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

[elizAbeth]

i am a collector of scrapbook goods BUT my oldest is a senior in HS so I have promised myself to make an I love YOU so much book for her this project would be a great place to start... a week in the life with my darling daughter....thanks

[Cindy]

I'm excited to do this project. I promise that I'll document the imperfections of my life.

[Anso]

What a great, great giveaway :)))

[shelli]

This sounds like a great resource - and I'm just amazed at the amount of commenters! Way to go Shutter Sisters!

[pam]

I love Ali, her style is great.

[Sally]

fantastic - thank you, great giveaway and great blog!

[NotAnna]

I could use a dose of creative inspiration. Put my name in the hopper too. :-)

[Amanda AUS]

Ali E is by far my favourite scrapbooker! I love reading her blog, with her little bursts of inspiration & the insight into her life.

Thanks for the generous opportunity to own ALL of her books!!! Although I don't think my husband will be thanking you ;)

[Rhonda Steed]

I'd LOVE to win Ali's books!! She totally rocks! And I especially love that she is so willing to share what she does!

[Laurie]

I was planning to do this anyway - so I thought I might come over and try to get in on the contest too! I am so excited for this - I can't wait to see what people come up with!

[Lauren N]

Hi, your photos are beautiful! I came on over from Ali's blog.

[Holly]

I am going to try to do this challenge-I would love one of Ali Edwards books-she is amazing and inspiring.

Thanks for the opportunity and the best to you with your attempt to scrapbook.

[Danielle]

I am so excited!! I am both a traditional and a digital scrapbooker, but am not very good at hybrid. I usually do one or the other so I am thrilled to be inspired by Ali!!!

[Kristal]

I am new to reading your blog but share your enthusiasm for Ali Edwards! I love getting ideas from her blog!

[Cheryl]

I love Ali's blog. I am a huge fan. I was also very happy that she introduced us to your blog too. I like it too b/c I am an avid photographer too. I think of scrapbooking more like creating photo albums or an extension of photography. The end product is the ultimate satisfaction. We must commend Ali for being so very giving and gracious to share all this information with us. I am very thankful for her site and I look forward to it everyday. She is inspirational and a wealth of information.

[MistyD]

You MUST love Ali! This is such a great project. I haven't scrapped much this summer - maybe this is just what I need!

[michelle p. from washington]

I love Ali Edward's clean and simple style. I love how she shares so much with all of her fellow scrappers. I'd love to win these treasures!!

[kim]

HI! I am sooo inspired by this project! Some girls I work with took her class and showed me their album but I just never took the time to do it... now is the perfect time so I can follow along. My husband is in Iraq and I would love to send him something like this for xmas so he can feel like he was here!
Thanks again for re-inspiring me!

[syeda]

I would love to be the proud owner of Ali's Books. I am new to scrapbooking and I am sure her books will guide me in the right direction.

[terrib in oregon]

I read Ali everyday and she continually amazes me! I have taken her "week in the life class and think it is a good time to make another one!

[Viki]

I love scrap book supplies.
I don't scrap book. I collect.
I sometimes make little bound books with the papers, but I've never been able to get it together enough to actually get a project off the ground. I go to Ali's site to drool.
I'm trying Ali's "challenge" this week. I'm starting this weekend instead of Monday because, hey, I'm taking pictures this weekend anyway for a mixed media project. (Heading to the cemetery to take pics of graveyard art.)
Wish me luck!
Viki

[Amy S.]

I have been in such a rut lately with not only scrapbooking but with my life in general it seems. Maybe this project will help jump start not only my creative side but me in general. Boy, do I need it! Thanks for the chance to win!

Amy S.

[tracy]

I am a long time Ali fan. Love her stuff and how she is constantly evolving as a designer, bringing something fresh and new to the table.

[Tagyn]

Ali is amazing!
Don´t stop at 4 pages of scrapbooking- you can do it!!!
I am going to take Ali´s challenge as well, it sounds like fun.

[Lacie]

I absolutely adore Ali Edwards and read her blog religiously. I am a scrapper but the presence of "me" is really lacking in my books so I thought this project would be a perfect way to include myself. Thanks for the great giveaway.

[Blazey]

This may be just the thing to help spring board my new self-imposed daily photo challenge. And the obvious lesson here is - if you want lots of comments offer a free give away :)

[Terry]

I too love anything and everything Ali has done. She makes it look effortless.

[Leonie]

I love Ali's work and her creativity. She has so many great ideas and she does them. You have to admire that! Starting is so difficult. I may join t his one.

[Dana]

Ali is wonderful. I can't wait to play along.

[Becky]

I love Ali's work and am always inspired by her blog. I was THRILLED to see you recgonizing that over on Shutter Sisters, too, as I have recently been visiting your great blog as well. Can't wait to join her on this wonderful project!

[Ashley]

I'm always checking Ali's blog. She's a constant source of inspiration for me, both in terms of scrapbooking, and life in general.

[Marian]

I can't wait to try this. Love the idea of everyday.

[NBradley]

I feel the same way - i get OVERLY-INSPIRED so often and tend to put projects off. I think I maybe can do this project too!

[Kathy Bennett]

I took Ali's Album class and created an Album 2 years ago. I'd love to do it again. It was so much fun taking my camera with me all week and snapping pictures everywhere I went and everything I did. Some strange looks when you are at the ATM and taking pictures of your card and receipt! It would be so much fun to see what is the same and what has changed in my weekly routines since then.

[Dana G]

Ali rocks and I think I will do this week in my life project. Little snapshots and bites of your regular life are so cool to look back on!

[Julie]

I've been reading Ali's blog for a couple months now and she's really inspired me to get back into scrapbooking. I'm so far behind and have a new baby I need to scrap for. These and so many other things have been stopping me from getting started again. Ali reminds me that it's about telling the story of my & my family's life. I've learned from her that nothing's perfect and that's OK. I should pick up my camera & some supplies and jump right in, wherever I am now! I'm so excited to get started and some of Ali's books would be the additional push I need! Thanks Ali!

[Tara]

Hi - I am going to join in ali's challenge and would love one the books!

[Traceyc]

I think Ali is so inspiring - I wish I was as organised and motivated as her.

[Brenda Whiteway]

I'm really new to this artform, and learning so much. I've been reading Ali's blog for a while now, and really love her vision and the way her pages mix beauty with a message. I've been meaning to pick up one of her books - maybe now I won't have to! (fingers and toes crossed!)

[carolbrowne]

Ali's work is great and I'm going to be participating in her week long project. Very exciting! I've got a great journal book to use for this as well.

[Tricia]

I just finished this same idea "a week in the life of ...." for both of my daughters this summer. I had the most fun doing it. Thank you for posting this as I would have never have thought of doing the same thing for myself. I also love the different ideas that Ali has suggested. I can't wait to get started!!!!

[Sheryl]

Just bought Life Artist and waiting for it to arrive. Love the idea of this week long project. I might be able to handle that!

[Michelle M]

Ali inspires me so much, I would love a book of hers!!!!

[Stephanie S.]

What a great prize! Thanks for the chance.

Stephanie S. in Woodbridge,VA

[Sharon]

I need a creative jumpstart. This looks like just the thing.

[Leah]

I am a dark side digital scrapper but I am inspired by Ali!

[annie]

i am a huge fan of ali edwards and shuttersisters as well!

[Rhonda P]

Just love Ali. I was fortunate enough to be able to take one of her classes, "Today You". It is one of my husband's favorites.

ALi is so talented and just terrific at making you comfortable in trying something new, something outside your normal comfort zone.

[Donna K]

What a great project! I am on board and ready to capture a week in my life as it's happening...I can't wait!

[tracy G]

I am going to try this project too. Can't wait!