Putting The Words On Paper

I love to create scrapbook pages (obviously), but one thing I sometimes struggle with is the journaling. How do I say what I need to say? And how do I translate my thoughts and feelings onto my layout? I spent a few minutes looking through some of the layouts I completed this last year. Doing so helped me discover my "journaling style". This style consists of two components: letter-writing and short paragraphs.

I discovered that one of the easiest way for me to journal is to actually write a short little letter to the person I'm doing the page about. Here are a couple of examples.

This one was written for my son, Kyler, when I was still pregnant with him.

 

This next one was written to my husband, Matt, as a way of telling him how proud I am of him for pursuing his jogging (come rain, snow, sleet or hail). Click to see it larger.

 

The other journaling style I like to use is short paragraph journaling. I think we sometimes feel like there's a "rule" as to how long or short your journaling needs to be on a layout. But, big surprise, there's not! Sometimes all I need to say about a photo can be said in a couple short sentences.

 

 

And other times, a picture itself is worth a thousand words (as the old saying goes):

 

 

Basically, the bottom line is say what's in your heart. Say what needs to be said. No fluff, no frills--just get it down on paper--however you want.

Comments

[Barb]

Great tips on journalling lots of different ways! Because you're right... there isn't just one right way to do it! I love your pages, especially the gorgeous photos.

[sue]

You gave us a lot of great ideas for journaling. The older I get the more I realize that it is very important to document the pieces of our lives. I just ordered a new book dedicated to that very topic: 'Your Words, Your Story' by Michelle Skinner.
Sue