Project Life® 2013 | Week Forty (Studio Calico Project Life® Kit)

Go Ali go!!

:) you're reading breaking open by Elizabth Lesser.
I purchased that book earlier this year after seeing it featured on your blog and am SO glad l did. Earlier this year my Mum passed away and for her final few months this book was a huge support. I would go so far as to say I don't think l would have got through that period as intact as l did without that book.
I hope it is as valuable for you - hugs xx

I like the way you documented the hard times. I have had a few of those myself. For the layout I still focused on the good and tucked the bad into a folded journaling card behind a picture. This allows me to write about it (not in too much detail) and I'll know its there. If no one else ever finds it - I'm ok with that too :)

What core kit do you plan on using in 2014 (and album)?

So glad to hear you say that 2014 is the year of unfinished projects! Its exactly what I've put on my list of intentions for 2014.

Hi Ali,

Long time reader - first time commenter.

I just wanted to thank you. My biggest hurdle with documenting my everyday is knowing how to document the not great days, the bad days, and the downright diabolical days. It has stopped me from completing projects authentically, or completing at all at times.

Thank you so much for being open and sharing this with us.

I appreciate your honesty and courage to document the struggle along with the joy. The scrapbook world is filled with so many "BEST DAY EVER!!" embellishments .. but how many "best days" does one actually have?

I think you have a digital project or two about the hard days .. could you provide a link to that?

I wish you peace, Ali. And'Yes'to the year of finishing unfinished projects!

P.s. The year of unfinished projects sounds like a serious bestseller to me. I will see you at the signing end 2015.

After the worst year on record, I also committed to finishing unfinished projects. Two knitting projects done and more to come. Even starting project life is on my list. I have the supplies but haven't dug in yet. There's something cathartic about clearing space of the old so there's room for the new.

i too have gotten behind on my 2013...I was off work for 6 months battling breast cancer and there were days I just didn't feel well...and I had hoped to keep up with it... I did take lots of pics, and had my kids and grandkids around as much as the germs would allow...lol...I returned to work in June and that took all my energy to keep up with that...but I was determined to take back my life...still getting treatments every 3 weeks until March 2014...I will start my 2014 and work on my 2013 maybe one day a month?? i want to document 2014 and my recovery!!!!

Thanks for posting this Ali. And thanks for being so real and approachable.
I fall off the creativity wagon over and over. Trying to be more realistic and stream-lined this year.
The one thing I am struggling with is my printer. Do you think that the Picture Mate Show makes things a lot more do-able? Currently I use an old HP Photosmart D7360 but my photos aren't looking so hot lately. Would the Picture Mate be an improvement? Is it easy to use?
Would love your thoughts on this.
xo

You're an amazing inspiration, Ali.

I too slip back and forth between years and having 4 daughters means I always have something to document and plenty of photo opportunities. In previous years I focused on the big picture of what we achieved in the year, now it's all about the small things that keep our world turning and hinged ;) a lost tooth, a funny hairdo, eating crisps in bed those types of cherished moments that all add up to a life lived.

Embrace the imperfection. One of the most important lessons of my life and I truly feel like if everyone would just keep this in mind the world would prolly be a better place!

I enjoy documenting the regular, not-so-pretty parts of life. I had a week in June that was tough, I ended up taking some almost sad or perplexed selfies that I converted to black & white and just added journaling which didn't really tell the story of what happened but just how I was feeling.

I agree that I think things like this will be more appreciated by those that look at these stories in the future. I find I just want to know what actually happened, not the buttoned-up, polished off stories relatives will pass down.

I'm taking this approach with an ancestry project...instead of just documenting the little bit i know, i'm going to add some ideas regarding what may have happened due to the times my various ancestors lived through.

I had to laugh when I saw that you had titled 2014 as the year of unfinished projects. As of last week, that is what I've deemed the month of January - we'll see how productive I can be in those 31 days before I decide whether to continue the efforts into the month(s) after that. =)

My goal for 2014 in relation to Project Life is to finish my 2012 and 2013 albums.

I have 2 months left to go in 2012 and 6 months to go in 2013. I am going to finish them at my own pace and enjoy the process with the knowledge that it will be TOTALLY WORTH IT to push through and complete them. I can say that from experience having completed 2010 and 2011.

I will be starting a new album with the New Year but it will not be daily, weekly or even monthly. I will add to it only when I feel like it and be more deliberate about what I include. After 4 years I've had enough of the chronology and the obligation that comes with that. The new album I start may include 2 or even 3 years. Only time will tell...

Ali,

Will you be using the 12 x 12 format with Project Life this year or a smaller version. Thank you.

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You are awesome. Thank you.