Friday 12 April 2013

April Project Life Celebratory Blog Hop

WOW - I can't believe we are a quarter of the way through the year already! Time really does fly when you are having fun.
 
As this is my first year scrapping a-la Project Life, I really didn't know what to expect ... or where to start.  DH and the boys bought me some goodies for Christmas and my birthday (album, page protectors, core kit etc) and I've been treating myself over the past few months to digi elements to pep my photos up a bit.  And I am having SO MUCH FUN!
 
I can't believe how easy PL is - or that I am actually managing to keep up (almost).  Normally I would have given up on a year long project by now (have you noticed yet my lack of posts about One Little Word??), but PL is just so easy to keep on top of. 
By now, I think my family and friends have finally accepted that wherever I go, the camera goes too - although I think my Dad is still struggling to understand why I have pictures of my shoes and food in a photo album.  But as it's all part of our daily life - in it goes!
 
I am, by nature, a list maker (and procrastinator!) and I like to plan my pages and use those plans to keep track of which photos I'm using, what I'm journaling about etc.  I tried sketching them out on paper, but started stressing about how untidy and amateur they looked (yes, I can be a bit of a perfectionist as well!).  So, I drew out a template for each of the page protector designs I'm using on Excel, and added a space at the bottom for notes, special dates etc. for that week.

I'm mainly using Design A, but also have Designs D, F, G and H dotted around - more may be added as time goes on lol.

Assorted Page Plans



As you can see, the pages aren't always neat and changes are often made - but then hey!  That's the whole point of a plan!  Once I've sorted out my photo storage properly, I'm going to add the file names and locations for each of the photos so I can easily do reprints if family or friends want copies.
I also have a page at the front of my planner file with the dates for each week of 2013, and am highlighting the week number when the pages for that week are complete.

Weekly Tracker Sheet

 
So far, it's working quite well.  I also try to fill in my journaling cards each evening so that the day's events are fresh in my mind.
 
Some weeks we have TONS going on, so I add in an insert page or two with extra photos or memorabilia I want to keep ... others are very quiet so may only have one side of a Design A or D with one side of a smaller page such as Design H.  I also use filler cards, quotes, stickers the kids have been awarded at school etc to fill in gaps.  Having extra pages does mean I'm probably going to need 3 or 4 albums for the year, but I think it's worth it and I do love having the memorabilia such as birthday cards, DVDs, programmes etc with the relevant photos.
 
Week 6 saw the 10th Anniversary of losing my Grandad.  I wanted to remember him in my album, so I used one of my favourite photos of him, and enlarged it to fit into a 4x6 and two 3x4 pockets.  There wasn't much else going on that week, so it fitted in really well.  I think larger photos like this may well feature a lot more as the weeks go by, especially when it comes to holidays.
 
 
I am enjoying the PL system so much that I have also bought the digi page pockets and complete Cinnamon Kit so I can create albums for the boys with photos from birth, as well as a family history album using old photographs which I have inherited from my Grandparents and other relatives.  So, looks like I'm going to be a very busy bunny lol.

I hope my planner has given you something to think about - please leave me some love in the comments then hop on over to Katina's blog for even more inspiration!

Margie      http://xnomads.typepad.com
Maya        http://mayadahan.blogspot.com
Michelle    http://www.table-for-five.com/
Kristy      http://kmstewart.blogspot.com
Michelle R  http://MichelleRoger.wordpress.com
Emily        http://mrscraftyadams.blogspot.com
Barbara    www.maynardpl.blogspot.co.uk  <----- you are here!
Katina     www.lovinglifeslittleblessings.com  <----- go here next!
Michelle B   www.michellebostinelos.com/blog
Tina         http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/
Nicole       http://nicolemann.blogspot.ca
Marisol      www.mariclaudibenitez.blogspot.com
Brooke       www.graceandlight.typepad.com
Scruptious   http://eversoscrumptiously.wordpress.com/
Rechelle     http://Levanfamily365.blogspot.com
Kelli        http://whimsikel.blogspot.com
Sonia        http://www.craftshandson.blogspot.com
Shay         http://sbookinshay29.blogspot.com
Rebekah   http://istampscrapcraft.wordpress.com/

10 comments:

  1. I love to plan out my pages too. I normally do it digitally, but lately I've been liking getting back to pencil and paper.

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  2. I also plan my pages. It actually saves me so much time when I am actually putting my pages together.

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  3. I love using pencil and paper too. Nice planner!

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  4. I love your system Barbara! You seem very organized! I really like the large picture throughout the 4 pockets. What a great way to remember your Grandad :)

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  5. What a wonderful way to remember your Grandad. Looks like you are very organized and that is often key!! Great job!

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  6. Love the planning system you have. Once we move and get settled, I definitely want to tackle planning out my pages.

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  7. UMMM HELLO.................. I just posted on a Project Life group I'm apart of that I NEEDED a weekly tracking sheet..... would you want to share???
    Love all your photos and your planning :) Great job!
    Katina Martinez
    katinamartinez@live.com
    lovinglifeslittleblessings.com

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  8. Fantastic! Great planning system. I have never tried anything like that. I tend to do it once I have photos in hand. I should give that a go sometime just to see if it might work for me. The page you shared is wonderful. I love the tribute to your grandfather and it is a lovely photo. I love everything about it. Thanks so much for joining the blog hop. It is a pleasure to have you! :)

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  9. Wow that is a fantastic planning system, love the layout and how you used an anniversary of an event to highlight, keeps those memories recorded. Fantastic pages

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  10. I'm with you on One Little Word - I was very excited to pick my word, and I still think about it sometimes, but all my energy for stuff like that is going into my PL posts, and I'm behind in those. It's awesome you're keeping up! And wow you are super organized. I'm so impressed. That's a smart idea to add the file names to your sketch binder. I like the large photo of your Grandad, what a nice memorial.

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