Happy Project Life Saturday lovelies!
I wanted to say a quick hello to all the Sweet Rose Studio newbies out there. I’m absolutely thrilled that so many of you want to join my journey in creating and completing our first Project Life albums. In case you missed my first Project Life post, you can find it HERE. I so proud to say that after that first post, I’ve been doing some serious brainstorming and as of right now, I have 15 weeks of Project Life posts planned out (yes, 15!) and I might even have a fun giveaway or two in there as well. This series is going to pack a punch and make us work; not in some scary, intimidating way, but I plan on pushing our creativity and our ability to accomplish preserving our family’s memories in a timely manner.
I’ve had a great question that was asked that I’d like to answer before I show you my newest layout.
1. Quick question since you started with T-ball, are you doing your album monthly or by theme?
Sometimes I jump right into something that I’m excited about without thinking too much about it. That first night that I ripped open that box of Project Life goodies like a kid on Christmas morning, I immediately knew that I wanted to work on my son’s t-ball pictures first. Like I said in my first post, I think you should pick a single event or set of pictures that you want to work with. It can be super easy to get completely overwhelmed if you go into this thinking of every single picture or memory that you’ll need to pack into this {and future} albums. Start with just one idea. I chose the t-ball pictures because they inspire me. Don’t pick a set of pictures that doesn’t inspire you.
With all this being said, I know that I want my album set up in by months. Because t-ball is happening right now (April), my future layouts will actually work backward to the start of the year (January). Does that make sense? I know that when I’m a much more seasoned Project Life-er, I will probably have a much different work flow and I won’t begin in the middle of the year. For newbies like myself though? I think it’s important to test out the waters and figure out what will work best for you.
Anyways, let’s get to the second layout of the assigned homework. This layout features a beautiful afternoon the kids and I spent in the backyard painting with watercolors for the first time.
And for a closer look, here’s the left side of the layout.
Because each of the kids completed more than one painting, I trimmed down a few as part of the layout. Who says you can only use photographs as part of your layout?
The left side layout:
Who says you always have to write a paragraph or anecdote on each of your journaling cards? I created a brief list of what each of the kids likes to paint and their specific quirks. Even though we’re keeping things simple, it doesn’t mean that it has to be boring. 🙂
So tell me, how are your two layouts going so far? Remember, you have until next Saturday to get your simple layouts complete before I throw a new homework assignment at you! Also, if you’d like your layout(s) featured in next Saturday’s post, please email me pictures at katie {at} sweetrosestudio {dot} com.
P.S. I was not paid or compensated in any manner for this post or any posts related to Project Life. I just love the products that much!
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Oh! I just love your handwriting! I’ve always hated mine so that’s my biggest challenge with PL! Yesterday I just jumped in and started writing because I know in the years to come my children will care more that I left the memories than what my handwriting looks like! It’s great you added the artwork! I must try this out myself in my children’s pages!
Thanks Stephanie! Is it weird that I was one of those kids that *liked* to practice my handwriting when I was younger? Ha! And I totally agree–your kids will treasure those memories, no matter what your handwriting looks like!
Love it! I am going to do the trimming of art work. Great idea! What kind of pen are you using to write on the journal cards?
Thanks so much Kate! For right now, I’m using a Sharpie fine point pen. I’m kind of addicted to them. 😉 I do have to say though, I’m dying to try the new line of pens that Becky’s coming out with in May!
Very cute…I love Project Life! I use it for Project 365 (I take a picture every day and document them all using Project Life.) I started mid-way through last year and was too overwhelmed to try to do all my pictures from January. I am doing much better this year and am only a couple weeks behind. I think I may start joining in on your hw challenges to help me catch up!
I am so thrilled you’ll be joining us Erin! My goal is to make this process less overwhelming, so hopefully we can *all* get our albums done. 🙂
I have a few of my teenage son’s elementary art projects that I can’t bear to cut and a few that wouldn’t make sense cut up….so I was thinking of taking them up to a Kinko’s type place to see if they can scan and then print on a smaller scale to fit into the album. I hope they can!
I have my fingers crossed for you Michelle! You’ll have to let us know how it turns out. 🙂
If you can’t scan the artwork, then take a photo! I attach my kids art to the back of my front door with magnets and snap away. Then print the photo like normal.
Wonderful ideas! I read one of your journal cards and noticed you’re also in Phoenix!! PL meet-up! Lol
Yes Angelica! I am in Phoenix! Yay for Phoenix PL!
Hi Katie,
I have a question.
I woul like to start a PL about my daughter. She is my inspiration. I have to up to date the whole year of 2013. I decided to arrange everything by month. The question is: we use one core kit per album or you permute several core kits mixing then in the same album?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Liz!
I’ve seen it done both ways; it really boils down to what you’re comfortable with. I personally like using multiple kits, but if you find one that speaks to you, you could absolutely use just that one for an entire album.
Hope this helps!
I have been wanting to start a Project Life book for some time. My biggest obstacle has been coordinating pictures with the sleeves…do I have them printed in horizontal or vertical?? How do you decide which pages to purchase to make sure you can fit your pictures? Does this make sense at all?
I just had a baby so I feel like I have some great inspiration. I just need to start. 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Tracy! When starting out, you can actually print them horizontally or vertically. Do what works best for your pictures and you! I started with this variety pack of pocket pages (http://beckyhiggins.com/product/photo-pocket-pages-big-variety-pack-2-3/) so that I would have the ability to use either format of pictures. I hope this helps!
What are the bare necessities you need to get started with Project Life? I’m a brand newbie.