Project Life

This week I am sharing the week of December 24-31 from LAST year's album.

I like to call this week the "Granddaddy" week.  Because it documents Christmas Eve to New Years Eve.  It's jam packed full of goodness-- and the biggest week of the year, right!? Life get's pretty busy during the holidays and it's easy to get behind, but don't let this week go undocumented!   Now is a great time to catch up from last year, and also to create a plan for if when you get behind this year.

When I am attempting to catch up on Project Life, there are few things I keep in mind.   

1.  Keep it simple.  Don't try to go crazy in embellishments and product.  Just focus on the photos and stories.  Keep the extras simple.

2.  Add found items.   Is there an item -- other than a photo or journaling-- that will help you tell the story of your week?   Even though I had p l e n t y of photos from the week of Christmas, I was on the hunt for items that would visually add to the spread.  The Santa die cut.  The "It's a Wonderful Life" image (we watch this every Christmas Eve).  The museum ticket/map.  The night Christmas scene is a portion of a Nordstrom shopping bag-- i used it on the backside of my Instagram page.

3.  Use larger photos.  This seems to help with cutting down on my #1 point. :)  When I use a full 4x6 photo in the 4x6 pocket, and/or trim a 4x6 photo for the 3x4 pocket, it saves SO much time.   You can leave just the photo, or add a small Lil' Snippet label for your journaling.

4.  Inserts.   Yea, I went a little crazy this week on the inserts... BUT it's CHRISTMAS! :)   Sometimes when you have too many photos/info/stories, you can spend lots of time trying to cut it down.  If it's a big week (say, Christmas week) just add an insert or two.  Even though it's more, you will likely spend less time fretting over what photos to include or leave out.

4.  Wallet sized photos.   I LOVE using wallet size photos in my Project Life spreads.  It's a great way to use the 4x6 Large Journaling cards, which is perfect for a wallet photo and some journaling.  If you don't want to use ever 4x6 pocket space, this is a great alternative.

5. Include other family member's handwriting.  When attempting to catch up in Project Life, having another family member write the story is a great idea.   It's always fun to include someone else's handwriting included in your album.  Todd's dad was in town to visit us after Christmas.  Looking back, I could have asked him to write about his stay with us.  Another great way to include other people's handwriting is to include school work from children or to-do lists from a spouse or other family member. 

I hope this gives you a few ideas if you want to complete a past week, or in the coming months should you fall behind a bit.

Congrats to Nicolle Kramer, you won last week's giveaway!  Please email michelle@shopellesstudio.com the following info to claim your prize:

Name/Address:

Contest: PL Jan 8

Prize: prize pack

Today we have a giveaway!   Leave a comment here for a chance to win an Elle's Studio Prize Pack.  For a SECOND chance to enter, upload your Project Life spread in our Member Gallery and leave a second comment in this post linking us to your page.  The winner will be announced next Tuesday!

Project Life was created by Becky Higgins as a way to simplify how you document life and preserve memories. Photo pockets used in my Project Life album are created by Becky and can be found here.  You can read of all the Elle's Studio Project Life posts here.