Hello there Elle’s Studio fans! Wow! Can you believe it, Thanksgiving fast approaches and that means Christmas is just around the corner! It’s Suzanna here today to share how I am prepping for Document December using my Elle’s Studio Document December 2022 kit and add-ons!
I’m not much of a prepper, truth be told. Not when it comes to this project. I have begun this monthly documentation many, many a time and no matter what I do to prepare or not, I never “finish”. In other words, I never document all 25 (or 31) days. I have learned to accept that and I’m perfectly happy just getting some stories told. As a result, I don’t stress about it anymore. I have learned that prepping doesn’t mean I get any more stories in my album. I have also learned that I like large photos and much of my title work and or journaling will be on the photo itself. Hence, prepping isn’t really possible either. Do what works for you! And don’t worry about all the fancy pages that other people share—that’s them. Do you!
My pre-December prep work consists of this: breaking things down. I like to have a storage container that contains all of my Document December goodies with the album itself. Sometimes I will use a divided system but this year I’m going simple. I am working in a 49 and Market binder that holds 6” x 8” pages. Also within the plastic storage bin that I’m using are extra page inserts as well as homemade punch hole guides. Because I use a lot of large photos, I like to have a chipboard “guide” to quickly punch holes directly into the photo with my single-hole punch.
For ease of finding things as well as assessing my options, if I can, I prefer to have things out of the packaging. As you can see above, I have two Iris photo cases that provide ease access to ephemera. One case contains the Red Foil Vellum Numbers and the Christmas Die Cut Tags, while the other contains the Season of Wonder Die Cuts and Journaling Tags from the main Document December Kit. It’s all about easy access and simplicity, my friends!
One of the few things I do always prepare ahead of time is the monthly calendar. It’s an overview for me. It serves no functional purpose other than décor, really. I might write in events, but honestly, the events worth noting are the events I’m going to document. I just love seeing the month ahead of time. And, the December 2022 calendar included in the Document December Kit just makes me happy! Note I used the Attacher Metal Die to provide ring holes for my calendar! I foresee A LOT of use of this for this project!
Another type of page that I have created for years features grid squares full of fun December-related goodies and photos. This year Elle’s Studio has two really nifty metal dies to make even more fun of this addition to your album, the 4 x 6-inch Six Frames Metal Die and the 4 x 6-inch Six Pop-Up Frames Metal Die! BONUS: the Pop-Up Frames Metal Die works with one of the 4 x 6-inch pocket tags in the Document December Kit! Use a portion of a circle punch to create little notches to open the windows and it’s easy work!
Do this often enough and allow yourself to be true to you and your style and you learn the things that work for you. The great thing about the Document December 2022 kit and add-ons is a lot of the coordinating work has been done for you. All you have to do is use it and get those stories told! I can’t wait to see how the kit inspires you and what stories you tell!
Joy, Love & Peace!
