I'm so loving Project Life (But in my own way)

Well hello there! Long time no see, huh?  I'm still here! And here, too! 

It's a new year and that means the dreaded new year's resolution.  Every year, like everyone else, I write down a few impossibly optimistic things I'd like to accomplish and I inevitably fail, hard. Not this year, no. I've set the bar so low it's impossible (mm, well, let's go with improbable) to fail:

1. Read 50 books by 2015

2. Finish a whole year of Project Life, but on your own terms.

Not so bad. (And if you're wondering, I'm right on track with the reading thing. Yeah!) Many of you may know that last year I started project life mid-year and blogged about it here. I wanted so badly to keep up with it, but like many other things in a 22-year-old's life, it got monotonous. I can't explain it other than things like this always happen to me: I go through what I mentally deem love this/hate that cycles. Dizzying obsessions lead to crippling complacency. I'm sure psychologists have a word for it, but it kind of comes with the twentysomething territory. 

Cards: Polka Dot Party by Dear Lizzy; Studio Calico "this moment" & "Adventure" clear acetate; Maggie Holmes/Crate Paper; Studio Calico Handbook pages; Studio Calico wood veneer; Heidi Swapp "hello" stamp; Freckled Fawn polka dot washi.

Anywho, I've been inspired by Tracy and Cathy to work on what I'm calling "small format" project life; a 6x8 abum rather than 12x12. It's amazing! I'm taking a fluid approach to my spreads, so they're not necessarily weekly. 

Cards: Amy Tangerine Plus One mini kit (plus sign); Sunshine core kit (stripes); Midnight Core Kit (perfection); Just Add Color core kit (HSN exclusive) 2x2's ("awesome", camera); Caylee Grey "Feb" card (resized); October Afternoon Daily Flash orange washi; Freckled Fawn polka dot washi & neon pink airmail washi; Studio Calico Thataway star stickers; Typo.com.au "LOVE" stamp; Heidi Swapp "this is" stamp; American Crafts Thickers; October Afternoon Daily Flash 2x2 page protector (right).

I'm using a Studio Calico handbook that I've painted a teal-ish color. I quickly found out that the Studio Calico inserts were meh, so I ordered some by Becky Higgins as well as October Afternoon (which you'll see here above on the right-hand side, 2x2 pockets great for instagrams.) BUT note, if you plan on using inserts of a different brand, be prepared to bust out the hole puncher as the holes will inevitably not line up. 

Cards: Sunshine Core Kit (all except "to do", which is Studio Calico.); Michael's yellow washi; Target dollar bin alpha stickers; everything else is from Studio Calico kits.

Small format and simplicity seem to be working for me. I find myself way less overwhelmed and more focused on the photos than trying to just fill up the pages. I also don't do a lot of journaling, as you may notice. It works for me.

Cards: Left side, both from Midnight core kit; Studio Calico "&"; We R Memory Keepers floral; Dear Lizzy Neapolitan mini kit hearts (on top of floral card.); October Afternoon daily flash pastel washi; TwoPeasinaBucket.com Kraft heart sticker; Studio Calico Thataway Louisana and heart sticker; Ali Edwards Technique Tuesday "I heart Travel" and "Here We Go" stamps; Lawn Fawn hand-drawn alpha stamp (on & card).

I hope you made it all the way here. It was a longwinded one, I know. I've really missed blogging and I hope you all are having a great year thus far. What were your resolutions? Anyone else working on Project Life? I'd love to see your work!