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Scrapbook JournalingAs scrapbooking has become more and more popular, so to has the concept of scrapbook journaling. Journaling tells the story you would tell...we'll help you tell it well. What is Journaling? There are many different types of journaling that you can use in your scrapbooks. The most basic way to understand it is that scrapbook journaling "tells the story." When you sit down with your pictures and show them to friends and family, often you find yourself telling a certain story or reliving a certain detail associated with that memory. Now, imagine that generations from now, someone (perhaps a descendant of yours) finds your scrapbook. What stories would you tell them if you were sitting there looking through the album? What moments would you relive? Journaling allows you the space to write those stories down so that they, like your photos, can be passed down through the generations. Other types of scrapbook journaling are not necessarily narrative. Some include quotations or conversations, some describe emotions and sentimentality, still others simply offer a glimpse into the thoughts that run through your mind as you look at your photos.
It is often easiest to begin by writing down the questions. Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Determine which of these questions you feel you need to answer about each page of photos. What information is missing from your title, stickers, or other embellishments? Jot down a few notes to yourself about what story you would like to tell...then, ask Nike says, "Just Do It!" There are a number of different ways to "just do it" when it comes to scrapbook journaling. Computer Journaling Some find that typing their stories on the computer is faster and easier - plus the computer will check your grammar and spelling! Often, you will be able to fit more of your story on a page if you print your scrapbook journaling on the computer. You are also able to experiment with font styles, sizes and shapes and left with a cleaner copy than you would have with another format. Another benefit to computer journaling is the ability to play with paper. Try printing your journaling on vellum and overlaying it on a picture. Or, print on a transparency so as not to lose the background images. Your Handwriting Imagine...you are in your grandmother's attic helping her clean. As you begin to dig through the musty old hatboxes and moth eaten trunks of clothes you come across an old, dusty school desk. As the lid creaks open you find yourself staring at a priceless treasure. No, there is no money or jewels, but you have found your great-grandmother's diary. Though the pages are yellowed and the writing too spidery to read in spots, the connection you feel with this ancestor has never been more powerful. Especially in this age of technology, text messaging, and email, handwriting is becoming more and more a symbol of our humanity. The emotions that wash over you whenever you come across an old birthday card from you parents, an old love note from a spouse, or an old diary from an ancestor are not imaginary. Scrapbook journaling your stories, in your own handwriting, can connect you with future generations in a way you had never dreamed possible...even if you think it's sloppy or too difficult to read! After all, your handwriting is just like you...unique, but not perfect!
Use Stickers Sometimes you are lucky enough to find the perfect saying as you browse the scrapbook aisle. Just because you didn't write it, doesn't mean it's not journaling. You can use alphabet and saying stickers to call attention to a word or phrase that you feel fits the page or the photos perfectly. Record Conversations Conversations can make for great scrapbook journaling material. Imagine recording the conversation your child had as he sat on Santa's lap last year. These conversations can bring back touching - and often humorous memories. Focus on Feelings Sentimental journaling focuses on feelings rather than facts. This is an opportunity to tell someone just how special they have been to you, or to comment on the way an event changed your life. Take 3 full minutes to free-write (keep writing, never letting the pen come off the paper) about the people or events in your photos. This stream of conciousness can be used in itself, or edited to convey your true emotional connections. File a Report Whether it's a mock police report about a broken window, or a newspaper story about winning the championship game, this style of journaling can offer a unique - and sometimes humorous - perspective on an event. Menus & Recipes Doing a page about Christmas dinner? Don't forget to include a copy of the evening's menu and the recipe for grandma's homemade apple pie! For a child's birthday, include a comment on their favorite foods and copy of the recipe for them to use when they're long gone. Don't forget to bring back the handwriting for this one. Grandma's homemade apple pie recipe is much more special when it has been written by the cook herself!
Lists Though they may seem random or boring, lists make for great scrapbook journaling when there isn't a lot to say. A father-son page may list the personality attributes they share. A child's 1 year page may contain a list of all the words he can say. Think about the numerous lists you make during your average week. A weekend barbecue grocery list, or a list of things we need to do before the baby is born make for great snapshots into your life. Poems & Quotes When you can't think of anything to say...find someone who has already said it. There are literally thousands of books, magazines, and websites devoted to poetry and quotations. We recommend Bartlet's Familiar Quotations
or Words that Shook the World.
The Quotations Page is a wonderful scrapbook journaling resource. It allows you to browse for quotes by keyword and store up your favorites in your own personal library. Scrapbook Journaling Tips
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