Project Life Tuesday
I started Project Life Tuesday in 2010 because:
- I needed to keep myself accountable and on top of my photos each week.
- My family loved being able to count on a weekly post with pics of the kids.
- I thought others might want to keep themselves accountable too.
It was a huge blessing and so I am excited to be kicking off my third year of this series.
Each Tuesday, I will share my spread from the previous week, as well as host a linky for readers to link up their pictures/layouts. This year, Epson is sponsoring Project Life Tuesday, and they provided me with their Epson Stylus R2880 Large Format Photo Printer (C11CA16201)
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Well I finally finished the two weeks that I almost finished last week.
Honestly, those journaling cards were about all I had time for this week. The pages aren’t perfect, but I am glad they are done.
June 10-16: I kept things simple – just two small inserts!
I love the card with the three instagrams going across it. You can also see the collage I made of Ann, Annie’s and my time together.
Here is the view of the right hand page. I love the insert with the four 3×4 photos.
Here is the backside of the farm insert + a second insert with Matthew’s Father’s Day card.
Here is the last page. You will notice I overlayed a sticker across the top right photos.
June 17- 23: This is another simple week- just a normal spread plus one 6×12 insert from American Crafts.
I love the collage of four small photos that Elias took of himself on the iPad. I used washi tape to accent the journaling cards.
I did a 6×12 insert with some photos of Adeline from her 1st birthday. When we get the pictures from her photo shoot, I might include one or two large ones from it as well.
The last page was very simple. You’ll notice I used some number stickers to tie to one journaling card for the whole page(a favorite technique of mine!)
A little status update:
I still have to do June 24-June 30 and July 1-7. This week is crazy with some home remodel projects as we get our condo ready to list again, and then we are going to be with Matthew’s family in Maryland for a long weekend so that means come Sunday, I will also have July 8-14. And then I will have July 15-21 because next week is going to be as nuts as this week as I finish getting ready for Elias’s birthday party. That means July 22 is the first day I will be able to work on Project Life.
I know, I know. Project Life is all about keeping things easy. And that is what I love about it. But I also know that from past years (this is my 4th year doing Project Life) that when I fall behind, I never catch up.
And I desperately want to catch up.
Because I am committed to this album more than I ever have been, I am doing a few things differently this time around to ensure I am able to get caught up.
- Staying on top of the photos: I organize my Project Life photos by folders by week. So though I haven’t and won’t have time to print my photos weekly like in months past, I have my weekly folders created and photos in them.
- Making notes: I bought a notebook from the dollar section at Target that is just for Project Life notes. I then add notes, quotes, etc. that I may want to include in my Project Life spread. It has things like, don’t forget Friday, June 29: 109 degrees: the hottest day in Nashville on record – ever!
- Life bits: I have page protectors for the weeks in progress and I have been slipping life bits for possible inclusion in my spreads
What are you doing to stay on top of Project Life?
As always, you are invited to share your Project Life pages below.
What is your connection with Ann Voscamp? I love her A Thousand Gifts books. I have bought numerous copies and given them away as gifts.
Ann and I met through blogging (we both blog for (in)courage) and have grown to be the best of friends. And YES to giving One Thousand Gifts to other people! It is such a life-changing book, isn’t it?
I am slowly getting behind myself but am trying not to stress too much over it. Lovely photos – and isn’t it all about the photos and stories?
Hey there – just a thought… Compare where you are this year to where you were last year on this project. I bet you are not as far behind as you have been in the past! (Trying to find the silver lining here…)
I’m a bit late to the Project Life bandwagon – I started late and have just finished January! (I used to be an avid scrapbooker, but then I had two kids and got promoted to supervisor at work, so life became really hectic!) I am using WRMK page protectors and I’m making my own weekly intro cards. Then, each month, I’ve set a specific color scheme for that month. I find that it ties together my pages and makes it easy when I get my photos printed. Then, I’m not searching through my stash, wasting time when I could be getting my layouts done. It makes the product choice so much easier for me! For example, February is red and black – red patterned paper, cardstock, red-lined journaling stickers, black and red alphas, etc.
I have been keeping notes on my planner each day with quotes, notes, events, etc. It’s the first thing I do when I get into the office every morning. So, when I go back, I have something for each day, and can pick what I include! I have a basket with ephemera, too, and lots of good stuff that can be used any week (like drawings my daughter does, etc.) for times when I’m a bit short on photos.
I think I’ll have February done this weekend! And, that feels so good!!
Yes, I am definitely less behind since I don’t think I did one journaling card last year. Pregnancy/new baby killed me. 🙂
I’m never short on photos – ha!
I love WRMK pages and have used a lot in my album this year.
I’m about as behind as you are right now, still working on June’s pictures and I have over 100 from last week as we were on vacation! I’m trying to stay motivated by printing my pictures weekly, sticking them in the pockets and then going back to do the journaling and pretty stuff whenever I have the time. I feel like I’m making progress even if it is a little bit at a time. I am also using post-its to make note of things I want to include or write about.
Don’t get discouraged. Just do what you can and remember, 20 years from now, no one will notice if one week is missing or has less “stuff” than another.
20 years? I think 2 years from now I won’t remember – ha! 🙂 But yes, that is very wise.
I included the hottest day on record, too.. 🙂 I actually ended up with a touch of heat exhaustion on Saturday and didn’t even realize I was getting that hot!
Looks great! I love that little insert as well. They really do add a lot to each week. I used one last week and found it’s a great size!@
Thanks again for allowing us all to link up. I am on week 24 with photos..but with journaling I am on week 11. This is my 2nd year as well. I have slowed down a little with the extra bits of life…but the photos are still coming along strong. lol
One question…how do you do it all?! I’m a working mama trying to keep my head on straight. You must have energy for days. 🙂
I promise. I don’t do it all.
Jessica,
You are doing great! I’m amazed at your beautiful layouts and how you are doing such a great job with Project Life. Do you have any advice for a mom of 5, one of which I’m nursing, on how to get started with Project Life now? Is it too late in the year? I take tons of photos, but I’m just afraid it might be too late to start and don’t want to set myself up for failure. Maybe Project Life on Shutterfly? Any advice would be great. Again you are doing an amazing job!
Hi Regina – 5 kids?! Wow! I only have two kids, so can’t advise on your specific situation. The beauty about Project Life is that you can start at any time. You could do your years July – July if you wanted. I love the tangible process of the Project Life kit/album, but Shutterfly might work better for you – especially if you would like to order multiple albums. If weekly is too much, you might consider doing biweekly or monthly – whatever works for you. Good luck! 🙂
Lovely spread, Jessica!
I have it in my calendar every Monday to work on the previous week so that I don’t fall behind. Because I know that the more I fall behind, the bigger thing it becomes in my head to catch up.
Ronnie xo
I hear you about it becoming a big thing in your head.
I enjoy checking your web sites. Thank you!