December Daily – a crafting tradition in it’s own way
Documenting December has been a yearly tradition since my daughter was born. I was inspired by Ali Edwards and her December Daily project. As my daughter turns 9 this year, it has been a big part of my creative life year after year and something I look forward to in December along with all the other seasonal traditions we have as a family. I love capturing the moments of the season and then memory keeping them, whilst getting to play with pretty papers, glittery embellishments and lots of sparkle.
Taking time to think why do I do it?
This year was the first year I haven’t worked on the project during December. With the speed at which life seems to be going at, with juggling family commitments and work, and then the additional seasonal happenings, I was aware I needed to adjust my expectations on when I could realistically make time to focus on it. December was not going to be the month to add a bit project into the mix especially if I wanted to try be present in enjoying the December moments I was living in and wanting to treasure.
Making a change that works for me
I made the decision, inspired by some of my favourite scrapbookers, to record a brief note of the stories I wanted to use for each day throughout December, to prompt me when I returned to the project, and come back to it now, in January when life “slowed” down a bit. Well as slow as it ever gets, but not December levels of busyness. It was 3’rd December that I made this decision to relieve myself of the pressure I usually put myself under I previous years when I realised what I really wanted from this project.
No-one else is expecting it done by a certain time. It was me putting pressure on myself for no reason. The album is for me and my loved ones. They do not care when it will be finished. They do care if they have a stressed out, overstretched mum and wife. I let myself off the hook of the expectations I had previously put on myself.
A work in progress
December came and went in its whirlwind fashion that it seems to do every year. The release of pressure off myself to try to finish this project in the month it was happening was immense. Instead, I got to enjoy and treasure time with family and friends, quiet moments at home with my daughter and hubby, and calmer moments amidst the much louder ones. The louder ones can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, but I also treasure as much just in moderation.
So, I have made some progress this month with my December daily documenting. Little steps. It has been lovely to reflect on the month of December and remember. It is fun to have more time to play with digital and hybrid scrapbooking using the December Daily digital products and other physical products I have in my craft stash all of which I have purchased in previous years. I tried hard this year to dig into the products I already had instead of buying more supplies. I have time to have a play around with different craft techniques to incorporate into the album such as stamping, embossing and foiling, with my Cricut machine, to add extra sparkle and shine.
It is early days, but the scrapbook pages for this project are beginning to come together. I have lots of photos still to print off and I am still working on the first week of December stories. And that is okay. I am letting myself find my way in a new less pressurised way of completing this project which feels right at this point in my life. I am making the most of enjoying the process of getting time to be creative whilst creating something that my loved ones will enjoying sharing in. A double win.
Enjoying the process
Here’s to slowing down, noticing when a change is needed and being okay with that. Most of all remembering that we can focus on embracing the process and not just the end result. WIll share more as this project continues.
As always Thanks for reading.
