Project CP Life :: May 2013 w/Janna Werner

Hello everyone, this is Janna with a new Project Life double spread!

Once again, I combined two weeks to create a full spread - instead of dedicating one side to each week, I decided to mix my photos and events. I used a journaling card to write about each week separately.

It was my husband's birthday during week "16" - he turned forty!! Given that number, it's a rather big anniversary, so I dedicated most of the space to the special event. Funny enough, we hadn't taken any pictures during the big party - can you believe it?! We had been so busy preparing and celebrating that I totally forgot to get the camera out! I'm still shocked by the lack of images, but hey, I'm more than happy to make up for it via Crate Paper's "Party Day" collection. It includes lots of fun and festive "Happy Birthday" embellishments, like the balloons on the bottom right and the birthday candle near the bottom left.

As to the right side of the double spread, I used supplies from Crate Paper's Party Day, Maggie Holmes, DIY Shop and The Pier. Although the four cllections differ in theme and color scheme, they go together extremely well.

I have to admit, I'm still not happy with my handwriting in my PL album...I like my handwriting, but not in the album itself. This might be because I like things straight and my handwriting is rather curved. I used to write in big letters, which allowed the journaling part appear more structured and straight, but to me, it's a bit less personal, if you know what I mean. Guess this will be my challenge for the following weeks ahead - trying to find a way to incorporate my handwriting so that it's pleasing to the eye. ;)

When I started the double spread, I was a bit clueless how to fill the four squares on the left. I don't have a printer that prints photos in that size. I imagined in place of the missing photos I'd use cards, which made it a bit easier for me to envision how best to decorate them. Of course, I got outplayed by the "stacking-curse" and the page got thicker and thicker, *laugh*.

Sometimes, when the cards get too thick, they tend to slip out of the pockets. To fix this issue, I use transparent sellotape along the opening seam, preventing the cards from slipping out anymore.

I love to sew on my PL cards. I love the look of the leftover, dangling thread that hangs from the sides. I also like to write on my photos with a photo pen and fixative. The fixative addition is to prevent smearing.

You might know that this album started off as a weight loss album, though over time, it has evolved into an everyday life thing. In the first weeks of 2013, I used to take a picture of me on the scale each week and added it to the album. I used a Polaroid to take the photos, but the camera film filled up quickly. I was too lazy to run out and buy a new one. I then resorted to using my iPhone instead, but didn't print the photos *another sigh* - and then I realized that I felt totally pressured to weigh myself each week - the weighing became more important than moving more, eating healthier and everything else that I wanted to change in my life. Sometimes, You just need to admit to yourself that you failed on something, right? I still abide by my goal to eat healthier, move more, etc, but without the pressure. I still weigh myself from time to time, but not every week. It works for me!

My idea of this album changed a bit; I'm now documenting our life and adding pages about my weight loss when it feels right. I like having a PL album that is dedicated to one topic, but as you know, PL can get quite time consuming and is sometimes stressful. Beneath all that though is PL's popular motto; have fun, enjoy the process and share the outcome with friends and family when ready. That's exactly what I'm doing at this point in time!

On that note, I wish all of you a great day! Thanks for checking in at the Crate Paper blog!

Comments

Looks awesome!!

Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | May 17, 2013 at 05:55 AM

so pretty. i love your 6x6 'cards!' sometimes, i just stitch them into their pockets so they don't slip out. i find it stabilizes the page protector too!

Posted by: kelly | May 17, 2013 at 10:44 AM