Journaling Tip #4: Details on the Back

Here's a quick tip for you.  The next time you have your digital photos printed by an online company (e.g. Snapfish or Shutterfly), consider having the details printed on the back.  You have this option when you are selecting the size and finish.  I have the basic details printed on the back of all my pictures now.  It takes extra time when you're ordering them; but when it comes time to scrapbook them (or even put them in photo albums), all of the information is already there.  You don't have to write anything on the back.  I love it!

Journaling Tip #3: Start With the Journaling

OK.  I'll admit it.  I usually save my journaling for last.  Not because I don't think it's important, but because sometimes I think I know what I'm going to say before I start; but then, once the photos are on the page, I think of more to say.  There are times, though, when I write my journaling before putting the photos on.  In the layout below, I just started writing about what I remember from my summers as a child.  I knew the photos I was using, but I put them on after I finished writing.  In this case, writing the journaling first worked better for my layout, and it shared center stage with the photos.  Give it a try.

 

Journaling Tip #2: The 5 Ws

(This is a post from August 2007, but I think it will be very helpful for those who are just starting out, or those who are struggling with journaling.  Happy scrapping!)

Although I find journaling very easy, I realize that many people do
not.  I don't think it's necessary to write paragraph after paragraph
for every layout, though.  Sometimes just the 5 Ws are enough: Who, what, when, where, and why. 
If you can write down just this information, you will have enough for
most layouts.  Sometimes these details can spark your memory of other
details, and the journaling will come more easily.  Give it a try.  Oh, and I do most of my journaling in my own handwriting, but I do occasionally use the computer.

I hope this very simple, but very useful, tip helps you when you're stuck wondering what to write on your layouts.

Do You Like Salad?

May is National Salad Day, in case you didn't know.  The If It's Groovy Design Team was assigned a challenge to do a layout all about salad.  There are so many wonderful interpretations of this theme on the blog that I know you'll enjoy looking at them all.  (The link is on the right.)

Here is my salad layout.  Not only is it about salad, but it was a wonderful opportunity for me to talk about some of the differences between my son and my daughter.  Enjoy and have a salad today!