I started Project Life on my birthday at the beginning of February. It’s a scrapbooking system that can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. It uses a 3-ring binder, photo protector pages, your photos, and journaling cards. There are special Project Life kits and supplies that you can buy, or you can just recreate it on your own.
I really love it. I’ve never kept up with a scrapbook before, but this seems sustainable. It’s been five weeks and I’m going strong. I do one spread (two 12 x 12 pages) per week, and I usually put it all together on the weekends in about two sittings.
Here’s the front page (click on the pictures to make them bigger):
The week of February 5 – 11 (including my birthday):
February 12 – 18 (including Valentine’s Day):
February 19 – 25 (Meredith turned 7 months):
February 26 – March 3:
March 4 – 10:
So I almost didn’t post about this at all, because so many of my ideas for this are taken directly from Elise. The top left pocket with the date on the kraft paper circle, the weekly quote, the list of the week’s happenings, and the labeling are all inspired by her. I’m not an original person, but I do like to craft. So I take other people’s ideas and make them my own.
My album isn’t the most detailed, creative, or cool, but I like it. If I had more time I would have a blast adding little things here and there, but I don’t. I take pictures and keep odds & ends throughout the week. On Saturday I choose pictures (I print them using Snapfish and pick them up at Walgreen’s) and get a basic layout. On Sunday I put it all together.
I don’t know if anyone is even interested in the supplies I use, but here’s some basic information. I already had some scrapbooking supplies around because I’m in a monthly craft club that focuses on making cards. I decided not to buy the Project Life kit, because I figured I could make it more like I want it on my own, but the kit is great if you don’t have any supplies or if you don’t feel like getting creative with it. I did buy the big pack of Design A page protectors because I liked the layout.
My binder is American Crafts. I use a Fiskers corner rounder and paper cutter. I have a few punches from Stampin’ Up (tag, circle, heart) that I use frequently. I got some washi tape, some labels, some stickers, and I cut out cute patterns from magazines to add interest. I try not to spend too much money on it and use what I have.
Let me know if you want more details about anything. I’m going to try and get my act together to post my progress (with clearer and more detailed photos) every week or two.
From Lauren:
I love this! Right now I’m making digital scrapbooks of all my photos starting in 2006 and it’s taking forever, and it’s EXPENSIVE! My mom and I plan to go through all our old photos this summer and try to scrpabook those too. But this looks like a great plan for the future, I want to see it in person!
From kapachino:
Lauren, this is what I was telling you about before! I think it looks better in person. It could work for anyone, I think – the style is so flexible!
From Brittany:
This looks great!
From alisa beth:
I’m doing Project Life this year, too (except I’m a bit behind because I’m back tracking and starting from Jan 1 and I didn’t start until half way through Feb). I LOVE what you’ve done so far! I’m taking the easy road and using the kit, so I really can appreciate (and admire!) what you’re doing! I look forward to seeing your progress.
AND, Meredith is just as cute as can be! Nearly every picture you post of her is cuter than the last!
From kapachino:
Good for you for backtracking! I thought about doing that, but I knew if I tried I might never catch up, so I just jumped in where I was. It gave me a little time to prepare too, which has helped.
From Jen:
I am absolutely in love with this! I’m not dedicated enough to full-on scrapbook, but this seems simple enough to capture memories without disrupting my life. I WILL be doing this. (Post more about this often??)
From kapachino:
I gave up on the idea of traditional scrapbooking years ago. I just knew I couldn’t keep it up. This is absolutely not like that though! You have a guide, and instead of a blank page staring at you, just slip in your photos & embellish however you feel.
I’m so glad you’ll be doing it! I recommend just jumping in, don’t wait for next year. I’m going to try to post my progress weekly if I can!
From Mom:
I thoroughly enjoy looking through your pages!
From Johanna @ These Prices:
Another logistics question: are you going to finish the last week of 2012 or do 52 weeks (so into 2013)?
From kapachino:
I think either way would work well, and originally I think I was going to do birthday to birthday, but since it’s turning out to be more of a family book I think I’m just going to finish out 2012 and then (hopefully) start a new one in 2013 if I can keep up!
From Kelly Michelle:
I love this project. It seems easy enough that I could keep up with it! Do you have to cut the photos every time to make them fit?
From kapachino:
The large pockets are 4×6 so I can just slip those in. The small pockets are 3×4 and what I do is combine two vertical photos onto one canvas (I use the Diptic app but there are other ways) and then print as a 4×6. Then I cut those apart to fit. I also round the corners but that part’s just a preference!