Tuesday, July 16, 2019

So You Want To Be A Better Memory Keeper?

Have you been itching to start memory keeping but don't know where to start? Do you feel overwhelmed by all of the documenting you haven't done? Don't know how you'll ever catch up? I'm here to help! And I'm LOLing bc this sounds like the beginning of an infomercial.

While I personally love physical scrapbooking like I shared here, I know that this isn't always the easiest method of memory keeping. Especially if you have small kiddos running around. The thought of pulling out a bunch of scrapping supplies only to have it be taken over by curious little hands sounds stressful if you ask me. And I know it's not always plausible to have the time to create beautiful albums when little humans are demanding so much of your time and energy. So here's where the digital world of scrapbooking comes in.

Project Life scrapbooking method layouts

Introducing the Project Life App. The method of scrapbooking with pocket pages that I have been using for years is called Project Life by Becky Higgins. It started as a physical product, then a digital option was created to be done on the computer, and there is now an amazing app to help make your documenting dreams come true in the palm of your hand.

The app itself is free! Wahoo! There are a few core kits and value kits that come with downloading the app so you'll have your choice of filler cards and journaling cards to compliment your photos but you can also purchase more kits within the app (and there are some DARLING ones) for less than $3.

Here's how it works:

Download the app and create an account. From there you can follow the prompts to create pages by adding photos from your camera roll, WhatsApp, iCloud, Dropbox, etc, and filler cards. Add some quick journaling either by typing it out or you can use the microphone button on your keyboard to speak and it'll type your words out for you (genius). Save the pages and then you can order them from the app individually to put in page protectors & into a 3 ring binder orrrrr you can order complete photobooks straight from the app. While I haven't ordered any books myself from the app because I use the physical products, I have seen the books and pages and the quality is unreal!

It's literally the fastest scrapbook-esque memory keeping and its all in the palm of your hand. You can do a page or two while you lay in bed at night, waiting at the doctor's office, in the carpool lane, etc. So quick, so easy, so cute, and SO WORTHWHILE!

Becky shares a blog post HERE all about how she creates family yearbooks every year using the app and how it takes her only 10-15 minutes per week to put it together. That's only a few minutes per day, you guys. Totally doable! Her post also shows some photos of the photobooks you can order via the app.


I know that not only will you love these albums but your family and friends will adore them, too! Documenting life creates connection, fosters gratitude, and helps us live our lives with more intention!

If I can help you with your memory keeping goals at all, don't hesitate to reach out to me! I would be thrilled to help in any way I can!

xoxo, Chelan

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Our Love Story: Part 16 | The Proposal

"Here's the thing about this love story of ours. It's long. And drawn out. And mushy-gushy. And even a bit cheesy. But it's true. And I've decided to take my time writing it, capturing all the special details of those moments I never want to forget. So if mushy-gushy, cheesy love stories aren't your thing, I totally get that. Just know that I'm writing this as a gift - to my family, and my children, and their future children - and also, for [Parker] and me - so that on those days when the kids are screaming, the laundry is overflowing and the bills are rolling in...on those days when it all just seems so hard, we'll have this to remind us of those first moments when we fell in love. And if sappy, detail ridden love stories are your thing, well then you've come to the right place." -Ashley Stock

To read the beginning of Our Love Story, click here.
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We'd been back together for about two months when American Thanksgiving rolled around and we decided to head up north to spend it with my family. I had absolutely NO IDEA what was to come from that trip and it turned out more perfectly than I could have ever imagined!