Archive for the ‘products’ Category
Friday, May 17th, 2013
The graphic below shows the large retailers that are – or will be – carrying Project Life. We are also very, very pleased to have so many independent retailers carrying our products across the U.S. as well as several countries across the world. And we will continue to carry our products on Amazon as well. We encourage you to shop where you want to shop. Choosing one retail option over another retail option really comes down to where it best fits your needs.
In light of Project Life entering the retailer world … we have a new and very helpful addition to BeckyHiggins.com. It’s the Store Locator! Find out if your favorite retailer will be carrying Project Life. If they’re not, you can send them HERE. ; )
Speaking of exciting things … I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Salt Lake City to be a part of the live broadcast of Studio 5 with an awesome studio audience. I’ll be blogging about that soon (some fun behind-the-scenes pictures to share) … but HERE is the link to watch my 6 minutes segment if you’re interested. I talked about ways to show your children love through photos, journaling, memory-keeping.
Posted in products | 9 Comments »
Monday, May 13th, 2013
As usual with the monthly offering of inspiration, I will share just one glimpse from each of their respective Project Life albums. And then – whenever and wherever you want to see more – just click on the person’s name and it will take you to their blog where they each share more details, more information, more pages, more examples of how they’re using Project Life as a memory-keeping system. If someone’s style “speaks” to you, you’ll want to check out the additional pictures and explanations on her blog.
We completely adore how each person’s style is so unique – in photography, with their journaling, and how they bring it all together in their albums. As you see how others are doing Project Life, our hope is that you will feel an increased desire to document life, and that you’ll be more in tune with what your own personal style is. No matter how you slice it, it’s all good. It’s your story. This post is loaded with eye candy. We don’t mean to overwhelm you. We simply want you to be inspired in your own memory-keeping efforts.
This month we challenged our team members to keep things ultra simple to remind you that you really can create an entire scrapbook with the 3 core Project Life components and nothing else. Album + Project Life Core Kit + Big Pack of Photo Pocket Pages. That’s it. If you’re looking for more inspiration on using Project Life in the most simple format ever (that is, no extra embellishing) – check out the sample albums on our Inspiration page.
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Pages by Amanda Caves featuring the Jade Edition - coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, or available now at AC Digitals.
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Pages by Ashley Bennett, featuring the Seafoam Edition. Left page is Design D.
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Pages by Catherine Davis, featuring the Jade Edition – coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, or available now at AC Digitals.
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Digital pages by Donna Gibson, featuring the Blush Edition – coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, currently available at many Hobby Lobby Stores, returning to HSN tomorrow in limited supply, or available now at AC Digitals.
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Digital pages by Dunia Acauan, featuring the Honey Edition – coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, currently available at many Hobby Lobby Stores, or available now at AC Digitals.
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Pages by Elise Blaha Cripe, featuring the Seafoam Edition.
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Digital pages by Haley Ney , featuring the Wedding Mini Kit – coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, currently available at many Hobby Lobby Stores or available now at AC Digitals. Right side is Design D.
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Pages by Heather Johnson, featuring the Baby Edition for Her.
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Digital pages by Jennifer Hignite, featuring the Kraft Edition - coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, or available now at AC Digitals.
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Pages by Joy Pribish, featuring the Seafoam Edition. Left page is Design D.
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Page by Kristina Proffitt featuring the Blush Edition – coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, currently available at many Hobby Lobby Stores, returning to HSN tomorrow in limited supply, or available now at AC Digitals.
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Page by Leena Loh, featuring the Seafoam Edition.
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Pages by Lorimay Barba, featuring the Seafoam Edition.
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Image by Maggie Holmes. She is using a vintage typewriter to quickly + easily add text to journaling cards.
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Pages by Nisa Fiin, featuring the Rain Edition - coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, or available now at AC Digitals.
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Pages by Petra Corcoran, featuring the Seafoam Edition.
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Page by Rebecca Cooper, featuring the Olive Edition and Design E.
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Page by Rhonda Mason {and congrats to Ronnie on the addition of her new baby boy this past month!}
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Pages by Shelly Jacquet featuring the Mayfield Childhood Edition.
Left page is Design F and right page is Design B.
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Pages by Shirley Polk featuring the Kraft Edition - coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, or available now at AC Digitals. Right page is Design F.
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Pages by Stephanie Baxter, featuring the Jade Edition - coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, or available now at AC Digitals.
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Digital Pages by Teresa Victor, featuring the Honey Edition coming soon to retail stores + Amazon, currently available at many Hobby Lobby Stores, or available now at AC Digitals.
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Pages by Tracy Larsen
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Note: This month, many of our team members used new designs that are headed to retail stores and Amazon shortly. While a few of the products shown are arriving at Hobby Lobby now, many will become available in retail stores and online in late May/early June. Stay tuned to my social media for the most updated arrival information.
Posted in creative team, products, scrapbooking | 13 Comments »
Thursday, May 9th, 2013
In my freshman year of college I met a girl named Jaime. We lived on the same 4th floor of the dorms. Sweet as can me, talented as ever. Over the years (has it really been nearly 20 years!?) we have stayed in touch and I have loved seeing Jaime blossom in her passion for literature, music, and food. Today I’m pleased to feature and host a giveaway of her brand new – and completely gorgeous – book.
Jaime shares: I had a teacher in tenth grade who constantly encouraged us to have a “fully realized life.” She explained it meant to really examine everything that came our way—every heartache, every joy, every fear—and truly feel the full measure of each experience and not to shove it away. My life is happier when I follow her advice.
As a single mom, though, it’s hard to slow down to have a family meal, let alone stop and examine every moment of my family’s life together. So much of what we do just feels like surviving. Even so, I wanted to carry on with the traditions I had been trying to cultivate from when they were little–teaching them about classic literature, inspiring music, and great food.
I wrote Celebrate Every Day to help me remember to do just that. And I love it because when the kids and I turn through the pages, we remember working as a family to create each photograph, recipe, and party. To us now, it’s our family scrapbook of the last year.
You guys know how I feel about honoring and documenting the everyday, which makes this book even more appealing to me, let alone the personal connection to the author and the gorgeous photography and fantastically meaningful ideas. To learn more about Jaime’s book, you can check that out on Jaime’s Blog. I’m just saying that when you breeze through her blog, you may have similar thoughts to mine: Can Jaime just live with us? ; )
Jaime is giving away 3 copies of her book to my wonderful readers (anywhere in the world). Just leave your first name + city + state/country, and we will add the randomly-selected winners’ names at the bottom of this post on Monday. Be sure to check back!
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{updated 5.13.13}
Congratulations to the following 3 winners! Please email Jamie at: jemrichardson@gmail.com to claim your prize! Happy Cooking!
Bev – Peoria, Illinois
Sylvia – East providence, Rhode Island
Maria – Buenos Aires , Argentina
Posted in products | 534 Comments »
Monday, May 6th, 2013
Just seeing this map with locations across the country that will soon have Project Life, makes us feel pretty darn excited. This is really happening. We are just around the corner from Project Life landing in retail stores.
Hobby Lobby with its 500+ locations across the United States will receive the first arrivals. Those 10 locations pictured above? Just a teeny-tiny sampling of the awesome pictures you guys have submitted to us from 43 states! Thank you! Who knew empty space in a retail aisle could be so exciting? : )
{ answering a few FAQs }
Q: Which Hobby Lobby locations will carry Project Life?
A: From what I understand, all 500+ locations across the U.S. will being carrying Project Life. Check out their Store Locator to find the location nearest to you.
Q: When exactly will the product be hitting shelves?
A: There is no “exact” date that applies to all Hobby Lobby locations. It’s all shipping around the same time but deliveries will arrive on different days, depending on how long it take the trucks to drive there. I am told that the product will be in some stores as early as this Friday May 10 and continue for a few days after that to the rest of the locations. Contact your local store to get a more accurate anticipated arrival, but keep in mind that employees don’t always know delivery information and what’s actually on the truck before it shows up. : )
Keep in mind that Mother’s Day is May 12 – so many of you might be able to pick up the perfect Project Life gift just in time! Hooray!
Q: How will I know when product arrives at my local Hobby Lobby?
A: The most sure way is to call your local store and ask them if Project Life has arrived – but I absolutely, positively will keep you posted via facebook, twitter, and instagram as soon as I hear about products arriving anywhere this week.
Q: Why is Hobby Lobby getting Project Life before other retailers?
A: It’s simple: They placed their order first, so it’s being delivered to them first.
Q: What about other stores and local retailers?
A: Michaels (U.S. and Canada), Archivers (U.S.), Meijer (Midwest), Spotlight (Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore), HobbyCraft (United Kingdom), and lots of wonderful independent retailers and online shops will be carrying Project Life as well. And yes, we will continue to sell our products on Amazon – including all the new items. We encourage you to shop where you prefer to shop – and where it makes the most sense for you based on your life circumstances. We are thrilled to offer so many options, and now … in so many actual, real, physical locations!
We are honored that so many stores will carry our products. The Project Life Store Locator will soon be available right here on my website. In the meantime, if you have a favorite local shop that you think should carry Project Life, don’t be shy! Inquire directly with them to find out if they’re already on-board. Any retailer can place Project Life orders by contacting us HERE.
Q: What exactly will be available at Hobby Lobby?
A: The following Core Editions: Midnight, Honey, Blush, Cinnamon. And the following Mini Kits: Baby for Him, Baby for Her, Holidays, Seasons, Childhood (Wellington Edition), and Wedding.
In terms of “plastics”, Hobby Lobby will carry the Big Pack of Design A, Big Variety Pack 1, Big Variety Pack 2, the classic Scrapbook Dividers; and a couple editions of Designer Dividers (Honey + Blush).
They will also have some of the little boxes of Textured Cardstock: Midnight, Honey, Blush (3×4 size) + Honey, Blush (4×6 size). As well as the little box of 100 Grid Cards (3×4 size).
A couple more things: Hobby Lobby will carry the 3-pack of Project Life Journaling Pens and a couple Albums – Cinnamon + Honey – which will coordinate with many Project Life editions.
All of the above mentioned products can be found in our CHA-Winter 2013 Catalog on the Products page sidebar.
Q: What about the other Project Life items that will not be at Hobby Lobby?
A: To kick off the Project Life program at Hobby Lobby, it’s just a 2.5-foot section in the scrapbooking aisle. They’re cramming a lot in that section, but it’s not enough space for everything that we offer. See what I wrote 2 questions ago (about all the options for where to purchase Project Life).
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{ writer’s cramp }
David and I recently hopped over to California where we got to see pallets and pallets of Project Life that were being sorted out and shipped. Super exciting, and pretty surreal. But there wasn’t time to really soak it all in. I was there on a mission … a fast + furious mission to personally autograph nearly 700 Core Kits / Mini Kits.
I shared this picture via social media and promised I would blog about it.
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There was a room all set up and ready for me to plop down at a table and get to work.
These stacks can’t scare me. Let’s DO this. ; )
I had plenty of Medium point Slick Writers ready to go, and I made them work hard. Our packaging is definitely slick – and this ink dries before you can even try to smear it. Best pen ever for slick surfaces. Made by our friends at American Crafts and now branded with Project Life. Yippee!
Hello, Cinnamon Edition. Yay, Kerri!
The way-cute Blush Edition. Love those American Crafts designers!
The super popular Honey Edition. Go, Lori!
Oh, Liz. The gorgeousness of the Midnight Edition …
After signing 400 Core Kits, I moved on to autograph the Mini Kits.
Hobby Lobby is carrying these 6 Mini Kits (left to right, top then bottom): Childhood – Wellington Edition, Holidays, Baby for Him, Wedding, Seasons, Baby for Her.
Each Mini Kit has 100 cards (20 4×6 Title Cards + 80 3×4 Journaling Cards).
Everything autographed was loaded right back into the cartons to be safely shipped to Hobby Lobby.
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{ Why? What’s this all about? }
Oh … you know. Just for fun, really! We have arranged for these autographed products to go out to pretty much every Hobby Lobby location across the country. We wanted to do something as an excuse to give away some prizes – to 10 lucky winners!
As soon as Project Life hits your local Hobby Lobby – run over there! Oooh + aaaah and look for a Core Kit or Mini Kit that has my autograph. As shown above, the signatures are right on the top lid of the box, so there is no “digging around” necessary. Make your purchase. There are no limits (except your budget of course)!
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{ contest details }
If you purchase an autographed Project Life Core Kit or Mini Kit from Hobby Lobby, submit your picture for a chance to win 1 of 10 exciting prizes!
10 winners, 10 prizes
1 Grand prize winner will win a lunch date with me (details forthcoming)
3 winners will win a full collection of any Project Life edition you choose (Core Kit, Album, Big Pack of Photo Pocket Pages, little boxes of Textured Cards, Designer 12×12 Paper, Designer Dividers)
3 winners will win a Project Life Mini Kit + Mini Album combo (you choose edition + color)
3 winners will win the big Project Life pen set (18-pack with a sweet case)
The photo must contain 3 elements
1. your cute face
2. the autographed Core Kit or Mini Kit that you purchased (with or without other Project Life items purchased at the same time … doesn’t matter)
3. your Hobby Lobby receipt – or at least part of it – for proof of purchase
To “submit” your photo, these are your options (choose any)
1. post on your facebook page + on my facebook page
2. post on your twitter account + tag #PLatHobbyLobby
3. post on your instagram account + tag #PLatHobbyLobby
4. email your photo to submissions@beckyhiggins.com
Important notes + rules
1. Hobby Lobby is a U.S. retailer. As such, this particular promotion is applicable to U.S. customers / Hobby Lobby purchases only.
2. Regardless of where you submit or post your photo, your first name + city + state MUST accompany your post or email.
3. The contest begins this week as soon as product hits Hobby Lobby shelves – and goes through May 31. That means May 31 is the last day to submit your photo.
4. The winners will be chosen at random from all the above avenues and announced on my blog the following Monday – June 3.
5. Hobby Lobby employees are not eligible to participate, in order to give customers a fair chance.
6. This contest is sponsored by American Crafts.
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{ everyone else }
If you’re one of the nearly 700 customers that will find an autographed + numbered product, woohoo! We can’t wait to see your submission! But what about the other thousands of customers? You may not be eligible for one of these 10 prizes, but we would still LOVE to see your pictures!
Anyone making Project Life purchases at Hobby Lobby in the next few weeks is invited to share those in any of the above-mentioned avenues (social media or email). Our favorite pictures are the ones with YOU in it! Be sure that we know WHERE (which city + state) you are spotting Project Life at Hobby Lobby! And don’t forget to add the hash tag to instagram and twitter posts – #PLatHobbyLobby
Project Life at Hobby Lobby. Seriously. So fun! Happy Shopping, everyone!
Posted in products, scrapbooking | 77 Comments »
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013
Is this a random giveaway – or what!? Actually … the author, Dr. Altman, is a friend of ours and when he told us about this book he was working on, I knew it would be fun to share with my readers – as many of you have little ones at home.
Don’t Stick Sticks Up Your Nose, Don’t Stuff Stuff in Your Ears explains to children in a fun, colorful, and memorable way, why it’s a good idea to avoid such behavior. Dr. Altman is an ENT (Ear Nose Throat doctor) … so he has literally seen it all. He’s seen (and removed) all sorts of things that kids have stuck in their nose and ears! You can learn more about his book here and you can purchase his book here.
This giveaway means that 2 lucky winners will receive a free copy of his book + a $50 Visa gift card. Leave your first name, city, and state. Be sure to check back on Thursday when we announce the 2 winners at the bottom of this post.
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{ parenting safety tips from Dr. Altman }
Prevention
The best thing to do when discussing ear and nose foreign bodies is to understand how to prevent them. It’s important to try to identify potentially risky situations ahead of time. This includes minimizing your child’s exposure to small objects that could be dangerous. Diligent supervision is also important, especially when your kids are young.
Using common sense and following safety precautions are the best ways to prevent foreign objects from going into someone’s nose or ear. Parents and grandparents should toddler-proof their homes as best as possible, storing magnets and small button-type batteries in a locked cabinet. Proper disposal of used batteries is also important, so they are not in a location where curious preschoolers can pull them out of garbage can. Education and direct supervision of kids while they play outdoors is the best way to avoid seeds, plant material, pebbles, sand, and other small outdoor objects from finding their way into their ears or noses.
Objects to Avoid
Children under four are most at risk of inserting or swallowing small objects. Here are some things to keep out of reach to try to keep your child safe:
- foods such as popcorn, dried peas, watermelon seeds and chocolate with nuts
- marbles, magnets, buttons, beads and pen lids
- polystyrene balls found in bean bags and stuffed toys − additionally, these can be inhaled and don’t show up on x-rays
- coins
- small batteries, which can leak acid and cause injury if placed in the ear or nose
- toys with removable eyes, noses or other small parts
- needles, pins and safety pins. Use pins with a safety catch, and keep them closed when not in use. Also avoid placing safety pins in your mouth, because your child might copy you.
- pebbles, rocks, seeds, dirt, sand, sticks, pits from fruit
Preventing objects from being swallowed, inhaled or inserted
- Supervise toddlers and small children while they eat − they like to experiment and play with food, which can lead to injuries. Encourage your child to sit quietly when eating and drinking.
- Avoid giving your child popcorn or nuts (especially peanuts) until he’s at least five years old. A thin layer of peanut butter or hazelnut spread on bread is a good alternative.
- Cut all food into small pieces, and remove sharp or small bones from fish, chicken and meat before giving them to your child. Preboned fillets can be a good option.
- Try to wait until your child is four years old before letting her eat small lollies, even as a treat.
- Avoid glitter, glue and small beadwork.
- Teach older siblings that a baby’s ears and nose are delicate, and that they’re not for poking things into.
- Check the floor and low tables for pieces of jewellery, button batteries, magnets, dried peas and other small objects.
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{ signs your child has a small object stuck somewhere }
Nose | Your child might:
- complain of pain in their nose
- have a smelly discharge from one nostril
- bleed from the nose
- have bad breath.
Ear | Your child might:
- complain of ear pain, though sometimes an object in the ear may not cause pain.
- have a smelly drainage from the ear
- have bloody drainage from the ear
- have redness of the ear or around the ear
- have reduced hearing in one ear
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updated 5.2.13
Congratulations to the following 2 lucky winners. Please email dontstickdontstuff@gmail.com to claim your prizes!
Susan - Piscataway, New Jersey
Julie – Wellington, New Zealand
Posted in family & children, products | 138 Comments »
Friday, April 26th, 2013
We have a giveaway today, and I’ll let Freckled Fawn introduce themselves – and their giveaway. : )
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Freckled Fawn manufactures and sells lovely embellishments. I’m AesaLina “Doe” Compton, the creator of FreckledFawn.com. I use Project Life grid cards and Freckled Fawn washi tape to add a little personalization to my Project Life pages.
Last year, when I discovered Becky’s Project Life system, I knew it was the solution for me. With 3 little ones, 4 years old and younger, there are a lot of fleeting moments I want to capture but don’t have time to create a 12×12 scrapbook page for each memory. I needed something that allowed me the creative freedom I loved but the simple structure I needed to get things documented beautifully and efficiently. I keep the 3×4 and 4×6 Project Life grid cards all around the house, and when something priceless happens I grab a pen and jot it down. When I’m not a climbing gym for our 3 kids, I sit down with another PL grid card, decorate it with some washi tape, and rewrite the memories I captured earlier. Then I slip them into the protective pages with coordinating pictures and BAM! – I’ve captured and documented our precious memories with ease.
Adding strips of washi tape (decorative masking tape) to the Project Life grid cards is an easy way to personalize your Project Life albums.
Freckled Fawn is excited to offer this giveaway to Becky’s readers today!
THREE randomly- selected winners will receive a $100.00 gift card to FreckledFawn.com to purchase some goodies of their own.
All United States customers can receive FREE shipping on orders using the discount code PLshipping at checkout.
All International customers will receive a FREE embellishment gift on every $15.00+ by using the promotion code PLinternational at checkout.
Codes must be entered at checkout. Codes are valid until April 27 at Midnight MST.
Leave your first name + city + state/country to be entered for the chance to win. And be sure to check back on Monday, as we will add the 3 winners’ names at the bottom of this post.
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updated 4.29.13
Congratulations to the following lucky ladies! Please email fawnwholesale@gmail.com to claim your gift card.
Angela Hill - Washington DC
Donna - Greenwood, South Carolina
Kerri Horsham - Victoria, Australia
Posted in products, scrapbooking | 1,493 Comments »
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013
Last Summer I introduced the Project Life Childhood Mini Kits in THIS post, including a video. I got all philosophical and really dug into in explaining the purpose behind my product development – and how these little kits evolved to be. If you haven’t seen the video, I encourage you to check that out. You’ll see how I personally love to use the cards in my kids’ albums as I flip through a years’ worth in Porter’s scrapbook.
Today I have some explaining to do. I want to explain the who, what, how, when, where, and why about these Childhood Mini Kits – and how they might fit into the “big picture” of your memory-keeping. As a reminder, all 3 editions are currently 20% off this week. This is the time to pick these up. The direct links are on our Products page in the Core Kits + Mini Kits section.
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WHO are these Childhood Mini Kits for?
This is for the mom who feels totally overwhelmed about the very idea of documenting her child’s life. This is for the person whose child is no longer a child, but they have a desire to go back and create an album (or more) of their son or daughter’s childhood memories. This is for the person who wants to go back and record their own childhood (check out Jessica Turner’s college scrapbook!). And this is most definitely for the kid (of any age) who wants to record their own story – past or present.
WHAT comes in a Childhood Mini Kit?
A Mini Kit includes 100 cards. There are (20) 4×6 Title Cards, which are completely flexible to use either vertical or horizontal (same design printed on both sides, but different orientations). There are (40) 3×4 Prompt Cards, which are also flexible (horizontal or vertical) and include journaling prompts about childhood and school memories – various topics in a child’s life. And there are (40) coordinating 3×4 Journaling Cards that can be used for any kind of notes on one side, and the other side has a “filler design” in case you have nothing to write in that particular space.
Note: There are 3 editions of the Childhood Mini Kit – Bridgeport, Mayfield, and Wellington. Same prompts, same designs for the most part, but different color palettes. Be sure to click on each one so you are familiar with the difference between the 3 options.
HOW was the Childhood Mini Kit designed to work?
The kit was designed with complete versatility in mind. The prompts are worded in such a way that they’re not just for a child to write about their own life, or a parent to write about the child. For example, instead of saying “my favorite teachers” or “your favorite teachers” … the card says “favorite teachers”. So the kit was designed so that parent – or child – can use the cards to document life.
The kit was designed with 3×4 and 4×6 cards – just as you would expect out of any Project Life kit – so that they work beautifully with the Photo Pocket Pages that we offer.
The kit was designed to document a full year’s worth in a child’s life. The photos below will outline that concept. Or … you can certainly spread them out across several years.
Be sure to check out our INSPIRATION page which shows sample Project Life pages using the Childhood Mini Kits. Those were created with no extra embellishing. Just photos + cards slipped into Photo Pocket Pages. Simple. Fast. Fun. DONE. And it looks amazing.
WHEN is the best time to use the Childhood Mini Kit cards?
The kit was designed so that you could fill the cards out throughout the year – kind of “as you go” or “in the moment” … or … as a totally retrospective project for those who want to go back and document the past. In other words, any time is the best time. : )
WHERE should I include the Childhood mini Kit cards?
The kit was designed to provide plenty of cards that you can use throughout a 12×12 album, but as we’ve seen this week, a Mini Kit has the perfect number of cards to include in a Project Life Mini Album with your photos.
Let’s not forget to think outside the box. Those adorable 3×4 cards are SO great for little notes in your child’s lunch box or backpack. Or leave a little stack of those cards out with a pen and invite everyone in the family to jot down random compliments toward one another – or what they’re grateful for – and then … (you know where I’m going with this) … those cards slip right into the 3×4 pockets in the Project Life Photo Pocket Pages!
WHY does a little box of cards have to be so awesome?
I know, right? They are so fun. So beautifully designed (go Lori!). So versatile and user-friendly and inspiring.
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Now – Let’s talk big-picture. This is for those of you who are planners like me. Or maybe you don’t think of yourself as “organizationally-minded” and so you’d like some help. I love the idea of beginning with the end in mind, and want to share with you my thoughts on this as it pertains to the Childhood Mini Kits.
If you are beginning with the end in mind, I encourage you to envision what your child might be physically bringing with them in terms of scrapbooks, when they move out of the house as a young adult. This thinking + planning exercise can be very helpful to you, and what you decide makes the most sense does NOT have to be the same as what I’m about to suggest, or what your friend or sister-in-law is doing. Do what make the most sense for you and your family (and your space!).
The following is simply a suggestion, and a sample, of what I’m talking about: Let’s say I wanted to document my child’s entire life (birth to age 18) and let’s say I use a Childhood Mini Kit per year to document those school-aged memories. That would probably end up being about (8) 2-page layouts per year. Figuring I’ll want to have a few additional layouts for a big trip, birthday, holiday, or some other special occasion … let’s round that up to (12) layouts per year that would summarize that year in my child’s life.
If there are 12 layouts per year, and I know that 60 Photo Pocket Pages fit beautifully in a standard 12×12 album, that means you can essentially get 5 years worth in one album. But let’s remember all the memorabilia that you want to add in the Big Envelope Page (sold out but coming back in May) at the back of the album, right? So with that in there, I am suggesting that you can cover 18 years in 5 albums. Still with me? As an “end result” a child’s complete set of albums could look like this:
Album 1 = First Year (which includes a little family history) … using the Project Life Baby Edition, of course!
Album 2 = Toddler + Preschool Years (yes the Childhood Mini Kits can certainly work great for this, or use any Project Life Core Kit)
Album 3 = Kindergarten + Grades 1 to 4
Album 4 = Grades 5 to 8 (4 year’s worth)
Album 5 = Grades 9 to 12 (4 year’s worth)
I realize many of you reading this are not in the U.S. and your “grades” and “years” aren’t exactly like that. It doesn’t matter. I’m just trying to share the general concept and share the big-picture vision that’s in my head – and perhaps your head too. : )
I also realize that some of you have children that are older and you’re feeling pretty darn overwhelmed about the idea of several albums per child, if you have more than one kid. I have a friend right now whose daughter is about to graduate from high school and she’s working on telling the story of this girl’s entire childhood in ONE album. And that is awesome. See what I mean? Do what works for you.
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I’ve gone on long enough and I don’t want you to sit at your computer all day reading my blog. So let me just end with a series of pictures that will show you a sample year’s worth of Project Life pages using all but a few of the cards in a Childhood Mini Kit.
These 8 layouts would summarize a year in a child’s life. The white cards represent where photos might go (which, for the purpose of these sample layouts, totals 40-45 photos). I’m mostly using the Design A (our most popular design) Photo Pocket Page, but I’m also sprinkling in a few other page designs so that you can see how easy it is to flip cards over, or on their “side”, depending on your photos and which orientation and page design you choose.
Note: Our Big Packs of Design A are currently sold out, but coming to stores in May (very soon!). We do currently have our Big Variety Pack 1 and Big Variety Pack 2 in stock on Amazon. You may want to pick those up while you get your Childhood Mini Kits.
Also note: The following sample pages show cards from the Wellington Edition.
Both pages are Design A.
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Design A (left) + Design B (right)
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Design B (left) + Design A (right)
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Design A (left) + Design F (right)
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Design F (left) + Design A (right)
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Both pages are Design A.
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Both pages are Design A.
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Both pages are Design A.
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As a reminder, the Childhood Editions are not only 20% off on Amazon, but so are the digital version of these editions on AC Digitals.
Posted in family & children, products, scrapbooking | 19 Comments »
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013
There are two main uses for the Project Life Childhood Mini Kits:
1) Mini Album: The 100 cards that come in a Mini Kit + your photos + a Project Life Mini Album.
2) 12×12 Album: The cards that come in a Mini Kit can be inserted throughout the full-sized 12×12 pages that go in a standard 12×12 album. I have ideas regarding this format that I think will be very helpful, and that’s coming this week. Those of you organizationally-minded folks will really appreciate what I’m going to share.
But for right now – today – I just wanted to share more about this concept of a child documenting his or her own life by putting together their own Mini Album. Project Life makes it simple + keeps it fun. The end result is something both child and parent can be proud of.
{ supplies needed }
- Project Life Mini Album
- Project Life Childhood Mini Kit (we have 3 editions available + they’re all 20% off this week only!)
- a pen for journaling (the official Project Life pens are coming to stores in May – hooray!)
- 4×6 photos (60-80 will fill a Mini Album, depending on how many 4×6 Title Cards from the Mini Kit you use)
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I already shared how my teenage niece and nephew put together their own Mini Albums. If you missed those posts, be sure to check out 15-year-old Ele’s “This is Me” album HERE and 13-year-old Thomas’ album HERE.
I’m going to let the rest of this post speak for itself in images. My very dear friend Jen was all over this idea of having her young children put together their own Mini Albums, so here are some glimpses of the kids enjoying the process. It was a family affair. And I’m grateful to Jen for documenting it.
Amaya is using the Childhood Mini Kit: Mayfield Edition + the Rain Mini Album
Collin is using the Childhood Mini Kit: Bridgeport Edition + the Kiwi Mini Album
Avery is using the Childhood Mini Kit: Mayfield Edition + the Cherry Mini Album
And no way is Cali going to be left out of this party. ; )
And … Lincoln was toddling around the house somewhere while his big sisters and brother were working on their Mini Album. Yes. Jen has 5 kids. No, she doesn’t have their lives all “caught up” in albums as much as she’d like. Yes, she feels behind like the rest of us.
But … Jen can absolutely manage to help them document their own stories, which is a huge help. There’s no reason that full responsibility needs to fall on mom’s shoulders, right? Are you with me on this? : )
Tags: childhood mini kits
Posted in family & children, products, scrapbooking | 16 Comments »
Monday, April 22nd, 2013
We are delighted to let you know that our friends at Scrapbookers Inner Circle - who offer Project Life products to our customers in Canada, Europe, and so many other places around the world – are kicking off 12 days of massive giveaways leading up to National Scrapbooking Day on May 4th. So get this: 12 days, 12 different giveaways on 12 different blogs. We are thrilled to be hosting the very first of those giveaways right here!
The lucky winner of this giveaway right here will receive a FULL collection with the works: Cinnamon Edition Core Kit, 12×12 Album, Big Pack of Design A Photo Pocket Pages, 12×12 Designer Paper Pack, Designer Dividers, 3×4 and 4×6 Cardstock – wowzers!
How to enter for a chance to win: Leave a comment with your name + city + country. This giveaway is open to anyone with a European or Canadian address. We will post the winner at the bottom of this post on Wednesday, April 24th – so be sure to check back.
Scrapbookers Inner Circle will be offering 11 more giveaway opportunities over the next 11 days. Visit their website daily for more information on where to go for chances to win!
Pre-Order Project Life now and be entered for a chance to win your entire order for FREE! That’s right – anyone who pre-orders new Project Life products at Scrapbookers Inner Circle between March 1-May 4 will be entered for a chance to receive their entire order for free (including taxes + shipping). They will be announcing the winner on May 6.
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Updated 4.24.13
Congratulations to Rebecca W. in Warrington, England. Please email kari@beckyhiggins.com to claim your prize.
Tags: giveaway
Posted in products | 490 Comments »
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