November 14, 2011

Project Life Creative Team..

Hi everyone, you might remember me mentioning that I had a fun announcement coming. Well today is the day! I'm very excited to let you know that I am a new member of Becky Higgins' Project Life Creative Team.

The Email
As you know if you follow my blog, I am a big fan of the Project Life method of scrapbooking. One of my top priorities in the recent weeks has been catching up on some past weeks of my Project Life album. I was working diligently to get photos printed, memorabilia collected and completed pages into my albums. I was totally engrossed in the project when an email chimed on my computer. It was from Becky Higgins asking me if I'd like to join the Project Life Creative Team. A big smile came upon my face and I thought to myself, "How awesome is this?" I've been asked to be an integral part of something I am really passionate about. Then I stopped mid-email and thought, "What I am thinking, I just let go of a lot of work responsibilities. Am I nuts to take on more?" But then I read the rest of Becky's email and I knew this was for me. My responsibilities involve creating Project Life pages....simple as that....something I've been doing and am planning on doing for a long time to come. It was very easy for me to say YES!

The History
Anyone that knows me also knows that I am a huge fan of Becky Higgins and her work. From Becky's first scrapbook layouts that I saw in Creating Keepsake magazine, to her lettering and sketch books that I shared at every single crop I went to, to all of her many hair styles and home decor projects, plus watching her family grow through her shared scrapbook layouts...I've been there every little step of the way. I loved Becky's simple scrapbooking style. I copied her layouts and practiced her lettering styles. I was a little bit of a stalker as I look back on it. Okay, maybe a lot. Fast forward a few years and I've made my own way in the paper crafting industry with a style all my own.

Enter Project Life
When Becky's newest venture called Project Life came along, I knew that I wanted to give it a try. I was knee deep in design team work that involved mostly card making. My scrapbooks had been put aside. My favorite hobby that started when Josey was born was in a sorry state. I had piles of photos. I had tons of inspiration. I just didn't have the time to scrapbook. I went to 2-3 crops a year where I'd come home with 20-40 new scrapbook layouts. I loved the feeling of being surrounded with crafty friends, looking over old memories and putting together the photos + words + all my fun supplies. But up-all-night weekend crops were just too hard and I was still never caught up. Then Project Life came along.

A Simpler Way
Project Life was just what I needed to simplify my scrapbooking process. If you're not familiar with Project Life, here's the scoop in a nutshell: Simply pair your photos and journaling with pre-designed title and journaling cards. All of the components fit into a variety of photo pocket pages and that's it. The result is a scrapbook full of a year of your life, a special occasion or whatever you choose to record. The simple format lets you decide what other supplies you want to use and how you want to design your layouts. You don't have to be a creative super star. You don't have to make fancy layouts. It's simple and easy. There are currently FOUR designs of Project Life components available: Turquoise, Amber, Cobalt and Clementine. Plus lots of new page pockets and accessories. You can check them all out HERE.

(assembling my Amber Project Life kit for 2011...what a fun mail day!)

Why It Works For Me
Project Life works so well for me because it allows me to get creative with my supplies without having to make time consuming, traditional scrapbook layouts. As much as I love to make traditional layouts, the time factor is a huge disadvantage for me. There is no way I could scrapbook a layout for every photo or two that I take. My goal with scrapbooking is to always make the photos + the words and stories the main focus. Project Life is so super flexible that I can get as creative as I want with my mixy matchy style and endless amount of fun supplies...or I can simply use the provided materials when life gets busy and I just want to get the photos and stories into an album. Of course, there are times when I love to make those traditional layouts and I plan to incorporate some of those fun pages into my Project Life album too.

How I Use Project Life
I use Project Life to document a week of family photos + memories at a time. I usually take a photo a day or perhaps a group of photos that represent one week. I collect bits of memorabilia in the form of school papers, receipts, packaging, printed text messages, and whatever else I dig out of the bottom of my purse. I then pair the photos + collected items with Project Life elements to create a 2 page spread. All of my completed pages go into my Project Life binders. As the weeks roll by, my albums fill up and I've completed my goal of getting the photos + words into albums. I absolutely love it!

What's To Come
As a Project Life Creative Member, I'll keep on posting my completed layouts here on my blog. You'll also continue to see fun projects like my cards that I make from leftover supplies and more. Becky will also be featuring some of the Design Team projects on her blog from time to time. And then there's all of you. I've been reading lots of forum threads, emails and tweets about more people joining the Project Life community. That is great news! As much as I love to share my Project Life with you, I also love to see what others are doing with their Project Life too. The great ideas and inspiration keep me motivated to get those pages done.

That's Not All Folks
Becky has hand picked a fabulous bunch of girls to be my team members. I'm always excited to meet new friends, especially the crafty kind. Please visit their blogs today to get get to know them a little better:


And Miss Becky
I want to thank Becky for creating Project Life. And for inviting me to the Project Life Creative Team. And for inspiring me all these years. And for not blocking my email when I requested her mailing address to send her a notebook I made because she could not make it to a CK event I attended. And for having great hair and a knack for spray painting. Be sure to visit Becky's blog today also as she formally introduces the Project Life Creative Team.

You & Me + Project Life
It's gonna be a good time! Thanks so much for joining me today. Please leave your questions about Project Life in the comments section. I plan to make a running list of questions and address a few here and there with my Project Life posts. And be sure to link me up to your Project Life pages. I'd love to see them.
Put It In Perspective
These are the days, folks. The days you want to remember. They'll pass by quickly so if you're on the fence about Project Life...do it. You'll never regret taking the time to create pages and pages that are filled with your wonderful memories. I took my Project Life album upstairs today to share with the family and they loved it! They ooh'd and ahhh'd over funny photos, little things they'd forgotten, funny things we said, photos of how tiny our little kittens were....it all adds up to a wonderful life. Think about your life. Make sure you capture it.

45 comments:

KAREN said...

I.am.so.happy.for.you! A big CONGRATS to you! I miss your PTI designs but I LOVE your Project Life designs. You and Lisa Truesdell have inspired me to take my Project Life album to new heights. This year the album is for my son who graduated high school and started college. Next year it is for my daughter who just started high school. Time to get girly! Thanks for your inspiration and I look forward to more Project Life posts! And CONGRATS again!

Karen B said...

How wonderful! Congratulations! Everything you do inspires me so much, I know I am going to love all of your posts!

Congratulations on the new puppy as well! He is a real cutie, I am sure he is a joy to your family. Enjoy his puppyhood!

Ellie said...

SUPER WOW LOVE!!! BIGGEST OF BIGGEST Congrats!! LOVE it :)

June K said...

Congratulations! That is great news. I followed your blog and I follow Becky's blog. Love your PL pages. I'm starting my first PL and your pages are an inspiration.

Patti J said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful opportunity for you to continue doing what you love to do! Becky is so lucky to have you on her team! I wish PL had been available when our kids (now 30 and 36) were growing up! I would have been a dangerous bookmaker :) Congrats, again!

Cindy Lyles said...

This is so exciting Mish - so happy for you!!!! Can't wait to see what is ahead - the future is bright - way to go!!!!!

Beth Marchitello said...

Wow Mish! I am so happy for you! I relly miss you already at PTI, I was sad this morning when there was no link to you for the group post. This is such fabulous news! It is actually because of you that I started doing Project Life this year and it has really changed my life. Changed how I look at my days and my family and plus I am scrapbooking more now, just like you! I am so happy for you, seems like such a perfect fit! Congratulations! :)

Kristy Hansen said...

what exciting news. I hope you still some things for PTI ....because that is how I found you and visit all of you every day to see what is going on. Congrats......

Anonymous said...

Hello Mish - Your ADORABLE picture and happy smile, says it all!!

Barbara in Bellflower

Rebekah said...

I love my PL project. Such wonderful news to read your on her newly formed CT! I love reading your inspiring blog about PL!

Call Me Crafty Al said...

Congratulations!! How exciting for you. Can't wait to see more of your Project Life posts.

Tami McBeain said...

A huge happy congrats Mish! I've really enjoyed your Project Life posts and this is a perfect fit for you!

Lynn said...

Oh my goodness. I have a big HUGE smile on my face for you Mish! Can't wait to see even more of your fabulous Project Life layouts. I just finished my first Project Life album this weekend...and I'm a believer. 100%Project Life Believer. Thank you for getting me started!

LaraB said...

Congratulations! I am so excited to see a fellow Kansas girl make the cut! I recently discovered Project Life and can't wait to see your ideas. Thanks in advance for all your inspiration!!!

Shirlann said...

Congratulations! I love how life takes it's turns in the road for new adventures! Fun for all of us that follow you to do a little hitch hiking! I'm so looking forward to catching up with my PL album as you are a huge inspiration. Your creativity with that mixy matchy style is so appealing and fresh.

Angela said...

Congratulations! I read a handful of blogs each day, and two of them are yours and Becky's. Today, I read yours first. This new opportunity is a great example of how you just never know where your path will go in life - wishing you the best of luck with this new venture and all of your plans for 2012.

Unknown said...

Mish...I am so happy for you! I have been a huge fan of Becky's for years, like you and loved to hear your little snippets about stalking Becky! I have been aPL for several years now and I always enjoy seeing your PL album because you inspire me with your creativity! I can't wait to see what you come up with in the future! I wish you much luck and I will be "stalking" your blog!

Francie said...

Congratulations! It's obvious that this is a match made in heaven!! I always enjoy your Project Life posts, so keep 'em coming.

Kim H. said...

congratulations!!! you have inspired me for years on card making.... and you also inspired me to go the project life route as well!!!! I had already decided to start in 2012 so this is just even better news that we will have layouts from you to look at to inspire even more !!!! Woohooo!!!!

Rosie Lilya said...

AWESOME! So Happy for you. You have influenced me to also move more into the direction of simplifying my layouts too. I look forward to seeing more Project Life layouts. I'm working on my new Project Life kit too!

angel1990 said...

CONGRATULATIONS!! I've so enjoyed how you dress your project life up and inspires me!! : )

Tracy said...

YAY!!!! I was so sad when I learned you were leaving PTI, as you were my fave designer for that company, but now a new adventure! You inspired me to buy the kit and start it Jan 1! Just got to get my binder now.

What printer did you get? Is it a portable little one again? I want to find something to print from my iphone... any suggestions? Selling your selphy??

Melissa said...

So happy for you Mish...this is a perfect fit for you and you are such a wonderful representative for their products.
Melis

Denise E said...

I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! (Yes, I'm screaming out loud!) And, I am SO EXCITED for Project Life! Becky made a great choice in asking you to be on the team. I am jumping in and joining the PL family this year! Yaaayyy!! So, I will be stalking your blog (as I already did for PTI stuff) and will look forward to every post about PL, as well as your continued inspiration with PTI! =o) I have one question...how do you store your memorabilia and photos throughout the week before you put them into PL pages? Do you have a file system, folders or envelopes, etc that you use? Just curious. I'm so happy for you! Congratulations and we'll all be following you on this PL journey! =o)

lisa westphal said...

So*Happy*For*You!!! :)

Liz said...

Michelle, Congratulations!!! I absolutely adore your take on project life, so beautiful and inspiring! I can't wait to see what you will be creating as a CT in 2012 and I'm looking forward to working with you!

Suzanne said...

Mish, this is so wonderful! I first heard about Project Life here on your blog and you inspired me to use it as well, though I am doing it at a slower pace, more like a photo album. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us! And that photo of you is beautiful. :)

crimsoncat05 said...

congratulations to you!! I have to say, I have been on-the-fence about Project Life for a couple years now-- any words of advice to a totally non-chronological scrapper about PL?? It seems like such a big commitment, or shift in thinking, if you get what I mean... plus, we don't have kids (we do have pets), so I have the "we don't do anything special" thoughts about it, too.
thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle! There is a thread congratulating you on the PTI forums here - http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=25370 .
I know that you are busy so I didn't want you to miss it! :-)

Anonymous said...

Whoohoo! Good for you. So happy for you. I do so enjoy looking at your layouts (and cards). Best of luck in your new endeavor. Robin B.

Tracy said...

Congratulations! I enjoy your PL posts and will be looking forward to more inspiration as I start my PL journey!

db said...

Congrats Michelle! I am so happy for you and all the amazing blessings that have come your way! Even though I took a break from the stamping/crafting world you are one of the few that I continued to follow. Thanks for all your inspiration!

Diana F. said...

Wow, what an honor, congratulations. I miss seeing you doing PTI senior team projects, but visit your blog everyday and feel so inspired with what you are doing in the paper crafting industry. In my opinion you are one of the best in the industry, Becky was very lucky to get you.

Gina said...

Will you use Cobalt or Clementine for 2012? I can't decide which I want! Congratulations on the new gig.

Anonymous said...

You are so talented - love your work! I'm excited to be on this team with you and get to know you a little bit better!

Anonymous said...

So happy for you! But mostly happy that your daughters get to "see" their mom embracing, enjoying, and excelling at something YOU do so well! Complete inspiration for so many of us; PL or PTI 'ers or not. You completely go girl!

deb duty said...

I love that you were working on project life when the email arrived from Becky! This is such a great post about PL and I so totally agree with your last paragraph.
And by the way you look really cute holding those journaling cards! Looking forward to getting to know you!

Sue Ann said...

NO SURPRISE on this ...... you inspire many of us ALL THE TIME so let's talk about something just as important .......... YOU LOOK AMAZING in that photo .... girl whatever night cream you are using you need to send a sample to us when we buy something from your etsy shop. FANTASTIC PHOTO!!!

Cammie said...

Congratulations, Michelle. Your Project Life posts are always inspiring. I know that Becky feels very fortunate that you accepted her offer! BTW, you look amazing!

Linda said...

Michelle congratulations, thats really exciting news. I miss you already at PTI and was really excited to see your cards from this release, and wow, i pre ordered my PL way back in Sept for next year, and now i have a legitimate reason to stalk your blog and drool over your PL.
Linda in Aus

Bonnie said...

Congratulations!! Wow, I have to say you are one of the main reason I have made the jump into Project Life, I was so inspired by your pages, and how you really put life into prospective. Great Job Mish!!

Rycrafty said...

I have a question!
I love looking at your Project Life layouts, and wanted to order a kit for myself to do in 2012, but amazon.com says they can't ship those items to my address. I'm in Canada, and order things from the US all the time. Is there any way for non-Americans to get these kits?

Debbie Olson said...

Mish, I'm delighted for you! This is a match made in heaven--you GO girl!!!

Lynn said...

Good for you! Your Project Life posts show your passion for it. How awesome to be joining the team when you already do such a great job on your personal albums.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely love your new picture! and also congrats on the Project Life design team and also the new puppy!

Mary M.

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