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

[Tami K]

Ali's blog is one of only a couple I visit almost daily. I love the clean simple way she documents her life.

[Jo Ann L]

Hey there,
I'm a new stay at home mom, which means more time for me to scrapbook! Everyday i discover new things, reading blogs is one of them! I've been putting off a project like this, even with all the time on my hands, i think this contest (and Ali's blog) will help encourage me to get the movin! Oh, and i hope to win those books.

[gemma errington]

Ali is truely inspirational. I love reading her blog. I love how her pages focus on the pictures and the words.

[AmyB]

I am so excited about the Week in my life project. This comes at perfect time as next week should just be ordinary.

[carolyn hall]

I have been a big fan of Ali's work and creativity for years. I would love to win. I love your blog too!!

[kerianne]

Ali is amazing...and you sound a lot like me...inspired by Ali and overwhelmed with what to do with all the photos!!

[Joyce]

I'd like to be inspired. Have a great weekend.

[kristi]

i tried to do this on my own last year and petered out! i get so much inspiration from ali's perspective and style.

[Jenny M]

I am excited for the chance to win Ali Edward's book. I just read her blog about this challenge and will add her blog to my favorites so I can follow along this week. It sounds like a fun chanllenge. Thanks for sharing, Jenny

[Amanda]

Ali is amazing. love her simple but stunning pages!

[tammy t]

Love following Ali and being inspired by her. Really looking foward in taking part in this challenge and capturing life right now!

t

[KC Brunson]

I'd love a chance to win. Ali's blog is very inspirational.

[Kristinah]

Ali's books always look so awesome! I would love to win a copy!!
I can't wait to document my " week in the life..." It's my last week in a job that I love, to set out on the adventure of my very own classroom. It's certainly worth remembering, that's for sure!

[Sus N.]

I am totally with you! I have 2 12x12 pages scrapped from my wedding (5 years ago!!!) and I'm starting small again... this time I actually completed a mini chipboard book of my daughter's 2nd bday. I'm gonna take Ali's challenge and try to document my week...

[Bronwen]

I have been a fan of Ali Edwards since about 2005 when I stumbled across her work on Two Peas in a Bucket. Living in SA I was never able to attend CKU and do her "A Week in the Life" class, so I am SO thrilled to be able to do it now and have her wonderful inspiration to get it done!
Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway :o)

[Heather]

Oh, my. Yes, yes, yes please. I adore Ali, her style speaks to me and I just love all of her work.

[cblair]

I am on the other side, in that I scrapbook (or scraplift) but cannot take photos very well. I am happy to find your blog and will add it to my favorites. I do love Ali and am blessed to have been in her classes a few times!

[melissa o.]

It's easy to see why you got inspired by Ali. I know I always do whenever I see her work.

[Leah G]

I've been a fan of Ali's for several years now. I haven't scrapbooked much in the past couple of years, but I keep saying that I need to get back into it. . .

[tatsiana]

Great idea! Usually I'm not very organized person and try to avoid this type of projects, however this time I'll try to actually do it:) Very exciting!!

[Gina]

I love Ali Edwarda and all her stuff. she is a true inspiration to me in my scrapbooking and challenges me daily to look at my everyday life. i follow her blog and her columns and enjoy reading all that she writes. thanks for sharing with her about the beauty of words+photos to document life!

[Trish]

I love Ali Edwards scrapbook style.

[Kelly D.]

Ali Edwards ... amazing! I'm heading right back to your blog as soon as I finish this comment. Everyday life ... what a wonderful keepsake for your children or, yikes, your children's children.

I would love to win the books to keep me inspired. : )

[Mandi Buchanan]

Ali is such an inspiration to me. She has definitely helped me to unclutter my scrapbooking world and just enjoy the process of creating and appreciating all the little things. Thanks!

[Sharyn]

I agree... Ali's work is definitely inspiring! I'm planning to do the week in the life project next week, too! -Sharyn

[mati]

Love Ali! Would love to read + be inspired by her books :)

[emily]

Maybe if I win one of her books I'd actually use all of the scrapbooking stuff I have but am afraid of committing to. :)

[Cristina]

Doing Ali's "A Week in the Life" 2 years ago absolutely changed my life and the way I view my art. And I SWORE I would never be a "scrapper." Now I am fully obsessed. :)
xoxo
Cristina

[Cora]

Totally. Ali Edwards is so inspiring! I'm going to attempt this process also.

[Chrisanna]

Ali's project sounds awesome! She is so inspiring. I would love to own her books.

[Ann Meyer]

Love Ali's creativity. She inspires so many people by sharing her stories. Glad to hear you are giving this a try.

Best of luck. Relax and have fun.

[Nicb]

I am definitely inspired by Ali's work, and am planning my week in the life book as I write this....can't wait to do it!

[Lindy]

I'm not a scrapbooker- I print my photos and put them in photoboxes. I love being able to thumb through them all. I am in AWE of those that do scrapbook- so much creativity!!

[Mary]

I am so happy that Ali has a blog to follow. She really is an inspiration to many. I plan on doing her challenge too, but it will probably be a week late as my camera bit the dust and I need to get out to purchase a new one.
Thanks

[Joy T.]

I am a fan of Ali's! She is sooo inspiring and this project is a wonderful one!

[krista]

.....can't refuse a give-away! :)
off to check out the invitation now!

[Lynn]

I did a "week in the life album" 2 years ago. It was during my mothers transplant operation, so of course alot of hospital references! I am really looking forward to doing another album now that she is well!

[Amy]

Amazing as always Ali is an inspiration of what to do to create art from photos and document the everyday.

[Lisa D]

I can't wait to do this activity as well. Big Ali fan.

[Laura]

I'm in for the week!

[Lori Bartlett]

I love Ali's 7 day album idea and I can't wait to try it!
And I sure could use some more of her inspiration, since I seem to have hit a very bad dry spell.

[Susy]

I wish there was a clock on your site (smile). Living in a different part of the world, I haven't a clue what time of day it is in your part.

[Kara]

So, it's only a week, right? That's do-able... even with my crazy busy life.

[Kirsty]

I think I'll jump on this bandwagon this week too!!!

[kathy]

I am new to scrapping and to these creative blogs, but I love how this new passion has opened up the world for me and made me notice the beauty in the details. Of scrap pages, but also of everyday life. I see things better than I have, and that comes from trying to put together a visual image that conveys a certain message. Ali is very inspiring, as are you!

[Dena]

I am doing this kind of daily record for September. It has been wonderful and hard and tiring and eye-opening. Yes, I am enjoying it and hate to see it end. I will try a week in October thanks to Ali's blog.
Dena

[Michelle]

What an excellent idea -- capturing all of the little things that make up our life. Things we normally consider too small to scrapbook.

[Heather S]

I'd love to get Ali's books! I'm in on this project too, what a fun way to a document the everyday.

[Naomi]

I love Ali's work. I am like you in that I scrapbook very few pages, but I do try to keep plugging away. Ali is definitely an inspiration for that. This project is on my list for this week!

[Donna]

I love Ali!