Project Fifty-Two

I'm going to be starting a year-long project on January 1, 2009 and I hope you'll consider joining me.

If you've read my scrapbooking manifesto, then you know that in 2006, I did a page every week about my life.  I thought it was a very original idea.  Then, I heard about Ali Edwards "Week in the Life," and The Journal Quilt Project (a quilt a week), and Project 365 (photo-a-day for a year, which I'm in the midst of right now).  So, it's clear to me that lots of people set out these kinds of projects for themselves - projects in which you record the daily flotsam and jetsam of your life in an artistic way.

What I'm proposing is a kind of mush up of several of these ideas.  Here are the specifics:

Project Title: Project Fifty-Two

Project Time Line: January 2009 - December 2009

Project Participants: Anyone who wants to join in!

Project Concept: The idea is to get a year of your life recorded in some way. Every week for one year, participants will create something inspired by an event, a thought, or an emotion from that week.

Project Creations: Since I dabble in lots of different things, I wanted to make sure that other people who dabble could participate.  So, what you create doesn't have to be consistent.  You can create an art journal page one week and a quilt the next.  Or you could stay consistent and make fifty-two scrapbook layouts. 

Here's a list of some things I thought people could create:

• a photograph
• a poem
• a scrapbook page
• a mini album
• an art journal page
• a quilt
• an altered object
• a painting
• a piece of jewelry
• an Artist Trading Card (ATC)
• an article of clothing
• a card
• a doll
• an embroidered project
• a tag
• the possibilities are endless!

However, to keep it all in one place, I am planning to create an album.  Flat paper projects will go into the album (probably a D-Ring so that I can create paper projects in all sizes) and photographs of 3-D or larger projects will go into the album.  That way, at the end of the year, I'll have it all in one place, in some sense.

Project Note: I don't want this to be a burden to anyone (especially myself) so it's all very loose and easy going.  No prizes, no pressure, just sharing.  Essentially, this is a project that I am planning on doing myself and if anyone wants to play along, rock on!

Project Goals: The first time around, my album project...

1. Got me in the habit of creating every week (even the week I scribbled out "too busy to do anything" and stuck it in a page protector).
2. I had been an event scrapper before and my album project really helped me to learn how to create work based on small moments.
3. Allowed me to explore new techniques and ideas in a quick and easy way.

So, I hope you'll join me.  You've got lots of time to think about it.  I will post a few more details as we get closer to 2009!

Comments

[Nat]

sounds interesting - can't wait to hear more!

[Kim Sonksen]

Sounds good to me - look forward to hear more

[jillconyers]

i was just thinking about plans for 2009...projects, goals, etc. From my Project 365 experience the key is keeping it simple. I'm intrigued by your idea :)

[sandra collins]

sounds fantastic - just bookmarked your site so I can play along

[Gina]

I'm SO in. Yeah! I was thinking of making something up for myself, but I LOVE playing along with others. Hope we'll have a flickr group. Can't believe I have to wait till Jan 1.

[Gina]

OH ya I saw your new LO in CK this Dec 08 mag. Very cool with your new Digi elements.

[lily]

I love thisidea. I am going to try to participate. of course, I just posted on my blog about how overwhelmed I am...what's one more project?

[jen davis]

Sounds awesome!

[Sue]

Your idea does sound really cool. I seem to start all these cool projects then stop somewhere along the way. But, I could try!!

[Colleen]

Yeah! You can be my "artistic mentor" LOL

I really need someone to help me "just create" and this sounds like the perfect way to do it.

I'm in!

[Aimee]

This is a great idea. Way less pressure. I'm thinking I might do it. Thanks for the inspo missy. Are we just sharing via your blog?

[Liz]

definitely sounds intriguing. Ill have to think about it....because I am really bad at sticking with projects, LOL.

[shaina]

im TOTALLY IN. i tried the 365 portrait a day project, and felt totally overwhelmed. but this sounds do-able! thanks for the inspo! :D i hope your year goes well. :D

[kristina K]

This is such a fantastic idea!!

[Suzanne Webb]

Sounds like such a wonderfuul concept, Id love to say Im joining you, but I know Id fall off the bandwagon :)

[Helen]

Brilliant idea, am intrigued and cant wait to hear more. Will definitely be joining you on this journey. Cant wait! Best wishes, Helen

[Sue Clarke]

I cant think of a better way to start off the new year. Thanks for Project 52 and I will be joining you and the other cast of creating characters!

[sue brown]

okay youve talked me into it Julie, that was hard wasnt it. LOL
Sounds like a fantastic idea, look forward to hearing more about it.

[angie]

this sounds really cool. i wanna play too!

[Yamilee]

I am so in! I wanted to do the daily potrait but I kept procrastinating. This is perfect.

[Kathy Carr]

Cool! I'm looking forward to this!

[Carla]

this sounds much more do-able for me. I hope its ok to post the image with a link in my blog. If not just let me know. Thanks!

[Lisa Brown]

This is a great idea! i just might join in on the fun!

[kihaku]

count me in :)

[Heather]

I think I can do this!!!! I am pretty excited this year.