When I began documenting December 2020 last year, all was right with the world . . . the tree was up, gifts wrapped, and plans made for a small and safe family gathering. Then, my husband tested positive for COVID and we had to cancel all of it. I have to admit I have not been excited to go back and complete my 2020 Document December album, which is why I volunteered to participate in this week’s Wrap it Up posts. Doing so forced me to revisit last year’s holiday and get our story recorded even if it wasn’t a typical Christmas.
While a majority of the album was done, there were still a few stories I wanted to add. First was Christmas Eve when the kids decided to bake sugar cookies just as we have done every other year since they were born. I had purchased all of the ingredients prior to being quarantined, so we made quick work of mixing the dough, cutting the shapes, and baking them.
Using large photos is one of my go-to favorites when documenting in small-format albums, and I did just that with the picture of the cookies. I stamped the hearts and sentiments with the Title Builder Vol. 5 The Merriest Stamp and followed those with The Merriest Puffy Stickers and Christmas Tiny Shapes and Dots Puffy Stickers.
On the right, I used the Pocket, Frame, and Flip Up Metal Die (one of my favorite Elle’s Studio products ever!) with striped paper from the Wonder Paper Stack to create a flip up to hold my journaling. On top of the photo, I added a die cut and stamped the date with the December Documented Stamp.
Inside the flip up, I typed out the story using a word processing software, printed it, and cut it to fit.
Below is a second photo of the kids cutting out cookie dough that I adhered behind a die cut frame. I added minimal embellishments with a cookie-shaped puffy sticker and stamped sentiment.
On the following pages, I went with a red and pink theme to record Christmas Eve and our breakfast the next morning. Each year the kids get to unwrap their new pajamas and ornaments on Christmas Eve. Abby decided that she did not want her face showing when I took her picture, but I love the goofy photo. Caleb stayed in his sweats, but entertained us by demonstrating how sharp his new knife was by shaving the hairs on his arm (totally a boy thing). The photos of the kids were embellished with a sentiment from The Merriest Puffy Stickers, Holiday Label Stickers, and the Title Builder Vol. 5 The Merriest Stamp.
On the right, I used the Merry Christmas Metal Die to create the Merry Christmas 3 x 4 tag, which is absolutely adorable. Last, I created another flip up with the metal die to house pictures of the cinnamon rolls I baked Christmas morning. Inside the flip up is a second close-up photo with a December Vellum Sticker across the bottom.
Working on my 2020 Document December album was a bit therapeutic. I’ve avoided it for the past year because I didn’t want to be reminded of last year’s difficult Christmas. Because so much time has passed, I found I am able to look back at the holiday with appreciation. So many have been negatively affected during the pandemic, and I am fortunate to still have all of my family members when others do not. I have just a few more items to add and the album will be complete … just in time to begin working on this year’s album! Thank you for stopping by and have a fabulous day!
Supplies | Document December 2021 Kit, Holiday Label Stickers, December Vellum Stickers, The Merriest Chipboard Stickers, Christmas Tiny Shapes and Dots Puffy Stickers, Holiday Magic Gold Puffy Stickers, Holiday Words Puffy Stickers, Simple Joys Puffy Stickers, The Merriest Puffy Stickers, Wonder Paper Stack, December Documented Stamp, Large Star Jane Alphabet Stamp, Merry Christmas Stamp, Title Builder Vol. 5 The Merriest Stamp, Merry Christmas Metal Die, Pocket, Frame, and Flip Up Metal Die
