Project Life Fizzle

see update at the end

I really should have titled this post, "Why My Project Life Project Died Before It Began," but that was just too long and awkward. For a couple years now I've been thinking about doing Project Life, but every year something happened that got in the way, either the kits sold out early or I ran out of money when they were actually in stock. (If you are not familiar with Project Life, it's a scrapbook project that requires you to take one picture and journal that picture every day, sometimes known as Project 365) Plus, I was seriously OCDing about starting on January 1st. So, after debating about which kit I wanted for a while, I went ahead and ordered the Amber edition last week. Mind you, it still hasn't arrived yet - but I'm planning to return it asap.

As I started to think about how I was going to accomplish this, I got a little anxious. First off, I'd need a point & shoot camera to keep with me. There goes another $109. I love my Nikon D50 DSLR but it's too heavy to keep in my purse on a regular basis. I also started to look at some message board topics for ideas and inspiration, and I saw the word "burnout" popping up over and over. Hmmm...not good. I started thinking back to my Week In The Life project and I remembered how burnt-out I felt doing that. Although the end product of Project Lifed doesn't require the same level of detail and photography as A Week In The Life, in the end I felt like I'd still have to be attentive throughout the day just to be sure I didn't miss that "one" special moment I wanted to remember.

It's a matter of having a camera with me at all times in order to capture just the right moment. Because, lets face it, who knows when during the day that might appear? And really, our lives are super boring. I honestly think I could document the thrilling excitement of my office life in just one picture. Yea sure, we do a lot of fun things - but the daily mundaness of life is just that, mundane. And frankly, I could care less if I forget what my office looks like in ten years.

I've decided to do a monthly review using digital scrapbooking tools and techniques. I'm going to incorporate my memorabilia and extra pictures using sewing to make custom page protector sizes to add to my album. I think this will be a lot less stressful and maybe I can get actually get something done this year!

I've recently discovered Cathy Zielske's The Monthly templates on Designer Digitals and that concept really speaks to me. I love the simplicity of the layout and how it really focuses on the pictures and story. Maybe traditional scrapbooking just never was for me?

To all those carrying on with Project Life this year - I wish you best of luck and please share your albums. Maybe I'll think about it again next year. Or not.
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EDITED: I received the box yesterday. I opened it and took a quick peek. I'm reconsidering! More later. :)

2ND EDIT: Uh oh. Make sure you read the post above. After going through the contents I found some serious flaws with my kit. Buyer beware.

Christmas cards ordered!

Color Me Merry Christmas Card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Going Digital - Holiday Cards 2010

As mentioned earlier, this year I'll be doing a combo of custom-designed printed Christmas cards along with a few hand-stamped cards. After researching a lot of sites, I finally settled on Shutterfly for a few key reasons.  The card designs are awesome! They've added tons of new card designs and they are all great! I'm also really familiar with the interface as I use Shutterfly for all my photo printing needs and have always been happy with the quality.  I also used Shutterfly for my daughter's graduation photo book and it was AWESOME (picture on left). The quality of the cover, printing and paper was great and everyone at the party raved about the book. It sold me on the idea of doing more digital scrapbooking for sure!

And if you notice, the folded greeting cards are printed on 110 lb cardstock, the same weight as Papertrey.

And you can't beat the price - includes envelopes too!

They also have options for digital scrapbookers including full-bleed photo cards and folded cards.

The one downside for me is that they do not offer a double-sided photo card option, but I hope they will consider this in the future.

Here are some links to check out:
Christmas photo cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards 
photo holiday cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery  
calendars to http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars
Christmas invitations to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations
address labels to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/address-labels
Christmas gift tags to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-gift-tags
Choose your favorite product from the Cards & Stationery page

I will be receiving an incentive from Shutterfly from posting this review, however I stand by every word. I have been using them for a while, and use them exclusively for my photo printing. I'm also absolutely addicted to the photobooks! I do hope you check it out. :)

Christmas Cards 2010

I've been debating whether or not to do a traditional hand-stamped Christmas card, or go the route I did last year and print multiple copies of a digitally designed card. I finally took a look at the calendar and decided it was time to make a decision. In order to take the pressure off and because they were such a big hit with family and friends, I'll be doing a digital card. I'll just have to try to ignore how much I just spent on Christmas stamps from Waltzingmouse and Papertrey and try not to feel so guilty. But if I can my digital cards printed soon, then I'll feel good about taking my time making some genuine handmade cards for a few folks who I know like the handmade stuff.

However, instead of printing at home I'm planning to use an online printing service. I'm thinking about using Shutterfly, and putting my own design on one of their full-bleed postcards. Any other suggestions out there?

Summer Is Over

Hello world! I've really been missing my blog lately. Our life has been in transition this summer, in a good way - I finally have a small craft room and I'm so ready to get back to making cards and scrapbooks. I haven't made anything in weeks!  Yikes!

Since it's back to school tomorrow, I wanted to share with you a nice little surprise. Last year I learned about this wonderful, eco-friendly lunch box from a company called Goodbyn.  It's eco-friendly because it completely eliminates the need for little plastic bags and juice boxes. And so kid friendly because it's cute, comes in great colors and includes a ton of durable stickers for decorating exterior. Anyway, the reason we're so excited because Goodbyn used a picture of my daughter Olivia with her Goodbyn on their homepage. Yay! (P.S. We're not affiliated with this company, nor were we compensated for the photograph. I paid for the Goodbyn with my own cold-hard cash).

All for tonight. Time to get the kiddo ready for her first day of 2nd grade. Check out this post from last year - guess what, I never did get caught up! But I've got something on the way that I really hope will fix that problem. :)