Starting To Plan For Week In The Life

One of the things I worked on this past weekend was finalizing some of the things I will be using for my Week In The Life project that gets underway next week.

If this is your first year documenting a week in your life, welcome! If you are still on the fence, there's always time and there's always modifications but there is never a perfect week.

Thinking About Supplies

I've decided to go with the same format for my album as last year: an 8.5x11 album with regular sized page protectors (a 2-page spread for each day) and a baseball card page protector for each day (7). You can get baseball card page protectors at office supply stores, specialty card stores, and even Toys R Us (that's where I grabbed mine this year).

I also ordered some more 8.5x11 white cardstock - I'll be using that for my base again.

Scrapbook-dot-com_2097_35091162-1
To spice things up this time I'm going to use a red We Are Memory Keepers album (I know, really spicy).

One nice thing about getting your album organized in advance is that you can use it as a storage place as you collect things over the seven days. You can also grab seven envelopes and use those, labeling one for each day of the week.

Right now I'm working on a new design to hold my photos and journaling for the week. Last year I used The Story of Today overlays. Look for something new from me, both printable/hybrid and fully digital/layered template later this week (available this coming weekend at Designer
Digitals
).

Today's thought:

Is there something specific you want to document this year?

Last year I did running tally/list of what was happening over the course of the day as my journaling. You can see an example here and what the end result looked like here. As you will notice I tended to have much more information early in the day and much less later in the day.

In other years I've emphasized different categories that I made sure I documented each day: food, gratitude, work, etc. I asked on Twitter and Facebook last week what three things people really wanted to document in 2010. Some of the things mentioned included:


  1. a photo of your outfit each day (I definitely encourage getting a photo of yourself each day)

  2. routines

  3. activities

  4. ups & downs

  5. conversations/overheard/quotes from kids, family, etc

  6. things that made me smile

  7. hometown

  8. what you're watching/listening to/reading (tv, music, internet)

  9. mundane tasks

  10. observations

  11. weather

  12. pets

  13. what things cost

  14. etc


Other ideas? I'd love to hear what you are planning on documenting?

I'm planning to solidify my personal category choices later on this week. What you choose to document will be up to you.

No Better Time For Spring Cleaning

Over the next five days I'll be encouraging a bit of spring cleaning before embarking on this project. Not necessarily all over your house (Simple Mom has a great series planned on that this week), but in your craft area and in your mind as you get ready to take the time to document seven days in your life.

I'm getting excited!

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

77 thoughts

  1. Lana says…
    04/12/2010

    Totally excited too! I have already prepped my album using your "The Story of Today" overlays but I am looking forward to seeing what you have come up with for this year.
    I don't have anything specific in mind that I'd like to document during the week, but I like some of the ideas on your list like my outfit every day, and conversations. Those subjects could definitely make things more interesting this time around.
    Thanks for sharing this, Ali. I do love this project!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Molly Irwin says…
    04/12/2010

    Quick question, Ali:
    With just 14 pages (2 spreads/day) + a few additional inserts, I was wondering if I needed an entire album for this. Do you find there's a lot of extra depth/room left on the ring in the finished album?

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Bloomingayl says…
    04/12/2010

    Things being what they are today, I thought I ledger of my purchases and their cost would be an eyeopener for this project. I'm using Cosmo Cricket ledger cardstock. I know there are many other choices as wells as digital. . .also feel like I'm cheating. Started my book already and plan to cover the highlights of April. I love these projects.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Michelle P says…
    04/12/2010

    New to this, but I am EXCITED!! I bought my album & inserts. I can't wait to get started. I think I'll print off some of "The Story of Today" on transparencies. I like the idea of using conversations. My kids are all teenagers....so you can imagine some of our dinner conversation. Thanks Ali for inspiring me to stretch beyond what I normally do.
    You're AWESOME!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. michelleK says…
    04/12/2010

    this is great....I am going to start a week in the life of album this week. I had no idea you were going to be doing this.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Nancy says…
    04/12/2010

    Getting ready here too.
    Couldn't you persuade Designer Digitals to add Paypal as a payment method? I really want to get some of your digital files, but only have Paypal...
    Looking forward to next Monday.
    Really like that we are starting with a check-up for Morrison at the pediatrician (nothing wrong, just a check-up), so I will be able to add his current height and weight and things to the beginning of this album.
    Fun stuff!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. debbi g. says…
    04/12/2010

    I am totally on board..LOVE this idea.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Jean says…
    04/12/2010

    I plan to incorporate my lists - shopping, errands, ... I found from the Yesterday + Today course that the handwritten items of my grandmother's, mother's and aunt's were incredibly important and meaningful to me. I think my lists say a lot about my "everyday."

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Sarah Mullanix says…
    04/12/2010

    I absolutely LOVE this...you're totally right about there never being a perfect week to do this, but I tried a month in my life album a few years ago with a group of friends and although we finished it I think that a week in the life will accomplish the same results without being too overwhelming to keep up with. I can't wait to hear and see more!
    -Sarah

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Tanya Gilmartin says…
    04/12/2010

    I always like to document the things we purchased. From big ticket items (if any) to groceries, gas and other essentials. I think it would be cool to look back and see how much things cost. Save your reciepts and tuck them into a little pocket for each day.
    Looking forward to another great project with you, Ali!
    www.scrapbits.typepad.com

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. TheDana says…
    04/12/2010

    Getting ready here, too! I've already started putting my binder together, the baseball card holders are set to go, I pulled my papers and started making my embellishments. I've made a list of the things I want to document. I like the idea of adding convos. I also like the idea mentioned above of keeping a ledger of daily purchases. I take a picture of the gas prices every year so I know that this will be a valuable addition to our week-in-the-life. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Leslie says…
    04/12/2010

    I am going to play along. This is such an awesome idea. I have done this twice and LOvE it. Thanks, Ali for all your inspiration. LOVE it!! Spring cleaning sounds GREAT!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. cinback says…
    04/12/2010

    I have participated in this project with you for the last 2 years and I am so going to follow along again this year. I love looking back on the everyday routines and seeing how they evolve from one year to the next!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Ali Edwards says…
    04/12/2010

    Anna has a check-up on Monday too :). I will mention Paypal to Katie.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Ali Edwards says…
    04/12/2010

    I think it doesn't necessarily need it's own album Molly. I looked at the one from 2008 and it takes up about 3/4 (+ a little more) of the 8.5x11. I do a separate album because my others are all 12x12.
    In 2008 I also included a couple other things in the back - like part of a folded newspaper on the day that the market really fell.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. teresa says…
    04/12/2010

    this will be my first week in life, even though i tried not just once...this time i will go through with it!
    I want to document numbers as well such as:
    #of hours my baby sleeps
    # of ounces he drinks
    etc.
    can't wait to start!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Debbie C. says…
    04/12/2010

    I really enjoy your blog...it is so inspiring. I think I am going to dive in and finally do a week in my life along with you! I have been wanting to do this for some time now. Ali, some friends of mine and I would like for you to do another video on your favorite tools, an up-dated version...surely you have some new ones by now! And maybe your favorite tips. In your spare time of course HA! I learn so much from you. Thanks for the white pen info and the sew mini info..I had been slowly researching these on my own, and there it was...straight from your blog..how exciting.Thanks Debbie

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Melanie says…
    04/12/2010

    I can't wait. It's going to be fun.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Kelli says…
    04/12/2010

    Loads of great ideas! I haven't done this before but am excited to give it a try. I didn't quite finish my 25 days album the way I wanted but by the end of January I had to let it go and call it done. Since this is only a week, I think I'll do much better :o)

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Denise K. says…
    04/12/2010

    I've had a "Week In The Life" project on the brain, excited that it's coming up, but not sure how to translate that excitement into preparation. Thank you for walking us through the prep - it is Priceless!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Nancy says…
    04/12/2010

    Ah, never mind, I just got an answer from Randy too and will be able to put my order in manually!
    Can't wait to get started with your designs (and a few of the other designers as well, haha)!
    Funny thing about Anna's check-up too! What a coincidence! But then again, I think Morrison and Anna are only 10 days apart. Would love to see how much they are alike in height and weight!
    Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Raewyn A says…
    04/12/2010

    My Mum, 17yr old daughter and I are going on a girly shopping trip to Australia from 20th to 25th so I am hoping to make this "Week In The Life" project our travel journal this year - we can start on the 19th with the packing of our luggage which would include all my lists! LOL

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Lady Aga says…
    04/12/2010

    I'll try to do this project with You. It's great idea and good reason to think about important and not_so_important things in my life. And my first scrapbooking-project about ME;)
    Greetings from Poland

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. kelly says…
    04/12/2010

    Is this a project that we pay for? I searched but didn't find it. Perhaps it is obvious?
    Thanks,
    Kelly

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Deb J says…
    04/12/2010

    I will be participating. I created a small 6X6 album with chipboard that I have decorated. I enticed a few others ladies to join me by having them over to make their own albums. It will be fun.

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.