I am a huge fan of journaling on scrapbook pages, whether paper-scrapped or digital. There are varied views on what to journal, when to journal and how, but I think it’s super important to add at least a little to every page. I feel like a broken record when I say, “Looking back on these pages twenty years from now, will your family members know what is going on in the photos or will the page speak for itself?” Usually the page can’t do all of the talking, so here are some helpful journaling shortcuts and tools to make this part of scrapping easy.
When unsure of how to begin telling the story that my photos can’t tell on their own, I generally ask myself a couple of questions. First, “What is really special or memorable about these particular photos?” Below, you’ll see a scrapbook page that documents a sporting event. Years from now and without journaling, future viewers may not know that this was the child’s very first basketball game or that he almost scored a basket for his team.
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Go Panthers Laura Banasiak |
Second, “Have I captured any important milestones in these photos?” Take a peek at the scrapbook page below. If the author had not told the story, we may get the impression that this scrapbook page is simply showcasing a family raking autumn leaves. After reading the journaling, we learn that there was a special reason for raking and that a lifelong lesson was being taught.
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Good Deeds Laura Banasiak |
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If you’re the type of person who thrives on the use of lists or calendars in your journaling, Log Your Memory is a great place to start. They offer a Memory Logbook, a great tool for memory keepers of all levels.What I love about this book is that it allows you to jot down ideas and quotes for later use. The calendar format provides a very user-friendly experience. Also included are suggested journaling topics, as well as room for sketching out layout ideas. |
If you feel you need a little shove to get journaling, there are some excellent products out there with short journaling ideas or prompts.
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Getting Started: Journaling Prompts Sahlin Studio |
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20 Questions Lauren Grier, Shawna Clingerman, Jenn Barette |
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Yours Truly Strips Allison Pennington |
If your only dilemma is where to fit your journaling, there are plenty of writer-friendly scrapbooking templates available.
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Half Pack 12 Cindy Schneider |
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Grasshopper Pie Little Green Frog Designs |
Lastly, keep in mind that you are documenting these memories for your family, so journal in a way that they will love.
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