3 tips for starting a Project Life scrapbook
Starting a Project Life album can be exciting and so much easier than you think. In this post, I will explore the things you need to get started and the tips and tricks I've learned for starting out. I've created this mini series to help those interested in Project Life learn more and perhaps start a book of their own.This is the second post in a series of three on Project Life scrapbooking.
The Project Life ToolkitTo get started with Project life there are a couple items you need to get started:
- Project Life album
- Project Life layout pages (see photo below)
- Journaling cards (I have found that the Core Kit is too large and it has too many duplicates for my personal taste. I recommend going with a value pack so you get embellishments too!)
- Printed photos
- Acid-free pen or marker (to keep your photos safe over time)
If you can believe it, that's it! Just 5 simple items and you're all set! Before you know it, you will be finished your first album.
Having the tools doesn't always make it easy to know where to start. In order to get going on a good note and to enjoy the creative process, here are a couple recommendations to keep in mind:1. Start with what you loveKnowing where to begin can often be the hardest part of starting. Becky Higgins (the creator of Project Life) recommended to me in a class to start with a memory or event that you would love to re-live. By doing this, chances are that you will love looking at the pictures and telling your stories to remember for later. This is the best way to start because it makes it so much more fun!I've personally started with something I've loved living and re-living through the photos - our first year of marriage! The photos below are from our anniversary album to celebrate the end of one full year together.
2. Try using phasesWhen I create pages for my Project Life album, I work in three phases. I first print out a bunch of photos that I know I will want to use in the layout and slot them into the pages I am working on. Secondly, I go through and choose the journaling cards that go with the topic or theme of the page and add those to the layouts. Only when this is complete for a couple of pages, do I go back and add my journaling for phase three. Often times, I place the photos and cards on top of the pockets before slotting them all in.I prefer to batch journal because I find that journaling requires a different mindset then choosing the photos and cards for the pages. Separating these phases is something that works well for me and might be something you find beneficial to your process too.
3. Don't get caught upThis is definitely one thing I am guilty of, as I enjoy having complementary colours in my layouts and themes that match the photos of the topic I am working on. In 50 years when your grandkids are looking at these books, there is no way they will ask about why I chose to use a card that doesn't match the photo or the other cards. All they will be looking at are the photos, the stories and Grandma's handwriting that they may or may not be able to read!
And before you know it, you will be showing your creations to everyone who pops by for a cup of tea! Project Life really does make it easy for anyone to create an album full of memories. I can't wait to see what you create!