Friday's Featured Resource - Ali Edwards

Ali Edwards, Oregon Coast, Summer 2008

I don’t scrapbook. I tried it once many years ago and failed miserably. Don’t get me wrong, my pages looked pretty good but I only got 4 done. The End. But when I see the volumes of cool and imaginative scrapbooks created by the incredibly talented Ali Edwards, I swoon. Suddenly I become a scrapbook junkie. Course, I haven’t attempted it again since my first 4 pages but still, I like to look and admire what Ali has done.

When I visit Ali’s blog, I know I want to make something amazing with my photos but then I get overly-inspired and decide I’ll leave it for another day. But then today is gone. Sigh. So, when I read the invitation to join Ali in a simple project to record a week in the life of my life, my family, using my photos, featuring what I see as important today, I will admit, I got a burst of inspired energy and determination. Maybe I can do this. Maybe I’ll start today.

Why this project? Why now? I guess it’s just the thrill of having this moment in time distilled into something tangible. Something I can hold in my hands as a reminder of this priceless and fleeting moment of my life. I take photo and after photo and am usually content with that being the end result. But the idea of using photos as a springboard sparks my interest. It’s as if the photo is just part of the process. It’s a whole new perspective. And it’s as simple as a focusing in on just one week of my life. I think it sounds wonderful and I plan on taking Ali up on her invitation by following along with her on her blog to see what I can come up with. Why not?

Ali is a one woman resource and offers so much via her blog, her books, her columns, etc etc). I encourage you to click around and discover the magic that is Ali Edwards. She’s one heck of a creative gal who likes to share and sharing is good.

Speaking of sharing, Ali has offered to give away 4 books (1 copy of each title ) to lucky readers her at Shutter Sisters today. Be sure to leave a comment today to get into the running…prepare to be inspired. You have until midnight on Saturday to be included in the drawing.

Comments

[Jamie]

Oh wow...I tried starting to scrapbook last year, but my time and attention kept getting called elsewhere. Maybe this is the inspiration I need to get back in!

Thanks for sharing!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrs-eaves/2886849151/

[cindy k]

i've never been very good at scrapbooking. i get overwhelmed with the supplies. we just picked up a notebook from muji that has about eight small rectangles per page and we're trying to fill them with things from the week - receipts, movie stubs, pics, magazine clippings, etc. i'd love to win a copy of ali's book as it would surely improve our efforts ;). her work is wonderful. thanks for the giveway.

[Krista]

Ali is amazing. I've been a long-time fan since I first stumbled across her in a scrapbooking magazine (I'm thinking it was Creating Keepsakes, but I could be wrong. My memory isn't always the best, which is why scrapbooking means so much to me.)

Anyhow, I'm off to check out the invitation. I'm sure I'll want to play along!

[Pam W]

Even though I've gone to the "dark side" of scrapbooking (digital), I would love the chance to learn more from Ali. Thanks for pointing me to her blog.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/qcaller/collections/72157600296730800/

[abbey]

I am like you... I have good intentions to scrapbook...but don't get it done... blurb book is my new scrapbook! I plan on sharing Ali's info and all her cool stuff with some friends who will LOVE IT! I have to admit, I am inspired! Love the project idea!
thanks for sharing!
abbey

[Melanie]

I'm a digiscrapper and I regularly read Ali's blog. She's amazing. I'm planning to take her up on "A Week in the Life." I take photos almost every day anyway so this will force me to actually do something with them! :)

[maya]

i agree - ali is awesome!

[Heather]

I always enjoy reading Ali's ideas and I'm planning on working on the "week in the life " projects. Lots of different ways you can use that!

[Anke Humpert]

...I love Ali´s style and inpiration she gives away so freely!!! I guess I am a fan of her´s...;-))

[dr lyn]

Oh! This is the prompt I need. I love ali edwards - after I come here in the morning I go to her blog -- it's my morning creative wake-up one-two punch.

And in theory, I've been doing this all year -- now: to put it together!!

http://lynlepre.typepad.com

[Kristin]

i too love Ali's work and i have decided to also do a week in the life of me.
Cant wait to see the outcome!
Kristin

[Emily]

I could totally get lost over at Ali's blog for a few hours. Great stuff!

[Alissa]

I am *so* doing this! And I'd LOVE to own copies of her books!

[Paulette Sarsfield]

That Ali, isn't she the best??? I plan to do this project!!! She's just so inspiring:o)

[beth]

I've scrapbooked forever but haven't done a project quite like this before, so I'm playing along. I've not visited your site before but was sent here by Ali, and it's beautiful. Definitely moved it to my favorites!

[Kari]

I adore Ali. And I can't seem to find her last book. And I might just die without it.

[Heather]

I am excited about this project and I love the giveaway idea.

[Jenny]

I want to do this- thanks for the inspiration from both you and Ali!
jenny

[Shirley]

Definitely going to try to play along as well. I've tried to do this in the past on my own but "forgot" to finish it... maybe this time. The challenge for me is the writing part.

[Courtney]

All of my scrapbooking stuff is in boxes right now...I'm moving. These books would be welcome inspiration for my new scrap room.

[Angie]

I love Ali's work. I plan to do the project starting tomorrow. I did this once before (also spurred on by her blog) and it will be fun to see how much my week has changed since then. I'd love to win her books. :)

[kim m]

SO inspiring...can't wait to get started on this project. I think this will be one of those that is so rewarding to look back on in the years to come.

[Rene]

I'm the same way! When I go to Ali's blog I am totally inspired to create like a mad woman. Trouble is that I don't often have the time to do what I'm thinking and then the project gets pushed aside and forgotten :(

[Ginny Ritenour]

I'm so excited to take part in this! We're packing for a week-long vacation next week, so I'm going to wait until we come back as I'd rather document a "normal" week in the life.
Can't wait to see the finished product :-)

[Sarah A]

Ali is amazing! I can't wait to do the week in the life of book. She is truly inspirational.

[Shannon S]

Ali is the best. Love her work and I am going to do the week project. Looks fun.

[Irene Mueller]

I've never owned an Ali book, but sure would love one! Thanks for sharing. I think I have a new favorite site...yours! bookmarked :)

[Erica]

Sounds like an awesome project .. I can't wait to try :)

[Donna]

ali is awesome!

[Cindy]

her site is inspiring... i am still scrapping 2002 but I keep taking those picutures! Early retirement activity planning... that is what I call it. Have a fantastic Friday ladies!

[asnipofgoodness]

I have followed and admired Ali for a long time, I love her style, and her no frills approach to scrapbooking! This week in the life idea, is wonderful! I can't wait to play along.

[Sarah C]

When I grow up, I want to be just like Ali Edwards! Really looking forward to working on this project.

[Jennifer Alfonso]

I love Ali! What a great prize!

[Andrea C]

Ali's work is inspiring. I would love her book.

[heidi y]

Wow, what a great giveaway!! I took a class by Ali, and she really jump-started my 'scrapbooking'. She is so inspiring. I love her simple take on scrapbooking - especially when she creates mini-albums!

[Splendorfalls28]

This is a lovely site! Totally agree on how inspiring Ali can be!

[Suzanne]

I love to scrap, and I love Ali! Would love to have her books to go with the inspiration she gives!

[fran heupel]

Ali Edwards creates some awesome pages. Very clean lines and tells the story. So many people get caught up in the embellisments and what pattern paper to use instead of scrapping the picture and writing down their journaling. Ali is definitely a wonderful example of how to tell the story.

[kristin]

what a great idea, i too am not a scrap booker but why not? i document my everyday with my camera, my blog, why not put them to paper. inspiration for sure, or maybe a challenge. ok i am in.

[Lin08]

An Ali book would definitely help me get my scrapbooking mojo back--thanks for the contest.

[sandy]

this seems like a very manageable "all about me" project. I've wanted to do an album like that for a while, but it seems too overwhelming. I'm sure I can handle a week! Ali is such an amazing inspiration- I'm not sure how she sleeps at night with all those ideas swirling around her head!!

[Lisa]

I'm SO excited about this. I love capturing the everyday and don't do it often enough. It will be so fun to look back on what we were doing at this point in our lives, in 2008. I would love to see a glimpse of my mom's "week in the life" at a similar point in her life, when I was a kid. What did we do each day? What were the everyday routines? Something so simple and yet so interesting.
Oh, and I'd love to win one of Ali's amazing books! ;)

[Karlynn]

Ali is truly inspirational and an amazing, wonderful person!! Thank - You for such an AWESOME giveaway!!!!!

[kristi b]

I am inspired to try this week in the life project too! I love that you work with what you have & NO pressure!

[Stephanie D]

she is such a great inspiration for those of us who like to capture our memories!

[kristin]

nice! love the prompt to take some time to put next week's story together. thanks.

[staci]

i agree, i love Ali's work... so inspiring... i check her blog every day.

[Crystal]

Huge Ali fan! Always inspired by her creative proceeses. Thanks for the great giveaway!

[Amy P]

Well, here we go. I have always avoided 'words' -- something Ali is big on, but this project seems doable. Intimate (because its about daily life), but not intrusive. Here we go!

[Debbie]

I do scrapbook...I love papercrafting, I love keeping and making memories for my family. I follow Ali for several reasons and have taken classes from her. Her style may be different from mine, but I always am inspired by her blog, her books and her life.