85+ Journal Prompts for Scrapbooking Childhood Memories - Memory Journals, Bujos and Year Books

Would you like to put together a scrapbook of your childhood memories but not sure what to write about. In this article I provide you with more than 85 journaling prompts that you can use as starters to get you writing about your treasured memories of growing up. Don't let anxiety about what to journal and how to journal hold you back from starting your scrapbook of childhood memories today.

Scrapbooking your childhood memories into a memory album can be one of the most rewarding scrapbook projects you might ever undertake. There is a little bit of the child still left in all of us and scrapbooking about your life growing up will bring you close to that child who still resides within. Plus you will preserving those precious memories of your life story for future generations to enjoy and wonder about.

If you are new to scrapbooking or would like some tips on scrapbooking childhood memories into a memory book or album then consider taking a look at my earlier scrapbooking article in which I provide an overview of how to get started scrapbooking your childhood memories

Tips for Journaling Childhood Memories in a Scrapbook

• You don't have to be a writer to journal
• Give yourself freedom to write whatever comes to mind. Edit later
• Trust that others will be interested in knowing about your early experiences
• Keep your stories in the one place for easy access as you write them down
• Remember the basics: when, where, what, who, why and how
• Include your feelings about the event or people not just what happened and when. Let others know what you felt about what was happening.
• Include the everday stories not just main events eg daily routine
• Write the longer version of your story first then cut it down to include in your scrapbook journaling blocks. The stories of your early life can have more than one use eg in a memory journal or part of a written account of your life. Who knows even a book?

How to Use the Journaling Prompts

Start With One or Two Journaling Prompts
To get started just pick a couple of prompts from the list and work on writing about these. Some people like to start with the photo as the memory jogger and others write the journal note first. With a bit of practice you will soon work out what works best for you. And who knows what forgotten memories might surface?

Use a Notebook, Computer or Google Docs
I suggest that you start a notebook if you are writing by hand as it will help keep all your stories together so they don't get lost. If journaling on the computer make sure you back up your stories once you start recording them. If you have a Google account you might consider using Google Docs for easy online access across devices and to other services like Google Photos and Google Drive.

Group Similar Stories Together and Envisage the Journaling on Your Layout
Grouping stories about people, places or activities can be helpful in writing about your early life. For instance if you were to write about the places you lived growing up think about how your might group these in your scrapbook memory book layout. Would you need a page for each story about a place or would you envisage putting all your photos on a two page spread and journaling around these?

85+ Journaling Prompts of Childhood Memories - Mega List of Journaling Starters for Scrapbooking

Make sure you check out my mega list of journaling prompts for scrapbooking your childhood memories set out below. There are more than 80 journal prompts to help you access childhood memories and get you journaling. Over time I will be adding more to the list so check back often for updates.

1. Your earliest memory (what makes it still so vivid?)
2. Family members - immediate (who are they? your relationship growing up, who were you close to?)
3. Family members - extended (who were you close to? grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts)
4. Best friend (who? still friends now?)
5. Friends
6. Memorable People
7. Pets
8. Cities, towns you lived in
9. Your house or houses (what do you remember about the rooms, temperature, light quality, near tothe smell, sunny, dark, warm, cold?)
10. Your room
11. Your personality (character traits eg shy, precocious, studious, bossy, a star, different etc)
12. Looks (what did you look like? eg tall/short for your age, wore thick specs, gangly, spotty)
13. Bullying (what did you get teased for and why?)
14. Holidays and vacations (where did you go? what did you do? who did you meet? who was with you?)
15. Memorable places (smells, visual memories etc)
16. Family traditions (what were they? and why?)
17. Family secrets (what and why?)
18. Neighbours
19. Schools (which ones? for how long?)
20. What you liked and didn't like about school
21. Teachers (was there a teacher who was influential)
22. Role models (who and why?)
23. Visitors
24. Achievements
25. Awards and Certificates
26. Competitions won
27. First dance
28. First crush
29. First date
30. First kiss
31. First times (eg owned a watch, on an aeroplane, saw snow, went to school by yourself etc)
32. Embarassing moments growing up (what happened, why was it embarassing? what did you do next?)
33. After school job
34. Favorite sayings and expressions
35. Favorite hobbies
36. Favorite pastimes
37. Favorite musical instrument (what did you learn to play?)
38. Favorite gift / gifts (what and why?)
39. Chores
40. Morning routine
41. Pocket money (how much? what did you spend it on?)
42. Clubs
43. Service Groups
44. Church
45. Sports
46. Playmates (who did you play with? siblings? friends? neighbours?)
47. Times when you were sick
48. Time when others were sick
49. Favorite foods (what was special about these?)
50. Least favorite foods (what didn't you like)
51. Favorite foods to cook
52. Favorite time of the day (what happened then? why?)
53. Favorite thing to do
54. Favorite games (who won and why?)
55. Favorite school subjects
56. Favorite arts and crafts
57. Favorite songs
58. Favorite books
59. Favorite movie or movies
60. Favorite cartoon and cartoon character
61. Favorite toys
62. Favorite collections (what did you collect and why?)
63. Favorite day of the week (don't forget to say why)
64. Favorite belongings (what these things important to you?)
65. Favorite hideaway (eg treehouse, hut, in the bushes)
66. Favorite places
67. Favorite clothes (what did you like, not like)
68. Haircuts and styles
69. Dressing up
70. Family outings and activites (where, who with, why)
71. Weekends (how did you spend these? what was happening around you?)
72. School trips
73. Birthday parties (when and who?)
74. Running away (where did you go and what happened?)
75. Failure (what happened? what did you learn? how did it help you?)
76. Bad habits (what were they? did you ever grow out of these?)
77. Things you did even though you knew it was wrong (what happened?)
78. Liked doing the most
79. Disliked doing the most
80. Things you made (eg knitting, sewing, crafts etc)
81. Most embarassing moments
82. Things you were afraid of (eg spiders, mice, dogs, birds etc)
83. An event or incident that really scared you
84. Greatest life lesson
85. One thing you learned in school that stuck
86. What would you differently if there was a do over

#journalingprompts #scrapbooking #childhoodmemories


I hope you enjoyed this list of 85+ journaling prompts to spark childhood memories that you can use to accompany photos in your childhood memories scrapbook. If you would like to print the list of journal prompts for scrapbooking childhood memories as a PDF for future reference just click on the print button below or on the print icon in the bank of floating buttons on the right-hand side (PC) and bottom (mobile).




#scrapbook #journalprompts #childhoodmemories

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Scrapbook Your Childhood Memories in a Memory Album

In today's scrapbooking tutorial I discuss how to scrapbook your childhood memories in a memory album or memory book. This is an overview of what you will need to consider to create scrapbooking pages about your early life and your family story. Along the way I give you lots of tips about journaling, photos and documenting your life.

Scrapbooking your childhood memories can be very powerful. Writing things down and looking at old photos is a trigger for many memories to come flooding back. How easy these memories can get lost in the busyness of our lives. Why not capture them in a childhood memory album and preserve those memories for yourself and future generations to enjoy?

Also consider scrapbooking past generations if you have some family photos you want to preserve. Documenting your family history is engaging and rewarding process and it is amazing what family secrets you might uncover. Remember you are an invaluable resource of the past and it pays to get these memories recorded for prosterity before they are lost. If you want to start a family history project I suggest you start on recording your childhood first and then move on to family history as a separate project.

Getting Started

1. Choose a 12x12 album or 8x8 inches for this project. Chances are you have lots of pictures you want to include and a smaller album will limit your photo choices too much.
   
   Physical Scrapbook vs Digital Scrapbook
   The assumption is that you will be making a physical scrapbook but of course you could decide to make a digital one instead. Or even better why not do both? Whatever format you choose you will need to decide on a standard size of your pages as a starting point.
   
   
   
   Black, White or Brown Pages
   Do you want black pages, white ones or maybe even natural looking brown ones? Black and white photos can look particularly good on black.
   
   Choose Acid Free Album and Pages
   Make sure whatever album and pages you choose they are acid free and of archival quality. Also the same goes for any pens and rubber stamping you use - the ink needs to be fade resistant and of archival quality.


2. Gather scrapbooking supplies together like cardstock and paper, embellishments, stickers, frames, brads, washi tape, tags etc. Some of these you may need to purchase if you have not done a lot of scrapbooking before. If you are completely new to keeping a scrapbook you might want to consider taking a class. A good place to start would be to ask at a scrapbooking store near you.
   
   
   
   Other scrapbooking supplies you will need are scrapbooking tools like pens, markers, ruler, scissors, double-sided tape or glue sticks, a cutter, cutting mat etc.
   
   You don't necessarily need to own all these items as you may be able to borrow these short-term from a fellow scrapbooker. If you do decide to buy scrapbooking supplies remember it is an investment in keeping memories alive for future generations and therefore worth the expense.


3. Create a timeline and place the most significant events of your life on it. Collect key photos that match various early life events and experiences. Very likely you will be presenting your album chronologically but consider other ways to catalogue your memories such as themes. I have seen some wonderful albums created using themes such as my school, my friends, family vacations, our house etc.



4. Keep a notebook and take time to jot down memories as they come to you. What stories do others tell about you? Did you have favorite ones as a child? You may need to ask other family members for their thoughts and ideas.
   
   
   
   Take the Time to Write Down Important Childhood and Family Memories
   Just make a start documenting in your notebook. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just get the memory down in the first instance. You can perfect the composition of it later if you think you need to. I encourage you to just write and don't filter too much. Often memories written this way have a way of sounding more authentic and heartfelt.
   
   Once you get started writing down your early history and and what was happening in your family you'll be surprised about how much comes back to you. Give this project some thought and the time it deserves after all you are investing in you. Use your photos as memory joggers. Concentrate on the remembering the 5 Ws: when, where, what, who and why.


5. Assemble photos, momentos and emphemera from Your Childhood
   While you are bringing together all your photos, momentos and emphemera from the past it is a good idea to store these in one place as you find them. Special storage boxes can be purchased that are achival safe for keeping old photos and other memorabilia for extended periods.
   
   
   
   Store Your Photos and Momentos Safely
   If you are using an old shoe box or chocolate box don't leave your precious photos in there too long as the paper will degrade over time. Be sure to store all your precious momentos in a dry place as mould is a killer. If you have photos in old plastic albums consider shifting these as you work on your family history project as gums and residues can be harmful to old photos.
   
   
   
   Types of Emphemera to Use of Scrapbooking Layouts
   Ticket stubs old programmes, cards, brochures, pamphlets, maps etc are all the types of emphemera that can be used in layouts but also they are invaluable sources of information about when an event occurred. By looking over any keepsake you have kept of that time you are likely to remember more.
   
   Document the Everyday Not Just the Big Events
   Remember that scrapbooking isn't just about scrapping the big events, its magic is as much about capturing the everyday too. So much is changing that within a couple of generations everyday life can be very different. Your stories represent an invaluable history and a snapshot of your life story. Other people especially future generations will be interested in what you have recorded.


6. Journaling tips to get you thinking about your childhood
   Think about some snapshot moments and describe some of these in detail. What stands out to you about growing up? What are some of your most sacred memories about your childhood? What were some of the everyday things you did? Paint a picture in words of what it was like for you.
   
   Compare and Contrast
   Comparing and contrasting is a good technique to use in scrapbook pages and memory journals about childhood memories. How is what you did back then different from today? Was it better or worse and why?
   
   
   
   Who Was Important to You? Who Influenced You?
   Think people. Who were the most influential people in your life and why were they important to you? Usually these people vary depending on ages and stages but there might be several people who have been stalwarts in your life all along. What do you value most about these relationships with others?
   
   Add Sentiment Not Just Facts
   Don't be afraid to talk about the feelings you have about your life experiences. What has happened to you has shaped who you are today. Let others know about what has challenged you too. What achievements are you proud of. What would you do differently if you could do it all over again.


7. Journaling Prompts to Help You Write Stories, Sketches and Snippets from Your Childhood
   Scrapbooking is about a cohesive mix of photos, journaling and embellishments. Your journaling is a key element in presenting your own history or your family's history. Try not to focus too much on how something looks on the page at the expense of telling the story.
   
   Here are some journaling prompts to use as starters in scrapbooking childhood memories:
   
   

   Your earliest memory, your house(s), your room, holidays and vacations, schools, neighbours, family members, friends, favourite hobbies and pasttimes, achievements, clubs, sports, memorable people, favourite foods, favourite songs, favourite toys and belongings, favourite clothes.


If you want more journal prompts to help you record your childhood and growing up take a look at my mega list of 85+ journal prompts for scrapbooking childhood memories which you could use in scrapbooks, memory books, bullet journals, year books etc.




8. Bringing your childhood memories together on the page
   Once you have thought about journaling, picked out some photos on the same theme and have borrowed or purchased your scrapbooking supplies it's time to start putting these altogether in layouts.
   
   Consider the Mood You Want to Create
   Think about the overall theme of the photos and what mood you want to convey eg whimsical, retro etc. Select cardstock and papers that match your theme and the colors in your photos.
   
   Avoid Overusing Embellishments
   Choose your embellishments carefully. Usually 3-5 embellishments per page is ample. The job of embellishments is to enhance your photos and journaling not detract from them. As a rule of thumb simple is best.
   
   Consider doing a Dummy Run to Boost Your Confidence
   If you find it hard to get started perhaps because you lack confidence or are relatively new to scrapbooking then my advice is to just start somewhere and trust the process. If you are really unsure consider doing some practice runs by making a few mockup pages using photocopies or copies of your precious photos and keepsakes. This will help you to get a feel for how you like elements arranged on a page and give you rein to let your own personality and style come through.
   
   Photo Scan and Collage Apps
   Photo Scan is an example of one app for mobile that can be very useful in taking scans of your old photos so that you can print them out at a photo booth or order photos online.
   
   
   
   Collages can be a way of getting more photos on the page. There are plenty of photo editing and collage apps available to help you to make the most of displaying your photos effectively and attractively. The LiPix app is simple but useful app available for both Apple and Android users for creating collages for scrapbooking photos as you can set popular photo sizes and it offers a nice range of frames where you can add up to 9 photos in one frame.
   
   
   
   Extra Journaling Solutions
   If you find you need to do extra journaling consider adding a pocket to the page or adding an insert that gives you freedom to write more. There are some clever ways to get more journaling on the page such as attaching a photo with washi tape on one side only which can conceal extra journaling underneath.
   
   Extra Emphemera and Momentos
   If you have more emphemera than you can fit on your pages try adding a large pocket to the front or back cover of your album to store additional items or memorabilia that is too large to fit on your memory layout. Pockets on the pages are also useful if you don't have the room to display all your momentos.
   
   Allow Yourself to Make Mistakes - Perfection isn't the Goal
   Most importantly have fun with your scrapbooking childhood memories layouts. They do not have to be perfect. Remember it is the story they tell which is much more important.
   
   You will make mistakes and that is part of the process of scrapbooking. Give yourself permission to make mistakes right now or you run the risk of not starting or getting stalled in the process.
   
   

#scrapbooking #memoryjournal #easytoscrapbook #memorybook

This scrapbooking article has provided some practical information and advice to get you started on scrapbooking a memory album of your childhood. It has provided an overview of albums, scrapbooking supplies, photo storage, timelines, journalling tips and prompts, using momentos and scrapbooking memory layouts. If you enjoyed this article and want to see more like this consider sharing it and following me on social media or via email.

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Start a Scrapbook Tutorial for Beginners - Guide to Creating a First Scrapbooking Page

Do you want to create a scrapbook but not sure where to begin? In this Scrapbooking Tutorial for Beginners ways to get started scrapbooking are discussed and the steps to take to make your first page. If you have never scrapbooked before here are some scrapbooking tips that will get you creating scrapbooking layouts in no time.

Scrapbooking is a fun and engrossing hobby but it can also be a bit overwhelming at first. That's why I've written this simple guide to walk you through the process of creating your first scrapbooking page. Let's get started.

The key to good scrapbooking is organization. Remember the more organised you are the better the flow. This is particularly important if you have time constraints. There is nothing more annoying than sitting down to scrap only to find that you have forgotten an essential item. If you are a person who likes lists you might find it helpful to make one to manage your project but this is a matter of individual style and ways of working.

1. Organize Your Photos and Select Your Favorites

Gather together the photos you would like to display in a scrapbook layout page. You probably have more than you need. That's OK because you can narrow down your selection later. For now just select 3-6 photos that you would like to include in your photo scrapbook.

Choose the best images. Try to avoid including photos that are blurry, out-of-focus, faded or heavily creased. However do not let the quality of the photo dictate whether you scrapbook it or not as the most important thing is creating a lasting memory of an experience that is important to you.

Remember if you have too many photos left over you can eventually include them in another album or give them away to family or friends. If you are storing a lot of photographs in an old shoe box or something similar consider buying an archival box that will preserve your photos. These are excellent and they provide peace of mind knowing that your photos are not being degraded by the medium they are stored in.

Until you are confident it may be best to start with photos that can easily be replaced in case you make a mistake that you can't readily rectify. Adopting this strategy will give you the confidence to just have a play around without fear of getting it wrong which is an important creative principle.

2. Decide on the Size of the Layout

One of the earliest decisions that needs to be made when starting a scrapbook is what size to make your layout. Traditional physical scrapbooking pages are 12x12 inches (30.5xx30.5 cms) or 8.5x11 inches (21.5x27 cms) but there are other options as well like 8x8 inches.

One of the advantages of going with 12x12 is that you can add a lot of photos and gain confidence using a larger layout. However if you don't have a lot of photos then you may decide to settle on a smaller format for your layout. Remember that the size of your chosen format will govern future choices like your paper sizes and albums.

3. Journaling

One of the reasons why so many of us love scrapbooking is the mix of storytelling, craft and photography. Each of these three are pillars to a good scrapbooking layout. Even though journaling is a key element it can be as long or short as you like but it needs to add value to your photographs by giving context to the photographs displayed and providing additional information.

When creating a page it is important to consider your journaling carefully. Are there facts you need to check up on? If so do this before you start your page.

What would you like to say about these photos? Do you want to tell a story? or simply give the basic facts?

What feeling do you want to convey? Write down your ideas. Make notes to jog your memory. Post-it notes come in handy to record small snippets of information you want to include in your scrapbook layout and can easily be removed once you have added your actual journaling.

The aim of good journaling is to say enough about what is occurring to inform but not overshadow the photos or bombard anyone looking at the page with too many facts. Aim to be succinct.

Telling a story is a very effective journaling technique. Make your page personal to you. Your family and friends will want to know the story behind the photos. Journaling is best when its kept simple but make sure you cover the basics: like where, when, what, who, how, why.

Follow these links for more in-depth articles about how to use scrapbook journaling and quotes to use in scrapbooking layouts

Further Tips for Journaling

• Describe what is happening in the photos.


• Include the dates the photos were taken or the events occurred.


• Name the people/places in the photos.


• Tell the story in you own hand. Handwriting makes your journaling more personal. Later on you can try out computer journaling but for now stick with pen and ink.

4. Buying Your Scrapbooking Supplies

Scrapbooking supply stores can be a bit daunting at first but contrary to popular belief you don't need to spend a whole lot to get started. Think about what you need before visiting the store so that you stay within your budget and don't buy items that aren't really necessary. If you have a theme in mind such as a wedding or holiday that this page will form part of you might consider buying extra supplies to ensure consistency.

One useful way to create a scrapbook for the beginner is to buy a scrapbooking kit which will contain all your need to make your first scrapbooking page. Typically scrapbooking kits come with coordinating papers, embellishments, stickers and a range of other accents like die-cuts and brads.

Scrapbooking kits are usually good value for money and offer a no fuss way to create your first page without the worry of coordinating all your scrapbooking layout elements.

If you want to have complete artistic control over the scrapbooking supplies you buy for your first page then here is a list of the bare minimum of scrapbooking items you will need to start your scrapbook. You will need:

• Scrapbook Album
  Suggested formats are 12x12 or 8.5 x 11. Make sure the album is archival safe and acid free. Cheaper albums could damage your photos by leaching chemicals into the photos and paper with the passing of time if they are not designed for longevity.
  
  Strictly speaking an album is not 100% necessary to buy straight away but if you don't purchase one at the beginning you will need a method such as a page protector for keeping your finished page safe otherwise it is at risk of spills and creasing. Another advantage of buying an album is that each page will come preloaded with white sheets of cardstock.
  
  


• Scrapbooking Adhesive
  Adhesive on a runner, double-sided tape or a glue stick. Again ensure that the adhesive is made for crafting and is acid and lignin free.



• Cardstock
  Buy cardstock individually or in a small pack if you are not investing in a scrapbooking kit.
  Consider cardstock which is thick sturdy paper as the background of the page layout on which you attach all the elements: photos, journaling, embellishments. It is often a good idea to go for a neutral color for cardstock and then add contrast with scrapbooking papers. If you want the cardstock to coordinate with specific photos then by all means choose a matching or coordinating color.



• Scrapbook Paper
  Printed papers to use in scrapbooking layouts come in all manner of designs such as florals, animal prints, hearts, checks and stripes. Papers can be bought in individual sheets or as a bank. If you decide against the kit you will need to pick out a sheet or two of paper that coordinate with your photos and with the cardstock.
  
  


• Fine-tip Pen of Archival Quality
  Pens for scrapbooking are made from pigment ink and are permanent. You will need a good-quality black pen that is of archival quality, waterproof, fade resistant, non-bleeding and acid free. There are lots of different kinds of markers to choose from including calligraphy and brush pens.



• Paper Trimmer
  A paper trimmer is an invaluable scrapbooking item. While not strictly essential to make your first scrapbooking page bear in mind that it is hard to cut papers accurately with just a pair of scissors. If you do decide to invest in a paper trimmer it will need to be sized 12 inch (30.5 cms) to cope with 12x12 papers.
  
  


• Embellishments
  Embellishments such as die cuts, brads, buttons, ribbons, washi tape, borders and other materials are another way to add style and personality to your scrapbooking layout page. Make sure that you pick embellishments that suit your photos and your own personal style. All sorts of themes are readily available eg travel, nautical, vacation, camping, weddings, babies or you can simply pick up a pack of more neutral embellishments that could be applied to a variety of layouts.
  
  
  
  I personally find washi tape very useful for accenting photos and papers and would recommend that you consider buying at least one roll that you think will work well with your layout.



• Scrapbook Stickers (Optional)
  Stickers are useful for titling and to add enhancements to your page. Make sure these are acid free and lignun free and are made for scrapbooking purposes. Ordinary stickers are not designed for the long haul and will eventually leach glue into your precious page.
  
  Stickers can be expensive as it is easy to get carried away and buy more than you need. For economy I suggest you buy a small booklet of stickers with designs that appeal to you, are on your chosen theme and which you think will accent your photos.
  
  
  
  The range of choice for scrapbook stickers is enormous and prices are generally reasonable depending on where you shop. There are stickers on all sorts of themes and niches eg for travel scrapbooks, wedding scrapbook, vacation scrapbook, baby scrapbook etc



• Other Scrapbooking Supplies
  
  Other very useful items to create a scrapbook page are:
  
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Scissors (sturdy)

As you can see there are a number of basic scrapbooking supplies needed to get started which is why a scrapbooking kit can be both cost effective and a way to take any headache out of shopping for your scrapbooking supplies especially if you are struggling to coordinate items. There is a whole science around color schemes so if this is not your forte a scrapbooking kit may be the way to go.

When I started out scrapbooking I bought a scrapbooking kit which included the album and page protectors as well as a selection of coordinating papers and embellishments. Looking back I believe it was a good decision to buy the kit even though I didn't use a lot of what was included all at once.

What I liked was the opportunity of playing around with lots of different elements to see what looked good on the layout. I learned very quickly what I liked and didn't like which was definitely helpful in developing my own personal scrapbooking style.

5. Designing Your Scrapbook Layout Page

Beginner scrapbookers usually find it helpful to take a look at pages created by others before launching into their own layouts. There are a variety of scrapbooking magazines on the market many of which include quite detailed descriptions of the resources used to create the page. Apart from the internet your local library is a good place to start if you are in need of inspiration as there is a good chance they will have at least one or two scrapbooking magazines on subscription.

Layout is one of the most important aspects of scrapbooking. Before adhering any pictures to the page try out different positions until you are happy with the arrrangement. Ensure you leave enough room for your journaling and any embellishments you want to include.

If you are struggling with the layout there are some good resources on the net. Try our web resources section for links to sites providing layouts and sketches suitable for most types of project. Remember that to start with anyway a simple layout is best.

Layouts recommended in scrapbooking books and magazines are only a guide to get you started as a beginner. Remember you have the freedom to change the design to suit your own particular needs. If you want to add extra journaling or substitute a larger image for a smaller photo go right ahead. The last thing you want is your creative process being hampered or slowed down by is anything too prescriptive.

6. Assembling Your Scrapbook Layout Page

After you have decided on a layout that you are happy with assemble the page elements. You may need to do this in a particular order depending on the desired effect. Take your time putting it all together to ensure accuracy. Measure distances and ensure that all elements on the page are properly aligned before sticking them down.

Finally pop your page into a plastic sleeve from your album to protect it from accidental soiling and damage. Then there is the magic of sharing your creation with your friends and family. Don't be shy about sharing who knows you might inspire other around you to also start scrapbooking.


This article describes tips for the beginner on how to start a scrapbook and create a first page. Key considerations are explored to help you avoid newbie mistakes like buying too many expensive scrapbooking supplies that you most likely won't need. Also discussed are some journaling tips to help you tell the story behind the photos and to create first scrapbooking page with love to enjoy and be proud of.

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10 Ways to Add Handwritten Journaling to Scrapbooking Pages

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

1. 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.
   
   

2. 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.
   
   

3. 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

1. 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.


2. Write on the Background
   Create your own patterned scrapbooking paper by writing on the background or in the blank spaces around your photos.




3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.


6. 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


7. 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.


8. 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.


9. 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


10. 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.

#scrapbooking #journaling #handwritten #easytoscrapbook #scrapbookjournaling


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

6 Main Elements of Scrapbooking Layouts for Beginners

In this Scrapbooking Tutorial for beginners we are going to look at the six main elements of a scrapbooking layout. You will learn about the importance of each element and how they create a cohesive whole when put together on a scrapbook page. As scrapbooking is all about perserving your precious memories knowing about elements and how to use them is important to the whole process of making a scrapbook.

What are the Elements of a Scrapbook?

A scrapbooking element is bascially any item that goes on a scrapbook layout. Elements fall into six main groups which include: photos, matting, titles, journaling, embellishments and borders. How these elements are arranged on the page creates different effects or moods and if done successfully, a pleasing effect.

If you were to do a Google search of scrapbook elements you would find that the term elements is being used more and more often to refer to embellishments which are either physical or digital. For the purposes of this discussion though we will stick with the traditional understanding of element which emcompasses all the main things you put on a scrapbook page.

So let's take a look at each of these main elements in turn and see how they contribute to building a scrapbook spread. For each element I will give you a few scrapbooking tips and pointers that hopefully will be useful to you.

1. Photo or Photos
Photos are the backbone of your layout and therefore one of the most important elements. A scrapbooking layout has at least one photo depicting an event or feeling. Most scrapbooking layouts have multiple photos of varying sizes but it is possible to have just one larger photograph that makes a statement and every other element on the page directs the eye to the photo.

Note: I would not recommend cropping heritage photos as they are too valuable but with everyday photos that can easily be replaced cropping is a way to instantly remove mistakes and make distant subjects pop.

Scrapbooking Tip:
Use only your best photos as poor (eg out of focus, badly framed, distracting backgrounds) detract from the overall effect. Far better to use fewer high quality photos than a bunch or mediocre ones. That being said though if they are the only photos you have to work with then cropping out some of the distracting elements or using a frame to cover these are both good ways to enhance images.

If you want to get more photos on a page which sometimes is the challenge then a collage of your best photos can be an effective way to add multiple images to a page without the photos dominating. If you have too many images they are likely to crowd other elements. Think balance and harmony. The object is to have all elements on the page sit together harmoniously.

2. Matting
Matting is a scrapbooking element that refers to a piece of cardstock used to accentuate a photo. The cardstock is placed underneath the photo to create an all-around border effect. This helps the photo stand out from other elements in the layout and therefore grab the viewer's attention.

Scrapbooking Tip:
Matting the focal point photo is a very effective technique to add interest to your page. Or you can choose to matt all the photos in the layout and either add a different color of matt to your focal point photo or double or triple matt it for emphasis. Plain or patterned paper can be used depending on the effect you want.

3. Page Title
Choose your title carefully. A good title sums up or highlights the theme of the page. It should be snappy and add punch to your page. Simple words, phrases, place names, names of people and sayings can all be used successfully as titles.

A title can be placed in many different positions on the page not just in the top position. The point of a title is to catch the attention of anyone looking at your page. A title is an important element as it helps to add balance to your page. Our eyes are used to scanning a page for the title so place your title in a position that will draw the viewer's eye to it.

Scrapbooking Tip:
Inspiration can come from all sorts of places like magazines and instagram. Titles can made out of just about anything. Beginner scrapbookers will find stickers, die cuts, stencils, cut outs and computer generated fonts are all good for titling. Consider using your own handwriting for a more personal touch.

For page title ideas on a variety of themes for scrapbook layouts check out these articles for tips and inspiration.

Best Scrapbooking Page Titles Ideas for Family Layouts
Memory Page Title for Scrapbooking Suggestion List
Scrapbooking Friendship Quotes, Page Titles and Journaling Friends Layouts
Scrapbooking Memory Page Title Ideas Suggestion List

4. Journaling
Journaling expands or explains the story depicted in your photos. It fills in the details for anyone looking at your pages. For this reason your journaling should cover the bases so that the viewer will be informed about what is occurring in the photos without having to ask the where, what, why, when, who and how types of questions.

Journaling can be set out in a variety of effective ways. The easiest method for the beginner is to write directly on the background paper. Other choices include writing in journaling boxes using cardstock and on patterned papers, vellum or other textured papers and using journaling cards as in the Project Life system. If you need to keep your journalling more private consider placing it in a pocket on the page.

Scrapbooking Tip:
Short descriptions, letters, captions, quotes, sayings, song lyrics, poems and verses are all possible journaling mediums.

For more help on journaling tips take a look at my other articles about journaling for scrapbooking.

85+ Journaling Prompts for Scrapbooking Childhood Memories
Scrapbooking Friendship Quotes, Page Titles and Journaling Friends Layouts
10 Ways to Use Handwritten Journaling in Scrapbooking Layouts

5. Embellishments
Scrapbooking pages can be accented with a variety of embellishments often referred to as elements. These add interest and highlight the page visually. Types of suitable embellishments include stickers, buttons, ribbons, brads, eyelets, buckles, silk flowers, and slide mounts to name a few.

Photo corners can add another decorative element to your pages. When placed at each corner of the photo they help to draw the viewer's eye to the photo. Ribbons and brads can also be used to create a similar focal point.

Scrapbooking Tip:
Embellishments are most effective when kept to a minimum. Be careful not to overshadow your photos and journalling with too many embellishments which take the viewer's attention from the page. Pick up to five embellishments to put on one page. Odd numbers of element often add greater symmetry to a page.

6. Borders
Borders are elements that can be added to the sides, top and bottom of the layout to add visual interest. Decorative borders can be created out of many materials including cardstock, patterned paper, fabric, tags, charms, metal and many more. You can buy borders as stickers which is an inexpensive way to add a border element to your scrapbook layout.

Scrapbooking Tip:
A punch can be a versatile piece of scrapbooking equipment to help you achieve a lot of different effects with borders. Heart and star shapes are always useful if you decide to buy a punch to create interesting border effects.

Now that you have learned the main elements that make up a scrapbooking layout you are now ready to have some fun creating your scrapbooking pages.


In this scrapbooking tutorial I discussed the six main elements of scrapbooking and how these together combine to create a cohesive effect.

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