Journaling Preserves Memories

Journaling and Writing on Pictures

If you need to write on the backs of your pictures make sure you are using a memory-safe pen or pencil. There are some pencils that are made for writing on pictures that you can purchase from any scrapbook supplier. You can purchase memory-safe writing tools at scrapbook supply store or craft stores. As long as the ink is acid free and memory-safe you won't ruin your pictures.

Journaling is essential for your scrapbooks so make sure you keep track of dates and ages.

Crayons for Scrapbooking?

One of the most versatile items you can include in your scrapbooking supplies is a stamp. They are fun and easy to use, plus they look wonderful on your pages.

One way you can use your stamps is for the crayon resist technique. Crayon resist is used to enhance stamped images on scrapbook pages, cards, tags etc.

Here is what you will need:

Glossy paper (cardstock that is glossy on one side)

White crayon

Sponge (must be dry and clean)

Ink pad (desired colors)

Stamps (any shape or size)

First, random stamp your image of choice on the glossy paper. Then, trace around the images with the white crayon exaggerating the outline. Now, take a sponge and dab it onto an inkpad. In a circular motion swirling the sponge on the glossy paper in various places. Use multiple colors to create a marble effect.

The white crayon will resist the ink from the sponge and show up as a shadow effect for your image.

Successful hints:

Make sure your glossy paper is acid-free, lignin-free and memory safe.

Use a high quality craft sponge so you don't have to worry about it falling apart or not working correctly.

Stamp your images completely. (partial or faded images don't look as good).

Crayon resist can enhance the overall look of your pages and offers variety to your layouts.

Watercolor Pencils for Scrapbooking

You can use watercolor pencils wet or dry. These pencils give you professional looking results with the benefits of being easy to use, providing lots of pigment, having a reasonable price, and the a fine point to use for coloring small areas.

Here are some suggestions for using your watercolor pencils on your scrapbooking pages:

• Rub your pencil tip on a piece of paper (using it as a palette), building up pigment. Use a damp brush, water pen or blender pen to pick up pigment and add to your art. This is a great way to mix colors.

• For bright bold colors, take the pigment directly from your pencil tip. Dip your brush in water and press to the tip of the pencil. This will give you undiluted pigment for bold colors.

• You can achieve a thick opaque look by dipping the tip of your pencil in water and applying the color wet.

• Dry use of watercolor pencils to color stamped images on dark paper or on velour paper gives beautiful results for scrapbooking needs.

Watercolor pencils can be a great addition to your scrapbooking collection. These coloring tools can be used to enhance several elements on your scrapbook pages. Watercolor pencils can be purchased with other discount scrapbook supplies or at most craft stores.

Journaling On You Photos

The point of scrapbook journaling is to help preserve memories. But what if one of the photos happens to fall out of an album? Brief journaling directly onto the back of your photos ensures that even if a photo comes out of the album, it can still be identified. Make sure you include the basic, who, what and when. Never write on the back of your photos with a ball point pen. It can seep through to the front of the photo and will probably emboss it as well. Instead, choose a very soft acid free pencil or an acid free, fast drying, felt tip pen.

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