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When I first started out scrap booking, I had no idea what journaling was, much less did it. Now, years later, journaling is one of the key elements in almost every page we do as scrap bookers. Journaling is so important when you are creating your albums for future generations. I don’t know how to express that enough. Without a story behind the photos, we are right back where our ancestors were. How many of us have photos of family with no information on whom, where, why and when? There are stories to be told behind every photo.

It’s a simple but very important part of preserving our past. We want our family to know whom we were, what we did, when it was done and why. Journaling doesn’t have to be made into a novel. Most of us don’t have the time, let alone the patience writers do. The basics can create a moment just as easily, those being whom, where, why and when.

An example of this could be:

Laura and Josh

Dagger Lake

July 2003

With those simple sentences you have told a story. The more you write, the more the story unfolds. It’s up to you as to how detailed you want to get. Some photos need more information than others, and that’s where the details come in. With the same information as above, you can elaborate as much as you deem necessary. Another example of that would be:

Laura Sills & Josh Thomas,

At Dagger lake picnicking with our family.

July 7^th 2003

The more information you have about the photo, the more you can create the scene for whom, where, when, and why. We are laying down the foundation of our family and it’s history. Without a story behind the photos, we have an empty palette so to speak.

Getting back to the subject of details…. As the one creating these albums, there is an importance when it comes to the journaling aspect of a page. You as the creator, have the ability to let people who view your album, know you. Writing down your thoughts and what you felt at the moment is a special window into who you are and what is important to you. Obviously, our family is the reason for our creations, but just as importantly are the emotions we feel when we have a memory brought back by photos or mementos.

If you are uncomfortable about those feelings being revealed to others, instead of the person it is specifically written for, then there is a way to still have those thoughts included. It’s the simple technique we know as hidden journaling. Using your photos, a pocket, or a special envelope as a place to keep them under or in, you can still include your journaling.

In each of the following examples, I have put the journaling in a spot that isn’t necessarily accessible to all eyes, but can be easily read by someone if prompted to do so.

Another issue that may arise when you journal, is your handwriting. Some of us aren’t particularly happy with the way ours looks. A remedy for that, Fonts! The Internet has literally hundreds of thousands of free fonts. There are also programs that can copy your handwriting and make it look beautiful. The easiest way to find some fonts is to check out our resource center. There, you will find a variety of fonts and one is bound to catch your eye. Here are just a few:

In each of the examples, I have put the journaling in a spot that isn’t necessarily accessible to all eyes, but can be easily read by someone if prompted to do so.

Typewriter fonts

Fonts are fun 1942 Report

Fonts come in a variety Alder

Of styles and you can GF Halda Smashed

Find one to suite Mom’s Typewriter

Your style! Last Words

Cursive Writing fonts

Fonts are fun Civilian font

Fonts come in a variety Airstream font

Of styles and you can Kayleigh font

Find one to suite Tom’s handwriting font

Your style! Texas Hero font

So with all these little tips and a few techniques you are a little more equipped to not only preserve your moments in time, but also tell the story behind them as simply or as detailed as you choose.