Life Documented - Organizing Your Stuff!

Hi everyone!  Layle back at it with you today :)

Today I'm really excited to talk to you about a few things - my personal Life Documented 12x12 album AND Life Documented organization.

OK, confession time - Confession #1.  I've pretty much been sitting on the sidelines for the last few years when it comes to divided page protector scrapping.  Anyone out there with me?!!  I figured I'd sit back and let others figure out all of the ins and outs and then maybe one day I'd jump in.  

Don't get me wrong.  I was VERY intrigued.  I've had a Pinterest board I've been pinning ideas and inspiration to for my personal album for at least a year.  About 6 months ago I even started thinking about how I'd organize products specifically for the project, even though I hadn't even started!

Until now...

This is the title page of my Life Documented album!  Yay!  I put it together on Sunday using an assortment of products from - would you believe?! - 5 different Simple Stories lines!!  

• 24/Seven - camera chipoard & 'the good stuff' label chipboard; yellow hexagon, white grid, grey calendar patterns from the 6x6 pad
• SN@P! - orange label sticker, & Flair, Real Life stamp (from the Snapshots Stamp Set), teal alpha stickers
• Urban Traveler - 'take a look at this' 4x6 card
• I Heart Summer - chevron stickers (from the Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers), teal heart SN@P! Cut
• Vintage Bliss - 3x4 'this makes me happy ' card

Ok, so I know it's only the title page, but I'm so excited for the 1st week in July to get here so I can continue!

I'm using our 12x12 Black album - 

I think I'm planning on using an assortment of our 12x12 Pocket Pages.  I used our Design 3 for the title page - 

I say think because I'm not sure how I'll handle having one design on the left page and a different design on the right page.  Which leads me to...

Confession #2 - I'm a bit of a control freak.  You know.  Type A, anal retentive, OCD - you name it.  I have to be honest.  I seriously contemplated WAITING to start this until January 1, 2014.  Yes, 6 more months!!!  Not because I wasn't ready, but because I wasn't sure about starting the project in the middle of the year.

I know, NUTS!  I actually would have liked to have started earlier in the year, but I couldn't get past the thought of starting in the middle of the year.  But I let it go, and convinced myself that I would be ok to start July 1st, the halfway point.  And I'm so glad I did!  Now I'm faced with the dilemma of how to "handle" having one design/style Pocket Page on the left side of the spread and a different design/style on the right side.  Help me friends, what do I do?!!

 I'll check back every so often and share how my Life Documented album is progressing.  So excited to dig in :)

Confession #3 - I have an organizing problem.  I love to do it.  And do it.  And then redo it (refer back to Confession #2!).   And then do it again.  Seriously.  I'm constantly on the lookout for different tools and products to help organize my scrapbook supplies.  Like I said above, I started 'thinking' about organizing for this project a full 6 months before I even started!  

So I thought it would be fun to share some of the ways I've initially organized most of the products I see myself using for Life Documented.  I say 'initally' because, well, refer back to Confession #3...  :)

Anyone remember these?

If you need a hint, these babies came after 8 track tapes, but before cd's.  And LONG before MP3s...  And yes, as a kid, I did have a 'ghetto blaster' that had not one, but TWO tape decks in it.  And a cassette tape player in my car.  Let's not talk about how old that makes me, agreed?

If you recognize those, you might also recognize this - 

The cassette tape holder.  The wooden variety.  Various sizes sold at your local record store.  Remember those?  Record stores?!

You're probably wondering what in the world this has to do with Life Documented organization, eh?

Let me shed some light - 

Whee!!!!  Thank you, eBay!  

I'm the proud owner of an original, dusty with lots of cobwebs vintage Napa Valley Wooden Cassette Tape box.  24" wide by 18# tall with 100 slots!  

Nevermind that I paid $30 for it plus shipping and the seller didn't bother to take the $2 pricetag off the side, the amount that she surely shelled out for it at a local garage sale, and then promptly listed it on eBay for a HUGE profit.  But hey, that's a free market economy, people - supply & demand!   I wanted it and she had it. SOLD!

After cleaning it out SUPER WELL, I had my handy dandy husband pull the back off and remove every other one of the vertical slots from the 4 back rows - basically giving me slots in the last 4 rows that are twice as wide as the others - you know, to fit larger products.  Took him all of 5 minutes to do :)

The wooden box sits on a dusty, with lots of cobwebs vintage tv tray.

LOTS of products in there - 3x4 cards, 4x6 cards, stamps, tags, labels, and alpha stickers.  And LOTS of room to continue to add more. 

So that's how I've organized my paper supplies.

And then there's the fabulous RASKOG cart from IKEA - 

It's a 3 tier cart - each tier is about 16"x12"x3.5".  

The top tier holds my mostly common used tools and supplies - adhesive, black ink, stamping blocks, rulers, etc. 

The second tier holds tags and Washi tape - 

The bottom tier holds punches and some other less frequently used tools.

Then there's the embroidery box I use to store my wood veneer - 

Alrighty!  So there you have it.  A little insight into my personality quirks, how I've organized my products to use in my Life Documented album, and my first Life Documented page.

Ok, I'm curious.  If you currently do divided page protector scrapping- how do you handle these things?  I'd LOVE to hear from you guys and I'd love to share some of your ideas in a future Life Documented Getting (and STAYING) Organized blog post!

1. Do you begin your albums at the start of the year?  What if your album isn't full at the end of the year?  Do you start a new album, even if one isn't full or do you just continue in that album?
2. Do you use different style/design Pocket Pages on the same two page spread (one design on the left and a different design on the right)?  Why or why not?
3. How do you organize your products, tools and supplies for Life Documented/divided page protector scrapbooking?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I look forward to reading them!

Comments

[Vicki Parker]

I start my albums at the beginning of each year and so far have always needed 2 for the year. I have used different page protectors but it does annoy me at times trying then to work out photo orientation for the back side. I tend to mainly use the one you showed in the post. As for the storage of everything its a work in progress and currently all in a basket which isn't working that well.

[Laura G.Turcotte]

I haven't started yet.....(hanging head in shame)..but I will...soon...maybe in Jan.2014.

LOVE that tape holder idea!! And we won't say what our age, because I remember the tapes, and 8 tracks...we'll leave it at there!;)
Great ideas--thanks for sharing!

[Peggy A]

Wow, could I ever relate to your need for organization! Funny, too, as I had a box like the one you are using and was beginning to think about doing the same thing. Only trouble is I put it somewhere in a fit of cleaning and don't remember where. So, I think I will start putting all my cards in a photo box for now. I do appreciate your idea tho!
Currently I have my two lines in a 12x12 plastic box and the element/journal cards in two different envelopes and plastic bags. Your idea would make them much more accessible! Love it!
As for using 2 different page designs - I actually like it since they are all squared off. But, to "help" my little quirkish self, I make sure I use color elements, cardstock or themes that flow together. Not sure if that makes sense but I look at it as a two page spread - sort of!
Oh, and thank you so much for "allowing" me to mix different Simple Stories lines. I am working on my first album(not a Project Life or I might have insight into starting in the middle of the year) and found I'm using Go Take a Hike and my favorite, Destinations. And, I just ordered Urban Traveler which will make it in there, too.
Like you, I hung back using this system and am so hooked! I have just about completed a big camping trip with close to 200 pics and only started a few weeks ago. That would never have happened without this great system.
Sure appreciate your fun post!

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

I can soooooooo relate to your personality! LOL! My friends call me LANA ... which is ANAL backwards!! HA!!! I am LOVING what you did with that cassette tape holder... that is PURE genius!!! Next time I go to my local antique store ... I am totally scoping one of those out!! FABULOUS!!!

[Dolly]

Very cool! I am TOTALLY with you there! I have been on the fence for a long time and I guess I technically am as I haven't gotten a "system" yet.
I have started taking daily pictures and thought I would start with a mini album to start- I may or may not change my mind on this. I do know I want to start and I hope whatever way I go...I'm as organized as you!

[Diane Anthony]

My first album was begun in June one year. I finished that album in Dec. and only had half the year. I have begun my other albums with January. I think where ever you choose to start is great! The point is to record and document the everyday, it doesn't matter when you begin! Enjoyed seeing your organization!

[Wendy Orme]

LOVE the cassette tape holder idea! I think it's great that you're starting in the middle of the year!

[Stephanie Pezolet]

You are hilarious! I think it's so funny to me because I could recognize myself through your quirks and personality traits. ;-)
I LOVE Simple Stories and use it in and out of the page protector system.

[Carrie]

"Now I'm faced with the dilemma of how to "handle" having one design/style Pocket Page on the left side of the spread and a different design/style on the right side."

This is EXACTLY what I have been freaking out about...and how do I incorporated a mix of style pockets with standard 12x12 layouts.

I am in the planning stages (well in my head anyway) of a Heritage/Family Tree album for my Dad - and this is where I keep getting stuck.

Any ideas would be VERY much appreciated!

[Rhonda]

My daughters and I are starting PL/pocket page style scrapbooking together...in January 2014. I just can't do the middle of the year thing! I relate to so many of your "unique qualities" with regard to organization and scrapbooking. :-) I have my growing stash of prep product in a Close to My Heart box (saw this idea on Pinterest) and, because the spaces inside can be customized by removing the dividers, I can put many different products in it and it holds A LOT! This keeps my items portable for when I go to retreats and still easily accessible when I am in my crop space at home. As for the "mismatch" of the page layouts when you mix different pocket page designs together, I found that made for really interesting double pages, as long as I ran a coordinating or matching element throughout both. I discovered this when I made an album for a wedding shower gift - it was suprisingly pleasing to the eye and did not freak me out at all. Too much matchy-matchy in these type albums seems to reduce the aesthetic appeal. LOL! (By the way, love the cassette rack and I fondly remember my 8 tracks and cassettes - AND record stores!)

[Dorina D]

wow! Wonderful job on your first page. Looking forward to seeing more of your pages. Loved your idea of storage for your supplies for the project. athanks for sharing.

[lynne moore]

I don't mind the different pages left and right. It makes it more interesting and keeps the creativity flowing instead of the plunk the next thing here. I tend to not clutter up the view with too many small things. There is nothing wrong with keeping the same color scheme in the extra pockets. If I really need a break, I will add a regular 12x12 or smaller page in between. (Think a Sn@p! one or esp. a 6x12 - which we need to get for Simple Stories! Hint!)

[Janice Hopkins]

I had to read your #3 Confession to my husband so that he would know I'm not the only organizing lover ... I, too, have the Ikea Cart and have it organized identical to yours. How funny is that ... bet we are not alone! :)

[Gina]

I start my album at the beginning of the year because I'm a diagnosed OCD patient (as in almost Monk-ish, if you remember that TV show). If my album isn't full at the end of the year, I continue with another year and I'm okay with that. I have one album that has two years in it and my 2013 album will only have this year in it -- thanks to many pages of the Justin Bieber concert with my older girls early this year, LOL (we were only six feet from the stage so we got AWESOME pictures). ANYWAY, because of my OCD, I can't stand to have portrait pictures in a landscape orientation so I will not hesitate to use different page layouts on a two-page spread. I also will not hesitate to fill in with decorative or even plain paper so that I don't have April's stuff bleeding onto March's pages (I do my photos by month, not by week like a lot of people).

And I'm going to Ikea in ATL later this year. I'm *totally* buying one of those carts while I'm there!! That thing is AWESOME!

[Debby Riendeau]

I tried doing a Project 365 a few years ago and found it too difficult to try and do a photo a day. My children are grown and I seriously do NOT want 365 pictures of my cats and my food. So I started the pocket page scrapping with an event; building our house. From there I have been doing pages by event or month depending on which I have enough photos of.

I don't mind having two different styles of pocket pages facing each other AS LONG AS the colors coordinate across the spread. A word of caution though... The more choices you have sometimes the harder it is to choose a format and actually scrap. I suggest starting with just a couple of choices.

We have formed a Project Life Meet-up group at my LSS (www.the-inspiration-station.com) and it is so much fun to swap supplies and share ideas.

[AmyLynn]

I'm not sure if anyone hes mentioned this yet or not...but the way I deal with the different protectors is to use a mix of different sized photos. If some of your photos are a 3x3 or 4x4 square the vertical or horizonral pocket orientation is not an issue. Using the same pocket design gives you a very unified, rhythmic look but for me..I like the organized chaos of using the different designs. All depends what appeals to you the most...just my two cents. :)

[Janna]

Great idea with the tape holder, Layle! Perfect!

[Erika @ Scrapbook Obsession Blog]

Layle, thank you so much for sharing the start of your Life Documented album and how you're organizing (for now, hee hee). Was the cassette holder your genius idea or did you find that on Pinterest? I never would've thought of that - but I sure will be looking for one now! I think we're about the same age ... I might just have one in the attic, LOL.

As for your questions:

1. Do you begin your albums at the start of the year? What if your album isn't full at the end of the year? Do you start a new album, even if one isn't full or do you just continue in that album?

I'm a newb at it this year (tried once before in 2009 and failed miserably). I did start with 1-1-13 and felt pretty anal about waiting for that date even though I was ready to go in late '12. But to me 7-1-13 seems like a nice round date to start with too. It's the start of the fiscal year, if that helps! I'm sure my album will be full at the end of the year and if it fills more than that, I'll divide the pages evenly into 2 matching albums.

2. Do you use different style/design Pocket Pages on the same two page spread (one design on the left and a different design on the right)? Why or why not?

I've done a LOT of divided page protector scrapping using Simple Stories. So I already know what a challenge it can be to make a variety of protectors match up with your photos. So for my first year, I committed to using only the BH Design A pages (which I will replace with the Sn@p! version you used above when they're available; can't wait!). I have very little free time and need to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Scrapper!) It has worked out great. I take all my photos for this project in horizontal mode and have found the 'white space' that creates sometimes (in a photo you would normally take vertically) has been fun to play with - embellish, journal, add some washi, use a punch and back it with paper, etc. It works for me!

3. How do you organize your products, tools and supplies for Life Documented/divided page protector scrapbooking?

I have a white plastic tray from the kitchen section to hold all my 3x4 and 4x6 cards, washi, wood veneers, etc. But I have to confess, I'm on Organizational Method #3 already and it's only June, LOL. I want one of those Raskog carts you have too.

PLEASE keep posting your LIfe Documented pages. I can't wait to see more! And like Lain said, we'll be checking on you (wink).

{{{Hugs}}}
~Erika

[jpscraps]

Great post! Love your page and your cassette idea

[Emily Adams]

I absolutely love your cover page and cassette holder idea! I think it's fine to start halfway through the year, but understand your apprehension. I finally decided to do PL in mid-Feb but had been keeping notes since January... I went back and did the first 6 weeks of the year :) I think it's much more fun to use different pocket pages each week. There are so many great ones to choose from!

[Carol W.]

Fabulous organization tips and ideas! I am a newbie with project life too

[Sandy McClay]

I can SO relate to this post!!! I have been doing the same thing, I just went to my favorite scrapbook store and only bought card stock patterns that were the little cards! This is huge and it is only going to get bigger, my sons are 29 and 34 and I am just starting....I know crazy...:) I will be on the lookout for one of those cassette holders at Goodwill from now on! :) Thank you for this post! I found you via Pinterest!

[Gia Lau]

I linked to you on my blog today- I feel really bad saying I found the same cassette organizer from napa valley wood at my local salvation army for $5 and they had 2 !

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