Designer Craft Blog Connection - Journaling!

This month's theme for the Designer Craft Blog Connection blog hop was journaling.  Almost everyone who scrapbooks agrees that the journaling can be a important part of capturing the memories.  Whether it be lengthy or just a few words to spark memories - journaling is definitely a key element.  When thinking about this challenge, I began looking through my past scrapbooking projects and what stood out the most were a couple of mini-albums I created where journaling was a main focus.

The first is a book I created for my boys.  It's a chipboard book box, and the removable pages inside reflect words of wisdom shared by the men who touch their lives - their dad, grandfathers, uncles, and their dad and I shared thoughts on what we thought their great-grandfather's might pass along if they were here to be a part of it.  Some of the advice is silly, some is serious and thought provoking.  All of it is priceless.  I often "hide" my journaling in projects, and did the same here - some is on the back of the pages themselves, and some is hidden beneath wooden tags, in pull out pockets,  etc.  Intermixed are photos of the people sharing the advice, along with many kinetic elements and dimensional details (since I'm a lumpy bumpy texture junkie ;o) - Here's a peak at some of the pages from the book -

 

The second is a project originally created as part of a challenge - The title of this mini-book is "I Never Imagined" and each page reflects on the many unexpected things that have been a part of my journey of life to date.   The photos which show through the front windows are of me as a young girl, and then at the age when I made the book.   The journaling inside is not lengthy, but when I look through this book - but each sentence or small paragraph reminds me how lucky I am to have come so far, and to keep following my dreams.

Click on the Designer Craft Blog Connection link to the right to see what the other talented designers who are a part of this inspiring group have shared today!   And remember, whether just a few words or a lengthy story - JOURNAL.  You'll be glad later that you did!