Monday November 2, 2009
An online class for the holidays :: Journal your Christmas

With the calendar turned over to November, it’s going to get more and more difficult to ignore that the holidays will be upon us…so perhaps it’s best to stop ignoring and start embracing the Christmas season! After all, the shops already have aisles filled with Christmas chocolates and stocking stuffers, so it must nearly be time to celebrate!

It’s something that started small. One year it was just me and my pen and my book, trying to take back Christmas and rediscover my love of the holiday after a few years when Christmas lacked a certain sparkle. The second Christmas, I shared the idea with a small group of crafty friends, just to see if this reclaiming idea was something that made sense outside of my head. It did. And from there, Journal your Christmas became an online class that I shared with the rest of the world. And by ‘rest of the world’, I mean if we just found an Antarctic explorer who fancied taking part, we would have Christmas journallers from every continent.
This is the most magical time of the year, and Journal your Christmas lets you keep that magic for years to come.

Every year, Journal your Christmas includes daily prompts from the 1st of December to the 6th of January, the twelfth day of Christmas. The 37 illustrated PDF files are delivered straight to your inbox so you can read them over your first cup of coffee and mull over each topic for a full day. There’s also an archive of the class materials online in case you can’t get to your email or in case something dreadful happens to your computer. And like every year, you can go it alone or be as social as you like, with a private discussion forum where you’ll find other Christmas journallers who will cheer you on and share your excitement, but if you prefer to stick to the prompts only, that’s completely fine too. And like every year, if you’re participated once, you can join us every Christmas for as long as you like at no extra cost.
In addition to ideas for writing topics and styles and notes on photos not to miss, the 37 prompts include more than 300 scrapbook pages to inspire your crafting creativity.
Of course, every Christmas needs a little something new, so this year’s additions include:
…a guide to preparing your album this month so you can scrap through the busy schedule of December
…a printable Christmas planner to help keep things from getting crazy in the countdown to the big day
…new printable accents for paper scrappers
…a digital kit absolutely crammed full of papers, templates, overlays, lettering and embellishments designed just for the class
…a bonus workbook on getting the best photographs possible this Christmas, with advice and examples from dozens of professional photographers.
so there is plenty to keep things exciting whether this is your first Christmas journal or your fifth.
Like all online scrapbooking classes at shimelle.com, Journal your Christmas includes
…permanent access to all class materials
…private forum for discussion and sharing your work
…prompts delivered straight to your inbox
…ongoing membership — pay just once and participate as many years as you would like at no additional cost.

Sign up now or gift a place to a friend as an early Christmas gift! You can pay in your choice of US Dollars or UK Pounds.
You can pay by credit/debit card (click on the left of the payment screen) or Paypal account (log in on the right of the payment screen). Please be sure to enter a valid email address as part of your payment so your prompts can be delivered to your inbox. Orders can take up to 24 hours to process, though we are usually quicker. If you haven’t received your class registration after 24 hours, just email me and we’ll make sure your registration is completed and ready for you to get started!
If you participated last year, you don’t need to do anything to join us again. In about a week you will receive an email with some updated info and reminders for you.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll share a few more sneaky looks at what you can expect this year, so keep your eyes open throughout November. (That’s this year’s cover in the first and last images.) Any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments and I’ll get right back to you with an answer! I can’t wait to get into the holiday spirit with new faces and alumni in this year’s class!
xlovesx
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2 November 2009, 23:01
woo hoo, all signed up. cant wait :)
2 November 2009, 23:14
Oooh – lovely – so good of you to add new stuff to the classes.Can’t wait!!
2 November 2009, 23:42
oh, my, can’t wait for another class to start! I won’t even pretend I’ll keep up (again), but might try my hand at digital this year!
3 November 2009, 00:33
Holy Christmas Batman! You really went to town with the additions this year! Can’t wait to see the digi kit!! :)
3 November 2009, 01:03
great idea..
3 November 2009, 01:08
Yipee! I have my book on my desk already, was going to start working on it but I guess I will wait until next week. :)
3 November 2009, 02:02
I’ve been thinking about the format I want to use this year. This will be #4 for me and every year is different so it’s always worth participating. I’m thinking it might be a bit smaller this year since I’ve covered a lot of topics already. We’ll see. I love doing it!
3 November 2009, 02:15
I.CAN’T.WAIT. :)
(yes, i’m screaming. all delight, lady. all delight.)
xo,a
3 November 2009, 02:24
Hooray!! I have been waiting for this..it will be my second time and I am soooo looking forward to it!! Can’t wait to get started!
3 November 2009, 07:33
Good grief! Where did that year go? Seems like only yesterday that we were doing last year’s.
This class has brought back the magic of Christmas for me and I am really looking forward to taking part again this year. There really is something magical about running down the stairs and opening those prompts every morning ~ who needs an advent calendar!!
Thank you Shimelle ~x
3 November 2009, 08:49
How wonderful… maybe I’ll be able to keep up this year (though I did finish mine eventually last year).
SUCH good value. I love your classes :)
3 November 2009, 10:13
Yay! Can’t wait to do this project again! I loved doing this last year, and I adore my finished album. I have been collecting supplies since August – is that too keen? :). Thank you for the extras this time round, Shimelle. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the printables and the photography workbook. You’re a creative genius!
3 November 2009, 11:37
I’m so excited about this class this year. I’m more organised than I’ve ever been for Christmas this year! (Not sure why, my DH thinks I’ve been taken over by aliens I think!). I’m hoping to have all my presents wrapped and cards written and sent by the 30th November so I will have time to take part without having to worry about anything else that month. Since I finally finished a class (LSNED) I know that I can actually manage to scrap everyday if I make time for it. Bring on the JYC I say! xMx
3 November 2009, 11:49
I’m so excited! This will be my first year and I already had my journal ready to go since September!
3 November 2009, 13:21
so eager for this, it was so much fun last year, that I’ve already started countdown;) :):):)
3 November 2009, 14:15
Can’t wait for JYC. It’s
so much fun and with ladies all over the world. Everyday I find a
gift,the prompt, in my inbox. Looking forward to all the new additions.
3 November 2009, 16:24
Shimelle, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. You. Are. Golden. And sparkly. Can’t wait!
3 November 2009, 19:03
YAY- this made my day!! i’m looking so forward to another wonderful holiday season with you & all the JYC family {GIANT HUGS}
3 November 2009, 21:16
So excited about this – again! This will be the third year I have done JYC and I absolutely love it. Can’t wait!
3 November 2009, 22:04
Loved this last year and the year before and looking forward to recording another Christmas in our house!
4 November 2009, 07:45
I’m so excited! I’ve just joined your classes and it will be my first time :)
So I can’t wait :)
Kind regards from Poland – for you and for everybody who will take part in this christmas adventure :D
4 November 2009, 10:36
so if i am understanding this, if i belonged last year, i don’t have to pay for this year? you will just send me an email when the class starts?
4 November 2009, 13:57
I didn’t “do so well” last year ….. so I’m looking forward to a renewed start!
4 November 2009, 16:24
What kind of album are you making this year? Size? Kind?
Thanks
4 November 2009, 19:02
… um, will our email remind of us our sign in details?! I’ve not got a clue what I used last week, let alone last year!! LOL! Can’t wait to start again this year. The updates look brilliant. Thanks Shimelle.
4 November 2009, 22:12
so excited! love your cover and can’t wait to start shopping around for a new book to use this year. (so stoked!)
4 November 2009, 22:34
Just signed up and can’t wait. Was going to do the Ali Edwards countdown book but really wanted to do this. I was convinced I MUST do Shimelle’s by a thread on 2Peas!
4 November 2009, 22:50
Can’t wait to do it again!
5 November 2009, 04:06
I am going to sign up for this class! I can’t wait. However, I am also making some of Ali Edwards Christmas books for friends. I want to give these to them before December so they have time to reflect on the season.
Am wondering, if I sign up for your class this week, will I have access to past seasons material? I would love to include some of the journal ideas in my books but can’t wait for the daily versions to come out because the gift needs to be done by December 1. Does that make sense?
Thanks
Am soooo excited for this project!
5 November 2009, 08:57
I can barely wait!
5 November 2009, 10:24
Yay I’m sooo looking forward to this year – I didn’t finish last year so I’m hoping to improve this year and finish it all. I’m living between 3 homes in 3 cities at the moment so will have to be minimalistic about supplies I can carry around with me!
5 November 2009, 14:36
I’m not sure if I’d have the time to do this class, but I’m wondering what book is used in that photo? It looks like it might be just the size I’m hunting for.
5 November 2009, 14:49
Ohhh, I just found it! Thanks so much Shimelle!!!!
5 November 2009, 17:05
Great! I’ve already sorted out last years stash and ‘added a few more bits’!!!!!!
6 November 2009, 05:19
I signed up tonight and can’t wait to do this! A friend of mine did it last year and she loved it. She said it was one of the best things about the Christmas season for her.
6 November 2009, 08:52
Bought an 8×8 album for 2009! A RED one and can’t wait to fill it! This is year 3 for me and thrilled to try something a little different! Thanks!
7 November 2009, 05:41
I’m a first-timer and can’t WAIT to get started on this! It sounds amazing!!!
7 November 2009, 14:43
I’m going to JYC again this year. And because of your blogging class, I can put my pages online! Has anyone ever called you genius?
8 November 2009, 03:04
This is my first time, but I am planning on using the Prima canvas album. I think I’ll use a mish-mash of papers and make it truly original.
8 November 2009, 14:25
I got a bit lost and overwhelmed a few days into it last year, but am going to try again this time. Looking forward to it!
8 November 2009, 21:38
Gearing up and looking forward to it. It has become one of my Christmas traditions.
10 November 2009, 17:30
Oooh Shim, I’m looking forward to it this year! Just wondering how to take scrapping stuff with me to my SIL’s so I can scrap for the 10 days we are away? Perhaps I should just do a blog for those 10 days?? Any suggestions? Please note… my email address this year is different from last year. Is this going to be a problem?
10 November 2009, 20:58
I just randomly stumbled into this site and I’m so excited to have discovered this awesome project! It will be an early X-mas present from my mother-in-law…can’t wait:)
12 November 2009, 11:07
Looking forward to this, last year I struggled keeping up, but learnt alot of lessons. I’ve started making my album already, so am looking forward to hearing more soon. x
14 November 2009, 10:20
I am looking forward again to another season of journaling our Christmas. I love the little peek of your album. I love the little bits of pink and blue with the green & red. I’m ready to begin!
14 November 2009, 16:08
This is by far my favorite class. Can’t wait to get started again. This will be going on my 3rd year.
15 November 2009, 22:28
I tried this last year without being part of Shimelle’s class, got to the 16th Dec and my head nearly exploded!!!! I’m up for any number of prompts, encouragement, and WAYS TO GET THE BOOK FINISHED above all!
15 November 2009, 22:58
I’m really looking forward to this year’s class! I have my journal picked out and everything.
I attempted to get into the forums just now and my username and password are being rejected. I’ve tried every username and password combo I have, and nada. Could one of your administrators e-mail me and help me re-register? Thanks!
16 November 2009, 04:04
This is my first year….. can anyone recommend a good journal to use?
17 November 2009, 05:56
Looking forward to starting. This is the first time I have done an album for Christmas. I might combine this with a class I’m taking at www.jessicasprague.com.
18 November 2009, 04:09
I haven’t received an email yet. This is my 3rd year. :)
18 November 2009, 09:17
Hi shimelle
I see on facebook you mention about seeing the forum for more details, should we have had an email about the forum?
Lisa x
18 November 2009, 11:17
Oh goody! I’ve already bought my stash and chosen my size!!! And tried to get on top of some of the things from my last prompt of last year – things that stressed me and I want to do differently!! Don’t at all wish to make time go faster, but am looking forward to this!
18 November 2009, 12:22
Can’t wait! When can former students expect the email?
18 November 2009, 12:51
Signed up and ready to go…looking forward to this :)
19 November 2009, 05:31
Another alumni wondering when the email will be sent.
19 November 2009, 21:59
This is my first year but i’m really excited – looking forward to it
21 November 2009, 18:35
Just ordered all my supplies ready for the class to start. 2nd year doing the JYC, hopefully i’ll actually finish it this year! Can’t wait & look forward to all the extras this year
R x
26 November 2009, 14:37
ive paid my money and i havent recieved an email. wen i try to email shimelle it wont let me help!!
27 November 2009, 03:35
Hi Dawn!
You’re all signed up and I’ve resent your login details just in case. If you haven’t received them yet, email shimelle at gmail dot com or comment here. Thanks!
27 November 2009, 14:13
i’m new to all of this and just cant wait to begin to J my C.
28 November 2009, 06:21
Ok – so I looked at this last year and did not do it – this year will just have to give it a go !
29 November 2009, 08:41
Ok I have two days to panic before we start – I dont know what size to do – it has to go to the UK and back in my case like the LSNED did……
In the words of Fagin …. I think I better think it out again!!!
29 November 2009, 10:35
I am looking forward to picking up where I left off last year. I haven’t received any emails about the new class and was just checking I was on the list of former subscribers. Thank you.
Kathryn
29 November 2009, 20:09
Is it OK if I just try and complete last year’s album ? the thought of starting all over again just terrifies me!
29 November 2009, 20:44
I’m looking forward to really enjoying the season by reflecting as I create the journal.
30 November 2009, 05:54
What a class—everything to get the creative juices flowing!
30 November 2009, 11:26
I cant find the forum, is there one this year?
Im organized & have my book all ready!!
1 December 2009, 03:09
We always celebrate my sister’s birthday on Christmas Eve separately and then have a wonderful Christmas celebration on Christmas Day! We have a great time being a family!
1 December 2009, 16:10
I’m a first-timer and can’t WAIT this is so beautiful! I love Christmas!!!!
1 December 2009, 16:44
duh, only just worked out what this was all about. am joining in too :)
3 December 2009, 19:25
My box arrived today!!!
4 December 2009, 14:45
I signed up last night and have already journaled my first three entries. This is what I’ve been waiting for! Later today my oldest daughter and I will be heading out to gather the needed items for the actual journal…I can’t wait. Thanks so much for this wonderful class!!
6 December 2009, 14:26
I think I signed up for this, at least I went to paypal and paid for it. Am I in this class?
8 December 2009, 15:36
Hi, my name is Birgit and I am from germany.
I saw this project and I love it.
Is it possible to join this class? I know its a little bit late but perhaps not too late to sign up.
8 December 2009, 18:52
I just signed up… wooohoooo
17 December 2009, 00:43
hi, I am from Japan. Is it late to sign up? I just found this class, and really want to take it.
22 January 2010, 01:26
I joined the Journal Your Christmas in December 09. I referred to the prompts everyday. Then in January I cleaned out the cache of my internet history and I can’t get back into the prompt page. Can any one tell me how I get back to the sign in page for the Journal Your Christmas? Thanks….Beth email: bchepil@lhsd.k12.wi.us
22 January 2010, 13:57
Beth, I’ve emailed you with your login details.
Thanks!