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

[lisa e.]

awesome! i loooooove to scrapbook, but every day i seem to have less and less time. truth is i have not scrapbooked since A was born and she's almost 1. Buaaa. i think i just might try the week in the life of and get my self back into scrapbooking. wish me luck =).

[Janice in Salt Lake City]

Ali is da bomb! I love how she has shared her incredible eye for design and her journey with Simon is so inspirational! And shutter sisters is inspirational as well!!

[Janice in Salt Lake City]

Ali is da bomb! She has shared her vision for design and her incredible journey with autism. Simon is such a cutie! Love the shutter sisters too!!!

[Nikki B.]

This might be just what I need to get me out of my creative funk! She is really inspirational.

[jo marks]

I'm going to try this, school holidays in oz, so won't be a normal "normal" week, but even better! Thanks Ali & Shutter Sisters,
Jo

[Lia Biscoe]

Ali is an incredible life artist and story teller. I'm thankful that she shared your site with us. I am hoping to win one of the books.
Thanks,
Lia

[Celeste Mores]

i've tried to do a whole month before, but quickly lost the mojo. a week in a life-- now that sounds more doable. i don't know if a beautiful album will come out of this, but i sure would love to know how the heck i spend my days, coz they just seem to whiz by.

[Pam]

I'm up for the challenge! I've been wanting to do something like this for a while...

[Lilymama]

I LOVE ALI!!!!

I think I'm going to be dragging my camera around with me next week - sounds like fun!

[Nancy]

Love Ali! Can't wait to get started on her cool project!

[paula]

I'm the same - craving Ali's daily blog as inspiration. It's much needed. Did you see the August CK column? I am looking forward to doing that album too.

[carrie[]

Totally have enjoyed how Ali has captured the things that are around us in our everyday lives. Thanks for the chance to win her books.

[Holly]

Love Ali. Love this blog. :)

[Yvonne]

I have just discovered this lovely blog! I'm a huge Ali fan, what an awesome giveaway! Thank you for being so generous...

[golightly]

11PM on Saturday, guess I'm cutting it close! But I figured, I love scrap booking even thought I don't always have the time for it. Why not take a chance to win some wonderful books by a talented artist!!

[Laurel]

I, too was inspired by Ali's challenge to use photos plus words as a springboard for creating something special and unique about myself and my daily life. I love the idea of the imperfections showing through, since that is what our lives are made of! :) And with a new baby and a move coming up, I think this is just the right time to be able to focus on something for me before the craziness ensues. And I'm also glad that I got to discover your blog because of the process. Thanks!

[Lesley]

Would love one of Ali's books!

[Tiffany]

Would love the books! Big Ali fan!

[Kiwimich]

Ali's challenge sounds awesome - I am definitely giving it a go! :)

[Danielle E]

I'm up for the challenge - have read through the ideas, camera is charged and photos will be taken. Hard part will be the scrapbooking - but I'm full of good intentions!

[Jules]

AE is amazing and inspiring. Love her work.

[Jeanine]

It's midnight on Saturday somewhere in the world right - hee hee. Thought I'd give it a shot.

[Linda]

I am so scrapbook challenged that I just never know where to begin so I really liked Ali's idea of scrapping a week of my life and what I do. Maybe that will get the ball rolling for me and I will get into scrapping my many, many photos that I have collected for years.

Thanks for the suggestion and I think maybe this is a place for be to be visiting more often to give me the inspiration I need so desperately. Linda

[Catherine]

Fabulous giveaway. Ali is inspiring!

[Tautchia]

Found your blog through Ali Edwards' Blog. Kewl stuff!
I love Ali!!! Please put me in the drawing!

[Meg]

I took Ali's Week in the Life class at CKU several years ago. She is a wonderful person and a great teacher and blogger.
Meg

[Michele L.]

Am I too late?

[Mel]

Ali is awesome--I wish I could be as half as creative and organized as she is. She never fails to inspire me.

[teresascraps]

I am excited to begin this project. I usually focus on others in my scrapbooking and rarely myself. I really want to do something to share with others about my own interests and everyday life.

[DanaC]

I love this idea! It is short and simple...not too overwhelming. DanaC

[Lida]

Sounds like fun. I'm going to give it a try!

[Amy T]

I too am going to join Ali in this journey. I check her blog daily, sometimes twice...LOL.

[Kristi Rogers]

I have just returned from a weekend long retreat with my sister and additional friends. I was not aware of how wonderful Ali Edwards has been to the scrapbooking world. I have not been blessed enough to attend CKU but my sister has and knows all about ALI. I am starting the "A week in the life" project now and my sister is as well. I just wanted to say how special her contribution has been and how lucky I feel to be blessed by her thorugh my sister.

[stacy gilbert]

I recently took Alis "Evolution" album track in Provo and I am always inspired by Alis work and I would LOVE copies of her books!

Stacy

[natalie]

this project looks interesting! it'll be great to see what i can come up with. i'm like you...very seldom do i complete a page, but i love to see what ali comes up with. i'm hopeful that i'll complete this project.

[kristin]

joined in. monday:
http://mainemomma.blogspot.com/2008/09/week-in-life-challenge.html

[Stephanie]

I would LOVE a chance to win Ali's new book! I love her stuff and am currently participating in the weekly peek into my life - however boring it might be!!!

[maggie]

Ali is such a wealth of inspo...I luv the above post on how I say to myself I'm gonna do this challenge or I start and never finish cause I miss a day and a beat.
Then I say to myself I will get back to it, can't tell you how many albums are left unfinished..
This will give me the inspo to complete a project from start to finish :)
Maggie

[dawny dee]

yes indeed, that ali edwards is one talented lady

[Jenn]

Oh this is so much fun.. I hope I can get caught up and play along.. what a fun give away!!

[KimmieG]

Ali's blog is the root of my addiction to all things blogged! Her work is wonderful and after finding her and following link after link ..here I am.. addicted to yet another "favorite" .. I have freaked out my husband more then once, by jumping up from behind my computer to grab my camera and get my pic of the day!