How Did I End Up Here?

A week of PL

Here we go, year 4! As I said in my last post, I am continuing with PL for the fourth year. I haven't gotten bored with it, as others have. I thought I would share what works for me in the hopes of inspiring people just getting into PL, or to help those getting bored with it.

• Year to year I don't consider changing  the format of 12x12, Design A, as it is such a habit for me to think of my pictures and how they will fit in the week. I can see at some point making a week one page instead of two, but for now we're active enough that a 2-page spread works.
• I don't lock myself into ONE KIT, or one of anything (font, title page, etc). It doesn't bother me at all that in my books one week you'll find Elle's Studio, one week is Simple Stories, one week is a BH kit, then one is bits and pieces I created with scraps. You get the picture. I mix it up to break up the boredom. I am not concerned with continuity. I AM concerned with keeping up and keeping it fun.
• Speaking of which, I rarely get behind. Year 3 I got 6 weeks behind and HATED the feeling. Before that, one week behind was the worst case scenario. Turns out I went to an all-day crop and got caught up, although those weeks weren't the best pages I've done. This inspired me to stick with my schedule. On Sunday I print my pictures. I give myself until the next Sunday to get the week done. 
• I am fast. And what helps me with being fast is having a coordinated kit to work with. I don't spend a lot of time (10 minutes max) agonizing over card selection and placement. I also don't have a huge stash, which for me having too many choices slows me down. I pull 5-6 embellishments such as coordinating stickers, die cuts, veneers, etc once I decide which cards I'm using and I stick with them. I can do a week in 30 minutes, tops. But as you can see my weeks are pretty simple. 
• Simple works for me. If I wanted each week to be a masterpiece, I'd be in trouble. I don't add a ton to my cards. The picture, and a few words about the picture. That's my idea for success.

This was an Elle's Studio week. I used the January kit, as well as papers and stickers from the Good Cheer collection.

Wishing you the best in your PL process!

My Cover Page - 2015

I completed my 3rd year of Project Life, and started year 4. I still love this way of documenting our lives. Having my girls so many years apart, I know how much I have forgotten about Emily growing up. And it makes me sad. There is so much that I thought I would remember, and I just don't. No worries with Miss Jenna. :)

I used items from the Hello 2015 collection, as well as the Lots of Love Printables. You can see more on the Elle's Studio Blog.

 

The Best of Intentions

So rather than resolutions, I went with intentions. Yes, it may be because I've failed miserably at resolutions in the past . . . maybe not. I made 3 resolutions in my personal, professional, and creative life. For creative resolution, I resolve to

1. TAKE MORE PICTURES. I'm in a slump. I need to snap out of it.
2. Stretch myself creatively. Try something new, do something different. 
3. Blog more. Not daily . . . I know that will fail. But more often. 

Wish me luck!

Now on to the layout. Excuse the school photo . . . we had a professional come to school two years ago, and the photo cracked me up. I pity the poor person who had to photoshop my wrinkles . . . it was a big job, indeed. The reality it the picture looks nothing like me. That's probably why I use it. LOL!

I used the Hello 2015 and Love you More collections from Elle's Studio. 

 

Elle's Studio January 2015 Kit!

I loved working with this kit. I don't know about you, but I'm a little sick of Christmas colors. So working with these brights made me happy!

Here is a another view of the January Exclusive kit. Also, just a reminder. The kits are limited and once they sale out Elle's not be restocking! Look for a new kit each month on the 10th at 8:00 am PST, and as a special bonus to celebrate launch day, kits will be on sale for $9.99 for today only, regular price after that will be $11.99. These kits can ship first class: shipping for USA residents will start around $2.00 and go up from there, depending on the weight of what is in your cart. For overseas, it will run about $6+ depending on your location. Add-ons are also limited and while supplies last, and are made to coordinate with the kit.

The stamp set is called "A Bushel and a Peck" and is adorable!

And the "Lots of Love" wood veneers!!! How great are these? I know some DT members stitched around the hearts and they were so cute!

Also, check out these cut files and printables!!! I see a layout with that heart background in the near future. Need a new Cameo blade first. Mine's not working so hot right now.

There are the January Cut Files, the 12x12 Heart Cut File, the Winter Notes from This Day Printables, and the Lots of Love Printables.


Here is my project with the kit. A layout of the girls.

The papers I used are also from Elle's, from the Love You More collection. A must-have for those Valentine's projects and more.

Make sure you check out the gallery to see what the other team members have done with the kit.

The Winner!!!

of the Elle's Studio giveaway is 

 

Cynthia B. said:

Congrats to you! Elle's Studio continues to be one of my favorite companies - such cute products, and wow, are they generous!! Looking forward to seeing all the goodies soon! Cynthia/ soccerwidowcb at yahoo

Reply | Edit | View | 4 days ago on Elle's Studio Team …

 

Thanks for all of the kind comments!

 

ETA - I'm getting bounce back emails, so Cynthia can you please email me your mailing information?

Elle's Studio Team and a Giveaway!

Alissa Fast, Daniela Dobson, Danielle Flanders, Jennifer Chapin 

Jessy Christopher, Jill Sprott, Kay Rogers, Lisa Dickinson 

Meghann Andrew, Melissa Mann, Michelle Wedertz, Pam Llaguno 

Rachel Izakowicz, Stephanie Buice, Toni From 

 

 

 

Jenni Hufford, Waleska, Megan Klauer, Paige Evans 

 

I can't even tell you how excited I am to be a part of this talented team! I was part of the contributing team last year, and now join this amazing group for another year. As a kick-off to the year, Elle has offered this giveaway/blog hop. And I get to give away my favorite items!!! Just leave a comment here (including your email so I can contact you if you win). THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED January 7th.

 

My current love is the Hello 2015 line. For those of you taking on Project Life, this is the PERFECT start. One lucky commenter will win the following four items!

 

 

 

Here's a sneak of a few of my January projects using the Hello 2015 line, as well as the January kit.

 

 

And to increase your chance of winning, head on over to the blogs of the other DT members. We are all giving away our favorite 4 items!

 

I am really excited to be working with Elle's Studio another year. The Design Team Gallery goes live January 10.

 

Good luck on the giveaway!