Three Things : Lines (and a Designer Digitals giveaway)

Trying to journal as often as I can in a $1 notebook, along with other notes when inspiration hits... Love your blog!!

When I get my photos printed, I pull together what I want to use in a layout or mini-album. I do some "loose" journaling right then so I can remember what I was feeling or doing in the photo. I put all of that (plus any scrapbook supplies I know I want to use) in a page planner from Cropper Hopper. Then, when I'm ready to actually make the layout I've got everything. Journaling isn't so tough then, maybe just a little editing required.

I jot down my ideas on a index card. I write down details I want to remember, lists, and which photos to use. I pull out the index cards to get my layout ideas and my journaling ideas. Ever since I started this, I'm never at a loss of what to scrapbook next!
Jennifer

I love all the little journaling 'spots' on the market these days-(maya road office sheers are my current fave, and multitudes of stamping co's are making the perfect little stamps now- just stamp and away you go- a couple of the Kelli Panacci ones are my favorite right now) These products make it way too easy to at the very minimum get the 5 W's down. Even after my layout is completed, I've gone back and added an additional journaling spot if I have thought of more I wanted to say.
I still love hidden journaling (library pockets, glassine or string envelopes, etc.)
Journaling is so important- sometimes the photos speak for themselves- but the favorite layouts in my albums are the ones that have journaling on them.
Have a lovely day Ali

I like to journal on the computer, especially if it is a big block of journaling. Since we are a family of 5, and our computer us used for homeschooling as well, is seems like one of us is on the computer all the time. So if I don't want handwritten journaling, I will write out the jounaling on a scrap of paper and keep it with the page until I can get it on the computer.
For small blocks, I like to use journal boxes and strips of paper. Those are easy to write one and just pop them on the page.
I also have several stamps that will make journal boxes for me (autumn leaves, inque boutique) that help.

When I develop or print my pictures I write journalling down on a post it & stick it to the back of the picture...not even just the journalling, if I have an idea about a layout for the picture I write that on the post it also. Or any quote from a book or song that I hear, that goes on the post it too. Otherwise I'll never remember when I'm in the middle of the layout. Plus I prefer to hand write my journalling b/c I prefer to read other peoples hand written journalling.
I love love that mug btw! What a cool website! Thanks for sharing!

I buy notecards and write down thoughts, memories and a category heading as I am ordering my pics online and file them into an organizer, when the pics arrive I then file the pics with the notecard for a future date to scrap them.--Rachelle

I try to write the "story" as soon as I pick out the pictures. Then when the rest of the layout is finished I'm not stuck trying to come up with what I want to say.

One thing I've used in the past is a stencil for drawing lines in different shapes, such as circles & swirls--I used them a lot before I had some lined rubber stamps and I still really like the look. (I would draw them in pencil and erase the pencil after writing in the journaling.) I also like to use the computer to print out the longer stories.

I am into Autumn Leaves Journaling Stamps right now. And when I scrap digitally I like the Texy Bytes from designer digitals too.

Most of my "journaling" is done on pages that don't even include photos. Most times the photos just speak for themselves, and I use them with a title and perhaps a few lines, here or there. But sometimes a story is words, and words alone (or perhaps we have no photos from that story), so there are layouts where I just tell the story. I write as though I'm telling the story, or perhaps I use bullet points. I throw on some stamping or embellishments, just to liven up the page a bit. Words alone are good, too.

I give my kids paper, pens or photo pens, or let them type right on photos (they think this is especially cool) while I am working on a project or am not feeling motivated to write. I always end up with some interesting stories!

I write it up on a scrap paper before I put my layout together that way I know how much space I will need for it.

For me the most important tip, is to just WRITE what you feel, when you think about it. Do not try to wait for that "perfect" journaling moment. I have found that when I "overthink" my journaling, it comes across as stiff and over formal (and maybe sappy) but if I write in the moment, and just let it flow- it is a better reflexion of who I am (on that day) and looking back on those entries, I can see my own personal growth- be it in how I think, how I express myself, or just where my mind was that day.
Live in the moment- write in the moment- and do no stress about it being "perfect". :)
Love your site Ali!

I have started using blog posts for either journaling or journaling prompts - this from your advice. I find my blog posts are usually "in the moment" and contain more information and emotion.

I keep a notebook in my purse. I try to write things down right after they happen. When I'm ready to scrap, I already have most of the journaling done. I just type it up or write it down and move on.
Love your projects!
Melinda

i like to use hidden journaling with tabs, pockets, tags, etc. that way if i need to go back and journal, or am gifting a scrapbook to someone with blanks for their own thoughts, the journaling (or lack of!)does not detract from the initial impression of the layout. I also enjoy the added element of surprise!

Girl you are just a wealth of information. Thnaks for all the inspiration you offer. When working with a busy pattern paper I love to put down a smear of paint and journal on that or cut strips of paper with my journaling on it.
Kitty

I guess mine is simple...I won't call it down until I have some journaling on the page. Although a lot of pages don't have too much on them. Somehow it's easier if I don't do it by hand.

For journaling lately I have been printing photos with extra white borders (or styled like a poloroid) and using a fine-point Sharpie or Micron pen directly on the photo border (or with white ink directly on the photo itself). Also LOVE Kraft word stickers by Making Memories. Also like to journal around the photos directly to the page - or within the shapes/design of the patterned paper.

i started blogging, which is a bit of a challenge as english is not my first language. but it helps me to think about my thoughts put into words. "a moment of my every day life" has really helped me to see the good things every day.

I do a lot of things to get journaling onto my pages. I have a family blog where I write out some of the more interesting things that happen in my life and I use that for journaling when the muse finally takes me, I keep a notebook handy to record little bits and pieces of life or conversation and, honestly, I don't finish a layout until the journaling is done. More often than not, I start with the words and find the pictures to go with. I don't believe the line, "A picture is worth a thousand words." I think a thousand words is worth so much more.

I like to use framed, journaling cards like those from Cosmo Cricket.

How exciting! I would love to win the giveaway!
I have found that as long as I don't try to over think the design of my page and the placement of journaling, I am much more apt to relax and grab a pen to add my words. Otherwise, I'm searching for the perfect font and waiting to do the journaling...which of course never happens!

hi! i usually keep notes in a little book, and plan the place for it on LO, i use lables or write on dymo or strips of pp and then add to LO, when there's a lot of words, i write on Word and print on cardstock. sue would like to have these digi templates !