Why Scrapbook Journaling Is Important
A scrapbook is not only a visual record of events but a written one as well. Pictures are nice to look at, but unless there is some record that ties names to the faces and events chronicled in the photos, they’ll only have meaning to the person who took the pictures in the first place. The information you write about your photos can be as simple or as detailed as you like. You can simply record names and dates, or you can write a whole story to accompany the photos involved. Either way, journaling a scrapbook is essential.
One of the best ways to ensure that your journaling is accurate and heart felt is to keep an actual journal as part of your scrapbooking supplies. When you have an event that you take some pictures of, jot down in the journal what is happening and how you are feeling. That way, even if it is months (or even years) later when you come to scrapbook those photographs, you will be able to look back and remember exactly why that photograph was taken, and what it meant to you at the time. This journal does not have to be fancy or detailed, just a place where you can jot down a few thoughts when something interesting or funny occurs.
Journaling in your scrapbook should be heartfelt. Make sure that you record how you are feeling about a person or place on the page. This is especially important when you are scrapbooking family. You want your children to be able to look at your scrapbook and know exactly how important they are to you.
Poems make interesting additions to your journaling. You might be thinking, “I cannot write a poem!” That is fine! Purchase a few small books with witty poems and quotes, and borrow from those. Find a verse that matches what you are feeling, and jot it down on your page. It does not have to be your own actual wording to make the statement you desire to share.
Many people are turning to the computer to make their journaling neater and quicker. This is a great idea, but make sure you do some of the journaling yourself. You want to capture the essence of your heart in your own handwriting. If you are going to use the computer, do not mix too many fonts on any one page. This becomes distracting to the person looking at your book, and detracts from the overall look of your page.
If you want to preserve your family’s story for future generations, journaling your scrapbook is the way to go. Try not to get discouraged by the painstaking task, as journaling is not easy all the time, but notations and writing down history are an important part of scrapbooking. Sure, you can skip a page and let it slide, but who will know why that particular photo you passed over was special enough to include in your scrapbook? Chances are that over time, the reason you added the picture will be forgotten. Record your thoughts and feelings while they are still fresh in your mind. You don’t have to be a great writer, and sometimes you get the best results when you let your words ramble. After all, this is your book, and there is no right or wrong way to do your journal, as long as you write things down for memories’ sake.
By Crafts Editor
Scrapbooks Etc Magazine – Guide to making magnificent memory pages with easy, step-by-step instructions that take you from start to finish and make each of your pages a masterpiece.
