Photoshop Friday! Daily December Mini-album

This week’s Photoshop Friday is a template that you can use to create a Daily December album. This album, which features a single page for each day in December, was inspired by the fabulous Ali Edwards. She created an album here on her blog that will allow her to create a page-a-day to celebrate the month of December. It is SUCH a cool idea, and I wanted to make it really easy for those of us who are digitally inclined to join in the fun! :D 

Part 1: Download the “Daily December” Templates

This mini-album consists of one layered template in .psd format. I’ve left the design of this 8x8 page pretty simple, so you can complete it really quickly, or spend some time embellishing, either before you print with digital supplies, or after you print with traditional supplies.  

Here is what the template looks like:

Download: You can download the template by clicking on this link: Daily December Album Kit (17 MB).

Part 3: Create a Quick Album From the Kit

Download and unzip the album template. The template has rectangles for clipping in your favorite patterned papers, and is layered so you can place flourishes or other embellishments behind the frame if you like. This page template is designed to be used as a set of clipping masks for any photos or patterned papers you would like to use in it. This idea of “cutting without cutting” has become really key to my own scrapbook work lately, and I think you’ll find that it is an awesome design tool (and a time-saver!).

To use this template’s clipping masks for your photos or patterned papers:

1. Open the album template. Save off a working copy so you don’t overwrite your original.
   
2. Open and drag your patterned paper or photo onto the template.
3. Position the photo or paper in the layer just above the rectangle you’d like to clip it to.
4. Hover your mouse on the line just between the two layers, hold down Alt (your cursor will change into two circles - one filled and one empty), and click to create a clipping mask.  

Here is my sample, with a pic from last year. I am so excited to do this album this year! I think the ability to go about the month consciously, and really focus on the memories of each day, will make the entire month more special, and more memorable.

 

Supplies:

• Patterned papers: from Merry Days 3rd kit by Jen Wilson
• White patterned paper (behind journaling): Cabana White single by Katie Pertiet
• Flourish Frame: Ledger Frames No. 2 brushes and stamps by Katie Pertiet
  

You can create one for each day in December to record all your holiday happenings as they happen. What a cool record to have. Now you can extend the December holiday celebrations for the whole month! (And let’s not forget photo ops like holiday cookies, hanging ornaments, getting the tree, and so forth). Thanks to Ali for the inspiration, and have a super awesome Photoshop Phriday! :D

Comments

[Sylvia]

Wow, what a wonderful idea!!! Thanks so much for this great template!

[Heather]

Thanks for the early Christmas gift! :)

[Chris]

Great template and inspiration. Thank you!

[Melanie71]

funny you did this ... I also have your CK Holiday 8x8 album pages saved to my Christmas Journal file. I thought THIS year, I'm going to have several pages ready - so I can either just journal, or just drop my pics & go!

[Sandi]

I am so thankful for the community of talented people who give of themselves so freely. The support and inspiration is what makes scrapbooking so special to me. Love that. Thank you for sharing your talents. And yes, Ali so rocks.

[Paula]

Thanks, Jessica! You're the best!

[Rebecca]

Thank you so much - this totally rocks!

[Brooke in Oregon]

Thanks so much! This is awesome and I love the page you did with Rowen.

Had a great Thanksgiving with our little grandaughter! So loved having her with us!!

Also wanted to say I am thankful to have found your blog, that you share so freely and teach so openly. Thankful I get to enjoy your kiddos too :)

[Yvette]

I have never used a template before. That was so much fun! Thanks for sharing these.

[CrazyCurl]

Looks like fun! Thanks :)

BTW... today I still can't see then photos without clearing my cache. It seemed to be doing better the other day.

[smsgraphics]

Wonderful! Thanks so much for this great project :-)

[Leslie]

Love your layout (as always) and can't thank you enough for the template! You need to write a sequel to your last Computer Tricks book and a book of your layouts too!!! Always a treat to visit your site!

Leslie

[heather2]

you rock....such a great idean and template. thanks for sharing!!

[Kimberly White]

Thanks Jessica! I've been so enjoying your PSFs! Especially since taking your Up and Running class! I can hardly wait till the next on starts in January! Kim

[Denise Olson]

Jessica, I was just sitting down getting ready to design my own pages for each day in December. For those that receive "Cooking Light", there is a great section called, "31 days, 31 delicious dishes" where each day in December is celebrated with a great recipe. The layout they use is simple and sweet. I'm taking this same concept and applying it with my own recipes or events for every day in December!! Check it out...Thanks Jessica....!!! Denise

[Denise]

thanks so much! this is really cute. it will be fun to use!

[TiggerRD]

I just thought of this idea today too - but I'm so glad you've done a template to make it even easier. Ho ho ho - here's to a jolly season of memory-making!

Thank you!

[Barb]

Jessica, I was just beginning to mis your daily NWR emails in my inbox, when this came through! How perfect. Now I really think I can do this! Love the template and really love the new look of your blog! you are the gift that keeps giving! XXOO's Barb ( Mommydoc!)

[Jeannie]

Thank you for the inspiration! Your page is adorable! :)

[Katie the Scrapbook Lady]

Thank you so much!

[Risa]

Jessica,
What a thoughtful gift and idea to share. I am very grateful for your kindness, generosity, huge inspiration and talent. You really do rock (and shake up my little world)!! What a blessing you are :)

Oh - LOVE what you did with your template!!

xoxo

[grambie]

So glad to finally have a template that I can use. It is a fantastic idea, one that I will be able to enjoy. I scrap landscape and happy to know that I can place this upon my landscape and have the surrounding space anything of my choice or just white space. Love your fantastic design and paper and element choices. I wish to all continued blessing and joy throughout this Autumn and holiday season. LOVE!!!

[Liz]

Thanks so much! This will come in very handy!

[Joanie]

This is wonderful. Are you posting a new page each day? How do I change the numeral if you are not. BTW... I love your Photoshop Fridays... I learn so much.

[LivE]

Jess, just had to say: in this photo, Rowen looks AMAZINGLY like you. Amazing. :) Now we know what you would've looked with light hair. :P Have a great day, my friend!

[Maureen]

Hi,

Your blog is one of my favs, and I am still having trouble with the pictures, the fix you have suggested is messing with my google reader (I think) it keeps going in and marking hundreds of old post as unread. Any other suggestions?

[Janie]

Thanks so much for sharing this! Will help make the holiday scrapping much easier. I appreciate your willingness to share your skills, and teach us to do the digital scrapping.

[Kathie]

Oh, life will be so much easier! It is wonderful, thank you! Hey, can you tell us what font you used on this?

[Amysout]

Thanks Jessica! This is a great idea & using a template makes it easy for anyone to be able to document daily events for the holidays. I can't wait to start on my "December" album!!

Oh - and I love the stories from Brian Andreas!! They're so cool! :D

[Alane]

What a cute idea! I'm going to try it. Thank you so much!