Project Life with Lori Whitlock

About a month ago, I bought a tray at a craft store for under a dollar. It was originally $12, but the back part had splintered off and the store was really just trying to get rid of it. I took one look at it and knew I HAD to have it. I didn't have a clue what I was going to do with it, but I definitely had to have it! When I saw Lori's Project Life cards, I immediately knew what I wanted to do with the tray. It was perfect for those cards! I quickly sent her an email that was the equivalent of a grade-school kid with their hand raised in the air, jumping up and down, and yelling, "pick me, pick me!"

Now, I don't keep a project life album. I think they are a WONDERFUL idea, but they are simply not for me. Quite frankly, keeping up with one initimidates the heck out of me! But, a tray filled with Project Life cards? That I could do! My schedule has been jam-packed full lately. And while I may not always have the time to devote to a full layout, making a card or two at a time is easy, and fast, and totally cute!

I added door pulls to the bottom of my tray to give it feet. I simply cut off the screws with a hacksaw. I'm sure the idea lodged firmly in my brain after seeing it somewhere on Pinterest.

My papers came from Echo Park's Charming and Graceful collections from the This and That Line (designed by Lori, of course), and I used her brand new DOILY BANNER. I added some twine and a few buttons, and I wrapped the doily banner off-center around the side of my tray for a festive look.

The opposite side of my tray has different embellishments added. This time, I fussy cut several of the circles and a border from my EP papers.

As you can see, I covered the inside with more EP papers and added paint around the top edge of the tray (allowing it to drip slightly down the sides for a more antique-y, less polished look). Of course, the outside of the tray was just too deliciously distressed to completely cover up - so I chose embellishments that would highlight and compliment it!

And my cards? Those are where I have been having the most fun!

I used the PROJECT LIFE 4x6 cards and reduced the size by one inch so they would fit my tray (app. 3x5). For some cards, I added journaling on the back side and a picture on the front; for other cards, I chose to add embellishments on the front and a picture on the back. I even created a pocket on one card. The best thing about these cards is that there is no wrong way to use them! And Lori made the decorating process even easier by adding wonderful phrases for me to use, such as these in her SO HAPPY TOGETHER set!

Are you ready to get started on your own Project Life project? Whether you use a tray or an album for your cards, it's more affordable than ever. Why? Because Lori's having a sale, that's why!

That's right, now through February 29th, you can save 25% off your purchase in Lori's STORE if you use the code: BDAY25.

Now go! Leave! Step away from your computer and go live each day to the fullest! And remember, it's not only the occasional vacations or holidays that make up our lives; it's the small, everyday events and the people we see and interact with day in and day out that make up each of our unique, richly flavored stories!