You just need a plan to make it happen
I know you. The minute Halloween is over you’re busting out the Christmas music, drinking Peppermint Mochas (in a Starbucks red cup no less) and wondering just how early is too early to put up your Christmas tree. You just can’t help it, you LOVE Christmas!
But when it comes to creating a holiday mini album, well, let’s just say your results have been a little less joyous.
Every year you enter into November with good intentions. “This will be the year!” you declare. You browse the interwebs for inspiration and snatch up every gorgeous digital Christmas kit you can find.
But before you know it, you’re behind, overwhelmed and have no idea how’ll you’ll get caught up. There’s too many choices to make, from which kit and templates to use to which stories to include. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to find the time to sit down and work on it.
Year after year this cycle continues. You try 3, 4, even 6 times with zero success. You start to tell yourself that hey, maybe this holiday scrapbooking thing just isn’t for me.
How do I know all of this? Because in 2010, I was you.
Hi, I’m Lynnette Penacho-Jackman, graphic designer, tech-lovin’ memory keeper and creator of The Faves Project.
Ten years ago I started digital scrapbooking and quickly got sucked into the world of holiday mini album scrapbooking. After several failed attempts at creating a daily holiday mini album, I knew there had to be a better way.
So in 2010 I set out to create my own system, one that would combine my love of mini albums and digital scrapbooking, while still allowing me to enjoy the holidays stress-free.
The result was Holiday Faves.
TIME is always going to be your greatest enemy.
There will always another home task/project/family matter to draw your attention away and that’s never more true than at the holidays. And sadly, there’s no magic time fairy on her way to bestow the gift of “finding time” and “making time” onto you.
- had a plan in place from the start for getting your holiday mini album done
- had accountability to keep you on track
- could enjoy the holidays because you weren’t stressed about keeping up with a demanding daily mini album
- didn’t have to rack your brain for ideas because someone else did the work for you
No more worrying about capturing daily details or getting behind, the focus here is simply on capturing your top ten favorite things from the holiday season, using all the digital scrapbooking supplies you already know and love.
- an exclusive set of mini album Photoshop templates in both 6×8-inch AND 8×8-inch sizes to make your own 30-page holiday album
- access to a 6-week accountability class full of ideas and inspiration
- the Holiday Faves interactive planning guide for tracking your progress
- weekly emails from me with words of encouragement and inspiration
- access to a private Facebook group where you can connect and share your work
I always wanted to document our holiday season but the process felt chaotic and overwhelming trying to capture everything while still enjoying the season. Then I tried Holiday Faves and it became the answer to my holiday hopes. Now I can set up my basic framework in advance when I have time and document our favorite parts of the season as we go.
By just focusing on our favorites each year there is much more freedom to enjoy the process and capture the important parts of our season.
– Jen M.
As soon as you sign up for Holiday Faves, you’ll receive an email with a download link to this year’s Holiday Faves Mini Album templates. This year’s templates come in both 6×8-inch AND 8×8-inch sizes with similar designs so you can choose which format is right for you!
An idea without a plan is just a wish. Which is why when you sign up for Holiday Faves, you’ll receive access to the Holiday Faves Planning Guide which includes a printable and fillable PDF for tracking your progress, as well as the Interactive Album Planner which thanks to a Photoshop action, allows you to see how your album is coming together all season long.
On Monday, December 3rd our focus will switch from planning to the most important part of Holiday Faves: showing up and scrapping! Each week we will focus on completing six mini pages in our albums with the goal of having all 30 pages finished by the end of class on January 10th. I will share my own progress on my album at the end of every week.
One of the most exciting parts of Holiday Faves is seeing your album come to life with your own holiday stories and photos. That’s why as part of Holiday Faves, you’ll have access to the private Holiday Faves Facebook group where you can share your own progress and help others celebrate theirs.
The last and most exciting step of Holiday Faves is printing out your album, either as individual pages to put in an album or as a complete photobook. There really is nothing like holding your very own album in your hot little hands – it’s sure to be your new fave!
Lynnette, you are a GENIUS. These album planning worksheets are going to completely change the way I digi-scrap! I have a neurotic need to know where I am on the road to finishing an album and these worksheets are totally doing it for me. Seeing those thumbnails go from greyscale to color is almost more satisfying than putting a checkmark on a to-do list.
– Angie K.
Who is Holiday Faves for?
Holiday Faves is for any tech-lovin’ memory keeper who’s interested in creating their very own list-lovin’ holiday mini album. If you love the idea of creating a holiday mini album but want something a bit more easy and doable than what you’ve tried in the past, I have confidence Holiday Faves is the right solution for you.
Do I need to be a digital scrapbooker to participate in Holiday Faves?
Because Holiday Faves includes digital scrapbooking templates, you’ll get the most out of it if you are open to hybrid or digital scrapbooking. But new scrapbookers are always welcome!
I’m new to digital scrapbooking, can I still sign up?
Absolutely! The Holiday Faves is a great first project if you’re interested in giving digital or hybrid scrapbooking a try. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have along the way.
What digital skills do I need to know to participate?
A basic understanding of Photoshop layers and clipping masks will help but is not required. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have if you’re new to digital scrapbooking.
What software do I need to use the templates?
You’ll need a program that can handle and manipulate a layered Photoshop (.PSD) file.
Does it matter if I use a Mac or a PC?
Nope! All tech-lovin’ memory keepers are welcome. I’m a Mac user with a strong PC background if it helps.
Will you consider offering your templates in (insert your chosen format) as well?
In order to keep things simple, I will only be offering the Holiday Faves templates in Photoshop (.PSD) format.
Do the Holiday Faves templates include any drop shadowing?
Some of the templates include basic drop shadowing and layer styling which can be easily customized or removed.
What size are the Holiday Faves templates?
This year’s Holiday Faves includes two size options: a portrait 6×8 inch and a square 8×8 inch. Both are included when you purchase.
How do I print my completed album?
Once you’ve completed your pages in Photoshop, you will save your layouts as flattened JPG images which can then be printed as a photo book through your favorite photo book company or printed as single layouts which can be added into any traditional scrapbooking album.
When does the Holiday Faves class start?
The class portion of Holiday Faves 2018 will run from Monday, December 3rd to Thursday, January, 10th. We’ll be focusing on completing 2-3 Faves a week for a total of 30 pages by January. It may sound like a lot but with the templates, it’s really easy to complete six pages in a single evening or afternoon each week.
What if I’m on vacation during part of the class? Can I still participate?
Absolutely! It wouldn’t be the holidays without a little bit of travel.
When does registration for Holiday Faves end?
Registration ends Friday, November 30th. Class begins Monday, December 3rd.
Does the class meet at a certain time? Does it matter what part of the world I’m in?
Holiday Faves is 100% virtual so you can participate from anywhere at anytime.
How are payments handled?
Payment is securely processed via PayPal and Stripe and can be made using either your PayPal balance or a credit card.
What happens after I sign up?
After you’ve signed up for Holiday Faves 2018, you’ll receive three emails: one with a receipt, one with links to download your templates and a third email from me with details on what to do next.
Help! I signed up but never received an email with my downloads!
First step, check your spam folder and behind the Gmail Promotions or Updates tab if you’re a Gmail Tabs user, as occasionally overzealous spam filters will flag the links in the download email. If after a few hours, you still haven’t received your download link, contact me and I’ll be happy to get it sorted for you.
Other questions? Email me at nettiodesigns at gmail dot com.
My top three fave things about Holiday Faves: the templates, the group camaraderie
and the fact that it’s DOABLE.
– Melissa S.