Project Italy and a Simple Stories Giveaway!

Bongiorno Amici!

Today I wanted to do a little Project Life (or Project Italy as I call it) post. Nothing earth-shattering, just how I make it work for me.

Now...if the mere mention of PL causes your eyes to glaze over (I used to be like that before I fell in love with pocket scrapbooking) then today's post isn't for you.

Y'all. I still glaze over sometimes when I see PL stuff. The only interesting PL to me is mine. Because it's about my family and my special memories. So I TOTALLY get if this is not your thing.

Even when I am doing PL (I'm back and forth like a yo yo depending on my mood and the amount of time I have) I don't share it often. I just don't feel like there's anything for me to share, if that makes sense. A PL album is a PL album is a PL album.

But today I want to share the album I've chosen for my Project Italy undertaking. If you stick around to the end there's a giveaway!

I'm also going to share how I make this system work for me as well as some of my favorite products for pocket scrapbooking.

If you've been reading my blog for a while you know that my crafting mantra is keep it fun.

If it gets stressful, or competitive...or if I'm beating myself up about it then I STOP it.

That same concept applies to Project Italy.

Here's how my craft room usually looks when I'm catching up. On the subject of "catching up"...usually I don't. I just do it when I feel like doing it. But this year I really want to not miss a month.

Here's how each week's spread starts off. I use Momento and iPhoto to plan what I want to share. I then use small post-its to label each pocket in the spread.
I print all of my photos at home using either my  Canon Selphy or my HP Photosmart. I like to use the Pages program to resize and print all my PL photos on a couple of 8 1/2 by 11 sheets of Photo paper.

Lately I've been back and forth between wanting to do really simple pages and wanting to do more complicated pages. You see, PL is pretty much my only creative outlet right now. I'm not doing many traditional SB pages.

Some weeks I just want to make my pages fancy. So I usually do a few simple/quick/easy weeks and then a more complicated week.

This satisfies all of my creative and memory keeping needs.

Here are a few examples of some easy PL spreads. Washi and cards and a couple stickers. That's about it.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

In one of the pockets on this page, I actually cut up a tourist map from an town we went to and used a geotag to label the exact area we visited.

I buy a cheap postcard every time we visit a new town. I love using postcards in my PL.

Now here is an example of a more "complicated" PL spread. It took a lot longer to make and has a lot more dimension.

It felt really good to take my time and almost treat each pocket as a mini scrapbook page!

Yes. I did an entire card dedicated to this skit. I had to. We quote it a dozen times a day! #thatshowwedo #lololololololololol

Another fun card is the currently watching card. I never know what to do with geotags so I'm glad I found a way to use them!

And I won't even tell you how often Breaking Bad has appeared in my album lately.

As far as the album goes, I'm using a new Simple Stories Sn@p 12x12 leather album.

The Simple Stories albums come in high quality construction, sturdy, faux leather, 6 popular colors (red, teal, black, brown, green, pink),  2 sizes (12x12 & 6x8), unique size (6x8), non-slip, interlocking D-ring binding, stylish contrasting stitch detail, metal corner accents, custom metal spine bookplate in a fun shape. 

Simple Stories asked if they could send me this album to review and I was super excited for the opportunity.

The album is sturdy and great quality. It looks chic on my shelf and I love that.

None of the pockets have ripped and I've put a lot inside. I had a problem recently with other page protectors ripping, but these are awesome quality. 100 percent happy with this album.

Whew. Now that was a MONSTER post.

You still there?

Let me share some of my favorite products for Project Italy.

Gossamer Blue Life Pages Kits (I get these every month)

Studio Calico PL kits (I order these every now and again)

MME pocket cards, decorative tapes, brads, enamel dots, labels, and tiny word stickers

Freckled Fawn tapes, badges and veneers

These small doilies (I buy these in bulk and have used them for years).

If you see something you are curious about, make sure to ask in the comments and I'll let you know!

Now for the good part.

Would you like to win a Sn@p leather album and your choice of page protectors?

Leave a comment on this post and I'll draw a winner next Thursday.

Good Luck! Ciao Bella!

xo

S

Comments

[Kristi K.]

Great job, Stephanie!

[Anso]

Loved seeing your PL pages :)

[LeighErin]

Love both your simple ones and your more complicated pages. They both look great. Very inspirational... now, which box did I pack the album in?! LOL!

[Colby]

Wow...the girls are getting so big! It's like it's happening overnight! Love, love, love your PL album. So great that you are getting to document this exciting time in your lives when you're getting to live and visit in another country. Photos to TREASURE, for sure. Love seeing your adventures. They make me smile.

[Crystal]

I love your creativity! I especially loved the Pickle face!! I would love to start an album like this. Thanks for the opportunity!!

[kristy c,]

glad to see you scrapping again! how do you like your selphy?

[Jennifer Moore]

You are SO inspiring! Love what you've done. I mix the pocket pages in with my traditional 12x12 pages, and it works great for all those "extra" photos that you want to include but don't want to make 10 pages out of 1 event. I LOVE Sn@p products, and this leather album is gorgeous! I'd love to redo all of my 12x12 albums to all be the same (all black leather), and this would be a great way to start! ;)

[Jennifer C]

I love the SNAP albums too! I am so happy that they are now in leather!

I love your take on PL....just go with it!

[Kathy]

Love seeing your pages...

[Sarah Humble]

Oh my gosh - i LOVE these!! Now, this is scrap booking I think I could get into! I might need you to introduce me! ;)

[Jackie Pocock]

Love your pages. I have been thinking about doing a PL book for a while now and have not yet taken the plunge as it all seems quite daunting but if a mumma of 4 can do it then so can I.

[Heather R]

I have never done project life, but your pics may change my mind.
I am doing scrapbooks for each of my girls,but I think once they each hit 5 years old, I might start project life to capture what the whole family is doing:)))

[Jacqueline R]

I love seeing your PL pages! Even though a "pocket page is a pocket page", we are still have our own little spin on it. Gorgeous pages!

[Teresa]

Great to enjoy your PL pages. I LOVE Sn@p thanks for the chance to win!!!

[yvon]

Thank you for sharing, your an inspiration for me and I love to see how you do these page's, maybe I can start something like this.
I really like to have my scrapping bug BACK.

Hugs Yvon.

[Shanan]

I love your pages and the post card idea is wonderful. I must get my sister in Hawaii to start documenting this way, as a Coast Guard family they have moved a lot as well. I love SN@P products, I've used several and am never disappointed!

[Kami]

My eyes used to glaze over, but now I am starting to get interested! Maybe a New Year's goal for me. ;)

[Lauren Nguyen]

Love seeing all your Italy adventures! Thanks for sharing PL with us! I've debated about doing it.

[Miriam Prantner]

I love your process and your attitude towards this....I am on the fence about trying PL....I'm thinking a more monthly look at life would be less stressful, but then maybe not because you would forget things and procrastinate.... Your pages make me laugh though, I love the 'wump wump' party pooper, the pickle face, so much fun!

[Jennifer]

Thanks for sharing! I am going away with a friend next month to "catch up" on 7 months of pictures in my PL album...this year has been so busy! I am going to follow your lead and do several simple spreads and a fancy one every couple of weeks to keep it fun!

[Melissa R.]

PL is such a great way to document your time overseas. I started PL while living in Jordan and it was great. I really like the idea of how each pocket can become a mini page. It's so true! I need a new 12x12 album and would love to try the Simple Stories. I'm using a smaller one on another project and love it! Thanks for the chance to win!! Enjoy!

[Marti Richards]

I am like you when it comes to my PL pages- some weeks washi and cards, other weeks mini detailed layouts. Love looking at your pages.
Thank you for the chance to win. I have just started my search for my 2014 album- these look really nice. :)

[Shelbie]

Wow! I love your album. It's so nice to see the fancy pages mixed in with the more simple pages. I just may have to try this out. :) thanks for the chance!

[Maureen]

Love seeing you wonderful pictures and hearing about your Italian adventures. Thank you for the chance to win.

[Linda S.]

Glad to see you getting back to creating and thanks for sharing Italy with us.

[diana]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing these pages and for the ideas! ;-)

[Mari]

Hey Stephanie,
I've been tossing around trying PL, feeling like my kids are "too old" don't need another thing to "feel guilty" about but then on the other hand it is a great way to use your supplies, tell the stories we do have, etc. In your post you mentioned not wanting to miss a "month", is that to say you do a spread a month or make sure you have at least one spread a month? I never even thought about doing a spread a month....duh! I might be able to get behind that! : ). How about other Stephanie fans out there - are you mixing up the PL spreads?

[Mary R]

I loved seeing your pages as well Stephanie! I miss your layouts...
thanks for the chance.

[Stephanie]

I love that you are getting into it again. I am so excited to have wedding and honeymoon stuff to do a mini about. The snap album would be awesome!!

[Theresa]

I LOVE Simple Stories!! Your album looks awesome! Thanks for sharing

[Becca]

Thanks for sharing and encouraging others to try PL. I'm ready . Great giveaway, it would be a good place to start.

[renee]

Love your album! Would love to win!!!

[kim smart]

always love seeing your work stephanie! i too tend to glaze over all the pl stuff lately and I'm definitely "behind" but i'm just gonna do it when i get inspiration and seeing your pages has given me a nudge, thanks!

[Tiffany M.]

I love looking at other peoples PL pages. You say you think they are all the same, but I like to look at what parts of peoples lives that they like to include. Thanks for sharing this and the chance to win an album!

[ilissa]

Awesome pages. Love your new life adventure!!

[Stacey]

Love this! I am excited that you use the canon selphy and the HP photosmart! I have the canon selpy (still in the box 8 months later, I'm lazy!!) and we just got the HP Photosmart 7520 a couple weeks ago! I love your pictures, so I know with the same printers, I will love mine too. I enjoy seeing project life threads and thanks for showing us your "thinking". It really helps those of us who are uncreative and we need to be shown what to do. Have you read any good books lately? Love your recommendations!

[Amy @ Statements By Amy]

Love your album, really inspires me to do a little catch up on mine! Thank you for the giveaway!

[CJ]

What wonderful pages. They'll be so good to look back on in a few years. I'm so glad you're managing to capture all of your amazing Italian experience.

[stephanie]

Love your pages!

[Isabel]

I love the SNAP albums too! Thanks for the chance to win!!!

[tara pakosta]

I love the sn@p products, they are so cool!
Love your project italy! so perfect for YOU!
I bought some of the mixed page protectors, all different
pockets, including the regular 12x12 pockets so I can add full layouts
and full pictures and art by the kids right into my book when I feel like
being super creative, I just do a 12x12 regular scrappy page!

xoxo
tara

[Lisa Johnson]

What a fun & generous giveaway.
I ♥ it that your girls are watching Annie on repeat. I used to do the same thing when I was a girl and started quoting it when I was 4 years old. "I don't need no beauty products, so you can just pedal yourself right on out of here, sweetie!" LOL! :)

[andrea]

I would love to win an album. Thanks for the chance.

Like your simple PL. I am more the simple person when it comes to PL. So I really like them.

[AnnC]

PL seems like the perfect way to document your Italy adventure :) I'd love to win an album...I'm jumping on the PL bandwagon too! Better late than never.

[Carla Hundley]

Wonderful giveaway.
I enjoy your blog
all the way from Italy!
Carla from Utah

[Leana]

I'm going to have to check out those albums.

[Sandi]

Love your album! Thanks!

[Debbie Piercey]

Stephanie, thanks for sharing your pages. I have been feeling the same way lately. I've been dabbling in the PL arena, and I'm liking what I see. I do love making the traditional scrapbook pages, but let's face it, time and space are starting to be an issue! I love how you makes some pages more dimensional, but some can be less so. By the way, they all look awesome! Fabulous post. Thanks for sharing. I can absolutely relate to that "yo-yo" feeling for sure when it comes to what to do from here with my scrapbooking. And thanks for the chance to win!

[Christine F.]

Thanks for sharing - the only "life" book I really do is Dec Daily...which I still have 2012 outstanding. *sigh* Oh well. But I enjoy seeing what others do. I'm glad you're capturing Italy this way!

[Ameliawriteshere.wordpress.com]

LOVE seeing what you're doing with Project Italy! Thanks for sharing your creativity (:

[Monica]

Love seeing your project life spreads and approach. Thank you for sharing. I would love the 6x8 album. I think that size might be a bit more reasonable for my life! Thanks!

Monica

[jung a]

Hey Steph! Love it when you get crafty! I'm still on the fence about PL...I'm like you...PL is PL is PL. I think I'm going to try a mini PL-type album for December Daily though, and see how I like it!

[rebecca]

I just started my first PL this fall when my oldest dd started her senior year. So, my eyes are not glazing over anymore. :)

Your pages are fun and colorful. Very cute kids too of course. :)

[Audrey]

Thanks to sharing ideas for PL! I'm doing one PL project since the birth of my 3rd girl... one month ago. I want to keep memories of all these moments with the 2 big sisters... and the little one! Thanks for the chance to win!

[Julie]

Love hearing all your adventures, especially with the twins since I have twin boys just a little bit younger. Would be fantastic to win an album they look beautiful.

[Mendi M]

Love your pages! So jealous of you living in Italy. I've been there twice to visit and love it! Thanks for the chance to win.

[Linda]

You are doing a great job, I only do monthly PLbut my family is grown and makes more sense here. Thanks for sharing your pages

[[email protected]]

Thanks for explaining your process of how you create your pages. I would love a chance to win one of the Simple Stories Albums. I've kinda been eyeing one of those for awhile.

Thanks for sharing with us!

Lori H.

[Wendy G.]

I have taken the same approach to my Project Life as well. Some weeks are super simple and some weeks I go crazy with embellishment. I look forward to using the new Simple Stories albums!

[Natalie (QSOgirl)]

I don't do much pocket scrapbooking, but I hope to have a little project in the works soon. The Simple Stories albums look really nice! It was really interesting to read about your process. Love how low-stress it is. I could learn a lesson from you! :)

[Jo]

Totally get your ideas on PL. I don't often share mine either as it's a very personal thing which really only interests me and my family. Thanks for the chance to win the album. I love the Simple Stories Snap line.

[MichelleB]

I love your attitude about doing this! Remove the stress and enhance the fun! Thanks for the peek into your process and the chance to win.

[Emma Tandy]

Glad your getting back into scrapbooking, Love looking at what you and your family get up to.

[Sherrie M.]

Glad you found your creative outlet again. I know what you
mean by a PL spread is a PL spread is a PL spread. I don't
post them on my blog much either cuz its just MY life and why
would anyone want to look at it. Have to check out these new
albums - thanks for the chance to win.

[Brenda]

I really liked your pages eventhough I'm one of those whose eyes glaze over! haha The pickle face was my favorite - so cute! Thanks for the chance to win, I love their papers but haven't seen their albums yet in my lss but I love the way they look!

[Deanna Misner]

I'm so so so thankful you took the time to write a step-by-step on how you make PL work for you. I've been eyeing the SS Snap! products at M's for a long time now, but I've been struggling with how I could make it work for me. It just seemed like so much planning. But this post has helped and encouraged me so much. Thank you! And if I don't win, I'll probably head over to M's and purchase some SS stuff any way. I really do like their products! Thanks for the chance to win!

[Lori in AZ]

Ciao! love seeing your new way of scrapbooking, even though it's not my style. I can see how you can get things done much faster and over more dates. Glad to see details of Italy in your book! A pesto!

[Eileen]

Would love a new album to attempt PL!

[Keshet Starr]

Love these! i need to add more doilies into my PLs:) I also love mixing it up between fancy and plain! I usually do plain when I'm catching up, but sometimes it's fun to add those extra touches:)

[KarenP (kphike)]

I have a similar philosophy - I do it how I like, not stressed about caught up or publishing it -I love what you've done and can't help but think what a wonderful treasure of crazy adventures the Howell girls will have to look back on in years to come! I need to find a "pages" program for PC now! And those snap albums look beautiful! Thanks for an informative post :) Ciao ciao :)

[Kirsten J]

I love this stuff - I just pulled together a sn@p album for a trip we took this summer. So easy!

[priya mohan]

Your creativity inspires me a whole lot. 12*12 layouts overwhelm me and PL pockets are the perfect size for my attempts and trials. As yours my pages too are sometimes overload and most other times simple. Love watching your creations. Thanks for the chance to win.

[Barb]

I've caught the scrapbooking bug, again, after a long hiatus. (I think it's because my youngest is now 2 and finally weaned.) I'd love to have a fancy new album!

[Gina]

I love your creativity. It looks like you & your family have a lot of fun & enjoy each other!

[angie urbon]

Love your take on PL - I too like to incorporate postcards from places we've traveled to..no need to reinvent the wheel and get the "money shot" when someone else has already taken and printed it!

[Sarah Swann]

Project Italy sounds like perfection! How gorgeous are those albums going to be? Thanks for the chance to win an album!

[Cynthia Baldwin]

Glad you could knock out these pages! I won't say that I've fallen in love with pocket scrapbooking (still recovering from a photo-a-day in 2009 ;), but I now do a monthly pocket page layout, and enjoying it! It's hard not to love all the ready-made supplie that are out there, and like you said, it's as simple - or as complicated - as you want it to be!
Thanks for sharing your pages! I love looking at snippets of people's lives when they share ther PL pages!

[Marian]

Your PL pages are great to look at. I love those Simple stories albums

[Jayna]

This is an interesting concept. I may need to try it.

[sherried]

Thanks for sharing. Love to see your pages.

[Tenika]

I actually adored this post. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Project Life and thought your cards just showcased how personal & "today captured" the style can be. Awesome!

[jen]

I'd love to win ... love that you're making PL work for you.

[Melita]

Thanks for sharing Stephanie! I haven't been scrapping at all lately either and PL seemed a little bit too bland for me, but I like how you made some of the pages more "complicated." Will have to give this a try and see if it gets me back on the creative track.

[Mai Mucciaro]

I use to feel the same like you about PL. there's just so much to look at on one page and my mind just doesn't know where to focus. But of course when it's your own it's more pleasing. Would love a chance to win. Thank you!

[Brooke]

Love that you're sharing your Project Italy pages! How fun!

[Debbie]

I loved this post!! I need to continue my PL. I would love to win! Thanks for the chance!

[Pam S.]

You amaze me -- I don't know how you fit everything in, but you make it a priority and do it. Kudos!

[Mariah]

Super Awesome! What a great way to scrap your Italy Photos!

[Jennifer O.]

Thanks for sharing! I love how versatile PL has become and how most everyone can make it work for them.

[Sherry G]

I need to get back to doing PL I have most of the supplies and I take photos almost every day. I just need to get back in the habit of putting the stuff in the pockets.

I am also glad to know I am not the only one who does not enjoy really looking at others' PL layouts.

[Cyndee K]

Love how you do both simple and elaborate spreads - perfect! And I totally use those same post-it's for planning out. Thanks for the chance at an awesome album !

[Meredith]

Thanks for the chance to win!

[SammyD]

OMG!!! I love that pickle face...hahahaha! Love that you showed PL can be simple or more detailed! Depending on time and mood, I end up with one or the other...hehehe! Thankyou for the giveaway Simple Stories albums are awesome!

[susan driggers]

awesome giveaway! glad that you are having a blast in italy!

[Elisabeth Costa]

Thanks for sharing!! Your stay in Italy has our family ready to visit next summer...keeping fingers crossed:) Thanks for the chance to win too!

[Mernin]

Love the process - easy or fancy...doesn't matter!

[Destiny]

I love your PL pages! My favorite is the map you added.

[lynn f]

Cool pages.
I especially love seeing all the different towns you've been visiting. I was fortunate to travel to Italy this past summer but only the Lake Como area. All your posts make me want to go back.
Thanks for the chance to win.

[Nancy Carr]

Would love this album and enjoy your blog. Thank you and Blessings

[Janell Knudson]

Project Life totally brought me back to scrapbooking after a five year hiatus.

It's so perfect for certain projects - your Italy trip is one of them. Lots of photos, stories and adventures too numerous to create a full page for.

And, the beauty of it is, when I want to create full page layouts, I just fit them seamlessly into the album.

It's such a win-win scrapbooking tool!