project life week three

clearly i am still figuring out the best way to photograph my completed layouts. exhibit a: the dorky cropping job in the first picture, which i gave up trying to fix. last week i used my cell phone to photograph it. i wasn't impressed with the results. then again, i haven't been too impressed with my camera's results either. geesh.
plugging right along, we are in week three. i haven't lost steam on this endeavor, but, admittedly, it is a lot of work. i have to change my mindset and CAPTURE moments with my cell phone. ideally it would be with my camera, but baby steps.
putting it all together in the final layout is a snap. but the photo lab tech at sams club is going to get really familiar with me and my family!
i haven't figured out if i like more pics and less "filler/cute stuff". i guess if i am being true to the spirit of really documenting my life, than more pictures are appropriate.

this week ashton turned 5. i should have lots of cute professional looking pictures of him opening beautifully wrapped gifts, and getting ready to blow out five waiting candles on a gorgeous birthday cake.
full disclosure: he was sick this week. we took him to a restaurant where they brought him a tiny dessert, and the bored wait staff sang a lifeless version of happy birthday. the day after his birthday i took him to target and let him pick out his presents. fortunately he is five, and didn't feel slighted at all. not one of my shining parenting moments, but hey, we pulled it together in the end.

i have discovered the joy of gold thread! you will probably be seeing a lot of it. i made that simple little card with the sequins. i love how it adds some much needed blank space to the layout.

on the opposite page, a clear heidi swapp insert (think happy thoughts) adds a break to all the pictures and information happening there.

i found it necessary to sew an add-on insert to tell a story i wanted to include. i love the somewhat hidden journaling. 

project life week two

 i'm still trying to nail down a good system for constant project life-ing. i want to document my life without that process taking me away from LIVING my life. it's a delicate balance, for sure.
my main problem is my horrible memory. so i write down as much as possible during the week. and my cell phone has saved me. 100% of this weeks photos are from my phone.

i have a major stash of project life kits, but i have also found some great printables that i used this week too. (i will try to be better about remembering where those came from so i can post a link!! - one thing at a time)
i am always so inspired by ali edwards. she has some fantastic digital overlays that i use as well. plus i find her clean style more conducive to the kind of story telling i want to portray.

this week i had some extra journaling that i wanted to be sure to get in there so i sewed on a little flap. i cut an insert from a baseball card sheet (i have lots of those and didn't feel like i was ruining a valuable pl insert).

looking back on past albums i find it so interesting to look at the seemingly insignificant details of my life...receipts and such.

Project life week one

i am indeed a resolution maker. i think the act of bettering oneself through goals and aspirations is always in order.
life documentation is a passion of mine. i wouldn't say i have one system i am faithful to, but project life is one i love.
i have dabbled.
but i wouldn't say i have taken it on to the full extent. like, serious life documentation.
so here we go...one of my resolutions is to take on all 52 weeks of the year with my camera, pen, a few supplies and an album to house it all.


here it is....week one (well, the title page, then week one)

oh, and for the record, it feels good to be back in the "blogging saddle" again!

December Daily 2014

 i have been documenting like crazy these days and thought i would share. yes, it's been years, literally, years since i have done a thing on this blog. but in an effort to motivate myself to keep up with my new goals i will be updating the blog weekly.

 i have done december daily albums in the past, and each one is a bit different. i decided to use a small project life system. this worked so well i think i just might stick to it!

i love adding bits and pieces from daily life that add interest. so if it doesn't fit in an insert i just punch holes in it and plop it in.

these are some of my favorite albums to look back on. there is nothing better than watching you kids (and husband) look through it, remember, reminisce and smile! instant payoff.