It's been over a year since I've compiled my favorite tips for Project Life into one post, so I thought it was time to share another round-up. I love these for my own reference as well, and I'll be adding a direct link to this in my blog header under Project Life.
A little background about me : I started Project Life in 2012 and loved it from the get-go. It took me a while to find my own flow and process, but I generally still do the same things every week to prepare my own pages. In December 2012 I joined the Studio Calico Creative Team and since then I've sharing the spreads I created with their Project Life kits. In the last two and a half years, I've filled 7 albums with memories I've documented in the Project Life format, and they are among the most cherished scrapbooks on my shelves.
So, let's get started. This post is link heavy, so let me know if I forgot anything.
FROM THE BEGINNING :
my first title page in 2012, my Project Life goals + the products I planned on using.
what I learned after one month as a Project Life newbie.
ALL THINGS ORGANIZATION :
how I organize my Project Life cards (above - wood photo box found at Michaels)
how I organize my Studio Calico Project Life kits
the week number chart I use to keep track of what week it is.
THE BIG STUFF : my camera - Nikon D60 + iPhone 5
my printer - Epson Photo Stylus R2880
my photo paper - Epson Ultra Premium Glossy 4x6 photo paper
my photo editing software - Photoshop Elements 9 (you can download a free 30-day trial version of PSE 12 here)
MY 2014 ESSENTIALS :
Studio Calico Project Life kits
We R Memory Keepers Greige Leather Albums
Page Protectors : Design C, Design F and the Variety 5 pack are my go-to right now.
3x4 Grid Cards
Corner Chomper - for rounded corners that match the journaling cards
Tiny Attacher
Journaling Pens
Versafine Black Onyx ink pad + Color Theory inks
Marcy Penner's planning pages (and her planner system is awesome too.)
Midnight, Seafoam and Jade are the Becky Higgins core kits I have mixed in with my stash.
CREATING THEMED PROJECT LIFE ALBUMS :
the beginning of my daughter's childhood album - preschool part one + preschool part two
documenting when a child loses their first tooth (includes printable and cut file freebies)
the Project Life baby album I put together for my soon-to-be nephew and his parents (including video walk-through)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS :
What do you consider "a week?" : My week runs Monday through Sunday. I consider the Saturday and Sunday to be the end of my week and I like to keep the weekend together.
Where did you get the badges on your album spines (above)? : They are from Kaitlin at Ormolu (Back when she had a shop - they are no longer available, but man I'd love some 2014 ones!)
What are your best tips for staying caught up? : Have one place to make notes – whether it’s a notebook, a planner or an app on your phone. This year I am using a planner that will hold my daily notes as well as planning pages so everything will be in one binder. Also, find a system for getting your photos printed regularly. Even if you can’t work on your spreads every week, print your photos or have them printed, and store them with your notes and memorabilia until you can work on it.
What font do you use to add text to your photos? : Alte Haas Grotesk is what I've been using in 2014.
I want to see more of your scrap space! Haha, thanks! I am so obsessed with seeing where people create. My latest scrap room tour can be found here. I also share peeks into my space in my Workspace Wednesday posts, as well as on Instagram.
Want more? My Pinterest Project Life board is here. You can also follow me at Studio Calico here and on Instagram here.
Project Life is a product and memory keeping system created by Becky Higgins. It has helped me document everyday moments in my family in a simple + fun way. The community is incredibly inspiring + the best part is you can use Project Life however you want. You can read much more about it here.