What Is A Scrapbooking Circle Journal?
|
Want to join in the fun of a circle journal? Many scrapbooking forums have postings for circle journal groups. A circle journal is a scrapbook made by at least 2 scrapbookers. It is usually passed by mail from person to person. Circle journals typically have a theme, and each scrapbooker makes a one or 2-page layout on that theme before passing it on to the next group member. In most circle journal groups, the number of scrapbooks equals the number of circle journal members. Each album travels from member to member before mailing it back to the owner. A circle journal can be compared to a round robin for scrapbookers.
Circle journals come in a variety of themes. The themes can be as simple as "A Circle of Friends," and each member designs a page about herself. Circle journal themes can be more complex as well, like "Tips and Techniques" or "Our Scrapbooking Design Styles." Here are a few circle journal theme ideas.
Our Favorite Quotes and Poems
Vacation Places
The 80's
Simple Pleasures
Family Recipes
Inspiration
Words to Live By
The Real You
What's In Your Purse?
Favorite Colors
What Makes Me Giggle
What Font Are You?
A circle journal starts with its owner, who decorates the cover and designs the title page and instruction page for the other members. Usually, the album includes a member sign-in page that becomes the table of contents when the journal is complete. Finally, the circle journal owner prepares a page layout based on the theme to begin the journal and as an example of the theme. However, part of the fun of a circle journal is seeing how the members interpret the theme and how it inspires them.
Choosing a format for the circle journal is an important step in the process. All of the journals in a group don't have to be the same size, but generally circle journals are mini albums, 6x6 or 8x8 size. However, it's not unusual to see them in a variety of formats, from 3-ring board books to spiral-bound albums. Check the Rusty Pickle line of scrapbooking albums for some unique options for circle journals. Remember that your album will be mailed a number of times during the circle journal process. Choose a scrapbook that is sturdy and that can hold up to lots of handling and shipping.
Make sure everyone understands that a circle journal includes a commitment of time and money. Design a schedule for completing the page layouts and when they should be moved to the next member. When there are several journals, ask one member be in charge of coordinating the time. Will everyone get 2 weeks to complete their page or as long as a month? One member holding up a journal can frustrate everyone.
The best part of a circle journal is when each scrapbook returns to its owner. Now months later, she has a keepsake album that provides a glimpse of her friends' different personalities and scrapbooking styles. Try organizing your own circle journal with your scrapbooking friends, or join one online at a scrapbooking forum.
|
|
