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

[carina]

To Ali,
I admire your work and your spirit
so much! I check in on your page
everyday to get inspired. You raise
my spirits and I wish you so many
good things in life!!!
Many hugs to you from a scrapping granny
in Sweden.

[Anne]

I am a daily reader of Ali's blog and I find her inspiring as a scrapbooker and in the way she looks at and lives life. I am also a "scrapbook failure". Years ago I made several great pages then the spark just died. For awhile my supplies lay dormant, but recently I've been trying to make an effort to revive my scrapbooking. I have all of Ali's books, but I would love to give them to my mom so she can enjoy Ali's creativity and wisdom as much as I do.

[Steph Wiese]

http://stephwiese.squarespace.com/?SSScrollPosition=617

[Alicia]

I am so inspired by Ali's blog and thought this was the coolest idea. I'm a mom and work full time and I feel like my life is just passing me by. This will be a great way to learn how to appreciate the every day moments.

[Heather S.]

A week in the life - my life. I'm pretty good at taking tons of pictures of my children, and even sneak some of DH when he's not looking, but I rarely get pictures that include me beyond the posed with a family member kind. This should be interesting, and a tiny bit scary, and a ton of fun.

[Jessi]

I did this project a few years back and have been thinking about revisiting it on my own. I wasn't a mother then and now I have three boys that I adopted from Poland. You can imagine how different my life it now. I want to document a typical week...I am really excited to see the two weeks right next to each other.

Jess

[cmdeb]

Wow! Everyday life. Great concept. Ali is so respected and admired for her inspiration and realness. Thanks for the chance, would love, love, love to have them, for the opportunity to win Ali's books.

[lacy]

Swoon is right! I don't have any of her books and would LOVE theM!

[jodi]

Ali is the best - so sweet and inspirational at the same time!

[Megan Taylor]

This is the perfect giveaway for a poor student like me, who loves scrapbooking!

Love ali.
Love her books.
Love her blog.

Thank you!

[Shawna]

This could be just the springboard I need to get into scrapbooking. I usually lose focus after a few pages, but I really enjoy the ones I finish. :O) Thanks for this resource today, I'm looking forward to jumping in!

[Linda]

I've been increasing my scrapbooking efforts...and Ali Edwards is definitely an inspiration!! Very excited to be included in the chance to win a book of hers!

[Barbara]

I have to agree that Ali is wonderful. I have been inspired by her blog, articles and classes. There is something amazing about getting a project DONE!

[Nancy J]

I want to try this as well. I did my christmas cards the way she did and I love it! I plan to make other LO's with all my other cards I have saved over the years too. I think this is a good idea as well. I want to do this one too.
I would love to have her books! Thanks for adding me.
Nancy James

[katarina florance]

I check Ali's blog daily and always leave inspired.
I would love the chance to win these books of hers.

[Lisa]

I have been reading Ali's blog for about a year now and I am so inspired every day by it and all that she does. I would love to win one of her books!

Lisa

[Donna C]

Yes Ali's blog and work are awesome. I am hoping to try her week in the life this coming week and hope I get one done.
I want to thank Ali to the link to your site - I think it's great and I will be visiting again.!

[Kathy B]

This sounds like an interesting challenge to capture the scraps, and the core of our daily life. We will have 5 normal days and 2 travel days so a little bit of everything.

[Lynn L.]

I am so impressed with Ali. She is so creative and I love how she is so willing to share her ideas!!

[tammy b]

i love ali's easy, practical approach to memory keeping: every day stuff. simple. complete. i would love to win this fab prize!

[Scrappy Val]

I've always wanted to do an Ali album as all my bff's have done them so this is a great time to try it out especially since this is two weeks before my 4th child is born it will be nice to document the before and after the last child is born and what that means to our family .. Thanks for the opportunity ..

Cheers ~ Scrappy Val
www.scrappyval.stampinup.net

[Lisa]

Ali amazes me with how she documents the everyday. She reminds me that every day is special and it needs to be recorded. I am really looking forward to doing this project with her!

[Michelle]

I love Ali's blog and would like to get inspired by her new book.

[Melissa in Oklahoma]

I love how inspired I get when I read Ali's blog. I'm so excited to be doing this project starting this week. I've needed to do this sort of thing for a long time. I'm not sure if I'll do a whole album or if I'll just do several scrapbook pages documenting my week. :) Thanks for the chance to win one of theses books! :)
Mel in Oklahoma

[Melissa]

I love Ali's work and how she can inspire others. Thanks for the giveaway!
Melissa

[Elaine]

Ali inspires me everyday. I am going to do this!

[miss h]

I am also attempting doing the "a week in my life" project. What a great give-away!

[Rachel Dallaire]

Awesome! I would love to win Ali's books. :-)

[ROBIN]

omg what a great project & inspiration to actually add myself into a scrapbook!!! absolutly love Ali & her creative inspiration she has added into my life...would love to have her books!!!

[gkgirl]

i read ali's blog
all the time
and she never fails to inspire me.

i have thought about doing her weekly photo journal idea...
i think i will.

[Val]

Hey, I think I might play along w/Ali's project too. It sounds like fun.

[Tricia Shelton]

I am an avid Ally fan. She makes it look so easy. I love scrapping, but I sometimes get a little overwhelmed. Ally brings it all back into perspective.

Tricia from Southern Illinois

[Heather]

I've been a fan of Ali ever since I took her "Week in the Life" class at CKU, what 3/4 years ago. Loved the project and getting ready to do it again.....

[Nanette in WA]

I can hardly wait to start this project. I've always wanted to do this; Now I have no excuse. Thanks for the push Ali! Your are truly inspiring.

[Jan]

I am going to try to do it this time too! I figure if Ali thinks we make her accountable to do the project, she is making me accountable! Thanks for the fun giveaway opportunity to win!

[Wendy T]

I am such a huge fan of Ali. I love this idea and I am doing it with a friend. We are headed to CPR in Stamford and we are going to try to get it done before our trip! Thanks for the give away!

[Doris]

I like to make the books but they don't have pictures...I like to read Ali's blog and look at her books.

[Kim Dynes]

I am yet another fan of Ali Edwards! She is so inspiring and creative. Just wish I had more "craft time" in my busy life. Maybe this Week in the Life project is just what I need and those books too!!!

[Ashley]

This is the push I need to get going on a new project... nothing like stack of new books to dive into a crisp fall night.

[Rachel]

I love Ali's work and would love to own any book of hers!

[Jenny Bean]

Please include me in this one- I need all the help/inspriation I can get!

[Toni S. in Missouri]

I have loved and admired Ali's style for years and am a frequent visitor to her blog. I would love one of her books for additional inspiration! Thanks to you and Ali for this giveaway chance :-)

[Patricia Dolan]

This is an exhilirating assignment.....one week in the life of....I'm game....question in my mind just now 'If Not Now Then When?' What if this were the last week of my life? I would definitely incorporate what I most passionate into jampacked days of spending time with my children, photography, letters to those I care for...spending time under the Sun....swimming nude in the open sea.....seeing this world with my eyes wide open...and not just awake....this assignment is a gift that I'm giving to myself...I will take this mindset with me, Ali and I will start today...making time for the loves listed above and not making do or excuses...until later...since now is only time that matters...thank you for the recent wake up call and please consider me for the giveaway, I am so grateful!

Trish
patriciadolan@comcast.net

[tracy]

Ali is very inspiring.

[karenika]

this is so so generous of you. I love ali and am inspired by her daily :)

[Reeanna]

I would LOVE to receive Ali's books. She is so inspiring.

[Barbie]

Yep, she's great!!! I love her clean style. And I like it, that also other people (like me) are driving their family and friends crazy by taking ton of "only the normal photos".

[Phyllis]

I love Ali's work and was lucky enough to take the class at a CKU. I'm going to do it again and not stress - just try to document the everyday things that I take for granted.

[Jenney]

I love Ali Edwards - she's such an inspirational person and scrapbooker!!!

[emily]

I {heart} Ali. I completed this album about 3 years ago at CKU San Jose- my life is totally different now- I think it's time to try it again!