This week was scrapbook magazine mail week. Sometimes I wonder why I subscribe to the magazines that I do, because I get depressed looking at many of the layouts. It seems the more-product-on-the-page, busy-background-style continues to reign supreme. This style, as represented in the magazines, is a far cry from what I do.
My style is closer to clean and simple. Although, clean and simple doesn’t exactly describe my style either. I’ve been reading Cathy Zielske’s book “Clean & Simple Scrapbooking”. I agree with much of what she says and take similar approaches to scrapping. Our styles are not similar in the least.
I’ve learned, by the reactions of my family and friends as they look through my albums, that it’s the photos and the writing that are the most important. I do focus heavily on pictures — and sometimes use too many on a page. I’m trying to cut back — or extend my layouts to 3 and 4 pages, to avoid the crowded look.
I do not, and will not, cut back on the journaling. If the photos are the heart of the page, the journaling is the soul. The stories, remembrances, reflections are equally important as the photographs. I will write until all the words are out. It\’s what my audience expects, it is what I am compelled to do.
So I need to work harder on letting go of “publication envy”. I\’ll never be famous, I can’t be a trendy scrapper. But my style of “Focus on Photos, Tell the Stories” is classic; I won’t have to worry about being dated. That, and the squeals of delight from my kids with a finished page, or the words of pride from my husband as he looks through our family history, is all the prize I really need.
Know Your Audience, Understand Your Style