Happy Friday sweet friends!
I’m back today with another blog post related to memory keeping. A couple of weeks ago I blogged about my love for the Heidi Swapp Storyline collection for documenting memories and occasions. You can find that post HERE.
I use that system in conjunction with the Happy Planner™ Memory Keeping system and these two brands/systems work PERFECTLY for me. Between the two, I’m documenting everything.
So…let’s talk. I know y’all have a lot of questions about this system and I’ve heard plenty though my social media channels, as I’ve been sharing for a bit.
Here are some of the main questions I’m often asked. Throughout the questions I’ve scattered the photos of the pages of my album.
Q: Why are you using a planner for memory keeping? Are you writing down your appointments? How is this different than scrapbooking?
A: It’s not. This isn’t a planner. It’s manufactured by the Happy Planner™ which is a planner brand, but this is scrapbooking. It’s everyday memory keeping. It’s another form of PL, or pocket scrapbooking, or journaling. This is not my planner. This is an album, a way for me to document every day. To learn more about how I use actual planners, read HERE.
Q: What size is this book?
A: Covers – 9” x 11.25” Pages – 8.5” x 11” Rectangles- 1.89″x 2.95″ (close to 2×3 but not quite. That’s why this punch comes in handy) . This means I’m not putting HUGE albums on my shelves. An entire bound book covers a year.
Q: What if you need more room to document?
A: There is a pre-punched cardstock pad I use to add extra room for documentation (see kraft colored page below) . There are also page protectors/photo inserts and you can add ANYTHING to your book using this border punch.
Q: What do you use to embellish your spreads?
A: I use the sticker packs that match this system. They have everything you could possibly need to make your spreads pop. The labels are from my own stash.
Q: What do you do if you don’t have enough photos and memories to fill all of the spots?
A: Sticker packs to the rescue! I can add quotes, decorative boxes, borders, etc.
Q: What do you use to print your photos?
A: Until recently I was exclusively using my Polaroid Zip . I loved it because it prints photos almost the exact right size for the boxes and you just print and stick. HOWEVER. Recently the prints have been coming out realllly crappy. I’m not sure why and I’m not pleased. I did start a new pack of film the other day and the prints were better so who knows what is going on. I also use my HP Envy printer but I don’t really love it and I’m in the market for a new printer- suggestions welcome!
Q: Where can I buy the Happy Planner goodies?
A: Directly from The Happy Planner website or at Michael’s.
Q: What do you do if you get behind?
A: I’m more than three weeks behind right now. EEEEK! I add sticky notes (these are from the Target Dollar Spot) and quickly journal on them to jog my memory later.
Here are some detail shots so you can see how I embellish. I LOVE to layer stickers directly on the photos:
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If I have a photo that is too small, I just use a sticker from the sticker book as a frame!
Again, all of these cute embellishments come in the sticker packs!
I also filmed a little flip through for y’all. This will give you a good idea of how it all flows together. If you have ANY questions, ask below. I’d love to help!!! I’m so thrilled to be back to documenting!
Happy Friday!
xoxo
S
Great video! Very helpful to see your WIP pages.
Thank you so much Evelyn! xo
The scrapbooking industry has changed so much over the past few years with Project Life coming on the scene. I’m not sure many scrapbookers are doing traditional layouts anymore. Kit clubs have stopped making scrapbooking kits and moved to planner kits. I have no need for a planner so I kinda feel left out with these changes. Your thoughts on the changes? Great little video except I was looking forward to a few girlie yelling “mom”! Lol
SO MUCH. Dont’ feel left out!! ADAPT! Use those planner kits on layouts! There are totally still scrapbook kits left too, it doesn’t have to be one or another!! I have some fun idas coming, keep your eyes peeled! xoxo
Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve!!
Great post! I too have noticed my prints aren’t as clear and bright when using the zip. It’s so convient but not happy always with the photos. The sticker books are awesome and there are so many! Last week, they were 60 percent off.
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I’m using this planner as a daily scrapbook for my nephew and it’s nice and easy to do each night. Takes minutes sometimes!
There is always a good deal to be found on those sticker packs- they are the BEST! Have a wonderful weekend~! xoxo
thank you!!
i too wasn’t loving the quality of the photos from the zip, so I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002P7H1N0/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
I bought a used one (in my case only the box was messed up so it was a bargain.) I’ve been very happy with it so far. I figure zip can be my backup.
You have made my whole life better by introducing me to this, i am so happy with it and can’t wait to share my weeks, too!! thank you so much for sharing so much of yourself!
I am SO Happy to see you “back” too, sweet friend. Thanks so much for the link, I’m off to check it out!
It looks great, Stephanie! I w ish they had something like this when my kids were younger! It’s a great alternative to Project Life. Seems easier and more manageable. You will love looking back on all of the bits and pieces of life that you are capturing. I’m not sure if I’m ready to give up my 12×12 format (and if I remember correctly you used to 8.5 x 11 sometimes when you were on the Studio Calico team). I may dip my toe into the Happy Planner waters by getting some of sticker packs to use on my pages! They look great!
I do still enjoy doing 8.5 by 11 now and then!!
Thanks for sharing! These pages are so cute Stephanie! What a great way to record activities. And it’s great the planners don’t take up much room on a shelf.
I’ve had an Epson Picturemate Charm 4×6 printer for 4 or 5 years and it works great. The only editing I usually have to do is to lighten the picture before printing (they seem to print darker than what I see on my computer if I don’t lighten.) I love the pictures. The price/print is about .30 – .35 depending what kind of deal you can find but I think it’s worth it for the convenience.
I love how you are using the planner for memory keeping. This is such a great way to document!
I’ve been considering the HP Sprocket….you can use the Zink photo paper in it as well (if you keep the blue card that comes with it – you have to fool it apparently so it thinks it’s using HP paper).
This is so great. I do love Project Life, but it really becomes time consuming and I get stuck or stall. I have been thinking of doing something like this for awhile now and after seeing your post and video, I decided to go for it. I like how quickly I can record daily memories before I forget them! And that also leaves me the option to document in a larger PL format when I find the time. I don’t feel as stressed. Really loving this format and would love to see more posts and videos from you (if you have the time). Thanks for the inspiration!