... not! It is, as I learnt last year through bitter experience, just as essential for a digitally prepared Book of December Days, as for a fully paper version. Determined to be ready this year, here's my short-list:
- one overarching folder containing all resources on my computer's desktop: no hunting around for it
- inside it, photo folders - labelled and ready, one for each day
- layered templates (left- and right-hand side) with layers helpfully named: no squinting at the screen trying to work out whether the highlighted layer panel holds a top-left photo or a bottom-right one
- text boxes in position, with font and spacing decided and ready for typing
- paper ready for printing the digitally designed pages: I'm using Hahnemühle Duo which means I can print photos and text directly onto both sides
- spare printer cartridges purchased and easily accessible
- extra batteries for camera already charged
- small notebook for thoughts/ideas each day
- elements prepared: large decorative inital letters for the journalling page, decorative paragraph dividers, and possibly digital papers to drop in if photos are in short supply
- front and back covers made/printed
The last two are not quite ready. You'll see below I've been having a bit of a play, wondering whether some additonal drawn images of winter grasses or seedheads on the journalling page might be visually attractive - or just detractive and messy. Opinions welcome as always :).
Next up, after preparing the visual look? Thinking about the shape of the content by the middle of this week: a list of different journalling ideas/forms from which to choose, or to act as a stimulus on 'Help, I'm stuck!" days. There are also some things I know I want to record this year on a very regular basis throughout the month: the temperatures/weather, for instance, and a brief mention of national or international events. Finally, by the end of the week, some reminders to myself about a simple process, camera to page.
Is it just me, or have I got my work cut out? :)
