Joanna's journaling classes at the Simply Southern Scrapbook Convention, August 7-9, in Nashville are nearly full!  Sign up today at www.simplysouthernscrapbook.com

 

 

 

 Scrapbooking Ideas for May:  May is a great month for scrapbookers to...

 

 

Debra Beagle:  A One Woman World of Scrapbooking

 

When you think of Debra Beagle, think of the Triple Crown of Scrapbooking.  Let us count the ways:

Oh, AND did I mention she's been teaching lettering since 1998?  Well, it's true.  You could just say, Debra is into scrapbooking in a big way.

 

When she was exposed to scrapbooking, she jumped right in.  Later, as people noticed the beautiful lettering on her pages, they requested lessons. Debra came up with class and then developed a technique that teaches someone how to do creative lettering.  "I can show you how to do any alphabet in an hour," she says proudly. 

 

To read Debra's tips for creative lettering and advice to those who want to take scrapbooking from a hobby to a business, go to http://www.scrapbookstorytelling.com/interview-debrabeagle.shtml.
  

 

We've added two new, cute templates to our gallery of templates at our website:  http://www.scrapbookstorytelling.com/templates.shtml

 

 

 

Page Design Technique:  Color Blocking

 

Color blocking is a design technique where you divide your scrapbook page into geometric areas, blocks or squares.  Your photos and embellishments will all appear within those blocks or squares.  Think of quilt squares.  Now think quilt squares of different sizes and shapes making up the entire body of the quilt. 

 

Color blocking allows you to use small photos, odd embellishments and scraps of paper to create a big impact.  Instead of these bits and pieces getting lost on your page, they contribute to an overall design. 

 

Lately, I've been experimenting with using color block techniques and journaling.  When you color block with journaling boxes, you can include diverse information without the page seeming weird.  It's a sort of "stream-of-conscious" type approach.  Not everything has to build in a linear way like most journaling does.

 

If you go to http://www.scrapbookstorytelling.com/ezine-pages-2003-05.shtml , you'll see two examples of color blocking with an emphasis on journaling.  "Memphis" is a two-page spread that's part of a section on the city in one of my albums.  I had several stories to tell, and I liked the readability of the journaling blocks.  You can also view "I Wish You" which shows another example of color blocking including small blcks of journaling.

 

 

 

Featured Journaling Technique:  One Word Journaling

 

Once in a while, our photos don't tell stories, at least not like the narratives we usually expect.  Instead, you might find yourself with photos and impressions.  That's when you could try "One Word Journaling," or more correctly put "One Word or Phrase Journaling." 

 

As I began to put together my pages about Memphis, I had photos I had taken because they reflected the city as I saw it.  I decided to journal by adding single words and phrases along a border.  The idea was to verbally underscore my impressions rather than tell a story.  Click on http://www.scrapbookstorytelling.com/ezine-pages-2003-05.shtml and look at the "Memphis Music" page for an example.

 

When you try "One Word Journaling," start by scribbling down the words that come to mind as you work on your page.  If you aren't confident about your handwriting, you might want to print the words in pencil first to get the spacing right.  Then copy the words in pen.  On my page, a photo overlaps some of the words, but that was fine because what's underneath isn't essential, just interesting.

 

Hate transitions?  Stuck with lots of scenery shots?  Give "One Word Journaling" a try.  For other fast journaling techniques, see our book One Minute Journaling, available at www.my-memories.safeshopper.com/153/cat153.htm?916  We share lots of fast ways to get your words on paper.

 

 

 

New Product Spotlight:  Jotters TM

 

If you are behind on your scrapbooking, as most of us are, you used to run the risk of forgetting what happened when you were taking the photos.  Not any more.   

 

Heather Betzold, like most of us busy moms, frequently ran behind in her scrapping.  She found herself writing in various notebooks memories about her children that she intended to journal.  One phrase here, another comment there, and a grocery list or a "to do" list in between.  What she needed, Heather decided, was an archival notebook she could devote to family memories.  Then she could write the memories down once and paste them right on her pages - or write them, tuck them in safely with the corresponding photos, and then re-write them for use on her pages. 

 

Ta-da!  Jotters TM were born.  You can check out these nifty archivally safe memory savers at www.jotters.net  You'll probably want to stock up on a handful to carry with you in the car, your purse and in the beach bag for summer.

 

 

 

 

A f*r*e*e sample pack of nail heads with any order over $25 from www.my-memories.net when you mention the Scrapbook Storytelling E-Zine in the comment section of your order.  This offer expires June 15, 2003.

 

 

 

Scrapbooking in the News:  The lasting value of love letters

 

This month, tennis great Pete Sampras announced his retirement.  Last year about this time, he sat at the side of Wimbledon's Centre Court reading a love letter from his wife.  As Bel Mooneywote in The Times (of London), "It was yet another triumph for an ancient form of communication."  Mooney went on to note that in an age of e-mail and phone calls, "Paper may seem a fragile substance, easily destroyed, and yet it can have the power and durability of words carved in oak."  It's a thought we scrapbookers cherish.

 

 

 

Want to share this information?  This e-zine is copyrighted by Joanna Campbell Slan, 2003.  You are free to forward it in its entirety to others, but do not reprint it without permission.

 

Like the ideas here?  You'll love our books.  Click on www.my-memories.safeshopper.com/153/cat153.htm?916  to see the complete line of our books.  Check out the Father's Day Special while you're there.

 

Comments?  Contact Joanna at savetales@aol.com.  We love to hear what you think and what you'd like to read more about.  We like questions, too, but give us a while to answer them, okay?

 

Wanna meet Joanna?  Check our website www.scrapbookstorytelling.com for a schedule of our upcoming appearances and classes.

 

Have a product you'd like for us to try?  Send us samples at Scrapbook Storytelling, 7 Ailanthus Court, Chesterfield, MO, 63005.  Phone 636-519-1612.

 

About the author...Journaling goddess Joanna Campell Slan is the author of Scrapbook Storytelling which has sold 40,000 copies in addition to five other books on scrapbooking, one textbook on storytelling, and two inspirational books.  Contact Joanna at savetales@aol.com.