project life?

I have been toying with the idea of somehow incorporating the concepts of Project Life into something that would work for me without setting myself for those feelings of being behind. My idea is to document when I want to, not worrying about recording each and every day of our lives, each and every week of our lives. What I do want to include are those words of kidlet wisdom that I soon forget, handwriting samples, drawings, snapshots that might be blurry but that tell a story. You know, our lives. On our schedule.

I have such a stack of papers, bits & pieces, tickets, programs, drawings and such that would fit well into scrapbook albums for the kids, in their school albums or in our family photo album, but somehow they are not there. Instead they are in stacks, kinda organized but not really, ready to be placed in the proper albums and layouts created when there is time to play.

I'm still working on the size issue, not knowing if I'll go 12x12 or 8.50 x 11, but do know that I plan on using what I have in my stash for the embellishments. Having said that, I did purchase some 4x6 and 3x4 Project Life cards from Amazon because I'm a sucker for grids and the price was right. 

top row | My Mind's Eye stamps and decorative tapes
bottom row | stamps, EK Success punch and washi tape

top row | stamps Today Wasscallop circle, Martha Stewart punch, Studio Calico wood veneer camera
bottom row | washi tape, baker's twine from The Twinery, McGill tag punch

All created in a span of about 20 minutes and keeping it clean and simple which allows me to journal, add a small photo or even embellish a bit more if I so desire. You can find more Project Life inspiration from my teammates on the write.click.scrapbook. blog, too. 

Becky Higgins even has Free Stuff she shares with us. Oh, and there are tons of other awesomely awesome printables out there on the web as well. I created some 4x6 and 3x4 Project Life cards for write.click.scrapbook recently but used mine on a layout since I'm not a Project Lifer. Yet. Still thinking, not 100% committed, but leaning toward making it work for The Wright Family.

Your thoughts?

16 comments

  1. I know what you mean! I know myself and there is no way I can do a weekly layout - even with the simplicity of PL. I use the products, but as a regular scrapbook. I have noticed I've been taking more random pictures with Instagram on the scene. I want to incorporate those as well.

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    1. I think Instagram has revolutionized taking photos of what our real lives are, not just posed for the big, fancy camera and smile snapshots of our life. I enjoy documenting with IG as much as anything, really.

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    2. I agree! It's easy and quick and INSTANT!

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    3. Monika,
      I just found Instaport.me where you can download Instagram photos directly to your computer so that you can print them alittle easier. YOu can even sort them by dates, tags, etc. ... it makes printing so much easier! I love it! You will find your way! Dont give up!

      Also, just a FYI; I use one side of the sheet protector (Style A) per week! That really helped me this year!

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  2. I understand about being on the fence. It is a commitment. One that I continue to struggle to find time to do. For me the reward is greater than the committment. In my post of two weeks ago I tried to share that. Find what works for you. Keep it simple and doable. Eager to see how this unfolds for you.
    And btw...your post was beautifully written.

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    1. I will go search out your post, Jamie, and sit down and take a good read, thanks for sharing that with me!

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  3. Monika, I've been a PL-er for a few years now. I started with the photo-a-day approach - keeping with it for 2 years. I found I didn't do any journaling or capture anything other than a snapshot every day. Although I love that I have those albums (my son was 1 and 2), I got burned out. I switched to a monthly approach like Cathy Zielske was using. That worked out great - I even did it digitally. I stuck in some facebook status/tweets in addition to a list of what we did that month. But again, I felt like the daily papers and tidbits of conversation (unless it made it into a facebook status) were lost. So I'm back to PL this year. I switched to do a week at a time - kind of like Ali's approach. I have an insert every week with papers that don't fit in the pockets (usually an 8-1/2x11 page protector. I keep it super simple. It's been working - even if I'm a few weeks behind I feel like I'm doing OK. The key is to write those conversations/funny things that happen when they happen so you can slide them into the layout with the photos later. I started customizing some stuff, but find if I use some premade journaling cards or the ones from the pack, it goes a lot faster. As a result, I feel a lot less guilty about being behind when I'm scrapping. I made pages that inspire me because I know our daily life is captured elsewhere. I might make some changes, but definitely going to continue next year. Good luck with your decision!!

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  4. Having done the "documenting every week" thing, and then quitting it, and now coming back to Project Life on my own terms, I think it's great that you know what you want it to be and what you want out of it. If that's the case, you won't feel like you've "fallen behind" and just enjoy it! I like having the pockets for keepsakes and ticket stubs that would otherwise be in a box somewhere. :)

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  5. I have the same back and forth that you do. I also keep a very simplified version of PL and so far it has been working! Aside from a 3 month period where things were too crazy, I have been consistent since January.

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  6. I downloaded the free cards but I can't figure out how to print them. Any ideas?

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  7. Hi Susie,
    Let me know what issues you are having in the print process and I'll do my best to help you get them printed!

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  8. My favorite item from your etsy shop would be anything SUBWAY ART, but if I have to pick JUST ONE I'll pick the House & Family Rules Print! You just can't go wrong with that one!

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  9. I really love the idea of Project Life, and have really wanted to give it a try, but I don't think I will. I have a full time job and am away from home for most of the day, and I would fall behind way too quickly. So for now, its just mini albums for me. I may do some kind of Project Life in the future, but I don't think it will be on an everyday basis.

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  10. You are totally doing the PL my Friend!
    You may not know it yet but I do ;o)
    hahahaha....

    Love your cards!

    Hugs~

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  11. hi, can you tell me where the "week in review" stamp came from? Would love that

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    1. Scramptastic --- I tried to e-mail you, but found no address. You can purchase the stamp from this lovely Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PromptShop

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