You guys know I read your comments here. While I can’t possibly respond to every one, I do my best to address your questions from time to time. One that keeps coming up is — When can we see more sketches??
Well I guess today’s the day. Here’s a new sketch!
Look familiar? Allow me to explain.
I’ve been scrapbooking for 17 years. It’s safe to say it’s in my blood. How I go about preserving our memories has changed and twisted and experimented and EVOLVED over the years. Any of you remember back in the mid- to late-nineties when creative lettering was my niche? I l-o-v-e-d creative lettering. I spent years doing plenty of creative artwork and layout design. Most of you are familiar with my sketches. Another niche. You’re the ones wondering when I’m going to share more. : )
Here’s the thing. In my personal evolution, I’ve had babies. I’ve grown busier. I spend more time outside of myself, and more time serving my family as well as those outside my family. I am equally passionate about scrapbooking as I have always been. Only now I am so, so, so much more practical in my approach. I spend way less hours putting together layouts. All the adorable accents, cool gadgets, and detailed techniques? They’re fun, but I simply don’t prioritize that in my life right now.
Bottom line: This is how I scrapbook now: Project Life. (See pictured sketch above.) Drop the pictures in. Add my journaling. Done. Photos and stories. That’s it. That’s the way I like it. I’m very, very comfortable with the system I’ve settled into and kinda wish all my books from the past 17 years were like this. Honestly. Although, believe me — I appreciate all of those stages and niches and all that resulted from thousands of hours pouring my heart into this hobby.
I still sketch. Only it’s not so much for scrapbook page design. It’s more for product design and web design and things like that. I am so grateful to know my sketches have helped in some way. I appreciate your kind notes and requests. I am just not in that mode of artistic scrapbook pages these days.
I’m in the mode of simplifying. I like helping others to simplify as well.
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Alright. Enough of that. Let’s open up this post to more of your questions. Go for it. : )
Tags: Project Life, sketches
what is your number one organization item besides your label maker?
In case no one has told you lately, you’re awesome! I hear ya, I’m there!
From someone in the same stage of life right now (young children, lots to do, not enough hours in the day) I SO appreciate your creativity in simplifying! Keep up the wonderful work!! You inspire so many!!
What kind of family traditions does your family enjoy?
I have always wondered if David is just as organized as you are. If he is, has he always been? Did you rub off on him? Or are you one of those rare couples who love to clean the garage together every Saturday???
Just wondering what a typical day might be for you? Do you get up at the same time? When do you fit in exercise, reading or creative time? Is your day structured? I’m feeling a great need to have a bit more structure/organization to my days. During the summer its easy to loose that schedule, but with the new school year approaching, I’m egar to get a new plan in place. Your E-Meals suggestion put such a smile to my face! Any more suggestions?
Do you have a set day each week that you vacuum, scrub toilets, do laundry, run errands, etc. or is just kind of random? With three small children (5,3 and 5 months) and a part-time job, I find it hard to squeeze in all the necessary cleaning and running around. It’s driving my inner control freak crazy!
Also, if David is as organized as you: A) God bless him and B) Does he give lessons to struggling husbands? 
I am so inspired by your home. Can we see more pictures?
I would love to see photos from your family room and your bedroom. Mainly colors and design! I think your design skills are wonderful!
I am wondering if you could tell us (once again, sorry!) if you still do any “traditional” scrapbooking (whatever that means). I just finished listening to an old Paperclipping Roundtable podacst you were on and you indicated you still do tradtional layouts (just way less of them) for your children’s albums. But this post seems to contradict that. I have all of your sketch books and they are so versatile that I can use them over and over again for YEARS, no worries there. I do however, very much miss being inspired by your layouts. In every issue of CK I looked forward to the sketch but the simple, well designed layout you created using that sketch was always my favorite. I would LOVE to see some new layouts you’ve completed for your children’s albums!
Just an FYI on your new website: the title of the blog posts, for example today’s “my latest sketch” are sitting a little high and so, the new logo, that bottom shadow, cuts into the title of the blog post. I hope this makes sense! I know I would want to know and you asked for feedback on a previous post, so I thought I would mention it! best to you, Amanda.
I remember taking one of your Creative Lettering classes at a scrapbook convention in Orlando! What a blast from the past!
What do you pack in your kids’ lunches? My daughter will be starting Pre-K at a new school next week and I will be packing her lunches for the first time. Until now, her daycare center has provided lunch so I didn’t have to worry about it.
oK-i think I have posted this before-was wondering what type of makeup do you wear and any suggestions for good lipstick brands and colors?
Hopefully I have yet to juggle kids in my life lol, and no question, merely a comment
I find it funny that you posted this as I have been going through my old issues of CK just to go over your sketches, I have used 1 or 2 in the past but now I’m totally hooked on templates and your sketches, as I’ve found my “style” and it’s more the clean and simple approach and I tweeted about going over CK mags for your layouts (mmmbisto on twitter lol)
I love your organisation posts, I love all that stuff, sadly hubby makes such things impossible, but I can still swoon over your organisation photos and wish. You are such an inspiration, thank you
What is your current calling in your ward?
Becky – have any favorite organizing website that you wish to share? I am thinking of adding a third child to my family and feel I should get things organized and under control first. I love your website!
Will you be including any of your sketches as template pages in your Digital Project Life? Have you considered making some of those sketches available to digital scrapbookers as templates for use in Photoshop? You wouldn’t have to do it yourself – you seem to have good access to technical support – perhaps you could find someone to transform your sketches into Photoshop templates and make them available for sale through your own website or a site like Designer Digitals (and even have the odd freebee if you’d like; although I’d be quite happy to purchase them).
Thanks Becky for sharing all that you do. You continue to be an inspiration, even as you grow and evolve with your life processes. I feel so grateful for what you gave us during your time with CK, but continue to feel grateful for what you are still taking the time to give and share with us even now. You also have allowed many of us to feel that its okay to let certain things go that maybe were eating up too much of our time. I love scrapbooking, but I too have simplified my process because it wasn’t getting done the traditional way. The only thing I have accomplished this year is keeping up with my Project Life album and I celebrate that accomplishment! Thank you for opening up the door to new ways of thinking and doing!
I have to share this with you – I am in my first week of e-mealz. This is HUGE for me! I do not enjoy cooking and have never been able to discipline myself with preparing meals. My hang up was a mix of disinterest and truly not knowing how. In just this week, I am on my fourth prepared meal, I have cooked with fresh ingredients that I never have used before (sadly), and I love knowing what I’m doing for dinner when I wake up in the morning. Its an awesome change for me on many levels and I am really going to try to keep it up and train myself. Thanks for asking for help because its working out great for me too!
I’m wondering if you have unfinished projects hanging around. From decorating to scrapbooking, it seems like I can’t commit to finishing anything. My perception is that you just power through and finish what you start – is that right? Do you have a secret? And serious question: how much sleep do you get?
I have to say this post makes me sad. I can certainly appreciate the simplicity of Project Life, but I could never give up all the” embellishments, and cool gadgets”. I have a 4yr old and work part time, but I make the time to scrapbook the “traditional” way because I love it. I know that everyone’s life is different and having 3 kids is different than having one.
This makes me the most sad….” kinda wish all my books from the past 17 years were like this. ”
Different strokes for different folks I guess, huh?
Thanks for all your past work Becky! Even though you may never release anything else related to “traditional” scrapping, I am glad I have all your stuff from the past and can continue to use it for inspiration.
Love the new look of the blog!
Do you think that Crew will look at his siblings scrapbooks and wonder where his are?Or will you explain to him later that Project Life and all it entails to market to us great people was very time consuming?
Ouch- My kids love looking @ my project life book and P365. I think they just love the pictures and the stories behind the picture, I honestly don’t think they care about all the fancy paper, stickers and all that stuff. That was more for me and less about them. The kids just want to see themselves in pictures I think. With 4 boys college age down to 3rd grade, there is just not enough hours in the day to do traditional scrapbooking. I would love to get back at it someday, but right now I am just thrilled to have a system that keeps me printing pictures and documenting our lives. Just my 2 cents worth.
Ouch is right! Crew knows his mother loves him.
My 4 year old loves what little scrapping I’ve done. She doesn’t need the scrapbooks though. She’s just as happy sitting at the computer viewing slideshows of the thousands of pictures I’ve taken over the past 4 years!
Becky takes the pictures and writes the stories – that’s what counts.
Becky- Thanks for sharing your talents! I really enjoyed taking your album class and meeting you in Atlanta a few years back. I loved that you shared your journals from YW Camp last year (and for free). I was able to use them last fall when I taught a YW lesson on Personal History. Everyone loved them – don’t know if they took them home and finished them, but still.
I totally “get” why you don’t travel for scrapbooking events anymore. Makes sense! My question is Will you consider organizing an event there in Arizona? I would love to attend another Album by Becky Class with lots of crop time to finish albums between when I lost control (2006 ish) and Project 365. Less vendors, less splash. More Completed Albums. More Family History.
You said you enjoy weekly date nights with your husband. What types of things do the two of you enjoy doing together for fun? We just made it through residency and are looking forward to more of these nights together! (And what’s the going rate for babysitting with three kids these days?
Paper napkins or cloth? Oh and what does your ‘to-do’ list look like? Computerized list? Notepad? On the back of your hand?
Hi there just wondering if you can share how you edit your photos in photo shop, i.e what steps you take to get the amazing colour in your photos. I have the same camera as you but far from the same results.
I don’t have any questions, just a thought…I think it’s going to take me several years to process the fact that you don’t scrapbook traditionally anymore. For the last ten years I have referred to you as “The Queen of Scrapbooking.” It’s sad to me. It’s hard to understand how you don’t crave “the stuff” that goes along with papercrafting. I love to touch it all and smell it and just enjoy looking at it.
Love your website and all of the information you share. Even more, I love your positive and optimistic attitude. I think having a healthy outlook on life is so essenital when one leads a busy life.
So anyway, my question involves scrapbooking. You have said that you no longer do a lot of traditional scrapbook layouts. Would you ever consider posting some of your old layouts (for those of us who haven’t read Creating Keepsakes from the start!) and possibly make some recommendations on how a new twist can be applied to old layouts?
Thanks and have a great day!
Hi, Becky!
I just wanted to let you know that even though I enjoy traditional scrapping very much, I congratulate you on being able to give it up for the sake of time for your children. After years of waiting, my husband and I still haven’t been blessed with children, but the intense sorrow has made us realize just how very precious each child is. The reality is, you only have so many years to make a difference in their lives. Then they’re gone. And you can tackle the more intense things then.
I think they’ll thank you for spending time with them today!
Bless you!
Just wanted to know where you bought your shelving system for your albums.
I too am wondering what system you have for your children’s albums…especially Crew. I know at one point you were using the baby album and I would love to see some pages designed from that. I bought the kit a long time ago, but I am finally having the baby to go with it and would love some inspiration. I am enjoying project life for our family album, but still want to do something more for my children. But of course I am all about simple and that’s why I enjoy your layouts so much. Also do you feel guilty not using all the supplies that you have stocked up on over the years? I just am not sure what to do with everything I already have and have spent so much money on?!
Becky, I absolutely LOVE the concept of Project Life! I scapbooked like you for over 10 years and loved the embellishments, the process, the outcome. But I just don’t have the time to keep up with it all: kids, work, home, graduate school, play??? and would start to sweat thinking about how far behind I was falling…I truly see Project Life as a blessing..to be able to chronicle our life, day-by-day, with no pressure, and leave a keepsake and history for my children. thank you so much!
One question: I did buy your previous Scool Kits for my kids (and will someday get them done!)…What album does you suggest to put all of the componets into??
Thanks again!
Amy
I, too, wish most of my past scrapbooks were like Project Life! I so so so like this method. It fits my life and my desire for simplicity so well. I’m way behind but I know I can catch up pretty easily. My problem is…how do I deal with all of my pages that I have created over the years, particularly those that I simply don’t enjoy? Those pages that have no story behind them and were basically just an excuse for a bunch of stickers, embellishments, and cute paper. I want to tear them out and throw them away! Any ideas? It may sound crazy but just having them around bothers me and spoils my enjoyment of those pages I really do like. Thanks, Becky!
I have not totally “bought” in to Project Life but it has caught my interest. I know if I did it I probably would not do photo of the day…my question is how would you do it on a month by month basis? Thanks and really enjoy your blog! michelle
What did you think of the Williams and Sonoma Dish towels? Love your blog! Great inspiration for good living!
First, a big thank you to ALL the amazing things you pass along to all of us following your blog. You truly are an inspiration. I’ve always been crafty, long before having kids and scrapbooking, but I love how you pass along tips, ideas, projects, etc. for everything…not only scrapbooking. I would like to say a personal thank you for the P365 & P Life. These have helped me to do all that you have said yourself and to allow me to let go of the obsessive need to do an overwhelming number of pages that just can’t be done with a 6 yr old, 2 yr old and 5 mo. old twins. How do you spell impossible?! I am P365ing and will P Life next year and have albums for the kids that when I feel sometime like doing a good old scrapbooking page…I’ll do it. If not, I am also ok with that. Going off work 3 months before expected and having twins 2 months early and I am ok that I haven’t done a single scrapbook or P365 thing since about 5 months pregnant. That is ok because I’ve been busy with life.
So, here’s my question: I LOVE how organized you are with 3 kids. In my life, I have 4 kids, am a full-time RN, thankfully a very helpful hubby and a huge extended family. Add on the usual stuff we all have to do every day, errands, laundry, sports, activities, cooking, etc. and hmmmm…it is just never done to my liking. Nearly all of my friends have cleaning help and I am not sure what to do.
I’d love to know if you have a cleaning person/company/nanny and how you manage to keep your home so beautiful in all the amazing pics you share. I find this to be such a battle in my life. I’m a very relaxed person and would rather spend my time with the kids, but yes, the cleaning stuff also needs to get done, but it just never seems to be. I followed the Peter Walsh stuff and feel comfortable that every single space in my house is organized and decluttered, but it is just keeping my head above water!
I’m very honest in my admission that my home is clean, but hey, with my family, I just don’t have the time to have it perfect given I don’t have outside help (other than daycare for the kids when working). I see so many friends trying to be superwoman and almost afraid to admit that it is hard to have time for your kids, to cook, clean, spend quality time with our husbands, families, etc. It would be awesome to see one of your days and how you fit everything in. I always did a page in the kids’ albums once a year (though haven’t done this in over a year now) that was a sample schedule listing literally everything – fun now to look back and see how I fit in everything, including shower time, etc. ( yep – love showering at 5 a.m. sometimes, just so that I can have one in peace).
Thanks Becky and keep up all the neat stuff on your blog – LOVE the new look!
Made your buttermilk pancakes the other day – YUM; best pancakes ever! Thank you!
Love your house pics here and there. I always thought your home was so gorgeous before, but am so excited to see your new splashes of color. Would love to see a grand tour with perhaps a before and after.
Also, another question: how do you go about child discipline? With 4 kids I don’t have enough hands or eyes, yet am the only person of all my friends/family with more than 2 kids. What is your philosophy on keeping your children well mannered and behaved? Do they all allow you to shop in peace and quiet or is your grocery trip like mine? (yep – that’s me with the kids arguing in the buggy on occasion – urgh). Any parenting tips/books you would recommend?
Thanks a bunch! I heard a rumor…are you expecting again?!
Any chance that the digital version Project Life could be available in 8×8 or 12×12 size? All of my other digital scrapbooks are 8×8 and I’d like them to all “match” on my bookshelf. That’s the only thing holding me back from buying it now.
I am totally LOVING Project Life. I was one of those folks who were anxiously awaiting the return of this year’s addition. It is such a perfect way to tell our story of daily life, which is what makes us….us. I tell anyone who wants to listen to come to your website and check it out.
)
So no questions here….just lots of love to you from me
Wow, kind of surprised by some of the comments on here. I applaud you for finding a new way to capture the moments from your life. I too was doing layouts and have embellishments for a lifetime. I don’t have children, and realized that I’m not really enjoying all of the supplies laying around my house anymore. I want SIMPLE and organized. I’m thrilled to have Project Life! Easy, organized, and saves on space! Life is too busy to spend on something that you have moved away from. I’m selling, donating, downsizing my supplies and plan to do Project Life for now on. Maybe an occasional mini book for fun…but only if I really want to! Blessings!
I’m so happy that a school kit will be coming next year. I have 2 of your original school kits which I LOVE for the first 2 kids and now need 2 more for the next 2!
As a Canadian, may I give a suggestion?
Our school system here starts with Preschool (optional, but all my kids are in preschool), and then here is where it differs in some parts of Canada from the US: we don’t just have one year of kindergarten. We have Junior Kindergarten in which kids start at age 4 and then Senior Kindergarten at age 5. The rest is the same, but this has caused a huge problem with my first 2 kids’ albums. The kindergarten packet is jammed full because with only one for “Kindergarten”, I just filled it with everything from both years. In terms of the page designed for the school picture that said “Kindergarten” I just added a small subtitle that said “Junior” and then did another page for the beginning of the section for Senior Kindergarten so that worked out ok.
Not sure of the design of your new school kit, but with many Canadians that will surely purchase the school kit (I’ve already got about 10 of my friends wanting it when its available after seeing the original), is there any way to make some option available to assist us? Perhaps a purchase option that for an additional price, the ability to buy a second set of whatever will be the Kindergarten “stuff”? Whatever that may be (envelopes, packets, pages, etc.)? Please consider this option for us loyal Canadians!!! I’d easily pay an additional $10-20 just for a second “Kindergarten section”.
I only had 2 girls at the time of the “Canadian shirts” – remember me? Back then my 2 school albums were ok, but But now have 2 boys as well and can’t wait to do their school albums…looking forward to the new ones!!!
Thank you again for your blog and your fantastic P365! I’m sure in the future I will try the new Project Life too!
Love it! Simplifying is so inspired and I find even Project Life hard to keep up with these days – so I really appreciate simplicity! (Coming from and “old school” scrapbooker from 10 years ago).
But my question is – do you mind posting more pictures of your decor elements in your home? Is there already a section for this on the new blog layout? I’m interested in furniture, paint, picture frames, bedding, cabinets, toy organization, etc.
Thanks so much!
odd question, but what do your kids eat? I have a very picky three year old and a 1 year old who is starting to get choosy about what she eats…so I am just wondering what you feed your kids to keep them interested. thanks!
Thank you for sharing this, Becky. I think your sketches and whole scrapbook “evolution” played a huge part in settling on Project Life. And can I just say “thank you” for Project Life. It came at the right time in my life, I love a photo a day, I have a photo for each day so I don’t feel so overwhelmed by the files and files and files of pictures and digging back through them to find what I need. (I still have those, too, I just have my Project Life ones organized along side those!) As a mom of 5 I needed simplified and this is something I CAN do an LOVE to do and am still recording those memories! Ahhhh, it feels good, that’s for sure!
Becky, you are great! I just have one question and that is for 2011 is project life going to look the same as 2010 or are you going to tweak it a little? I love Project Life by the way and I am so glad I am using it. I still scrapbook, but Project Life takes away the stress of having to scrap all those photos. Now I can store them and go back to look at the adventures for the year. Thank you once again Becky.
Hey there! I hope you have time to read through all these questions!! I have some questions I hope you can answer.
1. When you have your children or husband take a picture for Project Life and journal, do they write this is written by (their name)? I do the majority of the pics and journaling, so I wasn’t sure how to go about that??
2. I love how you add text with Photoshop to your photos. I am doing digital Project Life and wondered what size font you use to type text on your photos. I know this seems like a silly question, but I am afraid the font will be too big/small when I go to print the book.
3. Anytime you want to share a traditional layout from one of your children’s albums, would be so appreciated!!
Thanks for all the inspiration!
Stacey
I’m patiently waiting for your page protectors to be offered separately so I can use them in my current scrapbooks. Are those coming out at the same time as the new editions of Project Life for the holiday season?
On a busy school morning what do you serve for breakfast?
This is a big problem at my house–I don’t have time to cook and everyone gets tired of cereal. but at the same time I would like to be eating healty foods.
Hey Becky, I love Project Life too. It lets me ‘scrap’ more photos than I ever would have time to do – it is fantastic
Thank you.
Just wondering, will there be other designs for PL – different colours, maybe themed etc? Or maybe a mix n match type thing , where you can buy the page protectors and then choose the cards, album covers, 12×12 papers etc?
Thanks again, I love it
Hi Becky. I’m interested to know if the Project Life page protectors are available for sale by themselves? If so, where could I find them? If not…are there any plans to make them available?
Hey Becky. Thank you for your inspiration and for giving us Project Life. I used to be an avid scrapbooker. I loved embellishments. I loved the process. What was lacking were the stories. With project life, I am starting to focus on the stories behind the pictures. Not just the who, what, and where. I love thinking about the journaling and editing down to the most important points. I had some major ordering issues and was unable to get P365 when it was first released. I was able to purchase it for $150 off of ebay (shh, don’t tell my husband). It was worth every penny. My children love looking through this book. I took a break from the picture a day ritual this year. My kids needed a break too.
I went ahead and purchased your Project Life kit this year. I was going to use it as a school of life album for my kids, but have decided to wait on that project until you release your school kit. I think I will use this year’s kit to hold my favorite pictures of all time and journal a little about each one. I have already made a file on my MAC and have been going through all my digitial photos to pull them together. I am getting really excited about the process. These are photos that probably would not have landed on a scrapbook page. (I rarely scrapbook single photo layouts). It also gives me a place to record all the funny things that my children have said over the years (along with scans of their drawings).
Sorry for the long post, but I feel totally in sink with your process right now. I am so grateful for its simplicity.
I know that you don’t want to give too much away, but I would love a little more information on the School kit. Any information that you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I have one in 2nd and one in 4th. I have been collecting photos, school papers, etc. since they started Pre-K and am itching to get them in an album.
JUST A NOTE: In Illinois, we have two years of pre-school. I too would love the option to purchase an additional section for pre-school in any future kit.
Thanks Becky for all you do.
love your blog and the organization tips i always pick up when i come here. i’ve read through some of the comments and want to add my own “request” list! hee hee!
1. please do a “day in your life” post–with specific times, etc. showing your routine and how you do it all.
2. recently i’ve been loving thepleatedpoppy.com and her ‘what i wore wednesday’ posts. any chance you could start showing us some of the darling outfits i’m sure you wear everyday?
3. could you please take us on a detailed tour of your home so we can see rooms, paint, furniture, etc?
love project life and hope to do that from now on–but still can’t stop my traditional scrapbooking. i love that too!
(btw, your customer service is AWESOME! i had emailed someone saying the binder of my PL book was rippled–but that it wasn’t a huge deal. they replied that when more were made, i would be sent one. i didn’t think much about it. but a few days ago, i got a replacement binder delivered to me! i just think it really says something about you and your company when things are done professionally and in such a timely fashion. some of these big companies could learn something from your approach! you’ve got a faithful customer here in me–thanks so much!)
Oooooo, I agree with Susanne’s requests. Those would be fun posts to see. I’m especailly into decorating my home right now and freshining things up so any inspiration you can give on that would be sooooo appreciated! You are a really neat person. Thanks for being you.
When I opened your blog this morning, I was elated to see a sketch! Woo hoo! Took me less than 3 seconds to realize that it was Project Life. So much for elation…
Don’t get me wrong. I do like Project Life — I am in the 2nd year of that process, but it in no way replaces my love & desire to create my traditional scrapbooks. If anything, it creates way more photo opps that deserve their own 2-page traditional layout.
So, here are my questions:
1. When you decided to simplify and ditch the traditional, how did you overcome the addiction? A 12-step program?
2. What did you do with your stash? Did you have a big clean-out-the-studio giveaway?
3. What do you do with the big life events such as weddings, graduations, birthdays, holidays, vacations, etc. that simply can’t be narrowed down to 1 photo? If you did decide to document the event with just one photo, how did you pick the one?
4. When you host “scrapbook night” at your house, what does that look like? Do all of your cropping pals all do PL?
5. Do your kids enjoy the PL books as much as they enjoy looking at the traditional?
6. How ’bout a poll for your readers to see how many are here for scrapbooking?
Just call me…persistent.
Hi Becky!
My wish is that you would/could share in GREAT detail how you handle your digital images. How do you sort, label, organize, store, what you print/what you don’t, how often, products you use in managing your digital memories, etc. I am so behind in this area and my pics are stored very haphazardly. I don’t back up often enough and the entire process seems so overwhelming to me. I have no doubt that your system would be the ultimate in simplicity, manageability, and organization and Iwould LOVE to hear how you do it!
I have whole-heartedly embraced Project Life and plan to continue with it for as long as it’s produced. It has changed the way I view my “hobby” and I no longer beat myself up for being “behind”. I love the concept, the design, the colors, the ease of use. Actually, when the first kit came out, I’d ignored my photos and supplies for about 2 years because I just didn’t want the burden of scrapping. Weird. But the project brought out my desire to scrap again.
I still “traditional” scrap here and there. Mostly about a big event, like a birhtday or holiday and I incorporate that somewhat into Project life. I try to use Project life more for the everyday and mundane and then traditional scrap the extraordinary.
I don’t feel like I have to pick one way over another. I can do what works for ME, which is the whole point of the project (I think).
Thank you so much for the inspiration and products that help to record my family’s life. I’m a believer!
Hi,
Just LOVE your blog…thanks for answering questions too, we are all so much more inspired when we know how you “do it”. Done lots of painting this summer:)
I am curious by one of the comments regarding binder being broke from one gal. I talked up Project SO much I convinced a friend of mine to buy one. She did from Amazon and her binder was crushed. She could not get customer service to respond to her at all. I then told her to call Amazon, she had to send the WHOLE kit back then when they got it they would re-send another kit. Apparantly customer service finally did get back with her a week later and said the same thing. Had to send back to Amazon. Just frustrating as she started pictures the day she got it and wanted to start working on it.
I guess the other gal was JUST lucky, as I thought they could just send another binder to my friend also. It is not like she could of done anything with the original…it was totally smashed from delivery.
Don’t mean to complain just dont understand how one gets one sent out and another has a hassle.
Thanks for the ever so inspiring blog:) Really do love.
Lisa
I have noticed your fabulous home-made recipe book and wondered if you could share a little more of it with us…how it’s organized and presented…my son is about to share a house with friends at college and I know he’d love this as a going-away gift!
Thanks so much for everything! (Love the Amazon picks…:))
I totally agree with your post, Becky. My mom scrapbooked for years while I was away in college and in the early years of my marriage. She never really told me much about scrapbooking, though. I then met a lady who did Creative Memories and she shared with me her scrapbooks and I fell in love with this hobby. At the time, we had our oldest son who was around two.
Now I had the first exposure to scrapbooking so I went to Michaels and bought The Joy of Scrapbooking to make sure I was going to really enjoy this before spending money and time doing it. I loved so many of your pages in that book, Becky, and that was when I realized my style…simple, linear, creative (I also l-o-v-e-d creative lettering!).
Anyway, we now have two boys, we homeschool, and we’re very busy; I certainly don’t (won’t/can’t?) spend the time on layouts like I used to. I did Project Life last year and you know, I really miss doing it! So I’ve already ordered and rec’d my kit for 2011 and I can’t wait!
Your evolution has been similar to mine and I truly appreciate your simplifying this for us! My Project Life is mostly the POTD in page protectors with journaling, but I do add in layouts occasionally when it’s a big event and I want to do more with the pictures I took. That’s what I love about this kit, it’s so unique and individual for everyone who uses it.
One more quick thing… Sorry! A close family of ours is hosting an exchange student this year and my friend wanted to do a scrapbook as a surprise for when the student left, next year. She was thinking about trying to do layouts for much of what they would be doing for this year! It was then that I realized how helpful and PERFECT Project Life would be for this and she is doing it! She thanked me the other day and told me how wonderful it’s all working out.
Thanks again, Becky!
Pam
Hi Becky! I recently signed up for e-mealz and was wondering what meal plan you and your family signed for. Your facebook post about marinading steak strips in orange juice, garlic and ginger sounded really yummy… but I have not seen that recipe on my meal plan. Thanks for all that you do!
Hey Tara, totally jumping in on this post but I signed up for emealz as well and we love it. This recipe was also in low carb walmart meals( what we signed up for) doing it tomorrow for dinner!
I LOVE Project Life and finally feel like I can scrapbook. I’ve been a ‘wanna be’ scrapbooker for years. I have all the ‘stuff’ and only one (almost) completed scrapbook of our youth conference to Martin’s Cove 7 years ago! Let’s face it, I have 5 kids, my husband and I have busy church callings, we try to keep up with everything. I just don’t want to spend hours on a scrapbook page yet I want our photos where we can see and remember them. Project Life is perfect for me. My kids love to remind me to take the POTD and give me ideas all the time.
This is scrapbooking for me from now on!
Jolene
Wow. I second many of the above posts. Thanks for sharing your philosophy on scrapbooking and prioritizing your life… it helps me realize simplifying is often a better approach for me in all aspects of life. Thank you Becky!
I realize your home is a personal place and I would understand why you wouldn’t want every inch of it posted. I would just LOVE to see some more of your organizational talents in motion. I would love to see a wall to wall to wall photo sequence of your office. I love organization but often struggle with it. Any little bit would help!
I love that you are for simplifying things. It’s good to know that a page can still be great but simple. Would you please let us know how you are going to make the yearbook for the preschooler? I would really like to know what kind of questions you will ask and what activities you will have them do. Thanks!
Hi Becky!
I was wondering where you found the maps you used for pointing out Finland and for the photography session give-aways. I have 4-month old twin boys and I want to record their travels. My husband (a pilot) and I both thoroughly enjoy traveling, so I’m hoping we’ll be able to take our boys on some great adventures.
Thanks for everything you share and do.
(Oooh.. I just noticed the green background. Looks great!)
I agree with the customer service comment. I also had a defective binder. left an email about it, and promptly forgot about it. A new one arrived just a few days ago, Thank you so much for such good service,
I wonder where I went wrong with customer service when I got my backordered defective binder? I emailed them 3x with no response until a week later, to find out I had to return the whole darn thing to Amazon and pay for a new one and then once the old one got back to Amazon I would get credited back my money. Oh well I guess. Over and done with.
Hello,
I am wondering if you willl be designing and selling any baby albums. I missed out on your last one for my second child and now number 3 will soon be arriving and I am looking for a simple approach.
Thanks,
Amy
I want to get project life for next year.
I am starting homeschooling this year
and simply won’t have the time to committ
to scrapbooking, plus I have grown away from the “pretty”
fluff pages, to just wanting to post the real deal stories + pix.
PL is a great way for me to do that! can’t wait to get mine!
tara
Love, love, love your blog… don’t want to sound crazy but I loved Beck Higgins before Becky Higgins was cool… just sayin’. (way back before blogs!)
Thanks for ALL you share… you help me get motivated, you help me stay motivated…
~ kim
Insecond that Kim! Too funny!
Not sure if you are taking in any more questions… but I was wondering if you ever finished Crew’s baby book? Or did you switch it up and do a digital book? I got one for my son’s book, and would love to see some more of your finished pages! Maybe a little inspiration in that department would get me moving again!
Love, love, love your blog. It is such and inspiration and a “happy place” to come to everday. I would love to see more examples of how other’s PL pages look. Is there a gallery of some sort…I realize it may not be possible for you to post many others’ pages on your blog but would love to look at more examples.
Thank you.
Jill,
Here are some links you can check out that have Project Life galleries. (Sorry I can’t make the links ‘pretty’):
http://beckyhiggins.com/projectlife/gallery/main.php
http://www.scrapbookersinnercircle.com/groups/profile/68/albums
http://jessicaturnersblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20Life%20Tuesday
Hope that helps!
Hi Becky, I am curious about the color scheme/sneak peek about what the new school kit will be like. I missed out on the kit the first time, and recently a good friend of mine gave me her extra unused one. Now I’m hesitant to start because I’m wondering about ‘what’s coming’! I’ve been itching to start, but now I feel like I should wait to see what is coming, perhaps I would like the new color scheme better. I’m okay with the old kit’s color scheme, but I’m not in love with it..and I’m hoping the new kit has a say, brighter, cheerier color pallate? >. Any advance info would be SO appreciated Becky! Thank you!
I need help simplifying the organization of all my photos. I have read over and over the importance of printing photos and not just keep them on the computer. Of course I take so many pictures and do have the Project Life album. But I feel that I need to still maintain some sort of organization of my other photos. It’s just so time consuming to select, print and put them in albums. Any suggestions?
I have always been a pretty simple scrapbooker and card maker. About 8 years ago my life became so busy I just kind of put the big sbing pages away and mainly worked on little mini books that could be done pretty fast. Kind of theme like books. I just bought by first Project Life set and will see how that works for me. I feel a real need to get my pictures in books so people can actually look at all these picures we take. I have about 25 photo boxes of photos and I am really feeling the pressure. If the PL works for me I am interested in continuing to scrap like this but I would like to see some theme type books offered too like baby books, wedding books, holidays, etc. Also, if I go to a simpler way of scrapping what do I do with all my stuff I currently have. I love it and hate to get rid of it when I’ve invested so much money in it. I’m retiring next year and hope to have more time to sb the way I used to. I will look forward to seeing your ideas posted. Thanks.
I don’t understand why people are so anxious for you to do more sketches. No way could someone do every sketch you’ve published. If they really, really need more sketches just tell them to hold the sketches upside down and then they’ll have more to work from.
Hi Becky!! My first comment ever…..Long time follower and read all of your books-you are my favorite scrapbook/organizing/picture goddess:) I remember somewhere your explanation of what you do with wedding invitation pics/ Christmas cards pics etc. I love keeping these pictures but haven’t figured out a good system to keep them-they are sure fun to look at though. In behalf of all of the gathering pictures from this summer’s crop of weddings can you help a girl out and remind me of your brilliant system???
Oh and I adore PL I am using personally and for my Young Women’s organization and it’s GGGRRREEEAAATTTT!!! BTW on my way out to do a little SprayPaintin’:) Cheers on the new LOGO and web design!!!
I know you had family scrapbooks, and those have changed over to Project Life (Me, too! Me, too! I can breathe again! I do a Project Life and a Travels photobook for each year now. LOVE IT!)
I’m wondering, though, what happened to your children’s memory books that you had separately from the family books? Did those get put on the back burner? Discontinued? Given a “makeover” with simplified pages? Switched to divided page protectors? What?
Thanks for satisfying our curiosity (and giving us great ideas for our own future memory-collecting)!
I am wondering that same thing that Rebecca asked:
“I’m wondering, though, what happened to your children’s memory books that you had separately from the family books? Did those get put on the back burner? Discontinued? Given a “makeover” with simplified pages? Switched to divided page protectors? What?”
I read your blog often, but don’t think you’ve ever said whether you still do scrapbooks for each child or not and if you do PL instead, do you do one for each of them to take with them when they grow up? I love the simplicity of PL, but also love the idea that each child leaves my home with a set of books the tells their own history.