For the past few years, I've made gratitude-themed mini albums on Thanksgiving. The idea was simple: hand out pre-printed cards to everyone in attendance at our Thanksgiving Day celebration, have them write what they are thankful for, snap a photo of them, and then compile everything into a 4 x 6 photo album. I created albums in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
This year, I wanted to change up my project a bit and have designed a new album set that focuses on 30 days of thankfulness. This new set features a 32-page, pre-designed album project. No Photoshop skills are required. You simply open the PDF print onto white cardstock, trim, and then add your words and photos as you go through the month of November. (There are 32 layered PSD templates included in the set for full customization.)
Each 6 x 6 page features a day number, a simple phrase (today I am thankful for…) and lines for journaling. You add a 5 x 4 inch photo and the page is complete.
It took me a few hours to prepare all of the pages, printing and trimming. After printing, it looked like this:
I couldn't help but smile as it reminded me of my days of press checking at print shops, with big old sheets of papers layed out before me. Of course, what you see here are 32 pieces of Bazzill Orange Peel cardstock all neatly placed together. If there is a finer sheet of white cardstock on the face of the Earth, I have not seen it. I order this stuff in bulk.
Each spread features alternating patterns and colors. I designed a very simple polka dot pattern and chevron pattern to use for this project in brown, orange and green.
Each page also features crop marks, guides to help you quickly trim the pages to their 6 x 6 size.
It's easy to use crop marks with a paper trimmer. You simply line up one set of marks with the cutting guide first.
Then you pop the blade into the paper right over the mark.
Then you drag to the end mark and release, being careful not to cut all the way to the edge of the paper.
When you reach the end of the cut, you lift the blade up, turn the paper and repeat. And voila, you have a 6 x 6 page ready to go.
After trimming all the pages, I placed them into a 6 x 6 album so they are ready to go come November 1st.
The goal, of course, is to document the things you are thankful for for 30 days. From the heartfelt to the frivolous to everything in between, this album gives you (and anyone else who'd like to join in) a chance to focus on gratitude for a full month.
In the end, you'll have a collection of pages like this one:
You'll have plenty of room to jot down whatever you are thankful for in your own, unique handwriting.
IMPORTANT PRINTING TIP: If you are using the PDF file to print in Acrobat, you need to select ACTUAL SIZE under Page Sizing and Handling in the print dialogue box. Do not choose FIT or it will fill the entire page and your file will print larger than 6 x 6.
I have a few free downloads for anyone who'd like to join in. First, if you use a We R Memory Keepers binder, I have a label designed for the spine.
It's so tiny and adorable! Click on the link below to download a printable PDF.
I also created a 3-page planning sheet for this project. It let's you jot notes as you go through the week, in case you don't have time to create the pages every day. I know how sometimes the week can get away from you, and it's easier to sit down and scrapbook on the weekends.
To download the Daily Log, click on the link below:
And finally, if you'd like to create this album, I've got a simple blog button you can download to share with your readers as well. Click on the link to download this 120 x 120 pixel jpeg file. (Mac users, Control + Click to Save Image As…, PC users, right click, I believe.)
So here's the rest of my plan: every Friday in November, I'm going to share my pages on my blog and encourage you to share yours as well by adding your link to my Friday posts.
I'm really excited about this little album project and I'm always looking for ways to refocus my energy on what I am grateful for. I think it grounds me like nothing else and especially during this time of year. It helps me to focus to on what I have instead of what I wish I had.
Here's to 30 Days of Thankful. I hope you'll join in!
SUPPLIES:
Note: you will need a total of 33 sheets of cardstock and one extra set (10) of 6 x 6 page protectors to complete the album.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
