Project Life® 2013 | Week Forty (Studio Calico Project Life® Kit)
Welcome to Project Life® 2013 | Week Forty (September 30th through October 6th).
Each month during 2013 one of my Project Life® weeks will be using the Studio Calico Project Life® kit.
You can check out all the new kits for December (called Copper Mountain) over at Studio Calico here: Scrapbook Kit | Project Life® Kit | Card Kit
Here's a look at Week 40:
This is life my friends.
It's not all simple and fun and one of the questions I receive over and over is how do you deal with the not-so-awesome parts of life in memory keeping.
Week 40 was one of those weeks that was particularly challenging emotionally. It was also particularly enlightening.
The details aren't important. But my perspective of the experience is.
I didn't journal these thoughts when I was living this - I was simply living it and talking to my support system and processing. I did jot down a couple thoughts on post-it notes to simply remind myself of the "big picture" ideas and lessons that were running through my head during this week for when I eventually got around to documenting it.
Here's a look at the week in my album:
As many of you know, I'm not up-to-date with this project. It's in progress.
I included an 8.5x11 insert this week that has two sheets of paper inside: Simon's wish list for the book fair at his school and a blog post from Danielle LaPorte about opening up which was particularly relevant to me during this week.
I went super simple with the photos and didn't add any embellishments this time.
The "remember" photo is from my Week In The Life project.
I like the idea of taking photos of hand-written notes and even photos of passages from books that are meaningful.
I used the Martha Stewart Glue Pen for adhering the wood veneer letters
For 2014 my plans are to keep this project status quo. For a while I was thinking I would mix it up - maybe use a different set of page protectors as the base. After some thinking I'm going to stick with the Design A. That said I still want to make some adjustments and maybe that's just in terms of getting back to simplifying it once again, or bringing it back downstairs to my kitchen, or simply just not making it so black and white that it needs to be done in any particular way.
2014 is going to be the Year of Unfinished Projects for me. I'll be sharing more about that soon. I will start Project Life 2014 before 2013 is finished. I'm carving out time to make that happen sooner rather than later.
SUPPLIES | 2013 | WEEK FORTY
Click on the images to link to the products.
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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.
Hi Ali,
Long time reader - first time commenter.
I just wanted to thank you. My biggest hurdle with documenting my everyday is knowing how to document the not great days, the bad days, and the downright diabolical days. It has stopped me from completing projects authentically, or completing at all at times.
Thank you so much for being open and sharing this with us.
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I appreciate your honesty and courage to document the struggle along with the joy. The scrapbook world is filled with so many "BEST DAY EVER!!" embellishments .. but how many "best days" does one actually have?
I think you have a digital project or two about the hard days .. could you provide a link to that?
I agree, it is rare to see product that is actually more real life, so much "best day ever" stuff out there! I'd like a few things that say, well that sucked!,hard day,need wine, worn out, tired but trying, etc! Kelly Purkey at Simon Stamps has some badges that are pretty funny and real life.
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I wish you peace, Ali. And'Yes'to the year of finishing unfinished projects!
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P.s. The year of unfinished projects sounds like a serious bestseller to me. I will see you at the signing end 2015.
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After the worst year on record, I also committed to finishing unfinished projects. Two knitting projects done and more to come. Even starting project life is on my list. I have the supplies but haven't dug in yet. There's something cathartic about clearing space of the old so there's room for the new.
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i too have gotten behind on my 2013...I was off work for 6 months battling breast cancer and there were days I just didn't feel well...and I had hoped to keep up with it... I did take lots of pics, and had my kids and grandkids around as much as the germs would allow...lol...I returned to work in June and that took all my energy to keep up with that...but I was determined to take back my life...still getting treatments every 3 weeks until March 2014...I will start my 2014 and work on my 2013 maybe one day a month?? i want to document 2014 and my recovery!!!!
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Thanks for posting this Ali. And thanks for being so real and approachable.
I fall off the creativity wagon over and over. Trying to be more realistic and stream-lined this year.
The one thing I am struggling with is my printer. Do you think that the Picture Mate Show makes things a lot more do-able? Currently I use an old HP Photosmart D7360 but my photos aren't looking so hot lately. Would the Picture Mate be an improvement? Is it easy to use?
Would love your thoughts on this.
xo
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You're an amazing inspiration, Ali.
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I too slip back and forth between years and having 4 daughters means I always have something to document and plenty of photo opportunities. In previous years I focused on the big picture of what we achieved in the year, now it's all about the small things that keep our world turning and hinged ;) a lost tooth, a funny hairdo, eating crisps in bed those types of cherished moments that all add up to a life lived.
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Embrace the imperfection. One of the most important lessons of my life and I truly feel like if everyone would just keep this in mind the world would prolly be a better place!
I enjoy documenting the regular, not-so-pretty parts of life. I had a week in June that was tough, I ended up taking some almost sad or perplexed selfies that I converted to black & white and just added journaling which didn't really tell the story of what happened but just how I was feeling.
I agree that I think things like this will be more appreciated by those that look at these stories in the future. I find I just want to know what actually happened, not the buttoned-up, polished off stories relatives will pass down.
I'm taking this approach with an ancestry project...instead of just documenting the little bit i know, i'm going to add some ideas regarding what may have happened due to the times my various ancestors lived through.
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I had to laugh when I saw that you had titled 2014 as the year of unfinished projects. As of last week, that is what I've deemed the month of January - we'll see how productive I can be in those 31 days before I decide whether to continue the efforts into the month(s) after that. =)
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My goal for 2014 in relation to Project Life is to finish my 2012 and 2013 albums.
I have 2 months left to go in 2012 and 6 months to go in 2013. I am going to finish them at my own pace and enjoy the process with the knowledge that it will be TOTALLY WORTH IT to push through and complete them. I can say that from experience having completed 2010 and 2011.
I will be starting a new album with the New Year but it will not be daily, weekly or even monthly. I will add to it only when I feel like it and be more deliberate about what I include. After 4 years I've had enough of the chronology and the obligation that comes with that. The new album I start may include 2 or even 3 years. Only time will tell...
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Ali,
Will you be using the 12 x 12 format with Project Life this year or a smaller version. Thank you.
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[…] Project Life 2013 | Week Forty (Studio Calico Project Life Kit) […]
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You are awesome. Thank you.
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Hi Ali! I am sure you have a TON going on right now with the new year upon us, but could you please share the news print with the big red heart on it?? The 3x4 card? Where is it from? THANKS SO MUCH!!! Can't wait to see your title page for 2014!! Love your style!! Take care and good luck with your OLW!!
hi!
the card is from the january project life kit from studio calico :)
http://www.studiocalico.com/kits/copper-mountain-project-life-kit
i love them!
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Hi Again Ali!! Ok....I figured it out on the news print 3x4 card. I guess all I need to do is read a little closer. SORRY for the entry!!! Hope you are well. Missing your posts....check back each and every day, but just knowing myself, a little down time is OH SO NICE!!! bye!
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