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

[Nancy L]

I love Ali's ideas and am contemplating trying this idea of 'Week of photos'. Am checking out your blog for the first time and like it!

[kathryn]

Ali is such an inspiration! This weekend creative project sounds fun and not too overwhelming. I think I will join in.

[Melissa C.]

Ali is so inspirational! My day would not be complete without her blog!! :-)

[Tammy M.]

I so LOVE Ali!! I love her style and just her take on life. She always insipres me to pieces! Would love to be inspired even more by winning one of her books....and I will be doing her challenge on her blog "A Week In Your Life" Challenge....sounds like tons of fun!

[Angela]

I've been anxiously awaiting Ali's latest book to hit my LSS; thank you for the chance to win one here. She is truly an amazing and inspiring artist - her articles are the first ones I read each month in CK and her blog is filled with fun and practical suggestions for documenting your life. Thanks again!

[Jessica]

I'm feeling that inspired feeling too! I like when someone helps me step by step. I'm jumping in!

[Danielle C.]

Ali is always inspiring and never ceases to amaze with her talents! Would love to get a copy of her books! Thanks!

[Angie]

I week in my life...aaah I'm a new mom to a 2 month old baby boy - In his first month I took 983 pictures of him...His second month I went dramatically higher...so, any excuse to take more pictures is a plus in my book... I am going to do a week in the life of my son...It would be wonderful for him to see (when he grows up) what his routine was like as a baby from going to the baby sitter to late night feedings...Ugh!
Great idea Ali

[marcy]

I just started reading about scrapbooking and collage and I am a little intimidated, but excited to get going....

[Jaime-Lynn]

I love her work!!

[Amy S]

Ali is amazing. Like you, scrapbooking always seems like a good idea, but somewhere between idea and execution I lose my inspiration. This project seems doable!

[Sandee]

I can see from the hundred of posts that a lot are excited about doing this project..or just the chance to win one of Ali's books. Either way it's a win win situation! I can't wait to do my own, whether I win or not...it's going to be fun!

[Lisa]

Love Ali's work - and would love her books.
Pick me, please!

[Eileen]

What a fabulous idea... I can't wait to get home and grab my camera. I stumbled here from lurking at Chookooloonks and couldn't be happier!

[Karen Robbins]

I really love Ali Edwards! She has the greatest blog and her simple/clean-lines approach to scrapbooking is really appealing to me right now. I went through the longest dry patch not scrapbooking because I was so overwhelmed (by life mostly) but because I would be so side-tracked with all the scrapbooking supplies/creative choices that I couldn't focus on actually getting a project done! Thanks to Ali I actually just finished my first actual mini album project in 2 YEARS (!) and I was eager to start another one while my enthusiam was high. I would really like to have one of her books--pick me!

[TracyBzz]

I love Ali's blog. I am a scrapbooker with all the pretty embellishments, but I love her words+photo concept. Those are the 2 main components of scrapbooking.

[kathy]

I would love, love, love to win Ali's books. She is very inspiring!!
Kathy

[Michelle]

I love Ali Edwards and find her so inspirational...would love her books!

Thanks for the opportunity!

[Julia in MI]

I am hoping, or I should say planning, on taking up Ali's invitation to join her next week for this one week album. I think it is a great idea. And please enter my name into the giveaway. Thanks!

[Rachel A.]

You're so right. Ali really is an inspiration. I am also going to try her 'a week in the life' project. Sounds simple, but we'll see.

[Robin]

I think this idea of scrapping for one week sounds great. I have been getting inspired to scrapbook, but just haven't really done it yet. Would love to be in the drawing for Ali's books. Thanks. -Robin

[Yvonne]

I'm going to try this - it sounds like a lot of fun!

[ELLIE]

OMG - I find Ali so very inspiring - how she does it all is beyond me - but I LOVE LOVE LOVE looking at her projects and being inspired to do something with my photos ...
I would so love one of her books - inspiration to look at all the time - thanks for this chance!
Peace--Ellie

[Ashley]

Ali is my scrapbooking hero :) Thanks for the chance to win her books!

[Sudha N]

I've had a tough year with a multiple pregnancy, and restricted activity level -- so I've hardly scrapbooked. Am on bedrest now, so this will be a bed rest view of my life :-) Will be nice to look
back upon.

[Lana]

Ali is an awesome human being. I would LOVE to have one of her books.

[Sarah Costa]

She is amazing... thanks for the new inspiration

[Audrey]

I absolutely adore anything this woman does! She is the ultimate scraper/photograpgher/artist. She's just too cool. I would be tickled pink to win some of her books so I could try to absorb even more of her coolness!

[Kit]

I agree! Ali is such a wonderful person, inspiring and allways looking for the everyday miracles. I have great admiration for her!
I'd love to have her laterst mini-books book, thats the only one i still don't have....

[Diane Schuller]

I truly love this idea very much. Trouble is, I live a much too mundane life. Like an unused muscle, I am slowly beginning to atrophy. I'll have to continue to take photos of nature and those who are willing to step in front of my camera.

[Mindy]

I love Ali! I love Scrapbooking! And now it looks like I'm loving your website too!

[kim strother]

Can't wait to get started on this Ali project! I've never looked at my life this close before...should be an adventure!

[MichelleC]

i have promised myself to do this. for me and my family and then i will do it for my husband as well!

[julie]

I'd love a chance at the books - thanks for the contest!

[Wendy]

pick me! Pick me!

[Linds]

I haven't done one of these projects before, but I am so going to love trying now!

[melissa z]

Love the picture inspiration (both here and at Ali's blog). Thanks so much!

[Lauren]

What a WONDERFUL gift to offer! I LOVE Ali's work and I going to play along with this project! What a great idea... particularly about the gas prices, etc. I love seeing old photos that reveal differences between then and now. And typically, they are ordinary, everyday photos... a great reminder you don't just have to shoot something big! Thanks! :)

[Steph Wiese]

Wow. I am inspired. My mother never kept photo albums or took enough pictures to really capture our childhood. The things I want to be able to look back on are the things that make you say "those were the days" or "I remember that dress". I wanted to know who my mom was and how she viewed herself as a mom, as a wife, as a friend, as a woman. Ali's project "A Day in the Life" is more than inspiring... its life changing and memory making.

Although I do not have children of my own right now, what an incredible way for me to start the process of my life with my husband... so our kids can see who were before we were parents. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[Margaret Read]

Ali is absolutely amazing!!! Her blog is apart of my daily routine, and I always leave her blog feeling motivated, inspired, and enlightened!

[eira]

Oh how I'd love to get one of Ali's books! Her work is so inspiring! I'm thinking about joining "the challenge" of an Everyday Book too...but no commitments *lol*.
Greetings from Austria,
eira

[Kim]

I'm glad I found this blog through Ali's site and I think I will be a regular as well as participate in the challenge over at Ali's.

[JoAnn]

I would LOOOOOOOOVE a copy of those books!

[Shabina]

i love ali's style. count me in for the drawing, please!

[Erica Hettwer]

I'm really looking forward to documenting a week in my life this way. I've always wanted to go to a CKU and this is the next best thing.

[lawrenbc]

I am a big Ali fan and I'm so excited to revisit A Week in the Life -- I did the album in October 2007 and now I will do a followup exactly a year later!

Here is my original album... http://lawrencoope.typepad.com/photos/a_week_in_the_life/index.html

[marg]

so excited about this... and scared a bit, too. ali has been inspiring me, as you spoke about. i love how she preserves memories. i have been on the verge of jumping into scrapbooking for a few months now and with this project i am going to do it. i have way to much going on now (3 kids, husband who works a lot, and i am finishing my social work degree at long last), but feel as if this is an invitation i can't refuse. there's more reason to just give it a try, and ali is so inviting and open to be in on it with me (us). i would love her books, as she is just such an inspiration. the more you read about her the more you want to read. thanks!
-marg

[Tonia]

Ali has definately inspired me to really look at my scrapbooking and to think about capturing the little memories and moments. When I first began scrapbooking I felt I had to only scrapbhook or capture on film that big event and milestones in my son's life as well as in our family. Ali doesn't just do that. I think that smaller moments get a person to really think back and and reflect. I am very excited to start this project and I am greatful that she is doing it again through her blog. In the end, this will truely be a treasure to have years in the future.

[melissa]

I love Ali Edward and would love a book of hers! Pplease, please pick me! (does that sound desperate?)

[Kim]

I have been scrapbooking for about 7 years, but have been doing it less and less the more busy I get. This sounds like a fun, short project. Maybe I'll start this weekend.