Three Things : Lines (and a Designer Digitals giveaway)

Ali I am so excited about you joining DD- it has been a wish of mine for a long time! As a digi scrapper I love the simplicity of getting the journaling done. My "tip" would be to just write it. Don't worry about getting it just right, just record the details and feelings - that is what your kids and others who look through your pages will really want to know!

I like to look back at the journaling I wrote about the specific day/event & use that as part of my journaling. Plus, whether I want to or not, I write something. Cause I never am interested in going back & adding the journaling later. Excited to check out the new templates & brushes!

I keep journals everywhere!! In my room, in my car, near my desk!! They have everything from funny conversations I hear my kids having to everyday things I want to remember. That definitely helps me with my journaling. And I have to say that I'm SO excited that you're the newest designer with DD!!

I love all that lined paper for journaling and all sorts of things on my pages. I guess that it's a teacher thing. I am sooooooooooooo excited that you are selling at DD! I wondered how long we'd have to wait for the FABO Ali to come to the "dark side" of digital designing.

I actually started a blog on Two Peas, and I try to put down the little stories of the "everyday" things that happen that I'll forget later on. I can remember better the stories from the big events-but the little moments seem to get lost.
I've also put a notebook in my purse to help jot down memories, and invested in a digital voice recorder as well. My new MP3 player I got for christmas also voice records, so I try to put down the quick sayings in there as well...

I'm a sucker for the "words" part of scrapbooking. The words are usually the first thing I work on.
Although I usually prefer simple blocks of text, I will sometimes use my journaling as a border. I'll write around photos, around accents, even around the edge of the page. I get a kick out of watching people tilt their heads and/or the layout to read it all.

The best way for me to make sure that I have journaling on my page is to start with the journaling before I begin with the 'fun' stuff. And the fastest way for me is to just print the story from my blog!

i try to write down the first thoughts that come to mind. normally they are the most sincere and heartfelt. also, i try to think how cool it would be to read my grandmothers words at my age and try to think forward. someday someone will appreciate fully the time i've put into this now.

Cute products! I love Cosmo Cricket journaling tags. My signature scrap style, is that I use song lyrics to express my sentiments, and a lot of the times, they say it better than i could! I just scrapped an old pic of my northern cal family and I in San Francisco in the eighties. I was a full on Madonna wannabe, so I titled it "Lucky Star", and the journaling said "You must be my Lucky Star, cuz you shine on me wherever you are" representing how much i miss them, but they are always with me in my heart! Great post!

I carry a little notepad (and my camera) in my purse for such occasions. I can write out the details and capture that special moment right there. Sometimes, I even take the page out of the notebook and put it right on the scrapbook page I'm creating.

I am so excited that you will be joining the wonderful designers at DD. Congratulations! I am anxiously awaiting your debut on Sunday. The CT layouts in the gallery are making me drool.
As for journaling, I keep notes in a journal and refer to those. But, my biggest motivator to get the journaling done (other than the fact that I really want our stories documented) is the feeling of accomplishment I get after completing a layout. Watching my dd look through our albums and seeing at the layouts I've displayed around the house is such a wonderful feeling. It's the "this is our life, and here are the photos and journaling to remember it."
Thank you for being such an inspiration!

I try to write down thoughts and mull them over as I work on the layout. I find that journaling tags are a quick and fun way to capture the journaling. Jess

OMG... are you sure we can't say, "we'll leave it 'till later journaling?" HA! Ok... my favorite is typing my journaling on the left page using "right alignment" and doing my actual scrap page on the right. It keeps it clean and simple.
Smiles!
Jen

Just starting out with adding some digital elements but still love the hands on when scrapbooking! Thanks for continued inspiration.
Denise

Sometimes, to make sure I get my journaling down I will use a black pen and just journal a sentence under the photo - mounted or not to get my thoughts down.

WOW I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this kit. I usually just add words. I'm trying to be more a journalist. I usually use a ruler or type it on the computer and print it. I just stamps alot also. Thanks for a chance.

What helps me get journaling done? It has to be blogging, saving emails that I have written to friends/family where I summarized life events, or heading to my journal. I think I have an easier time with this than most because I've been journaling for at least 16 years. I'm not too worried about what comes out anymore as long as something gets on that paper! So maybe my biggest tip is to practice as much as you can!

I'm usually thinking of my journaling before the page/project is made...I keep some scrap paper next to my desk and jot down what I am thinking of saying.
What I have done to help my journaling easier and quick is, I purchased little journaling spots from a great little shop on etsy: everyjotandtitle.etsy.com! (love the name) They come in white and kraft and really match almost everything I am creating. I also bought some journaling spot stamps from Autumn Leaves which make it really convienent to stamp right on my project and some journaling spots from Heidi Swapp.
All of the spots have a special place on my desk and Now when I go to put a page or project together, it is just like picking out an embellishment!
Hope this helps someone!
Hugs,
Heather

I am totally with you, Ali, in love with anything that makes it easier to get even just a little bit of journaling down on a page! I'm so excited about all the little journaling products that are out right now. My favorites are:
Heidi Swapp's Journaling Spots
( http://store.scrapbook.com/hs-hs63665.html )
American Crafts Remarks Stickers books (love the brown! ( http://store.scrapbook.com/ac-42507.html )
and Jenni Bowlin's journaling cards: http://www.jennibowlin.com/eco/store.asp?SID=1&Item=38
Sometimes I think out my journaling ahead of time, and sometimes I just write what the photos make me think at the time. Sometimes it's just a date/place kind of thing.

lately -- i'm really into just writing. no lines, no nothin'. i'm trying to embrace 'my' writing... how i really write in my every day life.
when i want a more polished look however, i use things designed to help me journal. little things that have lines already help a lot!
i'm really into journaling these days! :D