Project Life® 2017 | Week Three & White Pen Video Overview

Week Three of 2017 my friends, Week Three. For some reason it feels like a lot more time has passed so far in 2017. 

This week I intentionally tried to work on my spread as the week unfolded vs. saving it all for the end of the week. That meant taking the time to print photos every couple days/daily, doing a bit of journaling on the day itself, and really just filling in the pockets. At the end of the week I was able to just take a bit of time to finish it up by adding my last few photos and stories. This is my favorite way to work this project - more in-the-moment - but I totally get that it just doesn't always work out that way for me because life (and projects and deadlines and appointments) happens. 

This week I also took some time to play with a white pen bundle I recently ordered from JetPens.com. Below you'll see my video overview of how those pens worked on my photo paper as well as a quick look via video of my completed week. 

Here's a look at how my week came together in Project Life®: 

I'm continuing to use the number labels from the Numbers Story Kit™ (available until February 14th) on each of my photos this month. I also used the large red hashtag die cut from the kit - more on that below. 

I used the Typecast Typewriter to type directly onto the "love this" journal card. I'm still planning to do a separate post at some point about the typewriter but so far I like it. It's imperfect just like any typewriter should be (otherwise you might as well use your computer) and it takes a bit to get used to (figuring out the line spacing, etc) and I haven't been experiencing issues with the keys sticking (something I've read in other reviews). I think the biggest con is probably the expense - you can absolutely find old manual typewriters at second hand stores for a fraction of the cost that will likely work with a new ribbon (Katie has long been an expert at finding these at second hand stores). 

This week I added a sticker that was on one of the boxes of some of the new light fixtures we added to our stairwell. I always love adding in stuff like this that is a piece of our lives right now. 

I hand-wrote the MLK quote and saved it for you as a 3x4 PNG download here (includes both black with white type & words with a transparent background). 

One of the reasons I wanted to order the Project 52 Fresh Edition Core Kit was because of the weekly cards. I probably won't use them every single week, but I love the option to use them throughout the year. Super love the super clean black & white. 

Let's talk a short diversion away from my spread this week to talk about white pens. 

I recently ordered a White Pen Sampler from JetPens.com to test out a few options again because I like having an option to handwrite onto my darker photos. I feel like I do this every few years after I fall out of love with whatever white pen seems to be working at the moment. In putting this post together it looks like they are currently out of stock of this bundle (and some of the individual pens) so I'll also link to other buying options via Amazon below: 

For this test I used prints on Epson Glossy Photo Paper using my Epson PictureMate PM400 printer.

Along the right side (top to bottom): 

Sakura Glaze (this one might work better on another surface but it wasn't awesome on the glossy photo paper)
Sakura Gelly Roll Classic (available in my shop or Amazon)
Sakura Decorese
Uniball Signo
Pentel Hybrid

Along the left side (top to bottom): 

Sharpie Paint Pen
Uni Posca PC-5M
Uni Posca PC-1M

Here's a video overview of how each of these worked on my photos: 

Back to the spread: 

Simon's 15th birthday was this week so we did some celebrating. He actually spent his actual birthday snow camping with Chris and his Boy Scout troop. 

I ran the red ampersand die-cut from the Numbers Story Kit™ (with the kit you either get an ampersand or this hashtag) through the Typecast Typewriter and then adhered it to an old Bella Blvd pattern transparency (I cut it down to 3x4). I used washi tape to create a flip-up card that reveals journaling about Simon's birthday below: 

Under the hashtag transparency I added a phase from my Word Phrase Sticker Bundle. 

I am deciding to include a gratitude card each week using this pad (includes 75 sheets on the pad). The "Here's The Story" card is from a pad that was included with the Review Story Kit™. 

Hope you have a great week!