Project Life 2014 - Title Page

Somehow I managed to miss the whole Project Life phenomenon- probably because the product launch coincided with my move to Spokane and thus my shelving of photos and scrapbooks for several years.  The task of going through bittersweet memories is never motivating, and the longer I left the photos buried in the closet, the more daunting the task seemed. So- they languished, my life went undocumented, and I crafted idly, limiting myself to cards, scarves, and special requests.

A few weekends back, I was wandering through the craft Vatican feeling sorry for myself. I was lonely and discouraged. I felt lost.  I stared listlessly at every paper, punch, and pen in the palace before picking up a box of Project Life journal cards. I felt a little spark of interest- I do love mustaches, after all. I flipped through a starter box, and then a few page kits, and finally an entire Becky Higgins idea book. Sitting there on the floor next to the alphastickers, I found myself wondering if, maybe, it was time to dust off the photos and process the memories. I used a Shutterfly free-prints coupon and bought a slew of page protectors and the mustaschey starter kit...and managed to catch myself up to Washington.  That's right- I scrapped five years in just two weekends. I scrapped everything (memories, photos, ephemera), everyone (friends, family, ex-boyfriends) and everything (funerals, parties, broken homes, and new beginnings.)

It. Was. Wonderful.

I cried buckets. I laughed until I frightened my cats. I bugged mom to help me remember dates. I called siblings to share memories. I let go. I did not sing Let it Go. I did heal, though, and remembered better things than I remembered when I put the photos away.  That was such a gift- a reminder that for as hard as those years were, they were also amazing and I am thankful they happened.

I also downloaded a free trial of Adobe Photoshop and discovered how easy hybrid pocket scrapping is. I'm pretty sure I'm hooked.  It is so easy to snap out the pages, then separate them into prints, place the orders, and voila! All done. I always loved the look of writing on top of photographs to help tell the story- and I love how professional the journaling looks on the pages, and the consistency (not to mention- no more typos!) I was just playing with the software, and put together the page on the left in 10 minutes. I've never made a page so pretty and so quickly.

 I'm staring my 2014 book now, complete with my own paper kit. just to see if I can do it. I decided to base the theme on Radiant Orchid, which is the pantone color of the year. I don't think I've ever detoured back to a store for lipstick before, but I did this time. The color embodies everything feminine and luxurious and gorgeous- it is both feminine and strong- and I love the complimentary colors too, of course. I suppose it looks a little like the evil stepsisters from Cinderella...but that could work well for the book theme too, right? Right?! Anyway. Let's stick with the radiance theme- all about light, and beauty, and warmth.

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