Project Life Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Scrapbook OBSESSION Blog.com

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Mother Was a Scrapbooker. Heh.

Scrapbook ObsessionUpdated on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

*Picture from Smithsonian Magazine

Yeah, that was my main takeaway from THIS article from the SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE.

JUST kidding. Sheesh.

My actual takeaway was that scrapbooking continues to serve the same purpose for many that it did hundreds of years ago. From the article:

It let them take this ephemeral media, find the best parts, and give them permanence—and gravitas—by pasting them into a book.

This especially reminds me of today’s fascination with “Project Life”-type scrapbooking – where we’ve gone back to taking receipts, clothing tags, one-off photos, etc. and making them “special” by putting them in albums.

*Layout by SCRAPPYJEDI.com

The Smithsonian article does a great job of contrasting paper scrapbooking of the past and present with the way many now choose to document their lives – via social media (heathens!). It was an enjoyable read about the history of our hobby. Please check it out, then come on back and let me know your thoughts.

That reminds me . . . I saw that MEGAN HOEPPNER is offering a CreativeLive class this week called “FROM APP TO ARCHIVE: SOCIAL MEDIA SCRAPBOOKING” kind of combining these 2 ideas.

Small world, huh? Or something like that. Anyway, just thought you might want to check out the class. I’m signed up to watch it live for free. If you love it, you can purchase the class and have lifetime replays plus the extra resources.

And CreativeLive has a sale going on through July 25 (Megan’s class is $49 vs $79) so you can watch the free preview and if you love it, buy it on sale. It’s a great time to check out all their other classes, especially the ones in the “CRAFT & MAKER” category, including Becky Higgins’ amazing CL class on Project Life. I’ve been a CreativeLive junkie since first seeing Becky on there and this is the first time I’ve seen them run a sale – so jump ON it, chickie!

Happy Learning, Lovie ….

Project Life scrapbook blogs scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

A New Scrapbooking Project . . . and A New BLOG?

Scrapbook ObsessionUpdated on May 11, 2014May 13, 2014

As I mentioned in my LAST POST about my scrapbooking haul from Michaels, I’m starting a new project: a combination Gratitude and About Me journal and mini book.

From Michaels, I recently bought this gorgeous pink 6×8 album, along with the Weekly Planner and Journal Pages sets, by Project Life. I got them for either 40 or 50% off using sales and coupons.

Here’s the album with JUST the Journal Pages set inside and, as you can see, it’s chock full.

I had to put this page first in the album . . . SO PERFECT!

Obviously, I’ll have to pull out some of the Journal Pages to make room for some of the Weekly Planner pages, which is fine because they’re pretty generic, basically just lined or grid journal pages with differing amounts of space to write on.

I also want to take out these divider pages and use the monthly ones from the Weekly Planner set. If this works out, I’ll have a similar set ready to go for next year, too.

So, back to the MAMBI Sticks from the other post . . . I’m going to use 1 or 2 of those on the cover of this new album. I’ll be handling this book a lot so I don’t want to make it too fancy.

I just love the watercolor look of that green one. It’s going to be hard to choose!

Then I’ll use the stickers from the medium-sized MAMBI set on the pages inside. I want them to be mostly journaling and, because the pages are so thick, I need to keep them flat as well. These stickers will be perfect. They make me happy just to look at them :)

I haven’t decided yet whether to include photo pocket pages in this album. I know there’ll be times when I’ll want to use a photo but, to save room, I *think* I’ll print any photos 2×3 or 3×4 and adhere them right to a page, then write the journaling around the photo.

The reason for this project: I have so many positives in my life right now. I feel like I’m at a point where things are becoming more and more clear – about what I want from life, how to be “a positive” in others’ lives, things I want to tell my kids, etc.

I’ve even started another blog with this new vision and I’m SO excited! If I stick with it long-term, I’ll share the link here ;) Hey, I realize my flaws and being The Queen of Unfinished Projects is one of them, including new blogs. Heh.

My new blog will include some scrapbooking and memory keeping but will mostly be writing – about things I think you’ll really identify with – along with photos and lots of other great stuff :) I’ve written drafts of five posts already and I’m having a blast!

I wrote a lot in school and majored in creative writing in college; I miss writing and expressing myself in that way (other than about scrapbooking, of course!). I was driving home the other day and in the space of 20 minutes, I’d written down NINE ideas for posts I wanted to write. Now THAT’S inspired!

I hope I follow through and am able to share it with you – wish me luck!

Project Life scrapbook blogs scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Michael’s Scrapbook Haul from a GOOD Mike’s

Scrapbook ObsessionUpdated on May 11, 2014May 11, 2014

In MY LAST POST, I talked about my trip to an out-of-town Michaels – a GOOD Michaels – that I had so much fun shopping at. Now, it’s time to show you what I bought there.

Here’s the whole shebang.

I didn’t show these little MAMBI Sticks in the other post but ain’t they cute? I love these for Project Life and other pocket pages. They’re mostly flat but add a little bit of depth and lots of color. The little banners to their right by American Crafts will probably go in my PL as well. I love putting banners across the corner of a photo that has some white space. There’s a Heidi Swapp “Sunburst” stencil that I’ve wanted forever. {I could only get one and had to put the Hearts stencil back, boo hoo}. There’s the 2 chevron washi tapes from Recollections DIY; I also had pink but put it back. Like with the burlap embellishments in my last post, I’m hoping my Michaels will eventually get this washi and I’ll buy it with a coupon.

Here is the large MAMBI Sticks pack that I chose from the FIVE I wanted, LOL. I can’t find a name on it, unfortunately :( It has a lot of sayings about life, being positive, gratitude, etc.

Along with the medium-sized set of MAMBI Sticks in the top photo, far right, I’m going to use these on a project I’m starting. For that, you’ll have to read my next post. Yeah, I’m such a tease!

See ya’ later, gator ;)

Project Life scrapbook blogs scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Do the Scrapbookers Who Have a GOOD Michaels Realize How Stinkin’ LUCKY They Are???

Scrapbook ObsessionUpdated on May 10, 2014May 10, 2014

Because I went to a GOOD Michaels a few weeks ago while traveling and it was a-MAYZE-ing! They had all the stuff I hear other scrappers talking about online and wish-wish-WISHING! that mine did.

This cute project greeted me at the front table.

My store doesn’t even have this whole section called “Craft It” by Recollections. Some really cute stuff to DIY party favors, cards, scrapbooking, etc.

Look at those cute colored clothespins and straws!

I snagged two of these washi tapes!

Four new paper pads by Jolee’s – I’ve never seen paper by them, only embellishments. GO Jolee’s!

Even their Clearance stuff was better than at my Mike’s :P

I was tempted by this watercolor paper pad by Recollections but I still have tons of “COLOR WASH” by Heidi Swapp that needs to be used.

The “Sweet Tangerine” paper pad by DCWV was hard to pass up. I love all the orange.

I swear, “Hey Kid” by Pink Paislee has been on my wish list since I first saw it. But twice now I’ve seen it in person and failed to pull the trigger. I think I need to get just a few sheets and some embellishments, not the whole line. I just don’t love ALL of the papers.

And, oh yeah, all paper pads were 50% off so I expect you to really admire my strength in not buying any, LOL!

My Mike’s doesn’t have any of these cute burlap embellishments!

I had those mason jars and the letters in my hands . . . but they didn’t make the final cut :( I’m hoping my Mike’s will get them eventually and I can use coupons to get them later.

THIS Mike’s has almost a full aisle of paper pads! Does yours? Mine has about 1/3 of an aisle.

Look how high their paper racks go! Mine stop at about eyeball-level with about 1/3 as many racks. Hmph!

They even have a SCRAPBOOKING sign! Not at my store :(

This looks about the same as the Project Life section at my Mike’s.

My store has a section like this of random MAMBI, card sentiments, older K&Co, etc. but it’s not as filled in, has maybe about 1/2 as much product.

Found these cute new letter stickers in 3 colors.

Here’s a close-up so you can see . . . they’re made of a textured fabric and are slightly distressed on the edges.

And here is where I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven! MAMBI MAMBI MAMBI!! Man, their stuff is so bright, cheery, and uplifting. They can turn anyone’s frown upside-down, ha!

I knew I had to get some of these MAMBI Sticks but at $8 a package, I had to make a choice . . . or maybe two ;) So I looked at the backs to see what was in each package. I just love the sayings they use, the pretty fonts, and the great colors.

Love these letters – kraft with polka dots!

Uh-oh, found another set of MAMBI Sticks I like. This is getting ever harder to choose!

They had all the MAMBI Pocket Pages stuff which ~~I’ve bought out~~ . . . ahem, has mostly been phased out at my Michaels.

My store now has the Instax Mini 8 camera, mini albums, and supplies – a better selection actually – but this Mike’s had them 2-3 weeks earlier.

NOTE: These cameras are only about $60-70 on Amazon with free shipping (depending on the color you choose) at my link above. At Michaels, they retail (if I remember right) for $119. Even with a coupon, Amazon is cheaper. And some Michaels stores are not accepting coupons for them. Just a shopping tip!

Here are the 8.5 x 11 “Hot Buy” paper pads I heard about online but couldn’t find at my Mike’s.

This Amy Tangerine one with all the cameras was super tempting!

And, finally, some new embellishments from AMERICAN CRAFTS, aka the Monopoly winners at the game of Scrapbooking (did you get that? huh?). Something in this photo came home with me.

Those plastic letters on the bottom look like some I bought from Crate Paper “The Pier”
line a while back and I know I paid a lot more than $3.99 for them! I wonder if the quality and amount are similar?

If you want to see what I bought, stay tuned . . . you’ll see in my next post!

I hope those of you with a GOOD Mike’s nearby realize how lucky you are. You’re probably the same ones with a Hobby Lobby and a great Joann nearby too, aren’t ya’?? Jeez, I’m really jealous of you. I don’t even have those stores, no LSS, just a (BAD) Michaels. Waaahh!

So, which camp do you fall in? Do you have a GOOD Mike’s like this one that gets all the good, new stuff early on and has hoards of scrapbooking supplies? Or are you like me with a BAD Mike’s that gets new products much later, if at all, and in smaller quantities?

Project Life scrapbook blogs scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Project Life: Exclusive “Life Lists” Cards from Big Picture Classes

Scrapbook ObsessionUpdated on April 28, 2014April 28, 2014

As a student of Big Picture Classes, I recently got an e-mail offer for some very cool EXCLUSIVE Project Life cards.

They’re called “Project Life Themed Cards: Life Lists” and they are awesome! I only had to see the first photo above to know I was “in” – how sad is that?? But check out the ordering page below for more pics and a video from Becky Higgins telling you all about them. The cost is $6.99 per pack and I paid $7.00 in shipping when ordering 2 packs at a time. {Yes, I got 2 then went back for 2 more}.

I have only good things to say about the customer service and packaging of this product. I got the e-mail from BPC and ordered them the same day on 04/19, received notice they had shipped on 04/22, and they arrived on 04/24. You know how when you’re super anxious to get something, that fast shipping is worth its weight in gold!

I had a customer service issue regarding shipping (an issue on my end, not theirs). BPC resolved it quickly and were super nice about it. It required special follow-up and I couldn’t be more appreciative (thank you Mark @ Big Picture Team!).

Okay, shut up Erika, these ladies just want to see the cute cards. Here ya’ go!

This is how they were shipped, in a small envelope and plastic packaging (cute logo sticker, huh?). They were in great shape, nothing bent or torn.

This is the whole batch together.

All of the cards have the same design and saying on the front and back but one side is horizontal and one is vertical. That way you can choose which orientation you want to place it on/in your project. Here are all the 4×6 cards {you get 12}.

And here are all the 3×4 cards {you get 48}. I showed half in the horizontal orientation and half in the vertical so you can see the difference.

I just love the colors and simple designs. The focus is really on storytelling via lists. A lot of them gave me a laugh and I can’t wait to fill them out over time. My head is percolating with ideas on how to use them.

In fact, I bought some extra sets because I want my whole family to fill these cards out. I think with summer boredom coming for the kids, it’ll be a great activity and something we can share and laugh about together. It’s a cheap way to keep them busy and, hey, mama gets some awesome scrapping material out of it.

I’m still not sure what I’m going to use my own set for but I think I’ll have the kids fill theirs out and take a photo to go along with each one, then fill a mini Sn@p! or Project Life album with them. I think the list topics will generate some fun, Project Life-type photos that wouldn’t otherwise make it into an album and THEY will be the photographers. How about you – how can you see using these Life Lists cards?

I don’t know if the cards are available to order for everyone or if you have to register on the BPC site first. But either way, if you would do me the favor of registering through THIS LINK, I think I get a little commission if you buy the cards. If not, no worries! Also by registering, you’ll get future cool e-mails yourself. Big Picture does amazing classes and lots of free events like online PJ parties, a huge National Scrapbooking Day event*, etc.

*YES! NSD is almost here. It’s officially the first Saturday in May (05-03-14) but the NSD joy seems to extend from late April through all of May. Now that’s MY kind of holiday! Is there anything you’d like to see at Scrapbook Obsession Blog for NSD? I’ve thought about doing a round-up of all the shopping deals, classes, etc. so please let me know if that would be helpful!

Hope you enjoyed the photos and the “Life Lists” PL cards! Even if you don’t buy them, I think they’re still a great resource for your own life lists you can scrap. That’s why I photographed each card so you can copy down all the prompts if you like :)

Enjoy and have a wonderful week.