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!

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

158 thoughts

  1. Alison says…
    01/13/2011

    Love it, Ali! Your book last year inspired me to do a Project Life for my daughter's first year. She's 11 months old today and it's such a great book. I did it in much of the same way as yours, though I did a photo a day and then filled all of the other pockets with memorabilia and journaling. It's stuff that would never have made it into her albums otherwise. So thanks for the inspiration!

    P.S. - loving the Y&T class :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Alexandra says…
    01/13/2011

    Working on PL tonight and realizing that it's sooooo much easier when my photos are horizontal!! I have way too many shots with the camera turned - not so great for PL. Lots of playing around in photoshop elements tonight and that is not what I want for this project - want it to be fast and gratifying.

    Note to self... take horizontal photos unless you want to use them in a 2.75 x 3.75 slot!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Tina says…
    01/14/2011

    Is it ok if I start this week and just wing it from the weeks before? I think this is an awesome idea. I was gonna try a photo a day and make it a personal life journal for me but can't seem to get the time. Think I might try this though.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/14/2011

      There are no rules with this project at all - you can begin at any time!

  4. Tracey says…
    01/14/2011

    Hi Ali - how do I add the words on photos like you do? Like Monday, Tuesday etc? I really like the effect on printed photos, looks really good.
    Sorry for such a basic question :-(
    Appreciate your help :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Ingrid from the Netherlands says…
    01/14/2011

    Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah............... my kit finally arrived today! And although I'm suffering with flue I already prepared the album for filling: I'm ready to begin!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Stacie says…
    01/14/2011

    Love your idea of leaving it out...we have an old steamer trunk in our family room that it will fit nicely on. I am using Willette's idea of keeping a basket with the extras in it so I can stay on top of it. I didn't think of adding the paper bits of life until the last month of last year and I LOVE it! It also takes the pressure off to journal every day. This is one of my most favorite scrappy projects yet! I am also getting the kids...and trying for the hubby...to get involved too so it is a family story and not just my perspective!
    thanks for sharing Ali! I know you can keep up with it every week! I'll try too!
    P.S. Sounds like the Selphy is not the fab choice...have you heard of any others that don't have the dark print problem?

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Project Life | Week Two | Ali Edwards says…
    01/18/2011

    [...] Last week I showed you a sneak peek at the program insert I included. [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Erika says…
    01/22/2011

    Thank you for your inspiration! I am excited to start my baby's first year album using the Project 365 layouts/pages. I'm prepping everything in advance before she arrives, so hopefully I will have a finished album by the time she is 1 :) I love the reminders from you to NOT ADD PRESSURE to these projects! There is no need to be obsessive and journal/print a pic every day! THANK YOU!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Candice McLean says…
    02/03/2011

    Hi Ali,

    Love this project. I'm looking at purchasing a mini printer for myself thinking it will help me print more often. You posted that you are learning to love your selphy. Are you? I'm looking at a silmilar printer by epson. Thanks for any feedback.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      02/03/2011

      Hi Candice - I posted an update this week (http://aliedwards.com/2011/02/project-life-week-four.html) that basically said I'm tending towards not liking it since the prints are smaller than 4x6 (but a just a bit but noticeable enough to me) and how dark the prints have been. The last two weeks I've printed 4x6 from my HP Photosmart B8550 printer and have been really happy (partly since I can adjust in photoshop before printing).

  10. Paula in Australia says…
    03/11/2011

    Hi Ali just a quick question... was your first spread for PL started on Monday January 3rd - Sunday January 9th? Then your second spread was from Monday 10th etc? If so what did you do about the 1st and the 2nd - did you just not worry about them? Just curious as I got my kit and have been collecting stuff and will go back and do the weeks in my album now and just curious. Thanks for all your inspiration.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Linda Farrow says…
    03/18/2011

    Hi Ali... I'm finally ready to buy a photo printer... I remembered this Canon and wondered how you are liking it? At the time of this post you didn't "love" it and I'm hoping that now you do :) Thanks for any comments, Linda

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Linda Farrow says…
      03/18/2011

      ok i just saw your review in February... sorry for not reading back enough... I'll check out the HP that you recommend... are there any other small photo printers that you would recommend? Thanks!

  12. Mallory says…
    12/15/2011

    I had to look at this again because I am so excited to start! Can't wait to get my kit and look through it. So I should definitely put the 4x6 cards in the album ahead of time to make it easier and save time?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/15/2011

      I loved having them all in there throughout the year. I will definitely be doing that again.

  13. Project Life – My Work Space | My Digital Art Studio | Mari Koegelenberg Creations says…
    01/07/2012

    [...] reading Ali Edward’s post about Project Life and organization and Marcy Penner’s awesome series on Project Life I knew I wanted a dedicated space. I wish [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Product Review | Epson PictureMate Show | Ali Edwards says…
    03/13/2012

    [...] of you might remember when I started Project Life again in 2011 I also purchased a Canon Selphy printer. I ended up giving it to a friend because the size of the [...]

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.