | December 05, 2011 at 05:51 AM
WOW! Beautiful mini!!!!!
Posted by: Jolaine | December 05, 2011 at 06:23 AM
cute project and love this Christmas line :)
Posted by: Jan Hennings | December 05, 2011 at 07:01 AM
oh I love it! I have to get mine started! I have all the papers now I just need the time!!! Thanks for the great ideas and love the "merrying" with the Maya Roads products!
Posted by: Danelle | December 05, 2011 at 07:20 AM
Terrific project!
Posted by: Kristin Perez | December 05, 2011 at 07:23 AM
This is the best Christmas Collection out right now. I absolutely love the dark vivid colors!!! Simply stunning daily album Liz. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Lindy | December 05, 2011 at 07:37 AM
Super cute! love those velvet point blossoms.
Posted by: sandra m. | December 05, 2011 at 07:40 AM
Gorgeous! Absolutely love the way albums can come together with SS. Add Maya Road and it is even more amazing!
Posted by: Lisa P | December 05, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Huge fan of both all above done and comple love this product mixturw scrapalicious
Posted by: liz aka javagirl | December 05, 2011 at 07:48 AM
Oh WOW!!! What a great album!
Posted by: theresa | December 05, 2011 at 08:00 AM
What a fabulous album!! You did a wonderful job and I can't wait to see the rest of it!! Terrific job Liz!
Posted by: Robbie Herring | December 05, 2011 at 08:04 AM
such a fabulous album!! love the blend of Simple Stories and Maya Road- great combination :D
Posted by: Shauna | December 05, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Love, love, love this album! Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: K in PA | December 05, 2011 at 08:18 AM
Fantastic album!
Posted by: christy a | December 05, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Just adore it! It is the first time I have seen the sheer calendars, gotta have them!
Posted by: Krystal H | December 05, 2011 at 09:26 AM
all done! Love this album. know I am going to love all the ideas coming.
Posted by: Su Gould | December 05, 2011 at 09:36 AM
Great album !! I can't wait to see more. TFS.
Posted by: Julie Shearer | December 05, 2011 at 09:47 AM
Gorgeous mini! Loving everything. Makes me itch to go scrap, even though my to-do list is already overflowing... :)
Posted by: Carol | December 05, 2011 at 10:14 AM
What neat stuff....I really love the chipboard flowers!
Posted by: Alyssa Sturdavant | December 05, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Love it! I love the 25 days of Christmas products :)
Posted by: JennF | December 05, 2011 at 10:35 AM
A-MA-ZING! Thanks, now I have to head down to my workshop and create yet another mini...oh well, the rough life of a scrapper I guess!
Posted by: Wendy W | December 05, 2011 at 10:44 AM
I love the collection and the album is gorgeous, especially love the front door!
Posted by: Carol Douglass | December 05, 2011 at 10:53 AM
love love this book. seriously, its right up my ally !!
i LOVE all the SImple Stories line !!
Posted by: lydia | December 05, 2011 at 10:56 AM
I love the paper collection and the mini book you designed with it. Maya road is fantastic; I use a lot of their products.
Posted by: Linda Gothard | December 05, 2011 at 10:57 AM
I LOVE IT! This collection and album are FANTASTIC! I love mini albums - great ideas for all our Christmas memories this year - I can make one for my mum in the UK so she does't feel she missed out too much (first time we haven't spent Christmas together in over 30 years!)
Posted by: Kerys | December 05, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Fabulous album - I love this collection! TFS
Posted by: Carol W. | December 05, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Love your album! You did a great job!
Posted by: Deb L | December 05, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Simple Stories is my main product for my Dec. Daily. Just love it.
Leslee
Posted by: Leslee Barrow | December 05, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Great mini! Love Maya and Simple together!!!! Simple Road, Maya Stories.... perfect match!
Posted by: Kelly | December 05, 2011 at 12:37 PM
That mini book is gorgeous! Great inspiration
Posted by: Asln270 | December 05, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous album & adding something fun to the holidays :)
Posted by: Leisa | December 05, 2011 at 01:31 PM
fab album! so cute!
Posted by: sue frazier | December 05, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Love this paper. With all the suggestions given here, I might even journal something.
Hee hee.
Posted by: sharon l | December 05, 2011 at 01:36 PM
absolutely beautiful book!
Posted by: Andrea G | December 05, 2011 at 02:04 PM
The ideas just keep getting better and better and the paper more beautiful.
Posted by: maria ball | December 05, 2011 at 02:14 PM
Awesome project! I agree that the Maya Road products go great with the Simple Stories. Love how you used that sheer calendar!
Posted by: Lynn Darda | December 05, 2011 at 03:36 PM
This is the prettiest Christmas paper out there. I used the 6"x6" paper pad to decorate some Christmas Blocks for a class I am teaching.
Posted by: Susie | December 05, 2011 at 04:50 PM
Fabulous!
Posted by: Caroline | December 05, 2011 at 05:13 PM
I love these projects. 25 Days of Christmas is fast becoming one of my favorite Simple Stories collections.
Posted by: see mary stamp | December 05, 2011 at 05:53 PM
simply gorgeous...i'm gonna make one soon =)
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 05, 2011 at 06:49 PM
Gorgeous mini!!
Love it!!
Love that paper collection too!
Posted by: Michelle | December 05, 2011 at 07:13 PM
Gorgeous album!
Posted by: slammie | December 05, 2011 at 07:29 PM
Love your mini! Beautiful papers!
Posted by: Pam | December 05, 2011 at 07:37 PM
Beautiful album! The Simple Stories and Maya Road products go together perfectly!
Posted by: Cynthia B. | December 05, 2011 at 07:56 PM
Wow! Your album is looking absolutely gorgeous!
I need this collection!
Posted by: NinaN | December 05, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Wonderful album! I love the paper line and the Maya Road embellishments do go so well with it. Thanks for sharing!
Karen
Posted by: Karen W | December 05, 2011 at 08:08 PM
OH MY GOODNESS!! Love that mini and those papers!!
Posted by: Barbara | December 05, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Glad I found you, this collection is fantastic!
Posted by: Nancy B | December 05, 2011 at 09:12 PM
WOW!! LOVING the book and all of the little details!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
Posted by: Larissa Heskett | December 05, 2011 at 09:34 PM
what a fantastic mini!
Posted by: 2amscrapper | December 05, 2011 at 09:57 PM
Such a creative and inspiring post - I am so glad I found your blog (via Maya Road) - I will be following faithfully! thank you for the inspiration....
Posted by: Belinda | December 05, 2011 at 10:31 PM
The Christmas season just seems to keep getting better and better! It's like Christmas everyday! I am so excited to see all you 2 have to share with us this week!!
And I just love your December Daily! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Lauralee Lien | December 05, 2011 at 10:33 PM
This album is simply gorgeous! So beautifully designed with all the yummy bits of Simple Stories and Maya Road!
Posted by: Romy | December 05, 2011 at 10:52 PM
weeeeee.. i love everything here! TFS!
cheryl131091 at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Cheryl Leong | December 05, 2011 at 11:51 PM
What a GORGEOUS album! Thank you for sharing - love the inspiration!
Posted by: Cheri Howard | December 06, 2011 at 02:52 AM
This is just beautiful. Love the papers, especially that houndstooth!
Posted by: miriam Prantner | December 06, 2011 at 03:07 AM
Truly inspirational mini..:)
Posted by: Nicolle Kramer | December 06, 2011 at 04:02 AM
gorgeous mini album! Love the this Christmas line!
Posted by: Amarilys | December 06, 2011 at 07:32 AM
The collection is awesome and your cute mini shows it! I love the naughty or nice page you did of your kids!
Posted by: Melinda T | December 06, 2011 at 08:43 AM
I love this pairing...2 of my favorite products! Looks like Maya road has some new products that I have not seen! Fun
Posted by: Brooke | December 06, 2011 at 09:58 AM
That is one amazing album, and a great way to keep track of a busy time in the year! I think it might take me all month to make this beautiful album, but I'm gonna try!
And I hear you about the Dec. sneak-up: every year I say I won't let this happen, and it always does!
Posted by: Kathy P | December 06, 2011 at 10:27 AM
beautiful projects! thank you for sharing. rush88888 at gmail dot com
Posted by: rush | December 06, 2011 at 10:29 AM
This is a great project...need to get me started on one of these!
Posted by: Erika B | December 06, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Your album looks awesome!
Posted by: gypsy lcm | December 06, 2011 at 11:19 AM
beautiful
Posted by: Geraldine | December 06, 2011 at 02:10 PM
I LOVE your December daily! Great job! Unique, fun, innovative, beautiful work!
Posted by: Renee Acosta | December 06, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Great album! It has such a serene feel to it! Thanks so much for sharing! rgauss at sbcglobal dot net.
Posted by: Ruth G | December 06, 2011 at 06:10 PM
I love this awesome collection and can't wait to get some of it to finish my December Daily.
Posted by: Melinda Wilson | December 06, 2011 at 07:03 PM
I have shared your FB post with all my fellow scrapbooking friends!
Posted by: Melinda Wilson | December 06, 2011 at 07:04 PM
wow - beautiful set!
Sandra ltb
Posted by: Sandra ltb | December 06, 2011 at 07:53 PM
wow love the mini!
Posted by: Lana Day | December 06, 2011 at 08:15 PM
Love the mini book. Love Simple Stories. Love Maya Road.
Posted by: Pat M | December 06, 2011 at 08:16 PM
**sigh**
just beautiful!
Posted by: LinhC | December 06, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Very beautiful. Love your ideas.
Posted by: Karen | December 06, 2011 at 08:36 PM
Fabulous projects! Thanks for the inspiration!
Carol B
[email protected]
Posted by: Carol B | December 06, 2011 at 09:17 PM
loving this blog swap
Posted by: Ruth | December 06, 2011 at 09:19 PM
Love love love all the 25 Days of Christmas Products. They are all so lovely! And the album is gorgeous!
Posted by: Lynette C | December 06, 2011 at 10:06 PM
I'll be back!! thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Melissa W | December 07, 2011 at 04:35 AM
Another beuaitufl christmas mini!!! Very creative!!! Thanks for all the inspiration and for the oportunity to win this great prizes, loveee your products!!!! Hugs.. Maggy :)
Posted by: MaggyTronche | December 07, 2011 at 05:46 AM
hey from l.a. (lower alabama)! am now working on 8 Simple Stories Christmas projects...will i finish in time?? have i said how much i'm addicted to your stuff! still need one more Christmas collection kit!
Posted by: LAURA STRICKLAND | December 07, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Such great projects and inspiration!
Posted by: Jessie G | December 07, 2011 at 11:52 AM
This project is STUNNING! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Miss Cooper | December 07, 2011 at 07:10 PM
I ADORE this project! You have truely inspired me!!
Posted by: Keesha | December 07, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Oh... The colors and the texture... I'm in heaven!
Posted by: J. Jones | December 07, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Just amazing... I adore this!
Posted by: Sherry | December 07, 2011 at 07:12 PM
Wow, this is all kinds of awesome! What great inspiration. Love the way you used Maya Road and Simple Stories together.
Posted by: Izzyb | December 07, 2011 at 08:41 PM
this book. seriously, its right up my ally !!
i LOVE all the SImple Stories line !!
Posted by: cheap Timberland Boots | December 08, 2011 at 01:11 AM
FABULOUS mini album, each page is...uhm...well a page turner! LOVELY!
Posted by: Donna Phelan | December 08, 2011 at 04:24 AM
Wow - so gorgeous! Love the album. those papers are perfect!
Posted by: Jean Marmo | December 08, 2011 at 05:14 AM
This project is perfection! Beautiful album. Pages 8&9 made me smile!
Posted by: Izzyb | December 08, 2011 at 06:20 PM
love this book. the paper is beautiful, along with the Maya road accessories- priceless.
Posted by: laura huffman | December 09, 2011 at 04:51 AM
What a great combo! Maya Road and simple stories. Love your book. I especially like the Naughty or NIce pages! Neato.
Posted by: Denise | December 10, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Fantastic mini album...very sweet work.
Posted by: Tini A. | December 12, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Great mini album. Love this paper collection. Thanks for sharing your creative and inspirational work.
Posted by: Beth Beery | December 12, 2011 at 08:25 PM
So cute! Love the naughty and nice pages!!
Posted by: Ange | December 13, 2011 at 07:39 PM
The paper is awesome, it would be great to do a Christmas album ahead of time and just have to add pictures after Christmas.
Posted by: Deb Fagnant | May 06, 2012 at 04:24 AM