Life Artist by Ali Edwards – a book review
Through the photos I took, I was able to see (litterally see) how really amazing and lucky and blessed I was.
Ali Edwards
Even though I don’t call myself a scrapbooker I am a huge fan of Ali Edwards. We share many similar values when it comes to the importance of documenting life, everyday photography and journaling. None of her books are available here (at all) or through amazon (as new), but I did find a secondhand copy of her third book Life Artist (Creating Keepsakes, 2007) and decided to take a chance and get it. And…
…I love this book! Some of the scrapbook layouts are a bit outdated and/or not my style, but for the most part this book inspires the heck out of me! It’s mostly in her writing, in the way she describes what life art is, how to find the time to document life, thinking about creativity and infusing all of this with your own style.
My secondhand copy has some folded corners, but that’s okay. I’m keeping this book!
Ali says “it’s okay” in what ever way you decide to tackle (the often overwhelmingly huge) task of documenting your life. Life art is to simply tell a story with words and photos. The book includes tips on how to learn how to pay attention and stay in the moment, capture the little things in life (and celebrate them), embrace imperfection (yay!) and find your own voice and tell your own story.
In the end of the book there are some project ideas, including my favorite the A week in the life-album and writing your own creative manifesto!
Each time I open this book it makes me wanna go through my photo folders, do a layout (my way = on the computer) and play with combining photos on a page! My goal this year is to finish at least two more of my personal year books, send my own Week in the Life-book to the printer – and keep up with the year book of 2013 while it continues. Wish me luck!
Also check out
* Life Artist -Scrapbooking life’s Journey by Ali Edwards, on Amazon
* Ali Edwards – lots of awesome projects!
I’ve been looking at getting some of her books second hand too, but have not yet committed, because even second hand they’re as (if not more) expensive as new ones by other people. Glad to hear a good review.
Wishing you luck! :)
We’re (my husband and I) trying to capture as much as possible – in different ways (pictures, homepage, blog, spiral notepad… bits and b(i)ytes. I was just ‘proof-reading’ his newest pages for our homepage. This is mainly for friends and family and for ourselves, our kids. It’s growing since 2002… (if you like, take a peek :) http://jtus.net/reisen/reisen.htm )
I plan to print it somehow, someday, to be able to hold a book in my hands.
Anyway – just wanted to say that, as I was doing the same thing you wrote about just now… ha! another conicidence ;)
Trevlig kväll!
I have been following Ali Edwards blog for at least 5 or 6 years. I love her take on Project Life and simple scrapbooking layouts. She is really good about getting down the stories so you have something to look back on later. Sorry her books are so expensive in your country.
Aloha, Kate
I finished yesterday my 2012 photobook (made on blurb). I’m ordering it today.
It has been a difficult (te me) and time-consuming project, but I loved the process. Saving my photos and my sweet memories on paper is a thing I want to do more often :)
Thank you for this review. The book looks great!