One of the most important things in a scrapbook is the journaling. A picture can tell a million words but somehow, they leave out the sentiments and the emotions of the occasion. If you think about it, scrapbooking today is equal to the journals of our ancestor from the past. The benefit we have today is that we can journal showing the actual event as well and capturing the stories that accompany them. If done right, with archival materials, these can be passed down for generations.

Journaling can be done in several different ways. Here are a few of my favorites.

Your personal hand writing

Nothing can compare when it is written in your own handwriting. This adds to the sentimental value of the scrapbook. As each of your albums are passed down form generation to generation, that is the one thing that adds the personal touch of years past.

Computer Printed

Some people are not the excited about their handwriting. Nothing is wrong if you would rather print out your story. Write your story and glue to your pages as your journal.

Pre-printed Journaling

There are several other ways to capture those special days. You can use your favorite quotes, pre-printed stories or sayings. These make journaling easy and simple, but still say what you want about the photos.

Journaling Ideas

There are several ways to liven up your journaling.

Use a tag that you can stick behind a picture. If you need, use several to tell a story or different stories about the same event. Slide behind a photo and add ribbon to the tops so that you are able to pull the tag up to read about the event.

Run a piece of Vellum thru the printer with your story and over-lay on a photo or a square of paper to make it stick out from the rest.

Run your journaling onto both sides of the layout.

Use different shapes and sizes to add character to your layouts.

Use a scrap of wrapping paper from an occasion and write your journaling on the top.

Use Close to My Heart Stick Stock. This is a new linen vellum that is ran thru the printer and adds a whole new look to your journaling.

The most important thing in journaling is to capture what you remember most about the occasion and what you want others to see in your pages. As much as we think we will always remember these special times, the time flies too quickly and we forget without even knowing we have. Keep a journal handy at all times to write down special moments and what you remember. When you get your photos printed, write the important things on the back of each. This will help if you are not able to get your layouts completed as quickly as you wished. Most of all make them special and remember this is the way to let your generations remember you and your family.