Scrapbooking Your Handwriting: The Personal Touch
Christine Perry
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 do we hesitate to use our own handwriting in our albums? There are a few reasons. The most common one is concern that our handwriting is too messy or won't be able to be read by others. We should all try to get beyond this and realize how important it is to our family to preserve something as unique as our handwriting. Think about those handwritten letters and recipes from a grandparent and how important they are to you now.
Handwriting mistakes a common reason why people hesitate to use their own handwriting on their scrapbooking pages. You can use different techniques to correct your handwriting errors. First, use a paper journaling block. These are inexpensive, and if you make a mistake on one, you just try again on another. If you spot your mistake after the journaling is attached to the page, just glue another paper block over the one with the error. You can use stickers to cover your mistakes as well.
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.
Many of us need a straight edge to handwrite or we tend to write on a slant. Pre-lined journaling blocks are a useful tool for those you often write uphill. You can make these using a pen and ruler or you can use a lined-journaling stamp made for this purpose. Your local scrapbooking store will also have pre-lined journaling blocks usually with decorative accents. Patterned paper can work as a guide for your handwriting. Try writing along the lines in striped paper. Print along the outside of a frame. You even can write along the edges of scrapbooking borders.
No two people have the same handwriting. It is unique and personal. Like a signature, it is a form of validation. Handwritten journaling on a scrapbooking page adds character to your albums. It tells your family who you are, what your mood is and is a glimpse into your personality. Your family will treasure your pages when they see you have preserved such a personal side of yourself. A digital computer font lacks the depth and emotion that handwriting your words can have.
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