Today's scrapbooking article is on the subject of scrapbook journaling. Here are some 10 creative ways to include more handwritten journaling on your scrapbooking pages.
Getting Started with Scrapbook Journaling
Get Over Yourself
In order to get started with handwritten scrapbook journaling you will need to get over yourself. Most people feel a little self-conscious seeing their own handwriting on page layouts. Perfectly normal!
I myself used to have a lot of angst about my poor handwriting skills but I have learned through the art of scrapbooking and keeping a memory journal to keep the bigger picture in mind.
When I look back on my past scrapbooks and journals it is not the perfectly typed journaling that my eye gravitates to but the blocks of handwritten journaling where I have taken the time to write something that reminds me of a feeling back then or gives others insight into my life and who I am as a person.
Here's the thing stop worrying if your handwriting is untidy or a bit messy what is important is that you tell a story or write something about you and your experience. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through with some handwritten touches to your scrapbooking layouts.
The thing to keep in mind is that handwritten journaling gives such a personal flair to pages that it would be a shame for future generations looking at your scrapbooking pages to miss out on this unspoken legacy. Rest assured they will treasure your handwriting just as much as your photos and memories you share.
Gather Your Supplies
Archival Quality Journaling Pens
First off will need a food journaling pen. Don't skimp on this as you need one of archival quality. These can be purchased at scrapbooking stores, good stationery supplies shops or online at Amazon.
I like to have a range of scrapbooking pens to work with including white for layouts with black pages or inserts. Exactly what pens you choose will be down to personal preference but give yourself some options.
Other Essential Supplies
A stapler, adhesive, ruler, eraser are all going to be useful items too.
Choose a Layout to Work On
Start Small
Pick a page that is simple and that you can add some of your own handwriting to, even in a small way, to make a difference.
Decide What to Say
Think about the experience. What do you want to say about it? what do you want to convey to anyone looking at the page? If you need inspiration take a look at 85+ Journaling Ideas for Scrapbooking Memory Pages.
Practice Your Handwriting Skills
Practice your handwriting on a scrap of paper first to improve your confidence before writing on the actual page. You will see what it looks like ahead of time so you can correct any mistakes. Plus you can check the text properly fits the space where you want to include your handwritten message.
While this scrapbooking article is written with scrapbookers in mind the ideas are equally useful if you are creating a memory journal, smash book, Project Life spread, visual art journal, bullet journal, planner or any other kind of diary or record of your days on planet earth. I know with Bullet Journaling and Planners, in particular, there is an emphasis on efficiency and getting the job done but there is always room for more handwritten personal touches and descriptions about your activities or thoughts, feelings, reflections, gratitude and everything else in-between.
How to Add Handwritten Journaling to Scrapbooking Pages
- Dates, Place Name or Event Name
If you are not used to including handwritten journaling on your scrapbooking pages then it may seem a bit daunting. I suggest to get over this hump you start small. Add the date in your own handwriting or perhaps the place name or name of the event. If you are not ready to put the whole of your journaling in your own handwriting then a combination of handwritten journaling and computer text on a scrapbooking layout can look good too.
- Write on the Background
Create your own patterned scrapbooking paper by writing on the background or in the blank spaces around your photos.
- Write in a shape or line
If you want to add visual effect to your scrapbooking pages write in a shape or line. A handwritten line that wanders across the page can look stunning. Handwriting on circles, swirls or other fun shapes is visually pleasing too. Turn the paper as you write for a whimsical effect.
- Write on a Frame or Mat
You can add extra flair to your pages by framing the photos on a page with your own written words. Try this technique by writing on a photo mat, frame or the white border around the photo.
- Include a Handwritten Letter, Poem, Musings or Personal Narrative
Write a letter, poem, or personal account of an event or happening in your own handwriting that can be included right on the scrapbooking page.
- Include Pockets, Folded Cards or Matchbooks
Using scrapbooking pockets, folded cards, matchbooks are all space saving ways of adding more handwritten journaling to your scrapbooking layouts. Write your journaling by hand on a piece of coordinating cardstock and place it in a pocket on the page. Make a matchbook out of double sided cardstock and staple your handwritten message on coordinating cardstock inside the matchbook. Your journaling will remain hidden from view unless viewers of your scrapbooking pages remove the pocket or open up the card or matchbook. More on how to create a matchbook
- Write an Index Page
A handwritten index page at the start of your scrapbook is a way to add more of your handwriting to your pages. Include facts like where, when, what, how, how long and of course who. Adding a handwritten index page is a simple way to include more of your handwriting in a scrapbook.
- Write a Dedication Page
Like an index page a dedication page can contain a lot of extra information that you may not want to include on your scrapbooking pages. A dedication page appears at the end of your scrapbook pages and includes details about the dates the album was mades, who it is dedicated to and the name of the author.
- Transform Your Handwriting into a Computer Font
If you want to do a lot of journaling on your pages yet keep your lines straight you can still preserve the human touch by turning your handwriting into a font using an online program such as Fontifier
- Add Handwriting Using Free Cursive Fonts
Scrapbookers who want to personalize their scrapbooking layouts can use computer generated cursive fonts that mimic handwriting. You will find free cursive fonts to download at websites like scrapbookingfonts.com.
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I hope you enjoyed this article on ways to add more scrapbooking journaling using your own handwriting. If you are interested in getting ideas for journaling try 85+ Journaling Prompts for Scrapbooking Memory Pages.
Related Links
Scrapbook Memory Page Title Suggestion List
Start a Scrapbook Tutorial - Beginner's Guide to Scrapbooking Your First Scrapbook Page
Scrapbooking Best Friends Layouts - Guide to Journaling Ideas, Best Friends Quotes and Page Titles
