Tuesday 1 November 2011

document 2011

I'm taking a small break from pretty paper party to show you a project I've been working on since the beginning of the year.  The first thing you'll notice is that I am waaaaay behind!


Last year, Shimelle Laine launched a project called Document 2010 with UKScrappers, an online scrapbooking community.  The basic idea was to create an album documenting the big and little things that happen over the course of a year.  At the time, I thought I didn't have time to produce a set of layouts every month so I didn't join in.  And I spent an entire year becoming more and more jealous of all the beautiful projects I saw appearing, such as this one from Laura and this from Jen.


So when 2011 rolled around, I decided to make the time.  The basic set up is to take lots of photos (which I do anyway) and collect little bits and pieces from happenings throughout the month (which I also do anyway, I just didn't have anything to do with them until now!).  Then each month in the album follows the same format;
  • An envelope page for storing all those bits and bobs;
  • 12 mini-pages in divided page protectors, documenting all the things we've been up to;
  • A focus page, highlighting something important from the month.
I've just finished April so I figure this is a good time to do a summary post.  For the most part, I've tried to stay within a paper range to make my life easier, though I do pull embellishments and things from the rest of my stash too.  Incidentally, I have the photos, the bits & bobs and the events for the rest of the months to date.  All I need to do is find the time to document them!

January - A Walk In The Park, Echo Park.  A weekend away in Wales, lots of new things for Isaac (teeth, carseat & shoes), eating out with friends and mummy & baby groups.  Focus: new year's resolutions.


February - Joyride, Cosmo Cricket.  A lot of lasts (last mummies & babies, eating out with Cathy and Kat, days at work for Andy), revising for exams, starting the Marriage Course at church, visitng my parents, a new niece (Amelie May), more teeth.  Focus: my birthday.



March - Girl Friday, Cosmo Cricket.  Full-time daddying, back to work, visiting Calke Abbey with my parents, passing MRCPCH 1b, learning new skills (climbing the stairs), my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary, a positive pregnancy test and the loss of my father-in-law.  Focus: the highs and lows we've had through the month.


April - Earth Love, Cosmo Cricket.  Easter (eating chocolate, messily!), eating outside in the sunshine, learning to stand, my first mother's day, 2 lovely weddings, visiting my parents and the return of morning sickness!  Focus: a sunny weekend with friends, including a BBQ.



I've just realised that this is a bit of a Cosmo love-in!  These are quite old ranges with lots of scraps that I wanted to use up.  I might have to find another manufacturer for May though!

2 comments:

Emma-Janes Scrap and Sew said...

I love this idea! I think I'll try it for 2012 if I can resist it until then. I love the way you have used the 6x4 (12x12) page protector and made little layouts in each section. It looks fantastic so far can wait to see the rest.

Sue Althouse said...

Wow, I am loving this! Your paper choices are superb! Such a happy, fun album.