Before I dive into my feedback to your questions and comments … congratulations to our randomly selected winner of yesterday’s giveaway! Hey Caiti of Port Jefferson, New York: Shoot an email to brandi@beckyhiggins.com and she will hook you up with your free seat in Heidi Swapp’s new class!

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I saw your yellow frame on Pinterest and I am making a green frame. How big is yours?

Total size of the entire frame/wallpaper project is about 5’10″ x 3’10″. The white frames are each 11×14.

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Does matte or glossy finish look/work better with the Photo Pocket Pages? Is one photo finish more popular than the other?

I used to think it made a difference but I just don’t have a strong personal preference these days. Both options look great behind our crystal-clear page protectors. As for popularity, I’m really not sure. One might argue that the glossy finish is best for the sharpest image, but then you have more fingerprint “risk” with glossy. Pros and cons to both. Bottom line: It all comes down to personal preference.

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Will you travel to Houston in June for the CK conference?

I’m pretty oblivious to events in general these days. I really don’t have much of an idea about what shows and conventions and events are even happening simply because I’m off the road. And I love that right now as this phase of my life =  immersed in raising a family and running a business. My priority (in the work area of my life) is dedicated to developing solution-based products, providing great customer service, offering inspiration on a regular basis, and improving on everything we do – constantly. The more I’m gone the less I’m working on stuff that benefits you. Maybe I’ll end up at another scrapbooking convention sometime but it’s not on my radar for the near-future … because of the reasons I just outlined.

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I know you post photo ideas on Facebook. Do you have a list that I can print out for those days I am stuck?

Why, yes I do. Our little photo idea resource is right here in the new Inspiration section. The list is a PDF that is ready to print – and it’s free. Want to share it? You have my permission. Make as many copies as you want.

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Will you be putting the Best of Becky Higgins Sketches book back into publication?

It’s technically not my book. I mean – it’s definitely my baby. I created every bit of that book (published 5 years ago) and it’s absolutely one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done. But I don’t own the rights to it. I was commissioned by Creating Keepsakes, who was my employer and my publisher at the time. I have no idea if they plan to reprint the book but you could always try contacting them to ask.

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I found an overstuffed box of greeting cards that I received during my son’s first years including baby shower, baby arrival, first holidays, and early birthdays. They are from friends, family, and former co-workers. Do you have any suggestions for what to do with them – specifically which ones to save, which parts to save, and how to show them off?

First of all, it’s nice that you found this later because now you have some retrospect. As you look through those cards now you’ll find yourself not really caring to keep those cards from people that aren’t super close friends or family. You may want to toss the store-bought cards that just have a quick note that isn’t really sentimental at all. You’ll naturally want to hang on to the ones that have meaningful sentiments to your son from those closest to your family. In fact, you’ll probably find a few that you want to display in an album (probably your son’s baby book). As for the rest? I’d for sure put them in a Big Envelope Page that goes in his album. That’s exactly what the product is designed for.

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I’m just curious if you have any ideas on how to incorporate the digital Project Life with memorabilia that you want to keep (cards, kids notes, etc.) I lean towards doing Project Life through Shutterfly but I want to also document and save the fun little paper things. Any suggestions??

So you know the Big Envelope Pages I just talked about in the previous question? Yeah. Those are pretty darn handy. And practical. And versatile. You can certainly do Shutterfly books and keep memorabilia in Big Envelope Pages. Over the years you could have an album full of yearly envelope pages, each filled with documents, trinkets, and other stuff that didn’t go in your Shutterfly photo book. Are you catching the vision?

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I was curious how your view towards Project Life has changed over the years. I understand that it is evolving and changing, but how has your attitude changed about it?

Project Life’s genesis is based on my predicament/frustration/struggle to keep up with the memory-keeping I wanted to do. I created a solution to meet my own needs and now it’s available to the masses. So my view hasn’t really changed because it’s still serving that purpose. I created it to be a solution and we still do everything we can to ensure that our products remain solution-based in an industry that is full of (wonderful) creativity-based products. Hope I’m answering your question.  ; )

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Will you, at some point, re-share all your “cultivating a good life” posts that you share on facebook + twitter?

Ah. Another question that I’m pleased to say “Why, yes!” You guys are the ones that motivated me to create a whole section on my website that would be where we collect and share inspiration. It’s right here, my friend.

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Wondering in general, how many Photo Pocket Pages fit into a binder? I have 4 kids! Do I need to start out with 4 binders, tons of Photo Pocket Pages and maybe 2 core packs or what would you recommend?

The product is designed to simplify all of this in your mind so that you don’t have to think so much about what product to get, and how much. Here it is: To create an album you need 3 items. The Binder + a Big Pack of (60) Photo Pocket Pages – because that’s how many pages fill an album + a Project Life Core Kit, which has all the title + journaling cards that slip into the pockets to compliment your photos. It sounds like you are thinking about creating an album for each child, so you would get 4 Binders + 4 Big Packs of Photo Pocket Pages + 4 Project Life Core Kits. The most popular Big Pack (all Design A) will be back in stock late April but you can absolutely get started with a Big Variety Pack 1 because you’ll want to sprinkle these pages into all your albums anyway.

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{ some favorite bits of your feedback }

From Becky: Thank you, thank you, thank you for teaming up with Shutterfly and making project life digital books available. It may be one of the easiest books I have ever completed with Shutterfly. Love project life!

From Kate: I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much Project Life has meant to me. I was a “traditional” scrapbooker for most of my life. Over the years, I spent SO MUCH MONEY on all the fun papers and embellishments that I ended up in terrible debt. This year, I finally faced my debt head-on. Starting January 1st, I decided not to buy any unnecessary items for an entire year. I called it my “Stopping Spree.” Of course, I ordered my Project Life in December, so I could continue documenting my memories all year. I just feel that Project Life is such an economical way to preserve everyday life!

From Kirby: I’ve thought or had the inclination to shoot you an email of THANKS so very many times THANK YOU a hundred times over for Project Life – for the simplicity when I’m not feeling like adding much & the flexibility of being able to do a little more ‘playing’ when I’ve got the time & am feeling motivated to create. I find that, looking back, I love both. The importance lies in getting my family’s stories documented – THANK YOU for making that possible in such a very real, practical, flexible & DOable way!!

From Elisa: I watched the slide show for newbies and thought it was just fantastic. Is it possible to be even more excited to get my hands on the Project Life stuff?! The level of detail and the accompanying photos were precisely what I needed to completely eliminate any anxiety or confusion about what goes where, and what everything is for. I watched it twice! I forwarded the link to everyone i could think of – nothing but raves and “I can do this!” Project Life is a wonderful product with a wonderful team behind it. I can’t wait!