Original date: 2.14.13
Do you sometimes wonder what you could do with those digital journal cards that come with the kit you purchased? I know at first I had a hard time figuring out how to use them and what to use them for. This was just as I was getting into Project Life where journal cards are a must. Since I am doing a 52 weeks Project Life, I’m now always in need of journal cards. I love bright and dark colors so when looking to buy or download freebies, that’s what I look for. When I design journal cards, I try to make them as simple and easy to use for both digital and print. I think it’s a bonus when a kit includes journal cards because it opens up more creativity in documenting life.
Today, I’m going to share a few ways you can use journal cards.
The first is in a digital layout. There are no right or wrong way to use them. Here is an example of how I used the journal cards from my kit, Be Mine:
This is a very simple layout and I made it simple because I wanted my photos to be the focus, especially the top right photo. I also wanted it clean and non-distracting. I just want eyes to go directly to that photo, yet I want the whole layout to come together to create a soft and happy feel. I used two journal cards, a 4×6 and a 3×4. In the 4×6, I inserted the smaller photo and added a word art to create a sort of coziness about it. I left the 3×4 as it is because it’s perfect how it is.
If you enjoy making and printing digital books you can also use journal cards in them. Here is a page from my digital book I created through Shutterfly. The template and journal cards are part of the Digital Project Life but you can add your own journal cards.
The third way you can use digital journal cards is to print them and use them for paper scrapbooking, Project Life, and/or other hybrid projects.
The papers I normally print on are Bazzill cardstock in Coconut (smooth) and Avalanche (textured). I always buy them on sale at Archiver’s but you can probably get them from Micheal’s, Hobby Lobby, or JoAnn’s. Note: in the photo directly below, the bottom left journal card is a freebie by Red Ivy Design at Scrap Orchard.
Here is an example of how they can be used in a pocket sleeve (doesn’t necessarily have to be Project Life). Since I do Project Life, my example is going to be Design D from Becky Higgin’s Project Life pocket sleeves. Note: below in the top right sleeve is a journal card by Red Ivy Design.
You don’t have to do Project Life to use journal cards (although it does make documenting life so much easier, worthwhile, and seriously fun!) and you don’t have to purchase Project Life pocket sleeves. I have pocket sleeves from We R Memory Keepers and Echo Park Paper Co. that I use as well. You also don’t have to use any sleeves. You can glue, tape, or staple directly onto cardstock or paper scrapbook pages. My point is, journal cards can be used for just about anything. They are as creative as you make them.
I hope this was helpful. If you have further questions, please leave me a comment.
From My Corner of the Universe 