WRITTEN ONE WEEK AGO (AUG 1):
Well, I made it through the documentation stage of another A Week in the Life. It is a fantastic accomplishment in and of itself. I always enjoy taking photos of our daily routines. I am getting better and better at taking photos that I want to take and not being shy about it. It has taken a lot of practice over the years. The photography classes I've taken, the weekly photo walks I used to take with my friends in Beijing as well as many challenges I've taken over the years like photo a day, this Week in the Life project as well as a few other Big Picture classes everyday documentation challenges have helped. I get better at it each year. With the photo a day project, I am in the habit of taking photos just about every day. Many days, I take many more than one. That mindset helps with a project like this - I rarely blank out and forget.
But when I do, as I did a few times this week, here is one of the ways I cope. I am creating a list for my album titled PHOTOS I DIDN'T TAKE.
Here is my list:
*Reece playing with his friend Elliot in the garage. They were working on their movie script and had the folding table & chairs set up as well as movie props and writing materials.
*Nicholas working with Mr. C, his tutor
*Our late night (9 PM) grocery store run to buy snacks and lunch for the Dragon Boat Races
*Attending The Wiz at a local high school.
*Shopping at Trader Joe's with Reece
*Serving ourselves fro yo at Yogurtland (still might do this and add it in) - boys won't mind being gineau pigs!
When my week is over, as much as I am relieved that I don't have to be taking photos any more, I also miss it too and feel like I am missing something when I don't document our every move. I'm exaggerating a little, but I definitely miss it and keep taking more everyday photos for a few weeks after wards.
I loved the inspiration I saw on other websites. I got some good ideas for self-portraits I would like to try. I'm not overly creative with those.
Now it is time to get to work on my album.
I want it to be super simple or else I will not do it. I like doing hybrid/traditional. I am using a format very similar to Ali's. I will choose one 8.5 x 11 photo - portrait orientation for hte first page for each day, one page of 9 pockets - both sides and one 8.5 x 11 photo collage on the last page. I plan to print out grids on some white or kraft paper to use as journaling papers to put at the bottom of my full page photos as well as at the edges of my photos in the 9 pockets. I will use a similar style to Ali's digital designs for this year, but I will make them myself and do it traditionally.
Here are the products I've picked out to use for my A Week in the Life Album. I'll explain what I plan to do in a post soon.
UPDATE: WRITTEN MONDAY, AUGUST 8
I have been working hard on selecting my photos, creating templates for the photos that go in the 9-pocket pages and it is taking much longer than I had anticipated. I do not have a photo printer here, so I was hoping to get them printed at Costco before I go back to Beijing, but I am not sure that is going to happen. Of course there are a few glitches that cost me more time, but I keep plugging away.
How is your album coming? If you've posted your progress after the documentation stage, please let me know as I'd come see what you've done so far.
BIG PICTURE CLASSES FREE SUMMER CLASS
My kids go back to school on August 15, so I will be ready with plenty of free time (ha!) during the day to enjoy BPC's Big Idea Festival 2011. It's free! Click on the icon below for more details.
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