My philosophy on preserving memories? ANYthing you’re doing to capture & record life in the form of pictures, video, journal-writing, scrapbooking … anything … is just awesome. And most of you are doing something. And that’s just so cool.
For me personally, the primary way I document our family’s life is by taking at least one picture every single day. I include this collection of daily shots, each accompanied with brief journaling, into a book. I’m going on 2 years strong of doing this. Most of you know that this is what inspired the development of Project Life. Of course many of you are telling your story with a picture-a-day as well. You know what it means for you. For your family. For your posterity.
This philosophy has resulted in more everyday pictures that are more valuable to us than 200 pictures at Disneyland or 75 pictures of an Easter Egg hunt. We’re getting more pictures like these…
Daily rituals:
Porter’s latest project:
Claire’s latest portrait:
How we get the wiggles out before bed:
A little party preparation:
A little afternoon craving:
And the way we kicked off a recent date night:
……………………………..
Here’s a thought. This is for those of you who are not currently taking a picture-a-day.
Maybe the picture-a-day concept intrigues you but it feels daunting, overwhelming, impossible. Maybe you wonder, “But when would I start? The beginning of the year? On your next birthday? An anniversary? Just whenever? (The correct answer is: Any time is a good time. Pick a random day and that’s a good day!)
Perhaps you’d like a little “trial run” with this philosophy to see how it works out in your own life before tackling an entire year. A fellow blog reader — Rebecca in California — recently pointed out to me that we’re approaching the last 12 weeks of 2010. She thought of this idea, shared it with me, and I’m passing it along to you. (Rebecca, thank you!)
One of the digital Project Life books is designed for 12 layouts (originally intended for one month per layout for a full year). What if … you took a picture every day for these last 12 weeks of the year?
Because I am personally loving this philosophy in my own life and because I continue to read comment after comment and email after email of happy “Project Lifers” who are doing the picture-a-day — I’d love for you to try it and see for yourself. So here’s what we’re gonna do:
- For a limited time, we are putting the digital Project Life books on sale — 25% off both sizes! Starting … NOW.
- All new customers who sign up (meaning you set up an account and start a project but don’t necessarily need to make a purchase) will get $5 credit applied to their account.
- All those who either already have an account or they sign up now, will have a chance to win an additional FREE copy of the book they publish. This would be today’s GIVEAWAY! Leave your name, city, and state or country and we’ll randomly choose someone. But first — be sure you’ve created an account HERE. It costs absolutely nothing and you are absolutely not obligated to purchase anything. Creating an account means you can start uploading your pictures & adding your journaling to the already-designed book whenever you’re ready. It’s super simple.
NOTE on timing: Go ahead and get started this weekend with your own project if you’re interested in taking a picture-a-day for the last 12 weeks of 2010. You could start this Saturday or Sunday … depending on how you want to display your weeks. Personally, I’m a Sunday-through-Saturday-kind-of-week girl.
ALSO NOTE: Ziblio is the platform for digital Project Life. If you have questions, concerns, or need customer support at all these guys are really terrific and super helpful. Please direct your questions to them: (877) 209-1560 or support@ziblio.com.
Alright — are you in? Want to try the daily picture-taking? If you’re already doing the daily thing, feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts too.
Tags: digital Project Life, sale
I just received project life last week. I got it all set up and have been taking a picture a day. I love it! My son just got a digital camera for his 4th birthday. I am thinking of including pictures from his camera in the project life too.
Wendy Sotomayor, Ferndale, Ca
Would love an additional copy! Totally addicted to Digital PL!!! Thank you.
I’ve been mulling over Project Life for a while- I love the 12 week idea! I think I may try try try to start on Saturday.
Morro Bay, CA
I’ve been taking a photo a day all year and posting it on my blog in its own section . . . until yesterday when I completely forgot to take a photo. I’m totally bummed, but, hopefully, I’ll complete the year without forgetting again. In years to come, it’ll be fun for my family to look back at my POTDs and remember what 2010 was like for us.
I did photo-a-day in 2009, but skipped 2010. I’m definitely going to get back at it in 2011! Thanks, Becky!
Mikki McGehee, Las Vegas NV
I have been taking a picture-a-day this year and it has been a wonderful experiance. I still have yet to miss a day and I try to encourage those around me to do it too, even if they don’t do it every day. I would LOVE to send the digital album to my grandparents who haven’t yet gotten to meet my daughter, I send them photos now and then but the whole album would be great!
I did my own version in 2009 because PL sold out, but I won a PL for 2010 and have proudly kept up with it! I actually spent some time today working on my September section! My 3 year old loves to look back at all of the pictures. It is also fun to see how much my baby girl has changed (She was born Dec 28)…and I started my first day on 12/27….I hope when they grow older they will cherish the details…..Thanks Becky for your vision and perspective on daily life remembrances!
I did Project 365 in 2009, but skipped this year and I really wish I would have done it. I love the idea of the last 12 weeks of the year! Thanks for sharing that and reminding us that any time is a good time.
Holly Hudson-Sequim WA
how fun!!! i been taking pictures everyday throughtout the whole summer…and still have yet to buy a project life! hoping to get one soon
Hi Becky, I am inspired to give it a try, 12 weeks as a trial run… I’m off to sign up right now.
I started Project Life on March 1, 2010. Why? Because I just couldn’t “get it together” prior to March. But no worries because you can start it whenever. Do I take a picture every day? Nope. Some days instead of a picture, I put in my grocery receipts or gas receipt or whatever. Some days when there really isn’t a picture for that particular day, I take a picture of a vase of flowers, or the sun setting – and that goes into the picture slot for that day. That’s the best part of Project Life – you decide how it fits your schedule. There are no rules. Put whatever bits and pieces of life you have for any particular day. It’s great! It’s easy! It takes literally a few minutes a day to jot down what sticks in your mind for that day. If you’re on the fence, try it. You won’t regret it.
I am loving my Project 365. Did it for 2009 and although I’m a little behind on the journaling, I have all my pictures so far for 2010. Sometimes I take extra pictures of “everyday” things that I can use on any day to fill in when I forget to get a picture. Before I ever started, taking a picture every singe day sounded like such a daunting task but I have found that it’s sooo easy to keep up!
I’m in! I actually have Project Life and attempted it for about 2 weeks and gave up. I still really enjoy the process and looking at my “traditional” scrapbooking. But I’m going to give this a try!!
I also did a picture a day in 2009 but took this year off due to returning to college full time, job & family. However I do still take lots of pictures when i get the opportunity. Maybe next year I’ll do POTD again…
I would seriously love to try PL. I’ve been trying to do the picture a day for about a month and then something comes up in my life that makes me forget for a few days and I get discouraged because I didn’t do it EVERY day. I guess I need to lighten up. But you’ve inspired me to give it a try. . . AGAIN.
Would love to be entered in this giveaway.
I really have not had the time, energy, or any creative mojo due to all of the stress of my son’s illness this year…and well both cameras have died and replacing them just isn’t in the cards right now…but I think I could pull of the last 12 weeks of the year with my phone! Just might have to start tomorrow to see how it goes. I LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing it Becky!
Love your fun picts Becky! And I love your turquoise leather ottoman! Do you mind sharing where you got it? I’ve been looking for a replacement!
Thanks girl!
Tami McAfee, Nampa Idaho
I have been taking my sister in Nevada’s pics off of her facebook wall each day and I have been dating them and filing them away….got some supplies from my friend who bought your kit last year and although doing it manual sounds great….digitally seems more reasonable for me cause I am a full time college student:) I think its a great idea and I would love to win a free book to give to my mom or grandma;)
Signed up!!
Barbara Parnell,Valley Stream,NY
Becky
I just love your pictures that you post. They are all so cute and inspirational. One
question, what are you doing with all the purple pumpkins? Just curious. They look
so cute on the table.
Robyn
Hooray! I love a challenge! And we are coming into my favorite time of year. I would love to win down here in Altamonte Springs, FL!
Caitlin
Pepperell, MA
Would love to do month at a glance for 2009!
Amy
Oxford, PA
Doing the digital monthly project life for 2010. Did Project Life/365 last year and it is something my family and I constantly look back through to see what we were doing last year. We LOVE this concept!
THANK YOU…for posting about this. We are on our second year (with a year break inbetween) of what I call our 365 day project.
It took me a long time to finally dive in to this project with so many false starts I would beat myself up over the fact that I would miss a day. But finally I realized that there will be days that I miss and to make up for it is that I try to take a picture of my daughter’s most favorite thing. Be it a stuffed animal….a TV show….an art project, etc. This also helped me step away from just taking pictures of my daughter and enabled me to see the details of what’s important in her life.
At the end of each project year I make a photo book and we love going back through it and remember all the small things that we forgot. =)
I am a hard-copy project lifer– well into my second year of the project. It is my favorite scrapbook album that I’ve ever done. When people ask me if it’s hard to take a photo a day, my answer is a quick NO!!! Once you get in the habit of it, it is simply another part of your family routine.
I would love to use the digital version for my daughter’s first two years of life (before I began the hard copy books!)
Heather
Canyon Country, CA
Very cool! I just signed up and hope to start adding some pics soon.
- April W
You’re welcome, Becky.
I’m going to take my own advice and try digi daily photos for the last 12 weeks of 2010. I’m excited. I LOVE the skinny little albums it produces!
I love this idea, because what better time to try the daily photo idea than the entire Fall/Holiday season?
I would love to win an additional copy of my digital project life book!
Stacey S.
West Jordan, UT
I could use a pick-me-up project for the rest of the year…I’m in!!
I would love an additional copy of digital project life book to give to grandma for Christmas.
jen
canyon county ca
I already do the traditional Project Life POTD, but I’m thinking about trying out the digital book for the last 12 weeks! It would give me good motivation to see if maybe digital would be a good option for me.
Charleston, IL
Allison
Las Vegas, NV
Love the idea…need a resource to put all those photos into! thanks for offering Digi PL to the creatively challenged masses!
I started my project life last year and have loved doing it! I love seeing all our daily pictures from last year. All the little things that just might not have been recorded. Thank you for sharing our idea.
Staci
Rocklin CA
Jennifer Hignite
Holly, MI
Blackwell, OK
Doing the layout a month, working great so far! Fun to see snippets of our life.
Marianne Talaugon, Union City, CA
Thanks for giving us a chance and a means to preserve the precious moments we have.
I’ve never done PL. It just seemed so overwhelming. I think the 12 week idea is wonderful! I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for the idea!!
Lisa Krum
Stow, OH
Love potd. Love the whole concept. Love the idea of 12 weeks too!
i did PL kit for the 1st 2 years of my sons life and am doing the same for my daughter. being so busy i have just started pl digital to record each year of our family of 4 life. if i win, the kids can have a copy each in years to come.
Stephanie Yearwood
Mauldin, SC
I like the idea of taking a picture a day for the last twelve weeks of 2010. I’ve got a 9 yo and a 9 month old at home and think this would be a great way to record our life. Thanks for the opportunity!
Sherrie Wolfe
Urbandale, IA
I have never done Project Life. I look forward to this challenge. I love taking photos, but I have never done one everyday. I look forward to starting this project now.
Leslie Chelsea, MI
I’m starting this sunday!!!
Monica
Monterrey, Mexico
Christy, Battlefield, Mo – I have been doing the POTD but have fallen behind because of summer and my first starting school!! Trying to catch back up!
Never have done the picture a day thing… looking forward to starting this weekend!!
)
this is my first year doing the Project life and I LOVE IT!!!! i am so looking forward to doing it again next year!! love the digital version as well!!
I feel like an epic failure at the pic a day. I started out great and then….blergh. I think I will start anew this weekend. YES, I can do this. Thanks, Becky, for all of your inspiration.
Misty
Edgewood, New Mexico
I absolutely love the digital Project Life. I completed my 2009 book and then went back through my old pictures to do a month-at-a-glance book for 2008. I can’t wait to see the 2011 design! Taking a picture every day has become a habit now. I often can’t choose between several shots!
Geri
Normal, IL
Heidi
Las Vegas, NV
OK, I know this may be a “little out there” tech wise – but what about an iPhone app? That would be the perfect fusion for Project Life.
I currently use Project 365 on my iPhone – but it doesn’t print out the journaling.
Hands down. I am so grateful that I have been doing this project. I started with 2009 and working through 2010. I am so behind on my journaling that I am not sure if I will ever catch up, BUT I have my pictures AND they tell the true story all by themselves. I truly love this concept. I still scrapbook for my children, and it is sweet, because they are benifiting from all these awesome everyday pictures too
Yep. I love this. Thank you.
kari b
fargo nd
Jennifer D.
Duluth, MN
Pam S.
Concord, NC
Suzy
Benton, AR
April
Corpus Christi, Texas
Becky,
Just wanted to drop you a note to say “Thank YOU” for Project Life. I have purchased several to give as gifts. Just had to share the latest two that I have given. A dear friend is battling cancer (round 2), gave her project life to not only record her battle/journey but to record all the memories she has about her children, her mother (who is gone) and of course the normal day-to-day life. She will have this for her grandchildren to know about her and how strong she is and how hard she fought to be here with them (and she will be here with them!) The other is for a dear friend who had a son take his life, she is documenting daily life but also her memories of her son growing up, his likes and dislikes at Halloween, Fall, Hunting Season, etc. this is a way for her to help his daughters know him. He was a great person. Also, just got my new Temple Ensign and amazed to see it followed your last photo challenge of minimal space. Thank you!
Candice Clark, West Jordan, Utah
Alannah Shore
Gladstone
Queensland
Australia
I have the hard copy version of project life (which I love) and mostly document occasions such as birthdays, visitors, school and sport functions…all the things that make up a busy life of a family of six!
Fontaine P
Camp Pendleton, CA
Is it too late for me.My sons are 26,27,and 30.I don’t have any grandkids yet but was thinking about this Project Life for January 2011.Any thoughts on that?
Alexandra
West Jordan, UT
Stacy S
Sacramento, CA
Lindsay L
Antelope, CA
Joanne Villet
United Kingdom
I started Project Life Sept 5, 10 – the Sunday before my youngest, twin boys, started their senior year of high school. This year is hitting me unlike any other transition year, including all my daughter’s transitions; she’s already graduated from high school.
I’m definitely capturing those senior moments – parking stickers, providing baby photo and quote for the yearbook, last first day…. The everyday weirdness is going in also – one son woke up an hour late last week and my husband woke up an hour early this week – and neither realized their mistake for almost an hour! We counted seven clocks they saw, digital and analog. So, I’m combining pics of all the clocks into one!
I’m trying to capture routine things in photos and doing the journaling so I have fillers for days with nothing interesting.
It’s easy to do the journaling when the cards and pens are sitting on the dining room table. The book is there as well. Also a 5″ x 7″ post it slapped on each week, with S,M, etc. I jot down the photo so I know what the POTD is about.
I have just purchased Project life,Its sitting at a friends ready for my husband to collect when he flies to the States.I can’t wait to start it.
Intrigued to try the digital version,
Karen Aldrin
United Kingdom
Project Life is the only project that I have ever kept up to date with, its so cool. I like the paper version so that I can add memorabilia, but I would love to create digital for previous years as a kind of summary.
Sue Taylor
Dubai
I LOVE the digital version of Project Life!!!
Oops! Forgot to say where I was from…Savoy, IL
I love this idea!! I have recently been a part of a similar but smaller project, One Weekend, Two Shots, we just take an evryday moment type shot every Saturday and Sunday. I plan on starting project life January 1st!
Jenn Nichols
Coatesville, PA
I can’t get over how talented Porter is with drawing! Would love those illustrations for my book!
I love project Life. I really look forward to trying the digital version this time around.
LOVE this concept. I have become quite behind; yet I keep plugging away. I kind of have a “Never Give Up” attitude. Someday I hope to be caught up. I can’t wait to complete my digital book and I love the sale you just started. Thanks so Much for this wonderful project. Would love to hear how others keep up with their digital photos and journal.
Adriana P.
Sumerduck, VA
I signed up for a digital account. I bought the print one but am thinking digital for next year. Thanks!
I’ve been working on a book for the year 2005 with the digital version… love how easy it is to drop the pictures in and write a little something. The kids LOVE helping with this too! Sooo easy!
Would love to win a free book as I am a lifelong project lifer now!!
Rosa
Fort Kent, ME
Patti B.
Cottage Grove, WI
I just completed our 2009 Year in Review digital book and I am very happy with how it turned out!
I printed two copies, one for my husband and I and the other copy I am keeping in a hope chest for my daughter. My plan is to do this every year and print her a copy. When she is ready to go to college, my vision is to have 18 beautiful books of our family memories for her to take with her.
My mom also wants to order our book because we spend so much time with them, our book reflects a lot of their memories as well.
Thank you Becky for this product!!
Tiffany V.
Langdon, AB, Canada
Leslie B.
Hahira, Ga
Carrie Q
Farmington, MN
Excited for the opportunity to win an extra copy of our book!
Hi Becky,
I have been thinking about buying Project Life Digital for a few months, but what is holding me back is I cannot tell from the website whether I get to keep a digital version of my book, or whether – once I submit the book – I just get sent a printed version & lose the digital version?
I am a bit of a minimalist, and would rather not keep adding to the stuff in my house with another album…
Margot : )
I love this idea…thanks for sharing!
Jen G.
Zeeland, MI
Diana A.
Omaha, NE
thanks!
Maria B.
Spring, TX
I am in, 12 weeks I can do this!!!! What an awesome idea! I am going to start mine on Sunday 10-10-10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brooke M
Layton, Utah
I have an account created, and plan on creating the “month” version of the book. I just need to go through my photos and pick out the pictures I want to use for each month.
Sarah Anne
Ashland, WI
Rebecca Foxworth
Manteca, CA
Sarah Morin
Old Town, Maine
I’ve been wanting the digital version of Project Life FOREVER. I hope I win!!!!!
P.S. Love the kids’ drawings!
I *love* POTD, Project 365, Project Life – all of the above! I keep my POTD and journaling on a blog, so it’s easy to do from anywhere. And I’ve been posting a link to it every Tuesday on Creative Mom’s site, so that gives me an extra incentive to “catch up” each week if I’ve drifted behind a bit.
Where I don’t do so well is printing the photos and transcribing the journaling onto journaling cards – especially since I often have much more to say than will fit on the card! (That’s a downside – if you see it that way
– to blogging: no character limit!!) If you can figure out a way to fit “little bits or lots of” journaling into the Project Life format, I would be forever and eternally grateful. Maybe sell some accompanying larger journaling cards with half-page page protectors (6″ x 12″)? We could slip those between the regular 12×12 pages and have all that extra written goodness. Just a thought!
Stacia S.
Woodinville WA
Thank you for the idea Becky! I’ve been on the fence about doing Project Life because I didn’t know if I wanted to keep up with it for a whole year. Now I can try it out and see if I can do it. I am so excited to get started!! Yippee!
Here goes! Fingers & toes crossed to win!! I love the digital idea!
Count me in! (Hopefully I’m not too late…)
Replied earlier but forgot to list address…
Cathy
Stewartville, MN
Nikki
Lake City, MN
Yukari
Calgary, AB
Andrea
AB Canada
Question for you Becky–if I buy the digital version of the 2010 Project Life how long will I be able to access it on the Ziblio site? If I purchase the 2011 version will I still be able to access the 2010 version??
New Bern, NC
Can’t thank you enough how much you’ve changed the way I scrapbook now!! Although its hard work working full time, being a mom and finding time to catch up when I get behind, when I look back at last year, it brings me to tears what an amazing gift i’ll give my kids someday! Thank you SO much!
I am a bit behind on my Project Life but I’m hoping to catch up soon!
Definitely trying the digital kit this year! So cool!!
Heather
Queen Creek, AZ
Love your ideas, and blog!
Debbie
Inverness, IL
I already have an account but would LOVE to win a free copy! Thanks!
i was going to start project life in jan but maybe i will start this weekend now. after all i’m having a baby in 1 1/2 weeks and that would be great to capture the first 11 weeks of his/her life.
also i am working on an album for my daughter’s first 5 years. I’m using your project life album and doing 7 pics for every month of her life. I’ve got 2 years documented now and love it. I just need to finish it now!
I have never done project life. I was trying to find more info about it recently and read something that all the photos have to be in the same orientation (horiz or vert). Is this true?
Molly
Harmony, PA
I’m working on the digital version and loving it!
Keri in Redmond, WA
I’m doing the digital! I’m so excited to see how it all comes together after the next few months!!!
Shannon
Provo, UT
I bought the paper kit, and have been diligent to journal and take a picture every day, but have not printed any pictures…I would love to get a free digital album.
Electa in El Cajon, Ca
I would love the digital kit, bought the paper kit, and have been diligent to journal and take a picture every day, but have not printed any pictures..THANKS so much!
Electa in El Cajon, Ca
Becky,love your couch!!!(kids are cute too!)Where did you buy it?
I can’t believe we have the same sofa. I adore this sofa!
PS- Just saw your comment Barbara. I got my sofa at Pruitt’s in Phoenix on clearance.
Shannon
Woodstock, GA.
Thanks so much for “Project Life”! I have always wanted to scrapbook and when I came across Project Life this was my answer to my anxiety of scrapbooking. I just started the paper version in September and just looking back to the past month I am so happy I documented everything that has happened. I signed up for the digital version a week or so ago. I have so many pictures from when my 2 year old was born and now my 5 month old. So I think what I have decided to do is use the digital version and make a “First Year” book for each of them.
Thanks again!
Izzie and Alex’s Mama
April
Toquerville, UT
Im not wanting to win anything just wanted to comment Becky on your lovely photos i too love the every day photos that i would never had either thought to take or thought to keep and print off and display in an album, i love it im doing it with photos for that week i did photo a day last year and it was a bit hard for me at some times, doing it a bunch of photos a week whenits a bday i can put a whole lot of photos in that i like rahter than just the one, loving it and so wanting to get it again if your having it in nz again….Tanya
Shannon
North Las Vegas, NV
I just signed up! Thanks for the challenge- I like the idea of doing the 12 week plan!
Tamara
Middleton, ID
Sue R.
Cokeville, WY
I started the digital version at the beginning of the year and kept up through April, but then I fell behind. Thanks for the extra incentive to get back in gear!
AmberK
Bethlehem, PA
Kim B
North Huntingdon, PA
Becky, I’ve been keeping up with the book I started on New Year’s Eve. It will be such a great composite of our life. Thanks for the inspiration!
Susan West Jordan, Utah
I already purchased and can’t wait to see my year in print!
I have an account
Capturing something in a photo is very worthwhile as we cannot repeat a day. I take photos in every event that I am in or a party that I started or was invited to. The moments captured can serve as remembrance to those days gone by. I can also have something to show my future grand kids and tell them something about my life.
Dan Wilkins
audiocreed forums – Indexing art,
literature, science & philosophy
Denise N
Chandler AZ
I love the concept of Project Life – and hope to give it a try soon!
Kellie Waverly, Ohio
Soooo excited to get started on Project Life! My first picture? Our clock showing 10:10 a.m. on 10/10/10. Thanks for the opportunity to win an extra copy of the book!
Julie from Del Mar, CA
Amber
Charlotte, NC
It’s so funny that you mention the “when to start” dilemma. I always feel like I should wait for some momentous occasion to begin with Project Life, which is exactly the opposite of the spirit of Project Life, isn’t it?? Thanks for kicking me in the rear to start!
Olivia Larsen
Burley, ID
Okay, well I couldn’t commit to the weekly book so I decided to start slow and complete the month at a glance. Then if I can manage that I may upgrade to the week. Thanks for the discount. Love saving a little money!! Now just need to find the time to get started!
Thank you Kendra,but I am in NY……any idea what brand it is?Maybe I can find one here?Thank you so very much!
Gurnee, Illinois
I love the concept of Project Life. I think you are an amazing woman, Becky. I just have one question…when taking a picture a day, do you really just take one photo? Or do you end up taking 10 every day? What do you do with all those other photos? Just something I could see causing a problem for myself. Maybe I don’t have the same amount of self control that you do! Thanks.
However, many still remain skeptical about the idea of feeding not only farmacia on line to the
NHS. But we would not have” known them anywhere.