Ali Edwards Design Inc.

Story Play | Yesterday + Today Project Idea 04

2026-06-26T09:00:00-04:00

Thanks so much for joining us this week as we share ideas for using the Yesterday + Today Mini Kit!

For my last project I'm pairing a photo of my Mom from a past Story Camp event with two additional photos added to journal cards and paired with a 4x6 journal card from my stash. Folded over sticker tabs were added to the two journal cards and to the photo enlargement.

Let's dive in to the process video:

Here are additional images:

I hope you enjoyed this week's content and are inspired to tell some of your own Yesterday + Today stories.

SUPPLIES

Yesterday + Today Mini Kit
Remember 4x6 Journal Card from past kit
Basics via Amazon Storefront

Story Play | Yesterday + Today Project Idea 03

2026-06-25T09:00:00-04:00

I honestly had such a good time putting projects together using this Yesterday + Today kit as the jumping off point.

A couple ideas to highlight with this one:

For this project I was able to search "backyard" in my Photos app. It brought up all kinds of images from my photo archives of my yard and made it so easy to collect a bunch together. Try searching for something you'd like to document over the years (might be a person, place, or thing).
Bringing together multiple photos from over the years (photos you may or may not have already included in a project) tells a new story. That's the best! You can literally see the passage of time in my yard and there's so much beauty in that - I think I'm feeling it acutely with the girls getting ready to start their senior year of high school.
Remember that yesterday + today stories can be about all kinds of things (not just photos of you from childhood). The core component is the passage of time.
Don't be tricked into thinking that your photos alone, with just a couple embellishments, aren't enough.

Here's a closer look at how this one came together:

And here are some more photos:

To add context and story to my photos I cut around the outside edge of the journal cards to remove the part around the shape. I stamped the date and handwrote a bit of journaling.

Some stories are long and some are short.

The 2 inch x 2 inch page protector wins again as an easy home for 2x2 photos. After searching through my photos I selected 11 from the past and 11 more recent ones of my backyard to add to this page protector.

I left one pocket empty and added two rounded corner chipboard squares (I think these were from a previous Week In The Life™ release). I added a sticker tab to each of the chipboard squares and adhered them to the outside of the page protector.

Here's a look at the two full page photos without the insert. This could completely work as a project without the insert if you wanted to simply highlight two main photos.

SUPPLIES

Story Play | Yesterday + Today Album Class Walkthrough

2026-06-24T09:00:00-04:00

At the beginning of the week I mentioned my original Yesterday + Today workshop.

As I was putting my projects together for this week I kept thinking about that class and that album and wanted to take a little stroll back through those projects and bring you along with me.

There's a whole video montage in the first lesson with photos of my ancestors paired with photos of my childhood paired with photos of myself in that particular season back in 2009 (originally I was convinced it was 2011 but nope, it was 2009). I re-listened to that welcome video and I heard myself and it was like meeting myself all over again at a specific point in time.

Before divorce, before Aaron, before blending families, before dementia.

I was so young and man did I love what I was getting to do.

Look at this little promo email for the workshop:

When I put this class together I was 35 and now I'm 50 and well, just, wow.

The stories within the stories. The present then is now the past. My today then is now my yesterday. This has been my life. This is my life.

Let's take a walk together back through this album and also take a peek inside the classroom:

This class is still available for you to take at your own pace and there are process videos, handouts, and instructions for each of the projects. There is honestly so much content in there that is still relevant and universal today. There's also a digital package of layered templates, word art, etc available here.

Story Play | Yesterday + Today Project Idea 02

2026-06-23T09:00:00-04:00

Welcome back to another project idea using the Yesterday + Today Mini Kit.

Today I'm pairing a full page photo of myself as a kid on the beach with a photo of my standing at my work table looking down at all the fun projects in process.

As I was starting to work on this project I knew I wanted to incorporate some of the chipboard tags from the kit which led me to dive into my chipboard stash and find all the same shapes from previous kits. It was fun to go through the various tags and find ones that could be used to celebrate this piece of my story. Having my chipboard organized by shape totally helps when you want to make this style of page with a bunch of repeated elements.

Let's dive in to the process video:

And here are additional images of my project:

For this project I printed two full page photos 7 inches x 8.25 inches. Each photo enlargement was added to a page attacher to be added into my album.

Arranging and organizing all the tags was a fun process. In order to make the tags fit I did need to cut the "this life" tag and remove a bit of the chipboard. I ended up taking the two remaining pieces and running them through my sewing machine. I repeated that on two other tags so it looks like it was intentional from the beginning.

I added mini brads to each chipboard tag and stamped "Who I Am" from the stamp set before jotting down a couple thoughts about who I am right now. I also added my initial using an A from our Alphas Are Awesome #39.

To link the two pages together I found some fun, graphic puffy flowers in my stash from a previous collection.

SUPPLIES

Yesterday + Today Mini Kit (digital available)
Yesterday + Today 3x4 Stamp
Alphas Are Awesome #39
Ranger Magenta Archival Ink
Page Attacher
Craft Pick/Paper Piercer
Chipboard tags from past kits
Puffy flowers
Mini Brads
Rolling Date Stamp
Basics via Amazon Storefront (printers, trimmer, etc)

Story Play | Yesterday + Today Project Idea 01

2026-06-22T09:00:00-04:00

Welcome to a week of ideas and inspiration for tellings stories using this year's Story Play Yesterday + Today Mini Kit.

Yesterday + Today is a theme that has been close to my heart for many years. It started back around 2011 when I created a class of the same name that features 12 lessons about telling stories from the past and from today. It's a self-paced workshop you can still take today - more details here. When we were brainstorming themes for our 2026 Story Play kits this concept rose to the top.

This week I'll be sharing my projects using the Yesterday + Today Mini Kit. Feel free to play along with me or bookmark these ideas for future storytelling inspiration. Over on our AED Instagram account we will also be sharing ten story prompts to spark ideas for this theme. New prompts will be posted at 10am PST and 5pm PST each weekday this week.

Let's dive in to today's process video:

Here are images of my finished project:

This year I'm telling my stories in a 10x8 album which gives me flexibility for creating a variety of page sizes and page protector configurations. I'm loving the big horizontal and even did a 22 inch wide photo (one photo that goes across both pages) for one of my recent Quarterly Storyteller Kit projects.

For this first story I went diving into my parents photo albums to see if I could find some river photos (I knew there were some in there from past flip throughs). Going to rivers in the summer in Oregon is one of the best things! I found a photo of myself and my siblings with my Dad in the Coos River (along with a few others) and am pairing that with a photo of me sitting in a creek last week.

With the extra photos I wanted to include I decided to crop and print them in a strip that is the same width as one of the chipboard tags. I ended up cutting up the tags in order to have the tag shape at the top and add some red/white twine and that gave me the flexibly to move the sentiments from the chipboard tags in between whatever small photos I wanted.

I also decided to corner round the edges because that's how I was feeling when I was making it. I noticed that I forgot to corner round the edges of the second page before photographing but I did do it.

I cut up a page protector to hold three of the 3 inch x 4 inch journal cards from the kit and a second photo from Aaron and my adventure to the river. If you have more photos you want to include don't cut up the page protector! I'll probably do another story about our overnight itself.

On top of the journal cards I wanted to stamp the year so I did it twice. Once using a recent Numbers Are Awesome Stamp Set and the other using our Yearly Stamp Set (currently sold out but able to be restocked if enough people hit the Notify Me button). I used my Rose Garden pink ink for the larger date and a Gina K neon for the smaller full date. I also used the 3 inch x 4 inch Yesterday + Today stamp to add "who I am" and "who I was" right above the small year stamp.

Tab stickers were added to the top of the journal cards and along the outside edge of the cut up page protector.

Thanks for being here!

SUPPLIES

Yesterday + Today Mini Kit (digital option available + Story Play bundle available)
Yesterday + Today 3x4 Stamp (part of a stamp bundle)
Page Protector
Staedtler Lumocolor Superfine
Rose Garden Ink
Electro Pop Neon Ink Gina K Raging Red
Numbers Are Awesome #18 Stamp
Year By Year Stamp
Red/White Twine
Tiny Attacher
Corner Rounder (loving this new-to-me one)
Epson XP15000 Printer
Basics via Amazon Storefront (trimmer, etc)

New Releases | June 2026

2026-06-10T12:00:00-04:00

Welcome to a monthly overview post of our subscription + shop releases!

STORIES BY THE MONTH | JUNE 2026

This monthly subscription includes 4x6 and 3x4 cards in paper and vellum, chipboard, sticker sheet, and an embellishment. It also includes access to a classroom.

SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE" SIGN UP FOR OUR STORIES BY THE MONTH™

Here's an overview of the kit this month:

A few additional kit images:

INSPIRATION BY THE MONTH (DIGITAL KIT + CLASS)

If digital is more for you in this season we've got you covered. This subscription includes the digital Stories By The Month kit and access to the SBTM classroom.

SIGN UP HERE FOR INSPIRATION BY THE MONTH™

This kit is also available to physical Stories By The Month™ kit subscribers as an Add On.

STAMPS ARE FUN

Stamps Are Fun features a 6x8 Stamp Set designed by Ali and shipped to you each month.

SIGN UP HERE FOR STAMPS ARE FUN

This subscription does not include class lesson but will be supported through blog and social media content. Some months the stamp set may be aligned with the theme of the Storyteller Kit but mostly they will be a fun, random assortment of words and shapes. This monthly physical stamp subscription includes the digital version of the stamp.

Here's the pricing for this monthly subscription:

$20.99 - 12 month commitment
$23.99 - 6 month commitment
$28.99 - month commitment
*Digital version of the stamp is included in subscription price.

Let's play together!

ALSO NEW THIS MONTH | ALPHAS + NUMBERS ARE AWESOME + 3x4 STAMP

We've got a new Alphas Are Awesome and this year we are also offering a coordinating 4x6 Numbers Are Awesome set.

Physical kit subscribers can add these to their box for no additional shipping. They are available to Add On (for physical kit subscribers) and are also now available in the shop.

SHOP 6x8 ALPHA STAMP

SHOP 4x6 NUMBER STAMP

SHOP 3x4 STAMP

Here's a simple look at the new stamps this month:

"THE BASICS" MINI KIT (FORMERLY OUR ONE LITTLE WORD® MINI KIT)

Everyone loves a good basic! Stamp on them. Write on them. Add photos to them. Repeat them in a page design. Add them to a journal.

$19.99 per quarter // Includes 3x4 die cut pad of cards + plastic tabs + felt hearts + die cut labels + die cut circles + alpha stickers + die cut label tabs

QUARTERLY STORYTELLER KIT (PHYSICAL KIT + CLASS)

Details about this kit:

Four kits per year releasing in January, April, July, and October. When you sign up you are committing to the four kits (or however many are left in the year).
Includes classroom + content from Ali and contributors that will be spread out over three months.
Shipping is $1 domestic + $5 international. You can also shop the Add On subscriber section and add to your box during the Add On period for no additional shipping (on the 10th + 11th each month).
Physical kit subscribers can add the digital kit for $14.99 during the Add On period.
We are unable to offer a "skip" option with our quarterly kits.

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE STORYTELLER KIT

Here's a video overview of the new kit:

Here are some additional images of elements in the kit:

Want to see how Ali used similar kits last year? Check out a walkthrough of one portion of her 2025 10x8 album. You can also see how she's setting up her first album for 2026 here.

QUARTERLY STORYTELLER CLASS (DIGITAL KIT + CLASS)

If you are looking for a digital only subscription that gives you access to digital Storyteller kit and the classroom content then the Storyteller Class is for you.

This is $24.99 and is a quarter to quarter commitment (you don't have to commit to all four kits but if you want to cancel you need to reach out to our Customer Service Team).

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE QUARTERLY STORYTELLER CLASS

Week In The LIfe™ 2026 | Progress Update

2026-06-08T09:00:00-04:00

Hello friends! Today I'm sharing a look at where I'm at with bringing my content from the documenting week into my Week In The LIfe™ album. I've got all my photos printed and added in to the album and am moving on to adding my words + embellishments.

Week In The Life™ 2026 | Sunday

2026-05-25T09:00:00-04:00

Thank you for joining me for another community documenting week for Week In The LIfe™ and thank you for your patience as things looked and felt a little different this year.

When I get to this point in the week (the last day) I'm usually pretty tired and ready to be done. This year I feel a mixture of things, including feeling excitement for the making part of this project. I'm really curious to see how I bring my story all together in my album based on my week and the photos I took along the way.

My hope is that over the last week you captured some pieces of your life maybe you haven't previously, or you were able to see parts with fresh eyes

Aaron's coffee that we all had a good laugh about.

Aaron made me some egg bites for breakfast.

Betty is loving that I've been in my car more recently. She used to love riding when I was still driving the girls around and now she's getting to know the words "Want to go see Grandma?"

Picked up a mocha for Mom + a pup cup for Betty on our way back to the house. The kids were just getting ready to head to the river because it was 80 degrees.

Mom wanted to do some ironing to set up a new cross stitch project.

And then we headed outside. Today she potted up a couple plants for the front porch.

I started harvesting snap peas.

Yay yellow!

Elliott, Audrey, Anna and a group of friends headed up to a cool spot around Fall Creek for the day. Loved getting a few photos from their adventures.

Picking a few peonies to take back to her place.

And then I took a long hot bath and had some wine.

I didn't take very many photos today (which tracks for me generally with this project) and may end up taking a few more shots around the house to capture a little bit more of the scene.

Next steps for me will be diving into the photos and starting to flow them into my album. I'll share again once I get started on that process.

Week In The Life™ 2026 | Saturday

2026-05-24T09:00:00-04:00

Ah, Saturday.

A beautiful May Saturday here in my little corner of the world. It was an at-home day filled with lots and lots of outside time. Just what I needed.

Snap peas ready to harvest.

Coffee outside.

Betty loves the lamb dog toys and has them in multiple sizes that she often carries from upstairs in our bedroom to the yard.

I've picked up a number of new plants this year when Mom and I have taken adventures to local nurseries. I love that there will be tangible reminders of this season in my yard for years to come.

Today I finished up getting all the areas in our backyard pressure washed. I have 1/2 our driveway left to complete the full job for this year.

Something I already love about this season is how much time the kids like to spend outside too. They are always heading for the big sunny spot in the grass and both Isaac + Elliott have been reminding me again how magical the yard is right now.

Aaron rehanging some solar lights (we love the ones from Costco and have them all around on our fences).

Peonies!

A new video game came out and Isaac moved his operation downstairs so he could set up next to the big tv.

Simon was here to film a couple scenes for a Star Wars home movie he's been working on for a few months in his spare time.

Today was the first time I could remember in a long while when all five kids were here at the same time. It was joyful.

Thank you for the light.

I spent the vast majority of my Saturday outside pressure washing.

My Japanese Snowbell is showing off right now. It smells so good and the bees are so happy.

And pruning.

And talking to my pets.

More peonies coming.

Always girls coming and going and coming and going and I love it.

Pizza ordering for 10 means Aaron places multiple orders to take advantage of coupons! Girls went and picked it up this time.

I love that Simon likes to come over here and take a nap.

Always ready for this spot with him and her.

Week In The Life™ 2026 | Friday

2026-05-23T09:00:00-04:00

We have made it to the weekend!

Thanks so much for coming along with me on this adventure whether you are doing your own documenting or thinking about doing it in the future. I'm so grateful for the support to tell my own story of what is real for me right now. It's not easy to write about and I know it's not always easy to read either. The world is so full of heavy things.

And then there is the light. I absolutely believe it is all around me even as I sit crying in my car. I'm really looking forward to bringing my photos and words together in my album where I can tell a fuller story of week with additional context and a tiny bit of perspective.

Here's a look at my Friday:

Gratitude for all the years this table has been around. From tiny kids through teens and young adults, through "talking prison" parent/child conversations, birthday dinners, late night snack fests (many that didn't include me because I was already asleep), piles of laundry, homework, and so much more.

Gratitude for the color and scent of petals - and there are so many petals around the house - as the bundles I bring inside begin to reach their end.

Gratitude for him and his compassion and the ways we have learned to work together, especially when we reach our own individual limits.

Gratitude that I got a new laptop a month or so ago that has given me a little more flexibility and freedom to try to get work done when I can. Gratitude for a community that is showing me so much grace as I establish new routines.

Gratitude for this sweet friendship that has developed between Frida and Betty.

Gratitude for the stawberries that are on their way!

Gratitude to my past self for planting all these darn roses. I love that I can pick a big bunch and take them over to Mom + Dad.

Gratitude for friends who show up like family. Gratitude for acceptance. Gratitude for kindness. Gratitude for people who treat others with dignity and respect no matter what.

Gratitude for the sunshine and time sitting on the porch putting together yesterday's post after helping Mom + Dad get ready for their guest.

Gratitude for a much-needed Friday afternoon nap and chill time. It's hard for me to let the list go but man I had to rest and reset myself.

Gratitude for all our animals. Their love and comfort is priceless.

Gratitude for when she says "Want to watch a movie with me tonight?"

Gratitude for the in-between moments. The pit-stops during the day to chat about wall oven research and small fridges and kid schedules.

We went for years and years with pretty consistent shared kid schedules and we are now in a different season where it is much more about providing a place for anyone to land when they need it.

Rooting ourselves in what's important and trying to come back to that over and over again.

Gratitude for a movie and take out with Anna. Gratitude for some time for Animal Crossing in my big cozy bed after the movie. Gratitude for an evening reset.

Travel Collection 2026 | Preview

2026-05-22T15:00:00-04:00

Welcome to our 2026 Travel Collection preview post!

This collection will be live on Wednesday, May 27th at 9am PST/Noon EST.

2026 SHIPPING PROMOTION

Free shipping ($20 international flat rate) with a $75 purchase in the travel collection category. Use code TRAVEL26 during checkout. For your convenience, we've added a few things to the Travel Collection category including our restocked plastic attacher stickers. a selection of albums, page protectors, inks, and more. *Shipping offer valid through 11:59pm EST on 06/09/26. Must enter promo code at checkout to receive special shipping offer. Cart must include a minimum subtotal of $75 from the Travel Collection shop category to qualify. Offer subject to change. Not valid on previous purchases. Only valid on Travel Collection PHYSICAL items, digitals and classroom are not included in the minimum subtotal to reach the shipping promotion.

As with all of our collections, we will have digitals available the first Friday of June. ⁠Everything that translates to the digital format will be available.

TRAVEL WORKSHOP | HYBRID PRODUCT PLAY

We will be offering another round of Travel Hybrid Product Play later this summer. Be on the lookout for registration details soon!

COLLECTION OVERVIEW

BUY ALL OPTION // $215.00

Our limited number of "buy all" bundles include all new collection products shown above including an exclusive mug. The mug will only be available in the buy all bundle for this collection release.

Buy All Bundle Includes:

Travel Collection 2026 Main Kit
Good Old Days 6x8 Album
7 x 8.25 Specialty Paper Pack
7 x 8.25 Pattern Paper Pack
3x4 & 4x6 Specialty Card Pack
Die Cut Paper Inserts
Plastic Die Cut Pack
Cardstock Die Cut Pack
View From Here 6x8 Stamp
Vacation 6x8 Stamp
Out Of Office 4x6 Stamp
Travel Alphabet 4x6 Stamp
Out Of Office Glass Can
Envelope Metal Die
Exclusive Buy All Bundle Mug (will not be sold separately)

TRAVEL COLLECTION 2026 MAIN KIT // $34.99

Includes:

16 - 3x4" single-sided journal cards
12 - 4x6" single-sided journal cards
39 - 0.79" to 3.99" cardstock die cuts
10 - 1.49" to 2.84" vellum die cuts
2 - 4x6" label sticker sheets
8 - 1.83x1.17" plastic die cuts
1 - 4x6" alpha sticker sheet
8 - 0.25" tall vellum word strips
9 - 1.75x1.5" chipboard frames
5 - 4x4" kraft pockets and cards
1 - 8mm washi tape roll
1 - 12mm washi tape roll

GOOD OLD DAYS 6X8 ALBUM // $24.99 (DOES NOT INCLUDE PAGE PROTECTORS)

Just like we announced with our Week In The Life collection, a change this year is that our albums will no longer include page protectors and the pricing has been adjusted to reflect that adjustment.

TRAVEL COLLECTION 7 X 8.25 SPECIALTY PAPER PACK // $14.99

TRAVEL COLLECTION 7 X 8.25 PATTERN PAPER PACK // $9.99

TRAVEL COLLECTION DIE CUT PAPER INSERTS // $8.99

TRAVEL COLLECTION 3X4 & 4X6 SPECIALTY CARD PACK // $9.99

TRAVEL COLLECTION PLASTIC DIE CUT PACK // $9.99

TRAVEL COLLECTION CARDSTOCK DIE CUT PACK // $9.99

ENVELOPE METAL DIE // $7.99

VIEW FROM HERE STAMP 6X8 STAMP // $28.99

VACATION 6X8 STAMP // $28.99

OUT OF OFFICE 4X6 STAMP // $19.99

TRAVEL ALPHABET 4X6 STAMP // $19.99

OUT OF OFFICE GLASS CAN // $23.99

GOOD OLD DAYS SWEATSHIRT // $52.00

Week In The Life™ 2026 | Thursday

2026-05-22T09:00:00-04:00

Around the table on Thursday: laundry and Anna and her eggo waffles.

My Mom asked me to see if I could get a stain out of her shirt.

Watering my raspberry bush.

Will this stop me from having this kind of mug at my desk? Unlikely. My mouse didn't work the rest of the day.

Cue more tears.

So many piles everywhere right now.

Filming a video of the travel collection coming to the shop next week.

New beds in the grass. I'm going for it. Pumpkins planted.

Moved to my other desk to finish up editing the video of the travel collection.

More peonies.

This has been hanging in this spot for a few years and I re-read it again on Thursday and felt it deeper than ever.

Bringing peonies inside.

Picked up Mom for our daily adventure.

Simon's looking for a new apartment (his current space is needing to be sold and he's ready for a new independent adventure). Wonderfully the program he has been a part of for a number of years now is able to still support him no matter where he lives.

I am just eternally grateful for people who have supported him for so many years now. He's grown into such an awesome young man and I'm excited for a new chapter for him to begin even if it's a little stressful during the transition.

And Mom was able to come and that was just so cool.

After touring a couple places the three of us had dinner together near my Mom's community.

The totality of everything and the ambiguous grief of this moment hit hard when I got back in the car after getting my Mom resettled and chatting with my Dad.

I kept thinking about the photo I took of myself crying in the shower during Week In The Life™ many years ago after Chris had decided to leave our marriage.

It is what is real for me right now.

When I got back home Betty invited me outside to take a photo of the house from the outside.

And if this wonderfully dumb game of Animal Crossing on a Switch helps me get through this season then I'm here for that.

My sadness was heavy last night.

Aaron reminded me of the emotional cycles I've been experiencing and where I'm at in the current cycle. I'm often most impacted after expending sustained emotional and physical energy and vigilance and the last couple of days have been full of all three.

The pain is the love.

Week In The Life™ 2026 | Wednesday

2026-05-21T09:00:00-04:00

Here's a look at my Wednesday:

Mom had a sleepover with me on Tuesday night and when we got up and were getting breakfast together I suggested she go out and smell the Japanese Snowbell Tree and listen for all the bees that visit when the tree is in bloom.

The story with the microwave is that one of the kids burned popcorn in there bad enough to basically kill it. Unfortunately in our house the set up is a combined microwave + oven unit and we will have to replace the whole thing. We had hoped maybe it was just a temporary issue but it continues.

Something I want to remember about this time is getting a mocha for Mom often when we get together. It's such a simple treat that she enjoys so much.

Our first activity of the day was heading to Anna's school for an Academic Awards Assembly.

Anna looking up at me, Mom, Chris and Tiffany after receiving a Theology Award.

When my sister saw this photo on Instagram she commented, "I hope that gave Mom a glimpse of her legacy!!"

Both my parents, but my mom especially, truly valued the importance of education. She grew up in a very, very small town in Eastern Oregon and studied Clothing + Textiles (Home Economics) at Oregon State. She Mom advocated for a religious education for me and my siblings (my Dad was raised Catholic and my Mom was raised Presbyterian - she converted when I was older). She wanted us to have a strong foundation upon which to build our lives that was rooted in faith.

We went to Catholic grade school and Catholic high school and a lot of what I learned there absolutely influenced the person I am today. For me it was the combination of rigorous academics, competitive athletics, community service experiences, and a very strong retreat program that made the entire experience so fundamental and impactful. Mom was always really proud of herself that she pushed my Dad to spend their money on education.

All that to say, I am really deeply thankful for my Catholic education even though I am not a practicing Catholic. It was something that I wanted for my kids as well - to experience an education that taught not just about one religion but religions around the world (Go Jesuits). Catholic education was, unfortunately, not an option for Simon (which is a whole other story) but it was for Anna.

Getting to have Mom there to see Anna receive an academic award in Theology was a full circle moment. It was also a surprise! We knew she was going to be receiving an award but we didn't know which subject. Having it be one rooted in faith with Mom there to witness is another gift of this season.

The mission of my high school is: Bellarmine, as a Catholic college preparatory school in the Jesuit tradition, through dedication to academic excellence and development of the whole person, graduates young men and women of competence, compassion and conscience, who are committed to leadership and service.

The motto of Anna's high school is: Marist Catholic High School is a Christ-centered, welcoming community committed to academic excellence and preparing students to lead and serve others.

(And wow, I just started writing under that one photo and turns out I have a lot to say.)

On Wednesday I finished moving my parents into their new companion rooms. When they initially moved into their new community only separate rooms were available. Mom was really excited for the new set up.

Yesterday my Dad asked to go outside for the first time in over a month. Mom and I were shocked and delighted. We took him for a walk and a ride around the community before taking him down to their new room. It was a good day for him and we celebrated with Coke in glass bottles that he loves.

Aaron came over after work to help move a bed and a few bigger items.

New chapters. New stories. For all of us.

Once we got Mom + Dad settled enough to leave I headed over to Anna's Lacrosse Banquet to celebrate the end of the season. I missed most of it but was able to pop in and give some hugs and laugh with some friends who all want to know how things are going. Anna was awarded Second Team All League for Defense which is pretty darn awesome for her non-primary sport. I love that she chose to start playing this as a freshman for something fun - it's been a great experience for her.

And I love her friends.

I brought home burgers for me and Aaron and we ate in our bed while we watched NBA highlights from the last couple games.

Audrey and her sweet long term boyfriend Joren were at the house last night. These days she's at her Mom's most of the time because it's closer to school and activities and Joren (on the other side of town). She's been studying for finals and getting excited for summer.

Week In The Life™ 2026 | Tuesday

2026-05-20T09:00:00-04:00

Around here Tuesday was another day of fullness.

The majority of my day was spent with my Mom (and some with my Dad) coordinating and strategizing and getting them ready to move into companion rooms in their community.

In the season of this particular week my time is dictated by their needs. I'm grateful to have a generally flexible scheduled in order to have the chance to help them. And, and, and, it's challenging. Heavy + light.

In my photos for Tuesday I hope again that I was able to capture the combination of those two.

Just a reminder that this year I'm sharing unedited photos straight out of my phone. When I get to the "bringing it all together" phase I'll likely edit, crop, etc. I also took notes in my Notes app yesterday that will be added to my project when I get to that part.

Keep looking for what's real in your own life.

Here's a look at my Tuesday photos:

I got to have Mom over for a sleepover and it was awesome.

Open heart for all this.

Week In The Life™ 2026 | Monday

2026-05-19T09:00:00-04:00

This year for Week In The Life™ I'm really trying to practice the same encouragement I would give someone in the middle of a challenging time: capture what you can + let the rest go.

I'm using my phone for photos and using my Notes app to jot down thoughts and feelings throughout the day. My days right now are needing maximum flexibility as I continue the journey with my parents - some things I can share and some things aren't meant to be shared in this season.

I wrote on Instagram Monday morning that my intention for this project this time around is to capture the "fullness" of my life right now. I landed on that word because it nods to abundance and to overwhelm.

One part of my life is full of heavy, raw things that include navigating dementia and layers of family dynamics and second-guessing and parent child roles reversing and grief and lots of bumping up against personal growth progress I've made in my own adult relationships.

The other part of my life is full to the brim with things to celebrate: a kind, supportive, loving husband and fun teenagers (with all their own unique circumstances and paths and challenges and wins) and awesome pets that bring comfort + joy and so many peonies + cottage rose blooms and fulfilling creative work.

I have so much gratitude for this life I'm living, even when it's hard to hold it together. Life right now is so very full. Heavy and light. Heavy and light. Heavy and light.

You might know this season or something like it. You might be in a very different place in your life. I've done this project in tough times, including during my divorce. The reality is I've done this project through all kinds of chapters of my life - every year since 2005 - that's all the years of Anna's life - and it's always, always been worth it to me.

There have been years when I've focused on playing with photography (photo angles, light/dark, etc) and years when I've used daily themes/lenses to guide my storytelling. This year I'm simply picking up my phone as I navigate my day to mark moments and capture fullness: the heavy and the light.

In past year's I've spent time editing my photos before uploading them into this post but this year I'm going to share the images straight out of my camera. When I put them into my album after the documenting week is over I'll edit and crop and play to tell the story of this time.

Thank you for being a part of this adventure. Thanks for letting me share the parts that are hard and the parts that are easy and the parts that are joyful and the parts that make me want to crawl back into bed. I hope you are able to read my words and view my photos as simply what's real for me during this one week in my life.

Here's what I captured today in photos:

If you are just coming across this post and this project you are invited to join! This is our "official" community documenting week for 2026 but you can dive in and capture one week in your life any time.

New Releases | May 2026

2026-05-10T12:00:00-04:00

Welcome to a monthly overview post of our subscription + shop releases!

STORIES BY THE MONTH | JUNE 2026

This monthly subscription includes 4x6 and 3x4 cards in paper and vellum, chipboard, sticker sheet, and an embellishment. It also includes access to a classroom.

SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE" SIGN UP FOR OUR STORIES BY THE MONTH™

Here's an overview of the kit this month:

A few additional kit images:

INSPIRATION BY THE MONTH (DIGITAL KIT + CLASS)

If digital is more for you in this season we've got you covered. This subscription includes the digital Stories By The Month kit and access to the SBTM classroom.

SIGN UP HERE FOR INSPIRATION BY THE MONTH™ (NO WAITLIST)

This kit is also available to physical Stories By The Month™ kit subscribers as an Add On.

STAMPS ARE FUN

Stamps Are Fun features a 6x8 Stamp Set designed by Ali and shipped to you each month.

SIGN UP HERE FOR STAMPS ARE FUN

This subscription does not include class content but will be supported through blog and social media content regularly. Some months the stamp set may be aligned with the theme of the Storyteller Kit but mostly they will be a fun, random assortment of words and shapes. This monthly physical stamp subscription includes the digital version of the stamp.

Here's the pricing for this monthly subscription:

$20.99 - 12 month commitment
$23.99 - 6 month commitment
$28.99 - month commitment
*Digital version of the stamp is included in subscription price.

Let's play together!

ALSO NEW THIS MONTH | ALPHAS + NUMBERS ARE AWESOME + 3x4 STAMP

We've got a new Alphas Are Awesome (#38) and this year we are also offering a coordinating 4x6 Numbers Are Awesome set (#17).

Physical kit subscribers can add these to their box for no additional shipping. They are available to Add On (for physical kit subscribers) and are also now available in the shop.

SHOP 6x8 ALPHA STAMP

SHOP 4x6 NUMBER STAMP

SHOP 3x4 STAMP

Here's a simple look at the new stamps this month:

QUARTERLY STORYTELLER KIT (PHYSICAL KIT + CLASS)

Details about this kit:

Four kits per year releasing in January, April, July, and October. When you sign up you are committing to the four kits (or however many are left in the year).
Includes classroom + content from Ali and contributors that will be spread out over three months.
Shipping is $1 domestic + $5 international. You can also shop the Add On subscriber section and add to your box during the Add On period for no additional shipping (on the 10th + 11th each month).
Physical kit subscribers can add the digital kit for $14.99 during the Add On period.
We are unable to offer a "skip" option with our quarterly kits.

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE STORYTELLER KIT

Here's a video overview of the new kit:

Here are some additional images of elements in the kit:

Want to see how Ali used similar kits last year? Check out a walkthrough of one portion of her 2025 10x8 album. You can also see how she's setting up her first album for 2026 here.

QUARTERLY STORYTELLER CLASS (DIGITAL KIT + CLASS)

If you are looking for a digital only subscription that gives you access to digital Storyteller kit and the classroom content then the Storyteller Class is for you.

This is $24.99 and is a quarter to quarter commitment (you don't have to commit to all four kits but if you want to cancel you need to reach out to our Customer Service Team).

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE QUARTERLY STORYTELLER CLASS

"THE BASICS" MINI KIT (FORMERLY OUR ONE LITTLE WORD® MINI KIT)

Everyone loves a good basic! Stamp on them. Write on them. Add photos to them. Repeat them in a page design. Add them to a journal.

We've decided to make a change to our One Little Word® Mini Kit and change it to be called "The Basics." Going forward the kit will include items without words in order for you to customize them in the ways that makes sense for you and your own documenting (maybe in One Little Word® or maybe in your other documenting adventures or maybe a mix of everything).

Based on the changes we are also able to reduce the price of this subscription to $19.99 per quarter. You'll see the OLW name on the outside of the first two kit envelopes.

Here are some more images:

Day In The Life™ 2026 | Ali's Project

2026-04-21T12:00:00-04:00

Alongside many of you, I documented a Day In The Life™ a couple weeks back on April 2, 2026.

I've done this project many, many times over the years and most of the time my day has been pretty "normal" (which is all relative as we each know from our own life experiences). The stories I've captured over the years have shown peeks into my daily routines and rhythms during each of the various seasons of my life.

This year my day was anything but ordinary as my sister and I were in the middle of moving and caring for our parents who now both have dementia and are unable to live on their own any longer.

As I spent time reviewing/printing the photos and jotting down some facts + feelings, I kept feeling really thankful that I took the time on this particular day to snap photos. It's not always top of mind to document the harder seasons but it's something I've learned over all these years of memory keeping: it's always worth it. These photos mark a very specific moment in time and are helping me begin to process pieces of this experience.

You can see how I set up my design foundation in my album here. I really liked going into the day knowing approximately how many photos I would want to include in my finished spread. I also really liked folding the page protector to create the flip out.

Let's dive in to the video:

Here are additional images of my project coming together:

I printed out 8, 3x3 photos and then trimmed them after adhering to the journal cards. I added journaling directly onto the photos in Photoshop. I also printed out 9, 1.75 inch x 1.75 inch photos for the prompt/pattern paper.

On top of the small square photos I added word/phrase stickers and small puffy goal numbers.

For my project this year I ended up creating four additional sentiment cards because the words of others felt like a balm to me as I was telling the story of my day.

You can download a PDF of the four cards here.

On the next page I wrote a little bit about each of the small square photos.

Thank you for your patience as I carve out some time to return back to work.

Simply capturing pieces of a day is what this project is all about. It might be super ordinary or it might be completely different than your regular routine - that sounds a lot like the waves of life.

SUPPLIES

New Releases | April 2026

2026-04-10T09:00:00-04:00

Welcome to a monthly overview post of our subscription + shop releases!

Just a reminder that starting our Add On period will now happen from the 10th when the kits go live at noon EST through midnight on the 12th. You will now be charged for your subscriptions + Add On's on the 13th of each month. The classrooms will now open on the 13th.

Now let's dive in to this month's new releases!

QUARTERLY STORYTELLER KIT (PHYSICAL KIT + CLASS)

Details about this kit:

Four kits per year releasing in January, April, July, and October. When you sign up you are committing to the four kits (or however many are left in the year).
Includes classroom + content from Ali and contributors that will be spread out over three months.
Shipping is $1 domestic + $5 international. You can also shop the Add On subscriber section and add to your box during the Add On period for no additional shipping (on the 10th + 11th each month).
Physical kit subscribers can add the digital kit for $14.99 during the Add On period.
We are unable to offer a "skip" option with our quarterly kits.

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE STORYTELLER KIT

UPDATE ON STORYTELLER CLASS CONTENT

Please note that this month's content availability timeline for the Storyteller Class will look a little different than in the past. Ali is needing to put her work responsibilities aside temporarily to help care for her parents who need extra assistance right now. This situation developed abruptly and has needed her full attention. This means that her projects and content will be live in the classroom next month. You will see projects from our media Media Team members coming soon to the classroom. We will send an email out to subscribers as soon as new content is available to view.

Ali extends her deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and support that has been shown by our community as she navigates this next chapter with her parents. Thank you for so much for your patience and understanding!

Here's a video overview of the new kit:

Here are some additional images of elements in the kit:

Want to see how Ali used similar kits last year? Check out a walkthrough of one portion of her 2025 10x8 album. You can also see how she's setting up her first album for 2026 here.

QUARTERLY STORYTELLER CLASS (DIGITAL KIT + CLASS)

If you are looking for a digital only subscription that gives you access to digital Storyteller kit and the classroom content then the Storyteller Class is for you.

This is $24.99 and is a quarter to quarter commitment (you don't have to commit to all four kits but if you want to cancel you need to reach out to our Customer Service Team).

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE QUARTERLY STORYTELLER CLASS

STORIES BY THE MONTH | MAY 2026

This monthly subscription includes 4x6 and 3x4 cards in paper and vellum, chipboard, sticker sheet, and an embellishment. It also includes access to a classroom.

SIGN UP FOR OUR STORIES BY THE MONTH™ WAITLIST

Here's an overview of the kit this month:

A few additional kit images:

INSPIRATION BY THE MONTH (DIGITAL KIT + CLASS)

If digital is more for you in this season we've got you covered. This subscription includes the digital Stories By The Month kit and access to the SBTM classroom.

SIGN UP HERE FOR INSPIRATION BY THE MONTH™ (NO WAITLIST)

This kit is also available to physical Stories By The Month™ kit subscribers as an Add On.

MONTHLY STAMPS ARE FUN

Stamps Are Fun features a 6x8 Stamp Set designed by Ali and shipped to you each month.

SIGN UP HERE FOR STAMPS ARE FUN

Here's the pricing for this monthly subscription:

$20.99 - 12 month commitment
$23.99 - 6 month commitment
$28.99 - month commitment
*Digital version of the stamp is included in subscription price.

Let's play together!

ALSO NEW THIS MONTH | ALPHAS + NUMBERS ARE AWESOME + 3x4 STAMP

We've got a new Alphas Are Awesome (#37) and this year we are also offering a coordinating 4x6 Numbers Are Awesome set (#16).

Physical kit subscribers can add these to their box for no additional shipping. They are available to Add On (for physical kit subscribers) and are also now available in the shop.

SHOP 6x8 ALPHA STAMP

SHOP 4x6 NUMBER STAMP

SHOP 3x4 STAMP

OTHER SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE

"THE BASICS" MINI KIT (FORMERLY OUR ONE LITTLE WORD® MINI KIT)

Everyone loves a good basic! Stamp on them. Write on them. Add photos to them. Repeat them in a page design. Add them to a journal.

Based on the changes we are also able to reduce the price of this subscription to $19.99 per quarter. You'll see the OLW name on the outside of the first two kit envelopes.

Here are some more images:

Day In The Life™ 2026 Countdown To April 2nd

2026-03-26T09:00:00-04:00

One week from today is our community documenting day for Day In The Life™.

Join us next week on Thursday, April 2nd as we come together from all around the world to tell the story of our day via words and photos. This is a great warm up for Week In The Life™ (starting May 18th). I wanted to get this post up before the weekend if you wanted to spend a little time making your own documenting plan.

Here's a look at how I'll be setting up my project in my 10x8 album this year (I store 3-4 months per 10x8 album):

And here are some more details and photos about my set up:

Within this year's kit we included 3x4 cards and two prompt papers that I'm using as a spread and the basis for my project.

For 2026 I will be pausing every two hours from 8am to 10pm to take a photo and jot down a memory (those details will be added to the 3x4 cards). I am also going to be on the look out for 10 ten details about right now that I can both take a photo of and add to the number list on the second page.

For my project this time I decided to sew page protectors along the outside edge of the prompt papers. This then becomes a home for the 3x4 cards and any other photos or sentiment cards I might want to add in after living the day.

If you like the look of this but you don't use a sewing machine you can also use thin red line tape (like 1/8), staples, or another type of adhesive to create the page.

If you are adding this to a 6x8 album you could simply add in a 4-pocket, 3x4 page protector as an insert between the two prompt papers.

One of the cool things about page protectors is that you can fold them to create sizes that work for your project. After stitching I used a bone folder to fold the pocket page in order for it to fit in my album.

I'll see you back here next week for additional inspiration related to documenting your day!

Week In The Life™ 2026 Ali's Album Formula

2026-03-23T12:01:00-04:00

Our 2026 Week In The Life™ collection will be available tomorrow, March 24th at Noon Eastern/9am Pacific. Our community documenting week begins May 18th. All items are in stock and ready to ship.

In today's video I'm sharing my album set up + initial documenting formula for my 10x8 album this year. I love a good repeated formula especially for a project like this that can sometimes feel overwhelming. By setting up a design formula in advance I have a better understanding of how many photos I may want/need along with space for her words.

Here's a closer look:

These are the page protectors I'm using and they will be on sale (marked down) when the Week In The Life™ collection goes live on March 24th.

We also have some combo packs of page protectors available (will also be on sale).

Here are some images of my set up:

I decided to play around with layering the plastic days of the week and adding them along the outside edge of the vellum sheet for my title page.

I'll add photos to the little boxes after putting my album together.

Still can't stop using my sewing machine. You can also create something like this using thin red line tape or even staples.

I may end up adding this long card directly into the album. You can also turn this long piece on its side, cut off the bottom tag, and use it vertically in either album size.

Setting up my album made me excited all over again for this project! As we get closer to the documenting week - starting May 18th - I'll share more about how I'm approaching tackling the documenting of my week.

No matter what you choose to use to document a week I hope you jump in with both feet to this project. It's one of my favorites to return to each year.