First, a super quick announcement about winners from the camera strap giveaway: Congratulations to the following (you ladies can email brandi@beckyhiggins.com with your shipping information):
1. Lisa W. in Petersburg, Michigan
2. Sheree C. in Syracuse, Utah
3. Mechelle in Scott Depot, West Virgina
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Hooray!
Big-time happy dance going on for a lot of you in front of your computers. Go ahead. It’s okay to be super excited. This has been a long-awaited day for many of us.
Today is the day that all – and I mean ALL – Project Life designs are available on JessicaSprague.com. Even the Original Edition, and of course the other 4 editions that have since joined the Project Life family over the past couple years – Amber, Turquoise, Cobalt, and Clementine.
This is just a sampling of a few of the items from a few of the editions. Some of you might already be 100% digital scrapbookers/crafters. Some of you are totally hybrid and you want to mix in a little digital love with the physical product. Some of you have never explored the digital side of things and perhaps you want to just try it out. That’s awesome!
For the newbies: You should know that Jessica has a strong passion for helping others learn digital skills, like I have a strong passion for helping others document everyday life. She has very helpful online classes that you can take in the convenience of your own home. If you’re interested in taking those first steps (or increasing the skills you already have), you should definitely consider taking a class.
A few other notes:
1. All versions of Project Life are offered as a full kit or individual parts. Yay for options!
2. Be sure to stop by the forums to join in the conversation and ask any questions.
3. People are inspired by seeing how other people are documenting their lives, so feel free to share your layouts in the Project Life Gallery.
The following examples were created by JessicaSprague.com creative team members, using the Project Life elements. A huge thank-you to the awesome designers – real-life scrapbookers – who created these. You can see more awesome inspiration in the Project Life Gallery.
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Oh, you didn’t think I was going to tell you all about the digital elements and not do a giveaway, did you? We are all over that! Leave your first name, city, and state or country for a chance to win a free FULL Digital Project Life kit – any edition you’d like! We’ll randomly select 2 winners here on my blog, and so will Jessica. Double your chances!
I’m going to try to keep this short and sweet because you have a video to watch + some shopping to do!
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Item of business #1: You thought I was just announcing that products arrived on Amazon but nooooo. Oh no. We can top our own excitement because we’re finally able to share this other bit of super news.
Project Life designs are coming to you … in DIGITAL pieces! As in, what many of you have been begging us to do for the past couple of years! As in, all of the designs, title cards, filler cards, journling cards, stickers … everything in digital format so that you can create your own stuff with the Project Life flair. As in, all 5 editions that we have done so far! The Original Edition, Amber Edition, Turquoise Edition, Cobalt Edition, and Clementine Edition. Everything! DIGITAL. Go ahead. Jump out of your chair and do the happy dance. I am beyond thrilled to announce this partnership with JessicaSprague.com. More to come on that in the near future.
Oh – and yes, we’ll continue to offer digital Project Life in the form of photo books as well. We’ve been working on exciting improvements and I will fill you in more on that soon as well. We just want to make sure that you’re generally aware of the digital options, in time for you to shop for the physical products .
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Item of business #2: The plastics have arrived to Amazon.com just today. The wait is over; let the shopping begin! If you have 9 minutes to spare, here’s a little video to review everything that just showed up along with related, anecdotal information that may be useful to you. Eeeeep! Another happy dance. Let’s do this!
I know, I know, I know. Project Life is sold out and yet I keep bringing it up! You know why? Because you keep inspiring me. So I want to continue passing along the inspiration.
Aaaand … Project Life will be back in the house before we know it! We are anticipating September for the reprint of Amber Edition and Turquoise Edition and November for the two new 2012 editions. It’s never too early to get those wheels spinning, for those of you who:
A) are new to the Project Life concept
B) are already doing Project Life but anxiously awaiting the new arrivals
C) have friends + family members who should know about Project Life
So today I want to share with you two emails I recently received. One is from Gemma who is 17 and the other is from Karen who is 56. They are living on opposite sides of the country, in very different stages of life, with very different experiences. But they have something in common. They are telling their story. They are creating something so simple, and yet so much more valuable than they realize.
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{ Gemma from Bainbridge Island, Washington }
Hi Becky,
I am 17 years old. I started scrapbooking when I was probably 11 or 12. I love scrapbooking. I love being able to put my family’s memories in a book so they can look at it and remember it. Four years ago my family moved. I kept scrapbooking but I found it harder and harder to find time while I was adjusting to a new neighborhood and school. Then I just flat out stopped because I was so overwhelmed with all that was going on in my life. Earlier this year a family member of mine introduced me to Project Life. I started to do the digital version. It has really changed my life. I love being able to sit down with my parents and show it to them. I do not feel like I have to spend so much time trying to be the one who preserves my family’s memories.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much!
Gemma
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{ Karen from Pennsylvania }
Dear Becky,
I recently finished reading more than 200 letters that my father sent to his parents while he was serving in the Marines right after World War II. Reading each one of them has been an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life. My father has been gone for 18 years now, but I heard his voice again for three wonderful days. As I read, I heard my father trying to calm my grandmother’s concerns about the girls he was meeting on leave. (And now I know where my worry gene comes from!) I heard him give supportive words to his little brother about schoolwork and heard him tease his parents about their car, which seems to have been on its last legs. And I now know where that insidious melanoma cell that took him away from us far too early came from — he served in Califormia and spent many weekends going to the beach or pool to “get some color” in his pale, freckled skin.
I heard and learned so much, but I am greedy. Now I want to see it all, too. I want to see the barracks that he complained about. I want to see photos of his Marine buddies who meant so much to him. I want to see him roller skating. I want to see the girls who had my grandmother so worried. I want to see the house that all of those envelopes were addressed to. Unfortunately, this will never happen. And that is why Project Life is so important to me.
I am 56 years old. My children are now grown and living their lives happily , so my Project Life book is not full of their everyday adventures and experiences. But, I will have a record of the times we do get together, of the movies and plays that I have seen, of the books that I have read, of the recipes of family favorites, of the friends I now have time to see more often, of the events of the day. I am still living a life of everyday moments worth recording.
I am doing Project Life not merely for myself or for my children, but also for a great-great-granddaughter or grandson who will share my gene for wanting to know everything possible about his or her ancestors and their lives. He or she will want to know what I looked like, what my house looked like, how I spent my days. It doesn’t matter that I am not documenting the life of a young family. There is still so much of the everday life of a 56-year-old that I know will be interesting to someone, somewhere down the line. Answers to questions about life in 2011 and beyond are the gifts that I can give to those who come after me.
So, to all of your followers of ”a certain age” who feel as though they are struggling to find topics for their photos and/or journaling, I suggest they think about the questions their great-great-grandchildren might have about life in the year 2011. What seems so mundane to us now as we live day to day will be fascinating information for others later.
Thank you, Becky, for creating Project Life so that one day, decades from now, someone with pale, freckled skin and a healthy dose of curiosity will come across my Project Life book in an attic, wipe off the dust, and be transformed to another place and time.
Best,
Karen
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Okay, goosebumps. You got me.
Side note from Karen regarding the photo above: “I am holding my Project Life opened to the spread for the week during which I started to read my father’s letters. On the left is a collage of the typical places I stop by on an errand run (bank, drug store, etc.). On the right side, bottom left, is a photo of the old shoe box that contained all 205 letters. Also included on the right are a photo of the new eyeglasses I picked up that week and a photo of my cat playing fetch. Finally, there is a photo of my two children, whom we met for dinner at my son’s favorite restaurant in Arlington, Virginia .”
I recently shared a video about how I’m personally using Digital Project Life as my preferred system to organize and document our family’s life and memories. And the kids’ art. I have proclaimed my love for this solution. You know how I feel about it. And I’m grateful – so grateful – that this format is helping many of you too.
I also know that there are many of you who want to dive in but you have some questions. I totally get that feeling of uncertainty when something is new or different. We have loads of helpful FAQs but there are still more questions. I’m glad you’re asking! I’m glad you want to give it a shot! I so wish that I could sit next to you at your computer and show you in person how easy it is so you can have all sorts of little ah-ha! moments.
But since I can’t, this is the next best thing. I hope this post will bring more clarity and motivation to drop some pictures into a Digital Project Life book and give it a try. You have nothing to lose. It’s free. No obligation to buy anything. If you like it, pay when you’re ready to have the book printed. If you want to pay now and save, the current 25% off sale goes through this Sunday, April 10.
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{ MAKING A BOOK }
Q: Will you please go further into how to be creative (not using the provided template)? I don’t understand how to do anything but drag + drop using the program.
A: Digital Project Life is set up as a template so as to simplify the process for you. Drag + drop your pictures into the photo spots. Add your titles and journaling to the cards. That’s it. However, if you want to create a photo book without the given template, you can certainly delete the template elements (background, journaling boxes, title cards, photo spots) and start from scratch with each layout if you prefer. Choose a colored background then drag & drop your photos. Make them any size you want, create the layout design that you want, add text wherever you want. Or create full-bleed layouts where the images cover the entire page.
Let me share an example of how I modified a layout in our current 2011 family yearbook. This could be applicable to a big occasion or holiday or some event where you just can’t say all you want to say with one picture and one little block of journaling.
Case in point: I’m doing a picture-a-day to document our life. In February, Porter and I were riding on a quad and we were in an accident. We rolled off a small bank and the quad landed on top of us. Please don’t get too caught up in this. We are completely fine. We were wearing helmets. Porter walked away with zero injuries and a strengthened testimony of prayer. I walked away with a bruised back and a greater appreciation for the tender mercy that we had experienced. We both learned a lot that day. (And yes, my phone is always on me, so that’s how I got pictures.)
Anyway — Because that experience deeply affected the two of us, I added a page to the book (by clicking on the blue + icon) and dedicated an entire layout to sharing what happened, what we learned, and even Porter’s entry in his own journal. I enlarged one of the journaling blocks so I had ample room for writing. I dragged + dropped photos, moved them around, enlarged, added a title … You get the idea. I made the format work for me.
Bottom line: There is flexibility if you want it.
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Q: Can you show us how you customized your family year book with the family photo on the cover?
A: Sure! Here is the step-by-step, using our 2010 family yearbook. (Turquoise Edition shown.)
Step 1: Crop your photo to a square using whatever program you usually use for cropping. Cropping the image to a square before uploading allows for that black edge on the left to remain. If your image is rectangular, it will cover the entire cover. This is an option and also a great look.
Step 2: After uploading your photo, drag + drop the photo onto the cover.
Step 3: Click on RESIZE and enlarge your photo.
Step 4: Click on MOVE and move your photo as needed.
{ NOTE } All photos will automatically have a thin, white border for a clean look. You’ll notice that I enlarged my image just slightly past the cover edges, which resulted in the white edge showing on just the left side.
Step 5: For our family yearbook covers, I add a year date stamp. You’ll find these under the CLIPART tab.
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Q: How do you get a vertical picture in the template?
A: You can upload photos of any shape, size, or orientation. It’s once you drag + drop your photo into a photo spot that you can start playing around with orientation, tilting, moving, enlarging, etc. Here is a layout in our 2011 family yearbook. You’ll notice the photos on the left page are all evenly sized squares. That’s the given template. I dragged + dropped photos into each spot and that’s it. On the right page, you’ll notice both horizontal and vertical pictures. That’s because I adjusted the pictures as needed.
Here’s how: When you drop a picture into a photo spot, a pop up menu automatically shows up. All the options are clearly labeled here.
It’s nifty, really. Play around with each one so you can see. Okay, so if you drop a vertical picture into a square spot, all you need to do is click on CROP. Grab the side(s) of the photo and move it in to create the vertical shape. Then click on EDIT PHOTO and you’ll zoom out to see your entire image. Continue adjusting as needed. I promise that if you haven’t already figured this out, you’re about to have a serious ah-ha! moment and you’ll love Project Life 10x more … just like that! : )
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Q: What is the page limit on the books? Is there a minimum as well?
A: The page maximum for a Week-at-a-Glance book is 110 pages while the minimum is 106. For Month-at-a-Glance, the minimum is 26 and the max is 100.
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Q: Is there any way to zoom in to be able to see things better? I do use the maximized screen, but the sizes of these things are still small.
A: The big screen option is really the simplest way to enlarge things, but really only pays off if you’ve got a large enough monitor to benefit. For instance, on one of the newer iMacs you can maximize the browser to the full screen then click the “BIG SCREEN” button in the top-right corner and it is really a better experience.
There is an alternative, which we don’t often recommend. Your browser has a built in zoom feature you can utilize. On most browsers you can zoom by using the Zoom option under the VIEW menu at the top of the browser. There are also some handy shortcuts for these functions. On a Mac the key commands are ⌘= to zoom in, ⌘- to zoom out, and ⌘0 to reset the zoom to normal. On a PC the keys are ctrl= to zoom in, ctrl- to zoom out, and ctrl 0 to reset the zoom.
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{ PORTER’S ART BOOK }
Q: Do you use a scanner for your artwork?
A: Yes, I’ve been using the Epson Perfection 4490 (flatbed) for years. We also have the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500M which has helped us in our quest for going paperless in our home office and it does great scanning art and photos as well.
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Q: What do you do about large and odd sizes that will not fit on a regular-sized scanner?
A: Photograph them with good, natural light and a clean, simple background.
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Q: Do you still keep the original art?
A: Just the favorites. Not everything.
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Q: Where did you get the box that you store your son’s art in?
Q: How did you get the scanned art to take up the entire space on the page?
A: See above for how I did the book cover. Same idea. Drag + drop the image then enlarge and move as needed.
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Q: How do you add text on a page if you take up the entire space with a scanned image?
A: See the TEXT tab at the bottom? Click on that then drag + drop a text block anywhere you want on top of your image. Then move it around, increase the width, change the size, font, color … anything you want.
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{ ORDERING A BOOK }
Q: Will this current sale (25% off) work to print multiple copies of the same book?
A: Yes definitely, but you must pre-purchase the quantity you want to print. So if you want 3 copies of your Week-at-a-Glance book at 25% off, then you need to pre-buy 3 of the “Pay now and save” Week-at-a-Glance books.
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Q: Can I apply this current discount to books I’ve already been working on? Or does this apply to only newly created projects?
A: This discount can apply to any project new or old. Just use the “Pay now and save” to purchase a voucher at the discounted rate. Later when your book is finished, you will redeem the voucher for your printed copy.
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Q: I don’t see where the digital books are 25% off as it said in the blog. I only see 10% off if you pre-pay.
A: 10% off is the normal, non-sale special price for the “Pay now” option. So long as the sale is active, you should see the sale discount of 25% off.
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Q: Why is the regular cost for a 106 page book $99.99, while an approximately 60 page book is $92? It doesn’t make sense to me.
A: This is because the 106 page book is being offered at a discounted rate. With the larger book you are getting a discount on what would normally cost much more. We are able to offer this because the two books are actually built totally differently. Normally it is very expensive to print such a thick book on-demand. We have to use a classical library binding method to bind the thicker book, which requires different equipment and techniques.
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Q: Can pages be subtracted from the book and thus a cheaper price?
A: Pages can only be subtracted down to the minimum allowable page count, or in other words: 26 pages for Month-at-a-Glance books and 106 pages for Week-at-a-Glance.
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Q: Is there a discount for ordering a LOT of books (more than just a few)?
A: Currently, the only discount this provides is on shipping if you are ordering multiple copies of the same book. The base price is not affected. Since our books are printed and made on-demand, for us each copy is just like doing an entirely new book over and over again, so we don’t save on manufacturing time or resources the same way that the traditional bulk book printers do.
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Q: Totally love Digital Project Life but I am not in the U.S. so how does that work?
A: You create your book online just like anyone else. You place your order just like anyone else. We ship internationally.
Have you been thinking about trying out thedigital version of Project Life? Now is a GREAT time! First of all, there is absolutely no cost, no obligation, no pressure if you want to try it out for free. You can complete your entire book online without committing a penny. We want to make sure you like it first.
Secondly, be sure to check out my latest video with a couple examples of my own completed books. There is so much more flexibility than most realize. And yet, if you don’t want flexibility, the templates are already in place for your convenience.
Thirdly, we have initiated a SALE. Right now you can save 25% on your digital Project Life book(s) if you pre-pay by March 27th. This gives you a while (including 3 full weekends) to play around, try it out, see what you think. Be sure to check out the short instructional video first to get familiar with it. We have also answered just about every question that has been asked in the digital FAQ section.
Go for it! Get started! If you like it, just click “pay now & save” to save 25% in the next few weeks. Take your time finishing your books … or work quickly and make a book in a day! We’ll print your project(s) whenever you’re ready.
What I wouldn’t do for a Project Life type of book from our newlywed life. Sure, we have pictures and scrapbooks and I am so grateful for those. But we missed so much of the “little stuff” with our camera back then. It would be remarkable to have something similar of my parents’ younger life. And oh, to imagine what it would be like (!) to come across a book of my grandparents’ lives, not just about the trips and family portraits, but the little details in their world during the time they were, say … raising a young family just as we are today.
This is on my mind because I think of Jason & Kyra (our niece) — freshly married two months ago. They remind me a lot of what we were doing at that stage in our life. They’re both working, both in school, figuring out married life, figuring out how to cook for two, making all sorts of memories. This is a unique time for them. It’s the beginning of their life-long journey together.
I don’t want them to forget the little stuff. I want them to remember the details about their jobs — what they like & don’t like about working there. I want them to remember their favorite take-out food and what they do on dates and details around their first apartment. I want them to remember what classes they’re taking and what they do with their spare time and what they’re reading outside of school. I want them to remember the flirty texts they send each other and the preparations they’re making for the future.
So I gave Jason & Kyra Project Life before they got married. In fact, we’ve given Project Life to several newlywed couples lately. This is their story. And guess what? They’re really doing it.
My heart sings.
And not just because of all of Aunt Becky’s mini lectures about “If I knew then what I know now…”.
They really get it. They know that record-keeping like this is not only a fun project to do together, but they get how valuable this will become over the years. Jason & Kyra are ambitious enough to do the picture-a-day format (good for them!) but remember — Project Life doesn’t have to be used this way. So far they’re keeping up. They’re both contributing. They both add journaling. They both take pictures.
I’m seeing some emails and comments from readers that aren’t sure if Project Life is for them because they don’t have kids. Um. Now would be a good time to clarify: Project Life is for anyone that lives a life. Young or old. Kids or no kids. Newlywed or empty nesters. Homebodies or world travelers. Single or married. Male or female.
I’ll also mention this: I was scrapbooking for 9 or 10 year before our first child came along and I have oodles of scrapbooks filled with pre-kid pictures. It has always surprised me when I hear of people who think scrapbooking is just for moms. No, it’s not just for any one group of people. Scrapbooking is for anyone who wants to preserve their story with pictures & words.
As I step down from my soapbox, I want to leave you with a little tip from our newlyweds.
I asked Jason & Kyra what the trick is for them. How do they personally find success with their Project Life? First of all, they always have their camera on them. Kyra carries her little point & camera in her bag everywhere she goes and they both have built-in cameras in their phones. Sure, the quality isn’t always the best. But who cares? They’re capturing life.
And secondly, they keep up with their little journaling cards. So even if they only print pictures every week or every other week or so, they’re always caught up. Anyone who’s doing Project Life knows it takes only a minute or two to write a quick something on those little cards.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have thought of Project Life 15 years ago.
I’d like to tell you a little something about the year 2008.
I was pregnant 9 out of the 12 months that year. Pregnant for me is synonymous with sick. I was blessed (so, so, so blessed) with 3 healthy pregnancies and 3 healthy babies but man, I did not feel well the whole 9 months. I’m not complaining — not for a second. It’s just the way it was. 2008 also happened to be the first year I attempted taking a picture a day to document our life. I started on January 1st (before I was prego) and that lasted, well … not even 2 months. That pregnancy just kicked me over and it was all I could to do muster the energy to care for our other 2 children and work and carry on with life as a semi-functional human being.
I have a point to sharing this.
2008 went pretty much un-documented. Sure, I took pictures. (How could I not?) Definitely didn’t take quite as many and I certainly didn’t get much scrapbooking done that year. Soooo … fast-forward to now. Guess what I just finished? (**insert squeel**) Our 2008 family yearbook! I am so pumped, people. Like totally & completely so happy about this.
How did I pull off that little magic trick?
I used Digital Project Life. Specifically, the month-at-a-glance template. I chose 7 pictures to represent each month, dropped my pictures in the template, added my journaling, done. One layout per month and just like that, 2008 was documented! Yes, I’ll share more of this with you when I received my printed book in the mail. Of course this can be done with the physical kit as well. It’s all the same concept: Documenting life with the most simple approach to scrapbooking.
Want to see a few digital Project Life books? Today I’m sharing books completed by 3 different customers, each with a different approach. These were all done using last year’s Original design. Of course we now have 2 new designs — Turquoise and Amber. Oh, and psssst. Have you noticed that there is a 30% sale going on right now? If you want to pay in advance for your book (and still be able to take your time creating it), the Digital Project Life books are 30% off through the 31st (Monday). So if you’re thinking about it, play around with it this weekend.
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Brittney made a book as a Christmas gift for her parents who were leaving on a mission. It includes pictures of her siblings and each of their respective families. She removed all the journaling cards to make it a picture-heavy book. This turned out to be an awesome gift that will make home feel not-so-far for these grandparents while they’re away. Check out Britt’s entire book HERE.
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Laurel made a book of her family’s 2010 — all 52 weeks. Showcasing 7 pictures a week (each layout is a new week), she used the Original week-at-a-glance template in its most original format. In other words, she left the default square photo spots all square (you can easily alter the size & shape & scale), which resulted in a very nice, uniform look. Check out Laurel’s entire book HERE.
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Jill also did a 2010 book but she used the month-at-a-glance template (like I did). Some months are represented with just a page and some months take up 2 or 3 layouts. She even added a few full-sized pictures in the mix, which I love. Jill said, I tripped over the Project Life web site in late December and I quickly decided that it was the perfect solution to help get me caught up on my scrapbooking. I was able to put the whole 2010 book together in less than a week. And, I had a lot of fun working on it — especially once I realized that I could alter the template pages if I wanted to. Check out Jill’s entire book HERE.
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Digital Project Life is flexible to your needs, just like the physical kit. I love seeing the different variations and how each customer is making the book work for them. If you have completed and ordered a Digital Project Life book, you would have been sent an email that has a link to your viewable (not editable) book. Feel free to share the link in a comment here … if you’re open to sharing that with everyone.
1. Project Life update. Amber has now joined Turquoise in the “sold out” club. So as of right now, there are no Project Life kits available for purchase on Amazon. For now. As I have said before, more are on the way. Should be in stock within the next couple of weeks.
2. Cute friends. Speaking of Project Life, some friends came over last night for a little “Project Life Par-tay”. It wasn’t really a party at all. I just used that as an excuse to buy Costco’s chocolate lover’s delight cake. And I most certainly did that. Back to my point. It was so fun to sit and put our books together, getting them all ready to fill. Here are a few of the cuties.
3. Side note. As I said yesterday, I’m doing digital Project Life. But last night I was putting together Jason & Kyra‘s book as a wedding gift (Kyra’s our niece & they’re getting married this weekend). They are already taking their POTDs, starting with the New Year. How cool is that? Seriously – can you imagine having an album with a picture every day of the first year of your marriage?
4. Digital questions. Thanks for your feedback & questions about Digital Project Life. We’re working on FAQs to share soon.
5. De-cluttering. This is the real reason for today’s blog post. De-cluttering is on my brain and being that resolutions are floating around so much right now, I’d be willing to bet I’m not alone here. Raise your hand if you have some goals related to de-cluttering.
So I thought it’d be fun to have you guys chime in on this topic. What’s ONE thing you have already de-cluttered this year … OR … one thing you plan to de-clutter in the near future?
I’ll start.
Magazines & catalogs. I’ve had this growing stack for a few months. I’ve been letting them pile up thinking, I’ll get to that as soon as I’m not so busy and blah, blah, blah. I’m not a catalog shopper. Nor do I read magazines very much at all. I just enjoy flipping through for inspiration or whatever. But seriously — am I really going to prioritize going through a stack of magazines when I have so much else to do?
Um. No. The answer is no.
So buh-bye to this whole stack yesterday. Felt sooo good to let go (figuratively & literally) and drop them in the recycle bin.
One more example. My friend Megan (shown on the far right in that top picture) has had a big problem called laundry. Can you relate? With 7 people in their family, she always feels like she’s drowning in clothes. The solution: For each child, she is keeping out 5 school uniforms, 5 casual outfits, church clothes, a couple outfits for lounging & sports, a few pajamas and … that’s it. Everything else went into storage bins and under beds. When & if the kids want to rotate clothes, they can swtich them out (maybe once-a-month-ish?).
Great idea.
So — what about you? Name one thing you’re de-cluttering. Maybe we’ll all catch the bug.
First, a quick update on the Project Life kit: The first batch of Turquoise Editions sold out. There is still a small handful of Amber Editions on Amazon, but those are just about gone as well. We are getting more of both in the next couple weeks.
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As you know, we offer Project Life in 2 formats – a physical scrapbooking kit and a digital version. Everyone has a preference. If you’re interested in a comparison chart of the two, go HERE.
Personally, I’ve done both. I like both for different reasons. But in the end, I went with digital last year and liked it so much that I’m doing it again this year for our 2011 family yearbook (we do the picture-a-day format). By the way, I still need to finish up some journaling so as soon as I do that and get my completed, printed book I’ll share that with you.
I’m pleased to announce that the new designs are up & running for our Digital Project Life books. Just like the physical kit, Turquoise and Amber are the 2 new designs. Yes, the original designs from last year are still available. Anyone can create a book any time. For FREE. No obligation. We want you to play around before deciding whether or not you want to purchase.
I just jumped online this morning to begin our new yearbook and I’m officially caught up on 2011! Here are a few screenshots.
the cover
the title page
the first full layout … obviously a work in progress
If you have questions — and I bet you do — we’re happy to help. We are in the process of updating our digital FAQs and will address as many as we can. Or — if your question is more technical in nature, the kind folks at Ziblio are super helpful and can best answer those questions. They’re the powerhouse behind Digital Project Life … the ones who are making it possible. So they know these digital books inside and out.
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.
The following are notes from individuals and families who have generously donated to my brother's family. There are many others who donated beyond the notes you see below and the ads you see on my blog. We can not thank you enough for your kindness and generosity during this very difficult time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Jonathan -- May god give you strength and courage in the coming months. Enjoy your family. Love you wife and hug your kids. Lean on Him. He can handle it. God Bless.
- Tricia Shelton
May you be surrounded by love, friendship and family in this difficult time.
- The Gourlay Family
Dear Jonathan, Tina and family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Although we have never met, we felt compelled to reach out to you. We hope that through these well wishes you feel loved and cared for. Life is about our families, communities and sharing love with each other. Through Becky's blog, I know that you have a wonderful family. We hope you know that through Becky's web community, you now have many new friends thinking of you. May you find strength in God and from all the prayers said on your behalf.
- anonymous
I wish you all love, peace, courage, and strength for the days ahead. I'll be praying. Be blessed!
- Sandra
You and your family are in our prayers. God Bless!
- Angie Murray
Thank you, Jonathan, for being there to support Becky while she shared her gifts and talents with me through the years, albeit remotely. This small gift is the least I can do to say thank you. God bless you and your family.
- With loving thoughts, Terri C
Although I've never met Jonathan, I have been following Becky's articles, books, and blog for years—even met her once at CKU Orlando. Like so many that Becky has touched, I've always admired the love, unity, and values of your large and beautiful family. I wish you all love, peace, courage, and strength for the days ahead. I'll be praying. Be blessed!
- anonymous
All I can say is that I believe God has heard your call because He certainly placed it on my heart to respond. It was loud and clear. And when He's involved, great things far beyond what you and I can comprehend will occur and I pray that gives you peace today and the days to come.
- Peggy Krantz
May you continue to find peace and comfort knowing you are surrounded by loving family and friends.
- anonymous
My heart is filled with love and pain and gratitude for eternal families as I have read about the challenge your family faces. Please accept my donation as a small token to help ease the significant, and often devastating, monetary burdens that come with this challenge. Thank you for a fine example of strength during the darkest times we face in life - an example that gives courage to others struggling with trials in their lives.
- anonymous
To Jonathan and family - I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
- God bless all of you, Leslie Schmitt
"Praying for you and your family." 1 Peter 5:7
- Kristina Proffitt
I'm praying for you throughout each day and asking God to give each of you the strength, comfort, and peace to get through this enormous trial. May God bless all of you in ways you never could've imagined and may His mighty and healing hand be especially upon you Jonathan.
- Much love, Lisa in Florida
May you continue to find peace and comfort knowing you are surrounded by loving family and friends.
- anonymous
Dear Jonathan and family, Our heartfelt prayers are with you and your family. May you know in your hearts that there will always be someone, whether here or above, who will always be with each one of you.
- Maria
Jonathan, his family, friends, and coworkers are all in my prayers during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us- it's very inspiring to see Jonathan's strength through this battle.
- Kristen
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is that small voice at the end of the day that says 'I will try again tomorrow' " - Mary Anne Radmacher - The last year has been really difficult for me, but this quote always seems to help. I hope it helps you and your family, as well. Don't forget, miracles really do happen. Hang in there and keep your chin up.
- Love and prayers from NM, Stephanie Taylor
To Jonathan, Tina and your entire family: I wish there were more that I could do to help you. Becky's books have been my favorites since I first read them. Because she shared family photos and stories, I feel like you are all old friends. Good luck and I am sending happy thoughts and sparkly wishes your way!
- Jacki Samolsky
Big hugs and lots of prayers of healing and peace to your whole family.
