embarking on Project Life 2013
Week 1 (love including items Ellie makes at school)
This year, I'm using the Seafoam Kit with bits from the Clementine Kit and a few other good things. And hopefully I will begin to get a bit better at photographing these layouts but my intention in sharing these is more to encourage you to print out your photos and write down your stories and less about me saying, "look how pretty!" (Insert me smiling and winking here.) Because my Project Life album isn't about perfect. It's about getting these stories out of my computer (and my head) and onto paper.
Week 1 close up (made the collage instagram photo of EJ and me at the top using an app - love it!)
So far I'm really loving the 4x4 page protectors for mostly Instagram photos (printed from PostalPix) and a few 4x6 photos that I cut to fit. Because of the turnaround time for the PostalPix photos to get here (it isn't long but can be a week), I'm using a post-it with the photo description as a space holder if I'm waiting for a photo. This way I don't get too behind and can finish the rest of the layout.
Week 2
Another reason I'm using more Instagram photos this year is because 1) I usually have my iphone with me and often upload my favorites to Instagram and 2) perhaps more importantly, this way I'm included more in the album, which is a goal for me this year. (I take a lot of self-portraits on Instagram.) Plus iphone photos are the only ones I really take with both me and Jon or of all three of us.
Week 2 closeup (I was feeling out of words during this week and loved that I could just use the "who what when where..." card and the "life looks like" card)
I've also been uploading my 4x6 photos to Walgreens and having Jon pick them up on his way home from work (or I upload them at 11 at night and pick them up in the morning and stop for a Starbucks treat as a way to get out of the house on studio days). For some reason, this feels easier right now, but I still use the Selphy if I want to print one or two photos.
Week 3 (with an insert of these photos)
A few favorite supplies in addition to the kit:
- Journaling with my Smash pen and these Sharpies
- Martha Stewart labels
- Ali's journaling cards
- Grid journaling cards cut to 4x4 for journaling on those layouts
- I changed to this corner rounder this month and I love it!
Week 3 close up
One big piece I've realized so far this year: I've let go of narrating the photos I use. Meaning, I don't always journal about the photos. Sometimes there is a story I want to tell with a corresponding photo or two, but often I want to include stories that don't have photos. And really the photos themselves tell their own stories. This is another way I keep letting go of any need for perfection with this project. Week 3 is a great example of this.
Just like last year, I'm continuing to include bits of journaling about the real life/hard stuff. Like the awesome beauty and intensity of being a mama to a smart little girl who understands so much but still has the emotions of a two year old to sift through each day. Including these pieces is really important to me and has helped me see how much of this experience is for me.
To read more about how I approach Project Life (and how I let go of perfection big time with it), see this post.
If you are new to Project Life, head over to Becky Higgins' site to watch a fun short video that explains everything.
PS You shared some awesome comments/emails after I wrote this post about why I take self-portraits and I want to respond to them. Look for a post about that next week.
PPS Registration for the Summer Your Story Retreat will begin next Wednesday, February 6. (The retreat website will be updated with more info on Monday.)
project life in photos + words
Reader Comments (10)
SO loving this Liz! What a beautiful narrative of your year...
I love what you are doing here Liz. It's great that you are tweaking the process and really make it your own - doing what works for you. Sounds like it's really nurturing too...
Liz, This is so inspiring for me. I am a long time scrapbooker, but have stopped over the last few years and find this idea very attractive. Thank you so much for sharing and for all the resources you provide. Just downloaded PostalPix and placed an order. Easy-Peasy!
Hi Liz, I just wanted you to know that you are the reason I finally took up Project Life this year. There are others whose albums I love, but your process spoke to me the most about how I could manage it and why this was different to the things I do already and worth doing.
THIS POST HAS INSPIRED ME! MY, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR DAUGHTER IS SO GROWN UP ALREADY. MY DAUGHTER WILL BE HAVING HER FIRST AND MY FIRST GRANDCHILD AT THE END OF FEBRUARY. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MEMORY BOOK SIMILAR TO YOURS...SHE IS SO FAR AWAY..PORTLAND OREGON AND I LIVE IN INDIANA. THIS WILL HELP ME FEEL CONNECTED. YOU HAVE AN AMAZING WAY WITH WORDS AND THOUGHTS AND LIVING YOUR LIFE! ♥
This is great. Thanks for sharing. I need something simple because life isn't!!
Forgot to ask....what kind of camera are you using? I have been using my iphone and just checked out postalpix - looks great. I am considering putting up the big nikon and just using a smaller camera that fits easily in my purse.
I love to see it, Liz! I've embarked on PL, too, and totally LOVE it! One of the highlights of my week is when I find some quiet time to print and cut my photos, attach them to my book with washi tape, add text, etc. I have approached PL without binder and page protectors, because the only way I can stick to it, is to do something super simple and "me".
Thanks for all of your tips. Looking forward to seeing more.
Monica x
P.S Oh I meant to tell you I love wearing the butterfly necklace I purchesed from you! :)
Hello Liz! This is Harriet from Hong Kong.
I am amazed and inspired by what you've done!!!!
It must be great when re-reading these precious cute photos!!!!^^
I wish I am determined enough to make myself one......... lol
wow, this is just fabulous Liz! I totally want to have a child now so I can Project Life our times together! well ok, that's not the only reason I want to have a child. :) but what a great way to document everything in a quick & easy process!