Hello,
This is part of the handout for the journaling beginner crop. The handout is aimed at beginners but seasoned scrappers may find some ideas they had forgotten!
If you would like a copy of the full article, (or have any questions about journaling), leave a comment and I will email you a copy.
Journaling
Journaling is the writing which accompanies your photographs on a layout. It is the who, what where, when and why of your layout.
Journaling is not just for your own reference, but for future generations who may not know who made the scrapbook. The paper and ink you use should be archival quality and you should avoid writing directly on your photographs. journal next to, beneath, or on an adjacent page. You should include dates, names, events and any other details you think are important. Remember that future generations may not know who ‘mum’, ‘dad’, etc are, include full names where possible.
Journaling is the perfect way to hand down family stories, superstitions and traditions, don’t be afraid to include these in your journaling.
Journaling does not have to accompany photographs, you can journal a layout without photographs too. This can be a valuable resource to pass down to future generations and can help tell your story.
Materials for journaling
The most important thing to remember when choosing materials for your journaling is that they are archival quality, acid and lignin free.
Pens should be permanent, fade and water proof. There is a wide selection of suitable pens available from your scrap booking supplier.
Printer versus written journaling
Many scrap bookers feel that their handwriting is not good enough for their scrapbooks and prefer to use a computer to write their journaling. Whilst this is a neat way to journal, the benefits of handwriting are overlooked, you are limiting when you can journal and future generations will be interested to see your own handwriting. A mixture of both seems to be best.
Basic journaling ideas
Many scrap bookers feel that their handwriting is not good enough for their scrapbooks and prefer to use a computer to write their journaling. Whilst this is a neat way to journal, the benefits of handwriting are overlooked, you are limiting when you can journal and future generations will be interested to see your own handwriting. A mixture of both seems to be best.
Basic journaling ideas
Here are a few simple ideas to get your journaling started.
1. Write directly on your layout. Sounds simple, but this method is often forgotten. Simply writing around your photographs can be very effective.
2. Matt and layered journaling. Write or print your journaling onto paper or cardstock, cut out and matt onto paper or cardstock to compliment your layout. Attach to your layout using adhesive or sticky fixers.
Ink the edges of your journaling and add embellishments to co-ordinate with your layout.
Try cutting your journaling into strips before matting and layering, then add them to your layout, use different angles to create a different effect.
3. Tag journaling. Journal onto die-cut tag and attach to your layout using ribbon, brads or adhesive. You can use as many tags as you need to get all the information onto your layout, without taking up too much space.
4. Mini book journaling. Mini books are a great way of hiding your journaling. To make a mini book - cut a piece of card and fold in half. Cover the front of the book with matching paper and embellishments. Write inside and attach the back of the book to your layout with adhesive, brads, ribbon, or sticky fixers.
michele x
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