How Journaling can be Used in a Scrapbook

The very purpose of a scrapbook is to document an event or memory. While photos are important visually, equally important is the journaling involved. When scrapbooking you should always use some form of journaling to let the viewer know the purpose of the page. There are many ways to journal on a scrapbook page.

The most basic way to journal is to take a small scrap of paper and handwrite your emotions, thoughts and memories. In a way this simple method can be the most valuable in the long run as the viewers in later years will enjoy the sight of your handwriting and it adds a personal touch to the page.

If you don't have nice handwriting or feel it isn't good enough, you can type your journaling. You can find many creative fonts on your computer. If you just can't find one that is right, there are also many free fonts on the internet you can use.

One important aspect of journaling is a title. Each page should have a distinct title that let's the reader know what they are looking at. The journaling is simply the story. Get creative with titles using fonts, chipboard letters, stencils, transparencies, and felt letters.

Once you have your journaling ready, you will need to find a place for it. Some people prefer to have the journaling on the page out in the open for everyone to read. If the moment was a private moment or one that you don't want all to see, consider finding a way to hide the journaling behind the photo. You can also create interactive elements on your page with pop out journaling that can add pizazz to your page.

If you aren't a wordsmith or if the photo doesn't document a specific event so much as celebrating a person, consider using quotes. You can find many free quotes online.

There are also decorative journaling blocks that you can purchase. They may come in the form of a stamp that you can reuse or as die cut paper that you can write directly on.

Some people find that journaling is the hardest part of scrapbooking. Finding the right words, phrases, and quotes to adequately show the purpose of the page can be challenging. Some would argue however that it is one of the most important elements to your page. Find a style that works for you but don't be afraid to experiment with new things.