Scrapbook Journaling
Scrapbook Journaling may be considered optional by some scrapbookers. No matter whether you choose to type your journaling messages, or present them in your own handwriting, remember that journaling is an absolute requirement for scrapbooking, and what you say is more important than the method you use. Why is it so important?
If you do not include names, dates or other details to your layouts, they will cease to hold significance to those who look at your work in the future…so think about people who are going to read your scrapbooking journaling down the road. The facts of your photos will not be known by them. Your children and their children will want to know who you really were, what you were like as a person – and the real stories behind all those photographs, especially the ones of them in their younger days. So, don’t let anything prevent you from sitting down and spending a few moments in thoughtful contemplation before you journal your story.
Speak from your heart and it will make all the difference to those viewing your albums.
Some basic tips for effective journaling:
1. Always leave a space in your layout to write a story, be it short or long. You don’t have to journal as you go. I often go back after the layout is complete to do my writing. You may want to spend an hour or so and journal several layouts at once. Get the creative work of colour, photos arranging and embellishments behind you while you’re on a roll…then go back to journal. That way it does not interfere with your creativity. I often use stamps to create the custom space, such as the ones shown here:
2. Keep in mind that effective journaling should include the details of Who, What, Where, When and Why. These are the questions your readers will want answered in order to fully understand why these layouts are of significance.
3. When your journaling thoughts come to you, write them down. Keep a notepad handy so that when distant memories or inspirations pop into your head, they are not lost. When you have time later they can be transformed into beautiful, natural stories that will be enjoyed by your readers for generations.
4. Sometimes a verse or poem can express your feelings when your words cannot. Don’t be afraid to add them to your journaling. There are many great sources for finding such verses.
5. Is your penmanship keeping you from journaling? That can be a cherished part of your history that your children and grandchildren will appreciate, even though you may not think your handwriting is acceptable for such an important and beautiful work of art as scrapbooking layouts become. I have a cookbook with my late mother’s recipes written in her own hand. That makes it more special for me. Why not practice to make perfect.? If you still feel your handwriting is bad, try these free fonts for downloading , then type your stories. Either method will work fine.
6. Most importantly - remember there is always a story behind every photo, and be sure that telling that story is a part of your scrapbooking layouts. The more information you include, the more cherished and valuable these scrapbooks will become as historical records for future generations of your family.
Return from Scrapbook Journaling to Homepage
