Three Things : Lines (and a Designer Digitals giveaway)

I am a handwriting girl. I love just writing on the page. I love using journaling paper, but find that it can be limiting. Just write!

My sister (and best friend) and I scrap together; as we work on our layouts we talk about the photos we're using - resulting in memories of the event or day or moment - and by the time I've finished my layout the words are there, ready to be written down :)

I'm a big fan of ledger paper, too . . . love it! I have a notebook that I always keep nearby where I can jot down little things I might not remember later. Helps a lot when it comes to journaling. I just open the notebook to around the same time the photos were taken. What a fun giveaway . . . I LOVE Designer Digitals.

My tips are tips I learned from observing you Ali!
1. Sneak the journaling in where you can... around a picture, along the edge of the page (blend it into the design!) It avoids an awkward "blob" of words that otherwise may not fit into the design.
2. Keep a digital journal. It's quick and easy to refer back to later, and will capture a more authentic portrayal of your thoughts on the subject.
Thanks Ali!
- A

I always put a journaling box or lines in the layout for journaling.
I also like to write the story first. Because sometimes I have found I would have liked to say more but have run out of room.

Right now, I have quite the pile of layouts waiting for words and I've decided I need a new approach. My only tip/hope for getting my journalling done is to do it first. I'm trying to start a process of sitting down with a pile of new photos and writing a few notes or longer about the ones I know I will/might scrap. Then, before I do the layout, I focus those notes into something more coherent. Here's hoping it works!

I type up what I want to say in Word and then just transfer it over. Sometimes it is hard finding a spot, and I might have to move things around, but it is worth it to get the story told.

I type up what I want to say in Word and then just transfer it over. Sometimes it is hard finding a spot, and I might have to move things around, but it is worth it to get the story told.

When I'm working at my desk, I always have a large piece of paper down as my work mat (It's usually the back of the last month's desk calendar). As I'm picking the papers and embellies, I begin to think about the story and start writing on my work mat. It usually sits there for a bit as I'm working, which allows me to add/edit, and gives me time to figure out the space needed as I begin to lay things out. This has finally helped me get away from squishing the journalling in at the last minute and running out of room. Sometimes I will type it, other times it's handwritten. And I always do the journalling before I move on to the next project. Otherwise I can't call this one complete - the perfectionist in me! Thanks for sharing your faves and the goodness :)) And I love journalling blocks that you can stamp on and then fill up the lines. I just got one from Unity Stamp Co. It's A Beautiful Life set) and it rocks!!

i am not a great journaler, but over time i've learned how important it is. i started with just writting the date and who was in the pics and it became easier with time.

With digital layouts I try and find a journalling tag to "clip" onto my page to always allow me to journal.With traditional paper scrapping, I make sure I have a pen and now try to use my own handwriting on most of my LO's. Thank you for a wonderful giveaway

I don't usually like my handwriting on my scrapbook pages. I prefer to use Becky's or Ali's handwriting font and print it out perfectly straight!

My favorite tip is to not use complete sentences.. just use short phrases.. I find long journaling daunting. I do love to use my own handwriting (or yours if I'm scrapping digitally!).

My favorite tip is to not use complete sentences.. just use short phrases.. I find long journaling daunting. I do love to use my own handwriting (or yours if I'm scrapping digitally!).

I love to journal underneath or around my photos. I also love to use Heidi Swapp's journaling blocks, or any other journaling blocks for that matter.

I am not one of the "paragraph" journal writers...I get too overwhelmed. So even if I just include a sentence or two of handwritten thoughts, feelings, descriptions, I feel as though I've done my page justice.

Hi Ali,
I am just starting to add just a bit more "digi" to my scrapbooking and just took a class to broaden my horizons with possibilities. As for incorporating journaling, I don't have a real systematic method for collecting my stories before I scrapbook... I just write the story as I remember it. Sometimes I type, but I usually tend to write in a bare space that is calling out for text. I sometimes draw lines or use lined paper. I used to think my drawn lines needed to be erased, but now I really am okay with keeping them. I'm really liking the look of a bit of "pencil" on my pages right now.
:)
Paula

Ooo boy do I love lined products! I love all things ledger/graph/notebook style :) To get my journaling done, I simply just force myself to do it...as in, a page is not complete until there is journaling on it. Usually I try to create a title that incorporates part of the story. Another thing that helps is having tons of super cute journaling tags and stamps and things of the sort !

I have grown to love little tags - makes the journaling seem like a smaller task so I can just get started. It usually takes more than one tag once I get started but at least they get me started.

I try to journal before I finish a page and move onto another one, and I also keep a lot of my emails to friends that can serve as journaling about what my family was doing at the time.