Project Life 2013 | Week Thirty

AE_PL2013_WK30_CloseUp3

Welcome to Project Life 2013 | Week Thirty (July 22 - July 28).

AE_PL2013_WK30_spread

Over the last couple months as I've been working on layouts for Hello Story (over 30 new layouts) I've been thinking a lot about how and what I want to be documenting. I've been considering things like: What processes do I love? What stresses me out? What tells the most complete story? What do I feel passionate about right now? How can I change things up to keep it fun?

TRUTH | I've loved doing actual layouts again. Different stories come out in those pages. Different pieces of my brain are used to bring all the elements together.

TRUTH | I want to create space for making those sorts of traditional layouts again. Maybe a goal of one per week?

TRUTH | I still love Project Life but I feel like I want to mix it up in some way. Mix up my process or my focus or my approach or something along those lines. Maybe next year I'll try a different base of page protectors or ???

Lots of things to think about for next year.

How's it going for you? Thinking about mixing things up? Do you like to have a plan?

AE_PL2103_WK30_Left

This is the week before we left for Paris. Lots of getting ready to go.

AE_PL2013_WK30_CloseUp

This week I tried some new stamping ink that I loved: Memento Luxe.

I used it with my Incredible stamp set ("so totally") and with the red hearts below (from one of my new sets called Thumbs Up).

AE_PL2013_WK30_Right

Our local fair happened a bit earlier this year. Aaron and I took all of the kids in the afternoon. Rides. Cotton candy. Corn dogs. Good times.

AE_PL2013_WK30_CloseUp2

I used a couple of the chipboard speech bubbles from Pebbles + white letter stickers from Kelly Purkey.

SUPPLIES | 2013 | WEEK THIRTY


Click on the images to link to the products.



























































Project Life is a product and a system and a lifestyle created by Becky Higgins. It can be anything you want it to be. The core 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 here.

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

47 thoughts

  1. Katrina says…
    08/22/2013

    I've been stressed about 1)being so far behind on PL 2)not feeling like I want to document all of the hard stuff that's going on (I want to be true, but don't want to wallow). I realized that I was holding myself to rules about how many stories need to be told per week. I've decided that IT'S OKAY to hit the highlights - and that might be one story per week. It might be a smaller page protector. It might even be a single 8.5x11 layout. For May, I went so far as doing a 12x12 collage of photos - and called the month done.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. P.j. says…
      08/23/2013

      I understand your difficulty including the lows in your PL. In 2011,(the first year I did PL), we dealt with the stress of a wedding, elderly parents, a 5 month flood and being out of our home, and a death in the family. A true rollar coaster of emotions. I felt I needed to include some photos and some of the story behind those things because that was part of our lives. I didn't dwell on the "bad" things alot, but they are in there.

      I did use a 2" 8.5x11 notebook to record the flood and it's effects on our lives, our environment, and our city. The flood scrapbook has ALOT of the uglies in it. It enabled me to get those feelings out and record what can happen when a flood lasts 5 1/2 months.
      Hope this helps.

  2. Stacy says…
    08/22/2013

    I'm far behind on project life and my new method is sure to help me catch up and stay up to date...I will be do a monthly approach. Ephemera will go at the end of each month on a 12 x 12 page instead of in the pockets. This should streamline things for me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Samantha says…
    08/22/2013

    Hi Ali, I know you have a base already set up, but you could just remove the pages from your album for that week and add in a 12x12 size PL plastic and do a layout for the week on that page instead. Maybe that's completely obvious, LOL, but you don't HAVE to stick to what you have in there right now and wait until next year! Best wishes, I love following your work! Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Jill Kane says…
    08/22/2013

    I really enjoy the Handbooks for my PL this year. I'll have 4 by the end of Dec. Good size for my life, esp living in a condo.

    I've decided PL has made me live a more interesting life. Sometimes when I'm in a rut or funk, I'll think - what can I do now or this week that would be good to document for PL? It always works for me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Angie Kyle says…
    08/22/2013

    I think you should think about mixing it up. It's ok to have non-PL pages, traditional and digital pages, whatever in the same album as PL. Do what you are itching to do....what makes you happy.

    Loving your Hello Story class, btw
    Angie

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Jessica @The Mom Creative says…
    08/22/2013

    I know what you mean about traditional layouts encouraging you to think differently and record different stories. I think this is so true.

    I've also been pondering how to record those stories.

    Maybe some 8.5x11 layouts added to Project Life? Or a separate album called Thoughts and Stories that would contain more reflective content than what I generally include in Project Life? I don't know yet, but I am right there with you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Megan Anderson says…
    08/22/2013

    I incorporate traditional pages in my Project Life by going insert crazy (I've been doing a lot of 8.5 x 11s lately) or by making half of a spread a 12x12. I've been loving incorporating Hello Story stuff in!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Nirupama Kumar says…
    08/22/2013

    Super interested to find out what you decide works for you next year. I've missed doing layouts too, especially when I find myself spending a lot of time catching up on PL. I've loved summer but I know I will have more free time once the kids are in school and I will have a little more balance back.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. audra says…
    08/22/2013

    I'm looking to go for a handbook or 8.5X11 size! I think this will work best. I'm mostly a 8.5X11 layout person as well!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Terri Torrez says…
    08/22/2013

    Last year I barely had time to scrap so I was thrilled that Project Life got done. This year I wanted to do more layouts but I've struggled to try to do both. Still trying to make that worked.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jess says…
    08/22/2013

    I've been keeping the PL pages really simple but mixing it up with several different page protectors and digital 12 x 12 pages

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. pam says…
    08/22/2013

    This year I decided to make an album, the family yearbook, in which i mix up PL and traditional LO's together. I have just finished the first half of the year (the LO's, inserts, ephemera and other fun stuff I put in, take more space than one album can handle!).It works for me! Now I feel like i can be creative in the way i feel like at that moment and still have it all in one place.
    I,m looking forward to see what your approach will be like. I really enjoy reading your blog for inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Donna M says…
    08/22/2013

    I'm doing PL weekly and your Hello Story class, as well as OLW. I'm loving getting some stories done in Hello Class and it's definitely made me start thinking how I want to carry on with my memory keeping. So many ideas and it's all thanks to you and the inspiration you give.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Michelle L says…
    08/22/2013

    I've been doing the larger Design A project life for 3 years now and this year has been difficult to keep up with so I think I'm going to try a smaller format next year. Maybe a Handbook or a sn@p album?

    I've really been loving your class and your layouts so I'm excited to hear you want to do more of them!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Deiga says…
    08/22/2013

    Hi, Ali. I'm taking your Hello Story class and I am loving the 'traditional' layouts again, and definitely want to create more of them. They really feed my need/love of being creative more than Project Life - even though I still really like PL, too. I'm re-thinking how I'll do PL next year - maybe less weekly and more monthly overview, and then telling the stories on more traditional layouts. I think I've let PL stress me out because I started it when it was a "picture-a-day" project and I still tend to think along those lines. So everything is evolving and I still feel behind - even with PL, and LOM. I'm just behind.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Susan A says…
    08/22/2013

    I love PL but have been having a harder time with it this year. Thinking about changing things up next year. Have been doing more layouts this year which I've enjoyed.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Sue P, says…
    08/22/2013

    This is my first year for PL and I love it! I tend to include a lot of pictures and have given myself permission to do this :). I also mix up all the page protector types ( keeping this in mind as I try to take pictures both horizontally and vertically) and it seems to be working. I do need to get back to my traditional layouts but no pressure!! I just love all of yours Ali!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. SuzCD says…
    08/22/2013

    I do PL whenever I have something I want to record. It usually amounts to three page protectors (both sides) a month. Sometimes for special occasions I add in an insert just for that. I am loving Hello Story since it is pushing me to think in different ways. I am single, retired and no kids so I feel great that I am doing as much as I have. Sometimes really looking for something to record brings to the forefront things I take for granted. I am really enjoying this year's PL. It's more complete that last year and that was more complete than the year before. They all bring a smile to my face.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Janet Kemper says…
    08/22/2013

    I toyed with the idea of doing an 8 1/2 x 11 PL album for this year, because it has always been the size I prefer. I went with the 12x12 and kinda wished I didn't. I'm pretty sure 2014, I will be changing the size up...

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. J3SS1C4 says…
    08/22/2013

    Another great layout! I've caught up 4 weeks of PL over the last few days, and I've noticed that I've started changing things up a lot more than I was at the start. I've recently started using a week in review card and I find it helps my process a lot more. I'm still trying to balance extra journalling though, because I do enjoy writing a lot. I'm always interested in reading these sort of thoughts from others :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. young c says…
    08/22/2013

    I agree with wanting to change up PL. Since I have two young kids, I decided to only do one side of Design A insert for a week. This has relieved the pressure to collect things, take enough photos, etc. I love that the pressure is off and I'm capturing more of the highlight moments.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Tanya says…
    08/22/2013

    Grab some 12 x 12 page protectors and add some traditional LO's and mix it up in there! I do PL by the month, because I typically don't have a ton of things going on during the week so much as I might have 2-4 events a month that I put in there...those 2-4 could be in a 2 week time span. Sometimes I have a couple pages for the month, sometimes 5-6.
    I also had been thinking of LO's in there...I think I'll change it up!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. laura g. says…
    08/22/2013

    I am far behind...I think I need to set up a time every week to catch up...make an appt. with myself...I do regular layouts and just put them in my PL..
    There's really no 'wrong way' to do PL!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Jackie Hughes says…
    08/22/2013

    What has helped me feel less stressed is the goal to do one 2-page layout each month, highlighting what we did and my favorite pictures. It's kind of "project-life" style without the page protectors. I just use card stock for my base, add pictures and go from there keeping it simple and telling the story. Of course, for Bday months, holidays, or anything special I can add extra layouts easily. Sometimes they are just 8 1/2 x 11 layouts tucked in with the 12x12. Doing weekly layouts or even project life on a weekly basis (vs. monthly) would be too much for me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Valerie says…
    08/22/2013

    I did Project Life until the end of April when I realized it was stressing me out more than being enjoyable. I now work on Project Life when I want to without any requirement to do layouts every week. I'm no longer feeling the guilt.

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.