dumb question

So, I am completely new at this whole scrapbook idea; however, I know it will help me organize all of my stuff. I am really confused though, are you supposed write about your pictures? If so should you type it or hand write it or what? There will probably be many more dumb questions after this one, so sorry in advance!

First welcome to the board... and no question is a dumb questions... So ask whatever comes to mind.

Well I like to journal with my layouts. It is a personal preference... Depending on the picture depends on whether or not you write. I like to do my journaling on the computer as well as by hand.

I like to handwrite my journaling. The more journaling the better IMHO. I like to think about what my kids and grandkids will want from these albums when I'm dead and gone. I think the more memories you can put on paper the better. And maybe they'll enjoy looking at my handwriting, even though its not the most beautiful.

Minimum - you need to identify who is in the picture and about when it was taken. It's nice to answer all the who, what, when, where questions.

But it's your scrapbook and you do it the way you want to! There are no scrapbook police! lol

I never handwrite in my journals....My handwriting sucks so bad I guess I could probably get away w/ journalling on a Kindergarten page!
I have downloaded a ton of free fonts onto my computer...I aslo like being able to use a varitey of handwriting...I can go from fancy calligraphy to a old typewriter font...Using a couple different fonts on a page or overlapping them also looks very cool. If you would like me to send you the instructions on how to do it, feel free to send me a pm. I sometimes write about what is in the picture or I write about how the person in the picture makes me feel. Others write letters to people in their layouts. Since my books are for my kids, I intend to write them personal messages here also. Good luck!

I say... if your handwriting is really lousy, use hidden journaling for some notes. You don't have to do everything in your own hand, but it's SO nice. There are a few things my mother wrote that I cherish.

I think every LO needs at least identification info, as Anna says. The who, why, where, what... I tend to hide my journaling, as I want to cram as many photos onto a page as I can.

More than that, is just personal preference.

No dumb questions, just dumb answers...:)
I agree with what everyone has said. Journaling is essential so whether you feel more comfortable writing or printing from a computer, it's up to you. I agree also with Aunt Lynnie...handwritten notes from my mom are so special. Her spelling and handwriting weren't the best, but there is something priceless about seeing her handwriting.

Welcome, and no question is dumb. In fact, I love it when people ask questions I hadn't thought to ask.

Personally, I normally use the computer so I can vary the size, fonts, colors; put on vellum or whatever. But sometimes a handwritten note, regular or hidden, really adds to a page. As the others said, you want to know the who, what, where, when, why. It's amazing how many pictures I have from years past that I can't remember those things (though at the time I KNEW I'd never forget them).
On the other hand, every page is YOURS, so don't feel chained to anything. If a page is complete w/o journaling, leave it alone.

You asekd if you are SUPPOSED to write everything about your pics and the only answer to that is ONLY IF YOU WANT TO!
Believe it or not, some people write everything down and have long journaling, while others don't journal at all and let the pics tell the story!
It is totally up to you how you put your scrapbook together!!
You'll see with time what you are into!
I personnally put very little journaling.. I prefer little quotes and poems that fit the mood of my pics!!
As for writing it down... I use the computer, even though I have nice handwriting (so I've been told!) I can't say that I will never handwrite journaling, but it hasn't occured yet!
some ladies on this site make beautifull pages with hadwriting...

here is an example:
http://www.scrapbook.com/scrapbook_layouts/showphoto.php/photo/61279/password/0/sort/1/page/1
http://www.scrapbook.com/scrapbook_layouts/showphoto.php/photo/64402/password/0/sort/1/page/1
jan often uses her handwriting and her pages are gorgeous!!!

I don't think there really can be a dumb question. This board is the perfect place to get different ideas so I think it is great to ask anything.

I don't journal all that much. I tend to just put what the event is with the names & dates. I wish I was better at writing or for that matter even liked my hand writing. I do use poems or sayings that I find that go along with the theme.

I would like to start journaling using my computer and put in more of what I was feeling at the time.

Good luck and keep asking questions!!

Welcome to the board. I've been scrapbooking for years, but it wasn't until the last few years that I really started to take journaling seriously. Now I feel it's the most important part of the page. Telling your stories seems like a chore at first, but with practice, journaling becomes a treasure, an opportunity to relieve and review those precious moments you are trying to capture on paper.

Computer-generated or handwritten... it's your choice. I use both, depending on the feel of the lo.

Happy scrapping!

I journal very little. I always include the names of the people, the event, date etc anything that I may want to know down the road. If I hvae a story to tell, then I tell it. now that my son is bigger, I ask him to tell me about what he remembered that day. For instance we just wrote down things about easter this year taht I will use when it comes tiem to scrap those pics. I write it down word for word as he says it so that they are his memories.

Hi! Welcome!!! I echo the thoughts of those above! Scrapbooking is unique to the individual! You will probably find that you change your style and journaling along the way. I am currently scrapbooking my only daughter's books. My purpose in scrapbooking is to tell her and future generations, *her* story. For the most part, I journal as though I am speaking to her. In my gallery, I have a lot of lo's that don't include "places" of things, because there are many, many lo's that are just pictures of her, telling about her personality at that moment, KWIM. Like, I don't care if I took the picture in my backyard or at Grandpa's house or a hotel----I just happened to get a picture of her that I loved that expressed her personality. I hope that makes sense. There are other situations, where I am scrapping events, where I *do* care where the pic was taken and who is in the pic.

I journal a lot, but only if I have something to say. Like, I don't force it. If I have a picture of her that I love that speaks volumes in and of itself, I don't journal--I just title it.

Anyway, that is just me and how I do it. At first I felt guilty that when I do my "storytelling" pages, I said "I" instead of "we" (meaning my husband and me), but you know what, it is her life story as told by me. I certainly include others in the story and talk about the love her daddy has for her, but I don't generally say "we" unless it truly is. I don't feel guilty about that anymore. Her books will be kind of a mother/daughter thing. Who knows, maybe next week, I will change my mind and do it differently---that is okay too!!! LOL!!!

Sorry this was so long!!! I will be quiet now!!!! Happy scrapping!!!

I journal so that I can look back when I'm old and gray and remember everything that was happening at that particular time. I started out handwriting but now I usually type everything out.

I'm a writer, so the biggest appeal of scrapbooking to me is the opportunity to put a story to the pictures. I use the computer to journal on velum, but I try to "hide" some handwritten notes, too. I also agree with ttwwiinnss; I want to look back and remember.

Journaling is important. You know the facts of the pictures and your immediate family may also know them as well, but you need to think about future generations. They will only know what you tell them in your journaling.

I hated the idea of journaling when I first started simply because I have trouble finding the right words. So start simple. Take a sheet of notebook paper and write down the facts. Dates, ages, place, event, etc. Then write some of your feelings or memories about the photos. Then, if possible, ask others involved in the occasion their thoughts and memories. When you have all the notes done it shouldn't be too hard to write a paragraph or two about your page.

As for handwritten vs. typed I do both. It depends on the page I'm working on. I always leave space for journaling and do it last. Sometimes the LO and embellishments just scream for handwritten, sometimes a funky font would be better. Sometimes you don't really have a choice. If you have alot that needs to be said it's always better to type it as you can get more words in less space if you type.

Yes, journal! I just try to write what I would "say" to someone sitting next to me looking through the scrapbook with me.
Answer these questions:
*who is in the picture,
*what was happening in the pic,
*when the picture was taken,
*where they were at the time,
*why they were there (the occasion).
--also include any antedote about the event--funny story, something someone said --etc.

I agree with Auntlynnie--handwriting is precious when a person passes away. So be sure to include at least some.

I'm not sure if anyone said this above, but I have found some great books on journaling. Helping you put what you want to say.......the best way possible. Just in case your like me and know the who what where when why, but want to add that extra. Great question.