Project Life | Week Two
Here's a look at our Project Life | Week Two.
Here's the left side:
And the right side:
The second half of the week includes both what I was doing (in Vegas) and what was happening here at home.
In-between the left and the right side I included a couple things this week:
Last week I showed you a sneak peek at the program insert I included.
In addition to that I took the layout I created last week and placed it inside an 8.5x11 page protector. Depending on how many layouts I make over the course of this year I might just make this into two albums (first half 2011 and second half 2011). I love the idea that this would include layouts and the stuff of life within the divided page protectors on a weekly basis.
On the back of the layout is our flight itinerary to Vegas and a card I received while I was there.
Here's a couple close-ups:
I took the photo and journaling from this post and inserted them into the album. I can see doing that at different times throughout the year. I'm thinking that these long journalers that I used in Week In The Life last year would be great for longer journaling that you want to add to your album.
I think I might use one of those for the post I did last Monday about going to the capitol.
For this 4x6 I created a new canvas in Photoshop at 300dpi. I filled the background with grey using the paint bucket tool. I copied my text from my blog post and pasted it onto the 4x6 canvas and adjusted the font, type size and made the color white. I added a hand-drawn "on Tuesday" title.
Last week Simon told me when he gets older he'd like to have a wife. He'd also like to have a boy named Greg and a daughter named Molly.
Project Life is a product created by Becky Higgins. It can be anything you want it to be. The album kit is available for purchase through Amazon (it's currently sold out but should be back in stock soon). If you live outside the US check Becky's site for more information on sources.
View all my posts about Project Life here.
TODAY'S POST SPONSORED BY : Peachy Cheap
Scrapbook DAILY DEALS! 65% OFF My Minds Eye Journaling Cards TODAY ONLY!
Thanks for the reminder to include LIFE stuff...I have a menu and receipt I can add...:)
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Thanks for taking the time to respond Ali, you inspire us all! Time to go and try out my new camera! Amy
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Do you do a photo or journal or other peice of life from EVERY day? Or do you skip days? Do you ever do more photos from one day and then completely skip another? This is my first PL and I am still sort of feeling it out, trying to get a good grip on my "process". :)
I'm not trying to make this a daily album - I look at it one week at a time. Some weeks will have multiple photos from the same day. Some days will have more stuff. I figure over the course of the week it will even out.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ali Edwards. Ali Edwards said: Blogged Project Life | Week Two http://bit.ly/eR5fii #projectlife [...]
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Seeing what you have done with your book makes me want to take mine to the next level. What printer are you using to print your larger pictures? I am using an Epson Picturemate for my smaller ones but would like to add some 5x7 and 8x10 to the mix. Also I have a question for your OLW class. What color is your album? I like the lighter color and am not sure if it is buttercup or vanilla. Thanks.
Hi Robyn - I use an HP Photosmart B8550 for printing photos and enlargements here at home.
The album I have is Buttercup.
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I have a question i have been meaning to ask you and this post reminded me. I know you took the library of memories class and did adapt some of it for your use, my question is : How do you organize your layouts for the kids? Adding your layouts to this album would be great but once the kids are grown up how do you plan to divide them up between them? This is always my stumbling block when thinking about how to organize my scrapbooks.
Tania
Hi Tania - you know, I think this is one of those things that's really up to you. I've thought different things over the years.
My current thought is that they can figure it out when they get older...one might care more than the other...or maybe I'll want to hold onto them into their adulthood and they'll want to look at them when they come to my house and when I'm gone they can decide what they'd like to do with them. I really have no idea how it's all going to play out so I'm just going with the flow for now and focusing on documenting and telling stories ;).
Over the last two years (09 and 10) I just did a family album. I did one album for Anna's first year and then everything else has been combined together.
Well, I didn't just do a family album because I also did a Week In The Life album, December Daily, and some pages that go into an About Me sort of album.
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Hi Ali, I have a technical question about printing. I have an iMac, I edit my photos in Photoshop (CS5) and my printer is an Epson R2400. At some point in my December Daily process, I clicked some button that messed up my settings and I can no longer print. It just says 'communication error'. I think it is an issue of whether I am letting Photoshop determine the colors when printing, or if my printer manages colors. Currently, when I open a photo in PHotoshop it cautions me that the imported file (photo) does not match the working space. I have pushed so many buttons and surfed for tutorials on which settings I need for printing, etc. that I am thoroughly confused! Here is my question: Which settings should I be using in order to print via Photoshop? I realize that each printer is different, but are there some general settings that you can suggest for me? I am lost...and my DD is sitting unfinished!
Oh man! I wish I knew more about computers/printers/etc to give you some good ideas to try. I would definitely follow Jolene's suggestion to download the most up-to-date driver for your printer (you can find that on epson's site). I've had the working space message come up before but it's not impacted my printer.
Here's the simplest thing to try if you haven't already: did you try unplugging the printer USB cord and then reattaching it to your computer? Sometimes the cords just get bumped and the connection is lost.
Have you tried reinstalling your printer driver? Sometimes that will reset everything.
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Love this Ali! One quick question: You mentioned that you are using a WRMK Black album for this, correct? Why aren't you using the PL binder? Just curious.....
I like plain albums (no prints).
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It's like Stacy's "PAS" meet's Ali's "WIL", but for 52 weeks!
The more I see, the more I think this is an awesome solution, the more I want to rush and get started before anymore of the year alludes me.
WHY OH WHY IS IT SOLD OUT! ACK!!!!!!!
Cash in hand, ready to dash to the register!!!!!!!
Coming soon...coming soon :).
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BTW...Ali, I am so impressed at how often you comment on the comments. Not all bloggers take the time to respond to their readers, like you do. It's nice and makes us feel really connected to you! Thank you!
Thanks Kasi - thanks for noticing! I do try to respond if people have questions. I know I miss some too :).
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I was wondering what kind of pen you are using for the "on Tuesday" handwritten part... I just love good ink flow in a pen!!
Love the project!
Cool beans!! Thanks!!
That's actually a digital print - I used a tablet to write that and it went directly into my computer.
In general I like the Precision Pens from American Crafts and the Pitt Artist Pens from Faber-Castell.
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Ali - I'm so glad you are sharing how you are using PL. I did Project 365 in 2009 and got really burned out on taking a photo a day. Love how it turned out in the end but wish I hadn't gotten caught up in the whole "I WILL have one photo every day...that is the point." I haven't been able to turn back to the concept since. But I love your approach here. It makes me want to go cut up my favorite tea box and keep the gas reciept and write down that funny quote a friend tweeted. I'm getting more and more inspired to pick up on this again. Thank you!
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Love it. As always :)
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Ali, What kind of camera are you using for the skinny looking instant polaroid prints that fit into the journaling sized pockets? BTW love how you are doing this entire project and making it so complete!
Hugs,
Kezia (tinkering ink girl)
Hi Kezia! That's the Instax Mini. It's awesome. Here's a link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030UXF1S?ie=UTF8&tag=aliedwardsdes-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0030UXF1S
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I'm "trying " to do 52 weeks. My word for this year is "DISCIPLINE". Dear artist I have to thank you for all that has done for me and my work, you have been my inspiration, my support and my joy. Thank you very much
OuvirLer foneticamente
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Ali you are spectacular. You are making this look easy and applicable- to capture our stories, to share our memories. And to let our style shine through a layout or the words we use to describe our feelings. It's all very exciting and you remind me of that. Thanks!
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Hi Ali,
love your Project Life. I received mine in the mail the other day (Australia) and am putting it all together at the moment. Was wondering if you have put all the "weekly date" cards in the album already pre-dated and if you have put all the journalling cards in or doing this as you go along? I noticed that you havent used any "filler" cards - are you going to or put extra memorabilia in those pockets? also, are you handwriting all your journalling or going to mix it up and use your typwriter. sorry about all the questions - this is my first time at attempting this. Love yours.
Hi Jane - I've already inserted all the 4x6 cards with the weekly date (I stamped that on there). I might use some of the filler cards - so far I've not needed them as I've had other "life" pieces and journaling to put in those pockets.
So far journaling has been mainly handwritten. I might use my typewriter but most likely I'm just planning to handwrite - keeping it simple :).
thanks for replying Ali - it made my day....could even become my journalling in PL!
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How to document kid/athletes who do the same sport everyday? I know you were/are a swimmer. And everyday seems to be the same as I am struggling to "mix it up."
What do you wish your mom had documented about your swimming and meets? Our days are school/volleyball/homework/bed with meals on the fly...
My project life is becoming repetitive, help!
Dee - think about conversations, little moments, things she says, things you overhear with her + her friends. A little focus on the sports - times, personal bests, etc. My Mom kept newspaper clippings - those are awesome for seeing the times. What I wish I had was more little things - how about snacks (not sure how old your kids are). Look beyond the schedule...maybe invite her to jot things down or ask her what her favorite thing that happened today was - stuff like that mixed in with the routines of sports would make an awesome album.
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Ali,
I'd like to add some machine stitching to my layouts. I feel you have shared recently a new sewing machine you are using & happy with. If you or anyone out there could tell me the brand/model # I'd really appreciate it.
Also, are you any happier with your new Selphy printer?
Hi Audra - the sewing machine has been awesome. It's a Brother XL2600 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F7DPEQ?ie=UTF8&tag=aliedwardsdes-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000F7DPEQ).
I was happier with the printer this week. That might have been because the photos I printed were already dark :) - those couple of shots from Vegas.
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I wanted to include that quote you always post from i think Anna Quindlen about appreciating ordinary days. Any idea where I can find it? I searched the week in the life posts but no luck. Maybe I just missed it? Thanks.
Here you go:
"..but the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three on them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in a hurry to get on to the next things: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less."
Anna Quindlen
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I love, love, love the concept of Project Life. Thanks for sharing your progress. Keeping receipts and stuff of life is something I've always loved to do. It is amazing to look back at all the theater receipts and programs of all the plays/musicals/operas that I've attended to most of my life. I've always thought I was the only odd one keeping that stuff. Your blog always makes me feel like I'm not alone...you and so many of your readers feel the same way about memory keeping and this is such a blessing! By the way, I've been meaning to ask you if you have come across the story of Vivien Maier. I just loved her story (now shared through her amazing photos.) She certainly was a Life Artist! It is amazing to see her life through her lens. I've been so inspired by her story and I thought this is something you might enjoy seeing, if you haven't already :)
Here is a brief segment that aired in the news in Chicago last month:
http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=42,8,80&pid=A1hO97qcWo7ViDL_rWniVH2LakYxNa7J
and here is the blog dedicated to showing her photos:
http://www.vivianmaier.blogspot.com/
A documentary about her life is in the works, here are more details:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/800508197/finding-vivian-maier-a-feature-length-documentary.
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Hi Ali,
Quick question for you on your thoughts about using ephemera that can fade (specifically thermal receipts). I worry a bit about them fading (I have 1 from last Jan, PL that already is barely readable) but don't really like the idea of photocopying them as a means of preservation - the reason I like them is that they're a part of "real" life, not just copies. Any thoughts?
I like Johanna's idea - to keep both. So far I've just been keeping the regular receipts and haven't had any issues yet. I'm not sure I really want to go through the extra step of photocopying/scanning.
Kim, an idea – if you want the "real thing" AND something that will be readable over time, you could simply include both a copy (or photo, or note with the most important parts) and the original. This way, you would have two layers of documentation - what it looked like when you got the receipt (or movie ticket, those are often thermal prints here in Germany, too!) and the faded original showing the time that passed.
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Ali, do you use any other printer besides the HP Photosmart B8550? For Christmas, my husband gave me Photoshop and an awesome negative scanner (so I can load years and years worth of film-camera photos in the computer). Our next purchase -- just for ME -- is a new MacBook and a new printer, with the ultimate goal of being able to take the photo (I shoot with a Canon 50D), sit in my scrapbook room (and not the den or the office) upload the photo, manipulate the photo (Photoshop), print the photo and then scrapbook/project life the photo. I have NEVER had this ability before and I am getting really excited! But wanted to know if you use any other photo printers. Thanks!
Nope - that's the only printer I use for photos here at home. I do also have a small little laser jet that I use for printing out business stuff ;) but I don't use that for my projects.
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Quick note: YOUR NEW HAIRDO ROCKS!!!!!! LOVE IT!
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I love the idea of the Project Life but wonder how it effects you doing larger stories? If you do the day to day life stories and pictures do you still do as much of your larger stories or does it free you up to do other projects? I'm concerned I'd give up scrapbooking all together and just do Project Life as a way to document my life.
Hi Susan - good question. To me, this IS scrapbooking.
I just typed up a big long story from last week that I'm adding in...so, so far it's definitely not taking anything away from anything else. I also plan to include longer stories as well as other layouts that I make throughout the year.
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