Three Things : Lines (and a Designer Digitals giveaway)

Journaling has historically been difficult for me, but I'm finally "getting it". The inspiration I get from your blog, and your books has helped tremendously. I try to think about the story when I am choosing my photos. If I am paper scrapping, I journal first and either write it or print it out. If I am digi-scrapping, it is easier to include, because I am always right there at the computer. I am so excited that you are designing digi-stuff! It is a new arena for me, but I'm having so much fun with it!

My favorite way to get journaling down is to just write it down. While having premade lines or stamps it's nice, it's not really a necessity for me. I just make sure sure there's space on the layout and I write away. Can't wait for your your brushes and templates. You rock!!!

I have discovered that I really can't design a page and journal at the same time - it just really doesn't work for me. Maybe it uses different parts of my brain? I don't know. But for me at least, I think recognizing the fact has helped me.
So either I freewrite beforehand, figure out what I want to say, then make the page and add the journaling. Or else I make the page, then I have to step away for a bit, do some freewriting separately (often by hand, or at least in a separate word document), then add it to the page.
The other thing I do that helps immensely - I have ongoing spiral notebooks that I use for lists, journal, ideas, etc. Every time I start a new one (every few months) I set aside the first few pages as my "kids' notes" and I write observations, quotes, etc there. Then when I finish the notebook I pull out the pages and put them in a three ring binder. Helps for captions and quotes and "You at A Particular Age" pages, to no end - and works in with a system I already have in place (which is probably key).

I recently re-organized my stash and now keep all of my journalling things together...small tags in a small ziploc together, journal stamps together in a bigger zip and journal papers (like you picked for your 3 things)together in a bigger pocket. This way, when I design a LO, I can access whatever journalling medium might work. I also put my journal notes immed on a post-it, as soon as I think of them. Sometimes this is as soon as I see the photo on the back of my camera!!
Thanks for so much great inspiration Ali.Whenever my motivation is waning, I head here to your blog. I love the "real-life" ideas!"

I keep a notebook in my purse -- Amazing things come out of my kiddos and I don't want to forget them. Also, I find that when I am doing a page it just kind of flows.

When I print the pictures I write my thoughts about the event, person or memory on a 4x6 index card and file them together (either in a filing cabinet - LOM style) or in page protectors for future use. I write a lot on the actual pictures now, thanks to white pens!

If I don't fell the need to write a lot, I'll just write around the photo - journalling and a frame in one!

When I don't have time to sit and scrapbook but I want to remember what was said, I have a notepad in our kitchen cabinet and I write it down (i try to remember to date it)
That way, when I am sitting down to scrap, I have the quote written down exactly as it was said and I can remember the moment. It is a better way to journal for me than just remembering by looking the photo. Looking at the photo helps me remember the feeling, but not necessarily the words.

I always use my own handwriting with bought words, stamps, rub-ons. I love the combination. Thanks.

I try to keep journaling supplies with me all of the time so that when a moment happens, or I capture a great picture, I can jot down something to include on my page when I get to it. I keep my journaling with my printed pictures until I'm ready. I'm also not picky... if I don't have "proper" supplies handy, I'll grab whatever is around!

I used to put a spot in for journaling and then say I will get back to it, and never do it. Now, so I journal right then and there I usually just write it out by hand. It's quicker and easier than typing and sizing and printing on the computer for me.

I try to keep a little notebook handy so that I can write down things as soon as I think of them. Something I especially do when traveling is jot down specifically where a photo is taken, including city, landmarks, and street names.

I've started a project notebook that has project pages and notes/quotes pages so that I can jot down any thoughts. Then I take them to the 'puter and journal them for print. I've found that I'm journaling more when I make a record of it on my project page.

I try not to put too much pressure on myself about finding the perfect thing the write on my pages, I just add a comment here and there to describe what the page is about. Sometimes, I'll write out the whole story behind something, and on those pages, the story is usually the focal point, and I may or may not use supporting pictures.

I do a first draft of journaling first before working on a page. Then, there's no excuses!

I am really bad about journaling on my pages but I try to at least date them all!!!
I love to read the journaling on other peoples pages but I think mine sound silly.
Today I am inspired to do better. LOL!

OK, I am mostly a non-digital scrapper, but I am looking into ways to mix digital with paper. You can say I am on the learning curve on how to use brush, fonts...

I may not always get my journaling done, but I always insure I have the gist down. It typically includes: who, when, why, & where. Plus any funny quotes, or sayings someone might have said. The every week weeks, I would take out my layouts and tackle the journaling. Always seemed to work for me. :)

For my journaling I stamp on Bazill with a small or large journalingstamp, depending on amount of text, cut out and ink edges, and add text. When project is finished, I simply add it by glue or brads or whatever.
More journaling = more&different stamps :)
Teresa Collins (stampersanonymous.com) Intinerary & Quotes are great! :)

I love just using my own handwritin, which I really don't like. But I know in the years to come my kids will appreciate seeing my handwriting, instead of computer journaling. I also love to use journal spots, and chipboard letters for titles.

The best thing for me is to start with my story first. Thanks to you & Stacy J, I'm getting better at doing this. I now have a notebook that I jot down "my future pages" , and then when I'm ready to work with the paper, glue, photos & stamps, I have my journaling started (or done).

Hi, Ali! For me, I use my scraps from my scrap file, grab my pen and journal as if I'm talking to my audience - usually my sons. I can write really small so making them fit is no problem.
P.S. I love your work!

I scrap digitally and struggle with journaling, but what helps is writing when I'm away from the computer. I carry a small Moleskine notebook with me and write layout ideas and journaling bits in it when I'm away from the computer and better able to reflect. When I add it to a layout, all personal journaling goes in with my handwriting font so I leave the legacy of my handwriting behind as well as my thoughts.

Just write it down!!!!! There is nothing cheaper easier and more valuable in the future than your own handwritten words.
Thanks

I'm not good with words, so I tend to be more about the facts, date, etc. and just a few lines of personal thought. My kids are teens right now so its less openly loving right now even though the feelings are there-all around. So maybe that creates my hesitation, worrying what "others" mostly the kids, will think. I like to use stamps for the date, circles with a few words here and there, and then tend to handwrite around the outer edges of a grouping most often. I use journaling spots (HS) and library cards often also. Looking forward to your creations. Love your work and thought process.