Thirty Days of Lists - I'm Joining In!

I heard about this fun sounding month long journaling project on a number of scrapbooking and papercrafting blogs I read and decided to jump on the bandwagon.  Basically, for one month you get a new prompt each day and at the end you have a collection of lists that help tell your story. 

I've been in need of a little creative spark and this came along at just the right time.  Post holiday winter is usually a slower crafting time for me and Michigan's dull grey skies aren't too inspiring.  I was looking for a new way of including more of me in our family's memory keeping.  This will be a fun and manageable way to leave a little bit more about Mom for my kids.  Plus March is my birthday month so it's also a fun way to mark turning 36.

You can learn more on the 30 Days of Lists website and if you decide to join in, might I suggest you use my friend Jennifer Wilson's link via Simple Scrapper?  She's also a Lister; you can see the journal she's created for next month, here.  Please note, she is an ambassador this round and by clicking through & purchasing via her link she earns an affiliate credit.  Look for the large aqua blue circle on the right hand sidebar. 

You don't have to make a special journal, but why not?  For me, that's one of the funnest parts!  I decided to take apart a Fancy Pants Designs Brag Book I've had sitting around.  It's got 60 journaling pages as well as several photo inserts and pockets so it's full of fun things.  A little too full if you ask me, adding lots of stuff to it would make it very bulky. 

Since it's got 60 pages, taking out half works nicely for 30 Days of Lists.  I've got the other half set aside for another journaling project, specifically the Mamahood Journal that was the August 2012 Project for the Simple Scrapper Premium Membership { <--- my affiliate link used there}.  I'll share that another time.

For 30 Days I used 30 lined sheets, three each of the photo sleeves and pockets, and the spiral from the brag book.  The front is decorated with a Dear Lizzie card, assorted washi tape in the top corner to cover a punching oops, letter rub ons, and a My Mind's Eye date label.

I created new covers out of chipboard and covered both sides with paper from the Neapolitan Dear Lizzie line.  Then I used my Bind It All to punch holes in the covers and into page protectors that I cut  down to size.  These became protective sleeves for the covers.  They are open on three sides and sealed only on one, which make them perfect for bits of leftover page protectors you might have from things like homemade Project Life inserts.  They'll provide a little bit of protection from finger smudges etc.

I thought the number paper was especially appropriate for this project and perfect for lining the inside of my journal.  I've added my name inside of the blank label to personalize it.  You can see the first photo sleeve and pocket on the right. I think I'll add a picture of me on March 1st or one taken at some time during the month and give some statistics along the lines of rukristen's Currently project.  Not sure how the pocket will be used, which is why I only added three for the month.  I'm sure some bits and pieces like receipts or things E draws for me will make it in there and add to the time capsule feeling of the project.  For now, I've stored some things that might come in handy for embellishing this month.

This will give you an idea of how each of the pages look.  I've gone ahead and stamped the date on each page.  The backside of each lined paper is blank, like on the left.  I'm thinking this will give me space to get creative with recording each day's list prompt and also provide me with room for including any pictures that might relate to the topic.  It will be fun to use up stash here.

I really wanted to wait and be surprised each morning with the day's list prompt but also knew I wanted to include a list of them at a glance somewhere in my book.  As I planned out the journal I realized it made most sense to put it on the cover and since I was making protective sleeves, I'd have to add it before assembling everything.  I knew that once I had everything rebound I would be too lazy to take it all a part. 

It probably would've made most sense to have on the inside of the front cover but I was so eager to use that number paper I wasn't thinking clearly.  It was only after it was mod podged on that thought further on the list placement.  So it's on the inside of the back cover and I've decided not to obsess about it.  Or rather to try and not obsess too much about it.  Cause you know I'm going to!

The back of the journal has more Neapolitan Dear Lizzie and washi tape.  I fussy cut out the little jar and love how it all turned out.  Incidentally, the Dear Lizzie paper I used is from an awesome paper pad Michael's put out under their Recollections brand.  It's not labeled Dear Lizzie but it so is.  I know, I have the real deal expensive double sided sheets sold individually to compare them too.  I've horded it in the past and getting the paper pad was like Christmas.  I like how the paper in the pad is one sided, now I don't have to feel bad about using one side and "wasting" the pretty second side. 

So, that's my plans for 30 Days of Lists.  It would be so fun if you joined me!  There's a Flickr group, forum, some journaling cards and other cool printables that are included with your registration price.  I'd love to see you there!



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