Project Life 2012: In Which I Renounce Yet More Products

I started a Project Life album. Well, I was collecting all the paraphernalia anyway...

The first page - my New Year's. I won't be using Becky Higgins' Project Life kits. Gorgeous as they are, I just don't have the money or space for more products. And the UK was so behind in stocking it all that it was just another note to put in the diary. Remember how I'm all about Balance in 2012? Well, it has to be easy, cheap and as-near-as-instant for me or there's no point! That sounds brutal but I know where my line is in keeping on top of everything and feeling calm nowadays.

You'll also notice while I make this album that the majority of it will be either straight 12x12 layouts or those 12x12 page protectors divided into 6. The reason for this: I have shedloads of them already and they need using up. Is it just me or are new shapes and sizes invented every year? I miss my 12x12! And I've found from doing One Little Word that again, the stock is so hard to get hold of in the UK. I don't have time to scour the internet for the right page protectors. I'll just use what I have, thanks.

I know this sounds uppity. And well, I am a bit. I feel like I'm taking my craft back on my terms. Somewhere along the way it started to become all about the product rather than the stories and pictures. Don't get me wrong, I LOOOOOOOVE my stash but it isn't all about that really is it? For me, it has to be about using my time wisely and getting the stories told while they're fresh. Waiting for certain papers/protectors/embellishments to arrive was stopping that process. So I cancelled my kit subscription. The lovely bits and pieces you see on these layouts are in my last Studio Calico package (at least until I've used up the gigantic pile of neglectic goodies languishing in the corner).

And with that, another 12x12 from the album:

I guess I'm finding a balance between what I need and don't need. Let's be honest - scrapbooking can seem a pretty frivolous hobby to most people! But it's important to me to be creative and this is the most enjoyable way I know how. And you know what? You're forced to be more creative when you have less stuff. So, let's try that for a while.