Day in the Life | Gillian Nelson

Ali Edwards has set aside September 9-15th for her popular Week In The Life project. We've asked five of our Creative Team members to take on a recording and sharing one day with all of you. They'll each be sharing a project, their tips and tricks, and a video. We hope these ideas inspire you as you take on a Day or Week In The Life album!


For my Day In the Life project, I originally planned on creating a simple, single-page insert for my Project Life album.  But that plan changed rather quickly when I realized how much I wanted to include.  I ended up using the front and back of 2 Project Life page protectors (Style F)  Whoa.  Most of my Project Life album focuses on the adventures of the Nelson family, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to include a more focused section about me.  Why not, right?  Right.  

Though my scope of the project changed, my plan for simplicity did not.  In fact, it was even more important to me to maintain simplicity as my project grew larger.  I wanted to be able to include all of those details & pictures, but not get bogged down by extra time spent on design.  I gave myself permission to make it easy, and I think enjoyed the project all the more because of it.  

I used the same design for each of my filler cards throughout the spread, and I loved the clean and modern look of Catherine Davis' Double Scoop Alphabet Card cut files from the Studio Calico digital shop.  They added a nice bit of visual interest that I felt didn't distract from the photos, but instead gave the eye a chance to rest as one works their way through the pictures.  Using my Cameo, I cut the alpha cards from Studio Calico graph paper, and simply adhered them over top of 3x4 pieces I'd cut out of various patterned papers from the Double Scoop kit & add-ons.  Using papers from one kit again gave me the gift of simplicity in putting the project together.  I didn't have to put any thought into what would work.  All of these papers were preselected and coordinated with one another perfectly.  And I used a 4x6 card from the Double Scoop Project Life kit as my title card for the whole spread.  Easy.  Simple.  Done.  Love that.


If I were to adapt my project to an entire Week In the Life scope, I would probably reduce the number of photos and use a less-wordy style of journaling.  (I don't know if you've noticed?  But I'm wordy.)  If a single day in my life takes 4 pages to document, though, a whole week using the same style would practically be it's own mini-album.  Yikes.  So if I were to integrate a focused week in my life into my family's Project Life album, I'd have to abbreviate things, obviously.  I'd probably revert to my original idea of a single-page insert, using bullet points for journaling.  But I'd still recommend involving another person to help collect photos for the project.  I loved having more pictures to choose from, and I suppose it was good to get my face in front of the camera for a change.  Although I grumbled about it every time.  Maybe don't grumble at your helper like I did.  Appreciate.  Don't grumble.

It's not at all necessary to be doing Project Life in order to take on documenting a Day (or Week) In the Life.  I just felt that using the Project Life page protectors and format would make it simpler for my individual process.  I think this same philosophy of project could easily be applied to a traditional scrapbook layout, however.  And it would make a fantastic addition to any album.  So if you're not a "Project Lifer", please don't let that stop you from giving this a try!


I'm so glad I took part in this Day In the Life project!  I know I'll appreciate having it in our family album when I look at it in future years, and I'm excited to go through the process again some time.  With less grumbling.  (But let's be honest...probably not.)  

Supplies:  Double Scoop Scrapbook KitLicorice add-onSprinkles add-onDouble Scoop Project Life KitSC Grid PaperDouble Scoop Alphabet + Number Cards Cut FilesDouble Scoop Printable LabelsProject Life Page Protectors (Style F)Silhouette CameoTiny AttacherPrecision Pen .05


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10 comments

  1. ginny says…
    09/11/2013

    oh g, i just wanna come hang out with you :) you are a rock star!

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  2. kcp_ says…
    09/11/2013

    very neat take on the project, TFS

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  3. katie_rose says…
    09/11/2013

    fabulous!

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  4. shicchan says…
    09/12/2013

    I love the number filler cards!

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  5. kezlant says…
    09/12/2013

    So cool and filled with great ideas. Thank you!

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  6. threekidneys says…
    09/12/2013

    I liked the idea of doing before/after shots of shopping carts. Might use this tomorrow at my favorite store, Target. Might have to include a shot of my kid in the cart for the before pic. I also liked how you used your large photos, but up across the pockets. Nice!! Thanks for sharing your work with us.

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  7. atreece says…
    09/13/2013

    great work, it looks fabulous.
    Just wondering which app did you use to type to add journaling to the pictures?

    thanks for sharing, im inspried!

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  8. heygillian says…
    09/13/2013

    Thanks so much, guys!

    @atreece--I added all the text in Photoshop. :)

    g

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  9. sweetie says…
    09/14/2013

    This is lovely. Thanks for showing us!

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  10. Jeyssiew says…
    09/17/2013

    This is fabulous. I am in love with your filler cards and as soon as I saw your idea I tried it and I have to say it gives a super look to my PL.

    Merci beaucoup =)

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