Week in the Life 2014 | Monday & Getting started

I am doing a memory keeping exercise this week that is rapidly becoming an annual tradition for me called Week in the Life. I loved my album so much last year, I figured why not do it again?

Getting Started| The Planning

One of my journaling ideas from last year that I really loved was to include lists. Each day I included a list of different life details.  Here is what I included: animals, books, meals, happy thoughts (counting my blessings), songs, good behavior moments (so easy to forget otherwise) and games we played.

I also kept a running document in my email of quotes that people said throughout the week.  At the end I compiled them all onto an additional spread.  It turned out to be my favorite page of the week.  No pictures, just words.  Looking back now is so fun because things that I took for granted have changed dramatically.  Nandini is no longer the baby.  There is a fifth person in the mix.  We are all a bit wiser. 

You can take a look at those pages I created last year over here too if you are interested.


The album

I debated back and forth about what type of album to use. I used 8.5x11 to make mine last year. I loved the size because it was so easy to print out full page photos. I also could use trimmed down PL cards for all the inserts.

I decided I wanted to try a change this year and go smaller. I didn't want the pressure of having too find too much content. I thought about doing a nice 6x8 handbook. It still comes with divided pages for PL cards.  But in the end it was a cute 4x4 mini from WRMK that won out. I used one before for a Disney mini, which was basically a week long trip.  Plus, I like the eclectic possibilities it seems to allow in terms of mixed media inserts from little envelopes or transparencies.

The Supplies

 

I didn't buy a kit this year (nor did I last year).  I do have plenty of my own stash though just waiting for me to dig into. I grabbed a few coordinating things to use as the week unfolds.  This allows me some built in continuity for the album without creating too rigid a structure.  I started with some fun day of the week dividers.  Just a screen printed transparency cut and holes punched in. 

I added some stamp sets, additional transparencies and a few patterned paper sheets.  Mostly a blue and gold color palette. Not sure how I will use that yet or not. I also decided to go with a lot of circular design elements to contrast the blocky album.

The photos

I am mainly using my iPhone for this project. I use VSCOcam to edit all my photos.  Easy, simple and great quality. Done.

I am also printing at home. A mix of full pages and collages. So much faster and easier for me. Since I am working on it during the week, fitting in printing photos daily is more streamlined at home. Just a quick dash to the printer whenever I have a bit of free time to work.

More Monday Highlights

Sharing

I am going to blog about my progress each day this week.  I will probably blog my album pages a day later. I am also sharing snippets on instagram and just tagging them #weekinthelife.  If you are playing along, let me know I'd love to follow along with you too!