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

[Margaret]

I must admit I often say " I will do it after I finish <insert task here>" then get to the end of the day and have no gas left in the tank. Think I might try this one too!

[sara]

What a fun contest! I'm hoping to make an album in a week too, and like you, I'm thinking that maybe this one will really happen. I think it will be so neat when it's completed. Thanks for the inspiration, and the chance to win!
Sara

[Erin Glee]

Ali is so inspiring~I love to read her blog, but I don't have any of her books~yet! I feel like I know her and want to throw the biggest baby shower in the world for the Edwards Family!

[buttercupyaya]

I heart Ali Edwards. This is the statement on repeat in my head everytime I see her name in Creating Keepsakes or any other scrapping mag I receive (there are like 4). Scrapbooking for me is an outlet and a vice. It has become more like an obsession. As I do it at my dining room table until the wee hours of the night, I dream of the beautiful space I'll one day have---but I scrap like I'm already in that place.
thank you for recognizing her here...she truly is a shutter sister.

[Julie]

I'm in, I love Ali, she has such cool simple ideas. One week, I can do this right?!

Julie

[Cindy]

Ooooh, Ali is so inspiring both in her scrapbooking and photography! I would love to own all of her books.

[Cris]

"Prepare to be inspired". I think I'll use that as my mantra for this week and I will seriously try to participate in Ali's challenge...especially since I love Autumn and have been meaning to go for a walk and take pics. Looking forward to what you come up with, also!

Thanks for this chance! Cheers!

[Kim]

ALi's inspiring, and so are your photos. Sometimes, It's easier to do things when we've got company...I'll try to take photos over a week too!

[Rumyana]

I love Ali’s style and work. Everything she does is just so perfect. I have got one of her books and cannot explain how much she has influenced me and pointed me in the right direction. I would love to have the chance to read her other books. Thank you for the opportunity.

[Cathy]

I am going to dive in and take Ali up on the invitation...I have read the articles in Creating Keepsakes and thought that would be cool to do...Well this time I'm going to just do it...What could be more fun? A week in the life of MOM, 2nd Grade Teacher, wife, scrapbooker...YIPPEE!!! off to start the TO DO LIST

[MACLARK]

I too find her work (and life,admittedly) so inspiring. Right here and now, I am commitimg to this week project (altho my heart is full of but, but, but!!!!) I would love to win her books, a fall full of inspiration!! Thanks for the opportunity!

[Debbie McIntyre]

Love Ali's work and plan on trying her project a try next week. Finding a new blog and a chance at winning a book....what's not to love?

[Lynnette]

HUGE fan of Ali's! I'm stoked to play along with this.

[Sarah B.R]

I'm definitely going to try to do this week's project. Love Ali's style. Would really enjoy getting her last book (mini albums). That's the only one I don't have yet.
Thanks for the giveaway. Aloha!

[J. Harmon]

Thank you for this wonderful giveaway! Ali is an inspiration, I would love to win her books!

[Vicky]

this is definately on my list, Ali is amazing!

[DebbyD]

I adore Ali's work! Thanks for this great give-a-way!

[Anastasia]

Tracey, thanks for a freat giveaway! I love Ali's blog and her ideas, that's new project of hers is great and I'll be delighted to join! And I'd like to win the books or one of them as there are almost no possibility to buy them in Russia!
Kindest regards,
Anastasia

[Patty W]

I've been following Ali's blog for a few years now and love the glimpses into her life with her hubby and gorgeous son. And I love her style of scrapping - I like especially that she embraces simplicity - and reminds us that scrapping is about the story, recording the feelings and memories, not the striving for perfection in the creation of the art. Thanks for the chance to win!

[Cathy]

I love Ali Edwards' stuff too... so having her books would be an added bonus to my collection. I've decided to attempt this "week in the life" thing too... here's hoping I can follow through and finish.

[grace]

ooh that sounds like an interesting project!

[Carol]

I LOVE reading Ali's blog. She is truly an inspiration and it is a joy to have peek into her daily life. Her family is truly blessed to have such a great summary of their lifes through her albums. I would love to have one of Ali's books to inspire me to do the same for my family!

[MicheleNZ]

I did a couple of Ali's classes when she came to NZ and she is an amazing inspiration. I love her account of everyday life and how she makes the 'normal' seem more special somehow.
Definitely going to look at doing this project over the next week.
btw - Im glad all of this brought me to your website - look forward to following your blog.

[Jami Keyes]

I love the idea of this project, I can't wait to get started, and I would love to have the rest of her books to add to my collection.

[Mitch Green]

I live Ali's work, so simple but so detailed. Not sure if I could do the week project just yet. Something to look forward to... will be following the blog :-)

[KLim]

I've just visited your site for the 1st time. Am very keen on photography & digital scrapbooking, but finding time is quite a challenge. I love to read about what others are doing, so it's great to be here.

[Rachel]

Can't wait to try this week in the life of - so great to document the ordinary every day stuff :)

[Heather V]

I am totally inspired by Ali and I've been following her blog for a while now. I'm going to try her project too! It is doable for me, as I can do a little a night!! I would love to win any of her books!! Thanks for the chance!

[PrariePoppins]

Since Ali is the one whose clean, modern style and focus on telling the story of the everyday is what is inspiring me to start scrapbooking, I'd love to have one of her titles.

Right now I've got cardstock in three neutral colours and a few simple patterns for accents. All I need now is a small sweep of time,and I'm going to start. I want to be the photojournalist of my own life, to document all the everyday things, as a gift to the future me who may find them old-fashioned and charming.

[Rebecca M]

Man, I would love a copy of each of Ali's Book! Some for me, some for Christmas presents!!

[Marta Gaud]

I love Ali's work. She is an inspiration for many scrapbookers.
Thanks for giving us this opportunity.

[Heather Saxberg]

I totally agree....ali has such a talent for combining her great photos with the stories to make a treasured books for her family. Great job!

[Bee]

Oh I hope I get lucky.. and I plan to take this challenge too.. no matter how dull my life is.

[joy]

Your site is great too--lots of creativity to be found:) I also love Ali's blog and have started scrapbooking because of her inspiring words and designs; I'd love to use her books as inspiration too.

[diane anthony]

I love Ali's ideas and so enjoy her books! I love the idea of this and being invited to participate!

[Cindi Barker]

I used to follow Ali back when I scrapbooked...but then I decided to take some photography classes so I would have better images for my scrapbooking, and somehow became obsessed with photography and now I never get around to scrapping any more. Ali is so creative and talented, this may just be the inspiration to get me back to working on those scrapbooks again! I love her approach --- simple, uncomplicated, graphic and embracing IMPERFECTION. YEA!

[Teresa L. Cotterman]

I think this will be a great way for me to see just how much my "usual life" is actually pretty spectacular. Plus, it gives me a chance to use my new camera ;)

[Chris Harris]

I just found your blog through Ali's. Awesome photography. I will be visiting often.
Chris

[Chris Harris]

I just found your blog through Ali's. Awesome photography. I will be visiting often.
Chris

[Kristina]

I just love Ali's work! I'm looking forward to taking part in this project.

[Beth S]

Ali is so inspirational, and I don't even scrapbook. I am, however, planning on doing this project...one way or another.

[Connie]

Wow, your pictures are awesome. There is an artistic sense of reality to it. I know that sounds contradictory!

[courtney]

Oh my! I would so love to win those books, Ali is awesome!

Thanks!

[amy s.]

I have been reading Ali's blog for a few months now and she has led me to you. I am touched by your relationship with your father, very similar to mine but his creative process was food. I am now a chef married to a chef and missing how much he would have loved that. I am inspired by this project and decided to start immediately yesterday(to the demise of my 13 year old daughter) and I am loving it!! It will be an extraordinary week of just the ordinary! I can't wait to follow you on your project too! Good Luck!

[Kendra]

I've been reading Ali's blog for a long time now and just found this one. Scrapbooking is such a passion for me and I'm always surprised to see photographers who don't scrap their photos. Glad you are inspired to try an album.

[ria nirwana]

Ali is always always be my inspiration. I am so in this 'class'!! It's like a week class with her in CKU.And anyone who miss this kind of chance really don't know what they'll miss!

[Immi]

I am determined to do this project. I love scrapbooking, but there's nothing in my scrapbooks about me. Although it feels awkward to focus on myself rather than on others, I think this will be good for me. I'm going to let go of worrying about whether or not anyone else will like it or think it's silly, etc. I really appreciate the talent Ali has for taking the ordinary and elevating it to a place of importance. This will be fun!

[Karly]

I think I will give this a try. :)

[Brandi Z.]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Ali's approach to everything. Clean, simple, it's okay if it is not perfect...that works for me!

[Julie Alvarez]

Oh, yes! I'm in, I'm in!
I love scrapbooking, but also couldn't keep up too long doing it each time I tried...