Project Life 2012, Status Complete

Warning:  Lots of photos ahead

We had a pretty big year last year.  I had a hard time keeping up with my Project Life book.  I am so proud to finally tie up all the loose ends.

Here is a look at the overview of my book.

I have it all put together in Blurb.  A quick upload and my beautiful keepsake is on its way!

Here is a closer look at the cover.

It is really similar to my 2010 and 2011 covers.  I got the original template from Weeds and Wildflowers.  It was a free download that I do not think exists any more on their website.

For my book, I used the Weeds and Wildflowers {Every}Day Life Pages.  They were already put together for me.  All I had to do was add the pictures and add journaling.  I did make some tweaks as I don't do a traditional Project Life.  But, I enjoyed it and wouldn't have finished it without having so much of the "work" out of the way.

Here are a few of my interior pages.

It is amazing times in our family.  I have enjoyed spending time with my children, spending romantic evenings in front of the fire with my husband, and getting my house completely organized and set up. God has been faithful to us in 2012.  He has been faithful to us in 2013 as well.  We are so blessed.

I hope you enjoy a peek into my little Digital world of Project Life.

Project Life 2011

Once again, I was able to complete my Project Life for last year or 2011.  Although I don't do a full on Project 365, I get pretty close (well, for the most part).  My goal is to just take pictures of our life and family.

After a year's worth of hard work . . . my book arrived today!!!

I ordered again from Blurb.  I was in love with my 2010 Project Life book.  So, it was a no brainer where I would get mine from this year.  I am super pleased with the quality and the turn around time.

Here is a little peek inside.

If you are interested, here is some random information about what I do and how it gets from photo to awesome book in 365 days.

I take LOTS of photos.  I always have.  I don't stress about taking a photo a day, but I really try to, on purpose, capture as many things behind the lens as possible.

I have used Weeds and Wildflowers stuff for my last 2 books.  Let me just say that it is FABULOUS!!!  Gina, who I think owns Weeds, is the best!  The girls at the Weedpatch (the Weeds and Wildflowers forum) are amazing.  They are so helpful, so nice, and so willing to help and share.  This year I used the Every{day} Life line of products.  I really love how big the photos turn out.  Last year I used the Sweet and Simple Line of products and although I was super pleased, the Every{day} Life blew it out of the water.  The focus is really on the photos, then the journaling, and then the decoration.  The best part is that you can get as decorated or sophisticated as you choose.  If you are like me and like the CAS style, it is super easy.  If you prefer more embellishment, it is pretty easy to add decorative papers, elements, word art, and title.  What I love the most is when you open my book, you will SEE the photos.  They take center stage.

I format my book as follows: a monthly title page, a 2 page spread for the 1st to the 7th, a 2 page spread for the 8th to the 14th, a 2 page spread for the 15th to the 21st, a 2 page spread for the 22nd to the 28th, a single page for the 29th to the 31st (or 30th).  I do add a couple of title pages at the front and an ending page at the very end.  But that is just my preference.  If I only have 2 photos for a particular week, I roll with it.  If I have 10 photos I want to include for a particular week, I go with that too.  I don't stress about it at all.  I do like to add as much journaling as possible.  I have learned through the years of scrapbooking that the journaling completes the story.

There are times when I do make a single book about a single thing.  For instance, when we take a big vacation, I include some of those photos in my yearly book.  But, I then go back and make a book about that particular vacation with extra details and lots and lots of photos.  I also make smaller books for my children that cover a year in their life.  Again, some of the same photos end up in both books.  In my kids' books, I do a lot more detail and journaling about them specifically.  So, there is a page in their book about their school information: teacher, grade, friends, favorite subjects, etc.  I also include a 2 page spread about football season: coach, team photo, highlights, memories, and lots of action shots.

I work very hard at doing it as the year progresses.  The secret to my success is to do it.  :)  Easy, right?  I work hard to catch back up if I begin to lag behind.  This has been a HUGE help.  I assemble my Project Life book in the Blurb software all along the way.  It keeps me from having to format 120 pages all at once.  I can do it little by little as I go.  Also, my kids' books start and end in August of each year.  It is opposite of my P365.  It allows me some time to finish up and tweak anything without the burden of 4 books due all at once.  I do the vacation books along the way as well.

Thanks for looking.  If you have any questions, I would love to help you be successful at your very own book.  My family and I have greatly enjoyed the books that I have made.  You can do it if you really want to.  I spend about 1 to 2 hours per month on my Project Life book.  That is totally doable, and I would love to help you have a book of memories of your own.

Where in the World

I seem to have gone missing in blog land.  I cannot tell you that things will pick up anytime soon, but I do promise to blog more than 1 time per 6 months.  :)  Where to begin and how to keep it short and sweet.

My dad got sick and wasn't getting any better.  Long story short, he had a stroke during a simple eye surgery.  I spent a lot of time at my parents house over the summer and just after school started.  Praise the Lord.  My dad is recovering.  Slowly, but recovering non the less.

I have not shared tons about my private life.  Again long story short, my husband and I have been trying to have #3 for about 3 1/2 years.  We had 2 back to back summers of heart break when I miscarried.  Again, to God be the glory, I am pregnant.  The baby and I are doing well.  Well, mom is experiencing some serious pregnancy sickness, but it is nothing earth shattering or that won't go away after the birth of our 3rd.  I am due mid-May with a little boy.  We are working on a name, but so far he is nameless.

Oh, and we bought 10 acres at the beginning of 2011.  We are starting construction on our house in February of 2012.  We are putting the final touches on the floor plans the next 2 weeks.

So, not only have I not been blogging.  I haven't been doing ANY crafting.  Blasphemy!!!  :)  In fact, I haven't bought anything since June until I put in an order during PTI's December release.

I have been keeping up with my Project 365.  So, I thought I would share my November title page from my 2011 book.  Yes, it is all complete except the 21st to the 28th and the 29th to the 31st.

I am sorry for the unexpected absence.  But let's hope the new year will bring me some much needed crafting therapy.  I miss making cards more than words can express.  It is like a salve to my soul.

It Came! It Came!

I worked on my "365" book all of last year.  I was faithful.  I got it all put together.  Then. . . I didn't have the extra cash to spend on it.  So, I put it off.  Then, I put it off again.  And again.  And again.  Until I decided that I needed to just press order.  So I did!!

Here are some peeks:

I will spend some time to write up a proper review in the next week or two.  I did have it printed at Blurb if you are curious.  It is a 12x12 book for reference.  

I hope you are having a great summer!