As far as adhesives, I've only used glue sticks and haven't had any problem with them. I love them, actually. They work great. I think it's personal preference for the most part. The same goes for wording in your books.

Modern scrapbooking does emphasize journaling, but every scrapbooker's book is their own creation and everyone has their own style. If you don't feel the need or desire to record additional details with a lot of journaling, then don't! Your book is yours alone and you can do with it what and how you want.

Handwriting vs. computer printing? That's your call, too. If you don't like your handwriting and feel it detracts from your page, by all means use the computer. There's lots of fonts that look like handwriting, anyway. Although the downside (and I happen to agree) is that your book is going to be a legacy that you leave and your handwriting, believe it or not, is part of that legacy. For example, my mom's handwriting is atrocious and sometimes even illegible. But every time I see something she has hand-written, it reminds me of her personally and it's part of what makes her a unique individual. Even if you don't care for your handwriting, I encourage you to include some of your own handwriting even if you choose to use your computer for the majority.

There are tricks to help you with journaling such as vanishing ink pens so you can make a straight line with a ruler and it vanishes on its own so you don't have to worry about erasing pencil lines, "journaling genies" that are theme-shaped templates and include ruled lines to follow. And, of course, take your time while writing. Even practice writing out what you want on a scrap piece of paper before you put it in the book helps. I'm sure you can find many more tips on improving hand-written journaling as well if you choose to include more.

Don't let your friend tell you you are doing anything wrong. The only "wrong" way to do it is to let someone else tell you how to do your own book. The most important part of scrapbooking is preserving memories and, like the memories themselves, everyone's will be different. Enjoy yourself and let your own style come through. You and your books will be better for it. O.K., off my soap box and on to other things. :) Just have fun. Happy scrappin'!
-Sarah

Sarah-Thank you for all the advice and tips.....I really feel like I am on the right track now.......I have never seen a disappearing pen..... Where can I find one at?? That is mostly the problem when I write, my lines have a tendency to slant way down.....Thank you again for the help.

Connie,

Sarah has given you some great tips. I use mostly use the liquid glue pens or mounting tabs, also sticky dots for smaller pieces. I have found that the stick does not hold as well. For journaling I use both my own handwriting and the computer .... I envy those that have beautiful handwritting but like Sarah said, your Grandchildren won't care about your handwritting. You will find that the longer you scrap the better you will get at it, sometimes I look back at my first albums and go yikes! LOL But they will stay that way, I'm not one for re-doing especially since supplies are so expensive. And I live in the NW suburbs outside Chicago, near Woodfield Mall.

Happy Scrappin!

Pam

connie,
i too am from southern illinois ,mt vernon. what town are you from?

I have tried the glue sticks and found that they do not hold up very well, or at least that has been my experience with them I could be doing something wrong. I like Pam do however love and use the glue pens, that are available at your local walmart and are blue in color, for as little as 2.99, I think. I find they hold the paper well and dry quickly. As for journaling, my handwriting is BAD, but until I find an adapter for my printer I am stuck with it, but after that I will use my own handwriting VERY little. Penny

Just got back from Walmart and there was no scrapbooking glue sticks!! I thought oh no... So I checked out the school department and got glue sticks 6/$1.47 that are acid free....I was so excited.....I thought I could only use the ones that said scrapbooking on the container....I just wanted to share my excited on the bargain I got today :0)

Hi Sue & Connie,

I'm from Wood River, IL. Sue, we will be passing through Mt. Vernon this summer on vacation. Are there any scrapbooking stores there that are easy to reach from the interstate? We will be coming east on I-64 and then south on I-57.

Bella

Sue, Bella & Pam, Just thought I would let you know that I was from McLeansboro was down south in Illinois.......Glad to see so many people here from IL.......

I don't use glue sticks. I use the adhesive back photo squares. I usually cut them in half, or even into thirds. They seem to hold a lot better for me than glue sticks.

Heidi B. in PA

bella
my husband's cousin lives in east alton,not to far from you
sorry to say that all we have in mt.vernon for scrapbooking is super wal-mart and jo-anns , the price you pay for living in a small town

I have used glue sticks for the majority of my scrapbooking and they have been fine, although I go heavy on the glue. I would also stress to put some of your own handwriting in your album. My grandmother hated her handwriting and rarely used it. She passed away a few years ago, and some of my most treasured reminders I have of hers are some recipes she wrote down for me and some poetry she wrote me. I don't care that the penmanship is poor, I care that they were written by her.
I use a journaling jeanie and use an art gum eraser or a kneaded eraser to get rid of the pencil lines. Sometimes I write the journaling in pencil and them go over it with my pen! Either way you do it, do your books so that they please you and your family!
Jana

Connie-

I was just rereading this post and saw you asked about the vanishing ink pens. You should be able to get them at any LSS although you may have to ask for them. The friend who told me about them said they were never in stock because they had a waiting list and every shipment was sold before it came in. That was more than year ago, though so you shouldn't have any problem now. I know Chatterbox Inc. makes them, but I'm not sure if they are the only ones. They have ads in Creating Keepsakes magazine. I have it in front of me now, actually. Page 31 of the Feb. issue. Their website is below and their phone is 1-888-272-3010. You may even be able to order online if you don't have a store close by. Good luck and happy scrappin'!

-Sarah

Here is a link that might be useful: Chatterbox Inc.

Hi again!

Geez, I forgot something else! If you use glue sticks, be sure you use heavyweight patterned paper or cardstock (not regular lightweight weight)as your background because I've had it curl up a little when using glue stick. You can't tell that much when it gets into the protector and into the album, but I can tell, perfectionist that I am. It might not be the glue stick but the lightweight paper, but since that's the only adhesive I've used that's been my experience. Happy scrappin'!

-Sarah

As farr as glue stick v tape goes, I almost always use tape. There is a greater selection of options, temporary or permanent, and all sorts of dispensers. Double-sided tape in automatic dispensers is the fastest and most efficient way of applying adhesive. Even if a glue stick is acid-free, is it waterproof? Better test it. If your album gets damp (not something we want to happen, but sometimes in humid climates unavoidable) will the tape continue to stick? Lots of special photo tape has been tested for longevity. I don't think the same can be said for school glue stick. Also, even permanent tape can be removed with either Undo or dental floss.