Scrapbooking Tips Information and Techniques

By Stephanie Boyle

Journaling is a very important feature in scrapbooking. Scrapbook journaling isn't about how much you write, it's about the quality of information you share with others through the journaling. Well journaled scrapbooks reinforce the pictures by telling their story rather than just showing what is displayed. Before you begin to write you will need to know what to write. Make sure you have all the facts before you try to proceed. Here are a few questions you'll want to ask yourself when trying to figure out what to write.

First of all you must ask "What?", What is going on in the pictures?, What event is taking place in the pictures?, What was being said?, What happened before, while and after the photo was taken?, What inspired the expressions in the pictures? If you can answer these questions by your journaling, that is a good start.

Second of all, you must as "when?". When was the photo taken? (day, month, and year are all important factors) Was this a special holiday or celebration and which one was it?

Third of all, and a very important factor for future generations is "Who?". Who are the people in the photos? Make sure to give their full names both first and last. Are they friends or relatives? Who was at the event but is not included in any of the photos.

And last of all, "Where?". Where did the event take place? Why was this event important in your life, or something you want to remember? How did you chose to use these photos?

In addition to these questions you may add many other things. Describe how you felt at that point in time. Add poems, quotes, or sayings that are important or illustrates the theme of the page. Include thoughts, feelings, and words of those shared at an event. Share parts of conversations that happened at the occassion or even jokes that were told.

I know this can seem like a lot of journaling that will have to take place, however some of the questions can be grouped together quite nicely and not all of the questions are required. You just want to make sure the story is being told to it's full potential. You want to make sure it is effective journaling and decades from now, your scrapbook will be able to be enjoyed and many of the questions the onlookers may have will already be answered by the journaling.