Today is the day that I have been waiting for for what seems like ages; today is the day I start my first scrapbook of Project Life!
Now I know that some of you may not know yet what Project Life is, so I want to direct you to some fabulous links courtesy of Project Life creator, Becky Higgins. At BeckyHiggins.com, there is an entire section dedicated to Project Life for newbies (that’s us y’all!) which will walk you completely through the process of starting your first album. You can also find out what kits and other products are available HERE.
I thought it might be fun to have a group that works through their Project Life kits together, a support system of sorts. From here on out, I’ll post what I’ve been working on and what I’ll be working on the next week on Saturdays. I’d love to have you follow along and join in on the fun! I’m hoping this keeps us all accountable and helps prevent that whole stinky “losing steam” feeling. What do you think? You game?
This week we’ll cover a few super basic things: setting up your first and last pages and creating your first two layouts.
First: setting up your album. Becky Higgins had made the entire process super simple and has even printed the suggested layout of the First Page and Last Page cards. Easy peasy. Here’s an example of what my First Page looks like without any pictures or embellishments added.
The best part about Project Life, in my opinion? You can do as little or as much as you’d like. I could absolutely leave my page exactly as it is now. I could add a few pictures and a smidge of journaling. I could go all out and add embellishments out the wazoo, bling the page out, and doodle all over. Anyway I choose, it’s totally okay.
Here’s how my front page ended up looking:
I did end up adding just a few simple embellishments: a few strips of washi tape and my fave Dear Lizzy Thickers.
Next: Work on your first layout. Yep, just one. 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. For me, I’m working with pictures from Luke’s t-ball games.
Seriously, t-ball is the cutest thing and I purposely chose this because I’m living it right now and it inspires me. Don’t pick a set of pictures that doesn’t inspire you. You don’t want to get stuck on your first layout!
Now I’m sure that everyone has a different workflow when it comes to Project Life. I found it easiest to start by choosing and inserting the pictures that I was going to use. I figured out which ones would need to be cropped down and put them in place.
Next came my favorite part: choosing which of the super cute cards from the Jade Kit that I was going to use.
To finish off my first Project Life layout, I simply added some journal-ing to the blank cards.
That’s it! You’re done with your first Project Life layout!
Even though there is only one layout in addition to the First Page, my kids are obsessed with looking at the pages and are asking when I’m going to start making more. 🙂
So here comes the homework part of this post: I’d love for you to complete TWO Project Life layouts by next Saturday. Simple, right?
If you enjoyed this Project Life post, you might also like these posts in the series:
Project Life for Beginners: The Prequel – Choosing the Right Kit
Project Life for Beginners: Creative Cropping
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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Love seeing your pl! This is my second year, though I’m still very much a newbie! 🙂
Thanks so much Melinda! I’d love for you to work along with us even if this isn’t your first time and I’d love to see some of your pages too. Us newbies can always use some inspiration!
This is such a great idea!
Thank you Elaine! Will you be joining us? I’d love to have you! XO
Thanks for sharing, I have yet to start one but I’m working on buying the whole kit and kaboodle VERY soon! I love this system! I will be following along 🙂
I am SO glad to have you following along Tarah! Remember to submit the pages that you’re working on to me so I can feature them! XO
Wonderful start! I’m a PL newbie too! I’m working on putting my life in the new paper Blush kit and I’m working on a weekly digital PL for this year (mostly of my kids)! It’s very addictive! Good luck to you!
Wow Stephanie! That’s awesome; I’m prepping myself to try some digital Project Life next. 😉
Great post for those of us attempting our first PL album! Quick question since you started with Tball, are you doing your album monthly or by theme?
Hi Kim! Since this is my first kit, I’m learning the hard way and as I go on how to organize my album. 😉 I happened to use the pictures that I was *most* excited about right now for my first layout so I could get the hang of it. Now that I have a better idea of what I’m doing, I’m working in order by month. I’ll be going over more of this in my post on Saturday. I’m glad to have you here! XO
Love it! Can’t wait for more posts and more inspiration for me to get started. 🙂
Welcome to Project Life! Love your first page, especially that the kids adore it so much already. Congratulations!!
Thanks so much Teresa! How long have you been doing Project Life for? I’m addicted already! 🙂
this was great I got my shipments from HSN yesterday adding it to the other kits I have im excited to get started on a couple of albums I need to get finished. Daughter is turning 30 in a month I want to finish and album for her by then… Im excited to see how you started… Thank you for sharing!
You sound like a pro already Julie! Thanks for stopping by! XO
Great start, great job! Though I’ve been scrapping for years, this is my first year of PL. As you said, you can do as much or as little embellishing as you want (I’m working through my stash….yay!). I’m happy to report that I’ve been able to stay caught up, so far.
Congrats on being caught up Emily! You are my PL hero! I’ll definitely be using a good chunk from my stash too. I can’t wait to share that in the upcoming weeks… 😉
Yay! So proud of you for starting! I bought my kit months ago and just last week got a dedicated space organized and set up to start. I’m 15 years behind on scrapping my son’s life so definitely like your advice for picking one activity/event to start with. I will be PL’ing along wth you! 🙂
Yay Michelle! I’m so excited for you to be joining along with us! I can’t wait to see some of your layouts!
I’m delighted to have found you (thanks to Becky)! I feel like you’re a shot in the arm and just what I need right now. My Blush kit arrived this week and I am so excited. (I did my first PL last year but without a kit and didn’t finish it) I love that you gave us some homework and I am going to do it. One thing I’m doing is adding these each week: favorite quote or scripture, one top 10 list (favorite movies, songs, actors, misc facts about me) and a personal note to either my daughters or granddaughters..
I’m making my albums for my beautiful grandchildren so they’ll have something that really gives them an idea who “Nana” really is.
I’m so looking forward to encouraging others who are this great path!
Karen
I love the addition of a favorite quotes, scriptures, and personal notes in your album Karen. I may have some of those same ideas in some of my future posts too. 😉 How do you like Blush? I’m kicking myself for not ordering that one too!
Thanks for sharing. I’m just starting on Project Life too. I will try and share.
I look forward to seeing your work Sharmon!
I am brand new- I do Creative Memories albums for all teh big events, but decided project life might be a good way to document all the day to day pictures I take and I take a lot. I am learning how to perfect my picture taking with my new canon rebel T4 taht was my birthday gift!
That is a great combo Lenore: Project Life and a fancy new camera! If you’re looking for some great photography tutorials, you can find more on this Pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/katiewaltemeyer/photography-genius/
Saw Becky’s post on IG. I’m new to PL as well. Love it!! I will be following along. I’m working in 2012 but am already at June! Looking forward to seeing more of your layouts. Isn’t the jade so pretty?? I want it!
Oh Colleen, I am so glad to have you here! I adore the Jade kit, although I’m already starting to plan which of the new kits that I’ll be getting next. May could be rough for my bank account! Ha!
Ok…I love you. I found your post from Becky’s Instagram feed. I am new to PL as well (although I have been tuning into her blog for about 2 years), and I just purchased the Jade kit too. I will be following along with you (and hopefully keeping up) as you work your way through. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
Awww Kate, I love you too! I am SO glad to have you here sharing this PL Newbie experience with me!
Your first layout looks great! It’s great that your kids love it! I love the Jade kit! I’m on my 2nd year of PL. But I chose to do mine digitally this year. And I’m still working my way through last year’s. 🙂 Plus I have 3 kits to work with that are not digital – Cobalt, Jade, and Baby Edition for Him. I have LOADS of printed pictures to work my way through since my scrapbooking slowed waaaaay down after my 3rd child (now 7) was born. 🙂 I know I can get them documented with Project Life!
Thanks for your kind words Kimberly! How are you liking the digital kit so far? That might be the next thing I delve into after finishing my first album. 🙂
I love the digital kits! And I love how crisp and clean my pages are digitally. Doing digi PL is great because I don’t have to wait to have my pics printed before I can start a page. And since I’m pretty slow in getting pics printed, this really works for me. 🙂 I plan to make a photo book of my pages. I also took Jessica Sprague’s Digital PL class, which I loved. (I have loved all the JS classes I have taken!) The digi PL class was very helpful in getting me started. However you do PL, enjoy! I have been loving it!
Great! I’m in. I have a kit but have yet to start it. No more putting it off! Thanks for the nudge!
Don’t you worry Jessica! I have no problem nudging! 🙂 So glad your joining in!
So glad I found this post (& you through it)!! I just got my PL goodies yesterday and will be doing my first spread this weekend. I am so excited to start and think this is a great idea to start with other newbies too!
How exciting Melanie! What edition did you order? Prepare to be addicted!
Hi Katie, I haven’t actually ordered an edition. I just have the binder and photo protectors. I’m planning on having a post up next week on how I’m going to be doing my PL in a much simpler fashion. So excited!
Count this newbie in! I need inspiration, ideas, and a support group. Excited!
I am absolutely thrilled that you’ll be joining us Carrie! Make sure to stop back on Saturdays for the next installments!
First off those are the cutest t-ball pictures I have ever seen!!! And your enthusiasm is contagious! I love your step by step tutorial!!!! Fabulous!!! I love the picture of the two of them together looking at the album!!! It melts my heart!!!
Thanks so much MaryAnn! You don’t know how much it means to me that you like it! XO
My girlfriend and I are brand new project lifers. We did paper and digital prior. Just got my Jade kit this week and still a little intimidated. Thanks for the post and I look forward to more!
Hi Virginia! A new kit can be intimidating, right?!? I’m so glad that you’ll be joining along as we work on our albums!
I got the Jade edition too! And you have me a couple of ideas already …. love the washi tape!
Yay Sharmon! Don’t you *love* the Jade kit? It’s amazing!
Yes, I’m totally in love with the colors!
Hi Katie! I am new to PL this yr and can’t wait to follow along with you, it will be great inspiration 🙂
Jackie
Welcome Jackie! I’m thrilled you’ll be joining us!
I am doing PL weekly for my family but I really need a “nudge” (or a big push!) to start on my son’s baby album as well. I will definitely try to follow along and to see the inspiration!
Awesome Megan! I’m so glad to have you here with us!
I just ordered my project life Jade edition! I cannot wait!!! Thanks for sharing with us newbies!
I hope you adore the JADE edition as much as I have! It’s gorgeous!
I am right there with you! I have been scrapbooking (digital and traditional) for about 15 yrs now and really lost interest (& time) over the past 2 years. I saw PL on HSN and decided to also start with the Jade kit. I love PL! I love that it encourages me to take more pics. I love that it is getting me to use my extensive SB stash of supplies. I love that I can also incorporate a digital layout when I have a lot of pics from one special event, etc. etc. I also find myself watching PL you tube videos all the time-I can’t get enough!
ahh im super excited to get started I just so happen to have a gift card to michaels.. do they sell project life stuff there? oh I hope so :/
Thank you so much for sharing your project life-ing and even helping with all the different ideas and ways of going about things. You really helped me find it less daunting with where to start and how to just add a few little bit here and there. Yours looks amazing and I hope my develop into something as good one day.
Hi,
I was directed to your blog by our lovely group on FB in Australia. I am a layout scrapper and am time poor at moment with study and work. I am going to do a layout of the main photo for the week and use the pockets for the rest as I do take a few pics 🙂
Thanks for you help in getting me started 🙂
I’m so glad to be a help to you Kerri! I’m sure you’ll do fantastic!
Omg just purchased my first pl….must say overwhelmed. I thought I could do this more quickly then my regular scrapbook….now not so sure
I promise that once you get into it, its so easy! I was overwhelmed at first, but totally love it now. Stick with it!
Okay I don’t want to get ahead of myself but 2 questions:
What do you use to trim-a paper cutter or a punch?
Also, do you have your pics printed or do you print them at home?
Thanks for the help!
Hi Michelle! I use a paper cutter to trim my pictures and while I know a lot of people print their pictures at home, I prefer to have mine printed elsewhere. I personally have all of my photos printed at Costco. I hope this helps!
Hi! I am new to Project Life and am just getting started. Do you have suggestions for what all I will need to buy to get started with the basics?
Hi Jen! Welcome to the world of Project Life — prepare to get addicted! To get started, you really only need a core kit, pocket pages (I prefer the assortment of the A & D styles from Becky Higgins), an album, and a pen to journal with. If you watch for sales or coupons from your local craft stores, you should be able to find them for a pretty good deal. Hope this helps!
Thank you Katie for your blog. I am new to project life, however not to scrapbooking. I have made several very involved scrapbooks. They just take forever. I am looking for something that will organize my photographs and my memories, but without all the time. I probably have 10 copy paper boxes filled with pix from over forty years of marriage, three children, and 6 grandchildren. I have quite a project at hand. Thank you for getting me started. I heard about Project Life through Stampin Up. Great Idea!!!!
Thank you for this post! I am new to project life and I appreciate your information on how to get started. 🙂
Talk about a newbie. I just started today the possibilities of PL seem endless.
I did notice one layout with confetti in a pocket, but how would you seal it so it does not fall out?
I would love to join and follow your wonderful ideas, so how,would I go about doing that?
Also, I live in Canada, so is that ok?
I really look forward to hearing back from you and all your work is absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing that with us all!
Kathy