It has been a while since I posted about Project Life, but I'm still loving it! Still doing it! I'm on year four of this amazing memory keeping process and it still brings me joy. Today I thought I'd share a process video where I walk you through (mostly in fast forward) how I put together a Project Life spread.
What is Project Life? It's a memory keeping system in which you use "pocket pages" to stash photos, ephemera, thoughts, etc. Everybody does it differently. This is a brief guide to how I personally do it:
- One two-page spread for every week in the year.
- Each and every day is represented by something — a photo, a screenshot, a piece of ephemera, etc.
- I put the date on every single image I use.
- My Project Life is hybrid — a mixture of digital and traditional.
Watch the video for lots more info:
Here are some photos of the spread from the video:
Here are some of my favorite Project Life supplies:
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Anticipating some questions you might have:
- I use three 12×12 binders for each year: Jan – Apr, May – Aug, Sep – Dec.
- I may have 100,000 binders when my life is over. If they end up in a landfill, I'm okay with that. I enjoy the process and I enjoy looking at them. A lot.
- How is it different from a photo album?
- Lots of journaling and story telling.
- Easy to include ephemera.
- Lots of opportunities for artistic expression. You can paint, doodle, stencil, stamp, glue, cut, whatever you want!
- How is it different from scrapbooking? For me, so different!
- My scrapbook pages usually feature very few photos. And the photos are usually very nice and "pretty." My Project Life is filled with silly, ugly, out of focus, grainy, real life photos. And tons and tons of them!
- I expect other people (often strangers) to see my scrapbook pages. I expect almost no one to see my Project Life album, so it's more of a diary.
- I don't care about "pretty" or "on trend" in my Project Life album. It's whatever is fun and pleases me at the moment. I work much harder at my scrapbook pages.
- You don't have to have any attention span to work on a tiny 3×4 canvas. A big 12×12 scrapbook page requires attention and thought.
- I do all the photo editing and collage work in Photoshop. If you'd like to get better at using any computer program, including Photoshop, I highly recommend lynda.com.
- My goal is to work on Project Life every week. This doesn't usually happen. Most of the time I end up binging and doing a month at a time.
- I don't ever think of coordinating things in terms of colors or design. It all goes together because it's my hand. At least that's what I tell myself.
What other questions do you have about Project Life?
To read my previous posts on Project Life, please visit these links:
- January 4, 2012: Project Life & Days of the Week Stamps
- January 19, 2012: Project Life: Keeping it Low Key
- March 5, 2012: My Experiences with Project Life
- March 6, 2012: Custom Page Protectors
- May 29, 2012: Project Life: Six Months In
- September 10, 2012: The Way I Do Project Life
- December 20, 2012: Project Life: Worth the Trouble
- January 12, 2013: My Project Life Must Haves
- April 8, 2013: Project Life: Ten Things That Work For Me
- October 7, 2013: A Massive Project Life Update
- March 12, 2014: Project Life: It's 2014
Thanks for stopping by!
First of all, you ROCK that dress Julie.
Second, I have pondered Project Life but never done it.
This changed my mind. I can approach it as if it is my diary.
I like how one can create it in small sections (not as planned as a canvas or LO).
Thanks for the video. It helps to see someone else’s process.
First of all, you ROCK that dress Julie.
Second, I have pondered Project Life but never done it.
This changed my mind. I can approach it as if it is my diary.
I like how one can create it in small sections (not as planned as a canvas or LO).
Thanks for the video. It helps to see someone else’s process.
First of all, you ROCK that dress Julie.
Second, I have pondered Project Life but never done it.
This changed my mind. I can approach it as if it is my diary.
I like how one can create it in small sections (not as planned as a canvas or LO).
Thanks for the video. It helps to see someone else’s process.
First of all, you ROCK that dress Julie.
Second, I have pondered Project Life but never done it.
This changed my mind. I can approach it as if it is my diary.
I like how one can create it in small sections (not as planned as a canvas or LO).
Thanks for the video. It helps to see someone else’s process.
First of all, you ROCK that dress Julie.
Second, I have pondered Project Life but never done it.
This changed my mind. I can approach it as if it is my diary.
I like how one can create it in small sections (not as planned as a canvas or LO).
Thanks for the video. It helps to see someone else’s process.
These pages are so bold and colorful, a reflection of your wonderful personality. I would love to see a process video or better yet an online class on how you use Photoshop to create your images, collages of photos ect. That would be great.
These pages are so bold and colorful, a reflection of your wonderful personality. I would love to see a process video or better yet an online class on how you use Photoshop to create your images, collages of photos ect. That would be great.
These pages are so bold and colorful, a reflection of your wonderful personality. I would love to see a process video or better yet an online class on how you use Photoshop to create your images, collages of photos ect. That would be great.
These pages are so bold and colorful, a reflection of your wonderful personality. I would love to see a process video or better yet an online class on how you use Photoshop to create your images, collages of photos ect. That would be great.
These pages are so bold and colorful, a reflection of your wonderful personality. I would love to see a process video or better yet an online class on how you use Photoshop to create your images, collages of photos ect. That would be great.
Sometimes I really wish I hadn’t found your blog Julie… in the nicest possible way!! I am so inspired to play after reading/ watching your posts – I’ve not done the Project Life before because I thought it would be hard to stick with & I feel my life is soooo average, but now I’m going to try. I’ve made some stamps after watching previous posts, and I’m even art journaling too (not as ‘freely’ as I’d like yet, but it will develop I’m sure!). Thank you so much for the ideas, encouragement and FUN you’ve given me via your blog posts! x
Sometimes I really wish I hadn’t found your blog Julie… in the nicest possible way!! I am so inspired to play after reading/ watching your posts – I’ve not done the Project Life before because I thought it would be hard to stick with & I feel my life is soooo average, but now I’m going to try. I’ve made some stamps after watching previous posts, and I’m even art journaling too (not as ‘freely’ as I’d like yet, but it will develop I’m sure!). Thank you so much for the ideas, encouragement and FUN you’ve given me via your blog posts! x
Sometimes I really wish I hadn’t found your blog Julie… in the nicest possible way!! I am so inspired to play after reading/ watching your posts – I’ve not done the Project Life before because I thought it would be hard to stick with & I feel my life is soooo average, but now I’m going to try. I’ve made some stamps after watching previous posts, and I’m even art journaling too (not as ‘freely’ as I’d like yet, but it will develop I’m sure!). Thank you so much for the ideas, encouragement and FUN you’ve given me via your blog posts! x
Sometimes I really wish I hadn’t found your blog Julie… in the nicest possible way!! I am so inspired to play after reading/ watching your posts – I’ve not done the Project Life before because I thought it would be hard to stick with & I feel my life is soooo average, but now I’m going to try. I’ve made some stamps after watching previous posts, and I’m even art journaling too (not as ‘freely’ as I’d like yet, but it will develop I’m sure!). Thank you so much for the ideas, encouragement and FUN you’ve given me via your blog posts! x
Sometimes I really wish I hadn’t found your blog Julie… in the nicest possible way!! I am so inspired to play after reading/ watching your posts – I’ve not done the Project Life before because I thought it would be hard to stick with & I feel my life is soooo average, but now I’m going to try. I’ve made some stamps after watching previous posts, and I’m even art journaling too (not as ‘freely’ as I’d like yet, but it will develop I’m sure!). Thank you so much for the ideas, encouragement and FUN you’ve given me via your blog posts! x
I started my first PL book just this January after finding your posts about it. I’d never heard of it before. I’d tried traditional scrapbooks eons ago and while I loved the end product I never fell in love with the process. Project Life tho… I love it so hard!!! I love how easy it is or I can make it complex if I feel up to it. I love that I’m using all the random cell phone pictures I take. It’s just so great and I’m always looking at my photos – which is the best part!
I started my first PL book just this January after finding your posts about it. I’d never heard of it before. I’d tried traditional scrapbooks eons ago and while I loved the end product I never fell in love with the process. Project Life tho… I love it so hard!!! I love how easy it is or I can make it complex if I feel up to it. I love that I’m using all the random cell phone pictures I take. It’s just so great and I’m always looking at my photos – which is the best part!
I started my first PL book just this January after finding your posts about it. I’d never heard of it before. I’d tried traditional scrapbooks eons ago and while I loved the end product I never fell in love with the process. Project Life tho… I love it so hard!!! I love how easy it is or I can make it complex if I feel up to it. I love that I’m using all the random cell phone pictures I take. It’s just so great and I’m always looking at my photos – which is the best part!
I started my first PL book just this January after finding your posts about it. I’d never heard of it before. I’d tried traditional scrapbooks eons ago and while I loved the end product I never fell in love with the process. Project Life tho… I love it so hard!!! I love how easy it is or I can make it complex if I feel up to it. I love that I’m using all the random cell phone pictures I take. It’s just so great and I’m always looking at my photos – which is the best part!
I started my first PL book just this January after finding your posts about it. I’d never heard of it before. I’d tried traditional scrapbooks eons ago and while I loved the end product I never fell in love with the process. Project Life tho… I love it so hard!!! I love how easy it is or I can make it complex if I feel up to it. I love that I’m using all the random cell phone pictures I take. It’s just so great and I’m always looking at my photos – which is the best part!
Always enjoy your PL updates!
Would LOVE if you posted your pages regularly!
Always enjoy your PL updates!
Would LOVE if you posted your pages regularly!
Always enjoy your PL updates!
Would LOVE if you posted your pages regularly!
Always enjoy your PL updates!
Would LOVE if you posted your pages regularly!
Always enjoy your PL updates!
Would LOVE if you posted your pages regularly!
Cool update. i do don’t PL but it is a nice concept, especially this version for really busy people.
Cool update. i do don’t PL but it is a nice concept, especially this version for really busy people.
Cool update. i do don’t PL but it is a nice concept, especially this version for really busy people.
Cool update. i do don’t PL but it is a nice concept, especially this version for really busy people.
Cool update. i do don’t PL but it is a nice concept, especially this version for really busy people.
Super awesome! Love the hybrid approach and how richly layered each indie pocket looks. 🙂
Super awesome! Love the hybrid approach and how richly layered each indie pocket looks. 🙂
Super awesome! Love the hybrid approach and how richly layered each indie pocket looks. 🙂
Super awesome! Love the hybrid approach and how richly layered each indie pocket looks. 🙂
Super awesome! Love the hybrid approach and how richly layered each indie pocket looks. 🙂
Love your PL update. I haven’t tried it yet because previously it seemed to complicated to me, but your most makes it seem very accessible, if you look at it as “You can make it be however you want it to be.” A question I have for you is – How do you view PL as different from your regular daily journaling – pro’s/con’s to each? I keep a regular art journal, but other than obviously the small size of the pieces, what are the benefits to PL as compared to regular art journaling? Why do you do both?
Love your PL update. I haven’t tried it yet because previously it seemed to complicated to me, but your most makes it seem very accessible, if you look at it as “You can make it be however you want it to be.” A question I have for you is – How do you view PL as different from your regular daily journaling – pro’s/con’s to each? I keep a regular art journal, but other than obviously the small size of the pieces, what are the benefits to PL as compared to regular art journaling? Why do you do both?
Love your PL update. I haven’t tried it yet because previously it seemed to complicated to me, but your most makes it seem very accessible, if you look at it as “You can make it be however you want it to be.” A question I have for you is – How do you view PL as different from your regular daily journaling – pro’s/con’s to each? I keep a regular art journal, but other than obviously the small size of the pieces, what are the benefits to PL as compared to regular art journaling? Why do you do both?
Love your PL update. I haven’t tried it yet because previously it seemed to complicated to me, but your most makes it seem very accessible, if you look at it as “You can make it be however you want it to be.” A question I have for you is – How do you view PL as different from your regular daily journaling – pro’s/con’s to each? I keep a regular art journal, but other than obviously the small size of the pieces, what are the benefits to PL as compared to regular art journaling? Why do you do both?
Love your PL update. I haven’t tried it yet because previously it seemed to complicated to me, but your most makes it seem very accessible, if you look at it as “You can make it be however you want it to be.” A question I have for you is – How do you view PL as different from your regular daily journaling – pro’s/con’s to each? I keep a regular art journal, but other than obviously the small size of the pieces, what are the benefits to PL as compared to regular art journaling? Why do you do both?
Love this- I am a PLifer too. I love the idea of digitally adding some of your art so you can use it over & over- genius. Thanks for the video!
Love this- I am a PLifer too. I love the idea of digitally adding some of your art so you can use it over & over- genius. Thanks for the video!
Love this- I am a PLifer too. I love the idea of digitally adding some of your art so you can use it over & over- genius. Thanks for the video!
Love this- I am a PLifer too. I love the idea of digitally adding some of your art so you can use it over & over- genius. Thanks for the video!
Love this- I am a PLifer too. I love the idea of digitally adding some of your art so you can use it over & over- genius. Thanks for the video!
LOVE this! I currently do PL but not much digital! Your work is amazing….any chance of a class teaching a few digital basics and how to create some great backgrounds??? Please!!
LOVE this! I currently do PL but not much digital! Your work is amazing….any chance of a class teaching a few digital basics and how to create some great backgrounds??? Please!!
LOVE this! I currently do PL but not much digital! Your work is amazing….any chance of a class teaching a few digital basics and how to create some great backgrounds??? Please!!
LOVE this! I currently do PL but not much digital! Your work is amazing….any chance of a class teaching a few digital basics and how to create some great backgrounds??? Please!!
LOVE this! I currently do PL but not much digital! Your work is amazing….any chance of a class teaching a few digital basics and how to create some great backgrounds??? Please!!
I totally agree Nancy! It would be great to see Julie do a class on her photoshop process!
I totally agree Nancy! It would be great to see Julie do a class on her photoshop process!
I totally agree Nancy! It would be great to see Julie do a class on her photoshop process!
I totally agree Nancy! It would be great to see Julie do a class on her photoshop process!
I totally agree Nancy! It would be great to see Julie do a class on her photoshop process!
How long does it take you to do the “digital collages” for each week? It’s genius, but considering it takes me hours to edit and print photos, I can’t even begin to imagine how long it might take me to do a digital collage! I’d love to know how long it takes you to do those.
How long does it take you to do the “digital collages” for each week? It’s genius, but considering it takes me hours to edit and print photos, I can’t even begin to imagine how long it might take me to do a digital collage! I’d love to know how long it takes you to do those.
How long does it take you to do the “digital collages” for each week? It’s genius, but considering it takes me hours to edit and print photos, I can’t even begin to imagine how long it might take me to do a digital collage! I’d love to know how long it takes you to do those.
How long does it take you to do the “digital collages” for each week? It’s genius, but considering it takes me hours to edit and print photos, I can’t even begin to imagine how long it might take me to do a digital collage! I’d love to know how long it takes you to do those.
How long does it take you to do the “digital collages” for each week? It’s genius, but considering it takes me hours to edit and print photos, I can’t even begin to imagine how long it might take me to do a digital collage! I’d love to know how long it takes you to do those.
Thank you for sharing the video. I love all the unique touches in your pages. I love that you scan your designs and art, and layer those all in as well.
Thank you for sharing the video. I love all the unique touches in your pages. I love that you scan your designs and art, and layer those all in as well.
Thank you for sharing the video. I love all the unique touches in your pages. I love that you scan your designs and art, and layer those all in as well.
Thank you for sharing the video. I love all the unique touches in your pages. I love that you scan your designs and art, and layer those all in as well.
Thank you for sharing the video. I love all the unique touches in your pages. I love that you scan your designs and art, and layer those all in as well.