Trading Places

In a hobby that has gotten to be about mixed media, extreme layering, visual triangles and paper piecing, it is important to sometimes revisit the basics. One such element involves journaling and where to actually place it on a page. When considering the story telling, do you decide where to put your words before you begin or do you figure it out along the way? It goes without saying that I am an avid journaler, yet I don’t usually make it my starting point. I do, however, keep my options in mind as I am creating as I ultimately want a cohesive design. So what are the options? Let’s discuss some today!

One of the most common ways to add journaling is to simply include typed text on your page. It is a task that is easily accomplished if you have a large format printer. If you are like the average person and don’t, you can still add typing, just plan to do it on an 8.5 X 11 sheet of paper. LG decided to make her journaling a main part of her layout and used a font that is reminiscent of an old typewriter. She carried it all the way down her page as a visual effect. It is lovely, isn’t it?

Another frequently used technique involves making journaling strips that can be placed just about anywhere around your page. I often resize my photos to be smaller than 6 X 4 inches so I always have thin strips of photo paper left. I use these as a guide to figure out where to put my journaling strips. Works like a charm! For another typical approach, don’t forget about using journaling notebook paper. These charming sheets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. As you can see, it is the perfect complement to Zoa’s shabby chic layout.

All About You by Lady Grace Belarmino

Supplies: Paper, Alphabet, Die Cuts: Pink Paislee, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Chipboard: Maya Road, Flowers, Bling: Prima Marketing, Transparency: Hambly Studio, Paint: Shimmerz, Ink: Ranger Industries, Digital Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop CS4, Fonts: Traveling_Typewriter.ttf. Tools: Punches: Martha Stewart, Border Punches: Fiskars.

Design Notes: Journaling is not my strongest skill when scrapbooking but taking the time to create this kind of layout made the page more precious and heart-warming. I reflected on how Hannah grew up to be more than what I expected and learned more as I created this page.

Journaling: You love chocolates. You love the outdoors. You hate saliva. Your favorite color is orange. You love to wave for everybody. You are very friendly. Your first word is "aray". You love the water. You drink milk 5x a day. Your favorite food is rice with sinigang.You are so sweet. You had your first tooth when you were 10months old. You love traveling. You love eggs. You know how to add from 1 +1 to 5+5. Your nickname is "bubwit". You sleep very late. You are a drama princess. You are Lolo's Girl. You are very smart for your age. You have a very soft voice. You are 1yr and 9mos old here. You hate it when Daddy irritates you. You love to have your picture taken all the time. You love experimenting. Your head is so tiny. You are one brave baby. Your favorite snack is French Fries. You love playing and messing around. You are strong. You are very focused. You love to observe. You adore food. Your body is stiff when you dance. You love talking to the phone. You will turn 2 on April 19. You are our little angel.

Even Now by Stacey Michaud

Supplies: Paper, Buttons, Ticket: Making Memories, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Pin: Maya Road, Alphabet Stickers: October Afternoon, Twine: Jillibean Soup, Pen: Zig Writer. Tools: Punch: Marth Stewart.

Design Notes: I like to place my journaling strips close to my photo to bring the eye right to it! I created the flowers using small hearts that I punched out.

Journaling: This photo is two years old, yet I still get the same feeling when I look at it. Struck by your beauty, it takes my breath away. Still.

God Bless Our Love by Zoa Barker

Supplies: Paper: Webster's Pages, Jenni Bowlin Studio, Making Memories, Grungeboard: Tim Holtz, Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories, Flowers: Making Memories, Tags, Tickets: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Journaling Spots, Buttons, Ribbon, Felt Clip: Making Memories, Brads, Hinges: Daisy D's, Specialty Paint: Tattered Angels, Ink: Colobox, Flocking Powder: Doodlebug Design, Inc., Pens: Sharpie. Tools: Edge Distresser: Heidi Swapp.

Design Notes: I have always loved this song by Mary Chapin Carpenter!! The words are so great, I wanted to use them for my journaling. I used glimmer mist on all the Grungeboard, and then flocking powder on all the flowers.

Journaling: Grow old along with me, The best is yet to be. When our time is come, we will be as one. God bless our love, God bless our love. Mary Chapin Carpenter