Here are some creative journaling ideas for your scrapbooking layouts.
Scrapbooking is the art of placing your photographs and special memories in a way that is both artistic and memorable for future generations to enjoy.
You can also use these creative journaling ideas on your school projects, work presentations, and card making. So let’s get creative.
What Is Journaling In Scrapbooking?
Journaling is the way in which you add words and sentences to your scrapbooking layouts. It is always a good idea to do journaling on your layouts, so in a few years when you look back at your layouts, you know the story behind the pictures.
Obviously, you want your journaling to look artistic, unique and attractive, and fit in with the color scheme and layout of the photos. This can be tricky at times and it is always a good idea to plan for your journaling at the beginning stages of your layout.
Creative Journaling Ideas For Scrapbooking Layouts
Idea Number 1:
Instead of buying expensive lettering to do your journaling with, why not design your own on your computer? Most computers have Microsoft Word and Microsoft Paint, and both of these are great for making printed journaling that will make your scrapbooking pages stand out. The best part is that if you make a mistake, you simply go to edit and undo – it’s magic!
You can create large and colorful headlines for your layouts using a wide range of available fonts and effects. First, type out the word or words you would like to use, highlight them, and go to the format menu. Select the Font and style that you prefer and then go to the size box.
The higher the number you choose, the bigger your fonts will print out. You can then go to the Font color and select the color you want to use from the drop-down palette. You can also experiment with Shadow and Outline by going to effects in the same box and clicking on one of your choices.
Making journaling on your computer is really one of the cheapest and most creative journaling ideas for scrapbooking. I do this a lot in my own layouts.
Idea Number 2:
Staying with your computer, WordArt is one of the most effective tools for making decorative text that will really stand out on your layout. In an open Word document, go to Insert, then click on Picture, then WordArt. You will see a whole collection of colors and designs and you can take your pick and click OK. The Edit WordArt Text box opens and you can then select the font and size that you would like to use. This one is great fun to experiment with.
In an open Word document, go to Insert, then click on Picture, then WordArt. You will see a whole collection of colors and designs and you can take your pick and click OK. The Edit WordArt Text box opens and you can then select the font and size that you would like to use. This one is great fun to experiment with.
Your WordArt can also be used to make your text into different shapes.
When you have typed your text in WordArt, click on the text and the WordArt toolbar will appear. Click on the ABC icon and this will give you a whole array of different shapes to choose from. If you are finding your text difficult to read, click on one of the resize points (the little squares that appear in the corner and along the sides of your text) and drag the shape out until the words are bigger and readable.
Idea Number 3:
If you have to do a paragraph or more of journaling, why not add a drop cap. This is a large initial letter that starts the paragraph and is very effective for adding emphasis to quotes, or for breaking up paragraphs in long stories or letters.
You can type this on your computer as follows using Windows.
First, write your story or paragraph and then click on the paragraph that you want to apply the drop cap too. Once highlighted go to Format on the menu and click on Drop Cap. Choose the font that you would like to use followed by the number of lines of text that you want the drop cap to cover. Three is normally the rule of thumb. Then choose how far from the text you want the drop cap to appear and click OK.
Idea Number 4:
If you have neat handwriting, why not write on the background of your photographs. This is quite effective if you have a photo with a background in one color.
I suggest you do this on copies of photo’s and not on the original. You can also try handwriting on the background of your layout like the picture on the right.
This also adds a lovely personal touch.
Idea Number 5:
If you like handwriting, you can write on small cards and place them strategically around your photographs. This adds a great personal touch.
You can attach the cards to your layout using brads, ribbons or even make a mini booklet.
You will definitely need to plan for this creative journaling idea before starting to do your layout.
Idea Number 6:
Use journaling on extended photo mats. Matting is when you frame your photograph by putting it on some stock card. Now simply cut the stock card a bit bigger so that you have space to write or add journaling to the matting.
Idea Number 7:
Idea Number 8:
Strips and shapes of paper with journaling on placed here and there all over your layout can also look surprisingly good.
Try cutting out different sizes of journaling from old magazines. The effect can be quite stunning.
You should have loads of fun with these creative journaling ideas for scrapbooking. Don’t be afraid of journaling as this technique will give a professional touch to your projects as well as making them original and fun.
