Monday, February 28, 2011

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).

4 comments:

Peg said...

Great job on the sketch! I am a newbie to Proj 12 and really enjoying seeing everyone, especially those of you that stuck so close to the sketch. The colors are great and all your little details like the tab punch make it really wonderful.

Susan (rainy) said...

Oh my gosh, Linda! This is fabulous. You did an incredible job with the layout. LOVE this. All the best in your Project 12 Take 2!!

hanes132 said...

LOVE this spread--&not just because I find one picture, in particular, especially cute! ;) I tend to like layouts with more pictures, but I also really like the color scheme & how the different patterns work together. Ok, &I DO really like that Paul picture, too! LOL

Leslie Miller said...

Well, there you go! It's totally fabulous, Linda! You worked so beautifully with the layout. Becky's sketches are brilliant. I can relate to the putting it down like a bad book notion. Who needs it? Life is short!