2012 was the first year that I used Becky Higgins wildly popular Project Life for all of my scrapbooking. It was last Christmas at my in-laws that I discovered this product. We ladies were perusing the Internet, looking at some nifty ideas for our albums, when we came across Project Life. At first glance, it didn't interest me. But after watching the video explaining the premise for it, I was hooked.
Becky Higgins is well known in the scrapbooking community from her days at Creating Keepsakes magazine. She has more of a minimalist style compared to some, and I've always liked that about her. She created Project Life to make scrapbooking easier, less time consuming, and to reflect the true stuff of every day life. It can be used in many ways, but the goal is simple- to get your photos into albums.
Project Life is not page kits. The basics to use this system are a core kit (with a variety of styles to choose from), page protectors that are divided into easy 6x4 and 4x3 slots, and a three ring 12x12 album. The core kit includes 4x3 journaling and filler cards as well as 6x4 cards. To begin scrapbooking with Project Life, you simply insert your pictures into the protector slots and fill it in with cards from the core kit. You can also purchase coordinating paper and cardstock to cut to size for the protector slots.
I used the Clementine core kit for 2012. At first I tried to simply use the Project Life protectors and the paper and supplies I already had in my collection... but I soon realized it wasn't going to be as quick and easy this way. So I ordered the core kit. Then the matching paper. After doing this, documenting our year became much quicker and enjoyable.
Here's what I love about Project Life.
1.) I truly documented more of the "little stuff". Getting a new cell phone. A lost tooth. An impromptu nap on the deck. I didn't need many photos of a big event to create a layout with Project Life. One picture could easily be inserted into a page with a journaling card to describe it.
2.) Everything coordinates. I keep my core kit box, paper, protectors, and pictures in a tote bag and can easily pull it out to work on it with only a few basic tools.
3.) I get a lot done in a little time. Most recently I nearly completed 14 two-page layouts in a day. I stay-up-to-date easier.
4.) I don't have to spend a lot of time coming up with a page design. I simply choose the protector style that best suits my pictures, slide them in, then fill in the rest with paper.
5.) The pictures stand out. It's not about the fancy paper or embellishments, it's about the photos.
6.) All products are available on Amazon.com for free super-saver shipping or with your Prime benefits.
7.) The pockets are easy to stick other memorabilia in, too.
There are some things I learned along the way, too.
1.) Yes, use the core kit and matching accessories for ease of use.
2.) It doesn't have to be perfect. Sometimes I even insert pictures in the wrong direction to make a layout work. I do the same with journaling cards.
3.) A lot of people share their Project Life albums online. But they barely look like Project Life because they are so embellished with other things. It was discouraging. But then I let it go and realized the point was to document the life of my family. Project Life will not be fancy unless you make it so. But it will be cohesive and simple while looking nice.
4.) I used one alphabet stamp set for the whole album. I packed it in my tote with the other Project Life stuff. Again, easy and guess-free as far as designing pages and titles. I did use some other lettering sources a few times, but for the most part I kept it simple.
5.) The easiest protector styles to use are A, C, and D.
There are a few things I didn't like about Project Life. The journaling cards only have lines going in one direction. The 4x3 cards are made to be inserted vertically, never horizontally because the journaling lines would then run up and down instead of across. This made it really challenging to use some of the styles of protectors and add journaling cards to them. That is why I recommend the styles above. I also thought there was a lack of graphic cards, cards not for journaling but just for adding design to the page. After looking at the latest video on how to use Project Life, it looks like this has been remedied. The new core kits have 4x3 cards with journaling lines on one side and graphics on the other. Another frustrating thing is that many of the products quickly sell-out and stock can take a while to be replenished. Especially at the beginning of a new year when Project Life fans are stocking up for their new albums. I plan to use the Olive kit this year. The website says it will be available in late December. It's the 28th and so far it is not in stock. And I guarantee that as soon as it is, it will sell out. So I'll have time to finish up my 2012 album before getting next year's started.
All in all, I really enjoyed making my Project Life album, and as I said, I plan to do it again for 2013. I'm in a season of life when simple is what I need. I'm not up for a lot of planning right now, whether it is for homeschooling or scrapbooking. I feel like I've rediscovered why I began scrapbooking in the first place- to preserve precious memories of my family in the form of photographs and simple words jotted on a page. Scrapbooking has become such a huge industry. Fancy tools and machines, expensive papers and embellishments, yes, they make for beautiful pages. But while my life is beautiful, it's simple. Project Life helps me reflect that in my pages.
If you have never scrapbooked but love the idea of starting, I think Project Life is perfect. You need very minimal supplies to get started. If you love to scrapbook, but are overwhelmed and way behind, I think 2013 is a great year to start Project Life. If you love fancy and thrive on making your own creative pages, then it's not for you. Whatever you feel about scrapbooking, I hope you make tons of wonderful memories in 2013!
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