Project Life 2013: Doing more of what I want...

So call me a band wagoner, but I just couldn't resist after a lengthy search on Pinterest and finding so many ideas on there!  I used to think it was just "Scrapbooking a la basic" but after seeing all the layouts,  I feel that I'm a convert to the Project Life style. 

Here are just a couple of reasons why:

1.  I don't feel overwhelmed by a 12x12" layout anymore.  Just like in education, breaking it down into little pieces, 3x4, 2x3, and 4x6 helps to make the pages move along quicker and easier. 

2.  I don't feel as if I have to make a masterpiece each time I make a layout.  Journal, Picture, maybe a tiny embellie.   Its cute, quick and immediately indulgent.

3.  I like focusing on the story as opposed to obsessing about that one pearl flourish sticker.  However this doesn't mean I have to sacrifice beauty, time nor creativity.

4.  JOY:  one of my key words of the year.  I like focusing on the joyful moments in my life and scrapping them, Project life inserts and sheets allow me to focus on the joy, not the economics of scrapbooking and the many tools, elements, embellishments that I MUST use on that layout. 

5.  Immediate satisfaction:  with my first week done and the second one close to completion, I find that I don't have the photos lingering around the craft table anymore,  I have them  off the digital camera, Iphone, instagram and into their respective sleeve. 

I hope that you too will find some solace in knowing that your page can be completed with minimal effort and not stress about the many layouts that aren't finished.


Resources:

1.  Join a group:  Facebook, Cricut and personal blogs have tons of swaps where you can get started, I personally like the following two groups:

• Croppers Delight NYC Project Life 2013:   They share wonderful printables, sales, advice and inspiration.   CroppersDelightNYCProject Life 2013 group on Facebook.  I know many of them personally and their generosity and creativity would get any newbie started quickly.  They have an in house creative designer who creates gorgeous PL cards.  Closed group, ask for membership.  

• Swappin Scraps:  These women are creative geniuses!  Truly experts in their own right.  If you never join a swap and only look at their body of work, you will see what I mean about creative geniuses.  Closed group, ask for membership at www.swappinscraps.blogspot.com.
 The groups swapped items are very beautiful, and handmade.  It gives you the paper crafted look without the mass produced look of many of the other Project Life products.

The first time I did a swap, I really didn't know what I was doing, but after I received my swaps, I was just amazed at how beautiful a little PL card could be.  Inquire, ask for membership.  Swappin Scraps is also on Instagram. 

• Cricut's Monthly Swaps:     On the message boards you will find tons of swaps that will help you create the things needed for your first PL page.  You can swap full PL cards, tiny titles, big index cards, etc.  Many groups for all interests and styles.  You must have a cricut.com membership.

2.  Pinterest:   I can't believe the quality of the work I've seen out there by these graphic designers.   I also love the SVG files that are somewhat PL ready, meaning they are in 3x4 format or 4x6 format.  Here you will find the trendy stencil templates I've been seeing.

3.  Facebook:  Facebook itself has many cute pictures and sayings that are easily printable from your computer.  Click on the picture, hit save as, save to your target directory, Print onnice cardstock or photo paper and you have an instant Filler card (a card to fill int he empty spaces).

4.  Magazine publishers:  Creating Keepsakes website often has quotes, titles and journal spots that are also easily printable.  Check back often, they have great ideas in the gallery as well. 

I wish you many hours of creating memories with your loved ones, and less hours trying to document them.  In the end, what good is that Scrabble sticker you are hoarding, if you never actually have the time to play it.

 My best wishes, for a productive Project Life.

S.