Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Twenty.

Some weeks my end result feels just okay. I don’t dwell on that at all because I know, from experience, that it’s the whole I’m most interested in vs. any one of the weeks.

That said, I really like this week. I went for photos in just about every single pocket – most with words added in Photoshop before printing. In the middle I added another 6×12 insert that holds words from a post and new words from my weekend adventure.

Here’s a look at Week Twenty:

For journaling directly on my photos I’m using a font called Sentinel.

Here’s a closer look at some of those images:

The “love this” arrow is from this set: Arrow Sentiments Outline and Stamps (you’ll see how I also used it with the Silhouette below).

Heidi Swapp Disco Arrow on top of a “printing mistake” (black & white vs. color) that I then used to test out some pens.

Summer Quote Strips recolored yellow and placed on top of my photo before printing. If you are interested in learning how to work with PNG files and other digital elements like this on your photos check out my Getting Started With Digital Scrapbooking series (free).

“Wednesday I heart” is from the Today I Love Brushes & Stamps set. I had fun identifying things in the photo with text.

The 6×12 insert is text from my “I Am” post last week with a long, slim photo along the edge.

Along the seam where the journaling meets the photo I added a letter sticker from American Crafts (Hardcover Silver), a long machine stitched line, and a Avery index tab.

For the backside of the insert I decided to print out a full-page, 6×12 photo and write my journaling directly on top.

Loved the result.

Here’s what it looked like printed with the corners rounded before writing (this is the looking up at the Space Needle from the bottom in case you were wondering):

And here’s what it looked like after I journaled about my weekend:

I used a Sakura Pen-Touch White Calligrapher Pen (fine tip – 1.8mm). My first time using that pen and it was great.

A look at page two:

All photos from my Seattle overnight.

In the far left pocket I added two “love this” arrows from the Arrow Sentiments Outline and Stamps Set cut with the Silhouette Cameo.

Here’s what it looks like from the back (what you’ll see next week):

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 20

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Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Nineteen.

This week made me super happy when I was putting it together. I felt like I had a little more time to play – nothing monumental, just a more relaxed pace. Loved adding in a bit of stitching.

I put together a short video overview that you can check out at the bottom of this post.

DESIGNER DIGITALS QUARTERLY SALE | Also, don’t miss the Designer Digitals Quarterly Sale happening this weekend. 30% off all products in the shop. If you are interested in learning more about working with digital products, including how to use them in projects like Project Life, check out my free series on Getting Started With Digital Scrapbooking.

Here’s a look at Week Nineteen:

The single 8.5×11 insert includes a soccer certificate on one side and Mother’s Day cards on the other side.

Cursive letter stickers are Studio Calico Abroad Addy Aqua. The square tags/flaps on Simon’s photo are from Bananafish Studio.

I used one of those 4×6 flip pockets to get two more photos included this week.

How can I not love that butterfly?

I did lots of just adding words onto my pictures in Photoshop this week. It’s such an easy way to get it done. Tim Holtz Chitchat Word Stickers on top of the photo of George.

And here’s a look via video:

PL2012 | WK19 from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 19

Click on the images to link to the products.

Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week 18 and the May Technique Tuesday Studio AE Blog Hop.

I’m combining the two today in order to (1) catch up and (2) because they go really nicely together and (3) the 10th is the day we do the Blog Hop each month.

First up I want to share the a wesome news for those of you who are subscribers or who have been thinking about subscribing to Studio AE. Technique Tuesday has changed their shipping method and it’s resulting in some savings for you. Learn more about the changes here.

The May Studio AE stamp set is called Simple Joy:

WANT THE DIGITAL VERSION? You can grab the digital version of this stamp set here: Everyday Sentiment Strips.

I thought these stamps would make great strips added to my photos in Project Life. I decided to stamp them on Cream Puff cardstock (that I pulled from my box of scraps) using Colorbox Chalk Cat’s Eye Inks.

And then I drew black boxes around each one and cut them out:

Here’s a look at Week Eighteen:

The left side:

Insert number one (which came from this post about Simon’s first time at gymnastics):

I used my 6×12 Layered Template Set to add the photo and words in Photoshop.

I turned the canvas into a 12×12 and printed it here at home using a Epson R2000 and 13×19 photo paper:

If you’d like to learn more about working with these 6×12 layered templates I’ve got a free video tutorial for that here.

I added one of the sentiment strips on top of the printed words and photo.

And as you can see below I added another photo below the text on the back side and another stamped sentiment strip.

Insert number two includes my Dad’s margarita recipe sent via email and some of Anna’s drawings on the front:

The back includes words from my Baking And Bread And Blooms post:

On the right side:

The big #3 is from Pink Paislee London Market Jumbo Numbers and the cute little red strip below is from Basic Grey What’s Up Die Cuts & Transparencies (love this set).

I used the Silhouette to cut one of the Circles of Life digital files. I’ve got a tutorial for how to work with the PNG files in the Silhouette software available here.

I’m also using this stamp set in my Week In The Life album. Here’s a peek at that (using Staz-On to stamp on the photo paper):

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 18

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There’s lots of cool stuff to check out for this month’s Studio AE blog hop – take a look:

• Mindy Miller, May’s Studio AE guest
• Daniela
• Nichol
• Sharyn
• Tanis
• Teri
• Laura

In addition, Technique Tuesday is giving away a $20 gift certificate to someone who comments on any of the blogs during the hop. The winner will be announced on the TT blog on May 13th.

Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Seventeen.

Here’s what I ended up doing in my Project Life album during Week In The Life – it’s pretty darn simple – consisting of one of Anna’s large paintings from school and a series of shots of me in just about the same spot on six of the seven days of the week.

There were so many different ways I could have gone with this. I considered just collecting “stuff” throughout the week and having a “stuff-only” week (like receipts, notes, packaging, etc). I considered all photos – using some of the extras I didn’t plan to use in my Week In The Life album. I considered picking my favorite photos from each day and highlighting them here. I considered doing two photo enlargements (or maybe even one that’s a 24×12 photo) highlighting my two favorite photos from the week.

In the end I went with a piece of art and a series of photos.

I started with this painting that Anna brought home from school (titled “a tea pot”):

I cut it down to 12×12:

And then cut it into 4×6 and 3×4 shapes:

On the other side I printed out the six photos I had of myself sitting at the table (+ one where I’m sitting on a couch). I didn’t take one of these shots of Saturday so I didn’t have to deal with having seven photos instead of six (these are the kinds of things I don’t worry about at all):

Before printing each photo I added a digital circle element from my Circles Of Life set.

I went back and forth a bit about whether I wanted to keep these two pages separate or to combine the two. I liked it both ways. Here’s a look at it another way:

This is how it is in my album right now and I’ll leave it that way for now (but might change it back if I opened it up in a few months and it feels strange to be spread out).

Did you do both Week In The Life and Project Life? I’d love to see what you did if you did them separately.

This is the last spread in my first album for 2012. Last year I had three total and I imagine I’ll have that same number again this year.

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 17

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Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Sixteen.

This is from a couple week’s back – the week before Week In The Life. I’ve got a couple ideas floating in my mind for what I’m going to do for last week and plan to work on that this week (along with my Week In The Life album).

Occasionally I get questions from people asking what does my album look like throughout the week.

Sometimes I add my content during the week – slipping things in as I go (photos and journaling and other stuff) so by the end of the week my spread is just about done.

Sometimes when I bring my album upstairs to my office on Monday morning it looks more like the image above – a collection of papers, photos, and words that I’ve collected over the course of the week – that needs to be trimmed and gone through and written up.

Often it’s a mixture of both those approaches depending on what’s happening.

I think it’s a good reminder that there’s no right or wrong way to go about it and that processes evolve.

Here’s a look at Week Sixteen:

The “tax day” card is from Studio Calico Cubicle 12×12 Take Note Paper.

Along the top of the second page I’ve got two photos – one of my office inside and one of my yard outside – with some American Crafts Amy Tangerine Journal Foam Stickers on top.

Lots of handwritten journaling from the week and weekend.

And a chocolate peanut butter cake I made on Sunday – my first from scratch.

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 16

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Just a couple new products from me this weekend.

First up: Week In The Life 2012 Banners – this package includes a PDF for easy printing and individual PNG files for easy re-coloring.

I updated the Sentiment Tabs for 2012. This package is designed to compliment these layered template sets: Week In The Life 12×12 or Week In Life 8.5×11. Package includes a printable PDF of the grey tabs and individual png files in both an outline and filled designs.

And More US Cities. States and State Capitals and International Cities are available too.

I also wanted to take some time this weekend to highlight some of my favorite everyday life products that you might want to add to your Week In The Life project. Click on any of the preview images below to purchase via Designer Digitals. If you’d like more information on working with these digital files check out Getting Started With Digital Scrapbooking (includes information on how to add these files to photos before printing).

Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Fifteen.

Loving how this comes together. No matter if it’s rushed or well-thought out or I’ve had a chance to play with products, the end result is just such an awesome collection of life.

Continually thankful for this project.

I feel like I say that just about every week. And I do. Because it’s true.

Here’s a look at Week Fifteen:

The left side of the spread this week is pretty much photos + words. I added digital text onto one photo before printing and added stickers, pattern paper, or stapled on little tabs to the others using the Tiny Attacher.

The “hello routine” journal card is stamped using my Hello Routine stamp set for Technique Tuesday.

That face.

On the top right photo I combined a Cosmo Cricket 23 Collection Stickers + Lily Bee ABC Stickers + Studio Calico Kraft Butterfly stickers (on top of a foam dot).

Love these little tabs from Jenni Bowlin Hodge Podge Souvenir Stickers.

I started off doing something else along the bottom of this photo (hand-writing something) and didn’t like how it was coming out. To cover it up I used a piece of pattern paper from My Mind’s Eye Follow Your Happy Heart 6×6 paper pack, rounded the corners, and stitched it along the edge.

One insert this week to hold a fun photobooth strip from my dinner with Kelly Purkey in Portland. I used an 8.5 x 11 page protector, machine stitched along the edge to make it fit the photo strip, and then trimmed off the excess from the top and right side. In an awesome twist the business card from the restaurant was the same width.

On the back I made a graphic title combining stamps from Close To My Heart (Keepsake Alphabet) and American Crafts Rouge Pantry Foam Stickers.

The right side of the week includes some of Anna’s artwork, a hilarious photo of George who seems to have no problems posing for the camera, a couple journal cards and something I hand-wrote that was added to my 52 Creative Lifts newsletter this week (a free newsletter I write each week that addresses ideas and concepts related to creativity).

I used my Silhouette to cut “love this life” from my Hello Life Boxes Vol.3 digital set and used the rest of that 6×6 pattern paper from the Follow Your Happy Heart paper pack.

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 15

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Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Fourteen.

This was one of those weeks that I just wanted to get finished up. I definitely could’ve added more accessories, but I ended up wanting/needing to spend my time on some other projects I’ve got in the works. The result is a super simple, photo + stuff heavy week.

Here’s a look at the left side:

The top right was cut out from Martha Stewart magazine.

Definitely more smaller-sized photos this week. No particular reason why, just ended up that way.

On the right side I included some photos that Chris sent over from Easter morning and a couple pieces of crepe streamers that he had attached to their Easter baskets.

Journal card includes my new Hello Routine stamps.

For Easter dinner this year my parents were here and picked up Chinese food. Very non-traditional but it was just right for this year – especially the moment that Simon realized he “does” like Chinese food (at least the sweet & sour chicken without the sweet & sour sauce)

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 14

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Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Thirteen.

Hello vacation week. Specifically hello Disneyland week.

To tackle our vacation within Project Life I decided to just pick seven photos for the week. There’s a ton of different ways I could have approached this (including adding in a bunch of inserts to include more photos and words). I actually liked the challenge of choosing just seven photos. I went with one from each day – one that I love for one reason or another. I’m definitely going to do some other sort of album/photobook to document the complete trip – not sure on that format yet – I’ll most likely tackle that after Week In The Life.

I’m also participating in a big Project Life giveaway today – more details are available at the bottom of my post. Please note that because these items ship directly from Amazon.com that this giveaway is open only to US residents.

Here’s a look at Week Thirteen:

For the journaling I used my For The Love Of Days Journal Cards die cut with the Silhouette. I decided to just hit the basic highlights with my journaling here – I’ll go more in-depth in the main album/photobook I create.

The “love” frame is from 4×6 Sentiment. The “This Is Awesome” is from This One.

Can’t seem to get enough of those glitter letter stickers from American Crafts.

For The Love Of Days Journal Cards. Edges rounded with the Corner Chomper.

Here’s a look at the For The Love of Days Journal Cards after they have been traced using the Silhouette software.

You can watch a simple video about tracing PNG files with Silhouette Studio here.

Since there are eight 3×4 slots I decided to include on additional photo.

The “Great Adventures” sticker is from the Miss Caroline line from My Minds Eye. Still loving those Happy Days Wood Banners.

I used the For The Love Of Life Journal Cards and cut it on the Silhouette using vellum. The “I heart today” is from my I Heart Stories set. Photo was stitched onto the vellum using my sewing machine.

I’m feeling totally satisfied with this treatment of our trip in this album. Really like how the journal cards came out and I like the simplicity of the week. I’m sure I would of liked it if I added in more photos too, but I like that this hits the highlights.

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 13

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GIVEAWAY | One person will receive a Cobalt Binder, Cobalt Core Kit, Cobalt Cardstock, and Big Variety Pack of Photo Pocket Pages from Becky Higgins LLC. Please note that because these items ship directly from Amazon.com that this giveaway is for US residents only.

TO BE ENTERED into this giveaway please leave a comment below (if you are reading this post on Facebook please come to my blog to leave a comment). Comments will be closed at 9am Pacific on Friday, April 13. The winner will be posted shortly after. Please be sure to check back or subscribe (click here to get posts delivered to your email box) to see if you are receiving one of the items this week.

Welcome to Project Life 2012 | Week Twelve.

Catching up today with a look back at Week Twelve (the week before we took off for spring break). Hoping to share Week Thirteen on Friday.

When I get behind – I did a couple times last year when I was traveling – the easiest way I’ve found to catch-up is to keep it super simple with the attitude that I just want to get it done. Stick some things in the pockets and call it good. I know that some weeks are going to have more details, more words and more photos and others will be less. I also know that I’m most interested in the album as a whole vs. any particular week. Onward!

Here’s a look at Week Twelve:

I have to say that getting my hands back into this project again felt so good.

I’ve really got the itch to make stuff, tell more stories and play again. It’s been a tough last six months for me and I’m really ready to lighten up and come out of the fog.

It snowed here during this week. And not just a dusting – more like 7-8 inches. Totally rare and random for this time of year (actually for any time of year). I used a Random Facts Journal Card to record some details about how rare it is (info collected online).

I loved being able to add a screenshot I’d taken with my phone on the day it snowed. To take a screenshot with your iphone hold down the top button (power button) and click the bottom circle button to take the photo. It will then show up in your camera roll.

“Hello Snow” and “Winter Wonderland” are both brushes from my Hello Winter set.

I’m often asked about how to (and/or should you) incorporate the more challenging stuff of life in this project. It’s a very personal choice. For me, I’ve included things along the way that give a nod to the heartache and challenges of the last year. Sometimes it’s been more obvious and sometimes more vague. During Week Twelve we signed divorce papers to complete the process. Rather than write a detailed account I decided to include photos of flowers I received from friends with a simple statement, “Papers signed. Tears shed. Friends treasured. Moving forward. Looking ahead.”

The second half of the week signaled the beginning of spring break (and really so many beginnings): a concert (Lady Antebellum + Darius Rucker), a movie (The Hunger Games), packing for our trip, a mani/pedi, and a birthday celebration for George the cat.

“Bring On The Fun” and “Hello Spring Break” can be found in my Spring Break set at Designer Digitals. “Make A Wish” is part of the Birthday Hand-drawn set.

I loved taking a photo of the packing process for each of the kids. Fun to see the color themes. On top of each photo I added an American Crafts letter sticker (Rouge and Robin’s Egg) and a button from this Ormolu set.

SUPPLIES | 2012 | WEEK 12

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