Project Life 2012 | Week Four

Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Four.

Playing catch-up the last few days as I get back into the swing of everyday life after attending CHA.

As I was working on my week I was remembering how I'm not trying to tell "every" story in this project. Sometimes I scratch the surface and sometimes I tell longer stories. And sometimes, as I found out, I can focus on a theme.

A big thing that definitely came up this past week was an overall theme of adventure. Anna got her first library card (hello adventure), Chris took the kids sledding (hello adventure), I traveled to Anaheim (hello adventure). It was actually a new way for me to look at documenting the week as a whole - choosing a specific theme to emphasize vs. focusing on the everyday stories.

I'd encourage you to try it one of these weeks. As you look back at the end of the week or as the week evolves, what seems to emerge as a theme for the week? I definitely found it a nice way to bring it all together today and it helped me solidify which stories I wanted to tell.

Here's a look at Week Four:

I'm still loving the Sharpie pens mixed with a finer pen for my journaling.

I've had those awesome Jenni Bowlin Days Of The Week stamps sitting on my table for way too long. Super happy to get those out and stamp them right onto the photo using StazOn.

The insert this week is an American Crafts 6x12 divided page protector.

I played around with my Silhouette and some new 4x6 sentiment boxes that will be available next week from Designer Digitals. I loved how the first set of 3x4 Hello Life Boxes worked as a "see-through" element and wanted that option for the 4x6 size.

I've also got two more sets of the 3x4 Hello Life Boxes: Volume 2 (months) and Volume 3 (available tomorrow - includes more words like he, she, you, us, etc).

I added an Avery Adhesive Clear Plastic Label along the outside.

I used an American Crafts Precision Pen to write on the photo below the Hello Winter Word Art (added to the photo before printing).

You can also see where I've got a sticky note to add some journaling that's coming from Chris about their adventures sledding this past weekend.

Added a little Jenni Bowlin #2 along the edge of the top right photo. Yellow arrow is from Studio Calico.

That photo on the bottom actually happened on Monday night. Most likely I'll start this week with a photo or two from my Anaheim adventures.

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 4


Click on the images to link to the products.





Project Life is a product and a system created by Becky Higgins. It can be anything you want it to be. The pieces used in my album are available here. If you live outside the US check Becky’s site for more information on sources. View all my posts about Project Life (including all the spreads from my completed 2011 album) here.

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46 thoughts

  1. Christine says…
    02/02/2012

    So cool. I look forward to seeing your PL every week :).

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Lee Currie says…
    02/02/2012

    I compile my week on Sundays which gives me the chance to incorporate themes and ideas that represent our life, right now. I'm enjoying this project as a representation as opposed to a day-by-day. Thanks so much for your perspective.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. nicole @ I am a Honey Bee says…
    02/02/2012

    love it! I love seeing when you post and coming here and seeing how you laid it all out!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Catherine says…
    02/02/2012

    Love the theme idea. Did you add the type on the bottom left photo (right hand side of the album) or is that part of the image?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      02/02/2012

      That's a photo of Heidi Swapp's both at CHA :).

  5. Annette says…
    02/02/2012

    Love this! I am doing mine monthly and have been thinking of doing more theme-based documenting. Just having a hard time keeping up with daily or even weekly. Really love the Hello Adventure peek-through element. Glad you guys had fun on your adventures!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Susie Leggett says…
    02/02/2012

    Looks like a great week Ali. Love those new 4x6 boxes and how you tied this all together with your adventure theme. You keep making awesome things with that silhouette cameo and I just might have to get me one of those. Love all those shots of Simon and Anna sledding and having a blast. Just awesome.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Christine says…
    02/02/2012

    Great layouts Ali! Anna is growing up so much. She looks so grown up in those pictures :) My goodness. Prayers and Blessings to you and for you...

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Brooke says…
    02/02/2012

    Love your idea of going with a theme for the week. I'm using each weekly spread to try something different - it's a big learning curve for me and I'm loving it.

    One question: Clearly the awesome cutouts with the Silhouette are big right now. Do you know anyone that is selling them already cut out? And that might customize a surname? I love the idea but a Silhouette is just not an option for me. (I'm in Australia)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Pilbara Pink says…
      02/03/2012

      I am with you Brooke - Silhouette is just a crazy price here in Australia especially given the current exchange rate. I would so have one if I could get it direct from the USA but am just not prepared to pay double here. I know there are shipping agencies that can send direct but I believe the electrical supply would need to be altered :( Loving seeing what Ali is doing with hers.

  9. Tere says…
    02/02/2012

    Oh how I've missed you. Glad you are back. Glad you had a great adventure ;)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Debra says…
    02/02/2012

    Ali, you rock it. You seriously do. I was listening to a Paperclipping Roundtable this week (the one called Before you Entered the Picture, I think it was) and someone mentioned Project Life and how you've done it and led the way for a whole lotta other people to do it too. I think the comment was..."in my opinion I think Ali Edwards led the way..." or something like that. I was up on the kitchen bench cleaning the top of the cupboards at the time, nodding my head and saying, "Hello? Yes. It was Ali." You are amazing. The December Daily, the Week in Your Life, your stamps, Project life - you lead the way in this industry and I know you put so much thought into all this, but I also think it's just you. You are a doer and a visionary and I've been loving your new weekly newsletter too. Subtracting as opposed to adding - amazing. Anyway, sometimes I just think it's good to tell people when they rock it. You do. You're amazing. You've inspired me so much. I wouldn't be doing much of what I do if it wasn't for you. Thanks from someone who so appreciates all the time you put into everything. And I know creative stuff takes time. My saying is...these things don't take five minutes.
    Bless you,
    Debra in Australia

    Reply 6 Replies
    1. Alida says…
      02/04/2012

      Absolutely! So much of what you blog about is now a big part of my life: Life documenting, scrapbooking style, journaling style, PL,and so much more- all thanks to your inspiration!!

    2. Diana says…
      02/03/2012

      I agree 100% as well! You rock!

    3. Paula G says…
      02/03/2012

      I'm another "agree-er" and believer! Love what you do Ali!!!!

    4. dawn says…
      02/03/2012

      I agree 100%, my life has changed and keeps changing because of all Ali shares with us here. It's amazing how much impact she can have in our lives and most of us like myself have never met her. She deserves a gold medal or trophy I've always thought. Thank you Ali from the bottom of my heart!!!

    5. Susan says…
      02/03/2012

      I agree wholeheartedly. Ali, you do lead the way. I would have never documented our life in December (and oh what fun it is); or a 'week in the life' or just be inspired to try so many other projects without Ali. You are amazing!!! Thank you for your desire to share your creativity with the world.

    6. Christina says…
      02/03/2012

      I second all of the above!!
      Christina from Australia

  11. elise says…
    02/03/2012

    so awesome. and RAD to see our dinner in the album. Love that so much.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Sharon in TX says…
    02/03/2012

    Inspiring me to stay on track with my PL ... love when you post your pages!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Debbie S. says…
    02/03/2012

    Love the idea of doing a theme, especially one like adventure. It is one of the amazing surprises of life...that certain times will have themes. I love it in the context of a family. LOVE. IT.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Donna B says…
    02/03/2012

    Absolutely awesome! Thanks for all of the inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Sarah says…
    02/03/2012

    Hi Ali,
    I loved looking at your Project Life posts last year. You inspired me to commit to the project for our family this year. I enjoy your posts this year on a whole other level because of being a participant.
    Why this year? Our oldest son's last year at high school, away to university next year. This is our last year living together fulltime as a family of four - a year to treasure for sure.
    Heartfelt thanks for your entire website Ali, awesome.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. dawn says…
      02/03/2012

      Sarah,

      I think it's great your going to capture this last year of your son at home, so many wonderful memories you will capture this year. Good luck on your PL and with your son's last year. Hope you will continue it after he goes to college and keep your thoughts on it and how your husband and you are doing when he leaves. Would be great for him to read that later on and know how you felt. Just a thought anyhow. Best of luck.

  16. dawn says…
    02/03/2012

    Ali, this is such a fun full week again. It's so cool that you can share what you were doing and with Chris's help what he was doing with the kids all rolled into one fun filled week. The first photo of Anna is my favorite, you really should blow that up and frame it, shows her personality in so good. So glad you got to go away and have some "GIRL CREATIVE TIME" we all need that. Thanks for sharing with us.

    p.s. Congrats on Anna's first library card. At our library the kids have to write their whole name before getting one, is that how it works for yours also? If so that's great she can write her whole name already.

    p.s.s. HOORAY FOR NO MORE PACIFERS, THIS IS A HUGE DEAL...GOOD LUCK!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Sue C says…
    02/03/2012

    Ali,
    I am finding your Creative Lifts very on point. Are they archived somewhere so that I can re-read Week 2? Thank you for all the sharing you do. I very much appreciate your willingness to do this.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      02/03/2012
    2. libby gordon says…
      02/03/2012

      Sue-just an idea-
      I have a folder in my email that I archive these. I don't always have time to really read them.
      Ali-thanks so much for sharing them!

  18. Stacy Milford says…
    02/03/2012

    Always look forward to your PL posts! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Sarah says…
    02/03/2012

    Hey Ali, I recently got a cameo for Christmas and I am loving it! I really want to figure out how to purchase your digital brushes and use them to be cut on the cameo. Can you (or any other readers) please tell me how this is done? I am sure it is super easy... (fingers crossed that it is!) I love reading your blog and getting inspired to keep up with mine. Thank you so much for all you do! You are amazing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. KSW says…
    02/03/2012

    TKO

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Karidan Chapman says…
    02/03/2012

    Ali... We had a death in our family (fiances father) so it was pretty large part and knocked my off track somewhat of PL but I am just going to pick up the pieces and go ahead with the project! I am just wondering if you have any ideas how to include this in my PL? I dont want it to overwhelm the week but it did take out our whole week! Thank you for any ideas!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Carmen Pauls Orthner says…
    02/03/2012

    I love the idea of focusing on a theme from your week. And I love the 4x6 word art too. I am going to get my Silhouette working this weekend....

    Carmen.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Candy says…
    02/03/2012

    I love you too, Ali! When I talk to people about you, I call you the "premiere" scrapbooker. When I showed my December Daily to family and friends they were blown away. Me too! I can't believe I did all that work and I am so happy to hold it, although I'll never make a white album again! Hugs & Aloha.
    PS. Can you plan an extravaganza for Hawaii? No scrappers seems to come here, except for sun and surf!
    PPS. I am loving the newsletter and OLW!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. lindsey says…
    02/03/2012

    You always find a way to simplify things, that's why I keep coming back. Hello Adventure. I watched your PL all last year saying, I'm gonna start, I'm gonna start. Finally did this year and I. LOVE. IT. I am preserving our memories thanks to you! I will keep 'theme' in my head so I don't go WITL all year and burn out.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Monica L. says…
    02/03/2012

    OMG! I thought I was the only one having troubles with journaling one theme instead of telling different stories in one single day. I have an eight and something month old baby and he does different things everyday and I also have activities with him, plus things that happens at work and in my life they are different every single day. So in the meantime (while I wait for Design A to become available) I've been keeping a private blog with all the things that are happening and I'm trying to not have the approach PL as week in life but I LOOVE TO WRITE. Any other advise to focus in one story? I'd like to document my baby's life, but I have things in my life that are also fun to remember. Thanks for any advise. (sorry if I'm missing words, but I'm at work :))

    Reply 0 Replies

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