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

[Melanie]

You have no idea how THRILLED I would be to win! I'm going to try this project too, though at the end I'm pretty sure my album will be a lot of pictures of a messy house, diapers and my munchkins! Oh well. That really IS life around here!

[Kyla]

Ahhhh . . . scrapbooking is the outlet for all those photos I take. I'm absolutely addicted! I'll definately be doing a "Week in the Life" album. How fun! Thanks so much for the wonderful post and including us all in such a fab drawing!

[allison]

i've tried daily photo projects in the past and i just couldn't keep up with it.
hoping that just doing it for one week will work out.
looking forward to it.

[{vicki}]

Ali is my biggest inspiration! SHE ROCKS!!

Unfortunately, I have never taken one of her classes, I am so excited about taking part in doing this documentation.

LETS GO!

{vicki}

[Bree]

Hoping to win!! Ali is my favorite and I'm playing along with the project too :-)

[Jennifer]

I'm in! I love the energy and momentum that come from being part of something bigger. I do tend to overlook the everyday, to see my life as 'same-old,' and constantly look ahead. I want to slow down, document, revel, and relax and I'm looking forward to this experience as a way to do all those things.

[Karmen McKillip]

ALI ROCKS! I love her! And I"ve LOVE to win her books!!!!

[Debbue]

Wow, I would love to have Ali's books. I just love her. thanks

[Jen W.]

I hope I can follow through with this project...I love to scrapbook, but I don't have any scrapbooks about myself or my daily life. I have been trying to put one together, but it hasn't happened yet. I guess since I am a mom I think my life is not very exciting....

[Karen]

Ali is a powerhouse of inspirational. Beautiful, generous soul and I love her work. I've never done anything like this before but have decided to play along too and I can't wait to get started.

[jenlancaster]

What a neat idea! I'm just getting into digi scrapping after a nearly 7 year hiatus from traditional scrapbooking (my oldest is 6-1/2...see any correlation?). I'll definitely have to try this!

[Aileen]

I read Ali's blog on occasion and love her approach to scrapbooking everyday things. I would love to read her books too!

[Michelle Adams]

Another digiscrapper here too. I'm taking a photo a day, so this has peaked my interest too!

[susan]

Ali is a wonderful inspiration. I don't usually have time (make time?) to play along with her weekend creatives, but I'm very tempted this time.

[Janine]

Yeah, I have the greatest intentions on scrapbooking too. I just never seem to have the time. I want to do it, I really do.

[Jakes Mom]

I love this project.

[Jennifer BUtler]

I scrapbook all the time. I usually just do big things, like birthday’s, holidays, etc.
It would be nice to do some layouts of my everyday life. I think it’s a great idea.
Jenn
NYC

[StacyS.]

I love scrapbooking and have found more of my passion for it in the last year - some of my best work yet! Scrapbooking has also made me a better photographer. I am more aware now of how to get a great picture and learning how to use more of the settings on my slr. Ali is a great inspiration and I read her blog daily:)
Great blog - there are some amazing photos here that are really inspiring:)
StacyS. (Alberta, Canada)

[Jakes Mom]

I love this project. I was fortunate enough to take this class with Ali 2 years ago. I loved how it turned out. Many people stopped me on the street to ask if I was a reporter doing a story. I said, well yes, of my own life. It was so much fun. I plan to do it again, it will be interesting to see what has changed, hopefully my photography is better or at least my perspective.

[Maureen]

I don't scrapbook either but I love Ali's blog, love fall, and thought this is a good way to Just Do It.

As a woman in her mid 60s, still in the middle !, I want to document what it is that makes today special. I'm thinking of this as a mixedmedia gratitude journal.

[Scrappee Diane]

I have been scrapbooking for for over 6yrs now and I'm still amazed and inspired by Ali Edwards. My style has changed lots over those six years and now I'm trying to capture the everyday more and more. Those are the things I will want to review when I'm old and the memory is fading. LOL

[Josefin]

I've planned on doing a week in the life since I first came across the project in Life Artist, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Somehow it always seems to end with me not taking (what I feel to be) enough photos, and then I just put it off til next week. Which then of course becomes the week after that and the week after that.. Hopefully this time I'll make it!

[Danette]

Ali is awesome. Would love to have her books! Thanks for the opportunity.

[Tagnia Clark]

I love Ali's work. I do not own the books unfortunately so what a wonderful opportunity. I will be playing along with the week in the life challenge

[Leida]

I read Ali's blog every morning while I have my cup of coffee..... love her inspiration... and I am looking forward to joining in on this project. I can't wait :).

[creativediane]

I am going to do this with my adopted daughter as a homeschool project this week! I love Ali's work and have wanted to do this for a long time. I homeschool my oldest daughter and she and I are going to do this to remember these wonderful days of being together as she perseveres through her learning process!

[Shannon]

I am inspired by Ali on a daily basis and cannot wait to begin this project. Thanks for sharing it on your blog.

[BSE]

Should be a fun project.

[mary -]

ali is such an amzaing creative soul with so much inspiration to give. i would love to win all of her books - i currently only own 1.

[SandyB]

I'm definitely taking part in this project! Ali is so inspiring...she makes me think about all the everyday stuff that I normally take for granted and appreciate all parts of it.

[Rachelle Brown]

Wow, love your site! I'll be adding you to my favorites list, thanks to Ali for even more inspiration. Such a cool project too.

[sherry bamsey]

I am very excited to join Ali in this project. I too have thought my life was boring with weekly routines but I am excited to see the final prpoject completed and what my weekly life actually looks like

[Lesley C.]

Yea, I'm in the same boat. Too much of a perfectionist for scrapbooking... which is why I take pictures instead. I'm sure that many of you can relate. Though, I've followed Ali's blog for a while now and I can't help feel a twinge of guilt every time I see her new amazing spreads and wish that maybe I'd invested my creativity in something so beautiful and memorable.

So perhaps one of these books is exactly what I need. Pretty please?

[Rosa Neno]

Great idea! I am looking forward to documenting our early marriage; just got married 2 months ago, 7/12/08. Would be fun looking back on it 10 years from now.

[Shirley K.]

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

[Janette]

FOUR of Ali's books! How I would love to be one of those winners.
Thanks.

[Eleonor F.]

I am always so inspired by Ali's work. She is so great at what she does! I'm going to try to join her as well in her Week in the Life journey.

[Amanda D]

I am absolutely inspired every time I see Ali's work as well. Thanks for the chance to win her books. I hope I win!

[Beth]

Yeah! A new blog to read and follow. Thanks Ali! I love, love, love Ali's philosophy on scrapbooking - focusing on remembering stories through pictures and words and not worrying about the order or volume of what you do.

[Emilyt]

I too am putting this project on my to-do list! I have invited friends to come along with me and am glad to see all the buzz for doing something small yet will yield what I believe are big results. I visit all that is Ali on her blog everyday and agree, she is pure magic! Thanks for offering the giveaway. I can add one more blog to my stalk list now, too. ;)

[pam k]

I love Ali and her ideas. Her blog is so inspiring and I'm sure her books are as well. I am so excited to capture my true family life in such a simple way.

[Annie]

I will be joining along with Ali in the week in the life album. I am so excited to document what is happening right now. Usually I'm a couple of years behind!

[Colleen]

I am actually a scrapper and love it, but always find inspiration in Ali's work! Love your site here too!!

[Mandie Segura]

I am a huge fan of Ali's and just LOVE her style- it's so clean cut, but still very creative! Thanks for the chance to win!!!!

[Michelle]

I'll be joining Ali on her every day journey next week and am pretty excited. I'm an avid scrapbooker but very busy right now---so I have decided not to pressure myself too much and if something gets in the way this week, I will still have the experience of getting going and can always try again. But I am gonna try to keep the pace. I had a blast the other week with my new point and shoot (easy to carry around) just taking pictures of road signs in my neighborhood. Years from now, how likely is it my kids will remember the street they lived on? Let alone the ones that took us to school and back and all our favorite places? FUN! (And I got some funny looks from people passing by. haha)

[carolyn k]

This is going to be an inspiring week- with Ali's online tutelege and a new sit efor me to check out, too. I've always wanted to take this class - what a great opportunity.
ck

[Cate]

I feel totally inspired when I look at Ali's stuff too. She's really great at telling her story and sharing it with us!

[Sharon Landers]

I'm becoming a fan of Ali Edwards; love her everyday photo style. Looking forward to doing this new project!

[Kasey T]

I love Ali! I'm going to try this project even though it's out of my "safe zone"! Thanks!

[andrea]

ali inspired me on a daily basis...her scrapbooking, her writing, her artsy way - she's just very cool.