Hi there!
I just wanted to share a little about myself!
My name is Cassandra and i have been scrapbooking for almost two years. The birth of my son had inspired me to do something special for him, so i started scrapbooking. I am one of the only people in my circle that scrapbooks so i am happy to have found here . I have had real struggles trying to scrapbook and find myself getting stuck quite often. I am currently stuck on Christmas of '05. The journaling is the hardest part. I come up with great layouts and inventive ideas but sometimes struggle finding a "flow" to the pages.
Other than that when i finally finish a page it looks awesome. I look forward to brainstorming with other scrapbookers.
Cheers
Cassandra
btw...AWESOME STORE and a great site too!

Welcome Welcome Cassandra. Journaling is hard at times for me also. Sometimes I do my layouts and then comeback to the journaling. Just tell it like it is. That is the important part of every page.
So glad you have joined us!!
Aldean

Welcome Cassandra. You are not alone with journaling. I don't why it is hard for me sometimes. My battery doesn't wear out when it comes to chatting, but my pencil freezes when it comes to writing on a scrapbook page. This is only one tip that has helped me, perhaps it will help others.  

Remember your journaling is your story about the photograph.

Always use scratch paper first.


Let's get away from just putting

Judy, Mike, & Gracelyn
Christmas 2006.

Or

The grandchildren loved opening their presents on Christmas morning.

Judy, Mike and Gracelyn

Christmas Morning 2006


Try this instead: USE YOUR 5 SENSES.
It was another very cold Christmas in South Daktoa this year. As the wind chill dipped to below 25 degrees, I felt the chill in the air that always managed to creep inside. As I looked out the window the sun began to peek out and the trees begain to glisten and twinkle as the sun hit the branches.

The room suddenly began to fill with warmth as the grandchildren bounded from their rooms in excitement about the morning ahead. Did Santa Come? Can we open our Presents?

You may not get all 5 sense in the story, but recreate the senses. It will send a message of what you saw and felt.
The 5 senses:
What you saw
What you heard
What you tasted
What you smelled
What you touched

Do not let the photos tell the story of sight, because many times the story behind the photo is so much better than the photo itself!

Hope this will help you.

Hi Judy.  What fantastic tips on journalling.  I am a person that doesn't have any trouble journalling on most pages but I love your simple 5 senses rules.  I am reminded that on Friday night I was scrapping my photos of our gingerbread house making in December.  I started to do a title that said 'Gingerbread House' - what a boring title.  It was obvious that it was a gingerbread house - so I sat and thought of something better.... I came up with... SWEET CONSTRUCTION.    The story behind the photo is the fun I had making the creation with a friend.
Great forum start and look forward to seeing and learning more.
Cheers from Australia.

hello, i have been scrapbooking forever! but i to find myself stuck. i use idea books (not to reproduce the page) but to get an idea from it, i tend to use my own creativity. as for journaling i have books with great qoutes and sayings. i tend to pick something that best discribe my mood or feelings at the time i took the pictures. happy scrappin! -jo

Hi  Cassandra,
The birth of my son ago also is what inspired me to just now start to scrap.  I met a mom who does scrapping a lot and she offered to help me start my now, 2 yr. old son's album...
What did you start out with when you began?
Hope to chat w/ ya later...
Take Care!
Maria  :0)
PS...
   **The 5 senses tips ARE GREAT***
Thanks for posting the advice, I will surely keep it in mind when I am scrapping!!

Hi all!
First a thank you for the Journaling ideas. I love the 5 senses, it really is a great idea.
Maria, with my sons scrapbook i started with a page of my son in the hspital. It is centered with both of my hospital bracelets and bothe of his framing his picture in the center of the page. I also have the cards from the hospital bassinet. One is quite long which says, Baby Boy:   Name:   and his room number. And i have the other card which has all of is information on it. I kept it really simple. But i must say that my favorite thing is the border of hospital bracelts. Then, my next page is Black and White photos of him and i in the hospital...much more flattering than color...I would just say, start with something that inspires you. Maybe just a page of a then and now photo of your son...that might be cute...hmmmm....i like that idea   images/icones/icon14.gif[/img]
Cheers! and THanks All!
Cassandra

OOh...i like the book quotes too   thanks!

Hi Cassandra,
Thanks for the hospital bracelet and cards ideas!  I did save those things too, it will be perfect!!  I was sorting through all our hospital pics and I wish we had done some in blk & wht as I had a c-section and look as though I have been through one heck of a day!!  Oh well they are what they are right? I don't know anyone who has ever said they thought they looked good in theirs anyway!!
I am currentky working on the themes for his album, do you have any favorites that were easy to start out with?  I want to do a bath one, b-day, x-mas, easter etc. but was wondering if you had any different kind of ideas you had fun with or poto ideas to take now b4 it's too late!  He is growing up too fast for me, everyone says it goes fast and NOW I really understand what they meant!
Thanks again & Take Care!
Maria  :0)

Maria,
As for ideas, i have a page titled "No Animals Alowed" because my son is wearing his "safari" outfit and is playing with his stuffed animals. I like to just give a theme for each picture. I have  a page titled "So What, I Stink" because i have my son wearing a saggy diaper and you can tell he needs to be changed but his expression shows how much he doesn't care. I also have the obvious "Just Me And Mom" and with dad and others aswell. Also cuddle pictures titled "Warm and Fuzzy"  also pages having to do with firsts "the first time i DIDN"T need mommy to help me sit" and so on.
And as for your pics not being in black and white, you can scan them and choose whether or not you want them in color or not and all photo places can do it too.
Hope the ideas help!
Cheers!
Cassandra

Thanks for the advice!
I especially love the one titled "warm & fuzzy"
Ironically I just went to my first crop Fri. night and found out about blk & wht. pics there too!
I did my first layout, and it was GREAT!
I really felt I did a good job for my first time...
I had some help from a friend who has a lot of experience, thank goodness!
I read your note under my profile and I think it sound like a neat idea to do a girls night at your house for croppin, I hope it goes wel!
Let me know when ya get a chance, I actually had a few gals asking about doing the same type of thing & rotating houses...
Thanks!
Maria  :0)

I just got my lot today and wanted to say thank you. Everything is wonderful. I dont think i could be any happier and I don't think i can express how excited I am. I can finally get some new pages and i will post it all
Thank you Thank you Thank you
Thank you
Cassandra
p.s....Thanks