After sharing Henry’s Project Life Baby Album, I thought I’d write a more detailed post on everything you need to get started with an album. The initial cost of Project Life can set you back a bit, but it really is a worthwhile investment if you’re interested in printing photographs and documenting memories. Hobbycraft and Amazon are where I source most of my Project Life items, although there are a few independent online stores which also stock the brand.
What You Need: Album + Core Kit + Page Protectors
a) A 12×12 inch D-ring binder
b) Although a core kit isn’t essential (you could simply use plain 3×4 journalling cards instead, which would also cost less) I love the uniformity of using a kit for an album, and it’s the easiest way to get started. Henry’s Baby Edition Core Kit featured pale yellows and greys, and now I’ve started our 2015 family album, I opted for the Heidi Swapp Dreamy Edition, which is full of oh-so pretty pastel prints and whimsical quotes.
c) Page Protectors – I use the Big Variety Pack 2, (Design A and Design D) which allow me to feature both landscape and portrait photographs, but there are a whole host of others available.
Photo Printing:
You can choose to get your photos processed or print your own. For me, printing my own isn’t an option as I haven’t yet got to grips with my printer and figured out how to fit multiple photos on an A4 page. In the future, I’d love to be able to print my own – the convenience and flexibility would be ideal. Instead, I use an online service (Photobox and Snapfish are my favourite) and print in batches to bring the cost down.
Extras:
There are all sorts of extras available when it comes to Project life. Mini Kits, embellishments and dividers can all be purchased to enhance an album, although I stick to a few basics. A corner rounder gives smooth curves to photographs to match the shape of the core kit cards, all in a few quick punches. Washi Tape is fun to add to photographs or cards, and I love to add 6×12 page protectors occasionally as they enable me to include blog posts I’ve written. And an essential rather than an extra is a good pen. After trying a variety, I discovered this pen was best for journalling in my Project Life album.
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Besides the above, all you need to complete a Project Life album is time. To keep up to date with my Project Life album, I set aside a few hours each month to sort through my photographs, categorise them, and select my favourites for printing. It’s a small time commitment and allows me to enjoy our favourite moments all over again!
After seeing Lily Pebbles video on this I'm so tempted to have a go, the finish of them is so lovely 🙂
http://www.lifeinthefashionlanee.blogspot.com
This is such a cute and creative way to display and store memories, I've just seen your Henry's First Year project and its wonderful. I might have to start this as I never print photos or if I do they just get put in a draw.
Kelly
Kelly's Journal
Your journal looks beautiful – I so want to start this & love all the cards & extras you can buy. Its such a creative way of keeping photos & documenting memories.
http://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk/
Oooh I really want to get one of these, they're just so pricey! Danielle xx
missdanielle.com
This looks beautiful!
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Great post. I've just started project life after having my little one and I'm loving it so far. Think I'm going to have to purchase a corner punch and some washy tape. Do you think its worth getting a core kit?
lillybet90.blogspot.co.uk
I love doing mine, it's so much fun. Your photographs are so beautiful xx
The dreamy edition core kit looks so lovely! I really don't need any more core kits but its so hard to not buy everything, isn't it! I've just posted a look through my scrapbook album on my blog, and I'd love to see some of your layouts 🙂 xxx