Comments on Sunny Side Up: Project Life 2012

Hi, this is my first year attempting project life....

2012-02-22T19:10:40.476-08:00

Hi, this is my first year attempting project life. I also have 3 kids 11,8 and 3. I bought myself a new digital camera, laptop and inkject printer so taking pictures and printing at home has been an easy system for me, it has allowed me to keep up with their individual albums as well as project life.

The fact that you are only a year behind is awesom...

2012-01-15T15:36:41.512-08:00

The fact that you are only a year behind is awesome. Pat yourself on the back. My advice:
-- start the new PL with 2012. Now. Focus on the current and finding a rhythm that works for you. If each child having their own is important then I'd recommend a monthly approach. Three layouts per month is doable right?? Capture the highlights.
-- as for the "lost year", maybe take the digital approach there! Do a SIMPLE family photo book of 2011 and order multiple copies.

For what it's worth, I used to think my stepson needed his own copy of everything. But that has changed. I now have a toddler and my career is pretty demanding. I focus on capturing the memories and they can fight over them when I'm dead :) I'm pretty sure neither of the boys wants to leave home with 20+ albums anyway.

I have two boys and they like to have their own PL...

2012-01-11T14:52:01.173-08:00

I have two boys and they like to have their own PL binders..so, I maintain the two books by using almost the exact same pictures and layouts for each book but personalize "their" specific book with "their" special items that belong that week (ie: school work, art work, dental xrays, etc)so,...clear as mud?

Good luck!

Tara (ditzyblonde@cox.net)

Hey Erin! You inspired me! I haven't done any ...

2012-01-08T10:10:29.035-08:00

Hey Erin! You inspired me! I haven't done any kind of paper scrapbooking for years (4 to be exact). I just order a bunch of Project Life stuff for both of my kids. Ready to not, here I go! :0)

I love the way you use PL. Your albums inspire me ...

2012-01-07T11:08:57.995-08:00

I love the way you use PL. Your albums inspire me to get it.

Erin, This project is supposed to be whatever you ...

2012-01-06T14:32:30.832-08:00

Erin,
This project is supposed to be whatever you want. Do what feels right and if it's too much then you're not doing it the way that is best for you. I know what it's like to get behind, trust me. I'm still finishing 2011 as we speak ... but I think that you need to keep in mind that it is supposed to be fun :) Maybe the month by month for each kid wouldn't be too much .. and you could still have it be exactly what you want?

Good luck my friend .. don't give up! :) You can do it!

I haven't read everyone else's comments so...

2012-01-06T11:42:09.908-08:00

I haven't read everyone else's comments so sorry if this isn't a new and fresh idea. But what if you create a digital version for the "missing year" that you can create and print for all 3 kiddos and then start now doing the 3 individual project life books? It kind of gives you the best of both worlds. Yes you have to sit at the computer to create the missing year, but then you have the satisfaction of printing 3 copies and just like that you're caught up ;) And then you can get back to doing project life and scrapbooking the way that you like. Or you could take that route that I would probably take which to call the missing year the "dark period" and when the kids are older just explain that Kole was a 1 year old and that kicked your fanny :) Clearly at 15 the girls won't exactly understand but you better believe they will at 25 chasing their own 1 year old ;)

I have read your posts in the past about PL and I ...

2012-01-06T05:18:59.725-08:00

I have read your posts in the past about PL and I think your scrapbooks are amazing! I ordered the album and plan to start this year, although I know I can't do a photo or weekly layout. I have a ton of photos, but have yet to assemble anything. My son is 9 months and I have not started on his baby book.

I haven't used the digital Project Life progra...

2012-01-05T21:38:50.631-08:00

I haven't used the digital Project Life program, but I have used iPhoto to create Family Albums for 2010 and 2011. I love that not only can you get your album get printed multiple times, but you can also burn a slideshow of the album to DVD, add music, alter the transitions etc. My four year old nephew loves the DVDs and watches them every morning! He loves seeing the photos of himself and bops along to the music (which I make sure is compiled from our favourites from that year).
There is not a whole lot of space for journalling, which makes it a quick and easy process.
I also made some iPhoto albums for our holidays last year. For our Cook Islands holiday, as I took 500 photos in ten days! It was super quick and easy to do when we got back. And for a more relaxed camping trip, I took the laptop and just did each day at night time. It seriously took hardly any time and it was so great having a completed book when we got home to show family and friends!
I definitely recommend using this program if you have a Mac!
Your albums are simply stunning and very inspiring!

Hi again... I forgot to mention in my post that so...

2012-01-05T19:46:13.691-08:00

Hi again...
I forgot to mention in my post that sometimes I do get a bit behind in my scrapbooking as most of us do and I find taking some notes along the ways is helpful. If my son says or does something that I want to document in his album I take notes in a small notebook. That way I won't forget to document something!

I love reading all the comments. I began Project ...

2012-01-05T19:19:35.353-08:00

I love reading all the comments. I began Project Life last year. I did a family album and kept up with the picture a day thing for the most part. I work 12 hour shifts and also taking classes but I find time to keep up. Someone mentioned the only time she gets her scrapbooking done is when she goes away on retreats...I do this twice a year and love it because I get lots done! I highly recommend this!!!!! So towards the end of the year there have been times I didn't get a 'picture of the day' but that's because I was at work for 12 hours...and this is what I document because this is life right now.

I am continuing PL for 2012 as a family album but not focusing on the picture of the day format...which has been kind of nice. I am doing the monthly approach this year. So some months may have more pages than others, some days I may have multiple pictures and some days I may not have any. I also incorporate traditional scrapbooking into my PL...this is what I love about it. I can keep it as simple as I want and embellish it as much as I want as well!

I have also done a PL album for our son and I am doing another one this year. I also do the monthly approach for his album and incorporate school into it.

So I do keep up with two albums every year. The family album and our son's (5years old) album have a lot of the same stuff in them. Right now each year fits into one or two albums, it just depends how much extra I add to it. I know as he gets older I will be able to fit a few years into an album.

Since we only have one child it's easy for me to say do a PL album for each child. I would think that each of the albums would be very similar and then add special touches for each child.

Looking forward to reading about what you decide! Have fun with it!!!!

Erin. Just let it go. I mean doing the separate bo...

2012-01-05T19:13:54.436-08:00

Erin. Just let it go. I mean doing the separate books. I know it is hard but let me tell you about the weight that will leave your shoulders once you do.
I did the two book thing with my first two...for one year. I was so stressed and doing the same pages twice and printing pictures twice. It was time consuming and expensive. I felt so guilty at first then I felt ok about everything. I do the scrapbooking for myself so just one family book is ok for us. I still do individual pages that are just about them...so they still feel a bit special. This way I can still do other things I love like quilting and sewing stuff for my kids...plus with project life it is so much easier. I won't promise that it will always be caught up...I am still working on 2010 which is NOT project life but I am almost done with 2011 which is project life...my goal for January is to finish 2010. Anyway hope this all helps...just don't stress. That is the most important thing. Love your blog by the way. I too am really into organization so I feel we are kindred spirits...

I want to do this so badly. Its precious.

2012-01-05T18:37:22.089-08:00

I want to do this so badly. Its precious.

Everything you've done with scrapbooking for y...

2012-01-05T16:55:03.611-08:00

Everything you've done with scrapbooking for your kids is AMAZING! I don't have kids yet, but I keep everything I've seen from you tucked away in my mind for when I do have them! I don't think I'll ever be able to keep up like you do though... you are amazing!

This year, I decided to switch to digital and am SO thankful I did. I do other crafty things, so I don't miss that aspect of it. And I definitely don't miss having to size my pictures and get them printed. I can now scrap as the year goes on, and I'm ready to order the book (I do it through Shutterfly) as soon as the year is over. I plan on doing the same thing when I have kids so I can print out multiple copies for them.

How about doing a Project Life Digital Family Year...

2012-01-05T16:39:21.385-08:00

How about doing a Project Life Digital Family Yearbook...you can then print off 4 copies (one for you and one for each child)...and then a different system for their "special" projects/artwork for each child. You could use your albums you have now...but since you won't have all of the pictures you can put more years in one album..saves space and you can work on them when you have time.

The digital book can easily be worked on as you are uploading your pictures to your computer anyway!

Another idea would be to have your blog published since you put so much out there anyway!

Good luck in finding what works for YOU!

Erin, I think no matter how hard we all try we wil...

2012-01-05T15:23:57.208-08:00

Erin, I think no matter how hard we all try we will always be "behind" I just do one project life album right now, but I only have one child right now. I have no idea what I will do when I have more!! I am behind on her first year album and probably always will be haha!! I would just start with the now and if you ever have extra time (what is that!) go back and work on the previous year. I know you will find what works for you though!! Good luck and I look forward to seeing what you come up with:)

I left my other unfinished albums for project life...

2012-01-05T14:48:43.509-08:00

I left my other unfinished albums for project life and got started on the current. I try to dedicate one day a month to work on old ones and once a week on current. I do one month shouts. Seems to be easiest for me. The one a day photo is crazy. I saved the amber and torquosed kits for the yer I'm ehind and got the cobalt ad clemtine ones for current. Either way it's tough, but I try to give myself an hour or two a week.

I am sure you have ALREADY gotten an ear full! But...

2012-01-05T14:48:16.811-08:00

I am sure you have ALREADY gotten an ear full! But, I couldn't help but notice, AGAIN, that we are twins with our thinking process! Here is what I have done to solve my dilemma:

2010 I did the Project Life one picture per day style album. LOVE IT! After doing it that way, I decided that I really didn't need to be as precise in 2011. So:

2011 I did Project Life ONE LAYOUT PER MONTH!!!! So, each page is just highlights from that month, with inserts here and there on some of the bigger stuff (vacations, birthdays etc.) I love it because I still have room in that album to do at least one, maybe two more years. So on the spine it will read "Family 2011, 2012, 2013." This is gr8 'cause I am saving money too.

Now for the kids: I started Stacy Julian's idea to do "School of Life" albums for my kids years ago. And it is working. I just save all the memorabilia, photos in files and print important pics for their year. I do 4 12x12layouts per year for them:

Layout 1 & 2: School year title page and school picture, first and last day photo, journaling or extra photos from school.

Layout 3 & 4: Life layouts, I include milestones such as baptism pictures, birthdays (usually 3 or 4photos or a collage and journaling), vacations or family events with a little journaling.

Pocket Page: I include at least one pocket page per year on the back side of the last layout to include memorablia, awards etc for that year. Sometimes I iclude a pocket within the layout for the school page to store report card etc.

That is all I try to keep up with each year. I am not caught up, but since I have a set system, it is easy to catch up when I get behind. No thinking invloved!

I keep a seperate "Sports" scrapbook for each boy since they do 3 to 4 different sports per year. It is easy to keep up since I usually just buy the photo memory page that includes all the info. I include awards and extra photos taken as well. I am not caught up on these at all, but again, since I have the system and the actual binders in place, I just store the sports stuff where it will eventually go.

Phew. Long comment! Hope it is helpful!!!!

Hi Erin! I started PL last year (2011) and am just...

2012-01-05T14:27:57.747-08:00

Hi Erin! I started PL last year (2011) and am just about done, i have been printing my own pics and then cutting them out but am ditching this as it is so time consuming. Instead I will wait for a few months worth if pics and have them printed. To keep up to date with journalling I am sticking a sticky note onto the sleeves with some notes written down and and plan one night a fortnight to write them up and then just slip in pics every few months. This is just for a family album. Good luck with whatever you do but I too think you have done an amazing job so far and staying fit,blogging etc all adds up with time but those things are so important too so just Well done from me!

I feel for you! Mine are 18 and 22 and mom is jus...

2012-01-05T13:21:04.276-08:00

I feel for you! Mine are 18 and 22 and mom is just now thinking about getting things in order as far as albums go. Started some, but then life got in the way. This is on my to do list for this year. I'll let ya know how I am doing...it is a bit daunting to say the least!

Oh my goodness!! I LOVE all of this awesome feedb...

2012-01-05T12:29:49.478-08:00

Oh my goodness!! I LOVE all of this awesome feedback! THANK YOU for commenting and sharing what you do. It has really got me thinking about the big picture and where I want to go with all of this. You guys are awesome!! :)

I will definitely keep you all updated on what I decide to do and share what is working for me!

Love this idea! I to have life albums but they ar...

2012-01-05T11:59:52.914-08:00

Love this idea! I to have life albums but they are for our whole family with only 12 double sided pages in them so they stay fairly small and to the point but still include all the most important life moments --- I'm a little behind so in the next few dreary Vancouver months I'm going to get to it and finish them up! Thanks for the encouragement and I can't wait to see more of yours! XoXo*S

I have missed your project life posts and pages. ...

2012-01-05T10:44:01.868-08:00

I have missed your project life posts and pages. I believe that is how I found your blog - Jessica Turner or Becky linked to your page. And now it's the first blog I check each day. Thankful for project life in more ways than one. ;)
What I did last year really worked for me. I did the picture a day, with the journaling and tried to update it weekly. I had failed at this in 2009 (was still teaching) and 2010( the last week I did was the week before my second child was born). 2011- I completed it and absolutely LOVE this book. But I take so many pictures and wanted more than just one photo a day. So I used the other kit (it ended up being 2 kits and books by the end) to "scrap" the events, vacations and just those things that require more than one picture. I try to keep each event to a 2 page spread, but some of our vacations or parties turn out to be 4 or 6. With my 2- ages 3 and 1, I find I have brief blocks of time. But, I can sit down and do an event or two during nap or at bedtime and somewhat keep up. I think I am up to November of 2011 doing it this way- with traditional scrapbooking, I would still be working on January. (Again, so thankful for these kits! ) Or if I tried to do multiple books, I think I would get overwhelmed and maybe even a little bored repeating the same events- we all go on vacation or play in the snow or have the superbowl party, etc, etc. I also try to do a spread at the end of each month with pictures I love that weren't necessarily an "event" or funny things they did or said. So I end up with 3 books for each year. My children look at them all the time and we really enjoy them. Do I feel bad that they don't have their own book? Not really, because I think I will appreciate them more when they are gone than they will. They will always be here at their home for them to look at. Oh, I do include artwork, tickets, notes, etc. in both books- wherever it seems to fit.
Can't wait to see what you decide to do. Good luck!

I understand how you feel. I actually just starte...

2012-01-05T10:25:19.976-08:00

I understand how you feel. I actually just started printing our family blog into books. I did mine through blurb. It's not the perfect way, but at least we have some documentation of our life. Good luck!

Erin, your albums are beautiful!!!! I love how yo...

2012-01-05T10:10:36.112-08:00

Erin, your albums are beautiful!!!! I love how you used them. And you know, you should be oberwhelmingly THRILLED to have done so much already. Really. Don't beat yourself up over what doesn't exist. I agree with other posters that say to start in the hear-and-now... and when you get time, just print your blog posts for the time you missed... that's already documented and done! :)

I've sadly all but abandoned my scrapbooks and went to a Shutterfly year-in-review that I print at the end of the year... I've done that for the past 3 years and really love it. I do one spread a month... and sometimes I do vacation Shutterfly albums. I do my own designs and upload to the site, but some of their new book styles are very cool.

I'm a newbie to Project Life, just starting this week and so far I adore it!!! So far I'm doing a photo-a-day, but I'm not stressing myself over it. If life gets busy with my 2 young boys, then I'll be happy to go to a few weeks on one spread. I'm not going to stress myself out and if I get behind, I'll just start where I am.

I also wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your blog. I can relate to so many of your posts! THANKS!