Project CP Life :: June 2013 w/Megan Klauer

This week, I'm sharing a spread all about saying "Hello to Summer" by once again using the beautiful Pier collection.

I like to describe my Project Life "style" by calling it as it is: One Hot Mess. It's random, full of pattern and most often, saturated in bright colors, but it's also all about "us" right now and that is what I love most about it!

Today, I'm going to share a few tips and go a bit more in depth about each pocket that makes up my two-page spread.

When I first started Project Life back in January, my process was so much more involved. I would make a list of photos, sketch out my pages, resize and print my photos to fit exactly where I wanted them to go and then finally, I got to the fun creative part of putting it all together. The truth is, it took a lot of time "to get the job done". I knew something needed to change if I was going to keep up like I wanted to all year long.

After talking with a friend of mine and her sharing her process with me, I changed my personal Project Life process and now I'm much more productive! I print my photos 4" x 6", 3" x 2" and once in a while, I print the occasional large sized photo. I also simply "go with the flow" so to speak. Freedom, at last! LOL.

The end of May meant the last day of school was just around the corner, as was the first day of Summer vacation!

I always try to create a "title card" of sorts for each event or page. I'm also working on telling myself that each pocket doesn't need a photo. An embellishment like the popsicle pop-up adds just the right amount of "white space" when viewing the overall page.

Looking to save on space? Plan ahead and add text to your photos!! More room for other complimentary items (like that popsicle!).

In capturing emotion, I always know there will be tears from my oldest when he gets off the bus on his last day. He is a sensitive soul and worries so much about missing his friends over the summer.

From the first day to the last day, I compare the two moments via photos. Have the kids grown? Has their hair changed? It's fun having the two photos side-by-side on one page.

Capture and highlight a portion of a photo using a Pier chipboard slide frame. Ella was so excited to see her boys get off the bus. She took off running towards them with her pony tail flying behind her in the wind!

The right side of my spread talks about our first official day of Summer vacation. We watched a friend's two boys and enjoyed a full day of activities!

As part of the title on this side of the spread, I stamped the date on a slide frame. Don't forget to note the date!

Once again, chipboard elements create a unique "border" or frame around a portion of my photo.

Making Moon Sand is super easy and fun! I used the center pockets of the page to capture this highly favored activity! The two littlest had a ball with it! And just 'cause it's that easy, here's how to make it:

12 Cups of flour + 1 1/2 Cups of baby oil. Mix in large tub or tote with your hands!

For all my Project Life pages, the 6" x 6" patterned paper pads are my 'Crate' go-to item! I love the smaller patterns.

And last, but not least, journaling. Don't forget the importance of journaling! It's what Project Life is all about! And for those of you wondering, we played "Minute to Win It" games with the older three. I was cracking up at them trying to get the cookies from their foreheads to their mouths without using their hands! Ha!