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i have had a blog for a couple years now. i use it quite frequently as my reference tool for journaling. i don't always remember dates and what was so special about that particular photo.

My mind works in lists, so it's easiest for me to jot down a few bullet points to highlight what I'd like to journal about until I have the time to sit down and expound the story. I can get really wordy at times, so this helps me to remember what I was thinking and feeling and why I wanted to record it.

I started a file on my computer where I have typed in my reflections about those special days in our lives. On the weekend of our daughter's graduation, I created a file and typed in the facts but also some personal reflections and then I used that to journal about the event. I also carry a small planner in my purse to write down ideas and ah ha moments.

My tip is that perfection is over-rated. I am a horrible speller and if I misspell a word on a layout (I always use my own handwriting) then that is just a little bit of me that gets left for my posterity.

Before I write it down I ask myself what are the important points that I want to make sure I include in my story and then I make sure I save enough room for them and don't fill my space with too many unnecessary details (a habit of mine).

Consider your audience. Most of my pages are about (and for) my son, so I always write TO him.

when I get stuck, I start with the words of the person the page is about. Either a quote or I think about how they would tell me the story, I find it helps me find my voice, almost like a conversation.

Here is my FAVORITE tip- I have the cutest green apple Centro, and I have lists in my "memos" where I quickly type in cute things that my kids say, game scores that I want to remember for pages, and any other things that strike my fancy. I have one for color combos that I saw, inspirational things I have seen, books to look up- I even have a list for "new" releases from my favorite manufacturers that I want to buy. It is SO convenient and simple. I back up my phone about once a week, so I don't lose anything. I have even emailed the lists to myself so that I could print them out to scrap!

I have to write my journaling down on scrap paper first. I have a hard time journaling - sometimes I write too much and others I don't write enough.

Just write...don't make it perfect, for it is just for you and your family to treasure in the years to come.

I can never really journal at a crop--too much noise and I can't seem to focus! So I'll either journal before so all I have to do is copy the thoughts or save my journaling for later, so I can really think of what I want to say. Thanks for the chance to win!

I keep a small notebook at my desk so I can see it everyday and I just write down little stories, feelings, comments, etc.....I use this tool for journaling on my scrapbook pages..

I keep a calendar in my purse and try to record something about a photo or event as it happens rather than try to recall all the details later when I finally get to scrap it.

Like others, I keep a little journal with me, I find the Moleskines are a great size for my bag. My tip involves journalling trips/vacations --- I find that just going out into a city by myself for a couple of hours, without any family or friends who may be on the trip with me, makes me look at a new place in much more detail, and I don't have to feel guilty for stopping and starting so much to take pictures and notes.

Ohh!! I love reading these comments. My best tip is that I write how I speak...and that makes it most personal for me. Also, having two little ones, I like to take notes on my wall calendar so that I don't forget when "Lily said ma-ma" and I can add it into my layouts without having to find little pieces of note paper all over the place! Thanks, Ali!

My best journaling tip?
Be yourself - don't write something you think someone else would want to read. When you write exactly what you're thinking/feeling, then it becomes more meaningful.

My best journaling tip would be to do it as soon as you do the page. I am so guilty of "doing it later" and then never actually journaling on that page.

Make sure you write it down early....even if you don't scrap it for a while. Otherwise, you forget the details that make it memorable....spoken from experience!

I wish I would be organised enough to keep notes, but I don't. Often I just go with the flow and the actual journalling may have nothing to do with the photos, just writing down the feeling and my love :)

I usually start with a quote - something cute or insightful that one of my kids has said! The story comes naturally from there!