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I like to just keep it simple - just get the thoughts down. Sometimes I find myself jotting things down on the calendar so I can go back and match the photo date with my key thoughts from the calendar. just a few words or sentences is usually enough to trigger more words later - I need a starting point or I'm at a loss when it comes to capturing the original feelings evoked in the moment.

I like it to be catchy and to the point. It's easy to think in one liners, so don't get caught up in needing to say a lot.

My memory isn't what it used to be. But, I seem to recall that it was something you said at CKU Chicago or wrote that changed my journaling, Ali. And that's to speak directly to the person (or people) in my layout. So rather than simply describe my daughter's birthday celebration for example, I make sure that at least part of my journaling is directed specifically to her as if I'm talking to her. I can only imagine how meaningful this is going to be to her one day. Much more meaningful than a recounting of facts.

I just try to write little tidbits down whenever they happen with the date and then collect them in a basket on my scrap desk. When it comes time to actually scrap pages, I sift through the tidbits to see what things I've written down might work with certain photos to tell a story, usually about my kids.

For me at the moment and because of the digital age we now live in...I find that using mediums such as Facebook and Twitter are great ways to write little snippets of my life to save for journaling later...since I find myself in front of the computer more than I probably should and I just type faster than I can write, it just works as a great journaling help for me.

I upload photos to Facebook albums ASAP and then use the caption space to record the story. This way it's captured, my friends and family can all see it right away, and I don't have bits of paper all over!

I used to put together many layouts and then sit down for a journalling session and do the journally for 10-15 layouts at one time...now I "JUST DO IT" no time like the present...

I like to take parts of an e-mail or Twitter to journal, if they are available - I feel like it is more authentic of me than the usual "we had fun" or "you are beautiful" - which are true, but I overuse them a lot.

Alot of the time the journalling is fairly private so I write alot more detail on the back of the layout before it goes into the album.

I keep a notebook (lots of notebooks!) handy and write stuff down whenever the thoughts occur. I focus only on the detail and feelings and worry about the style later when I know the style of page I'm creating and how much space I have.

Hi Ali and everyone!
For me to have no excuse to journal even when on the go, I have two tips. One, I use smaller spiral bound sketch notebooks. They are in the art department at most craft stores. Two, I have a back up tool case that is about 12"x2"x4". I have collected small stamps, ink pads, etc. Plus it is full of a variety of pens and other incidentals for creating. I can put both in my messenger bag and be ready to go!
:-) Anna-Marie

Just DO it, sit down, write (no, not a book or a novel, no literature!) just what happened, how you felt etc. And use your own handwriting, mine is ugly, but it is MINe!

I like to remember what the situation was like, what you can't necessarily see in the picture. Maybe a cute thing the kids said or how easy/difficult it was to get their picture taken. I tend to be pretty wordy, but it's good for me because I have such a terrible memory that I am able to relive the event through the journaling!

I try to journal as I'm talking directly to the person, makes it easier

My best hint is to make notes on my calender, where I went and what I did each day, that way when I go to scrap the photos taken on that day the few words on my calendar will remind me who, what, where, and when with no problem.

I love the TTT kit!
I carry very small notebook in my purse to jot down ideas and anything that comes to my head. When I want to capture a moment, I take a picture and quickly jot down a couple of key phrases. If I have time, I write an entry in my journal. I also love writing it out like a letter. When it is time to scrapbook, I just attach it to my page. It's easy and it captures what I want to say.

Open up Word Document, title it, and begin the story. It usually takes a week or so to tell the story and the word document is opened, closed, edited, and added to many times before I am finished! :) Have a great day!

I try to think through what I want to say while doing the usual housework, etc, then wait for a quiet moment, usually first thing in the morning with a cup of tea, to actually write it down.

I blog it as soon as it happens. The 365 project has really helped me do this.

For me, blogging has helped me to document life~ as a super busy mom of twelve, this has been huge for me. As always, thanks so much for having such a "meaty" blog, Ali. I really appreciate all the work that has to go into maintaining this site.