This had been a post long in draft. I had meant to write this when I first started on this project in January this year then was waylaid by my many other on-going projects (as usual), then I convinced myself that I should post only when I have a method to physically document it than the digital format now...blah...blah...blah... u get the drift.
I am happy to share that I did finally find a way of physically documenting it, easy and it truly just take a few minutes!
First let me describe the digital way of documentation.
I uses an Iphone and uses a free app titled "Collect" for my digital reminder and collation of my daily Year of Mornings photos. With an easy to use interface and a calendar view of all the photos u have uploaded (or not), it serves as a reminder so that I do not miss uploading any day. This app also allows me to post directly to both Instagram and Facebook, saving me many precious minutes. The end result is a Polaroid sort for photo with your caption below :)
For months, I just stop short here. I did not entertain an idea of any physical documentation till my kiddos commented that they cant see the photos unless they go online. This prompted me to explore and find a way of having it as a physical item. It must be an easy and non time consuming way. I am already struggling to be on time with my Project Life, I dont need any other "stressor"!
One day, I came across a post on FB about a free printing service - Printwich. Curious about its quality, I registered and tried it out. The prints arrived in 4" x 4" format with a white border. It is printed on a matt thick paper but NOT photo paper. There are also advertisements behind the photos. Though the print is quite abit darker than what I uploaded, that could easily be adjusted before I send in my prints.
The PROS
1) It is FREE, for 10 prints a month. Any additional prints are at $0.99 per piece. Normal shipping is free as well in Singapore :)
2) Uploading is simple, easy and fast :) Just click from either your photo roll or instagram :)
3) Shipping is pretty fast. I usually get my prints a week after uploading.
4) Additional 5 prints can be "earned" when a friend uses your code to order their first print. This works BOTH ways, meaning BOTH yourself and your friend will get an additional 5 prints for THAT month.
5) Quality is acceptable (in my personal opinion).
The CONS
1) Limited numbers of free prints per month.
2) Even when a friend uses your code, the additional 5 prints is only valid for that month only. You are only allowed up to 10 additional prints a month - that means only 2 friends registering. Beyond that you will not get more than 10 additional prints a month.
3) The print out is NOT on photo paper.
4) Print quality is not extremely sharp so the camera used must be of reasonable quality otherwise the photo may turn out all blurish
5) If you do not use your free prints for that month, it will be "forfeited" meaning you cant carry forward to the next month.
I decided to try and use this for my Year of Mornings photos. I plan to only stick the photos in, journal a couple of lines and call it done. I bought a Paper Stone Journal that is undated. This means that I could start any time :)
Combining the two, this is my end result :)
The prints are 2" x 2". I fitted 4 photos into 1 and uploaded that collage to be printed. This works well for me as the space in the Paper Stone journal arent big and really do not need a full 4"x6" photo for this project. With 10 prints a month, I manage to get 40 photos and with it being free, this is like godsend! Like I mentioned, the prints are acceptable for me. I generally do not take any detailing photos for this project so it works well. If you are planning to print detailed photos, you may want to explore other printing services.
Verdict?
My kiddos love to flip through it and with just a few lines of journaling, its simply a throwback sort of memory for them to flip through and have fun.
For me? It was exactly what I wanted - a simple and non time consuming way of documenting so that my kiddos get to see them. Best of it all, the monetary investment is just the Paper Stone journal which I bought at a heavily discounted price since it was "old stock" and the time investment was just cutting up the photo, adhering them and journal a few line - Easy Peasy!
Still with me? Interested?
Use my code "8dd4" to get an additional 5 prints for the 1st time u order :) Remember, you must register with this invitation code then order your 1st set of prints.
For me? It was exactly what I wanted - a simple and non time consuming way of documenting so that my kiddos get to see them. Best of it all, the monetary investment is just the Paper Stone journal which I bought at a heavily discounted price since it was "old stock" and the time investment was just cutting up the photo, adhering them and journal a few line - Easy Peasy!
Still with me? Interested?
Use my code "8dd4" to get an additional 5 prints for the 1st time u order :) Remember, you must register with this invitation code then order your 1st set of prints.
PS. I already have one set of additional prints this month, just saying :P
