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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 2, 2018 18:24:01 GMT
Warning: not a thread for the lovers of Project Life as it is who feel no need to change things up. Getting back into documenting with a full season of nothing to show for is giving me more trouble than anticipated. I'm finding myself no longer drawn to Project Life as it is generally presented: a binder of one of the common formats (6x8, 9x12, 12x12), photos to slip in pockets, cards to act as filler or journaling space. There's an itch the usual PL suspects can't seem to scratch this year. I still love the idea of keeping a year's worth of memories bundled together with a healthy mix of photos and text but I'm feeling sort of over the whole page-protector-after-page-protector thing. I want to shake things up and break out of the routine of slipping stuff into pockets. I need fresh air, white space, framing of photos (and no, I don't mean using transparency frames ), a more paper-heavy feel rather than only/mostly plastic, personalised sentiments, font choice, etc. I want surprises and unexpected things, minimalism how I like it right now, less rows and colums, more free flow. Anybody else feeling like this right now about PL? Or having gone through this before? It seems like once-hot young PL documenters have disappeared left and right over the past few years and I think I'm reaching that stage of burnt out at least some of them must've hit. So, I'm embracing my free spirit and going to wing it. I'd love to see examples of other documenters who've broken loose from the PL constraints of the current product offer. I was looking forward to finding some of Vanessa Perry's ('Vanessa Documented') life pages online but it doesn't look like she ever shared much beyond the first few... Hit me up with whatever you have, fellow Project Lifers! And please let me know if you've gone through this, how you worked your way out of it (and possibly into a new, freer approach).
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Post by caspad on Apr 2, 2018 18:31:56 GMT
my DD and PL tend to have stuff outside of the pockets, lots of inserts that are weird sizes, and flip ups - so many flip ups! is that kind of what you are looking for sleepingbooty?
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,329
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Apr 2, 2018 18:32:43 GMT
Project Life is just a brand name created by Becky Higgins. How you chose to use the product is completely up to you.
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Post by grammadee on Apr 2, 2018 18:34:45 GMT
I am not your primary audience, here, b/c I never really joined the PL club. Oh, I purchased a bunch of the cards and have a ton of the divided page protectors, but other than using them for gift albums that non scrapbookers can use to tuck in their own photos--baby albums, a wedding album, a retirement album--I very seldom use those supplies.
I found the style restrictive from the start. Could never figure out how to print the photos in an orientation to fit the pockets. And the cute little sayings and images were always the wrong shape or orientation for my page.
Sometimes I use the cards in part or in whole as an element on a 12x12 page. Sometimes I tuck pieces of them in behind the photo or one of its matts. Sometimes I put one of those divided protectors to hold the overflow of photos in between two of my traditional pages. Sometimes I use a PL card or two in the pockets. More likely, I use cut up patterned paper or cardstock to fill the gaps: I can never find a card in just the right orientation for the space I need to fill.
Hope you find a way to keep this hobby fun for you.
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,501
Aug 28, 2015 22:31:17 GMT
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Post by AmandaA on Apr 2, 2018 18:37:14 GMT
Sounds like TN territory to me (or what I think it is since I have never done one).
Or another slightly different take on a strict pocket stuffing method would be to go revisit the year of mini albums that Stephanie Bryan did for her "PL" when she was on the SC CT.. 2016 maybe? Lots of outside of the pocket flexibility and a whole bunch of different sizes and types of books that year.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 2, 2018 18:38:49 GMT
my DD and PL tend to have stuff outside of the pockets, lots of inserts that are weird sizes, and flip ups - so many flip ups! is that kind of what you are looking for sleepingbooty ? I think I want a tactile book if that makes any sense? I'm over the binder + page protectors combo. I'm over 4x6 and 3x4 cards and photos. I'm just tired of the look, feel, mindset. I need something that still documents the year chronologically but otherwise, I'm ready to hit the detonator button and start putting punch to paper... Do you do flip-ups with pattern paper/cardstock?
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Post by dudleypippen on Apr 2, 2018 18:40:26 GMT
It sounds like you might be leaning towards a TN format with less constrictions and more creativity, but still smaller than traditional 12x12 layouts in an album. PL still works for me because I can focus just one pocket at a time so fewer decisions, but I totally get that it’s not right for everyone (hence why so many have given it up). I hope you find what appeals to you because no matter the format you will always enjoy looking back on what you have recorded.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 2, 2018 18:44:37 GMT
Or another slightly different take on a strict pocket stuffing method would be to go revisit the year of mini albums that Stephanie Bryan did for her "PL" when she was on the SC CT.. 2016 maybe? Lots of outside of the pocket flexibility and a whole bunch of different sizes and types of books that year. I was on a YouTube binge just earlier tonight and looked at her monthly mini albums for SC again! There's definitely something there that's much closer to where I'm going (although she did very little journaling). She's another one of those who tried to switch things up and then fell off the documenter/SB side of things...
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 28, 2024 12:38:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 18:57:15 GMT
I’m not going to be any help at all because I just finished my first ever pocket style album, using ali Edwards WITL kits. And now regular scrapping is boring to me. I like tucking random stuff in a pocket, making untraditional pages, things like that. So I’m in a state of flux too! Hugs.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 2, 2018 19:22:23 GMT
I’m not going to be any help at all because I just finished my first ever pocket style album, using ali Edwards WITL kits. And now regular scrapping is boring to me. I like tucking random stuff in a pocket, making untraditional pages, things like that. So I’m in a state of flux too! Hugs. Is it a spring clean thing? Out with the old ways, in with the new? It's a strange state to be in but I'm optimistic about my scrappy future (definitely not leaving the craft or considering it).
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 7,857
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Apr 2, 2018 19:29:42 GMT
I actually totally get where you're coming from. My problem is that I have so much PL AND it just works for me. I don't have to really think about it? I know my phone will take photos in xxxx format and my big camera does xxxx so I know I'll have to use xxxx PP. It's comforting and frustrating sometimes. I've been drawn to the TN stuff, but they just seem so small for me. Then again, I have 3 small kids, which is totally not your life. If you figure it out, I'd love to hear/see it.
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Post by peachiceteas on Apr 2, 2018 19:52:54 GMT
I don’t know if her style is too far one way for you but I recommend checking out Caylee Grey
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Post by peachiceteas on Apr 2, 2018 19:55:55 GMT
I love pocket page scrapping but I’m definitely feeling the need to break out of the pockets and start including more tactile elements. I’m not over albums and page protectors and something about them really appeals to me but I definitely have been trying to include out of pocket stuff too.
I really enjoy making envelopes with my punch board, punching holes in them, slotting them into my album and stuffing them with stuff.
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,523
Oct 2, 2017 23:20:46 GMT
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Post by mich5481 on Apr 2, 2018 19:59:34 GMT
It kind of sounds like you want to do something like a smashbook.
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Post by catseatcheese on Apr 2, 2018 20:14:23 GMT
It kind of sounds like you want to do something like a smashbook. I too was going to suggest something like the smashbook. The TN is quite a small format. I love the TN format and find it useful for some types of scrapping (for example, documenting a trip or even just my own journaling with small photos and some mixed media) but I find it too small for my "life documentation." It all depends on what you want. A smashbook, whether the brand or a homemade could be a great way to go.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 2, 2018 20:30:47 GMT
I don’t know if her style is too far one way for you but I recommend checking out Caylee Grey Yeah, I used to follow Caylee and have loved some of her mini albums. I'll take another look and see if there's more inspiration to find on her blog! Thank you for the reminder. Then again, I have 3 small kids, which is totally not your life. I think the fact that I get to be way more selective with my photos and take more time to think through what to do with my (far lesser volume of) photos because I don't have children is probably a big factor in my reconsidering how to document my year. I agree that PL as it is seems ideal for a busier home life and more people (especially of the small kind that grows up too fast ) to "keep track" of. I’m not over albums and page protectors and something about them really appeals to me but I definitely have been trying to include out of pocket stuff too. I think my Cocktails binder will be my secret knight to save the PL day this year... Bring on the heavyweight cardstock, vellum and glassine bags! mich5481 catseatcheese Thanks for the smashbook recommendation. I've done a couple several years back (before I found out about PL, actually) and should really dig them up to see how approached those.
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 2, 2018 20:31:10 GMT
Maybe you just need to do a few really creative projects on the side and continue with PL OR do a combination of 12 x 12 traditional and PL pages mixed. I do a fair amount of small books (Kathy Orta) for friends or trips and then happily get back to my 12 x 12 style.
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pancakes
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,993
Feb 4, 2015 6:49:53 GMT
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Post by pancakes on Apr 2, 2018 21:05:08 GMT
I know what you mean. I'm doing PL this year, after years of not finishing it. So we'll see.
One thing I do like about the 6x8 size is that I feel like it's big enough to put stuff in, but it's small enough where I feel a lot freer about not putting things in page protectors and doing more hybrid pages while also adding in stuff I've collected. When I do 6x8, I end up with a lot of odd sizes and I rarely end up using the divided page protectors...usually just the full 6x8 single pocket...if I even use it.
I think a binder of memories is more what you might be after. I loved your cocktails book, but it is pretty small. I'm not sure how everything will fit in there, but I think it'll be a good challenge.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 28, 2024 12:38:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 21:59:44 GMT
I have always had a love/hate relationship with PL. Right now I hate it. I'm so bored with it! Still trying to find my groove this year but I've abandoned PL and have no regrets. I too think you should look into trying a TN. You should look at My Little Journal's You Tube channel. Her pages are very tactile and incorporate lots of different products.
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Post by myboysnme on Apr 2, 2018 22:07:37 GMT
Project life to me is what I used to call collage scrapping. We didn't slide anything into pockets but rather placed things on paper as thought they were in pockets with almost no paper showing underneath.
I like to do pages that way, so I am suggesting not to use the pocket protectors and just place all the elements of a page on cardstock. Then you can change up as you desire, because every layout is just getting slid into a regular page protector.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Apr 2, 2018 23:52:28 GMT
Before I found Project Life, my gateway back into scrapping was Smashbooks. Oh how I loved those! After my recent reorganization I found a bag full of brand new Smashbooks. My first (and only completed) December Daily was in a smashbook. TN are too small for me. Corenescreations on You Tube has some great videos on modifying your smashbook pages to be interactive. She’s got some great ideas in those early years. youtu.be/URxtyCiQ6R8
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Deleted
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Apr 28, 2024 12:38:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2018 0:44:16 GMT
I'm another one to say mix it up. Doesn't matter who you are, what field you are in, human beings don't do well with endless repetition. We peak and then it's a downward slope. I've bounced around formats. I make cards when I don't feel like making layouts, or I switch to other crafts like making wreaths. I have a bad habit of buying more than I use, and looking at more than I make, but I like to experiment when I sit down. I always need to start with a picture and that drives the story I want to tell and the product and format that I want to use..... I love cecile potier's style. Since Celine Navarro closed down her magazine it's hard to find cecile's layouts. They appeal to me as they are minimalistic, a bit painterly, typically use white backgrounds, are monochrome or colorful and she uses stamps rather than embellies. Which is what I most like to mix things up, because when you get down to it a lot of the embellies are the same over and over again. same with the sentiments on pl cards. You might want to start looking at using general emphemera and techniques such as image transfer. I love what Rebecca sower does. She makes beautiful things out of very little rebeccasower.com/blog/try making a book using Coptic stitching
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Post by joblackford on Apr 3, 2018 4:09:35 GMT
I burned out completely on plastic page protectors a few years ago. I liked the idea of keeping memories but I just didn't like the plastic pockets any more. I went to a journal that I could write stories and details of my day in and also stick photos and papers into. That worked well for a couple of years but I'm taking a break from it this year. Playing in a black page journal to collect doodles and photos and papers. I've made my own notebooks with folded lightweight cardstock pages and bound them into small books (for DD). They worked OK. Better than the narrow limits of the TN format (and cheaper too). Have you thought of just making pages on cardstock and punching holes to keep them in a binder without the plastic. No kids - no worries about sticky fingers messing up your work, and you could include all kinds of lovely textures and layers if you wanted to. I like Jill Sprott's month in review layouts. She gathers photos that didn't make it onto other pages into an artsy layout at the end of each month. I've seen others on her Instagram. Her blog is here. I've considered making pages like hers (sort of) but I'm not great at editing down to just a few highlights.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 3, 2018 10:40:52 GMT
Thanks for the input, everyone! Grateful for the blogs, crafters and YouTube channels you all recommended. I have a lot to look at and ponder... @northrigg Does Cécile Potier still post scrappy projects these days? She seems to be one more of those who've grown away from the paper craft and veered into photography (like Stephanie Bryan). Or essentials oils (like Céline Navarro who actually stopped scrapbooking altogether for over a year but was recently speaking about getting back into it). I haven't done any bookbinding in such a long time, probably when I was 20-21... I should really get back to that! I remember how satisfying the final product was and felt in my hands. Rebecca Sower's a discovery! Have you thought of just making pages on cardstock and punching holes to keep them in a binder without the plastic. No kids - no worries about sticky fingers messing up your work, and you could include all kinds of lovely textures and layers if you wanted to. Yep,this is what I'm leaning the most to for PL right now. Windows of nice cardstock and some pattern papers that open up to reveal inner layers with the occasional smaller PP for things that need extra protection/support. Little secrets both contained and spilling out! This discussion thread has made me think more on the topic of scrapbooking being considered an inferior craft by many outsiders. I've seen folks on Instagram sell classes/online access to PL-type memory-keeping while insisting it was not scrapbooking but something cool and that they'd learn to "document life." Gee, thanks for the stereotype and good luck with the cognitive dissonance. Apartment Therapy had an article about the scrapbook section recently but it was more negativity towards the craft (scrapbooking isn't cool but here's how to hack papers to make cheap wall art). It's not because I want to break out of the PP mould that I'd no longer be scrapbooking, let's make that clear. There is no more passionate and inspiring community about documenting life and keeping memories than scrapbookers! Anyone who claims to distance themselves from the "icky" scrapbookers is perpetuating a silly myth and depriving themselves from wicked project ideas and visual design stimulation and inspiration. Just wanted/needed to vent about the other side of the everyday documenting debate...
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Post by woodysbetty on Apr 3, 2018 12:03:10 GMT
I have always had a somewhat scattered style...I love 12x12, but I intersperse different size pages and Pl layouts. I often do a travelers notebook style ( using what I have for the notebook) for vacations. I use that to journal and then scrap the trip when I get home. The notebook that travels with me tends to hold the ephemera and my thoughts, while the scrapbook tends to keep more general memories. So while I have PL supplies I don't really follow that style, I like to get creative with my travel notebooks, but after I have filled them with my thoughts and feelings I don't like to share them with everyone which is why I do the regular pages...
I totally why you are feeling restless with one style...I need variety too. Wish I had a clearer solution for you!!!!
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Post by caspad on Apr 3, 2018 13:49:59 GMT
I think my Cocktails binder will be my secret knight to save the PL day this year... Bring on the heavyweight cardstock, vellum and glassine bags! mich5481 catseatcheese Thanks for the smashbook recommendation. I've done a couple several years back (before I found out about PL, actually) and should really dig them up to see how approached those. :smile: last night I had the idea that maybe you could merge a smashbook style with that cocktails binder, sleepingbooty . do you have a 6 hole punch to make it easy to add things into the book? if not, let me know. I'm attempting a TN for a 52 Favorites project and I'm struggling with the small photos and how to keep it clean and simple but pretty. I like Melissa Morelli's style a lot but then wonder if I should be using more of my stuff, kwim @northrigg thanks for posting the Rebecca Sower link! I didn't know she was still around. I remember her from my early days of scrapping and her awesome tags and such. She had a product line with EK Success too.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 3, 2018 21:17:35 GMT
I totally why you are feeling restless with one style...I need variety too. Wish I had a clearer solution for you!!!! That's ok. It's nice reading that fellow scrappers have gotten antsy and needed a shakeup too at some point! I'm not too worried. I'll figure this out. Album Glass half full kind of gal here! last night I had the idea that maybe you could merge a smashbook style with that cocktails binder, sleepingbooty . do you have a 6 hole punch to make it easy to add things into the book? if not, let me know. I think I'm definitely marching towards a flappy smashy open-the-shutters-and-discover-what's-inside approach for this year. Glad to hear others feel like that sounds like a good match for me. Thanks so much for the kind offer. I have a 6-hole punch somewhere. I need to find where I hid it though. I know I kept it in the hopes it would fit SC/AE albums (which I think it does) but then tucked it away "safely." The hunt is on!
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 3, 2018 21:43:29 GMT
In fact, I never did PL long enough to have a full album. Also, for someone whose username is sleepingbooty, you don't spend a time asleep, do you? #okjesors 1. All theeese cards and no pockets I want to fill with them! PL is my scrappy drug of choice since I don't scrap retroactively. I really need to bend the format and make it work. 2. Haha, six hours and I'm ready to go. *punches the air* It's a reference to my scrapping at the coffee table, sitting on the floor. My derrière goes numb-numb after a while on the hard tomettes.
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Post by 50offscrapper on Apr 4, 2018 4:05:25 GMT
Never got into PL but Scrapbooking 12x12 is time consuming or me. So, I recently got a 6x6 album from Prima. It was the Magnetic Frank Garcia. I LOVE it. I do have to print small photos so for my next album, I think I am going to go with 8x8. So, this mini album is fun for me. Helps me complete a few Christmas albums, vacation, etc.
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Deleted
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Apr 28, 2024 12:38:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2018 4:35:31 GMT
I have been scrapbooking a looong time. When the over embellished scrapbooks came out I just shut down. No offense to that style. It is gorgeous. You girls who do this style are so over the top talented. It was too hard to much work for a busy girl like me at the time. Then Becky came out with PL and I loved her for it. I was so happy she brought back pocket scrapbooking again. I was so excited to get simple fresh products. Go to the store to get a PL kit and I am like "NOPE!" Ten billion cards of the same style. Two different sizes of page protectors. I was like This is not going to work! That day I decided to do my own thing. My book, my rules, and NO MORE TRENDS! I still love trends. I have to make my own rules with them. Now, I do a hybrid. I make my own page protectors with my Fuse. I do a mix of Smash Book & a traditional written journal. My next book I am doing as a disc bound. That way I can add and arrange pages that fit my needs. Lately I have been doing written journals and adding my photos with photo corners. Yes, photo corners. Sometimes I get fancy and even make them, lol. Nowadays with our pictures digital, Cloud drive, and better ways to archive we can play with our pictures and treat them as embellishments instead of the precious archival pictures of yore. My favorite for unique ways to use pictures in books is @diamondcloudstudio Instagram. Hope that helps.
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