Episode 188: Week in the Life: Album Formats & Formulas

Crafty Ass Female

This week we are concluding our Week in the Life series with our third and final roundtable episode.

On today's show Kristin is talking to Shu-Wen of Choux Puff Creations, Amber Dawson, Nolanna Lynch, Jeanne Williams, and Steph Grimes to talk all about the best ideas for putting together your Week in the Life album.

What is Week in the Life?

From Ali Edwards.com:

A seven-day documentary project, Week In The Life™ began in 2005 as an annual opportunity to capture the simple everyday details of life with photos and words. The albums I've created are some of my most treasured in that they are wonderfully true representations of my family's life at a particular point in time. From the mundane to the profound, it's those simple little everyday moments that I treasure most.

Very Special Guests:

Shu-Wen Hello! My name is Shu-Wen (Choux Puff Creations) and I'm a baker / crafter / music maker from Canada!
I've been making cards for many years, but only recently started scrapbooking in 2020, and I've loved every moment of my creative journey! You can find my work through my Instagram or YouTube channels, as well as through my design team work for Citrus Twist Kits, Color Cast Designs, Layered Life, and on the Ali Edwards Brand Ambassador Team!

Steph Grimes I’m Steph Grimes and I’m a lifelong storyteller and memory keeper. I made my first scrapbook from a kit bought at Michael’s when I was 21 and have been making scrapbooks ever since, for over 20 years now. I live in Maryland with my amazing husband and our little red pup, Ruby. I enjoy documenting all types of stories from our day-to-day life to our grandest adventures, but travel albums are my favorite! This is my 6th year participating in the Week in the Life project and it is one of the highlights of my year each year.

Amber Dawson is 38, and has been scrapbooking in some form or another since she was about 15 years old. She live in PA with her boyfriend and his three kids who are with them part-time. Therefore, a lot of her documenting is of her and her partner, their 2 kitties, and the kids when they visit. She's done WITL albums for the last 2 years and has really enjoyed the process of digging deeper into their lives.

Jeanne Williams is a lifelong storyteller and writer who lives in Arlington, Virginia. She has been married 31 years to her college sweetheart and is mother to two amazing young adult daughters. She loves telling her stories through Project Life, story albums and various mini books and travelers’ notebooks. This will be her 8th year participating in Week in the Life, one of her favorite everyday documenting projects. In addition to her creative pursuits, she loves the beach, reading, travel, coffee and happy hour on the porch.

Nolanna Lynch

Best advice for Putting Together Your Week in the Life Album

• It doesn't matter what format you're using
• Don't try to use everything you've captured
• Be flexible with the plan you've created