Any scrapbookers NOT use digital layout-type things for text?

[Bearsmama]

Hi Mamas,
I am an every-once-and-a-while scrapbooker, and I am getting started on a book for my 2nd son. I keep seeing in magazines and online these digital programs for designing pages and text. For some reason (not the least of which is that our copier/printer currently needs an ink cartridge! ), I am not drawn to doing things that way right now. And I'm wondering do you all have good examples of hand-done pages? Like writing out the text by hand? Like old-school scrapbooks?

Just curious. TIA

[saintmom]

I scrapbook this way.The only thing I've used the computer for is printing and scanning images that I subsequently alter.I use spencerian style handwriting or calligraphy for fancy journaling.Some of my pages are kind of lumpy,butI really prefer being able to manipulate the paper and elements with my hands,rather than just seeing them on a screen.It is slower this way- I've only done eight pages this year!

[Bearsmama]

Thanks, Saintmom

Although I feel very inspired by the scrapbook magazines I occasionally pick up, I don't really feel the desire to do much on the computer with it. I'm on it enough! :LOL I am primarily using black cardstock and photo corners and writing in white pen/marker and adding stickers, background where I want to. I'd like to find more 4x6 diecut type things to sort of frame my pics. But so far, mine are pretty low-key.

More later.

[sarahmae1]

I don't use the computer for anything scrap-related. I use stickers and pens for lettering on my pages. It maybe doesn't look as 'professional' but I'm okay w/ that. I love making the pages 'by hand' and think they'll make a great keepsake for my boys.

[earthmommy]

I don't use the computer for digital layout, cropping, or journaling. I do use the computer for digital pics though (just printing them out). Personally, I feel that doing your scrapbook by hand is what makes it YOUR scrapbook. I just feel it seems more personalized.


Tanya

[levar]

I dont use the computer for anything other than an occasional "fix" for digital imaging. Actually, I have yet to have met anyone who "in real life" does? At the local scrapbook store crop, at CM crops, at my church-sponsored crop, etc. We're ALL doing more what you would call "paper crafts" for scrapbooking.

For ideas you might try searching your library for scrapbook books and magazines. Or, find a local store and ask them for ideas, books, magazines, and even classes or crops. For journaling ideas I love Memory Makers "Journaling" book. For "older" layout ideas try looking for magazines or books published in the 80s and 90s before digital became popular.

As for my personal "style", I am just like earthmommy. I like MY penmanship. And even give lined white cardstock to hubby and my son to get some of THEIR stories in THEIR penmanship. I also cant afford a printer as good as the one at the local drugstore, so I print all my digital prints there.

[timneh_mom]

I just use the computer to print out my pictures. I haven't used it for journalling or other text at all. I do like using letter stickers to embellish my journalling sometimes.

[Bearsmama]

Hi Mamas,

I'm so happy to see/hear that so many of you like your own personal style. I keep having flashbacks of the scrapbooks I would see as a kid-you know, old-school black, leather-bound with photo corners with someone's handwritten words,and maybe stuffed with mementos. Of course, I see myself doing things differently and organizing things, but I really relate to the feel of hand-made stuff with journalling.

levar-I love the idea of having DH write his thoughts/memories down. And when my kids get old enough to write I will have them do the same.

sarahmae & earthmommy-I agee.

Okay, I'm sure that I can find this info elsewhere. But since you guys seem to share the same "style" ideas as me, I'd love to know:

*How do you "frame" you your pics?
*What are your favorite embellishments for your very personal albums?

TIA Mamas!

[Bearsmama]

Oh, Liz, we must have x-posted. Thanks for your reply. And you guys are giving me the push to scrapbook again after a little bit of a lull. I'm realizing that I can make it anything I want to and it doesn't have to fall within any parameters. I can really make them my own.

[nancmich]

I actually do ALL of my scrapbooking digitally and LOVE it! There's no mess ever to clean up and I can just pick up on it for a few minutes here and there when I'm on the computer. I have gotten SO much more done this way than I EVER did paper scrapping!
~~Nancy

[nonconformnmom]

Another 'old-school' scrapbooker here! I've seen the digital packages and the beautiful scraps done by women and really admire their work. However, for me, nothing beats the tactile pleasure of different papers; the handiwork of cutting and pasting; and the uniqueness of hand-lettered text. I purchased a book at a craft store that shows different lettering styles and ways to dress up your photos using markers for scrolls, flowers, and other accents and I have a lot of fun experimenting with those. I have a favorite page I did that I wish I could show you, but I don't have a photo of it. Basically, I hand-drew a frame around a photo, with viney flowers and leaves and such. I was so happy with how it turned out, it really enhanced the photo.

[Bearsmama]

Nancy-I'm happy to hear that the digital stuff works well for you. I would like to try some stuff out sometime soon, but I am so encouraged to know that scrapbooking can be anything you want it to be! I was always so inspired by scrapbook magazines and their incredible layouts. I think I was putting too much pressure on myself. If the point is really to document your family's life & memories, then we can all make it out own.

Karyn-Your page sounds great. I'm really just getting started again after a lull.So, I am interested in hearing how everyone does their pages.

I'm also thinking about everyone's "process". HMMMMMMM? Like do you go out and buy all your supplies for every single page? Or are you more resourceful and use what you have available??? I'm sure this question has been asked before.

[scrappingmom]

echoing others here....
I've seen and dabbled with using the computer for some things, titles or putting a poem or cute saying on vellum occassionally. I use it for journalling when doing albums for clients usually too, if they dont want to journal themself.
For my own albums I do things by hand, it makes it YOURS as others have said, and a long time down the road.. your writing will be as much a memory in the album as the words are themself explaining the memories held in the photos. I rarely even use calligraphy or fancy lettering for more than titles or occassional quotes. I make sure memories are written with my writing, the neater version of it of course i even try to get short notes from people at events(family gatherings etc or even the kids) with some of their memories and put them on the pages in "pockets" sometiems out in view too.

i have seen some amazing looking items come off the computers though as well... personally i'm just a hands on person i guess and its harder to go to crops if its all digital .. unless of course you have it all on your laptop

[Bearsmama]

scrapping mom-Thanks for your reply, and good ideas! I love the idea of letting relatives or friends jot down their memories. And I love the pocket idea, too. I've seen this done elsewhere, but you're inspiring me to try it myself! Now, I just have to find the time. :