Project Life Planning

Everyone tackles creating Project Life spreads differently. The process is as unique as our personalities I think. I wanted to share what has been working for me personally lately. I have long been a “go with the flow” type of person. I would make a spread at a time or print out a bunch of photos and then fit them into the spread.

This started leaving me with multiple pictures (because I’d reprint a different size) or extras that didn’t fit anywhere. I like to do a month at a time. That way I don’t feel like I’m ALWAYS printing photos but so that I don’t get too far behind. The one tool that has completely changed my process is the free planner pages from the super awesome Marcy Penner

I print out 4 of these, sit down with my calendar,  notebook and scroll through iPhoto (where my phone pictures are) and Lightroom (where my 5d pictures are) and jot down where I want each picture and what size. I also like to have my current Studio Calico PL kit with me and I’ll even jot down where certain cards will go.

This has been working SO well for me the last few months. I’m sitting here doing this as we speak

Once I’ve made all my notes I’ll export the photos into one folder, resize, add digital stamps or create collages and then send them all to print at either MPIX (if I have time) or Costco (when I want them in an hour)

This takes longer than printing all the photos without thought as to where they will go, but saves TONS of time in the actual creation process.

Hybrid

A quick bit of history - I started scrapbooking as a kid. You know die cuts, themed stickers, cut out photos… Then I started paper scrapping about 5/6 years ago, then switched to digital, another year and a half later switched to completely paper.

Finally the pendulum is coming to a rest in the middle I think. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. I made this hybrid page using the Roundabout Digital Triangle Layout Template made by my super talented friend Catherine. The page is about our last trip to Balboa on the boys’ request.

A bit of info on how I made it in my SC gallery

Roundabout Reveal!

If you are a subscriber you can order now! Purchase Roundabout and Add Ons here - if you aren’t a subscriber you can order at midnight!

I ordered PL kit, PL Add on, Navy Pier Add On, Stamp Add on

I also love the digital templates this month!

And have you SEEN the new boxes?! ALL PL subscribers will get one each month regardless of what else you order. You can order extras in the shop as well! You are going to LOVE these!

On to my PL weeks! Week 15:

Week 16:

Week 17:

Week 18:

Roundabout Sneaks

It’s the first day of summer here so I’m definitely going to need to get more deliberate about posting. I think my schedule is going to change from daytime working to nighttime working now that the boys are home! Before I share my Roundabout sneaks I wanted to share this layout I made for the Studio Calico blog - I have a video on how I made this layout up over there today!

On to the sneaks! For this month I used the PL kit, PL addon, stamp add on, and Navy Pier scrapbooking add on. LOVE the alphas this month! I made 4 total spreads.

NSD at Studio Calico!

The fun has started! Studio Calico just kicked off the NSD fun on their blog!

There are 9 total challenges with examples for Scrapbooking, Card, and Project Life for all of them! Check out the blog post for info on how to participate and how to win the grand $100 prize!

I took on the challenge of mixed media and I made 3 different cards showcasing it on this PL spread!

Week 14 Card: I placed thickers on a blank 4x6 grid card and painted over with watercolor on a small brush - super easy and fun! 

Excellence Card: To create the ombre effect I loaded up the water color paint and applied it several times to the bottom of the card slowly blending it up with more water. As I got to the top all that was on my brush was water. Once it dried completely I printed over it with my quote!

Love Lives Here Card: I painted a base of gesso over a printed PL card. Once the gesso was semi-dry I applied some water color on top of that. Once dry I layered it up with a cut file!

Now your turn to give it a try! It’s easy and fun I promise! I used the Artist’s Loft watercolor set from Michaels

Happy NSD!