project life

my so-called project life.

February 22, 2012 /

Many a blog post has been written about how to "do" Project Life. If you're looking for that …sorry. Nothing to see here. 🙂 I have no real wisdom to share, just a few random thoughts…

Project Life doesn't have a possessive pronoun.

Notice that Becky H didn't call it "Our Project Life" or "His & Her Project Life" – there are no rules about who has to be included. Some people are opting for it to be an (adorable) record of their young kids' lives. Some people are documenting their life with a (fabulous) significant other. Some people do a fantastic job of balancing their layouts to include everyone in the family. Me? I'm not some people. My daughter lives in another country for part of the year (y'know, when she's not upstairs wearing MY sweater). My son likes to dodge the camera, and is often on the moutain (where he knows Mom will not venture). My family is scattered across several states (hi y'all!). So, this Project is really about my view of life. Some weeks it might just be all about me. Some weeks I might include the village that it takes to deal with me (hey girls!). I'll include my children as much as I feel like it (and as much as they'll tolerate). I will bribe my niece with lip gloss so that I can include her. My point? Everyone doesn't have to get equal playtime. (oh, and I've been asked where my husband is. fair question. 98% of the time, the answer is "on the couch. watching Two & a Half Men.")

Some days are dark & twisty days. Some days are shiny sparkle pager days.

I love that Project Life doesn't come with a rule book. Some weeks I'll include the dark & twisty b/c it's therapuetic. Some weeks I want more shiny sparkle pager. Early on, Barb mentioned that Project Life can kinda force you to look at your week and find some good. She's absolutely right. I'm making a conscious effort to balance the dark & twisty with some gratitude (you thought I was going to say shiny sparkle pager, didn't you?) and good. Highs & lows. Good hair days & bad hair days. And besides, where else can I put all of these Grey's Anatomy references? 

I drink a lot of coffee. I eat a lot of food. And sometimes I photograph my feet.

That might seem friviolous or narcissistic. Who wants to see what I ate for breakfast or what I wore to work? Uhm, I do. I adore the "pop culture" aspect of Project Life. I sooo wish that this had been around in the 80s…there would have been page upon page of Diet Cokes and Carl's Jr Western Bacon Cheeseburgers. Not to mention photos that would make you say "No, that's not a pop dot…that's my shoulder pads." It's like a time capsule for 2012. Isn't that what scrapbooking was meant to be anyway? (cue the PL theme song…wait, we don't have a theme song? whatttt??) I want to be able to look back and see what I was wearing, eating, listening to, reading, etc…it might seem materialistic now, but it will be historic later. (Edited to add – I predict that we'll see spin-offs next year, just like CSI. Project Life: Food. Project Life: Music. Project Life: Feet. Okay, maybe not feet…but you get my point.)

That's it, in a raw almond nutshell…my philopshy on Project Life. Go forth & scrapbook. 

Oh, and I promised a few notes on process. This might be boring. Or obvious. Or completely unneccesary. If so…why are you still reading? ;) 

*I'm not using "official" Project Life page protectors. Because I'm impatient, that's why. I'm using We R Memory Keepers for the main pages, and a variety of sizes for the inserts. I trim & sew page protectors to fit whatever random size that I need (oh, and Becky, if you're reading – please make 6 x 11 page protectors – I want to print at home.) Note: Becky Higgins does not read my blog. 

*I dig hybrid scrapbooking. I spend quite a bit of time in Photoshop – cropping photos, using web images, typing up journaling. I have the Turquoise Kit elements, and a variety of other digi elements from around the web. I adore Cathy's digi supplies (Hi Cathy!) Note: Cathy Zielske doesn't read my blog either. I am a font-aholic. I go through a lot of printer ink, and I am VERY grateful to Epson for 2 fabulous printers (review of the PictureMate Show coming soon). 

*I cannot work on this album throughout the week. I'm a little weird about that. I need a clean slate on the weekend…Adele playing in the background, and a beverage in hand. I usually do the whole week in one sitting. I typically HATE it when I start – but like the result. I do have 3 Project Life poly envelopes – one on the fridge, one in my home office, and one in my laptop bag. I collect stuff as I go. I don't currently have a good notetaking system. I sometimes email myself notes. I have a Project Life file for my email – anything that I want to save goes in there during the week. 

*I've been using my Canon 7D for photos, and filling in with images from google when I need them. It may be the weight of the Canon that is giving me back pain this year. That damn thing is HEAVY. As hard as I try, it's just not practical to carry my "real" camera everywhere. So I did the next logical thing. I bought an iphone. Wheeeee!!!!! It will be here tomorrow and I'll be in Instagram heaven. 

And that, my scrappy friends, is all. THANK YOU for reading!! 

117 Comments

  • justem

    February 22, 2012 at 11:03 pm Reply

    okay i’m back. with a thought or four.
    1. my husband was watching two and a half men the other night. should i be afraid??
    2. “note: becky higgins does not read my blog.” {snort.}
    3. can we have a PSE skype date? i just put some digi washi tape on a photo tonight and it took me a half hour to figure it out!!
    Okay I guess that was only three thoughts. I’ll be back at like 2 a.m. with another one. I swear.
    Must. get. off. the. computer.
    See ya. 😉

  • Kate Ware

    February 22, 2012 at 11:36 pm Reply

    I so appreciate this post, because I think your PL is awesome! My biggest challenge right now is catching up — and I swear, if I ever do, I’ll never get behind again! I also like what you said about it being your point of view — I don’t have kids, and my husband is usually on the couch 98% of the time watching whatever is on . . . so I really got a look when I asked him to “journal.” GASP! Don’t think I’ll be relying on him a lot for filler. I’m still rather stumped at what to put in, because I have a pretty boring life. Which is why I’m behind. But on the plus side, I love my IPhone, and Instagram!! You’ll have to follow me (you’ll be like the 3rd person!) at mnkware!! Would love to follow you as well. Enjoy! And thanks again for this post and your inspiration!

  • Jen Tapler

    February 23, 2012 at 12:51 am Reply

    Love this post! Thank you. And I was with you on the 6×11 page protectors and then I just decided to make those 6×12 protectors my own by cutting an inch off the top. It’s working great. I’ve used some of Cathy Zielske’s 6×12 templates and when I’m done, I just resize them so they’re 11 inches long instead of 12. This means they’re less than 6 inches wide of course, but I’m fine with that. I can print them at home, which is a HUGE bonus for me. I’ve added some stitching along the edge of the 6×12 protector if it’s a big difference, but usually I just let it float around in there, but I trim off the top (I like my inserts to be smaller than my main pages). OK, that was long. You probably got it in the first sentence. But thought I’d share.

  • sarah

    February 23, 2012 at 1:58 am Reply

    i’m nodding my head at each paragraph. loved this post!
    i started the year thinking project life would be about an “us” (and that there would be a lot of shiny sparkle pager days)… but three weeks in, it unexpectedly became solely about “me” (and along with that, dark + twisty days). and like you, i’m learning that it’s okay to be a combination of both.
    also? i’m a weekend project lifer too. i must sit down and do the week at once, after it’s over. and i also have an envelope for the little bits i collect.
    i think this is going to be such an amazing project to look back on years (or even six months!) from now.
    enjoy your iphone! i would say it accounts for 98% of the photos used in my project life – and the screen captures? i LOVE using those!! have fun 🙂

  • Angie

    February 23, 2012 at 8:23 am Reply

    You are my hero Katrina. Life is dark and twisty sometimes… the glitter is like the sprinkle on the cupcake, not the cupcake itself!
    Um, I will send you a box of the best WI cheese if you have a PL 80’s week including bad for you cheeseburgers. 🙂

  • Steph H

    February 23, 2012 at 11:24 am Reply

    However will I decide between PL: Food and PL: Feet?? I may be paralyzed by such a decision 🙂
    I’m down with the PSE skype date. I want to add digi elements to my PL but my knowledge of all things Adobe is restricted to doing work related photo editing stuff. I’ve never wrapped my brain around digi.

  • cathy

    February 23, 2012 at 11:34 am Reply

    A HA! But I DO read your blog, thanks to a well timed Tweet and it makes me smile that you dig my stuff.
    And I too love your title for this post. Though I never watched the show, I always knew that I SHOULD have been watching. ; )

  • Danielle

    February 23, 2012 at 11:49 am Reply

    What a great post! That’s the beauty of PL-it can be whatever we want. I include food, a few outfit photos & random stuff. We have no children so there are pics of our pups. This is my first year doing it & I absolutely adore it!

  • erica

    February 23, 2012 at 12:18 pm Reply

    This is perfect! You’ve read my mind and put it on a blog.
    I don’t want to just put in the happy shiny moments in my life. I want it all. The good, bad and ugly. I’ve got a picture of the tantrum my son had ready to go in week 7. I’m sure the PLers out there will just cringe when they see that one! Hey its my life right now.
    P.S. I was linked here by Becky herself. 😉

  • Carmen

    February 23, 2012 at 12:28 pm Reply

    Found your blog by following a FB link (by Becky herself) and loved what I found. Totally my perspective of PL as well. I love the complete freedom it gives me to say/write/photograph/keep/document/etc. my life (OUR lives…I have to remember there are six of us). I add stuff about everyone else, but this is the first time a scrapbook has felt like it is truly MINE and I love it. It’s MY perspective on MY life in which five other people and an odd assortment of people, animals, and activities have large roles. Thank you for the reminder/giggle this morning about what it is that I love about PL.

  • Alaina

    February 23, 2012 at 12:29 pm Reply

    I’m here because Becky tweeted about your blog post. You are so right…PL is what YOU want to make it. It’s liberating isn’t it?! I enjoyed reading your post…keep it up, I’ll be stopping by again.

  • terri

    February 23, 2012 at 12:35 pm Reply

    Great blog. I found you via Facebook and Becky Higgins!! She does too read your stuff. You never know who is looking over your shoulder. Which right now scares me as my office is pretty small and if anyone is behind me… I’m in trouble!! 🙂

  • Pam

    February 23, 2012 at 12:37 pm Reply

    I so agree with you. PL has no pronoun – brilliant. Love your perspective. It mirrors my own. Oh guess what, I just found you by way of a Becky Higgins post on FB. She pays attention to everything. (As does Cathy Z).

  • Amanda A

    February 23, 2012 at 12:39 pm Reply

    This post is inspiring me. I had a project life kit for about 2 years but I don’t have a life so I never used it. Ended up giving to my sister who has a husband and kid and money to actually do stuff. But this makes me want to document now. I found you via Becky Higgin’s post on facebook. 🙂

  • RobinD

    February 23, 2012 at 12:40 pm Reply

    Thank you so much for your post! Love how realistic you are in your approach to PL.
    I have been struggling and struggling with giving all family members ‘equal billing’ in my PL Album. Thank you!

  • Joscie

    February 23, 2012 at 12:40 pm Reply

    I love your sense of humor. I giggled at the becky and cathy don’t read my blog, especially since I came over here via a fb link given by becky. and YES to Jordan Catalano!
    I wanted to add a note, I print at home and for my 6×12, i have a box of photo paper that is 13×19 that I picked up on clearance. I simply cut it to 6 x 13, print and then trim off the edges.

  • Tracy

    February 23, 2012 at 12:44 pm Reply

    try ohlife.com You sign up, it emails you daily, you reply to the email writing what happened that day and it keeps a journal for you. its awesome because like you i sit and do an entire week (or two) in one sitting on the weekends and this helps me keep my dates straight.

  • Ann

    February 23, 2012 at 12:52 pm Reply

    Love this post. You are in my head and I’d really like you to get out of it. 🙂
    I will be using some of your tips, like the emailing yourself journaling/notes from PL. I haven’t even started my PL yet, although I’ve mostly taken a photo a day so far. And I haven’t taken notes on anything either, but from today on out, I must start. Yeah, right.
    As for the iPhone photos, get the Camera+ app too. I rarely lug around my Canon DSLR.

  • dawn

    February 23, 2012 at 1:03 pm Reply

    I LOVE THIS POST!!! Thanks for the smiles, I was laughing, crying and cheering for you all the way thur!…this is perfect. Me being single, no kids, no special someone in my life, family that all lives out of state and new to my area and jsut beginning to vetnure out. I was worried I wouldn;t have anyhting interesting for PL. But I decided I would start 2012 with it. Boy am I glad i DID!! I have the ugly…car accident, health issues, issues, broken hand, flooded house and losing my job, I have the “glitter” meeting a high school friend from 25 years ago, a adorable new nephew, my first date is 8 years, shopping for a new car (still deciding) the everday stuff including my favoirte new shampoo, a yummy cheese burger, milk shakes and cake pops and even a picture taken this morining of yummy new cereal. I have the embarassing stuff…gettting to close to someones electric wheelchair and getting my skirt sucked in by it…After all this is my life and its all there..I love PL for this and so glad I took the pludge and did this..first time ever I have done a scrapbook related project and am current!…I love your post and thanks for the wonderful comments and smiles!!

  • Carmen

    February 23, 2012 at 1:03 pm Reply

    I have a feeling you have A LOT more readers than you are used to now that Becky shared the love. BTW… now that you have an iPhone on the way you should get the app called “DayOne”… you can set reminders and jot down anything you want to remember for the day – like an online journal. Then at the end of the week you can just go back and review it to refresh your mind while doing your PL… with drink in hand 😉

  • kim borcoman

    February 23, 2012 at 1:12 pm Reply

    I have never seen your blog before and guess why I did today??? Becky Higgins sent me via facebook. Guess that makes you famous (well as famous as a blogger in the crafty world can be) so congrats! Love your post. I will be back to read more. Funny, genuine, unexpected. LOVE it.

  • Ang

    February 23, 2012 at 1:16 pm Reply

    Awesome, love your sense of humor. I too came here from Becky’s twitter link. PL Feet will definitely be a part of my PL this year… I’m getting surgery on my left foot this summer! I hate my feet, these days when they hurt me I just look down at them and say, “oh yeah, just wait til you see what I’m gonna do to you in a couple months!” As if the feet will feel the pain but I won’t! DOH!
    I’m using PL products for a P365 this year. The only rules I have for it are the ones I usually have for myself, being the AR kinda person that I am. Other than that I do what works for me and I love it!! I think I’ll try PL for other kinds of albums as well. Right now I’m getting together all my 2011 pics and am gonna try a PL album for those, maybe I’ll end up getting 2004-2010 pics done eventually since they’re sitting in a box right now! DOH again!
    I’m also an ’80s girl. Sometimes I’ll get a weird look from someone and realize it’s cuz I just said DUDE, CHILL or WICKED in a normal conversation. Sorry, can’t take the ’80s out of the girl.
    I’ve bookmarked your blog and “I’ll be back.” 😉

  • Melanie

    February 23, 2012 at 1:59 pm Reply

    Thank you. Thank you for this post. Thank you for saying it.
    I don’t have kids.
    I don’t have a husband. Not even a boyfriend.
    (And sorry to disappoint certain gals, but I’m not looking for a girlfriend either).
    I do have nieces (and nephews), but 5 out of 10 of them are living in the next province or the Middle East.
    And 40 is looming (another 36 days but who’s counting?)…
    *Cue “Jaws” theme*…
    So MY PL is truly MY so-called project life, about ME – and my so-called life…
    What many might call a mere “existence”.
    It is what it is.
    Dark & Twisty – battling chronic illness. Managing a shift work lifestyle. Procrastination.
    Shiny Sparkle – Friends. Family. Holidays. Travel.
    Food. Music. Feet. Yes, those feet pictures.
    Did I mention work? And turning 40?
    So, you are NOT alone.
    Now. To get the PL stuff out of the box.
    Meh. 36 days yet.

  • Roni

    February 23, 2012 at 2:05 pm Reply

    What a great blog! I’m new to project life. I just got my page protectors and will work on my first few weeks the next couple of days. I don’t have kids so reading about documenting the little every day details was super helpful! I will have to spend more time looking over your blog. Thank you so much!

  • Heather S. in VT

    February 23, 2012 at 2:17 pm Reply

    thanks for the great blog post about project life! I found your blog through a Becky Higgins post too! So I just wanted to tell you what I do with my 6×12. I create my journaling or whatever in 6×11 format in photoshop then I move it onto a 8.5×11 canvas that includes a 6×2 piece of pattern paper. I print at home on an older HP photosmart set on borderless 8.5×11. Next I cut out my little strip of pattern paper and my 6×11 journal and attached strip to the top or bottom to make the total of 12″. I print on Staples matte photo paper for “paper” items and if I want to add photos I print them out separately on HP 4×6 photo paper then cut them out and place on top. I love the matte paper for printing out journaling cards and such but do love the glossy paper for images. It works great! I wish I could point you to my PL examples but my blog has not been updated. Spending all my free time keeping up with PL right now. Hope the idea helps you! I think I got the idea from someelse but I couldn’t tell you who! Thanks for sharing!

  • PK

    February 23, 2012 at 2:31 pm Reply

    I, also, found you on Facebook and read what you had when I clicked on that but when I clicked on (I think)Home and saw the title ‘A Cali girl in VT’ I thought maybe you can take a girl out of CA but can you take the CA out of the girl?

  • Heather Ferguson

    February 23, 2012 at 3:02 pm Reply

    I’ve been following your PL posts for a few weeks now and am loving your perspective on it. I laughed out loud this morning when I read the part about Becky not reading your blog, and then bam, she’s linking your post on facebook. And then Cathy comments, too. Love it! Keep up the great work!

  • sue

    February 23, 2012 at 3:32 pm Reply

    Hey Something 40 .I am 50 something and have some of the issues you have. I have 3 sons in there 30 ‘s hate photo’s taken of them. No Grandkids yet. this is my second year of project Life and i thought the same thing as you…What am i going to take a pic of…Well i managed to fill my first album and you will too. You are a great journaller…if thats even a word haha. My problem is putting the words down. i don’t take a pic every day in fact this week has been a dry week but thats okay. If you need any hints on taking a pic just e mail me. Good Luck.

  • Tammy

    February 23, 2012 at 3:50 pm Reply

    Loved this post!! I was cracking up at work while reading it! I feel like you took the info right out of my head and made a post of it. 🙂

  • Kristi

    February 23, 2012 at 6:12 pm Reply

    Hey Kat – its me, your totally non scrapbooking friend. I just wanted to say that I remember those Carl’s Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger days. Mmmmmm, good.
    By the way, is scrapbooking a word? My spell check doesn’t think so. Maybe it’s scrap book. What is someone who does it? A scrapbooker? Inquiring minds what to know.

  • Shawna Rae

    February 23, 2012 at 7:09 pm Reply

    Best post I’ve read in a while about Project Life… and so true for many! I love working my PL. When I read the part about ‘dark and twisty days’ I had to laugh… I had just taken a picture of my sore, red and dry scaly nose because I’ve been sick for four days. And yes… it will be in my PL album. Love your blog… thanks for posting this!

  • amanda*rose

    February 23, 2012 at 8:48 pm Reply

    This is my first read of you, and I think we should be friends. 🙂
    I did a whole week’s spread of NOTHiNG that outwardly went on with me (because it would have consisted of crying and chipping nail polish and paperwork) and everything that went on INWARDLY.
    See that spread here: http://amandaroseblog.typepad.com/my_blog/2012/02/week-5-janintofeb-my-project-life-album.html
    It feels right, so whatever! 😉 Also, I find my pages have been more art-journally than most I’ve seen, but that’s what I do, I guess.
    I appreciated this post. I will be back for more.

  • SARAH

    February 23, 2012 at 10:34 pm Reply

    Becky and Cathy DID both read your blog post! Congratulations on THAT accomplishment! I have 2 small kids and a TON of housework so, I try to work on PL in the rare event that both boys nap at the same time… you know, when I “should” be doing something like dishes, laundry, etc. (I’m lucky to find 30 minutes to myself most days.) HOWEVER, PL is my escape… my retreat… my “happy place” so, sometimes… JUST SOMETIMES… I take a little break, for myself, to work on PL. I do mine almost entirely in InDesign – creating an entire layout for the week and eventually, turn PDF files into JPGS that I print whenever I get around to it… or when Walgreens has a significant coupon deal (currently 40% off prints). I finished out 2011 (my 1st year) with photos, but am still missing quite a bit of journaling throughout. Someday, I’ll get back to finish it, but NOW is the time to focus on 2012. (Thankfully, I blog so, I have LIFE documented there.) I don’t like to get more than a few weeks behind because I really enjoy it (as does my older child, age 2.5)

  • libbywilko

    February 24, 2012 at 6:21 am Reply

    Really enjoyed your post … Also came here via Becky’s fb post 🙂 and loved that Cathy wrote on here too… Looks like you made it 🙂 
    I put your blog in my feed, love different PL inspiration. 
    Thanks for the laughter, enjoyed reading it so much.

  • Cheryl Balmas

    February 24, 2012 at 11:13 am Reply

    I’m interested in learning about your favorite printers…I am in the market for a new printer (which I need) as opposed to investing in a Silhouette (which I want). My HP printer is cheap; I like to print alot of photos and freebies from the web and would like a really great printer. Any info you can provide asap would be appreciated! Love your blog…learned about it from Becky’s Facebook. Maybe she does read!

  • ToTheMoonandBack

    March 1, 2012 at 11:22 am Reply

    Wow, your post has certainly reached out to me, made me laugh and made me think and given me the final push to ‘jump on the bandwagon’.
    And since I am also impatient, I will be using WRMK and a mix of over page protectors I currently have.
    I am also in my 40’s, but mom to a soon to be 10 year old. I love coffee and wine, well not at the same time. Your 2012 manifesto has certainly inspired me, I can relate to everything on there.
    Thank you for sharing, and inspiring!

  • Katrina Simeck

    March 3, 2012 at 7:33 pm Reply

    my kids have already enjoyed looking back – especially Hope. when she got home for break, she went through the album. i started telling her about it, and she stopped me and said “yeah, mom, i already creeped the whole thing!” ha!

  • Kristi

    March 23, 2012 at 5:47 pm Reply

    AWESOME! I agree about the Pop Cultureness of PL. And it really is what scrapbooking was meant to be like. I’m so glad someone else is using a mosh posh of things like I am! GREAT, great article. P.s. I found it from Becky Higgins’ Facebook page 🙂 you go girl…she reads you NOW!

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