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

[Therese]

I was lucky enough to take this class with Ali several years ago. It changed the way I approach telling my family's story. I need a refresher. Enjoy!

[LauraU]

I am a huge Ali fan and was thrilled to discover her digitial templates at Designer Digitals. I travel so much I scrapbook almost 100% digital these days. I can't wait to put a digital/hybrid spin on this project.

[lora]

LOVE scrapbooking. when i was pregnant with my only son i pre-made all his pages for a year. i knew i wouldn't have time once he was here. it's been 3 years and i haven't even touched a photograph to one single page, yet. but i know there will be a day when i'm looking for a reminiscent hobby to indulge myself in while my son is off doing cooler things with Daddy. =)

then i'll have a field day with all of these amazing photos of our beautiful life together. =)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28987938@N00/

[Gracie]

Love your site! Love the inspiration Ali provides! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!

[Rose Huffman]

Love your blog. I love Ali's work. I love taking pictures and I take them with scrapbooking in mind but the process always scares me that what I have in my head won't turn out. Perhaps I should just do it and try again:)

[Julie S.]

A great project... think I'll give it a try!

[Helen]

I read Ali's blog everyday. I love her take on scrapbooking and telling our own unique stories.

[Ann]

I used to scrapbook, then I stopped. Then I started again, then stopped. I'm a huge Ali Edwards fan though, so I'd love some of her inspiration... alispiration.

[Beth]

Two words: Ali ROCKS!

[Shannon R.]

I love Ali's blog. She is such an inspiration.

[Irene Lenihan]

I love the work that Ali does too. But I've also learned from her that you need to do your own thing your own way. So I use her examples as inspiration and "do my own thing".

[Katie Johnson]

Ali is my hero. I am constantly inspired by her ideas. She has such a simple, realistic approach to her scrapbooking and I dig it. Saying I'm a fan of hers is truly an understatement!

[Diane]

Pick me! (Please)

[Dawn H]

I love Ali and her style. Her projects are amazing and I will be joining her in this project next week! can't wait!! Dawn H

[Tracey Denholm]

Oh, I'd love to win some inspiration. I love to buy scrapbooking supplies. They look so pretty at the store, then I get them home and think,"What was I going to do with this?" I'm going to try to play along next week and actually accomplish something.
Tracey

[carol kolakowski]

I can't wait to start on this project!
: )

[Sarah]

I LOVE Ali, too! And I'm so excited to do this week-in-the-life project and have her do it along with us! I always enjoy looking at her finished projects, but this way it's almost like scrapbooking with a friends and we're all working on it at the same time! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

[Susan Wilson]

I'd love to have copies of her books. I've seen them at our scrapbook store, but haven't had the $$ in my budget to purchase them. What a wonderful reference they would be as I make scrapbooks for my grandchildren.

Thanks for the offer....so generous!

[Heather G]

Another big Ali fan. Hope to keep up with her this next week.

[Tracey Denholm]

Oh, I'd love to win some inspiration! I love to buy scrapbooking supplies. They look so pretty at the store, then I get them home and think "what was I going to do with this?' I'm going to try to play along this week and actually accomplish something.
Tracey

[Carrie]

Please enter me in the draw, too!

[Lisa]

I love reading Ali's blog. She is so inspiring! I love her simple approach to scrapbooking,etc. I would love to enter to win any of her books.
I am planning to do her "week in the life" project...starting with this Sunday..my birthday. It will be an unusual week though, as I am moving my daughter, so only one day of work this coming week. Oh well! :)
Lisa

[Bonnie]

I'm going to attempt to do this project along with Ali and everyone else. With her support I think I can do it! Can wait to get started.

[Kelly Rodgers]

I am a big fan of Ali too - and can't wait to play along!!

[Darcey]

I love Ali! I am going to participate in her "Week in the Life." I am so looking forward to it. Would love her books!

[Susan E in VA]

I love Ali's work! I read her blog daily and I'm always inspired. I'm planning to do this project along with her.

[Jenny Rebecca]

I have been reading Ali's blog for years now, she is always SO inspiring! I really love her scrapbooking style and her blog writing is fantastic.

[camerashymomma]

wow, what a great resource! i love the idea of using photos as a springboard into some other art form. thanks for all the links too! i love that photo of her too, i can see right into her personality and it makes me want to know her! :)

[Toni]

Ali is amazing! I love her work!

[Carolyn]

I found your blog through a link on Ali's. I'm going to bookmark it now and add it to my favorites to check.

[Alisa D]

This project is going to be fun, Ali is a favorite of mine.

[JoanJ]

I LOVE Ali and her projects! They make you think about your self and your life.
And I love the clean design of her minibooks.

[Kim G]

I love A Week In The Life....I did it last summer and it is my best collection of photos...ever.

[joyce]

Wow! Great give away! Ali Edwards is a wonderfully talented scrapper and author. Love her style!

[Tracie]

I used to stress over my scrapbook pages until I realized that the most important reason I scrapbook is to create a record, a family history of sorts, for my kids. I do very simple pages and love having these books to share with my kids. I love the idea of doing a week in the life. I think I'll be doing this at some point!

[Crystal LaDoux]

Wow this is great I would love to win one of Ali's books!

[Jodi]

I am so excited about this project! I am always inspired by Ali's focus on the "everyday." It keeps me grounded and forces me to appreciate every single moment for what it is.

[Lindsey]

Ali's blog is one of my favorites!! I love her work and she is such an inspiration to me!

[Carol M]

I am going to do this project. Sounds so fun, can't wait to get started. Would also LOVE to own those books for even more inspiration. Thanks to you both.

[Susanne]

I check Ali's blog everyday and am so inspired by her. I am definitely on board with capturing a week of my life in pictures, words, etc and would love to have her books!

[Nicky Anderson]

Ali is all inspiring!!! Love her work and how much she motiviates me.
Nicky Anderson

[Amy]

Yay for you for joining in with Ali for the "Week in the Life" project. I took her class last year and learned SO MUCH from the week of photos. I refer back to that album often.

That Ali is one inspiring woman! Follow her lead. Document. As she says, it's all about the words and the photos.

Good luck with the project this week. You'll be glad you did it.

[Maryn]

My boyfriend is coming home for a week before he deploys and I think this would be a great project to document what our regular life is like to send with him. Ali is so inspirational - thanks for doing a giveaway of her books!

[Tiffani]

Ali's blog is daily reading for me. It has been hard to get to scrapbooking in the midst of life lately. But I too am inspired by the challenge and am going to give it a go.

[Teresa B]

I love Ali. She is so inspiring. Heres hoping I get the Week in my life project done:)

Teresa

[Wendy]

I love Ali! My all time favorite scrapbook artist! I would love to be entered:)

[Terri Paulson-Sasaki]

I am starting this project today, especially since I have a one day trip planned to Fresno for a football game.

[caryl]

Everything is always more fun with friends...

[Jennifer McNeely]

I've been a fan of Ali's since her Hall of Fame win way back when. Even went to Cape Cod (I live in Ottawa Canada) to go to some classes taught by her (I figured it would be the closest she would come to Canada!!). Anyway, I have her books, but it would be nice to win and donate it. Can't wait to do this project with her.

[Aggie]

Ali is my scrap idol. I love her style and I love her vision. I will be doing her project next week with her :)