So I've wanted to do Project Life for so long that I'm pretty sure it was called something else back then. ;) I've really wanted to do it, really, really really. But...between being overwhelmed with three kids all very small, and before that teaching full time, etc... I've been afraid to take the plunge.
I mean, what if I get behind? Gasp!
Here's the truth I've come to realize this year, while studying my One Little Word - Fearless...
Go for what I want, go boldly, and don't worry!
Seriously, what if I get behind? So what! I will have some more of my life scrapped than if I had never started. And I LOVE this idea, the idea of scrapbooking my everyday life! These are the moments I want to cherish forever, but can't even remember at bedtime!!!
So I decided to go for it. I'm going in armed to the hilt with organization, because that's how I roll. And here's my back up, if at the end of January I feel like it's going to stress me out too much, I'll stop there and call it "A Month in the Life".
I should note here that I'm not using Becky Higgins kit for this. I really want different options for pages and broader design option for my "kit". I'm using the Stampin' Up! divided page protectors, and some other things.
Here's what I've done so far in the organizing:
I found a binder I already had and emptied stuff I didn't need from it. ;) I filled it with those pocket page protectors that are made for office style sheets. I put one pocket in for each week. I then wrote the dates of the week right on them and any important things I already knew were going to happen that week (family birthdays, holidays, etc...)
What you see on the left side there are some 4x6 collage layouts I found on Pinterest and some ideas of photo taking lists. Just to have for reference.
The idea for me is to drop notes, receipts, programs, whatever ephemera inside the page protectors as I get them. Any ideas I want to remember or other such things can also go in there.
Here's a better view of a pocket (I put a tablet behind it so you could see it better).
I toyed with the idea of putting labels on these instead of writing right on them so I could reuse them, and putting index cards inside with important dates instead of writing right on them, but really, they're cheap enough that I decided to go quick and dirty and get it done this time. I can always change my mind next year. ;)
This binder stays in a bag that is at home when I'm home, and at my stamp room when I'm there (mine it at my mother in law's house). The whole year is in there and ready to go. By the way, I don't think this is an original idea. I don't remember where or how long ago I saw something like this or what it was for, but I'm pretty sure it's not my own genius. ;)
In addition to this, I'm putting in on my night time routine list to take 2 seconds to write down anything I think is important to remember on the planning page I made.
Here's what it looks like:
Want a copy? Here's a downloadable PDF:
That top rectangle is for me to sketch out my layout ahead of time if I'm so inspired to do so, but I'm not going to stress if I don't know how I'm arranging things until I get to my office.
And since I'm not such a great sketcher, I made little perfectly sized copies of the divided page protectors I'm using so I can tape or glue them on there and sketch it out. I don't have these on this post but I am willing to share if you want them. I made them in regular and reverse so I could plan based on whichever way the page protector was facing.
Put a comment below if you'd like these files. Like I said, they're made to fit in the rectangle on my planner.
Beyond these materials, I've also written things into my routine to help me get things done. My plan is to upload pictures from the week before every Sunday. I have it written to help me remember to upload pics from my camera and my phone. Then I'll set them to print at my drugstore where I get prints. On Monday's I'll pick them up and work on my layout for the week before.
When I scrap there are always things that turn out differently than what I plan, but hopefully with planning and post it notes I'll never be working more than two weeks back. Hopefully.
So that's my plan! Tomorrow I'll be sharing the materials I plan on using since I'm not getting the kit.
Hi There, if you are still willing to share a copy of the page divider sizes I would love a copy. I have been trying to make my own unsuccessfully! Thanks so much for your time on this!!
melissa_chapman@comcast.net!
Posted by: Melissa Chapman | 01/11/2013 at 04:24 PM