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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Art of Journaling


For many of us who love to scrapbook there is one area that we often struggle with ... and that is journaling.

We often just jot down the date and place of the photo, or 1 to sentences about the event taking place or better still we take the easy way out and don’t even bother with the journaling!

But truth be told …. We’re missing the point if we think we’re preserving memories for our loved ones. Years from now when your children and other family & friends look through the many albums of layouts that you’ve created they will wonder what really happened during that vacation, or “how old was I in that picture?” Now’s the time to write it down, share your feelings & emotions, share the detailed stories and funny things your kids say on your layouts because 5-10 years from now you won’t remember.

Now you don’t have to be an amazing writer you just need to let you heart speak. Start small if this is a big jump in your creative journey. Make some point form notes/idea first and then build on that. Write your thoughts on a piece of paper that can be hidden on your layout behind a photo or tucked in an envelope. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your thoughts will come together.

Here are some pages that a few of our DT have created and each one highlights the journaling in a different way.

"Strong Start"

Here's a few words from Lydia regarding her project.

"I am one of those poeple who truly dislikes my hand writing, but sometimes even a computer and printer will goof up. Many times I am on my last scrap of paper and it prints in the wrong spot or off to one side. In this layout I use that mistake to my advantage by filling the space with additional embellishments. In this case of journalling, the writing printed to high up and left a lot of negative space to fill, so I used a pencil sticker and then doodled to fill the void."

Lydia is also sharing a tutorial on her blog today on how to use scraps of paper with your printer.
Supplies used: Imaginisce (Geek is Chic papers: Chalk Talk, School Days, Geeks Rule, Favorite Subject Geek Speak; canvas stickers, sticker stackers, Glam Rocks), My Little Shoebox (alpha stickers), Divine twine, sheep design by Lydia, banner punch (Stampin' Up), Core'dinations Cardstock, October Afternoon (small letter in banner)


"Home School"

Here are Kim's thoughts on her layout.

"Homeschooling has been such a long journey for our family and we aren't finished yet. The Geek is Chic line is so perfect for documenting our years of teaching at home - colorful, bright, and so much fun!"

Supplies used: All Imaginisce Products (Geek is Chic), EK Success Circle Punches, misc Baker's Twine and Reminisce Alphabet


"Corn Maze"


Heather's thoughts on her project.
"I prefer to hand write all of my journaling and even though I don't always like my handwriting I think it's an important part of preserving the memories. Many times I will use a pre-cut journaling card - or two or three - depending on how much I am writing but then other times, like today, I use it as a key part of the design. I wanted to highlight certain key words and I chose to do that through varying typography such as fonts, borders and the addition of color. Don't be afraid to try something new but take a hint from me and practice on some scrap paper first!"

Heather is also sharing some tips on her blog of how she did her journaling along with step-by-step photos on how she covered the i-top brads. So make sure to hop on over to her blog.


Supplies used: Imaginisce Happy Harvest colleciton - 003337 (Autumn Splendor), 003338 (Apple Crsip), 003339, 003342 (I Love Fall), 003353 (Fall Friends Icon DieCuts); i-top 2.0 small & medium brads, 18 & 22 mm punches; Bazzill Basics (Navel); Copic Sketch Markers in YG63, YR07, Y17; Kaisercraft Tiny Alpha Stickers (Toffee Apple); Cosmo Cricket Ready - Set - Chip adhesive chipboard alpha - Red Line (Used the negative space); green rafia; misc orange and chocolate ribbon

*******
Hopefully you've been inspired today to do a bit more journaling on your layouts & projects. We'd love to see what you create so please feel free
to post your projects on our Facebook page.


And to help get you inspired we have a little
GIVEAWAY!!

All you have to do is leave a comment on each blog post this week
and your name will be entered to win:

an i-rock tool & accessories!!
So spread the news, share it with your friends by email and on facebook!

61 comments:

chantal said...

Journaling is also really hard for me, but I have started to try and journal on every layout I make, even if it’s hidden, but I am pushing myself to include a bit of the story behind the photo. So thank you for the different ideas!

MadeByKarla said...

Great ideas! I started scrapbooking without journaling but i've learned how important it is and now i use it as part of my page designs. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway :)
Madebykarla@gmail. Com

Unknown said...

I don't really like journaling. However the girls presented such a cute way to do it that I may try it. thanks for inspiring us every week.

Natalie Stewart said...

I love getting ideas about journalling, I often struggle with it. And then I usually avoid it totally!

Auntie Em said...

I always journal something on a page, even if it's hidden with on a tag or under a flap. It makes no sense to take the time to preserve the moment on that beautiful page without telling why it was so important. I often use the computer if it's a long story but I love the fun and imaginative way Heather has used to for her journaling. I will have to go check out all these designer's blogs to find out more of their tips and ideas.
Thanks for sharing! :)

Chelle said...

I always struggle with journalling. I love what Heather did with hers.

Danielle Higginbottom-Brown said...

Thanks for sharing! I struggle with journaling! Love what Heather did!
daniellehigginbottom at hotmail dot com

Kristal said...

I love the strong start layout, how it looks as if the pencil did the doodling and the "love." I've always struggled with journaling, knowing what I want to say but getting it on paper is much harder! Thanks Imaginisce for all your inspiration.

LisaB said...

Journaling is really hard for me. Sometimes I feel like I dont have anything to say about the photos. I need to try harder

Lucy said...

I am really lazy when it comes to journaling. I usually will write a sentence to explain a photo if necessary. I'm going to try harder. Thanks :)

Karen AKA Soccerboyzmom said...

Journaling is hard with some pictures, but I try to do a little to tell the story with at least he 5 W's.

Nicole Doiron said...

I just love all your journaling tips and i'm now off to leave a little blog love to your fabulous DT! I have to confess though, i don't journal often! I will make it a must now though!

Thank you for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Love love the inspiration!

Lisa P said...

Very cool. Love the circle banner on the one layout. I have a layout that I just hadn't figured out the finishing touch. I think I just found it!

Heather said...

I have such a hard time with journaling! I know I need to do more of it!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Gordon said...

What wonderful ideas for journaling. I sure can use the help.

Unknown said...

I really struggle with journalling. Thanks for all the helpful tips.

C&M Creations said...

Journaling is definitely hard for me, Thanks for all the great ideas!!!

Scrapycandy said...

I like the colorful journaling and the well placed 'pencil'. Loads of inspiration here.

mimisimon said...

Love the awesome journaling idea on the corn maze l/o. I would have never thought of this.

PamSpradlin said...

Thanks for the ideas on journaling. Sometimes that is the hardest part of making a layout.

Jamie said...

Great ideas!

Cynthia Baldwin said...

Good ideas for documenting out memories!. I especially like Heather's idea of using different colors to highlight different parts of your journaling.

Michelle McClure said...

Thanks for all the great ideas, and more so on each designer's blog posts.

Pamk said...

I too hate my handwriting but I know how fun it it to look at old recipe cards with my mothers and grandmothers writing on them so I make myself do it on pages occasionally.
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

Melinda said...

The journaling is just as important as the photos! I find that its easier for me to tell the story by just writing and not worrying about grammar and punctuation or by jotting down words.

Unknown said...

great ideas! love the colors of the layouts! I usually tuck a tag on a layout someplace with some journaling. Its ez for me to do it that way.
kacee

Kimberli said...

Such great ideas, thanks! I never used to journal but now that I'm making our boys' books, I'm making myself do it on every page - I agree that its so important to tell the story of the LO! Thanks for the chance to win!

Angela said...

Great layouts! Corn Maze is my favorite, love all the color in the journaling and all the details happening on the page. Awesome!

Unknown said...

Great layouts! Adding more journaling to my pages has been a goal of mine for this year. :-D

Kim H said...

Wonderful layouts. Love the colors, layering and twine on the 1st. On the 2nd like how you strung the circles for a banner, great layering. and the 3rd love the creative journaling, and colors. Thank you for sharing and a chance to win.

ehbost said...

I agree journaling is important. Thanks for reminding me just hoe much.

ehbost said...

OOoops! That should be 'how much'.

sammi said...

Fantastic layouts! I have so much trouble with the journaling aspect, myself. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

Kim M said...

I love to journal but wish I was better at expressing myself. Thanks for some inspiration.

Anna said...

I try to journal on every LO. I know its going to be important to my little girl someday!

Lorraine said...

wow these pages are stunning huni xx

Ruth G said...

I actually have a hard time not journaling all over the page, so it's really great that you're featuring beautiful ways to do it!
Thanks so much for all the inspiration!

Amy E said...

Thanks for the journaling inspiration. I usually get my layouts done, except for the journaling, and then they sit in a "waiting to be finished" pile. I know the journaling is the most important part, so I just need to DO IT!!!

amyis300 AT hotmail DOT com
scrapthissavethat.blogspot.com

Michelle said...

journaling is something that i must give ore attention to when i scrap...
thank you for the inspiration!

Janie said...

I do little in depth journaling on my pages since that is the hard part.

Sharon said...

I love to journal but also hate my handwriting. Thanks for these tips to kick my journalling to a new level!

Debbie Garcia said...

Journal is so important but I need to do more of it and I think I am inspired and should keep something to write so I can remember while I sit sometimes.
Thanks for sharng...

Sandi B said...

beautiful layout and love your journaling

ajmaluck said...

all the layouts are wonderful - thanks for sharing them

Sue D said...

Great tips on journaling--something I struggle with too.

Nat said...

I am great with Journaling on it's own and scrappying. I do have a hard time doing the two on the same page. Seriously this was awesome

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

This is an amazing post with beautiful LOs!! LOVE that first one!! THANKS for sharing:) Thanks so much for the chance to win:) sbmmhoover at yahoo dot com

Kathy said...

Great tips on journaling! I think journaling is just as important as the pictures, even if you don't like your writing. Thanks for sharing!

Danielle said...

I don't have that much trouble with journaling, though I love the tips about it. But have to say that I don't do journaling on every page, sometimes the title says enough.

Tini A. said...

Very sweet layouts...love all the details on it! Thanks for sharing these nice ideas.

Anonymous said...

Love love the layouts!!

Gail said...

The layouts are amazing.
I'm not a great journaler!
Been looking for an i-rock!
Wonderful giveaway!

Jessie G. said...

Thanks for sharing the journaling ideas!

goodjessie at hotmail.com

sharon g said...

The nerdy background paper (the first project) is SO darned cute. I just love it. Great job....

Laura Stewart said...

nice pages!

littlen said...

i'm not much for journaling, but i think it's great for those who are. lo's are really nice. tfs.

Tonya said...

I love how Lydia filled the empty space on her journal block with the pencil and doodle!

Luanne said...

great journals and layout from everyone and very lovely photos.

Larissa Heskett said...

Journaling is also really hard for me, but I have started to try and journal on every layout I make, even if it’s hidden, but I am pushing myself to include a bit of the story behind the photo. So thank you for the different ideas!
Have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)

Barbara said...

Journaling comes easy for me. I have so much to tell my grandchildren about their heritage! When I get their photos and don't know the story behind them, I've been known to make up funny stories using a series of them. I even made a PowerPoint presentation with an invented stories. I have FUN with scrapping and journaling!!!

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