Wednesday 9 December 2015

My December Memories Album: Come On In!

It's about a week, now, since I spotted the sign. It was blu tacked to the inside of a shop window, nothing fancy, not even nicely lettered; but it has stayed on my mind because it sounded just so ..real.

Come on In! it said. We are rocking December in here!

And as I have a few of the first of my December pages to show today, I thought I'd invite you to do the same. Come on in!

From High In The Sky: December Memories

I didn't make an album last year, nor the year before. I made some pages, but not a book. This year I felt I had to do something. Our girl - that Christmas lover who in my first December's blogging was little enough to be known as The Small One -  is halfway through her last year at school. These days aren't going to come round again. I had to make a record. I'm going to fill in as much as I can now; but I'm leaving space, too, for her own words, later, after I give it to her on Christmas morning. And so, it starts like this...


The Gossamer Blue December Memories kit I'm using has a mix of Life Pages style cards and Planner pages. The Planner pages? I'm filling them in as a diary, all the while keeping in mind what I'd  like to know now, if I had an album from my last year at school. What was for dinner? What was the main event at school every day? What did things cost?

From High In The Sky: December Memories
One of my Christmas cards tucked into a pocket. And a younger Fair family..

But in between I'm adding pages with stories from Christmas in her past: right from the beginning, when she wore a pink wool coat with a matching bonnet. We've been talking in the afternoons, when she gets in from school, about what we each remember

From High In The Sky: December Memories
At a special graduation: her first Christmas in pink coat and bonnet

and then I've been racing upstairs to write it down while she's working.

And when we take a break, and do something festive, I add a page about that, too:

From High In The Sky: December Memories
How to make bark: though she's unlikely to forget..

These are most of the first week's pages. You can see some of the Planner peeking through above: there are two photos of our Learner Driver to go into that pocket. I'm waiting for a fresh delivery of ink and photo paper to arrive (but at least I have some of our peppermint bark to munch on as I listen for the door). Then I'll be off, printing the next batch of pictures. Week Two? I'm thinking about Christmas clothes down the years. Oh, and I'm hoping we'll have our tree up by Saturday. More soon!

23 comments:

Eileen T said...

This is such a thoughtful gift, full of love and happy memories. I'm sure she will treasure it for ever.

helena said...

so delightful for you to make and her to receive - wish I had one from my last Christmas at school

Ali said...

This is brilliant x

Sandra said...

I just knew that when you did a December album, I was going to love it! ... and love it I do. I've already pinned it

Jane said...

what a lovely gift, she will be thrilled

Ruth said...

She is going to love it! I suspect there may be a few damp eyes on Christmas morning.

Linda said...

awww! That is so lovely Sian! I am sure she will treasure it forever. Can't wait to see more....

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Oh, what a wonderful treasure trove of Christmas past and present it will be. We had the same advent calendar every year throughout my childhood. Sadly binned when my Mum moved. I think the pictures behind the doors are firmly engraved on my memory though.

Patio Postcards said...

I like the first story, thoughtful parents pinning the stocking on the landing. This is such a gift; a gift of love, time & the stories told so lovingly through a Mother's memory ... very envious. You are SO rocking this December journal.

Lizzy Hill said...

Almost made me tear up. As in sob. Oh, to have a daughter. Sigh. And the Best Presents & most disappointing ones. You've gotta cover that!!! Love every bit of this:)

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

What a precious gift this will be at Christmastime, Sian. Your girl is certain to treasure this for always! ♥

Mitralee said...

so magical! love love love this!

Karen said...

This is such a fabulous way to do a December Memories album. I love the inclusion of the planner pages. Maybe another year, I'll add that in. The Not-So-Small-One is a very lucky girl!

Maggie said...

What a lovely gift and keepsake. You must be pretty confident she doesn't look at your blog....

Sian said...

No: She does look sometimes, I know that. And she's very welcome. I have a rule: I never say anything on the blog I wouldn't say to someone's face. If she wants to know she can ask. If she wants to keep on not knowing, that's fine by me too

scrappyjacky said...

It's going to be just lovely,Sian..

alexa said...

How lovely, and so very special ... The blending of now and then is so potent. Beautifully done.

Melissa said...

This is going to be such a treasure for The Small One! :) I just love how you're adding in memories through the years along with this year's stories! We're hoping to put our tree up tomorrow, too.

Jennifer Shaw said...

This will be such a wonderful gift. Love that older photo of your family.

Jo said...

This is going to be such an amazing gift and I have to say I am ever so slightly jealous, I'll certainly be thinking of her receiving it on Christmas morning!

Cheri said...

I love this idea and wish I'd thought to do it for my own children. She will love it!!!

Missus Wookie said...

Oh I remember those feelings. So glad you are doing this project.

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful album Sian :)

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