Cozy Vibes & Creative Wins: My January Project Life Adventure
Hello January, you chilly little overachiever! ❄️ This month kicked off my Project Life album in the coziest and most creative way, and I’m so excited to share all the details with you.
For 2026, I’m working in a 9 x 12 album from Scrapbook.com, and let me just say—it already feels like the perfect home for my stories. I leaned heavily (and happily!) on the Ali Edwards Story by the Month January 2026 kit, mixing in some Becky Higgins Project Life cards from my stash as fillers and even creating a few custom cards along the way.
A Cover Page That Says It All
Let’s talk about that opening page—because it makes me smile every time I see it!
The album begins with a bold, layered cover page featuring a large “2026” cut from teal cardstock using my Cricut Maker 3. I stitched it onto a clear acrylic sheet cut to album size, which adds such a fun, dimensional look. Right in the center of the numbers, I added a simple but powerful tag that reads “Documenting the Everyday.” It’s the perfect little reminder of what this whole album is about.
Kicking Things Off with a Personal Touch
My title page is full of heart! I used wood letters “L”, “T”, and “D” (for Litten, Tigger, and me 🐾), and gave them a fun makeover with Mod Podge and patterned paper. Paired with photos of the three of us and some cheerful New Year-themed filler cards, it feels like the happiest hello to the year ahead.
New to Project Life? Let’s Dive In!
If you’re curious about Project Life or just want a deeper look at how it all comes together, I’ve shared more about my approach in another post on the blog—“Capturing Life Through Photos with Project Life.” It’s a great place to start (or get re-inspired!) if you’re thinking about documenting your everyday life in a simple, meaningful way.
A Few Stories on Repeat (and I Love That!)
One thing I’m especially excited about this year is creating a rhythm with a set of stories I plan to repeat every single month. These “anchor” stories will give me a consistent snapshot of life as it changes throughout 2026. I’ll be including a photo of the front of my house and a neighborhood shot to capture the season and surroundings, along with a “First Day” and mid-month weather check (because let’s be honest, that always tells a story!). I’m also committing to a monthly selfie and a “Where I Stand” reflection, plus a trio of photos showing “This is What Life Looks Like” right now.
You’ll also see ongoing favorites like my A Year With My Camera – 1 Day 12 Pics and a “This is Us” photo group capturing everyday life with my favorite crew. I’m including a monthly Currently list (Watching, Reading, Making, Loving, Celebrating, and Listening), along with recaps of shows and movies watched and books read or listened to. And to keep things a little playful, I’m adding an Activity Challenge each month—plus the results! I seriously cannot wait to flip through these at the end of the year and see how life evolves.
Snuggly Days & Everyday Stories
January is basically the season of cozy, and I leaned all the way in. ☕✨
This month’s pages capture those simple, meaningful moments:
- Keeping track of the books I read and listened to
- Staying warm and cozy during the winter chill
- Trying out new recipes (because why not start the year deliciously?)
- Finishing my Girls on the Go Lap Quilt for Week 1 of my 52 Week Sewing Challenge 🎉
- Going down a full-on Star Trek: The Next Generation binge (movies included!)
- Keeping track of the books I read and listened to
These everyday stories might seem small, but they’re truly the heart of why I document.
Big Fun & Memorable Moments
Of course, January also brought some standout adventures!
- A refreshing First Day Hike at Lake Anna + a LOVEwork sign road trip 🌄
- Exploring the Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update (so fun!)
- A much-needed and laughter-filled Girls Weekend with Toni 💕
- And a big snow and ice storm that turned everything into a winter wonderland
It’s always fun to balance the quiet moments with these bigger experiences.
Dreams, Goals & A Little Accountability
I made space this month to document my Bucket List (hello, big dreams!) along with my 52 Week Challenges—Sewing, Hiking, and Recipes.
Not only does it feel good to have them in writing, but including them in my album keeps me motivated and inspired to keep showing up each week.
Creative Flow, Finally!
One of the best things I did this month? Using a page design approach I learned in Ali Edwards’ Plan, Prep, and Play class (thank you, Linda!).
Game. Changer.
It helped me stay organized, avoid decision fatigue, and most importantly—keep the creativity flowing. I didn’t feel stuck or overwhelmed… just excited to keep going.
✨ Cozy Moments, Big Memories & a Fresh Start
January was everything I needed it to be—cozy, creative, and full of small joys and meaningful moments. This album already feels like a beautiful reflection of real life, and I can’t wait to see how it grows throughout the year.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about perfection—it’s about telling your story. 💛
📣 Your Turn to Tell Your Story!
Are you working on a Project Life album or another memory-keeping project this year? I’d love to hear what you’re documenting, what’s inspiring you, or even what’s been challenging!
Drop a comment, share your pages, or tag me—let’s cheer each other on as we document all the everyday magic. ✨
Want to see it all come together? Watch my January Project Life flip-through video where you can see all the details, stories, and little touches up close—come take a peek! ✨
Thank you for visiting with me at
Down Home at Dee’s
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