When simple isn't ...

... quite so simple, what's a scrapbooker to do?  I have been following all your thoughts and creative plans for this year with great interest and enjoyment ... My one-sie solution last year was for everything in the same place - digital pages mounted on card, mixed with paper scrapbooking and the odd bit of fabric fun, all in a spiral-bound album. Well, it didn't work out. I found I was wondering why I was sticking whole printed but digitally-designed pages onto high quality mixed media paper, and feeling intimidated by the same expanse of beautiful surface when it came to dropping colour onto it, or doodling. Longing to keep a record of my days, a handwritten diary just looked so boring that even I couldn't summon up the interest to turn a page. There were avidly-read books on journalling and drawing, and a descent into near-paralysis ...

And then there was Project Life. Everywhere. I umm-ed and ahh-ed, and ooh-ed with admiration at the lovely pages I saw - but, you know, I have not quite been able to feel my way into it. Finally, the penny has dropped: there are two of me in here,  and the simplest solution is to give them each something different. So, here are the 2014 plans for ...

The Would-Be Artsy One
She has a souped-up diary, with inspiration from The Documented Life Project on Art to the 5th. Over there, you'll see that a Moleskin is being used as a planner-cum-art-journal. Mine has a few adaptations ...

          The Documented Life Project                                                   Me

          a Moleskin, Week-to-View                                                        a cheaper two-days-per-page diary
          'tip-in' blank water-colour pages added to every spread          'tip-in' pages every couple of spreads
          curved with the additional pages: slim at the spine,                 lies flat, pages removed from hard
          fat at the outer edge                                                                 cover and rebound with a Bind-it-All
          acts as a daily planner as well as art-journal                           not a planner, more a record of my days
                                                                                                           and a reflective journal, including One
                                                                                                           Little Word etc.

I have prepared mine to last six months, and will see how it's going by June; it also needs to fit it into my bag! Should you be interested in The Documented Life Project, there is a useful short class, costing twelve dollars, which has several videos, instructions and ideas for decorating the Moleskin cover - but it is not essential. The 'tip-in' pages are fixed in place along the outside edges of the Moleskin/diary pages with washi tape, opening outwards, so you can make your planner as colourful or as subdued as you like. And so far, so good; my Would-Be Artsy feels it's quite manageable and ticks all the boxes, with plenty of room for additional expansion if needed. 

My Would-Be-Digital-Diva is, however, champing at the bit, so I am off to give her something clean and simple to be getting on with - and I''ll share that next time :).

Comments

[furrypig]

ooh loving your split personality way of journalling your year! Hope it works out and fits for you xxx

[Louise]

that's what I love the most about documenting/scrapbooking...you can adapt it all to suit your needs and it looks like you have done exactly that! XX

[Sonja]

Looks like a great planner. I'll be watching to see how you get on. I love the idea of planners especially the feel of the smooth untouched paper and then fail at the recording bit. I think I'm a stationary hoarder really.

[sandie]

Hi Alexa, so glad that you are doing this too! I have loved all the Facebook examples and couldn't wait to get started, but I didn't want to overwhelm myself. I finally found the perfect book, a moleskin diary about 6 x 8 inches. Not too big but big enough to log everything I want. I can't wait to get started!
I love how you have removed your pages and spiral bound it. I look forward to joining you in this project and I'm so glad you have found somewhere to feel creative and arty xxxx

[Alison]

Love your customized journal, Alexa,
Alison xx

[Karen Walker]

This sounds like a great project, and I'm anxious to see the pages as you go along! I've never heard of the Documented Life Project, but I'll hop over there to read about it. My art journal, faithfully done for exactly three months in 2013, ended up much the way you describe yours. I'm still interested, but trying to figure out how to adapt it to a new year. I love the collage of the bits and pieces of your journal.

[Melissa Gross]

What a fantastic journal & I love that you're giving each side of you a place & way to create this year!!

[[email protected] at the sea]

I've seen the Documented Life project popping up here and there across the internet and I love your alternative to the moleskine.

[Gail]

Love how you've decided to satisfy both sides to your creativeness.

[Helena]

what a clean, Alexa-esque solution

[Kathy]

I think these days people seem more aware to document their life and lets face it there is more things available to us to do that type of thing. I'm working on my Project Life Digital Pages from last year so I can get my 12x12 book printed. I'm up to about Week 36 and it takes about an hour to do a week or even more depending on what's I'm doing. Sitting with a friend doing it (chat chat) at skating with the kids...drag and drop a photo, edit a photo, look at kids skating, get snacks for kits skating etc. etc. Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog...seriously it was so good to get the kids out of the house. We have 8 weeks school holidays and as I'm a single Mum we don't get to go away on holidays for weeks like all our other friends so we all needed the fresh air that day and we all were better off for it. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

[Wanda]

First the plan, then the execution. I tend to be fairly compartmented myself so I can appreciate how the separation between your two selves will be a benefit. I'm looking forward to whatever comes next from one of the most creative women I know.

[Paul B]

Yes I can definitely understand the two sides, the arty and the designer. It's one I struggle(d) with too. I think I've managed to find my own balance for the two. In crafting, cards, scrapbooks and digital projects, I feed the designer. In my drawing, sketching, photography, I feed the artist. I think I've realised I'm not happy with messy. It's fun to make but I don't like the results. Once iI understood this, it helped me to compartmentalise (you know how we guys like to do that). Anyway, it's brilliant to hear that it's not just me and that there are others who struggle with two natures. Personally, I've always looked to you for inspiration. You have a knack for making all your projects look clean and elegant, even when you bring out the artist in you. So I shall, as always, be glued to your website this year to see all the beautiful projects you share. Have fun with your moleskin. Px

[Sian]

Whatever you do, it's always an absolute pleasure to see it appear before our very eyes. Here's to a year of creating ..any way you choose!

[Barbara]

What a great and unique approach to the different sides of YOU! I think PL will be just perfect. 2013 was my first year. I decided to approach it on a monthly basis. That worked out just fine and is how I will continue with 2014.

[Cheri]

It's a beautiful, colorful, fun, happy start for your would-be-artist and I can't wait to see more! This year I'm doing my OLW in a smash album which will also include any documentation I do of my Kindness Project. Now I'm off to check that link for the Documented Life. Keep seeing references, but no idea what it is!

[Julie Jeavons]

I hope it works for you. And don't forget that it's yours and you can change it as you go to make it work for you.
I think I've just accepted that daily - or even weekly, journalling is not for me and that random traditional scrapbooking pages as and when inspiration strikes is what works for me.
P.S. - that pink snowy LO post will get published tonight.

[Jen Hart]

I hope it works for you Alexa. It has taken me two years to get to where I can 'keep-up' sensibly and enjoy project life and 12x12's. I expect it will evolve again too. I haven't heard of The Documented Life. I'll take a look.

[Miriam]

Hi Alexa. What a lovely idea and one that is sure to be beautiful and inspirational. Hope all is well with you.

[Missus Wookie]

What a sensible idea to give each of you your own place to create/record.

Now I know what to call those pages I add in with tape, I like the idea of 'tip in' pages, sounds so much better than 'taped on'.

I just bought another set of rings and covers in the US to allow me to have a second arc notebook for work to ensure the main one actually fits in my bag when I'm off to see clients.

[Rose Brier Studio]

Alexa, Your blog is wonderful. The definition of trimming the sails is fantastic! I like it both as a sailor and as a person navigating life's interesting waters. Thanks for sharing the title on OLW, I love discovering new blogs!
~Marilee

[Prairie Jill]

Interesting! I tried Project Life last year - did it all digitally and don't know if I'll print it of not - but don't think I'll do it again this year. I looked at the Documented Life, too. I'll be interested to see how you like it. (I like your idea of just committing initially for 6 months. That seems more manageable.) Can't wait to read about your digital self's decision!

[Beverly]

I love that you have found what feels like a good fit for you and of course I am loving your colors!

[Deb @ PaperTurtle]

Perfect! I hope you'll be sharing a bit of what you end up with as you go. I love the looks of it already!

[Susanne]

Oh that looks like an interesting route to take. I'll be interested to see how it works out. I've been trying to figure out what it is I need to adjust in Project Life to make it suit me better. In the meantime, I just keep gathering supplies. I guess I have overload paralysis - I'd better figure out a first step soon.

[Nathalie]

This looks creatively very promising. I went to check out the blog and loved the first prompt. Can't wait to see your pages!

[Jemma @ Just-Jimjams]

It looks lovely Alexa - I hope it suits

[Yvonne Yam]

Hope this plan works out for you. I'm way less organized!lol
P/s:I don't bring anything related to documentation out with me except my phone.

[Rosie]

Sounds like the perfect compromise - do it your way! Just don't let the dates thing become a tyranny, or feel bad is some pages are blank ...

[SueTR]

Sounds like a neat project…will you share your finished pages with us? I love how happy and colorful your book is! I've been successful with Project Life but I do it in big chunks, not every day. Will be interested to see how it unfolds!