What It Is

Scrapbooking has joined the digital age. We can now make complete scrapbooking pages on our computers. Even those of us who prefer traditional scrapbooking tend to use the computer for our journaling to print clean, neat captions and narratives on our layouts.

A computer font may be prettier than handwriting. However, it lacks the personal touch and meaning of our handwriting when our families view our pages.

We all hesitate to use our own handwriting on our scrapbooking pages for different reasons. A few reasons are common. You might think your handwriting isn’t neat enough for others to read. Consider how your family views your handwriting. You can get beyond your concerns if you realize how much your families will value that you preserved something as personal and unique as your handwriting. Remember how important those handwritten family recipes or letters are to you now.

Are you worried that you will make a permanent mistake with your journaling? Handwriting errors aren’t difficult to correct. Try using a paper journaling block first. You can use a second one if you mess up the first. If you’ve already attached it to the page, just glue another one over it. Use other page elements to cover your errors. Stickers are a simple way to cover a handwriting mistake.

The right pen choice is crucial to successful handwriting on your scrapbooking pages. The type of paper you are using determines the best pen choice. Many pens are not meant for slick or glossy papers and will smear. Others don’t work well on porous papers and will run. Check the width of the pen. Wide tips pens work best on large journaling areas.

Always practice your journaling before you glue it to your page. Write a draft on a piece of scrap paper. Slowly, read it aloud. This helps you spot errors in your grammar and spelling. If you have someone available, ask them to proofread it for you. Always remember to test the pen on the paper as well. Practicing on a draft first also lets you see if you have enough room available for all of your journaling.

Are you one of those people that write uphill? If you find it difficult to write in a straight line, use lined journaling blocks. You can make them yourself, buy a stamp with lines designed for this purpose, or purchase pre-lined journaling papers. Another tip is to use the natural lines in your layouts. Write along stripes on patterned paper. Handwrite phrases around a frame. You can even print on the edges of your borders.

Handwriting is uniquely personal. It’s also a form of validation, like our signature. A page layout with handwritten journaling adds character to a scrapbook album. It’s a glimpse into who you are. Your family will treasure your scrapbook pages even more, because it tells them about your personality and even reflects your mood. A computer font can’t add the depth and emotion to your words that your handwriting can.