My Documenting/Scrapbooking Plans For 2021 | Craft The Story 01

[@karenguy6767]

Telling stories is your super power. I have long wondered how you could do that and promote weekly documenting. Don’t look back! We count on you to be forward looking and we follow your lead into deeper, more meaningful memory keeping. Onward and upward!

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

Oh I absolutely believe there is value in weekly documenting - it simply tells a different kind of story (I loved doing it for all the years that I did do it).

[@diana.findingstory]

I picked out twenty-four stories from our year, and wrote them up as an advent calendar for my sister-in-law. The stories weren’t linear, but I chose them from a Bluesky pocket daily calendar specifically for story telling where I wrote one or two words to jog my memory. (I moved them into my normal day calendar now) For me, logging stories in their season helps me remember some details - like weather. Locking ourselves out of the house in November, ten minutes before kickoff to bedlam, is a very different story than had it happened in June. But the stories help my sister-in-law be closer to my husband. They talk on the phone a few times a week but he doesn’t really tell the stories that I might share. I packaged each story with photos in slim paper bags, no gusset, and taped them closed with washi. She said she loved them so much that she read two a night. All kinds of stories, tragic, happy, silly, sad, unfortunate. And then, when they spend time together on the phone - they have even more things to visit about.

[@kimbakersassi5993]

This is an absolutely gorgeous and very thoughtful gift. It would be a wonderful gift for any girlfriend - but that you are mindful of your sister-in-law's relationship with her brother/your husband is just so so cool. I love your spirit.

[@diana.findingstory]

@@kimbakersassi5993 Thank you.

[@poisonlady1965]

I love that you're changing things up as that's how life works...it's constantly changing. Last year I was truly focused on planning and project life and art journal pages and this year it's still project life (I've been doing monthly and it so works for me. I am also doing lists and other things in travelers notebooks as the size is so much fin. I still keep a passport size notebook for writing down a list of things done in a day (ex. paid rent or other bills, order craft supplies, got gas etc but in that size it's simplified in a list for by date and that keeps me from forgetting things that I can carry over into other projects. I randomly work on a scrapbook layout when inspired and just enjoy this simplified list as it works for me in my busy schedule. I literally work and come home and that's about it but I still stop to smell the proverbial rose and take that pic of it. I tell my story so that my kids may know who I am when I am no longer around as I didn't get to know that with my own mother whom passed in 2012. Life is good though and I want to document it my wat for sure. Thanks for letting me know it's okay however I choose to do it if it works for me and if it doesn't to feel free to change it up and that as long as I am telling my story in whatever format...it's a good thing.

[@jkmacrunnel]

I love your approach to scrapbooking. I sometimes get caught up in all the fun embellishments and cute things, and its a good reminder to make the photos and story more of a focus. There's definitely a place for cute products, but I don't want it to overtake my memories. I did DD for the first time last year, and it was really fun! I've always wanted to, but I have learned if I want to make a project like that in December, I definitely need to prep first or I won't do it. So last summer I put together a Christmas Junk Journal, and then in December I could spend each day with the photos and journaling. This worked so well, because everything was fresh in my mind, and it was just a fun time! I had my DD finished by Jan. 10th I think, which was awesome! I am hoping to do the same thing this year, although I'm late on the prep, but I'm still going to try! I'm also feeling the fall vibe right now, so I think I might work on a fall journal, just with different stories to tell that have happened in fall the last few years or so, as I don't think I've scrapbooked any of those yet! I love the freedom to not go in chronological order, too, I think that will help the creative process tremendously.

[@ActinForever]

I'm VERY excited for this youtube series!! Love that you're following your heart (HEART. Boom!) and trying something new to see if it works for you. Stoked to be alongside you in the journey!

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

Thank you!

[@katherine8625]

I know that I don't have to do all the projects and I can't realistically do that (time, money, lack of supplies) but thank you for that gentle reminder that this is your job. And that we can just choose a couple or one. Loved the video

[@pipes31b]

I did DD for the first time this year and am so loving it, (still working to complete). The best part of DD was pulling inspiration from your videos. It gave me a guide and a much needed jumping off point where as before DD, starting a new page felt so overwhelming. DD has given me inspiration to get to work and finish my Project Life monthly pages, so I am disappointed to hear those videos won’t be included this year, (especially after I discovered how much your videos helped me), but certainly understand the need for a break. The good news is there are videos from previous years to watch! Thank you for DD, and helping me to start telling my stories again.

[@lipstickliving46]

I would love to see a video of the basic supplies/tools you would need if you are a beginner to memory keeping/storytelling! :)

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

That's on my list!

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

That video can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npiunZloqtiDl5Y

[@TracieClaiborne]

I’ve been hoping you would do this exact video. I wasn’t really surprised to hear you say that about Project Life because I’ve been thinking the same thing and I feel like I’m not living a full enough life to have enough pictures and content to do even a monthly spread. I have been going back-and-forth so hearing you say you’re not doing it has kind of given me permission not to either. Thanks!! Looking forward to all your videos!

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

I don't really feel like my life isn't full enough for PL (mainly because I really do believe there are so many layers of stories in our lives) but it's just not the method I want to use right now AND I feel really good about that decision.

[@diana.findingstory]

Some times people have difficulty finding stories because others make big decisions that give way to story and we believe that our little story, about what kind of butter we bought today, isn’t very story worthy. We use a prompt at work, what was our breakfast - was it no breakfast, fast and easy breakfast, a slow-down pancake breakfast, that’s usually enough to get our story going about - why that breakfast - what was going on. But I work undercover where daily we hear horrific stories, that we can’t tell. We suppress the stories which takes a toil on our health. So we make sure to tell our little stories about - switching brands of butter.

[@TracieClaiborne]

@@AliEdwardsDesignInc oh I definitely did not mean to imply your life isn't full enough to document. I just have to force myself to take photos right now because it's mainly just my husband and me at home and life is pretty darn boring so far in 2021. I always love your at home photos though, very inspiring. I'm excited about telling a lot of childhood stories this year since there isn't much to take photos of right now.

[@TracieClaiborne]

@@diana.findingstory absolutely. I get ya.

[@LizNess]

I always learn so much from you...I love your thoughts on what motivates you. Truth is, I've been giving a lot of thought to that lately. I have so many hobbies and they seem to all intersect at "Memory Keeping Junction." And, I've been dancing around the idea of story arcs (really themes) that bubble up, again and again, from life/living. I hadn't really landed on how to make it all work yet. Plus, I admit, I'm one of those people that gets a little stuck on the design vision--I want it to look like x. Letting go (even a little) and boiling the "arcs" down to a word is such a great idea and scrapping finite projects is such a great idea. Thanks so much for these gems. I've got so much that I want to do and I am itching to get going on it! =)

[@angeliamorton1434]

Thank you Ali for doing this video. I've been a long time follower and purchased many, many kits from your shop. I remodeled my house 4 years ago therefore had to pack everything up and could not use it. So I have this excess of STUFF hanging around my craft room and I'm stuck! I'm stuck with what to do with it all. I stopped my subscription because I was just collecting it and not using it and honestly I've run out of room. I did PL for many years and it just did not seem to work for me anymore. My goal this year is to USE my stuff and get back to your monthly subscriptions because I love your classes so so much and miss them but I have been struggling what and how I want to use my STUFF to tell my stories and even if I don't use my stuff; I feel I need some help getting started again. This past year like all of us, I've gone through a lot of life altering changes and I want to tell those stories on how I feel about it, and why, etc. I'm so looking forward to seeing how you inspire me particularly in getting it out and documented. So as always, thank you for being transparent and thank you for helping simple people like me.

[@StephanieMoats]

Thanks for being candid and talking about burnout on Project Life. I used to try and power through burnout (in other areas of my life), but now I’m learning that the feeling of burnout is simply our brain screaming at us that we need change or something in our life is misaligned with our values. Once we listen to and honor ourselves, I bet there’ll be an explosion of creativity. I can’t wait to see what that will look like for you!

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

Yes! Totally.

[@carleehasler6551]

Oh, thank you Ali. Looking forward to watching your videos over my weekends.

[@Laurie_Erin]

Thank you Ali! I'm looking forward to 2021 being the year of me documenting my way, and being realistic in my projects too. I love this series and can't wait to see what stories you have to share and how x

[@petrasplan7749]

You are such an inspiration! I am definitely going to incorporate storytelling more in my life. my daughter lives in The Netherlands and I live in the USA. I am documenting my life here for when I return to The Netherlands somewhere in the future. I have a "catch-all" planner that has multiple sections in there that reflect my life here. I have included a section with pocket pages and will also be documenting outside of the page protectors. Thank you for showing your tips and tricks and thought process. Much love

[@tiffanymitchell7824]

Excited to see what you share this year! I would love to see stamp inspiration! I have so many of your stamps and loved stamp week! Would love more in different formats!

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

Yes! And we will be doing Stamp Week again this year - stay tuned!

[@luv3pugs]

Just came across this video. I did weekly Project Life the Becky Huggins way from 2013 through 2018 then stopped. I moved to Dallas and was overwhelmed by it. I am now retired and ready to pick it up in the monthly format in a 12 x 12. Why 12 x 12? Well I have tons of page protectors of all sizes that fit that size album. I can also scrapbook full 12 x 12 pages if I want. So more flexibility is the reason. I have kept up with December Daily since 2013. That project I finish by the first week in January. I go through the 31st. ❤

[@seanhandregan160]

I would love to see how you document your kids albums

[@JillsCraftySpace]

I’m loving these videos. Thank you for being honest and do what you need to do for you.

[@maryivynoone9475]

So excited for this series. I’m glad to see you following your heart and embracing the plans you told us about in OWL.

[@juliespady8467]

I just found this and plan on binge watching! Thanks!

[@meredithgreene4817]

I love that you’re changing things up this year. I’ll likely do some of the same. I love all of your products and am glad we’ll see you consistently on YT this year. I’m trying to decide between “stretch” and “accept” as my OLW but also after the events of this past Wednesday in DC “active” as in activism might win out. Thank you Ali!

[@monicablain]

Love your new approach, Ali! It seems it will mesh well with the way life is right now. I am feeling very inspired after listening (I even jotted down notes and thoughts). Thanks for all you do!

[@marytran1584]

Ahhh sooooo excited!!! I’m totally tuning in!!! Thank you!! Thank you!!! ❤️❤️❤️😘

[@jessicascraps4010]

So excited for pieces of life - loved the prompts last year - one of my favorite pages from 2020

[@pamkenel7534]

This is exciting news! It is really good to listen to your internal self. See you next Friday!

[@wwaxwork]

OH looking forward to this series. Love the idea of telling stories not doing "layouts" , never really thought of it that way before.

[@jenniferdjesse4215]

I’m so excited for this too! Love that you change things up to make it work for you. Thank you for this video and for all that you do. I am so grateful to be able to follow your journey and go through my own my way. Yay!

[@nolanalynch]

Absolutely love this! So looking forward to documenting this year! Happy you explained which projects you do and how you do it.

[@createwithalison]

I’m looking forward to seeing how you document 2021. Tuning in again next week! ❤️

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@evans2429]

I learn so much from you-I’m excited to follow your journey via KZbin Thanks for putting out such great content and inspiration

[@holaphoebe]

I can 100% commiserate when it comes to weekly/monthly PL. It feels so perfunctory and though I enjoy looking back at the albums, creating them isn’t bringing me joy. I think I’m going to take a similar approach to you for 2021.

[@crisculpepper6177]

Looking forward to going through the journey of 2021 with you. I totally agree with telling the stories that speak to me rather than being limited to chronological scrapbooking. I'm hoping to do a Project Life type of album this year. BUT...I've also been married for 20 years and have a 16 and 19 year old. I have no wedding album, no baby albums, no school years albums. I don't want to just skip over documenting the first 20 years of my family's life together, but I'm not sure how to approach it after so much time has passed. Maybe you could do a video on how to approach these "projects from the past" especially when you may not have many photos or journaling for these stories. Thanks Ali!

[@TheEmPemm]

Less than a minute in and finding out this will be a weekly series 😍👏❤

[@Pobbesmouse]

Thank you for these videos! I love the way you present scrapbooking!

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

Thank you!

[@rarejem12]

I’m so excited to see where you take your story telling takes you in 2021. I have a hard time doing chronological memory keeping. I like just taking a photo/event with family or words and just going with that feeling.

[@Suusannnn]

What a great way to start our story telling year, thank you! And I hope since you will be doing less social media it will mean more of these videos!

[@kimpaine7390]

You always keep me so inspired to continue on with all my memory keeping projects! I have been scrapbooking since 2000. My process has changed quite a lot over the years and I am thinking of changing things up again this year. I have never printed my own photos and when I see your projects I am always in awe of how they look. I not only love all the size options but I especially love the words and phrases printed on them. Will you be doing a video on your picture printing process? Thank you for all you do!!

[@christinaclouse3133]

Thank you! This is also where my heart is for this year! So excited to see what you learn/try and share

[@MomentstoMemoriesbytai]

I’m excited for your weekly videos. It will be weird not having you do project life but I completely understand. I managed to still finish the year. As you said, I remained present in an attempt to cope with the year that it was. I became a SHM overnight and embraced it. Time w my toddler I would not have ever had. I am looking forward to Friday videos with you. I love your style and inspiration all the time.

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

I think you'll still see everyday life storytelling from me - it will just be outside the structure of PL.

[@joseedavis9366]

Gosh so excited for weekly videos! Looking forward to be inspired in different ways this year and especially love the more meaningful aspect instead of the timing commitments!!! Bring on the ideas for more stories!!!

[@GlenysCalder]

Thanks Ali! I’m doing One Little Word this year, and loving it!

[@elenavigil-farinas5103]

Thank you for taking from you time to do this for us Ali!!! I so need help! I have every single kit since it's inception and have done ONE. This year I want to actually do it!

[@paper_belle9770]

I am SO looking forward to your weekly videos!

[@erikasheehan2668]

Looking forward to seeing what you create this year!

[@Eastcoastlcsw]

I was feeling the same way in May 2020 and still have those photos printed and just couldn’t do it but I did December daily and it brought me so much joy so I decided to do the one little word...it’s brining me a lot of happiness so far and I look forward to seeing what you do with this new series here on KZbin!!!

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

Wonderful!

[@biophiliagreen]

Yay more Ali videos! Excited for this series!

[@suehensler325]

I am looking forward to your videos . I am also thinking of changing up the way I document my stories. Thank you for all the time you share and inspiration you give to us.

[@kellyharper2039]

So exited about this new series Ali! Thanks so much.

[@bakerelaine8075]

Excited about this! Thank you Ali!

[@eminepala_scrapbooking_nl2114]

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT ALI.....

[@iamsarahlarsen]

Looking forward to weekly videos and what you share!

[@d.s.3551]

Do you have a "This is Our Life" story kit. Something that guides someone through a basic overview if what is current in ones life. Where we live, the current things around us, etc.

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

I do a project each year called Week In The Life that invites that kind of storytelling. Here is one kit available for that project (we will have a new one available in April this year): www.aliedwards.com/shop/week-in-the-life-2019-main-kit. We also have a Storytelling Basics kit that includes a whole lot of 3x4 and 4x6 cards that invite you to document every day life stories: www.aliedwards.com/shop/storytelling-basics-stories-by-the-year-kit

[@d.s.3551]

@@AliEdwardsDesignInc thank you. This looks like it would make a great family project.

[@ramonaevans6233]

So excited ❤️

[@elenavigil-farinas5103]

This is a ridiculous question but I can not find a pen I am happy with!!! Any suggestions?

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

I use this one: www.aliedwards.com/shop/ali-edwards-precision-pen-3 and this one: www.aliedwards.com/shop/ali-edwards-slickwriter-pen

[@tklucas8516]

I'm also a structured person. I struggle with consistency in documenting our stories. Do you schedule documenting? Is it on specific days or do you document daily?

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

Hi! In a lot of ways I do schedule my documenting - mainly because it's part of my job + there are deadlines. I don't have a specific schedule that says on Monday I do this...but I do follow a larger "schedule" over the course of the year for these projects. For example I know I'll be documenting Week In The Life most likely in May so I'll plan to make time for that project then. I do One Little Word at the beginning of each month (technically I do it the week before to get the prompt ready for the community). I'll do Day In The Life twice this year. With the Story Kits I usually work on those between the 5th and 10th of the month. So yes, the reality is that my documenting is more or less scheduled. It's totally something you can do for yourself too once you decide on the kinds of stories you want to tell. One thing I try really hard to not let into any of my memory keeping adventures is guilt - guilt over whether I am telling enough stories or the "right" stories or doing it in the "right" way. It sounds like you might feel like you aren't doing it right if you aren't consistent?

[@charlotteseehafer3243]

I try to spend Sunday afternoons (Scrapbook Sunday) to work on projects. It has taken a couple of years, but I have become more consistent with making the time each week. Pick a day and time that works for you and write it on your calendar. Good luck!

[@amksamuels]

I adore you🥰

[@AliEdwardsDesignInc]

Thanks Annie!