How to Use Your Handwriting on Scrapbooking Pages
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.
Your handwriting may not be as neat as a printed journaling block from a computer. Yet, your families will find it so much more meaningful and personal than anything typed.
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.
Handwriting success depends on using the right pen. You should first consider the type of paper you are using. Choose a pen designed to write on that type of surface. Some pens will run or smear on certain types of scrapbooking paper. Width is also important. Using a wide tip pen on a small square of paper is not going to be successful.
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.
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.
Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has more than 10 years of scrapbooking experience. Her favorite scrapbooking subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website, http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more scrapbooking tips and information on Mother’s Day cards for scrapbooking.
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