Project Life® 2014 | Week Seventeen & The Long Haul Memory Keeping Attitude

Ali Edwards Project Life® 2014 Week 17

Happy Thursday!

Today I'm sharing a look at Project Life® 2014 | Week Seventeen.

Here's what was on my mind as I was working on this spread: I'm in this for the long haul.

That's my memory keeping attitude.

Not because it's my job, but because it's what I love.

A long haul attitude helps keep things in perspective. Here's what it means to me:

  • For Project Life® it means that some weeks have a lot of content and some have less. There's an ebb and a flow. I think sometimes I've "felt bad" (it's all relative people) that I used "filler cards" (cards with designs on them and no room for journaling/adding more than a few words) vs. a story or antidote or something personal. That's just silly (and evidence of another time I set up rules for myself). I'm over it now because I'm focusing on the bigger picture. The bigger picture is that it's not any single week or spread that means the most to me - to me it's being able to flip through and watch the progression of time and celebrate the whole of it.
  • For photography it means that sometimes I'm obsessed with capturing life through a lens and other times I just let it go. The common denominator though, is a general consistency in photo taking as a lifestyle. Taking pictures has really simply become a part of my life and I'm okay with the ebb and the flow. It's habit and routine. Sometimes I get out of the habit for a week or so and that's totally cool too because I'm in it for the long haul. This became super apparent to me the other day when I was looking for photos for the If This Table Could Talk post. Even when I had a whole lot less photos in one month or another, there was still something there. Those photos are memory triggers, story threads and I'm so thankful I have anything at all.
  • It's not about keeping up, it's about recording the stories that matter most. A long haul attitude means that those stories that matter most often bubble up to the surface. I've noticed as I work through Project Life® it actually helps me identify the longer stories I want to tell (either in those albums or in my traditional albums). From there I usually start a post on my blog, get that long story recorded and then make a layout from it when I have a chance.
  • As mentioned above, I'm on the lookout for stories - a single event, a conversation, a pattern, an experience, a perspective. I'm on the lookout for the things that make my life mine - some of those stories are common life experiences and some of them are very unique to my own life experience.

A long haul attitude helps me let go of the pressure to "keep up" and allows me to enjoy telling the stories, enjoy taking the photographs and then enjoy the process of bringing them all together.

I'm excited for the stories I still have to share from the past and for the stories I'll experience in the time still to come and for the stories that bring the two together.

#scrapbookingmatters

Here's a look at Week Seventeen:

Ali Edwards Project Life® 2014 Week 17

This spread includes product from the main Studio Calico Penny Arcade Project Life® kit, the High Striker kit and the July 4th Card Set (gold heart - love this one particularly).

As you'll notice I used a few more "filler cards" (these things need a new name - I think it's the word "filler" that makes me feel like it's "less than" or "fluff" vs. actually contributing to the overall story) this week which is part of what spurred my thoughts about the long haul above.

Ali Edwards Project Life® 2014 Week 17

Okay so, Copic Markers. There's lots of people out there who do really fancy things with them but I am really enjoying them for just writing out words. The set I'm currently using is a Ciao 12-pack with basic colors.

Ali Edwards Project Life® 2014 Week 17

I created a layered journal card with a black and white printed background + white cardstock stitched on top with pink thread.

I don't always change my thread. Pink worked here.

Ali Edwards Project Life® 2014 Week 17

Ali Edwards Project Life® 2014 Week 17

I'm letting it go that there aren't more words here.

Those so much I could say. At the very least for me is adding a bit of writing on the photos. I wrote more about that in my post for Week Ten.

Ali Edwards Project Life® 2014 Week 17

Those gold embellishments are puffy stickers and they are so cool. I used them on almost every card/photo this week.

Ali Edwards Project Life® 2014 Week 17

ACTION ITEMS/IDEAS

  • Be in it for the long haul. There is so much good that comes from documenting our lives whether you are writing out a long story or playing with paper and pretty embellishments as you jot down a note or two about your day.
  • Let it go. What memory keeping hang up can you let go of this week that will help you move forward and tell a more complete story?
  • Include different visual perspectives. Don't forget to take photos from both a close up and a far away point of view. I love seeing the combination of the two in this spread.

SUPPLIES | 2014 | WEEK SEVENTEEN

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.

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38 thoughts

  1. Jo-Anne says…
    07/03/2014

    LOVE this post!!

    I'M DEFINATELY IN IT FOR THE LONGHAUL:-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. April says…
    07/03/2014

    Excellent post, Ali. I uploaded my June PL pics yesterday and had to laugh that some weeks had 7 pics total (I use 3x4's) and some had 20+ pics because of special events and will require inserts. When I first started PL, I would have let that paralyze. Now I'm just rolling with it. And amen to being in it for the long haul. It's the only way to be in life…for the long haul. ;)

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Natalie (QSOgirl) says…
    07/03/2014

    Thank you for this post, Ali. Somehow having a "name" to attach to the "long-haul" attitude has helped me to feel more confident about the album I began June 1 as a baby album for my son. He is just over a week old now, and I haven't done much since he was born (which is understandable, I think ;-)) But it was starting to be overwhelming to me. This post was a good reminder that the memories will be recorded eventually--whether it be with detailed journaling or just photos that spark memories with a few sparse words. I am in it for the long haul and am committed to recording these moments and milestones.
    I also need to remember that this album will be different from his sister's photo-a-day album... Or the photo-a-day album I made before I had children. And that is okay, too, because that reflects a little bit about our life right now, too.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Kimberly Stevens says…
      07/03/2014

      I recently had a little girl (February) and had high hopes of keeping "caught up" with her baby album. Well...I have taken plenty of pictures and have many wonderful stories to share but just haven't gotten the time yet. So in the meantime I organize her pictures in monthly folders on the computers and keep a little calendar with notes jotted down to help me tell her story when the time comes.
      I have often wondered if I am in this alone, I love memory keeping and creating scrapbooks but it seems no one in my area shares that enjoyment or passion. It great to be part of an online community and share our passions. I am in it for the long haul, too.

  4. Maureen says…
    07/03/2014

    Terrific post Ali. I love the "long haul" concept. I had been feeling a little overwhelmed because I am several months behind in the journaling of our 2014 PL book. I get myself overwhelmed because I neglect to consider the other projects I am working on too (our 2009 book, a Texas trip mini book and a North Carolina trip mini book). After reading your post, I realize that I am not actually behind. The memories are not going anywhere as they are documented in pictures and words but just have not been put into a book yet and since I too, am in this for the long haul, I wont ever truly be behind again. Thank you Ali, for opening my eyes to a different perspective.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Amie Lamm-Griffin says…
    07/03/2014

    I agree with the name filler cards! They are more of an embellishment than a filler. They are cards that help tell the story, not just fill space.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. kelsey says…
    07/03/2014

    I agree with the above poster. Those cards aren't "filler", they are embellishments that help support and tell your story.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Tamara says…
    07/03/2014

    Those are "Creative Cards". (Creativity courtesy of someone else, but still cute on your page!)

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Taryn says…
    07/03/2014

    Get. This.
    I actually WROTE on a photo last week.
    And it was Awesome. #gettingbraver

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      07/03/2014

      AWESOME.

    2. michelle t says…
      07/03/2014

      Awesome! Michelle t

  9. michelle t says…
    07/03/2014

    "I'm in this for the long haul." Thanks for the perspective. Michelle t

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Laura says…
    07/03/2014

    Thanks for this post today. I am finally reconnecting with Project Life after unintentionally taking a bit of a break from it. I've got pictures printed through the middle of March, but haven't done the journaling. Last night I started editing the backlog of pictures while watching scrapbooking videos on the screen at the same time (keeps me from getting too bored!) I'm totally excited about getting back to this project -- because I'm in it for the long haul, too. :-) Happy Thursday and happy 4th, Ali! :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Carolyn HP says…
    07/03/2014

    Ali is awesome, as usual :) This post was one I needed to hear.

    I love seeing your completed layouts, they inspire me to just get started when sometimes I find the whole project overwhelming.

    I printed some photos yesterday as I'm a bit behind but I'm excited to do some scrapping later tonight.

    You've inspired me for so many years, so with all the scrapbook stores closing or having difficulty; it's refreshing to hear this attitude from someone so immersed in the industry. Thank you for sharing your passions!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. kelly says…
    07/03/2014

    i have been in a place of discouragement (brought on by various things but i think the main factor is excessive busy-ness for me because my husband and i are building a new farm) in terms of memory keeping. i love and needed to read this post. i have been slowly gathering momentum in recording our building project and our outlook as we start fresh in our new home. long haul. just keep plugging away…
    thank you, ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Lee Currie says…
    07/03/2014

    I too am in it - memory keeping, photo taking, story telling - for the long haul and share many of your perspectives. Thanks for articulating it all so well for me!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Patti L says…
    07/03/2014

    I love this. I get in funks from time to time and need to remember the big picture, and why i love this hobby. Sometimes family kinda does the "another picture?!" attitude, have to remember its what I need to do. I need to tell stories and do so with photography. I have def been in a photo funk, I'm sure summer will get me out. Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Jackie Bienemann says…
    07/03/2014

    I very much agree with the name filler, yes embellishments or pretty cards. So glad to hear you say for the long haul and I love that you give me new ideas. I have not thought to use copic markers for just writing. Thank you for making me feel it is ok not to have a ton of pictures!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Emily Inman says…
    07/03/2014

    That salad looks super yummy, but your boyfriend looks super yummier. There, I said it! ;)

    (because we're trying not to be so serious, right?)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      07/03/2014

      YES! He's so great :).

  17. Susan says…
    07/03/2014

    Where did you eat in Florence? The salad looks really good :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Paula O says…
    07/03/2014

    Love your thoughts! So true! Some of my weeks are light some are in depth, but the completed flipping through after a period of time is a great walk down memory lane and a reminder of the simple things that make this life great! How about accent cards instead of fillers?

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Erin M. says…
    07/03/2014

    Instead of "filler" how about accent cards! I love ALL you do! You rock Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Sandra B. says…
    07/03/2014

    Word cards? Because yours, especially, will always have words.
    Thanks for the essay. Happy 4th!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Kelli W says…
    07/03/2014

    I love how you can articulate the same things that I feel. I used to feel "guilty" the week(s) that I just didn't take a lot of photos or "meaningful" photos, but then realized that not every day is going to be like that. And finally I told myself that those weeks are okay because it gives me a chance to use those pretty filler cards that otherwise I would never use :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Cheryl SD says…
    07/03/2014

    Great spread and great words as usual Ali! Long-haul - long-haul - keep repeating to myself - long-haul! Not sure where you ate in Florence, but that salad looks wonderful! I do have a suggestion for a great restaurant when you go through Florence again. Please try Homegrown Public House. It was recommended to us and was fantastic! The food was fresh and local and unique and OH SO YUMMY!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Sandy MacDonald says…
    07/03/2014

    Thanks for expanding on your long-haul perspective. I love it! I'm in it for the long-haul too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Janet Kemper says…
    07/03/2014

    Love this post!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. glee says…
    07/03/2014

    Simon is as tall as you?!! Whaaaa.....
    time flies. Keep capturing it!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. glee says…
      07/03/2014

      oh, that's Katie! I looked at the full pages first. but still, growing boy!!
      he must be tickled! My youngest guy's voice is starting to change. yikes.

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