So it's all finished, and it's fat and full of beautiful photos of stories of December.
Of Christmas.
Of traditions new and old.
Of everyday life.
It sits on the shelf next to my other December albums and I smile each time I see them.
Here is a summary of our final December days...
December 21- A drive to Bendigo to visit my God-daughter and her mum and to have a 'Christmas' with them. I have also included a reflection on the first Christmas. Ali's Imperfect and Awesome stamp had me thinking about that from the very beginning of December so I was glad to have a place to record my thoughts.
December 22- A drive around the place to see some Christmas lights... there was a very excited 2 year old in the car for this journey and a sleeping 10 month old!
December 23- Just a single page for today about the Jacaranda trees that are EVERYWHERE this season! We sing the Jacaranda (hallelujah) chorus when we drive together now!
December 24- LOTS of pages for today, plus an insert of Tilly and Sam's letters from Santa. These pages really cover blow by blow what happened on the day. There is some journaling hidden in the velum pocket with the gold doily which covers the story of the day and a little reflection on how I was feeling. 2014 was the first Christmas that I was not pregnant in 4 years. There was Tilly, a baby that we lost and then Sam last year. I felt the loss of that missing baby more this year, perhaps because I didn't have the distraction of a new baby on the way and also because we discovered we were pregnant on Christmas Eve 2013. It felt right to acknowledge that it was an emotional day for me, but also a joyful one. I spent some time decorating gingerbread men with Tilly, we visited our elderly neighbour and delivered homemade treats for her. We had a play in the river with friends and we read Christmas stories together under the tree (with the kids in their new pyjamas) before setting up Santa's plate.
December 25- Of course this was a big day! There are again, lots of photos of this day and I included a 3x8 piece of cardstock to record the story of the day. I love the transparency and the other filler cards from Dec 24 and 25 from The Stamp Spot kit.
December 26- Lucky last, the Holder Christmas and celebration of my mother in law's birthday. I completed this day with 3 sides of the 2x2 page protectors. Lots of little photos- of portraits, casual moments, little details and journaling. I especially love that my sister in law took some photos of Toby and I together after dinner. They make me laugh!
A big thankyou to Michelle from The Stamp Spot for including me in her Documenting December Team for 2014. I had a wonderful time using the kit and getting to know the other ladies on the team. I honestly feel a bit sad to be saying 'goodbye' to this project and that team of ladies. There's always next year to create a new keepsake.
Have you finished your December album? If you're still going, don't give up!