design each moment

Quick. Easy. One Day at a Time

A Day. A Month. A Year.

When you make your New Year’s resolutions do you promise to take more photos this year?

…To scrapbook more often?

…To get those photos off of your SD card?

Are you someone who is tempted to try the Project Life style scrapbooks?

…Or the Capture Your 365 challenges to improve your photo skills,

and then never follow through?

Are you afraid of the pressure to keep up?

I’ve got a way to help you accomplish a year with ease.

Pretty much!

See if you agree.

I began with Mosaic Moments Calendar pages (currently on sale), a Periwinkle 12 x 12 Mosaic Grid paper, a few White Paper Tiles, an EK Success 1 ¼” square punch, a few coordinating patterned papers, a Sharpie Marker to match my color scheme and a Title, December, that I printed on white paper using a fancy font, to make this a super quick project.

 

Additionally I printed my selected photos for the calendar in the Portrait setting, Contact Sheet setting with 6 Columns and 8 Rows. This gave me the size I wanted to easily trim a little off using the 1 ¼” punch to fit in the calendar squares. I would have space for up to 48 photos to pick from, more than enough to do one for each day if I waited till the end of the month to do this in one sitting. That’s the key to making this work. One day to do a month at a time, and in a very short period of time, an hour or two.

In the spaces on the Calendar that I did not have a photo for I used a punched pattern paper square. I could easily write in any of the spots if that’s what I need to do. You will notice I chose not to use dates, keeping this simple, but accurately placed.

For the second page layout I chose 4 photos to highlight in larger sizes that represent some of the events of the month.  Any leftovers of the smaller sizes can be incorporated into the larger second page if you care to.  I cut three 1” strips, one from each of the colors I was working with, and attached all to the cutting mat with a strip of dott adhesive and then cut through all three strips at once in 1” increments. This was enough to do a layout with 1” tile border all around. Again, quick and easy!

The key here is to take photos throughout the month, upload to a file specific for the month, separate by date, choose the one that best represents that day/event, print, punch, and attach. How much journaling you add to your layout is up to you. The grid pattern allows you to choose the size of photos and papers and arrangement you want to use. FOr over 100 pattern choice you can use see Tami's Page Patterns for ideas. Not a lot of stress, not a lot of money and a complete album by the end of the year!  

For another Photo Calendar idea, you may like to see the baby album I prepared for my daughter to keep track of “Baby’s firsts” HERE.

So start the year right, take photos!

Buy the Calendar papers and a selection of grid pages.

Upload and sort by date your photos.

Print the photos you want to use.

Punch out and attach.

Voila!

Be sure to show us how you make your year in photos work for you by posting at www.Journella.com or the Mosaic Moments Facebook page.

Happy New Year everyone!!

Andrea Fisher

Explosion Box:It's Bigger on the Inside!!

Our Christmas this year includes a Doctor, but it isn’t Seuss and the people in WHO-ville are wearing Tardis Blue not green!

Yes, the people in my house have been dreaming of a Doctor Who Christmas, but the really big event in the Whovian calendar was the huge 50^th Anniversary of Doctor Who!

To commemorate the day we celebrated with a family party. Everyone had been stressed out with the whole moving process of the past few weeks and the final days when my household would increase by 3.5, it seemed a good way to break some of the tension. We decorated, created a meal plan, got dressed to match the theme, even my house door became a pseudo Police Box/Tardis!

I chose to do an Explosion Box for this event, because if you are a Doctor Who fan you will know that the Tardis is “Bigger on the Inside” just like our explosion box! Join me in taking a look how we customized the day. 

 

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO START:

• 2-12 x 12 cardstock
• Vellum scraps for windows
• 1 (or more) Mosaic Moments White RTC grid paper
• ¼” double sided adhesive tape
• 4 Mosaic Moments Tags
• Floss for tags
• Scoreboard
• Scotch tape

I customized this to fit my theme, but it can be adapted to practically any theme, so take these basic steps and change it to suit yourself. What special event do YOU want to commemorate in a special way?

WHERE I BEGAN:

Cut one 12 x 12 cardstock sheet to get 4-4” x 6” sections and

the second sheet was scored at 4” intervals to give me 12 sections.

Then removed the 4 corners

Next, scored the 4” x 6” sections to resemble the door and sides of the police box. Attached vellum squares to each door and marked six windows. 

I placed the doubled sided tape on the outside sides and bottom of each section and then attached each of the door sections creating a pocket on the inside. This is a perfect spot for additional items/photos.

Next, attached vellum squares to each door and marked six windows.  

I used the tags with photos and trivia on four of the Doctors (#4,#9,#10,#11) to insert into the pockets and decorated the pocket’s with additional logos and photos.

Score the RTC paper at the 4” and 8” intervals. Cut the paper into three strips (not on the lines you just scored!)

Attach the sections with the scotch tape and fold in accordion style and attach to the inside bottom of the box. How many sheets and sections you use are up to you!

Then, create a lid with a ¾” side begin with a 5.5” square. Score around at the ¾” mark around all edges. snip and secure box shape. To be true to the original Police Box or (Tardis) the top would be more elaborate, but keeping it simple was all I really needed. 

I used a small section of vellum paper and snipped a narrow bottom edge to create a place to attach the “light” on top. A small circle clipped and overlapped to create a cone top for the light, attached with a ring of craft glue on top of the light and underside of the cone.  

 For the accordian folded album section I put photos from our family's celebration on one side and on the backside included paper and photos of the 50th anniversary pre-show and then the world wide simulcast of "The Day of the Doctor" on the opposite side.  

Here's a few of the photos I included on the RTC paper:

 Sonic screwdrivers, fez, scarf and Doctor gear.

Sonic screwdrivers of the Doctors and the new iTouch version 

 Fish fingers and custard, with a side of chips. 

 

and on the backside, non-grid spots I used patterned paper and assorted screen-shots 

 50 years of Doctors

 

I used papers from Crafty Button Designs in a special Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Freebie as background. This is a digital kit that I printed some of the elements and pages to coordinate.

It really was a big day, even Google got in on the act. I took screen shots of the 16 various displays that went with the Google display and attached them back to back, punched and threaded with floss this little extra. I wasn't sure I wanted to dedicate more room in the folded album, but tossed this is for good measure.

Well, if you are a fan, there's plenty of time to do one for the Christmas Day program if you missed out on the anniversary!

Be sure to show us what you've tried on our Mosaic Moments Facebook Page or on Journella.com. 

Thanks so much for visiting, now let's see what you can do!

Merry Christmas to all!

~Andrea Fisher

 

 

2 Ways to Countdown to Christmas!

 

December has arrived and Christmas is only days away!

What are your family’s traditions to observe as the day approaches? Go caroling; cookies to the local nursing home; or maybe special crafts for the kids to decorate the tree? Maybe you are one of those people taking a photo every day to document each day’s activities all month long.

In our home, we’ve tried to focus on the spiritual side of the holiday to help us keep things in perspective as the day approaches.

I’ll admit it is sometimes so very easy to get caught up in the excitement of looking for the best gift ever, or  the best bargain, but in the end when the day arrives all those exciting things can leave you feeling a bit empty and let down. We try to keep focused on the true meaning of Christmas.

For many years we used a simple felt banner with pockets for each day counting down to Christmas. Each pocket would have something to read or do to make that day special. We’ve also had banners with mini candy canes one for each day! Each year we’d try something just a little different. So I’m going to show you a couple of ways to use the Mosaic Moments Grid Paper and two of our FREE downloads to make your own Advent Calendar or Countdown to Christmas.

Advent Calendar Banner

Featuring Library Pockets Free Download

 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO GATHER:

• 2 Sheets of Mosaic Moments Grid paper in a color of your choice. (Forrest Green was used in this example)
• Several Christmas themed 8.5” x 11” papers for the pockets. You will be able to print 3 pockets on each sheet, or if you print on a lightweight tag to make a template you will be able to get 6 from each sheet. Be sure to print on the blank side of the paper. (3 different pattern papers were used with a common color feel to them)
• 1 sheet of 12”x12” holiday patterned paper to cut 25- 2.125” squares (this could also be coordinating Paper Tiles or cardstock. If you are going to mount photos in these spaces you may prefer a solid color)
• Color cardstock for the tags, match to your papers. Cut to 2” x 2-3/8”
• Glitter cardstock for stars. (cream and white were both used, but the choices are many)
•  Star punch or star die
• Small hole punch 1/16”
• Punch to round corners (optional)
• Metallic floss for attaching the stars to the tags. Regular floss could also be used.
• Metallic Paint Pen for writing on the tags.
• Ribbon for connecting the two pages and hanging. (7/8” green used here)
• Verses for the tags for each days reading or projects and activities to do each day. (This year I’ve used the names of Christ for each tag and the reading relates to the name. I used a small devotional called “Messiah Come and Behold Him” from Thomas Nelson Publishers that has a page of further thoughts for each name. There are many Advent devotionals out there to choose from, or use your own selections and ideas. Here's a link for one idea.)

 WHERE TO BEGIN:

1.  1. Print the Library Pockets freebie for your template or print each sheet of Christmas paper you are going to use for pockets.
2. Trim carefully and fold following the directions on the sheet to create each pocket. Arrange on the grid in a vertical pattern over two pages in a checkerboard pattern.
3. Cut your patterned paper squares and apply between each pocket.  
4. Cut your tags in assorted colors. Round corners, punch hole in top center of each. Match to each pocket.
5. Cut stars. Punch hole in center of one section. Use a needle to thread the floss through the hole. Use all six strands. Knot the end and thread through star and tag. Knot behind the tag.
6. Use metallic paint pen to write on each tag. Use one or both sides depending on what you are doing and how much space you need.  
7. Write a number on each of the stars on the plain backside. I have left the numbered side to show and turn to the sparkly side after the reading for each day is complete, hiding the number.
8. Make a 1” slit ¼” from the bottom edge of the top page and the top edge of the bottom page about ½” from the outer edges. Then feed your ribbon through the slits. Pull gently until edges meet, do not overlap! Tie loosely into a bow on each side. 
   
   
9. On the top edge cut another pair of slits to thread your hanging ribbon. Determine the length you want it to hang and allow a little extra to use to tie a bow. Cut two 12” sections of ribbon and fold into three equal sections. Tails of the ribbon will point to outside. Gather in center and place between the hanging section and knot. This creates a bow at the top and holds things in place. You will have three “tails” trim at an angle and voila! You are finished!

To make this a photo filled calendar add photos in the non-pocket sections. I have used a 1.75” square punch for the photos so that I have a nice border around each photo and still see the paper below. This is how you can make this calendar a December Daily Photo Record if you choose to shoot one a day, or something a little less planned with just the special moments of the days and events going on in your family. Have fun. Make memories. 

 

This Second Advent Calendar can become a part of your scrapbook once the holidays are over. 

Featuring Christmas Countdown a FREE Download

 

 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO GATHER:

• You will need 5 different patterns of Christmas paper. Print the FREE Countdown Numbers available on Snapncrop.com.
• 2- 12”x 12” Mosaic Moments Grid Paper any color (black was used here)
• A round punch or circle die to cut the numbers into circles
• 1/8” ribbon for trimming packages
• Verses or other choice for inside of each flap.
• Photos

WHERE TO BEGIN:

1. You will cut 5- 2.125” x 4.25” rectangles from each sheet of each of the 5 patterns. Fold in half
2. Fill the insides as you like.
3. Attach squares to grid.
4. Punch the numbers out and attach to topside of each square. Determine whether you are cutting down 25-24-23… the days to Christmas, or counting as the Calendar Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 3, and 1-2-3 BEFORE you attach to the squares.
5. OPTION: Photos can be taken during the month and added to the inside of the squares. Choose items like nativity sets, the Christmas tree, snow scenes, flower arrangements or ornaments etc.

AFTER CHRISTMAS:

1. Pick your favorite photos and trim them any way you like to fit the second page of this layout.
2. The bottom row of the page will hold 5 presents. Use one square of each pattern and add ribbon trim to create packages.
3. This layout allows you to do something new each year and have a quick way to put a page together.

There you have it…2 Ways to Countdown to Christmas! 

I hope you find rest amidst the hustle and bustle of the season and joy as you make memories with your families! As always, we'd love to see what you create! Just join us on Journella.com or the Mosiac Moments Facebook page!

Merry Christmas from the Fisher Household!

Andrea