For all the details on this kit, please scroll down through my blog and see the past 7 updates. Or you can do a Search on Simple Stories and the entries will come up ~ thanks :)
Since my last update, there have been 2 new posts on the Simple Stories blog:
ALMOST HERE! (01-08-10) ~ More photos of what the kit looks like in action
RELEASE DATE (01-12-10) ~ Release date moved from January 18 to January 15
Just wanted to let you know that the planned release date has been changed from Monday, January 18, 2010 … to this Friday, January 15! For those of you who have placed pre-orders through me, make sure you go to my website ASAP on Friday and order the items you’ve pre-paid for. I don’t want you to miss out … these are going to be VERY popular kits.
The time of release is 9am MST, so figure out what time that means for your time zone if you want to be one of the first, LOL! It’ll be 8am my time (PST) and I’m going to order the kit, album, and page protectors for myself and then some extras to have in stock and sell at crops. I can’t wait to get the goods so I can start scrapping my Project 365!
Okay, I know those of you who could care less about Simple Stories are getting tired of these dang posts, so I’ll keep it short, LOL! Those who ARE interested, please post any questions here in Comments or e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.
Just a quick post to say that if you requested to be on my e-mail list for Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit updates, I sent one out yesterday. If I inadvertently missed you, please let me know :)
Also, there is an online crop this weekend at SCRAP SISTERS STUDIO. Please come join us for lots of fun! I think it’s going to be a busy and fun crop, because everyone is back in the mood to scrap after the holidays. Also, lots of the country is snowbound and very cold right now, so staying inside to crop, drink some coffee or hot tea, and chat with friends sounds perfect, don’t you think? I posted my first layout challenge ever and I’m sending a small RAK to everyone who submits a layout, so come check it out. HERE is where the crop is, and HERE is where you register if you’re not a member yet. Hope to see you there!
The excitement over the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit by MEMORY WORKS continues to build. Since my last update, there have been 2 more posts on the Simple Stories BLOG:
Q&A (1-4-10) ~ Some FAQs are answered More Elements (1-6-10) ~ Digital elements are revealed & see who the special guest designer will be
Speaking of digital elements, that’s what my TEASE was about earlier. The detailed info is in the “More Elements” post I linked to above, but here are the basics:
You print these on your choice of cardstock:
Then punch them out with this:
Fiskars 2″ Round and Round Scallop Punch
Or this:
Fiskars 2″ Round and Round Circle Punch
You print these…
… on sticker labels like this:
Avery 8167
As coincidence would have it, Memory Works currently carries both of the squeeze punches. If you would like to order either/both now, e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com or place your order on my WEBSITE. They’re each $17.50 and I have a feeling once the kit goes on sale, a lot of people will be ordering these so I can’t guarantee how long they’ll stay in stock.
I’m ordering the scalloped one for myself tomorrow and will be scouting out those Avery labels at Staples next time I’m there :)
Man, when I saw those scallop date tags, I literally gasped! I LURVE circle date labels like that and the fact that they were scalloped on top of it just sent me over the moon. They remind me of JILLIBEAN SOUP who makes all those cute and fresh-looking journaling spots.
I think all the free digital downloads are going to be so fun to play with, personalize, and use the heck out of.
In other Simple Stories news …
The latest date given for release of the “Life Documented” kit is January 18, a mere 11 days away! This is also from the Simple Stories blog:
——— The complete Simple Stories product line and Life Documented kit is estimated to arrive by January 18 – it may be a little earlier or a little later – but that’s our shipping estimate as of today. We will continue to keep you updated – and AS SOON as our products are available we will have them available for purchase. So let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope all goes well – that’s only 2 WEEKS away….woo hoo!!
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One last piece of news I’d like to share is this: According to an e-mail conversation I had with the home office, depending on the interest level (that means buy a kit please so they’ll keep making them, LOL!), Memory Works plans to continue releasing Simple Stories kits. These would be in 3-month intervals and have different themes. I’m so stinkin’ excited. I hope the first kit does really, really well and it encourages them to keep making more.
So, if you’re interested in Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit and the accessories that go with it, please see:
HERE about being on my mailing list HERE for shipping information
and HERE to learn about placing a pre-order
I’ve already received several pre-orders, which means once the kit become available, waiting for payment verification isn’t going to hold these girls up from getting their kit, album, and/or page protectors ordered. Very exciting!
So keep those pre-orders coming…and don’t hesitate to post here or e-mail me with any questions :)
If you’re interested in purchasing the SIMPLE STORIES “Life Documented” kit by MEMORY WORKS, I’m accepting pre-orders as of NOW :)
If you’re not familiar with Simple Stories, please scroll down and see my past entries on it.
Suffice to say, if you’re looking for a cool way to do Project 365 this year, or just want to get some quick scrapping done, Simple Stories may be for you. The response to this new product has been amazing ~ I think because it’s look is what so many of us consider to be “our style” and because it’s such a cool system ~ that I’m halfway afraid it’s going to sell out before I can get it to everyone who wants one.
Hence, PRE-ORDERS :) This way, I will have your payment already in hand by mid-January when the kit become available. Standby your e-mail though, because I’ll notify you when when to place your actual order!
Here is how it will work:
1. You decide which item(s) you want from the list below.
2. Add the appropriate tax for the city/county of the shipping address.
3. Add shipping/handling charges (see end of this post).
4. E-mail your request to me along with how you would like to pay (check, money order, or Paypal).
I’ll collect and process payments until the projected “Life Documented” availability of Mid-January. When the kit and items become available, I’ll e-mail you with instructions on what to do then.
{Which will be to log into my Memory Works website, place the pre-paid for items in your shopping cart, enter your shipping address, and submit your order. I will automatically be notified that your order has been placed and, instead of having to wait for your payment to be received, I’ll be able to approve your order for processing immediately … assuming your payment has been received and processed already}.
{But don’t worry about that part right now, LOL}.
Here are the items that will be available in mid-January
(to the best of my knowledge at this time…disclaimer done…check!):
Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit for $16.99
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We R Memory Keepers 12×12 D-Ring leather albums for $30.00
Colors are RED, BLACK, CINNAMON (brown), and KIWI (green)
Note: These albums come with (10) regular (not divided) 12×12 page protectors
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We R Memory Keepers 12×12 divided page protector packages:
4×6 horizontal pockets only, 25-pack, for $11.50
4×6 vertical pockets only, 10-pack, for $5.50
12×12 regular (no pockets) page protectors, 25-pack, $10.50
Multi-Pack (various pocket configurations as show below), 10-pack, $5.50
Exclusive Simple Stories “Life Documented” page protector bundle ~ includes complete Multi-Pack PLUS (12) 4×6 horizontal pockets only, for $11.50
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To anticipate some questions you may have about the above products…
Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit by Memory Works:
Exactly what items come in the kit?
~ Please see the graphic above for specifics on the exact items you get in this kit.
What is the quality of the cardstock items?
~ I haven’t personally seen the kit, of course, but the Simple Stories blog states that “you’ll love the quality of this super-thick, heavy-weight cardstock!”
Are the cardstock items pre-cut?
~ No, they will come as a 12×12 sheet and you will cut them apart yourself. They are sized to fit perfectly within the pockets of the WRMK divided page protectors.
Will this kit allow me to scrapbook an entire year’s worth of photos or an entire Project 365?
~ This truly depends on how generously or sparingly your use the elements of the kit, and how many photos you include in your project. For example, if you’re doing a “year in review” type of album, the kit does include (12) Monthly Title Cards with a spot for journaling on the back (which would show on the next page in your album). Everything is double-sided, so it does “double duty” in your album. With all the additional elements and patterned paper provided, I would feel comfortable saying you could complete an entire “Year in Review” album with just this one “Life Documented” kit.
I’m doing Project 365 for 2010 and will be using this kit to complete it. I’m not 100% sure that I’ll be able to complete my entire project using only one of these kits. Again, it really depends on how I lay out my pages, how lightly or heavily I use the elements on each page, etc. From looking at other scrappers Project 365s from 2009, I think I’ll be able to do it with just one kit. The majority of Project 365 is filled with your photos … at least 7 slots per 2-page layout, right? Depending on what type of “pocket” protectors you use on any given layout, the use of the kit elements themselves is going to be pretty sparing.
But that’s just my own judgement … You do what you feel is right for you. If you feel safer ordering 2 kits right from the get-go, I would do that. If you have extras leftover at the end of your project, whatever it may be, you can certainly use these elements on regular scrapbook page layouts.
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We R Memory Keepers 12×12 Leather D-Ring albums:
Are the albums good quality and will they hold up to large projects?
~ I have several of these albums myself, that I use for School Days albums for my family members. These are albums that are very full and are looked at a lot, and I’ve been very pleased with the quality. The albums seem very strong and I haven’t had any problems, nor have I ever heard of scrappers being unhappy with WRMK albums’ quality.
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We R Memory Keepers pocket page protectors:
Are the pockets on the front, back, or both sides of the page protectors?
~ I was really curious about this, too, as I was trying to conceptualize how I was going to lay out my Project 365 album using “Life Documented” and WRMK pocket page protectors. So I bought a pack of the set with 2×12 vertical pocket, and (5) vertical and horizontal 4×6 pockets. The pockets themselves are on the front side of the protector only; the back side of the protector is smooth. Obviously, whatever you put in the pockets, the backside of that will show on the next page of your album (if that makes sense, LOL!). That’s why Simple Stories has everything double-sided, and you get double duty out of all the cardstock elements.
Before you decide what you want to order, THIS is a great post on the Simple Stories blog to look at closely. It has all the elements of the “Life Documented” kit in one place, and I think any other questions you have will be answered in that post.
So, as I said above, if you’d like to place a PRE-ORDER for the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit, or the We R Memory Keepers albums or Page Protectors, e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com. Please include:
1. Item(s) requested and cost
2. Shipping address
3. Total due including items, tax*, and shipping/handling**
4. Payment method – check, money order, or Paypal
~ I strongly prefer Paypal, and will e-mail a Paypal invoice to you ASAP
~ If paying by check or money order, I’ll e-mail you back with my address
* Sales tax amount is based on the tax rate for the address you’re shipping to. There is a really cool sales tax rate lookup and calculator HERE.
** Please see THIS post for information on Memory Works shipping/handling information and costs.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns :) If you know of anyone who plans to order Simple Stories “Life Documented,” send them my way!
Okay, I percolated on it for a while (like how I can fit a coffee reference in just about anywhere?? lol), and I’ve decided to take pre-orders for the “Life Documented” kit. I’ll post more info later today (Sunday), but as a heads up, I can take check, money order, and Paypal (preferred). I’ll make sure you know all the items available, the prices, and how to submit payment. TTFN…
Okay, ladies, I think this kit officially qualifies as a scrapbook “frenzy” LOL!
Back in the day when I hung out at CKMB a lot*, someone would post a new product and before you knew it, the whole board was in a frenzy to find said item and get it in their possession ASAP. Then they would come post/brag about it, so the rest of us could be jealous :) Some examples of frenzy items: Fiskars “Threading Water” punch, Michaels $1 stamps, Basic Grey magnetic mats, and anything on sale for a fabulous price like the Heidi Swapp and My Minds Eye huge kits at Costco.
*Speaking of CKMB, I’ve been visiting again lately and it seems to have finally stopped logging me out every 5 seconds so I’m back to posting there again. Yay for me! I missed those sweet girls :)
Well, Simple Stories has reached that level, my friends. Every message board I’m on is talking about it, wanting it, and loving it. HERE is where I asked if you want to be on my e-mail list for updates about the kit, and I’ve gotten tons of requests. {Keep the requests coming…please e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com}.
But what I think is really going to push it over the top into Frenzyville is THIS! Yep, Simple Stories “Life Documented” by Memory Works is part of a big prize giveaway on ALI EDWARDS blog! Below I’ve copied over the part of Ali’s post that relates to Memory Works:
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One person will receive the Life Documented kit from the new Simple Stories collection by MemoryWorks.
Your photos and memories are far too important to keep in a box, store on a computer or bury in a pile. We know life is busy and at times it feels nearly impossible to keep up with all of life’s demands – yet alone find time for the things you enjoy like your scrapbook hobby and preserving your memories.
If you’re overwhelmed with too many photos…
If you’re feeling guilty for not being “caught up”…
If you’re overloaded with creative pressure and unrealistic expectations…
If you’re stressed because you don’t have enough time to scrapbook…
If you don’t know where to start…or worried if you can even keep up…
If you’re frustrated with the process of traditional scrapbooking…
If you’re looking for a better way…
Then you will love our simple and refreshing approach to scrapbooking!
MemoryWorks is beyond thrilled to introduce the new, exclusive Simple Stories scrapbook system. You can view our video here. Our innovative system was designed for scrapbookers of all levels who want to share their life stories and memories in a simple, yet meaningful, way – but without the time, guilt or stress of traditional scrapbooking.
Life Documented, the first collection in our Simple Stories series, is all about documenting a year in your life like never before. Our Life Documented kit allows you to share your story in a whole new way, while getting back to the basics of what scrapbooking is all about…your photos and memories. We’ve done all the work for you with our exclusive Simple Stories system – with beautiful pre-designed elements that you simply trim, add your journaling and then insert into pockets – along with your 4×6 photos – for quick and easy scrapbooking. No cropping. No adhesive. No stress. It’s as easy as that – sharing your photos and memories has never been easier!
In addition to the giveaway here, we’re giving away a FREE Simple Stories Life Documented kit, with coordinating divided page protectors and embellishments, a retail value well over $35. Visit www.mysimplestories.com for more details.
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OMG, that is SO exciting! Ali’s blog must be one of the most popular ~ if not THE most popular ~ scrapbook blogs out there. The exposure that blog post will provide is monumental. I’m so happy that even more scrappers will get to see what a great system and kit this is. What are you waiting for!?!?! Go enter the contest, silly! Just be sure to come back here when you’re done, K?
Since my last update, there have been 2 more posts on the SIMPLE STORIES blog and here they are:
REVEAL #5(1-1-10) ~ Alphas, Elements, Transparencies, and Papers
EYE CANDY POST (1-1-10) ~ See the whole line in one place
I think the most often asked question is “When can we get it?” and the answer is Mid-January. If you are anxious like I am and want to be one of the first to place an order, keep checking the Simple Stories blog, my blog, and get on my e-mail list. All three places will have up-to-date information. On the MW consultant message board, some of the consultants are taking pre-orders now and I’m considering doing that. I’m thinking if I had customers money already in hand, I could place the orders the second the kits are available instead of waiting until I receive payment. BECAUSE this is such a hot item, I do have a fear of them running out of kits before I can get them to all of my customers. So let me ruminate on that a bit and if I decide to take pre-orders, I’ll let ya know!
Hope you’re having a wonderful Saturday. I’m off to Costco…wish me luck! But then I get to hit Tuesday Morning and look for those cheap Thickers, and also Michaels to see what they got. My coupon isn’t good until tomorrow tho’….bummer, dude.
The response to this new line and kit by MEMORY WORKS has been overwhelming! Which, as a Memory Works consultant, excites me to no end. It feels good when so many people have such a positive response to a product that the company YOU work for sells.
So I’ve decided to do regular update blog posts here about it. Here is UPDATE #1 and UPDATE #2 in case you missed them. They don’t have “Update” in the title because I didn’t realize when I wrote them that Simple Stories/Life Documented would be such a big honkin’ deal, LOL!
I’m also going to start sending out e-mail updates to anyone who would like to be on my address list. If you would like to be on my list and receive updates about Simple Stories “Life Documented”, please e-mail me: scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com. {I would prefer you didn’t leave your e-mail address in my blog Comments, as then your personal e-mail is out there for everyone on the web to see and you will be spammed to within an inch of your life. Believe me.}
I’ve been away from the computer for the last several days, so I haven’t been able to share all the Life Documented sneak peeks they’ve been posting on the Simple Stories BLOG, but here are some links so you can get all caught up:
REVEAL #1 (12-28-09) ~ Life Documented Kit, Journal Cards, and Quote Cards REVEAL #2 (12-29-09) ~ We R Memory Keepers Albums, Page Protectors, and prices REVEAL #3 (12-30-09) ~ Title Strips, Border Strips, and Page Elements REVEAL #4 (12-31-09) ~ Journaling Mats, Quote Cards, and how they work with the Page Protectors
For this update, how about a What, Where, How kind of thing?
WHAT is Simple Stories “Life Documented” by Memory Works?
Let me scooch back a little and start at the beginning :) Memory Works is a direct sales scrapbooking company that has been around for 7 years. It is run by Amber and Kevin Crowell (husband and wife) from Utah, USA. Over the years, they have built a wonderful and successful business with consultants from all over the country selling the “latest and greatest” scrapbooking products direct to the customer. Until now, Memory Works has sold products made by other companies, such a My Minds Eye, Basic Grey, Pink Paislee, and Bo Bunny.
Beginning in January 2010, Memory Works will manufacture and sell their OWN product line called Simple Stories. The first release from this line is called “Life Documented” and it consists of paper (not digital*) scrapbooking elements, and it works perfectly with the We R Memory Keepers 12×12 D-ring albums and regular/pocket page protectors that Memory Works already carries. *The kit itself is paper but there will be a free digital element to it also.
WHEN will Simple Stories “Life Documented” items be available to purchase?
The We R Memory Keepers 12×12 D-ring albums and page protector packs are currently for sale through any Memory Works consultant. I notice that as of now, the Celery green color is out of stock, but other colors are available. My assumption is that the Celery color will be in stock when the kits are.
Speaking of which, the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kits are projected to be available for purchase in mid-January. MW does not believe in promising something until they have it in their hands, so they will not take orders until they actually have the product and know they can fulfill the orders. (My VERY OWN OPINION is that Memory Works trying to avoid a fiasco like Becky Higgins/Creating Keepsakes had with their Project 365 kits last year at this time….man, that got ugly!).
So, if you would like to order the albums and page protectors now, you can, or you can wait until the kit comes in and get everything at once. Totally up to you. Either way, I hope you will consider ordering from me (yeah, I have no shame…) and you would do so HERE. Instructions are HERE.
HOW does the Life Documented kit work and would it be a good fit for Project 365, Project 52, and the like?
The concept of Simple Stories is just that: SIMPLE. Take photos, get them in an album, embellish, journal, DONE. Sure, we scrapbookers are creative types, and we love to make more detailed and complicated layouts a lot of the time. But what if you’re super busy like me and find you don’t have the time to scrapbook that you used to? What if you took a big trip with lots of photos and are now daunted by the prospect of getting all those fab photos into one album, and getting it done, like, sometime this century?
Maybe your solution is Simple Stories. Take your 4×6 photos (no cropping necessary), slip them into divided page protectors like THESE from We R Memory Keepers, slip in some embellishment by way of nicely designed accents made from heavy cardstock, jot down some journaling on a predesigned card, and you’re done.
If you’re planning to do Project 365 in 2010 (or Project 52, Project 12, etc), you can see this will be perfect for these projects. The page protectors come in many different configurations, with different sized pockets, vertical and horizontal 4×6 photo slots, etc. so you can personalize it exactly how you like. Many of you have already purchased the PROJECT LIFE kit by Becky Higgins and that is awesome. Rock on, Project Life sistas! She gives you a lot of product for the price and her clean, simple style is very appealing. However, if the style of her kit doesn’t appeal to you, or you did her Project 365 last year and maybe want to try something with a different layout and look this year, check out Life Documented :)
WHERE can you order Simple Stories “Life Documented”?
You can order from any Memory Works Consultant. If she has her own website, you can order directly from there. If she doesn’t, you can tell the consultant what you want and she will place the order for you. My website is HERE. I take check and money order, but prefer Paypal as you will get your order quicker (since I don’t have to wait for payment in the mail before I can place your order).
No matter which consultant you order from, and where she and you are located, your order will ship from Memory Works in Utah. So it is NOT necessary to find a “consultant near you”, kwim?
Do you think a lot of your friends might like “Life Documented” or other Memory Works products? Want to earn a 20% commission on everything you sell and/or buy for yourself? Consider becoming a Memory Works CONSULTANT {starts as low as $20 sign-up!}. If you do sign up, I would love the free product credit I get if you put in my consultant number (wink).
WHY should I wait for Life Documented kit, when Project 365 starts tomorrow?
I have asked myself that same question, LOL! I’m going to do Project 365 for the first time in 2010 (HERE is where I agonized over the decision). Of course, I’m anxious to get started and afraid of falling behind. Waiting for 2 weeks into the new year before I can order Life Documented seems counterintuitive, right?
But I figure that once I receive “Life Documented”, it’s so super easy, I can get caught up in one scrapping session. Starting tomorrow on January 1, I’ll begin taking my daily photo and jotting some quick journaling about it in my dayplanner, notebook, or a Word document. {This is a practice I’ll keep up throughout the year}. Then when I get the kit, I’ll print out my 2 or 3 weeks of photos and pop them into the page protectors, copy over my journaling onto the pre-done journaling cards, add a few embellishments and accents, and I’m caught up. Piece a cake, I tell ya. So I’m not worried about it…
I like the “Life Documented” kit so much more than Becky’s that it’ll be worth the wait. Here are some pix so you can see how different they are:
A peek of PROJECT LIFE
A peek of LIFE DOCUMENTED
What I’ve been hearing on the message boards is that one kit or the other is “your style,” so it’s nice that there are 2 options we can all choose from, don’t you think? Yay, OPTIONS! We LOVE options!
ETA: I’ve been getting inquires from outside of the States, so I want to clarify that question. Standard shipping within the Continental US is $8.45 for up to an $87.99 purchase. For higher charges, there is also Rush shipping and shipping to APO/FPO, Alaska, Hawaii and US Territories. As of now, Memory Works does NOT ship outside of the US but, if you’re willing to pay the actual shipping costs, I can have any Memory Works products shipped to me in California, and I will ship them to you :)
So, I hope I’ve answered your questions about Simple Stories “Life Documented” by Memory Works. If I haven’t, please leave me a comment and I’ll answer in my next Update.
If you would like updates by e-mail, please e-mail me as explained above. And one last thing…
HAPPY SCRAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Have a safe, fun, and fabulous night :) Our plan includes pizza, movies, a fire in the woodstove, board games, and staying home where it’s safe and warm. I know, just livin’ The Vida Loca over here, ain’t we? {I do plan to break out the Dirty Martinis at some point, so if you see me on the scrapbook message boards tonight and I’m not making much sense, I’m probably PUI…Posting Under the Influence…ha!}
Okay, yesterdayMEMORY WORKS posted more news about the Simple Stories “Life Documented” line ~ yahoo! I am SO using this for my PROJECT 365! And probably lots of other stuff, too! It is super great looking, the price sounds right, and I love all the features of it.
I’m so stinkin’ excited! I love the celery green album and how the products match with it (although there will be other album colors to choose from, or you can use one you already have or buy elsewhere). Love that the price is only $16.99 for 180 pieces of scrappy goodness. Love that they have married this line with the We R Memory Keepers scrapbook albums and pocket page protectors, with all their various configurations.
{Here is one sneek…there are more over there…}
There are also answers to some of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)…
So go check out the Simple Stories SITE if you have a chance. You won’t be disappointed. And remember, they’re giving away a free kit every week until the launch if you post Simple Stories / Life Documented links or blinkies on blogs, Facebook, message boards, Twitter, etc. I’m going to enter each week and hope I win one :)
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On a different note…but I had to share… THIS Pea said there are Thickers for
69 CENTS
at Tuesday Morning!!! Along with other scrappy stuff, and even more coming after Christmas. See, Scrap Santa is out there and he has your back. Let us know if you find any Thickers or other stuff at your Tuesday AM, k?
Scrapbook product salivating aside, I want to wish you a Very Merry Christmas. Please be safe, happy, and well. Enjoy your families and food and all of life’s blessings.
Okay, okay, okay! You all convinced me to take the plunge and actually commit to doing Project 365 next year. Sheesh. We’ve been talking about it on Scrap Sisters Studio HERE and have quite a little group going of scrappers who’re going to participate.
If you’re already an SSS member and are going to do P365, please come join us. And if you aren’t a member, Good God, why? You’re missing all the fun! So come join SCRAP SISTERS STUDIO and then be part of all the P365 fun over there. There is also a 2009 group that does daily posts on 2peas; I’m sure they’ll do it in 2010 also. Some people are going to do variations on 365, like a “52” weekly layout, or a “12” monthly layout. No matter how you slice it, join in on the message boards and help us all stay motivated with this project, okay?
The new year is only 9 days away, so we need to get moving and make some decisions. What size and type of album are you going to use? Will you do a full layout per day/week/month, or use the pocket page method shown in my last post? Which paper and embellies will you use ~ scraps, lines you already have on hand, Becky Higgins’ Project Life kit, or are you shopping for something? If you’re using the pocket page protectors, figure out which direction the slots go and make sure you’re taking your photos correctly (the correct mix of horizontal vs. vertical), or be aware that you’ll have some editing or cropping to do to your photos.
I’m waiting on the new line from MEMORY WORKS to use for my Project 365 album, which isn’t due out until mid-January, so I can’t concretely answer all of these questions myself. However, I’m paying attention to what other scrappers are doing and am getting some great ideas for my own album. Here is what I do know: I’m going to use the pocket pages method, and do a 2-page spread with 7 photos for each week. Using the sample in my last post, that would leave a slot for a title for the week, 4 slots to hold (7) 4×3 journaling cards and (1) 4×3 miscellaneous card or embellie.
The kit I plan to use is called “Life Documented” and it’s from the new Simple Stories system by Memory Works. I don’t know a ton about it, because they are being quite saucy about revealing sneak peeks little by little. But I’ve read through all the material on THIS site and here is my impression: It’s the perfect line for Project 365! LOL
Let me be more specific … There will be pre-cut journaling cards and embellishments in various sizes (12×6, 4×6, etc.) to slip into pocket page protectors of the same size. It’s a paper product, not digital, although free digital downloads will be available to enhance it. There is mention of a “catalog” so I’m assuming it won’t be one huge kit like Project Life, but separate elements you can purchase according to your own specific needs.
Here are some peeks of what it will look like:
I’m loving the colors and this is so totally my style. Hello!?!? Scallops, graph paper, and brackets? Hollah! I think the look is very versatile, and will go with pretty much any photo. I like the binder looking paper, the flourish swirls, all of it. No, I’m not just saying that because I’m a Memory Works consultant and it’s a Memory Works product. How dare! I think you know by now that I call it like I see it. If I think an MW product is fugly or stupid, I don’t mention it at all. That’s just how I roll.
Like any scrapbook company with a new product these days, Memory Works is hoping to use the power of the internet and social networking to get the word out about this new product. To that end, they are giving away ONE FREE KIT per week between 12/17/09 and 01/18/10 and you enter by spreading the word. Details are HERE. So if you’d like a chance at winning, or you just want to be nice and help me publicize this new kit (Seriously? Yeah, I was very cheeky there, wasn’t I?), please check it out and participate. If you like what you see, and think you could sell this and/or other MW products to your friends, talk to me about becoming a consultant. It’s basically a no-lose situation. (Ha ha, “situation.” Do you watch Jersey Shore on MTV? When Mike says, “Cuz that’s The Situation. If you’re a hater, I got a full-time job for you.” Oh, love it!)
They even have 4 cool blinkies for your blog or siggie line on message boards. Here is but one rockin’ blinkie:
Okay, MW commercial is over. I mainly wanted to share that I have in fact committed to doing Project 365 in 2010! Uh, why did I just break out in a cold sweat? I’m really counting on you guys to keep me on top of this thing. Don’t let me slide. Like people have said, you don’t HAVE to take a photo every day. You can fill in those slots with journaling, with a receipt from your trip to the grocery store or other ephemera of your life, or you can fill in with undated photos that you (if truth be told) took on a different day (Gasp! Wouldn’t that be like lying to myself and future generations?? Ha ha, just kidding. Crap, even I’m not THAT anal).
Hearing things like that takes the pressure off a bit. And that’s a good thing because I have enough pressure in my life without adding this on top of it. Do I take the Mercedes or the Escalade to Pilates today? Do we go to the opera or a Broadway show on Friday night? Should we send little Johnny to astronaut camp or Olympic skiing camp this summer? I mean, really, do I DESERVE any more pressure in my life? I think not.
Once January 1 arrives, I’ll start taking my daily photos and writing some quick journaling on my computer or in a journal. Then when I do have more information about Life Documented, and do have the actual “stuff” in my hands, I’ll start putting it all together. Ideally, it would be great to get the whole album kind of “pre-flighted” (is that just a military and law enforcement term?) with all the pocket pages, title cards, and journaling cards actually in place in the album. Then you just add the photos in as you print them, and write the journaling then too. I’ve heard this as a helpful hint from those who did P365 in 2009 and it sounds brilliant to me!
So, I hope you have decided to join me in Project 365 next year, but if you haven’t, I totally understand, girlfriend. Uh huh, yes I do….
