If a picture says a thousand words, why do we even have to journal? What is journaling anyway?
Even the most traditionally long-winded and expressive of us all often find our scrapbook layouts and albums filled with random snippets of captions. We are driven by the latest collection of patterned paper, the latest way to make our chipboard pop; and the very last thing that comes to mind is what words to write and how to include the journaling. Worshipper of the written word I may be, and even I find my rushed ramblings on tiny but gorgeous journaling tags stilted and weak.
Hence this new fortnightly segment on this blog, to share with all of you (and remind myself) the true point of journaling and the many meaningful ways we can incorporate it into our scrapbooking or even cardmaking. Our messages in cards can definitely be a form of journaling as well. (and can leave our loved ones weeping in joy)
Over the weeks to come, I hope to discuss the many ways we can approach journaling from the inside out, while also sharing nifty tips and ideas for fitting it into our pages. Sometimes you might even find that your layout will stem from a journaling idea or phrase. My Mind’s Eye tags with their witty phrases have a way of churning a whole lot of page ideas, e.g “the many reasons why I love you”, etc… but we’ll get into technical specifics later in the game.
So let’s hop into square one.
What is JOURNALING?
A journal is a daily record of events of a personal nature. Much like a diary. And in scrapbooking, journaling is what makes your pictures truly speak. In decades to come, even the sharpest of minds will strain to recall what made little Sarah wear that pink fuzzy shirt ALL the time, or the quirky habits you first adored about your husband. Recording your feelings of a special phase in your life while you are in it helps keep those sentiments alive and immortal, readily accessible each time you flip through your scrapbook pages.
In an Asian context especially, we may be prone to keeping a lot bottled up. Now’s the time to slowly bare your thoughts and feelings and make your scrapbooking experience not just an art but a journey for you and everyone you care about and want to scrap about. Of course, language is a handy tool for journaling. Often I hear scrappers say, “I know what I want to say but I just don’t know how to say it”. You may not want the word “happy” in every single journaling spot. Use a handy thesaurus (online if need be) and find the exact word to suit the story you want to tell. Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself and express yourself in new ways, in whatever language you’re comfortable with. Because when you do, your pages will be so much more meaningful, not just to you and your family but to the generations to come as well.
Journaling idea 1-then and now
Journaling always works in tandem with the photos we decide to scrap. In this case, I wanted to chart a relationship that has grown through 4 and a half years. You can use this same format to scrap about a home you’ve lived in, a child growing up, anything with a progression really. Time makes bonds stronger in many cases, so this is a pretty adaptable journaling idea.
If you begin with your journaling idea first and decide on your title and theme, you can work it into your design. Some title ideas for a project like this might be;
1) Through the years
2) Along the way
3) How we’ve grown
4) Look at us now
5) Then and now
After deciding on your title, your journaling would then include recaps of what it was like in the past, in the early stages, perhaps some of the ups and downs, highlights of the relationship and how the way it is now is great or different.
Prompters to begin with…
1) Do you remember when we first met?…
2) Can you believe it’s really been four and a half years?…
3) Back then, I never would have thought…
These are just some thought generators. I’m sure you get the idea now and are raring to work on your own project like this. A theme this broad will even work well for an entire album, or mini album. Journal away and feel free to leave comments about which aspect of journaling you might want to know more about, or just to share your journaling experiences. I’ll try my best to address your concerns.
Happy journaling=)
i-mei=)
