I’ve been doing Project Life on and off since mid-2011. In total, I have two full albums with about a year of memories documented. I’m excited to start a new Project Life album and keep printing out photos and add journaling to my album. I’ve missed it!
Last night I put together my cover page for my 2013 Project Life album.
I love the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson and wanted to use it for my title page. I was going to just print it out onto a 3x4 card, but then this idea of spreading it out across all my photos came to me. I processed all my photos with the same recipe of filters in Rad Lab, so that they have a consistent look. Then I pulled the photos up in Photoshop and typed out the words in big white letters across my photos. I lowered the opacity so that the photos can still be seen underneath the text. Then I printed my photos out. For the middle two slots, I used a thick woodgrain cardstock in chocolate color. The “HELLO” was stamped using Studio Calico’s Stepping Stone alphabet stamps with Brilliance Ink in Galaxy Gold. Then I used some number Thickers for the “2013”. On the left, I used my Silhouette to cut out the framed camera shape with POW glitter paper, and inked and Stickled the wood veneer heart shape.
What will be my process for 2013?
- Take photos on most days with my Canon DSLR, my Canon point-and-shoot, my iPad, or my phone.
- Upload photos to my computer a couple of times a week. Process and tag photos in Lightroom.
- Make any photo collages I want to print in Lightroom.
- Print photos at home using my Canon Pixma MG5320 printer.
- Use paper or printed digital supplies. Whatever I feel like at the time.
- Not worry about missing weeks or having a 2-page spread per week. I don’t want to force it such that it becomes a chore and not enjoyable anymore. I love it for what it is and want to keep doing it whenever I can fit it in.
- Using lots of Evalicious supplies. ♥
- Using digital supplies from One Little Bird and The Lilypad.
- Incorporate other sized layouts into the album if it makes sense and tells stories in a better way.
My tentative plan is something like a one-page per week. I’m going to use other divided page protector configurations if they make more sense. I have a ton I’ve bought and haven’t used, plus my sister gave me a big batch of We R Memory Keepers ones that I can use. I love those because they are sturdy and durable.
One thing I’ve noticed that prevents me from actually getting my pages done is looking at too much inspiration on the internet. I love looking at other people’s pages for inspiration, but there comes a point when you realize there’s too many choices and you get overwhelmed with indecision. I’ve decided to limit myself in the time I spend looking at other people’s pages, so that I can get my pages done, in my own way. I don’t really know what my style is, or if I even have a consistent style. I’m not too worried about it. :)
What are your plans for Project Life, if you are doing it this year?
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What a wonderful title page. I love how you did the lettering on the photos.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about all the inspiration that is available online. There is just too much good stuff out there. This is my first year doing Project life and I have found that I have to just stop looking or else I get too overwhelmed.
This is fantastic, Christine. You are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the "too much inspiration" bit. Especially since this is my first year trying PL, I am spending entirely too much time both scouring the internet for ideas, and comparing myself to the ideas I find. I need to stick with what I know, what I'm doing, and be happy. And so far, I am happy. I'm doing what works for me and trying to remember that's the important thing. There's no magic formula that everyone needs to follow.
I agree completely! One other thing that I had done in the past is scouring the internet to find journal card downloads, and then never even printing them out or using them. That needed to stop, LOL.
DeleteI love your title page, I am so excited you're back to doing this project...I love seeing your layouts! Also, the picture of you and Todd in the middle is just adorable!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely know what you mean about the full page spread being too much at times, I think I am going to run into that because my life just isn't that exciting right now [no kids, no pets, just me & Phillip, and we study pretty much all the time since we're both in law school]. I'm going to try it for now though... but I am prepared to do half a spread per week, or two weeks so far I actually used a smaller insert as one half of my spread. Good luck in 2013, I hope you enjoy this project again!!
Thanks Linda! I saw your pages on Instagram and they look great! Looking forward to seeing more! :)
DeleteWow! Can I live in your title page? It's -6 here right now and your photos are so warm and sunny! :) Happy to see your pages again, I love the way you approch PL.
ReplyDeleteI am doing PL again this year too and I'm trying to chill out with it a bit this year and not worry if I don't have enough to fill a 2 page spread - we'll see how that goes! :)
Funny how you mentioned -6 degrees and "chill out" in the same comment, LOL! I think 40 degrees is cold, so I can't fathom -6 degrees. And yes, I think the best way to do PL is to chill out about it and enjoy it!
DeleteUnfortunately I'm still finishing my 365 book from 2011 (a digital project). It is getting soooo close to being done, but not yet so I'm not taking on another full year. I did make a summer book a few years ago and I really enjoyed that - that's when we do the most stuff here in Ohio so it worked out well. I totally love the end results, but I do get overwhelmed by trying to pick out just one picture a day, or trying to take pictures without looking like the paparazzi that it drags me down sometimes!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy seeing your pages for some inspiration!!
Yay for Ohio! I lived there for 11 years!
DeleteMost of the time, I don't have any problems looking like paparazzi, LOL.
Your title page is great. Thanks for explaining your process.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about surfing the net and getting inspired and getting free downloads that I don't always print! haha
This year I have the clementine kit and am going to use it as much as possible. I think this will speed things along.
I think my problem (or one of my problems..haha) is that I feel like every week or every page has to be a masterpiece - or something I've learned or something I've never done before. I like trying new techniques but sometimes I just have to do what I do and get it done!
ya know?
That's how I was last year with my Project Life. I was a perfectionist and I wanted to try so much new stuff. It got tiring after a while, LOL.
DeleteYay! I love that you're back on board! Can't wait to see your layouts!
ReplyDeleteIm not ready to jump into Project life. I think I am too disorganized to start it and my life is not that memorable to want to try Project life. There are just some things I just dont want to remember. However, two things are starting to make me "think" about starting it. One is your Project life. Two, I was listening to Paperclipping Round table today and Becky Higgins talks about still wanting to put her brothers death in her Project life album. I guess sad experiences are also important to document......maybe. So will I continue to think about it and admire your pretty pages.
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult to document sad experiences. I think for me personally it's more doable after some time has passed. I do write a personal journal and that helps.
DeleteSWEEET cover! I can't decide if I want to get a new PL digital kit or keep using the Cobalt. Kinda tired of the Cobalt...hmmm...OK, so what's your fave new PL kit??
ReplyDeleteMy favorite new PL kit was Seafoam. But now that I see SO MANY new ones coming out in May, I have 3 more favorites, LOL. Too many to choose from.
DeleteLove your cover! Love that you're doing PL for 2013! Always love your lively pages that are full of life!
ReplyDelete