a song in my head

joni mitchell. i can't actually imagine what i would be like without the influence of her songs. my mum has always loved her, and her words have surrounded me for my whole life.

this song popped into my head the other day. it's one of my favourites, so it often does. i thought i'd make a little layout in my 6x8, using the words as inspiration. 

it makes me think of stars, and dancing, and all kinds of unspoken things.

a charming detail

the potential to include ephemera is one of the things that drew me most strongly to project life. here's a 6x8 layout that incorporates some wrapping paper from a bunch of flowers that arty and i bought on a trip to the market.

it's a little nothing. but it's something.

personal 6x8 album

i keep two project life albums. one is a 12x12 that i use to make weekly spreads of our family life (and it's very arty-heavy, because he's the most interesting of the three of us!), and the other is a small 6x8.

the point of the 6x8 is not to keep a chronological account of life, but to record the little thoughts and ideas that pop into my head. earworms, passing favourites, little personal victories and epiphanies, and of course pieces of gathered ephemera.

i'm taking a much more relaxed approach to this album, and enjoying it immensely.

here's the title page:

it's my intention to use this as a tool for inspiring gratitude, presence in the everyday, and attentiveness to the little things. i know those things are blogger cliches these days, but i think that's because they actually do work to make us happier and more content. so i'm going with it.

including quotes

since he's at prime hilarious-toddler-speak stage at the moment, i'm making room for arty quotes where i can.

this one was so sweet. our friend siobhan came over to visit, and he went right up to her, said "hello, 'vaun! nice-a see you!" so enthusiastically, and then gave her a big hug.
arty's a kid who doesn't give his hugs away for free - they're a sign of real love and affection, so this was pretty special.

how do you include quotes in your spreads?