Ali Edwards's Blog, page 117
February 19, 2020
Project Life® 2020 | Title Page + January
Project Life® 2020 here we go.
If you followed along with me last year you know that I was super happy with my switch to both a
9x12 album and to documenting monthly. My plan is to follow that same structure again for 2020 and continue using products from the Stories By The Month™ kits along with my stash.
You can check out my completed 2019 album using this same format
here.
Here's a look at how my album begins and a look at what I chose to do for January.
For my 2020 title page I used a
12x12 sheet of Grafix Plastic that I cut down to about 7x12. I don't have a reason why I made it smaller than 9x12, I just did.
On top of that piece of plastic I added a whole bunch of fun number stickers from a variety of past releases and projects. I loved diving into my stash and using up stuff I already have in my stash.
I used large
cork numbers, puffy number stickers, light blue puffy numbers, a white chipboard set of numbers, and small number stickers.
Next up I printed out one of my favorite photos from last year of the kids jumping on the trampoline as my opening photo. On top I added chipboard and word/phrase stickers from the January Stories By The Month™ kit.
Love creating little sentiment stacks like this - feels a little like writing a poem.
I've done a variety of intro pages over the years in my past Project Life® albums. You can check out my archives for past ideas: 2019 Intro Page, 2018 Title Page, and my 2017 Title page which also includes a look back at previous years within that post.
Moving on to January:
January was a fairly quiet month here because of my surgery (hysterectomy + tubes + one ovary removed). That said, there were still all kinds of stories that popped up when I looked back through the photos that I did take. I love how the photos help me to literally see the stories we were living for any given month.
The start of January includes a full page photo. For this I looked through the photos I had taken and picked this one to represent what this month "felt" like to me. I planted those amaryllis bulbs back in early November and they bloomed in mid-January. Before printing out that photo I added type along the outside edges using Photoshop. On top of the photo I added the "fresh start" chipboard from the January kit.
Next up I added a 6x12 insert to hold a few photos and sentiment two cards I really liked. I included a photo from when I was in the hospital and finally got to use the "this is hard" wood veneer that was included in a past Story Kit™ (I think the theme was "tough" if I remember right).
On the back of the 6x12 insert I added a couple more 4x6 photos. On top of each of those I added awesome puffy rainbow stickers from Elle's Studio + a word phrase sticker from the January kit.
My next insert is a 3x8 that holds a typed story highlight things from the month. I painted a piece of 3x8 cardstock using pink paint, let it dry, and then ran it through my We R Memory Keepers typewriter.
Love the imperfections of the type. Here's a closer look:
Along the bottom I added the "just happy" chipboard piece from the January Stories By The Month™ kit.
On the backside of that 3x8 I added two of the 3x4 cards from the January kit and added a rainbow in-between.
For the last page this month I used the page protector that holds all the 3x4 photos. I used two journal cards from the kit paired with various photos from the month. I added more of those Elle's Studio Rainbows + the black and white word phrase stickers.
Here's a look at how the whole thing came together via video:
SUPPLIES
9x12 Album
9x12 Page Protector
6x12 Page Protector
3x8 Page Protector
Grafix Plastic Sheet 12x12
Epson XP15000 Printer (for oversized prints)
Epson PictureMate PM400 (for 4x6)
We R Memory Keepers Typewriter
January 2020 Stories By The Month (digital version available here)
Elles Studio Puffy Rainbow Stickers
Avery Index Tabs
StazOn Ink
Cork Numbers
Puffy Number Stickers
Number Sticker Sheet Bundle
Light Blue Puffy Numbers
Chipboard Sheet Of Numbers White
Rolling Stamp
February 18, 2020
AE Creative Team | March 2020 Stories by the Month™ Physical Kit
Stories of growth. Stories of happiness. Stories of adventures. Today we are delighted to share some creative inspiration from our awesome Creative Team using the March 2020 Stories By The Month™ Physical Kit.
There are so many storytelling possibilities in this little pouch of products. As always, we are so grateful to our Creative Team for sharing their stories and creative inspiration with all of us!
February 17, 2020
Pieces Of Us | Digital Word Art + Cut File Package
For those of you who are documenting your Pieces Of Us adventure I've got a free digital file available for you that includes PNG files and cut files (courtesy of Cathy Zielske).
I'll share what I make with my content from the week soon.
Get Messy | Belonging
Reconnecting with something that I loved many years ago: art journaling.
I'm playing along with the Get Messy Art Journaling community and their current theme: belonging.
Why art journaling?
It makes me happy. It stretches me. It's playful. I need a hobby. It's something that teaches/reminds me I don't have to know the end before I begin. It's another way to tell stories.
Why not?
SUPPLIESGolden Acrylic PaintsRanger Texture PasteTim Holtz Roses Floral StencilKuretake Brush Pen Old rectangle stampStazOn Ink
February 14, 2020
Say Hello To #StoryKitCrush
Two of my creative team members - Krystal and Tazhiana - along with their friend Amanda have started a new weekly creative series called #StoryKitCrush. Every Friday they are sharing projects made with past Story Kits on their individual YouTube channels. Their mission is to get those products off your desks + out of your storage baskets and into your albums so you can actually tell stories with the products you love.
I love this idea so much! It's never too late to tell your stories and I love this encouragement to use what you have.
This month they are working with the Give Story Kit.
Here's a look at Krystal's two projects for this week:
Click over to YouTube to see her full process video.
Here's a look at Tazhiana's project for this week:
Click over to her YouTube channel to see her full process video.
I love this idea so much and am so thankful to these two for sharing their stories! You are invited to join in and share your projects using the hashtag #StoryKitCrush.
February 13, 2020
You Story Kit™ + March 2020 Stories By The Month™ Kit
In the
Story Classroom this month we are focusing on stories related to the theme of You.
Here are a few thoughts about this particular theme:
One of my favorite ways to tell stories is via letter writing. I love writing to my kids or to myself about lessons learned or how I see things right now. This month we are using the word "you" as the jumping off point for our stories. This is an excellent opportunity to write to the people that are most important to you or tell stories that focus on people in your life.
Initial story ideas for this theme include:
What is your current "you" and what is a story you have to tell about them?
Write a letter to someone important to you and tell them, using words, why they matter to you.
Pick someone in your life and make a list of things about that person right now using a prompt like "you are..."STORY KIT™
The
Story Kit™ includes:
Here's a video overview of the
Story Kit™ and Add-On options this month:
The
Stamp Set:
Here's a video overview of the Story Stamp:
DIGITAL STORY KIT™ (Included with the STORY CLASS)
Your digital kit and the classroom and any Add-Ons purchased will be available to you on the 15th once your card has been charged for the month.
Here's a look at what's included in the Digital Story Kit™:
And a couple peeks at the layouts I created with the kits this month in addition to the one featured at the top of this post (
full details, including process videos and how-to handout, are included with subscription):
Again, thanks so much for subscribing and/or considering my
Story Subscription program! If you have any questions about this program please let me know below in the comments.
Stories By The Month™ kits include 4x6 chipboard, 3x4 and 4x6 cards, a 3x4 stamp, a sticker sheet, and an embellishment (wood veneer, cork, etc). Stories By The Month™ Kits are all based on the designs we offered digitally each month throughout 2019.
Here is a full look at the kit:
And a video overview:
This subscription is a great option for those who are looking to tell more calendar/everyday life sorts of stories.
Add On options are available to all Story Kit™, Story Stamp™, and Stories By The Month™ subscribers
(this excludes Digital Story Kit/Story Class subscribers since you don't have any part of your subscription shipped already). Please note that the Crafters Ink pad option will only be available to Story Stamp™ subscribers.
Current and new subscribers can select + purchase Add-On's via your new drop-down menu access under your user name in the top right corner of the site. If you subscribe to more than one you will have a Box for each subscription and the ability to purchase Add-On's for each one. Depending on product availability subscribers may be able to purchase the Add-On's after the Add-On period has ended and regular shop shipping rates will apply because they will ship separately from the kit.
Check out
this post for more information about this new subscription, including differences between the subscription options offered.
February 12, 2020
Project Life® 2019 | Completed Album
Today I'm sharing a quick overview of my completed 2019 Project Life album:
My plans for 2020 are to continue documenting monthly using a 9x12 album. I loved the format this year and love that I was able to get it all in one album.
Questions? Let me know in the comments below.
February 10, 2020
AE Creative Team | LIST Story Kit™
This month we have been using the theme of LISTS as a way to document our lives with both facts and feelings. And today we are delighted to share with you the fun and inspiring ways our Creative Team has used these products to tell the stories of their lives.
As a reminder, Sunday, January 12th, is the last day to subscribe and receive the LIST themed-products.
As always, we are so grateful to our Creative Team for sharing their stories and creative inspiration with all of us!
Project Life® 2019 | December
Today I'm celebrating finishing up my Project Life album for 2019.
I'm so happy I switched it up and did it monthly this past year (vs. weekly). I was ready for a bit of a different approach and the end result is making me super happy.
One thing I ended up being really happy about was fitting it into one 9x12 album. It was touch and go there for a bit as I thought I might need to start a second one. This one is full but not too bad.
I'll share a full walk-through of my 2019 album here on my blog later this week.
Today is also the first day of the Pieces Of Us self portrait challenge. Grab all the details on that here.
Here's a look at how I captured December:
As many of you are well aware, December for me is all about December Daily®. I find that I'm completely satisfied with that for my December documentation so doing weekly Project Life in December has always been the very last thing on my list (a number of years the month of December is still empty in my past Project Life albums). With the monthly approach I was able to pick out a few things to highlight as well as give a little nod to wrapping up the year and moving on to 2020.
For this spread I used a 6x12 page protector insert with 3 pockets and a 9x12, 3x4 pocket page protector for the final page in the album.
I mainly used the December 2019 Stories By The Month™ kit for products in this spread.
I also did a little stitching with my sewing machine and added in some sequin hearts on top of a couple of photos and inside a pocket on the last page.
Stitching the pocket with a photo or journaling card inside and adding the small confetti stars was super fun. I totally want to do that more.
For the last page in my album I included photos from after Christmas and a couple journaling cards. That week between Christmas and New Years was rough around here because of worries about my health - it was an in-between time waiting for an apportionment with the gynecological oncologist (everything turned out fine). Aaron and I were lucky to have a little getaway during that time.
Here's a look at the process:
9x12 Album 9x12 Page Protectors
6x8 Page Protector November Stories By The Month™ (digital version with those designs available here) Grafix Plastic Sheet 12x12 (this is the page my leaf is attached to) Cork Leaf Embellishments StazOn Ink Epson PictureMate PM400 Printer Epson XP15000 (for enlargements) Power Punch Tiny Attacher 2.25 Inch Circle Punch
Check out my archive of Project Life® posts
here.
February 6, 2020
Pieces Of Us | Self Portrait Community Project Ideas + Inspiration
I'm so excited that many of you want to join me in a self portrait adventure next week: Pieces Of Us!
This is going to be so fun.
To get ready I wanted to share some additional thoughts and inspiration related to self portraits. Also, as you'll see below, I've gone back through my archives and pulled up a bunch of examples of photos I've taken of myself over the years.
Here are a few things to think about for next week:
My main goal with taking photos of myself is to include myself in my stories. Most of the time - as memory keepers - we are the ones behind the camera. I want you to come out from behind the camera this next week and get yourself in your own story. Remember: the best camera is the one you have with you. For most of us, that's our phones. Use whatever you want this week - maybe you've missed taking photos with your "big" camera or maybe your phone is simply the most convenient. Don't let that decision stop you from participating! This is an awesome opportunity to learn how to use your self-timer. Get out your manual, do a google search, and figure out how to use the tools you already have. So much about this entire adventure is a spirit of curiosity. What happens if I do this? What happens if I get higher or lower or get farther away or closer up? I want you to carry that spirit of curiosity with you this week. Use a tripod or get creative with where you can put your phone/camera to set up your shot. I often use furniture and books in my house to hold my camera steady.Our goal here isn't a perfect photo. My goal is never to take a perfect picture. As you'll see below, many of my photos are completely imperfect and I embrace that wholeheartedly. I embrace it when they might be blurry or overexposed because they are part of an overall story. When I take self portraits I like them to be representative of my life right now. You kinda can't help that from happening because it's who you are right now, but you can also go out of your way to include more of the "stuff of your life" in your photos. As you embark on this adventure I also invite you to really pay attention to the light. Where is the light coming from in your photo? What is the quality of the light - soft, warm, cool, harsh, etc. If you don't already, start becoming more aware of where the light is coming from and what it "feels like" in the photo. It can never hurt to check-in with your own self talk during this adventure. How can you turn around negatives into positives? Can you look for the things you love about yourself vs. the things you aren't currently embracing? Can you treat yourself with the kindness you'd give to a friend vs. berating yourself for whatever you think isn't good enough? This adventure is an excellent opportunity to practice these skills - because that is exactly what it is: a practice.
To help get you in the mood for next week I did a deep dive into my photo archives. I've collected some self portraits I've taken (going back to 2008) to help you start thinking about how you might want to creatively capture yourself next week. Let's dive in!
PS // I've also go a ton of self portrait photos on my @ae_wellness instagram account if you want even more ideas.
MONDAY : FEET
Think about all the places your feet take you in a 24 hour period. This one can be shoes on or shoes off - it's all up to you. Tell a story with your image.
(not a selfie of my own feet but a fun idea you could do yourself)
Our hands engage in so many things throughout the course of our day. They hold things, they push things, they make things, they give + receive, they wash things, they come together in prayer or meditation, they hold you up in a headstand, and on and on.
Show me your beautiful face. Look right at the camera and take a photo (or maybe look off to the side - play around with what feels right for you right now). You can smile, you can not smile, you can laugh, you can be crying, you can do any number of things.
I challenge you to say loving things to yourself in your head when you are taking this shot. It's totally a practice and it's one you can start today.
Literally, take a photo of yourself with your eyes closed. You don't have to be laying in bed and if you're taking a selfie your not really asleep.
LIterally, take a photo (or crop a photo) so it shows only a portion of your face. 1/2 your face can also mean you sitting at a table looking at something.
Obviously this one isn't a self portrait but I love the idea of trying to capture a photo of myself like this and it could totally count as 1/2 your face.
Bring on a little more of that opportunity to express love for ourselves.
As I reflected on self portraits I thought of a couple other people I want to encourage you to check out:
Vivian McMaster of Be Your Own Beloved. Follow her on Instagram here. Her goal is to help you see yourself with compassion through the lens of your camera.
Sarah Nicole Landy of The Birds Papaya. Sarah is known for promoting radical self love and body acceptance. I don't think that most of her photos are self portraits so the reason I want you to check her out is because of her words about self love + radical acceptance of our bodies.
Think mirrors, water, store windows, shiny surfaces, etc. Look for an opportunity to capture a reflection of yourself.
You've got this! I'm so excited to participate in this adventure with you next week. I'll be sharing my images daily on my @aliedwards instagram account each day with a recap here on my blog at the end.
