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.
Why don’t we use our own handwriting on our scrapbooking pages more often? We all have different reasons. You might be concerned with how messy your handwriting is or that others may not be able to read it. Remember those recipes written by a grandparent or handwritten letters from a loved one? Those are more meaningful to you now because they are personal and unique. Your family will feel the same way about your handwriting in your scrapbooks.
Another reason people resist handwriting on page layouts is fear that they will make a mistake that can’t be erased. There are many ways to correct a handwriting error. First, use a paper journaling block to write on first. You can always use a second one if you make a mistake. You can also correct a mistake by placing a new piece of paper over the error on the page, and write again on that piece. Finally, stickers work wonders when it comes to covering up most kinds of scrapbooking mistakes.
The right pen makes a big difference when it comes to handwriting success. Look carefully at the paper you are using, and choose the best pen for that type of surface. Many pens will smear or run on certain types of papers. Choose a pen with the appropriate width as well. Trying to write in a small space with a wide tip will be a definite handwriting challenge.
Practice, practice, practice. Write out the journaling first on a scrap piece of paper. Read it over slowly out loud. This will help you spot errors in spelling and grammar. For longer narrative writing, you may want to have someone else proofread it for you before you place it on your page. Be sure to test the pen on a small piece of the paper you want to use. Writing a draft will let you know how much room you need to write on as well.
Do you write on a slant or uphill? Many of us find it difficult to write straight on a blank paper. Try using lined journaling blocks. These are available in your local scrapbooking stores or you can make them yourself with lined stamps or with a ruler and pen. Try using the natural lines on your patterned papers. Write with the stripes on your paper as your guide. Frames can be accented by printing along the edges. You can even writes along the boundaries of your page 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.