8 Scrapbook Journaling Tips

What’s in a scrapbook story?

Journaling in a scrapbook is an excellent way to turn memories into an engaging story that will last forever. To fill out your story, consider using the questions that newspapers answer in their articles:

1. Who?
• Who was involved in the event you are telling about? Be sure to provide first and last names of each person so you can remember them years later.
• Include details: When you describe the people in your photos, your words come alive so your reader can imagine being right there, too.

2. What?
• What is the main event you’re describing?
• Describe what happened in a sequence that gives shape to the story: what were you (or the main characters) doing in the pictures? Go through the events to paint a complete picture of what happened.
• What did you like best about the event?

3. Where?
• Where did the event happen? Give enough details so the reader can picture the setting and share your excitement.
• What was the importance of the location to your story?

4. When?
• When did the event happen? Include details like the time of year, the specific occasion, or which trip/vacation you are showing.
• Don’t assume your readers will know (or you will remember) the timing of the event. Describe it in detail. When something happened may be as important as the event itself.

5. Why?
• Why was this event important to you?
• What did you or others learn from it?
• Explain what the experience meant to you. Did it change the way you/they looked at anything?

Spice Up Your Writing

6. The power of words
Think about how many memories are triggered by the five senses. You may have been on vacation and have some fond memories of the trip. But start remembering the taste of foods you ate, or the smells and sounds of cooking breakfast over a campfire, and you’ll be transported back so that every detail springs to life. Using the right words, you can make stories sound “good enough to eat.”

7. Juicy words
Use juicy(!) words to make the story come alive! There is absolutely nothing wrong with using everyday adjectives like big or little. But sometimes you’ll want to stretch your imagination and come up with more stimulating words like humongous or teensy. Choose descriptive details to make them more interesting. Make each story pop for your readers. Think about the difference between a dull sentence and a juicy sentence in a book or story you like. Which would you rather read?

8. Using the five senses
What do you think about when you smell the aroma of apple pie baking? Does it remind you of Grandma’s house? There are many words related to the five senses that will help you describe those memories and help your reader experience them, too. One easy way to describe things in more detail is to use the five senses for a kick-start.

Sensory words relate to your five senses (smell, taste, sight, touch and hearing) and they can be used throughout your writing. They can be very powerful when you want to describe an event in detail. Remember that you want your readers to “see” (and hear, touch, etc.) what you are telling in words.

For more ideas on preserving your memories, check out my website, where you can sign up for a free monthly newsletter: www.bethlamie.com.

Quick & Easy Scrapless Scrapping

Patty asked "Is there some sort of shortcut for those of us who don't need another 10 hour a week hobbby?" and that is a valid concern. She is absolutely right that getting into scrapbooking can be quite time- and money-consuming. But there are other ideas that you might try as well.

One quick idea is to get a photo album that has sleeves for pictures. Just slip in a group of photos and intersperse them with a few mementoes (such as ticket stubs, flyers, postcards, etc.) and/or journaling, either hand written or printed on your computer. The journaling doesn't have to be elaborate, but jotting down a few details will provide reminders so everyone can enjoy the event again at a later date.

That gives you a relatively fast & easy way to preserve your memories without spending a great deal of time or effort. Please let me know if that seems feasible for you.

Scared to Start Scrapbooking?

Patty commented on my previous blog asking two great questions: “Any suggestions for those of us who missed the scrapbooking craze? Where's the best place to get ideas for scrapbook page layouts?”

I was fortunate to have a friend who helped me start scrapping, but you can do it on your own as well. One of the best websites I have found with more extensive suggestions on getting started is http://scrapbooking.about.com/ which has well-organized information and examples.

Minimum requirements for scrapbooking:
1. Cardstock and Paper
a. Cardstock & paper come in various sizes, such as 12”x12”, 8”x8”, etc., and are acid-free. Standard scrapbooking albums usually come with a cardstock page inside page protectors.
b. Cardstock is heavy paper in solid colors that can be used to create greeting cards or to form the base of your scrapbook page.
c. Scrapbooking paper comes in solid colors and/or patterns to use for borders, frames & a splash of color.
d. Select a few sheets of cardstock and paper that appeal to you. You may want to coordinate them with the photos you plan to use.

2. Good Scissors
a. Good sharp scissors are important to cleanly cutting photos, paper and cardstock.
b. Eventually, you may want to get a paper trimmer that simplifies getting square cuts.
c. For consistent fancy edges, you may want scissors

3. Adhesive
a. A wide range of scrapbooking adhesives is available, but make sure your selection is also acid-free. Perhaps the easiest type to start with is the small double-sided glue dots. Later, you may want to buy an adhesive applicator that speeds up the process.
b. Check out the website above for details on the various types, along with the pros and cons of each.

4. Journaling Pen
a. Journaling pens should be acid-free like all scrapbooking supplies.
b. You can start with black pens in a fine tip for writing and a wider tip for page titles.
c. Journaling can describe the photos or event highlighted on the page. This is a great way to capture the essence of what you want the reader to know.

Making your first scrapbooking page:
1. Before using adhesive . . .
a. Roughly lay out all the parts of the page in a way that pleases you.
b. Decide how much journaling you want on the page and write it neatly on cardstock.

2. Select Photos
a. Trim any photos to the size and shape desired.
b. Decide which photos need a mat of color behind them.
c. Remember that “less is more” in scrapbooking. A few photos tell the story on a page.

3. Select Cardstock Background
a. Cardstock determines the overall size of your page.
b. You can cut cardstock to frame photos or journaling by cutting it slightly larger in a contrasting or coordinating color.

4. Select Paper Highlights
a. Colorful paper makes a nice border around the cardstock page or on the edges.
b. Consider coordinating the paper between facing pages in an album.

5. Lay Out Final Page
a. Arrange all the parts onto the page, rearranging as needed.
b. When pleased with the layout, use adhesive to affix each part to the page.

6. Add Embellishments
a. Embellishments can spice up your pages after you affix all other items.
b. Consider using sheets of small self-adhesive stickers, labels and shapes for added pizzazz.

Making a Simple Greeting Card:
1. Greeting cards are made in the same basic way as a scrapbooking page.
2. After you select the cardstock, crease it down the center and fold it in half.
3. Affix a favorite photo to the front (or inside) with a few words of your choice.
4. Write your desired greeting on more cardstock and fasten inside the card.
5. Add embellishments, such as ribbons or self-adhesive stickers.

Making cards and scrapbooking pages can be as simple or as complicated as you choose. These ideas will get you started, but there is an amazing amount of information available in bookstores, craft and scrapbooking shops, as well as on the internet. Many libraries, schools and communities offer events such as “Scrappers Night Out” where you can learn from other people. Check your local newspaper for offerings.

Have fun with scrapbooking and card making to your heart’s content. They make wonderful gifts for friends, family and yourself! And they are a great way to capture some of your family history.