When I first began scrapbooking (although in hindsight, I now realize that I have always “scrap booked” my old sticky albums) it was so my family’s memories could be told to future generations. I didn’t want my future grandkids and great-grandkids to wonder over a bunch of un-labled photos in a box or album. As a young Mom I wanted to tell “my story” and to share the special moments my Hubby and I had with my children to future generations.
My early pages were rigid with my NEED to tell the “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” and “why” of each page I created. Somewhere over time though my focus changed to a more “pictures and embellishment” only style of layout. It was only recently that my daughter pointed out to me that my pages had lost their ability to tell the story. She was looking at some recently completed pages and asked “Where was that?” I was baffled! Of course she must remember the name of the local park in the photo! It was then that I realized that I couldn’t remember the name of the park either! How often do we think that we will remember the names of people and places in our lives only to ponder over them at a later date? My latest Scrapbook pages were lovely to look at. They had contrast in colours and materials and could easily be entered in a magazine. The only problem is that they told nothing of why these photos were so important to me and my family. They didn’t tell OUR story.
A few days later I visited my local Scrapbooking store. I purposely sought out tools to assist me in my endeavor to add more journaling to my pages. In the past I simply journaled in the “white space” around my layouts. Now though, I knew I needed something to encourage me to write more. I was amazed at the variety of journaling tools available. I found stencils to make straight, curvy, or curled lines to write on, I found journaling tags by K&Company and Little Yellow Bicycle, and I found journaling cards by 29th Street Market and Wild Asperagus. I was inspired! I couldn’t wait to go home a begin to tell my story in my pages again! But then… was it? YES! I found the thing I was looking for the most! DISNEY themed journaling stickers! These were on a sheet of Park themed stickers by Creative Imaginations. These fabulous treats are in classic yellow, read and black colours and have simple statements like “the best part,” “favorite characters,” and “funniest moments.” I immediately went home and used one of them on a page that was not “Disney” related at all. It added a touch of whimsy and fun to my page, and it encouraged me to relate more about what was going on when those photos were taken.
I have resolved to involve journaling into my current scrap booking pages. By using the various tools I have found has made it easier. My pages now invite viewers to not only enjoy the visual aspects of my pages but also encourage them to read the details of our photos. I have returned back to my original purpose of my scrapbooks… to tell my story.
Contributed by: Marybeth Caliciuri (NDM#6) Marybeth is the DDL Scrapbooking Blogger.
Hi! I am a Canadian Disney mom to two Neurotic Disney Kids and a wife to my husband who still doesn’t “get it” when I talk about Disney. Until a couple years ago, I assumed I was the only person in the world who thought about Walt Disney World every day and night. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when I found the on-line community of Neurotic Disney People.
My other passion outside of Disney is scrapbooking, and I truly don’t feel life is complete unless I have a Disney trip album to work on. I’ve been scrapbooking for over 15 years and I belong to various scrapbooking forums as well.
My secret wish is to be Tinkerbell as she flys out of Cinderella’s Castle during Wishes, and my favorite food item at WDW is the corn bread at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. When I am resting at WDW you can find me resting by the pool at Port Orleans French Quarter. My favorite park is the Magic Kingdom as it is the first one I ever visited and is the one with the most special memories!
I love this blog! MaryBeth, this is so true, I use to teach scrapbooking back in 1996 and that was the point we harped on, journal! It is also the the one part of scrapbooking that I think we all find the most difficult to do! Thanks for reminding everyone!
Thanks Carrie! It’s a struggle as I am doing it, but the effort is worth it. My layouts tell more of our story, and I keep thinking that future generations will know more about me and my family!