A recent email:
Dear Becky,
I have no idea what possessed me to google your name (loved your sketches in CK) the other day, but I did, and I am just thrilled. I have not scrapbooked since 2006 (although I always loved it, I couldn’t find time for it anymore). In these past 5 years, I have accumulated many large bins full of old photos, memorabilia, and tons of my kids’ school and art work … not to mention thousands of pictures on my computer. My husband says my bins are taking over the house, and I feel terrible that I haven’t been recording these precious years for my 2 boys. That’s why I’m so excited about Project Life – such a great alternative to traditional scrapbooking and perfectly suited to me and my family. Thank you, Becky, for making it possible for me to get back into documenting our life again. Can’t wait to get started!
P.S. By the way, I have been talking about PL and your blog so much to my family lately, that my 11 year old son now affectionately refers to you as B Higgs!
Leslie
Elllicott City, MD
……….
Dear Leslie,
I have a feeling a lot of people reading your letter are totally nodding their heads. We can ALL relate to the idea of having stuff stashed away and piling up (physical stuff and digital stuff) and feeling like we’re getting behind. Your family’s story is worth recording. Your boys will be thrilled when they see you putting their pictures and papers into a scrapbook.
I am so pleased that you know about Project Life – you will find that it is a fantastic system that makes scrapbooking easier than easy, certainly easier than how you and I did it 5 years ago, and then – even easier than that. What I also wanted to tell you is that I am also working on childhood-specific and school-based products for 2012.
There is so much that you and I can do in preparation for getting stuff into an album. You can certainly use the Project Life products! And when the childhood/school stuff comes out, you’ll have even more options for helping you to get those books caught up. Just so you know, I am working on a VIDEO right now that will outline some stuff that we can all do while you and I are “waiting” for those products to become available. I hope to share the video before the end of this month.
If you (or anyone!) have specific questions about this whole gathering, sorting, organizing process … leave me a note here and I’ll see what I can do to implement more thoughts + ideas into the video.
PS – No, I don’t have a release date for the childhood/school products yet. I do have an overflowing plate of responsibilities. And I am doing my best to make the products amazing. That takes time. ; )
Love,
“B Higgs” (tell your son I said hi)
I can hardly wait for the childhood/school stuff to come out! I’ve not done much at all for my twin daughters in the way of documenting their 2 1/2 year old lives so far… I just keep collecting stuff and stories, and taking photos. I’d love to know how to limit what I keep, so they don’t have a book for every month!
I’m thinking about a double page spread each month, with my favorite photos and stories…? Ack! It seems overwhelming!
I have become a hoarder of things that belong in my project life album I see something and think OH this would go great in my album & do NOT use them. HELP. yes I know I have everything I need in my kit but I want to add just that extra touch that will make it unique and mine. Yes I know the memories I put in it will make it mine its just I can’t say no to those pretty little things that at the moment are calling at me. Last guilty items are the sweet Halloween buttons that I saw yesterday at CVS I had a coupon and it came out to be free so that was good but I got home and said OK I seriously have to use them in my album and into the pile of other badges that I’ve purchase they went. EEEK
H-E-L-P. I hope when I start w/my 2012 I will focus on what is in front of me and not what I need to purchase to make my album complete but for now.. hmm Anyone looking for some badges?
Not looking for badges;) But your post made me think what if you did like a “SMASH” 8 1/2 x 11 page in a page protector every once in awhile in your album. That should work for memorablia. I like to stick my kids school/art work in there randomly like that:) Makes it a little unique and I like the diff size pages in the album. Good luck! You sound like me with buying stuff on coupon and then just throwing it in the pile with the other stuff that I have really good intentions of using:( What’s up with that anyway??!!
I make an envelope for each month and put stuff in it that i want in my PL album. I’m really behind. I use PL to put all my pictures in. I did Jan, Feb of this year. then i stopped because i was so busy. But i’ve been putting tickets, post cards, etc. into envelopes for each month and will use it for my PL album. I need to start printing! Good luck
I’m using 2 of your “old” school kits (and expansion packs) for my kids’ school albums (Prep and Year 2 this year, so I’ve just started on their school documenting journey). I use all the stickers/embellishments on 2 double-page spreads at the start of each year, and then I’ve used some divided photo pages I had left-over to sort out the rest of the (many) photos I have, and 8 1/2 x 11 sheet protectors for awards/homework examples etc. I’m hoping the new school kit is going to “fit in” with your old school kit, so I can work with the 2 kits in the same album. I would in particular LOVE filler cards (6 x 4 and 3 x 4) to decorate the divided photo pages. Thank you for all your hard work, Becky, we love you here in Australia
Definitly second this. Maybe a PL addition that coordinates with the original school kit. Not to be too pushy but i would LOVE some library type pockets for the original kit that could hold lists of yearly things like extracurricular activities, friends, parties they went to etc. I really like the idea of adding in filler cards. Can’t wait to see what comes up!
I am SWIMMING IN MEMORABELIA from my children. I just don’t know where to begin. Someone suggested taking photos of the bigger stuff, scanning the smaller stuff and holding to to some special projects. I am so overwhelmed, it all just sits in a box with each child’s name on it (I usually put the date too, but sometimes things slip through the cracks!). I would greatly appreciate it!
I bought two school kits a while back. I swear it was something that you had done before the project life stuff came out. I have been using them and LOVE them! My daughter is in 3rd grade and my son just started Kindergarten this year. It’s so nice to keep track of their school stuff and have it separate from the other ‘daily’ stuff.
I can so totally relate!
About three weeks ago my daughter needed a photo of herself at a younger age for a school project. Can I tell you I felt sick to my stomach and like such a failure as a mom? We found a photo, thankfully, but I was heartsick that my photos were unorganized and for the most part, unseen.
I spent a lot of time on the computer researching that evening and the next…
But somewhere in the course of that research for a solution to my boxes of photos and memorabilia, I remembered reading about Project 365 and thankfully also remembered your name. I didn’t really think that taking and scrapbooking a photo a day would solve my problem, but wanted to learn more….
I read more about the concept on your blog and realized that I didn’t have to use the product in that way. I could take a big stack of photos and get them into a good-looking book with whatever documentation I could and be done. It could be a year’s worth of photos or more or less.
By the end of a couple a days of reading on your site and some others, I felt much better because I knew I could do this! Now I am just waiting for the new products.
I plan to buy several sets so that I can work from now forward, but also catch up. And I know the albums and everything else I need will be around for a few years (even if changes happen in the line, you seem absolutely committed to the concept–which is why I do not begrudge the price increase…I want you to continue to do this and you need to make it worth your while…).
I am also thrilled about the school kits and really look forward to your video explaining what we can do while we wait.
I don’t think I have scrapbooked since 2004. (And I was even a consultant–not a good one at all, but a consultant–for Creative Memories. That method was not a good fit for me, but at the time, seemed the only way.)
I am VERY thankful for your concept and products!
SO excited for the school/childhood stuff. Looking forward to the video and LOVING all that you are doing. I am so glad I have my Project Life and am looking forward to a manageable system for those school days.
Hi Becky,
I know you are so busy with all of the facets of your life. I just wanted to thank you in advance for making the video stating how we can prep for the childhood/school products. I have been holding off on working on a few boxes of stuff because I know your kid/school products are ones I am going to want to use so being able to get everything ready will really help me be ready to get those things in albums and all caught up.
I can’t wait to see the video soon! Michele, Phoenix
I am 5 years behind in all 3 albums (one family, one for each of my DS). Some photos I’ve already cropped so I feel I’m stuck doing them the “old” way.
I would love to know any short cuts to putting together years worth’s of photos.
Is there a cropping formula I could use to pre-crop the photos and just drop them in (without using just one style of pocket pages)?
I am so excited to have stumbled upon your new (to me) products!
Blessings and thanks!
if you check out the upcoming divided page protectors – to be released in nov i think it is.
they have a variety of sizes and pocket sizes. you could decide in advance which ones you like and crop your photos to the correct size and then just pop them in. I know there is an awesome looking one with like 12 (maybe) little squares -so you could do something like 12 wee photos a month and you’d be caught up quick !
good luck and enjoy the process :>
julie ( from wellington NZ)
Something I started doing a few years ago has been a big help to me in organizing my 3 kids’ school stuff. I think it will get me off to a good start when your school/childhood items come out. Each child has their own file box with lid. Inside are hanging file folders, one for each grade. Now all their awards and some of their school work goes into the appropriate file. At some point I will have to go through the Kinder and 1st grade folders because they are packed. But at least it’s all in one place and if I never get it into a scrapbook — I have hope thanks to your products, Becky — at least they have all their school stuff in one place. I’ve also learned to purge a bit before stuff makes it into their file box. I especially like things that show their creativity, even if it’s funny sentences they wrote for their spelling words. Most of the time, preprinted worksheets don’t make it into the box. Once I got these organized, I added another file box for each kid so I could have a hanging file for their activities — piano, scouts, soccer, etc. This works for me. Maybe it will help someone else. The earlier you start the better. My kids are 15, 13 and 8. Thanks for your products, Becky. LOVE them!!!!
Hi Patty,
Love how you have organised your kids school stuff so far. I’m off now to get some hanging file boxes. My oldest starts Kindy next January so there is no time like the present to get organised. He already has a little bit of stuff from his little time at child care so I can start filing that. That is a great idea instead of just shoving them in a box. I can label each file and have some sort of system going.
So yes. Your way of keeping your kids stuff did help someone else….. Me. Thank you sweet.
Kind Regards
Kristina
Kristina,
You just made my day! So glad I could help.
Patty
Both hands are raised……….
Can’t wait for my PL gear to arrive from NZ to get my truck loads of photos into some kind of order and really looking forward to the video too on how to organise for the school stuff. My oldest starts Kindy next year so I am excited to start his schooling journey and keep his stuff and then be able to transfer it all to your school kits. We are a very patient lot here so we appreciate all you do to make a quality product. We know how busy you have been lately so don’t burn yourself out in the meantime. YOU come first and we can just collect while you do your magic.
Thanks again for making me a very excited bubble.
Kristina
AMEN Leslie! SO overwhelmed with that stuff right now I’m paralized and don’t know where to start. My oldest turns 16 in January and if I’m going to give her some memories to take with her in a few short years I NEED to get busy!!
Becky-
Thanks again!
I DO have a question about organizing!! What do you do with printed photos that don’t make it into scrapbooks?? Occasionally, I want to highlight more than one photo of the day (I use different sized photo pages for this) and always end up with one or two oddball pictures that don’t make it into my project life book for that particular day. What do you do with these pics? I currently throw them into a random photo box in hopes one day I will organize it! Thanks for your advice.. and please take all the time you need for your amazing products… I will mention that I hope you will consider a revised “sweet baby” album sometime in the near future
Becky,
I am so excited for all of your upcoming new products!!! Do you plan for the new school products to cover kindergarten through 12th grade or elementary, junior high, and then high school?? I understand, as with all your products, it can be customized to each persons individual needs. But just curious what your overall main goal is.
Thanks!!!
I just ordered project life to organize my kids photos into albums. I have so many photos to organize. I would like to make an album for each my son and daughter and also a family album. I’am also planning to order the school kits as well. So any tips on ogranize photos in general would help.
O this makes me smile:) I love that Leslie’s son calls you B Higgs!!! Too hilarious!
Yes, I am nodding my head. And I will just say I ordered PL a couple years ago already I think. Love it and was so excited about it.
Can you help me tho – I am such an all or nothing (prefectionist, not by choice) person, that if I can’t do it exactly right or how I have it pictured, it usually doesn’t get done:( SO…I have a few months in the album and life got hectic (I had my 4th baby to be exact) and there it has sat:( He just turned 2 Oct 2nd. I love this idea, I love project life, and it sits in my closet!! HOW do I get started again. This nagging part in the back my head thinks I messed it up because it’ll be out of order now, if I just started today again and at least got going documenting life from now on. HELP!
You are amazing B Higgs!! and I want to do the school albums for my kids – I love saving their work, but hate having it piled in random places around the house. I need lots of ideas to get organzined so I can be pumped and ready to buy the school kits and get all their things into them.
Janna,
Just do it!
Start a new PL book – November 1, 2011 is just fine; it’s the beginning of the holiday season for Americans. Or it’s simply a new page on the calendar. Either way – JUST DO IT!
Each day, drop your ephemera in a basket or box or other safe spot. Jot your journalling on a card, or dash some notes in a small book or on scraps of paper.
Once a week, get your photos together, ready to print. Write up your book-worthy journal cards if you scribbled notes during the week. Stash your ephemera and cards in your PL binder.
Print your photos – once a week, every two weeks, once a month – whatever schedule works for you. JUST DO IT!
Leave the partially finished PL as is – for now. When the January blues strike, gather the stuff of memories and your photos for the incomplete PL book. Take one month at a time. Put a month together. Leisurely. It’ll get done.
sincerely,
a perfectionist who is slowly letting go of perfection. a perfectionist whose babies turn nineteen on Wednesday. {{NINETEEN! Now you think about how much I have to get done!}} a perfectionist who successfully documented one entire year!!
I am starting to attempt to organize my own childhood photos and stuff & don’t know how to begin to organize/sort it all. None of it is stored in chronological order (although I can vaguely figure some of it out) and it isn’t just me, it is my parents, siblings, pets, friends, ect. I could really use some organization/sorting or even just some starting point ideas to get going on getting my old memories in a Project Life book. I love the Project Life albums, they have really made me love scrapbooking again!! My family loves watching the current book develop every week. Thank you so much for your inspiration! Hugs!
Becky,
I was wondering how you keep track of the pictures you send to online sites to print and those that are just kept in you computer files. I used to have a PC and I would keep them in a separate file but now I’m using a Mac and that system doesn’t seem to work so well in this format. What is the best way you have found to keep track of those images you have on online sites?
Would also like to know how you organize your pictures on you iPhoto?
Thanks a bunch,
Yvonne
I too have years worth of memories in boxes. I would like to start organizing the Project Life way, but at some point would want to be able to have some chronological order to my pages. Any suggestions?
chirurgie yeux myopie…
[...]raise your hand if you can relate. « Becky's Blog[...]…