Project Life | Week One
I'm excited to be underway with Project Life again.
Here's a look at where I've got it placed in our house. For me, out and available is the key.
Last year Project Life lived in my office. It sat on the ledge of a chalkboard and that worked great.
This year, because I'm wanting to get my family more involved in the process - and make it even more visible - I've set up a place for it at the far end of our kitchen counter. I'm also hoping this will help me keep more up-t0-date than in 2010.
Here's the wide view of our kitchen. Project Life is in that back far corner near the door that goes to our laundry room.
And here's an up-close look:
This station consists of the album and page protectors (I'm just using a black We Are Memory Keepers album - the only reason for this is that I like plain albums), a vase that holds the journaling cards + pen + corner rounder + scissors, my Fujifilm Instax camera, and a new little 4x6 Canon Selphy printer.
I'm still in the testing out mode with the Selphy printer. I love the idea of it I'm just not sure that I love it. Giving myself a bit more time with it. I'm also used to printing upstairs so I'm working myself out of that habit and into this one (at least attempting it). I want the whole process to be simple and d0-able.
Here's what my first week looks like:
And the spread:
I've pre-stamped the date for each week onto the rounded corner cards so those are all in the album and ready to go.
Some of the things you may or may not notice:
- I'm not journaling everyday.
- I'm journaling when I encounter a story I want to tell or something specific comes to mind. Most of these are little moments type stories or conversations.
- I'm using a pen to write directly onto the cards.
- I'm definitely including lots of little bits of life: receipts, grocery lists, wrappers, packaging, things the kids draw, etc.
- I'm not worrying about taking a photo a day.
Here's a look at the start of this week:
For things I want to include that are larger (like the program above) I'm just sewing and trimming the page protectors to fit. It's very easy. You can see a short video I did about sewing on page protectors here.
If you don't have the counter or table space available to leave it out, consider pulling out the page protectors for the week and putting them up on a bulletin board. You could use binder clips like I do with my calendar (shown above) to hold it up without punching holes through the page protectors.
If you're looking for more support, ideas and encouragement don't forget to sign up for the free Project Life community at Big Picture Classes.
NOTE : It looks like Project Life is currently sold out at Amazon. According to Becky they should be getting more in stock very soon!
How did it not occur to me to lay my in-progress album out on a counter? I am heading straight into my laundry room to clear a designated space RIGHT NOW. Half of my challenge in keeping up to date is making myself find room to spread out the honking huge album. If it's already out, not a problem! *forehead slap*
Awesome!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali...what kind of corner rounder do you use on your photos? I have a Creative Memories rounder but it doesn't match the corners on the journaling cards. It's slightly larger and I'm looking for something on the smaller side.
alright folks - based on a few recommendations, i'm waiting (very impatiently) on a cropodile corner rounder...due to the 1/4" option. because what I have and am assuming is 1/2" isn't matching up with the PL cards. and i'm crazy and need them to match up.
soooo...Ali, do you happen to know if your marvy is 1/4"? or if that's even what i need to be shooting for?...something smaller than a cropadile would be ideal.
Melanie - the hobby lobby one?
thanks!!
Hobby Lobby makes one (their own brand) that works perfectly. You can get it with a 40% coupon or wait for it to go on sale 50%. HTH
The one I have is a small blue one from Marvy Uchida. It's been my favorite one for years ;).
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I know that this is Becky's new go-to way of scrapbooking and she doesn't do the old, "traditional" way of scrapping anymore (if it can still be called the "traditional" way :) I'm assuming that you are doing Project Life in addition to other scrapbooks? And if so, what kind of stuff are you including in your family/kids albums?
I'm definitely still doing "regular" layouts. Just did one today in fact that I'll be posting later this week. My thoughts on this is that there are thousands of stories on any given day. This album is for little pieces of our lives.
And who knows, maybe for this year, this will be the bulk of what I do. I could easily add layouts into this album as well - actually I might have to split it into 2 albums but that would work just fine too.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thanks for sharing. I love seeing everyone's take on Project Life.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Very cute. How do you like that little Instax camera? I've been eyeing it, because its so CUTE!
Santa brought me the Fuji Instax for Christmas and I am in LOVE. It is so fun! Highly recommend!
I love it. Super fun toy :).
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thanks for your posts about Project Life. It's because of the way you simplify and "use what you already have" that I'm even trying this. I, too, prefer plain binders. I've loved watching Simon and Anna grow up, so I can't wait to see your weekly posts.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Oh my gosh, Ali, it looks great! I love your idea of getting the family more involved...so much that I have put ours out on the dining room table. I got it last year, and never got it rolling, so I'm using last year's kit. At present, the photos are holding us up a bit. I don't print at home, so it's not as in the moment as it could be. But I've got a bunch of "stuff" piled up on top of it, ready for photos. Hmmm...
BTW, I love the flower pot! I may have to copy that, too! Thanks for sharing, Ali! I am pulling for you with the once a week PL post!
Thanks, Ali, for your reply. I have to say...I'm sticking stuff in, and it is a BLAST! And I now have somewhere to PLACE all the little bits and pieces that come into the house everyday that make me think "I should do something with this.." SO FUN, and I'm loving how it's working for me. Thanks again, and have a great weekend... :)
I vote for sticking stuff in the pockets as you go and then just slipping the photos in when you have them printed. That's really what I ended up doing last year - there's lots of stuff slipped in there - now I need to go back and add the photos.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thanks for sharing Project Life in action. It does look like a simplified system to just 'get it down', so to speak. I really enjoy the uber creative scrapping, but I've been away from it for more than a year now due to time constraints & am missing out on documenting my family's life! Not what I'd like to do, for sure!
Annnnndd....love your kitchen, especially the great counter space on the large island! :>
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am trying your suggestion too Ali. I have asked my family to help take photos during the day and so far, all of us have taken atleaset one photo for the year. Your idea of a small 4x6 photo printer was brilliant kept out for this project was brilliant!! I mentioned it to the hubby who loves to research technology and find the best product, and after a couple of weeks of research, on Monday we picked up an older model Epson PictureMate brand new in box on Craigslist. We are absolutely blown away with the photo quality after comparing identical photos developed at Walmart and those printed at home on the PictureMate. It has helped me keep up with my Project Life so far. I am very optomistic. We have even found and ordered extra supplies (Ink and paper) online to make sure we don't run out. The cost of supplies is also quite reasonable, one of the deciding factors for my hubby. Thanks for all of your ideas and inspiration.
Sharon in Ontario, Canada
Great to hear that feedback Sharon!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thank you for posting this - I am new to Project Life and have been excited yet reluctant to start - not sure how to handle it and trying not to get overwhelmed. You've given me some great ideas about how to structure the weeks - I work well if I have a bit of a template to default to if I don't have a lot of time or creative mojo that day.
This year my goal is to keep it simple and tell some stories!
Thanks so much :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thanks for sharing your Project Life. I absolutely love your clean style. I purchased the turquoise version also and am looking forward to starting my first year for this wonderful project. My question for you is who makes those alpa stickers you used on your title page? I've been seeing them around and I love them!
Those are from American Crafts - Rockabye is the name.
Thank you!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Awesome Ali! I didn't get to order PL in time so I order page refills from Becky so I can get started.
1. Where did you find that adorable whitewashed woodlooking "Cubby" That would be perfect at my front door to hold each family members keys leashes etc.
2. I was looking at both Selphys. Do you remember why you chose the upright over the flatter smaller version? An option Im not seeing?
thanks for your time!
hugs Claudia aka PomMommy
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Holy Cow. I love you more and more every day! Always an inspiration ... this is amazing.
xo
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am starting my second year of Project Life. Pictures are being taken and I am waiting for the kits to be restocked :-). I love your tips. Thanks for sharing.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali,
I'm enjoying seeing how your PL is coming together. Question, I too am adding bits and pieces (memorabilia), and want to know if you are adhering the bits and pieces to one of the journaling cards, or just slipping them in? I was trying to look at the photos to see, but wasn't sure. I just slipped my memorabilia in, but was considering adhering it to the cards an/or cardstock, but not sure, I kind of like it the way it is. Thanks.
I'm just slipping them in.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love your work you did on last week of Project of Life. Can't wait to start mine. But living in the Netherlands means international shipping and that takes a while. But, my package arrived at customs last week, so it wouldn't take too long. I've been taking pictures every day of the week since last week, so there's a lot to do.
Love the idea of getting the family involved. This schoolyear my youngest started to learn how to read and write, I love the way she writes and will certainly ask her to write some journals.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali,
What size did you print your pictures to fit in the small pockets?
Thanks!
The photos that are in the small pockets - just a couple of them - are from that little Instax camera. If I did print any they would be 2.5 x 3.75.
Thanks, Ali! Guess I should have been more specific. I meant the small pictures on your intro page. I measured a card and used it as a guide to print pictures to go in the small pockets, but I must have been having an "off" day! I printed them all 4x3 and had to crop them to fit. Thanks for the measurements. I'll try that next time and see if it works better. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Ah gotcha!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
this looks great Ali. love the set up. I have mine in a place in my scraproom. Can't wait to see more.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My kit just came in today's mail:)!! SUPER excited to get started. It's so helpful to see your station--makes it seem really do-able. Very much looking forward to scrapbooking this years memories with less guilt and capturing a little here and there, not everything!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Are you finding it difficult to fill all the space if you don't take a photo per day? I'm afraid I'd end up stuffing stuff in there just to fill the space, and not because it really adds something. Thanks for the inspiration!
I'm actually totally cool with just stuffing things in if I don't have a photo - for me that's part of the process. I'm always on the hunt for cool/different/real life things to add. If I have one whole week of just that stuff I think that would be cool.
Also - you can always add more than one photo from the same day into the pockets. I'm mixing it up as I go.
And things that might seem silly to stuff in there now might be the COOLEST things to look back at later on down the road.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali -
Your new kitchen = awesome!
Thanks for sharing your project life album process. In 2009 I did a picture a day (I didn't get a kit so I made my own) and for 2010 (I did get a kit) I jotted down notes throughout the year and just printed my pictures for 2010 last week (still waiting on the prints from Snapfish). I didn't realize how much I was stressing myself out committing to a picture a day but I certainly took a lot more pictures that way. I am going to find a balance between those two processes this year. I totally missed ordering the kit this year so I have wait until they are back in stock. For some odd reason I thought it wouldn't sell out this year.
It's so cool to look back and my little girl (3) loves to look at them. I look forward to seeing how your project goes throughout the year.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali - you may've helped me with a breakthrough here. I have PL, have printed my photos for week one, but can't seem to do more than that, because I have too too much to say. brevity is not a strength o' mine. ;) i love what you've done with yours & it's helped me see that it's those "little" things (that aren't at all little) that i'm always jotting down on sticky notes and hoping to somehow get on a layout that need to be going on my PL journaling cards. the quotes, the conversations, the moments i hope i never forget & the moments i don't want my kids to forget. you're reply to Kristie H was nothing short of inspiring.
thank you! for posting your album. I, along with everyone else, hope you can keep it up and keep us inspired (wow, no pressure there!)!
thanks, Ali - GREAT idea. I followed along w/ week in the life (took photos, journalled...but have yet to bring it all together!), but missed these somehow - perfect for my oh so long journaling.
AND wanted to say that i've just finished my december daily! my first finished project in quite some time - thank you for the inspiration and direction there!
Cool Kirby - another thing you could always do, especially if you have a lot to say, is just print up the journaling, add it to a page protector and be good. You could also do something like I did with Week in the Life last year and add in my "long journalers" (or make your own). You can see those here: http://aliedwards.com/2010/05/week-in-the-life-bringing-it-all-together-%E2%80%A2%C2%A0the-completed-album.html
Sign in or sign up to comment.
quick question...
do you wait until the week is over to determine which photos and stories/thoughts you are using for that week??
I'm aware of the fact that what seems the most interesting today might not be as noteworthy as something that happens a few days from now. I want to make sure that what I document represents the week well. Just wondering how you approach this.
Because it's in the kitchen I fuss with it here and there. I've printed a couple photos on one day or just one. This past week I wrote one card at the end of the week.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thanks for sharing. One thing that struck me right away was how very clean your kitchen is! Wow! I'm impressed.
HA - thanks! It's a daily endeavor :).
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love how you are leaving your album out to work on. My daughter loves looking through our album. Mine is usually on the coffee table so I can work on it when I have time. I also love the We R Memory Keepers black album but keep mine in the Project Life album until I am done with it for the year that way I don't worry about that album getting beat up with the constant use. I am a tiny bit OCD.
Sign in or sign up to comment.