Project Life: weeks 1-5

EEEVVVVEERRRrrryybody's doing it.  At least it seemed like everybody but me in the scrapbooking world was doing Project Life scrapbooking.  It is a simple system of getting your life documented: doesn't involve any scissors or glue.  Just slide your pictures into these 4x6 or 3x4 inch pockets.  Slide the cards into the other spaces and voila! - scrapbook!

It is a system created by Becky Higgins.  I mentioned in my New Year's resolution post  (HERE) that I was going to start with the new year... AND I DID!!  

The book is a binder (super easy for putting pages in and out of).  Above is my title page.  I am using the Midnight Edition of the Project Life card sets.  It is black/grey/white with pops of yellow, so it is very neutral. 

Aaaannnd it just so happens to match our little Christmas card photo shoot by the Uber-talented Patty Schmidt Photography.  So I used those pics for the cover: perfection!

Week one was so full of photos that I used a small insert page in order to include all the shots I wanted. I mean, we WENT TO THE ROSE BOWL! (Go Stanford!)

I'm not sure if the rest of 2014 will quite measure up to the first week: NYE at the Harmons', Rose Bowl, followed by three nights of scrapbooking at Cousin Patty's house!

Probably not.

Additionally, I'm attempting to document 1,000 blessings (Inspired by the book 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp).  You'll start seeing my lists show up here in Week 2...

A little note on how this whole scrapbooking "Live in the NOW"...

1. It is made possible by the advent of the iPhone.  Probably 95% of these pics are taken by the camera I have with me: the one on my phone.
2. It is made possible by the Canon Selphy printer (I have the CP900).  They have an app that allows you to wirelessly print from your phone.  SO. EASY.  The quality isn't stellar with the phone picture + home printing, but it is DONE.  And I am all about getting it done.

So there you have it: Project Life.  I really enjoy traditional scrapbooking - it is "my thing" for sure.  But I was getting weighed down with an entire scrapbook page for me to tell these daily moment stories.  I like that they are here, documented, saved, cherished - REAL LIFE moments.  And when I have a longer story to share, an event, or something that I really want to stand out, then I can take the time to be artsy and wordy and take up as much space as I want.

And now that I already have documented January 2014: it feels so so good.

Maybe this would be an easier, less stressful way for you to document your family's story?  Many people do it monthly, or with no time restraint at all.  What do you do?

One thing I will encourage is to print those pictures.  Get them in your hands.  If you have time, jot a note on the back.

I bet you love coming across photos of yourself, your parents, and other loved ones that help you know more about your/their life.  I do!

Let me know if this helps or hinders you today!

Hoping it helps,
Stacey