I always have problems placing any text/journalling. I am looking for any hints or tips from all of you who make it look so easy!!! Thanks.

Jules

I use the good old trial and error method. If that fails, I scraplift!

Personally, I have a "system" that I use. I do a lot of color blocking, so that makes it easier for me. To begin with, I choose the photos that I think I want on the page. I stick them on my layout (in Photoshop) and shove them around until I have a combination that I think looks pleasing....

Then, I go to my stash of "layout templates" (I made myself about 50 or so of these quite some time ago. They are set up in Photoshop so I just open the one I want.) I go to the folder that has the number of pics I want PLUS ONE. The extra pic space is where I intend to put the journaling. I move the pics to where I want them on the page, and use the photo layer and the clip factor to get them cropped to exactly the right size.

The pic space I have LEFT is for journaling!

Another method I use a lot is to look at the pic (if I'm using 1 or 2) and use any space around it that doesn't contribute to the pic (backgrounds, that tree off to the right, etc.) I put the journaling OVER that.

I try to "connect" my objects, journaling, pics, elements together visually, either by overlapping or by fibers or something so that the eye "flows" from one to another. I find this is especially important if I "break up" a phrase, like I did on this page:

http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/galle...cat=500&page=1

You could use your journaling to connect elements, also!

Just some thoughts,

Tandika*

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Thanks for your tips ladies, the "trial & error" method is what I have been using so far but it has been more "error" than anything else. I never thought of "lifting" the journalling placement so I have something new to try. The templates are a great idea, need to try that out too. I think the connecting it all together is great, I reckon that is where I have been going wrong-mine always looks stuck in the middle of nowhere!!! Thanks again, Jules.

all of these are great suggestions.

Jourlanling is probaly one of the hardest parts of scrapbooking. We recently did a speedscrap on journaling.

Leenadra did one where it was just ALL journaling. NO photos at all were necessary.

It's usually the LAST thing I do, but it was intersting to make it the FIRST thing i thought about when it came to a layout. Maybe try that reverse order. Put your journlaing on the page then add your pictures and elements.



Kristie

That's a good idea, Kristie. Will have to keep it in mind. After all, sometimes the journaling is the most important part of the layout.

Glad to know journalling is one of the hardest parts of scrapbooking. I thought with me being a "Scot" and having hang ups about expressing myself it was maybe just me that had difficulty with it. I'm just getting used to the idea of expressing through quotes/poems etc. and can't seem to get them set out in a LO the way I like. I'm still a newbie at this and as usual I want everything yesterday. Thanks for the input.

Jules

I have many, many hand scrapped pages that I have complete, but not journaling, bad Becky, bad Becky.....IMHO not all pages need journaling when the pictures speak for themselves.

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Becky
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To.