Project 12 -- Take 2

Two years ago, I started Project 12. I thought it would be a great way to document a year in my life. It wouldn't require the diligence or time that Project Life requires yet I would have a comprehensive look at our what we did (big and small) by year's end. Sounds good right? It was...for the first three months. Unfortunately I picked a format that didn't really work for me. I liked my January layout but by February and March, I started feeling very restricted by this one-page, mini picture format. Oh, and the papers I chose really seemed so fussy for this snapshot of everyday life. After turning 40, I no longer finished a book just because I started it. I had to enjoy the book in order to finish it. And, since I was no longer enjoying Project 12, I abandoned it like a bad book. That's not to say that I didn't like the idea of it. I just didn't like what I was doing with it. So , I sat on the sidelines for a year and a half and watched what other people -- most notably, Davinie Fiero -- did with Project 12. I watched and I learned. Today, I am back with my Project 12 -- Take 2! Here's me layout:

Sorry for the quality of these photos. I usually like to take my pictures in natural light but today was the dreariest of days! For this layout, I used Becky Fleck's phenomenal sketch:

As you can see, I stuck pretty closely to the sketch, only adjusting it to accommodate my picture size. Here's a close-up of the first page.

Davinie's use of chipboard frames on her January layout inspired me. I used the same technique to fill up my blocks of white space. I think this added more visual interest than a rectangular block of patterned paper.

Since I've been trying to use my stamps more, I punched out a file tab and stamped the words using two different ink colors.

Here's a close-up of page two. Some elements to note are the calendar tag from Ormolu, the shaped mat on the journaling, and the script title which I created by adhering four Cricut cuts together to create the chipboard look. I plan to use these elements on each of my Project 12 layouts this year to give them a more cohesive look. Since the journaling is quite lengthy, I won't retype it here. Instead, you can click on the picture to enlarge it.

I'm really happy with how this layout turned out. I don't think I'll be giving up on Project 12 any time soon!

Supplies:

Cardstock: American Crafts;

Patterned Paper, Stickers and Brads: Basic Grey (Basics, Oliver and Olivia):

Buttons: Making Memories;

Tools: Martha Stewart Edge Punch (Scallop Dot); Fiskars Border Punch (Scallop Sentiment); Spellbinders Nestabilities (Labels Four); Cricut cartridge (Designer Calendar); McGill punch (File Tab);

Stamps: Technique Tuesday (Everyday Life by Ali Edwards);

Ink: Ranger (Jet Black); Technique Tuesday (Tempting Turquoise);

Misc: DMC Floss; Ormolu Package Tags (Hooray Calendar).