Project Life/Project 12/Project 365 monthly thread for January 2011

[pjlla]

I'm going to TRY and host a monthly thread for anyone who is trying to keep up with a project like this for 2011! I know many of you kept up pretty well in 2009 and not sure how many did it for 2010. I skipped 2010, but want to try a new method for 2011.

We are 13 days into January.... how many photos have you taken? Any of them printed? Have you kept up with the journaling? What kind of a start are you off to??

I will be the first to admit that I've slacked on this because I kind of forgot that I had intended to get this going.... but I'm not aiming for daily photos this time around, so it isn't as vital. I am going to "borrow" DS's camera this year and keep it in my purse. I found that was the hardest part when I did this in 2009... remembering to always have my camera. And my phone camera is only so-so... plus I can't figure out how to get the pictures from it. That was a big problem for my 2009 book... I still have blanks because the pictures are stuck on my phone!

Anyhow.... let's talk about our projects here. Feel free to share pictures too! They can be pictures of your past, completed year-long projects, or of your new 2011 book!.................P

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I'm in! I've taken a photo a day. I'm doing a thing, just for myself, called "one sentence journaling" (got it from The Happiness Project). It's not necessarily tied to my pic of the day, but when I journal at night (it's ALWAYS more than one sentence. . .I'm wordy!), I note what the PL pic was and why I took it.

I am ordering the kit from Amazon, but they are out of stock, so I can't get it updated til I can get one! This thread will help me keep on track though!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Thanks for posting this Pjlla!! I kept forgetting.

 

[MarieS]

I'm doing pretty good so far. I have my kit put together and the first page with 4 photos is done. I have taken photos most days--though this thread reminded me that I forgot yesterday but I still have time for today.

I was thinking to print out my photos just once a month before a crop. I will hopefully remember what I wanted to journal if it's only been a month! LOL I can't print photos at home so I'm thinking this will be easiest.

 

[wdwmickey]

I'm in. I've taken at least one picture everyday so far and I have thruough day 11 in the album already I'm going to print and put pictures in the album once a week. That way I'll always be current in this album. We won't discuss the fact that I'm 4 years behind in the family albums, or that I have 3 Disney trips to scrap

 

[pjlla]

I'm in! I've taken a photo a day. I'm doing a thing, just for myself, called "one sentence journaling" (got it from The Happiness Project). It's not necessarily tied to my pic of the day, but when I journal at night (it's ALWAYS more than one sentence. . .I'm wordy!), I note what the PL pic was and why I took it.

I am ordering the kit from Amazon, but they are out of stock, so I can't get it updated til I can get one! This thread will help me keep on track though!

I love the idea of "once sentence journaling". That is where I get really bogged down with projects like this. Maybe my goal for this year's project should be just one sentence for each photo.

Thanks for posting this Pjlla!! I kept forgetting.

ME TOO! I forgot to bring my camera AGAIN today to DS's b.ball day. Fortunately I had my phone and was able to get just one decent picture. But I remembered to bring it to the swim meet, so that was good.

I'm doing pretty good so far. I have my kit put together and the first page with 4 photos is done. I have taken photos most days--though this thread reminded me that I forgot yesterday but I still have time for today.

I was thinking to print out my photos just once a month before a crop. I will hopefully remember what I wanted to journal if it's only been a month! LOL I can't print photos at home so I'm thinking this will be easiest.

I found it pretty easy to remember what to journal when I did the Project 365 in 2009. On days when I thought I might forget a detail, I just jotted a note on the kitchen calendar and checked it when it was time to write up the journaling.

I'm in. I've taken at least one picture everyday so far and I have thruough day 11 in the album already I'm going to print and put pictures in the album once a week. That way I'll always be current in this album. We won't discuss the fact that I'm 4 years behind in the family albums, or that I have 3 Disney trips to scrap

You are doing great with this so far!! I haven't even CHOSEN an album yet, but I know I'm going to do this in 8.5 x 11 format so I can either print it at home or easily print it through Shutterfly or Walgreens.

It looks like most of you are right on track with this project! Glad to see that. I hope as you get pages finished, you share them here! And we can share ideas of photos to take as we start running out of ideas. I know when I did P365, I occasionally staged a photo to take into account National ___________ Day (the only one I remember at the moment was National Pancake day!!). That makes for fun at home and a fun photo!

DD finally showed me how to email my camera pictures to the home email, so at least I can actually USE the photos I've taken this year with my phone. Unfortunately, I've discovered that I CANNOT get the pictures from my old phone without it be put back into service (I thought there might be a way to just download them with a cord or something), so my P365 book will FOREVER have a blank spot or two where those photos are supposed to be. oh well... live and learn.

Keep going!! You are making a GREAT keepsake for your family! Holidays and big events are fun to look back at, but daily life is SO interesting in retrospect!...............P

 

[pjlla]

How's it going for everyone? I'll be the first to admit that I have been really lacking in taking good photos. I even missed a visit from family the other day.... it would have been a GREAT opportunity for something new to photograph. I'm hoping to get DS to take a quick picture of me behind the snowblower tomorrow.... I've certainly spent a lot of time doing that this month!!

Just about 11 days left in January!! Let's finish the month STRONG!!

Just a few ideas for photos for the remainder of January....

January is National Oatmeal month... make some for breakfast this weekend and photograph the family enjoying it. (Or make oatmeal cookies...even better!).

Take a photo of the tv screen announcing the next "snow day" for your kids.

Try a new recipe and take a photo of the completed dish.

Take a photo of your child with his/her teacher.

If you live where it has been snowing (a lot), take a photo of the snowbank that is threatening to hide your mailbox!!

Photograph your favorite piece of furniture... journal about where it came from, what it cost, when you bought it, etc.

Photograph YOURSELF! Don't worry about whether you look fat or thin... but try to do it on a good hair day!!! HOnestly.... as the scrappers, I think we probably don't appear in our own books enough.

Anyhow..... keep at it! Even if you have missed a day (or two or more)... keep going! This is really a worthy project....................P

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Your motivational posts are AWESOME!!! I've taken a pic every day, and continued to journal so I will have the info when the Proj Life kit comes in. There are supposed to be more in stock next week at Amazon, so I'm going to order it!

Most of my pics are of DS, but that's ok! I did take a pic of myself (well, DH took it) in Perry the Platypus pj's for Pajama day the other day! I so agree with what you said. . .we need to be in our books more often. I worry too much about "do I look fat?" and then look at pics from years ago, and think, "What was I worrying about? We look happy and that's all that matters!"

 

[jacksmomma]

I am doing okay. I have kept up with regularly jotting down the wild and crazy things DS says on a daily basis. I did miss a couple of photo ops, but getting back into the swing of things after being out of town has been difficult.

I love the photo suggestions pjilla! Great ideas!

My photo for today was really fun...I brought some of the snow in the house and DS plowed one of my baking sheets with his hot wheels. There was even a car stuck in the snow that a tow truck had to pull out...I love being a boy mom!

 

[pjlla]

Anyone taking snow pictures today?? I am!

I ended up taking a neat picture last night and I forgot to mention it. I was in the downstairs bathroom and noticed a misty almost full moon rising in the woods behind the house.... the moon was behind the winter leafless trees and looked really cool.

I had to try several different settings on my camera (I'm not much of a photographer) to get it to come out, but I think it will look cool (hard to tell on the camera LCD screen)................P

 

[pjlla]

Well, this morning I took a picture of the thermometer showing -9 degrees!! Super cold around here today!

How is everyone doing? January is drawing to a close.... have you taken a few good photos? Remember, unless you are doing the "picture a day" type of project, you probably just need a few fun photos to represent January. But remember to represent "everyday life", not just the special occasions.

I've got b.bal pictures of DS, swim pictures of DD, pictures of DH and the cat.... and even one of me snowblowing! So I feel like I have represented January pretty well. I'm going to start selecting photos for the January collage today.... but I won't finish it yet, because DS's birthday is coming up, as is DD's first day with her learner's permit... gotta include those in January's photo collage!! Plus DD has a Rainbow Girls installation tonight, so a picture of all of the girls in their gowns will have to be included!

I'd love to hear what kind of pictures you all have taken this month!

Here are a few more photo suggestions....

how about a winter picture of your favorite flowering bush/shrub/tree... you could juxtapose it with a picture of it in full bloom later this year.

maybe a picture of all of the boots lined up in the mudroom/entry way.

birds at your feeder enjoying their winter treat.

a pile of laundry waiting to be folded (well... at least it is REAL!)

Hope your day is GREAT!...............P

 

[wdwmickey]

I'm loving the picture a day Some days it's harder than others. It helps that I have other photogs to take pics too We've taken pics of myself and the girls using the wii fit, the dogs, the girls dressed up for "spirit days" last week, DH on the computer, the girls doing homework. All everyday normal stuff. No special days in January for us so some years there have been NO pics for January in the scrapbook

I was thinking of inserting a couple regular double page spreads for special events (birthdays, trips, etc). Has anyone done that in their 365 books? Do you think it would work? I can't imagine a whole year with no special layouts.

 

[JESW]

I am still here and I am still taking a picture a day for the 3rd year I am waaaaayyyyyy behind in getting pictures in the books but that's ok. I do have a notebook with all the photos I have taken listed. I also have an order in from Snapfish with quite a few pictures - I had to print a bunch for last years book. One of these days I'll get the books together but for now I am happy that I am still taking the pictures! (the toughest part some days)

Picture of the day today is of two of our older cats (we have 6) who are sisters. These two do not get along but they are currently both sleeping on our bed, in opposite corners, about as far away from each other as they can get. I want to document their relationship and that is one way to do it.

Jill

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

How's it going for everyone? I'll be the first to admit that I have been really la
If you live where it has been snowing (a lot), take a photo of the snowbank that is threatening to hide your mailbox!!

Threatening to hide my mailbox?!?!?!?!? Yeah, it's completely gone, has been for 3 years. I got tired of playing that game with the DOT so I stopped putting one up, but you can't see the post anymore for the snow. Is it mean to hope they don't see it and hit it? It's cemented in the ground which should do some pretty sweet damage to the truck.

I have been seriously lacking in in my photography. There are just so many pictures one can take of the snow.
I will see what DS10 has on his camera and add those to what I have now. But it's gonna be a thin month.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I'm loving the picture a day Some days it's harder than others. It helps that I have other photogs to take pics too We've taken pics of myself and the girls using the wii fit, the dogs, the girls dressed up for "spirit days" last week, DH on the computer, the girls doing homework. All everyday normal stuff. No special days in January for us so some years there have been NO pics for January in the scrapbook

I was thinking of inserting a couple regular double page spreads for special events (birthdays, trips, etc). Has anyone done that in their 365 books? Do you think it would work? I can't imagine a whole year with no special layouts.

Cheryl ~ I did the 365 Project in '09. I still did a family album of the year and special events.. I just couldn't not do the special pages... so I thought of the '09 book more of a "day in my life for a year"... I get exhausted when I look at the book...and even more exhausted when I realize I haven't slowed down much in the past 2 years!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I'm loving the picture a day Some days it's harder than others. It helps that I have other photogs to take pics too We've taken pics of myself and the girls using the wii fit, the dogs, the girls dressed up for "spirit days" last week, DH on the computer, the girls doing homework. All everyday normal stuff. No special days in January for us so some years there have been NO pics for January in the scrapbook

I was thinking of inserting a couple regular double page spreads for special events (birthdays, trips, etc). Has anyone done that in their 365 books? Do you think it would work? I can't imagine a whole year with no special layouts.

Cheryl I did a 2 page spread for each kid for their birthdays. I actually only had one picture for the week of DD's birthday so I did a spread with pics from every birthday for her. DS14 had a party so that was easy. Then I did a quick one for the middle boys opening their gifts.

 

[wdwmickey]

Cheryl ~ I did the 365 Project in '09. I still did a family album of the year and special events.. I just couldn't not do the special pages... so I thought of the '09 book more of a "day in my life for a year"... I get exhausted when I look at the book...and even more exhausted when I realize I haven't slowed down much in the past 2 years!

I thought about this too--I don't know that I'll have enough layouts to fill an entire album in addition to the 365 pics. I'll have to think on it some more

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I got to order my Proj Life today!!! It should be here by the end of the week!

Cheryl--I did Proj 365 in 2009, too, and I did a celebrations album on top of it--just had to scrap those pages!

 

[wdwmickey]

I got to order my Proj Life today!!! It should be here by the end of the week!

Cheryl--I did Proj 365 in 2009, too, and I did a celebrations album on top of it--just had to scrap those pages!

Brooke--you'll love the album kit I think I may order another set. A celebration album may be just the idea. Thanks

 

[pjlla]

I'm loving the picture a day Some days it's harder than others. It helps that I have other photogs to take pics too We've taken pics of myself and the girls using the wii fit, the dogs, the girls dressed up for "spirit days" last week, DH on the computer, the girls doing homework. All everyday normal stuff. No special days in January for us so some years there have been NO pics for January in the scrapbook

I was thinking of inserting a couple regular double page spreads for special events (birthdays, trips, etc). Has anyone done that in their 365 books? Do you think it would work? I can't imagine a whole year with no special layouts.

No reason why you couldn't do that. I still did/do all of my regular yearly albums (special events, birthdays, vacations) in addition to the P365/PLife, but if you weren't planning on doing so, you could certainly add extra layouts to the P life book.

Threatening to hide my mailbox?!?!?!?!? Yeah, it's completely gone, has been for 3 years. I got tired of playing that game with the DOT so I stopped putting one up, but you can't see the post anymore for the snow. Is it mean to hope they don't see it and hit it? It's cemented in the ground which should do some pretty sweet damage to the truck.

I have been seriously lacking in in my photography. There are just so many pictures one can take of the snow.
I will see what DS10 has on his camera and add those to what I have now. But it's gonna be a thin month.

I agree... even with DS's birthday, January isn't the greatest month for pictures. If I recall, my P365 January photos are pretty boring.... the cat sleeping, the cat laying in my lap, snow on the driveway, snow on the trees, snow at the school, skiing/snowboarding... you get the idea!

Cheryl ~ I did the 365 Project in '09. I still did a family album of the year and special events.. I just couldn't not do the special pages... so I thought of the '09 book more of a "day in my life for a year"... I get exhausted when I look at the book...and even more exhausted when I realize I haven't slowed down much in the past 2 years!

That is exactly how I thought about the P365 book I did in 2009. That was truly the first album I thought of as MINE. I was doing it to document our everyday life... for me! ALL of my other albums I do for others... mostly for my kids, some for my parents, gifts, etc. But P365 was for me. And it didn't take the place of any of my other scrapping projects... it was in addition to them.


Well... how goes it???? Today is my DS's birthday, so I won't have any trouble getting today's picture done!

Remember, if you missed a photos (or two) don't give up now! You still have an exellent opportunity to document this year in your family's life! You could add extra journaling to a spot where you are missing a photo. Or find a photo online of a big news event that happened that day.

Like I think I mentioned, I am planning to do my version of P-Life monthly with a photo collage that I will create in Picasa. I gave it a try the other day and made each of my kids a "year in review" collage for last year. It worked pretty well. It forced me to just select the BEST photos of each kid for the year (that was the slow part, going through the entire year's worth of photos). I clicked them into the "create collage" area and then decided on the collage type (mosaic), clicked "shuffle" until I was happy with the layout, selected a border color, and hit print! Then I did a facing page in a Word document, just highlighing what was special for each month. Printed that in a coordinating font color to match the collage border and I was done! It was fun! It won't take the place of my regular scrapping, but fun to try! I think it will make my P-Life book fun and easy and different. I'll share when I have January completed!...................P