First, let me apologize for the iphone pictures. When you want to take pictures of plastic covered pictures at night, it's tough to get something decent without the flash. You can enlarge all of the pictures but the quality isn't fantastic.
Now, let me back up and explain. In December Kathleen tweeted about her Project Life process; when I clicked over I immediately fell down a rabbit hole. I had never heard of Project Life before, and while I was way overwhelmed I was also intrigued. I have oodles of scrapbooking supplies but I've scrapbooked maybe five 12x12 pages in my entire life. I WANT to scrapbook but honestly I don't have the innate creativity for it or the time. I can do it but it takes more brain power and energy than I often have.
Project Life was apparently designed for people like me. People who WANT to scrapbook but "omg I have all this paper and ribbon and don't even know what to do with it." So the down and dirty is that Project Life offers separated page protectors and precut papers so you can just slip in pictures. Easy Cheesy. Don't believe me? I've done four weeks already AND I've used my own scrapbooking supplies rather than the fancy dancy precuts. I've never kept up with four weeks of anything in my life (a slight lie but not too slight).
I don't want to overwhelm you with details but the top and bottom pictures are 4x6. The middle are 3x4. For the little pictures I simply create a collage in Picasa and then cut the pictures in half (these pictures are generally iphone pictures whereas the 4x6 are from my camera). I do own a picture printer and I use an xacto knife to cut all the pictures/paper. Having a huge cutting mat helps but it is crowding my quilting space! ;)
Week 1 - Obviously I didn't have many pictures this week. Ha!
Week 2 - Note to self: glue down ribbon holding hair...
Week 3 - Yes the bottom right scrapbook paper says "this is what happens when you realize a picture short"
Week 4 - Got the hang of it. :)
I'd like to thank Debi for the encouragement to start Project Life. This really is a great way to scrapbook the everyday without a lot of pressure or thought. My biggest concern is which scrapbooking paper to use! And the only downside I can see is that it isn't readily available to folks outside of the US and International shipping rates are a bit ridiculous.
Do you scrapbook? Have you heard of Project Life? Thoughts? Questions?
(side note. While I am in no way affiliate with Becky Higgins or Project Life, the Project Life Amazon link is an affiliate link and I'll get a very small but much appreciated percentage if you make a purchase through your click).
Such sweet pictures! I like the idea of Project Life, but I know I'd never keep it up more than a few weeks. I hope you'll stick with it longer than I would!
ReplyDeleteTrish -- you did a great job. These are to treasure.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea, and have spent time in the past looking at digital materials, but like you I don't feel I have the inspiration for it (partly why I was looking at digital ones because that of course gets rid of printing costs - step one in gaining time/creativity I thought). Seeing yours is great, though, it's a lot more "complete" than those I've seen, with the comments and "themed" sections, it looks more of a story. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had the money and dedication to do this.
ReplyDeleteYahoo! Love it. So I posted a link to Kelly's blog but wasn't sure at the time if it was right. If not, it's here: http://www.kellypurkey.com/ I love her project life posts! She gifted me a project life binder and some sheets last night (she's moving to Chicago....boohoo!) and I'm excited to try it out.
ReplyDeleteYours look great!
GOOD for you! I'm excited this is working so well for you. I love to scrap book and have much much much paper/supplies but haven't done a thing with it for years. I'm tempted...
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! You'll treasure these pages forever :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I think my biggest hangup would be that I don't have a photo printer. Having to decide and actually order prints and then go pick them up ... (assuming I even took enough; I tend to go in spurts with photo-taking) would be my downfall.
ReplyDeleteThey look wonderful! I think I would be a major scrapbooker if Vance were young right now. I'd never heard of it when he was a wee lad.
ReplyDeleteTrish!!!! HOORAY FOR YOU!!!! I can't believe you whipped out four weeks worth in such a short time--proving once again what a dynamo you are! :D Your layouts our fabulous, lady! See--I *knew* you'd love it!!! :D :D :D
ReplyDeleteI love that you took on yet another project! It kind of makes it really evident how awesome I am at time-wasting, so it's great motivation to be more productive.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, your pictures are so lovely! I hope you'll stick with it.
QUestion - anyone know if the pages fit in the Creative Memorie binders? or any binders or do you have to buy the Project Life ones?
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure I would start this, do a few weeks, then give up. But I love the idea and I am so happy you found something that works for you. I am making "yearbooks" on Shutterfly and I think that will work for me (hopefully adding to it every month instead of all at the end of the year).
ReplyDeleteThis is just too cute Trish! I am not a scrap maker but this is a great idea. I don't how those other scrappers are so creative. Honestly! Too cute! Good luck. I know you can do it.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a wanna-be-scrapbooker. Too bad this system didn't come along 15 years ago. When Amanda was Jr. High she was convinced that she was adopted because we didn't have books of baby pictures. We actually had tons of pictures - in bags, boxes and piles in my cedar chest. They are now at least in albums - but just plain boring albums.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your project. Your pages are beautiful!
Responding to Care - the pages fit in any 3-ring binder! I used one made by American Crafts last year. I don't think they will go in a Creative Memories binder because those are made differently.
ReplyDeleteAnd Trish - your pages look great! You will find more and more of a groove as you go along. :)
I really like this idea. I think I might do something similar with the photo books on Shutterfly.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I'm so behind on any scrapbooking. Like you, I'm challenged. I definitely might give this method a shot. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour work is lovely, by the way. =O)
Your pages are great! I have thought about trying Project Life - seems like a lot of fun and a great way to capture all the special everyday moments. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, and you did really good. But, the problem for me is that out of 5 kids, I'm the only one who didn't get my mothers crafty bone. Such a shame!
ReplyDeleteI've used Project Life, and I've done some scrapbooking. Like you, I've collected more supplies than completed projects. I love the simplicity of Project Life, though.
ReplyDeleteFalling down the rabbit hole - here I go. I absolutely love this idea! I have a scrapbook "tote" and two scrapbook containers filled to the brim with pictures, paper, stickers, mementos, etc. I love scrapbooking, but I rarely have the time. And when I do have the time, I lose interest within one hour (which doesn't even justify dragging everything out of the storage cabinet to begin with haha). I am off on an adventure to look more into Project Life. Thanks for the inspiration! Your book is beautiful... full of memories that you can cherish forever :)
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing you all talk about this and have been wondering exactly what the scoop is. So, bottom line, it's a line of picture pages? And other things that fit in the pages, if you want them? And it's only for 12x12 binders? Am I getting it all right? Hmmm.. must ponder.
ReplyDeleteThose pages look great! At one point I worked at a scrapbook store in college. I got totally addicted to it, but I haven’t done a lot of scrapbooking in a few years. I keep a book sized calendar and add a few photos or business cards from restaurants each week. It’s like a lazy man’s scrapbook.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely project! I'm still hesitant because I'm sure it would take time, and also withe the US/Europe different formats it could become hellish, but I think Project Life rocks, and you made a very good-looking start with it. Keep up enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! I'm totally bummed that it's so expensive here and I can't get it. Wah!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first I've heard of it and it's perfect for busy moms. And isn't everyone busy these days? You've done a beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing a great job! My problem was always that I didn't get the photos at the same time I was ready to put everything else together - and I still don't! I never get the pics printed any more. I really need to get going on my own scrapbooking. But first I need to get through my MIL's.
ReplyDeleteThis is SO exciting! I've always wanted to start scrapbooking but have found it slightly overwhelming. I'm definitely going to check into this more! I need the motivation to really start working on this!!! Thanks so much for sharing ;)
ReplyDelete