Computer Printed Journaling Strips

Journaling is one of those things about scrapbooking that is a real challenge for many people, including myself at times. There are so many things to consider: handwriting vs. stickers. vs. computer journaling…using quotes, telling anecdotal stories, keeping it simple, documenting a conversation…ahhhh, it can be overwhelming!

Here's a little something that might make your journaling much, much simpler. In many of my classes you might have noticed I incorporate computer generated journaling in the form of quotes and fun sayings. Usually these are cut into “journaling strips” and adhered to the page – it's a look I have come to love and count on. Here's a page where I used some computer printed journaling (lower right hand corner of page):

I also made journaling strips for a beach themed quote on this “Sunkissed” layout kit I sold at Collective Journey:

It's pretty easy to do and when you're in a bind about how to do your journaling, strips will never fail you! Here are the steps to creating journaling strips for your pages and projects:

Supplies:
Paper Trimmer
Computer (Windows) and Printer
Ink if you like to ink
8.5 x 11 cardstock

1. Open a new Microsoft Word document. Type in your quote or journaling, selecting the font you'd like to use and font size.

2. Highlight the journaling:

3. Click on the FORMAT menu at the top of the page:

4. Select PARAGRAPH from the menu. A box will pop up that looks like this:

5. In the lower middle section of the box is a drop down menu for LINE SPACING. Click on the drop down menu and select 1.5 LINES. Click OK.

You can see how the text will change by looking in the Preview Box right above the OK button.

6. Now your lines all spaced far enough apart that you can cut the journaling strips apart without cutting off any of the tips of the long letters (like g, j, l ,k , t and so on).

7. Move the text around to get the journaling strips the desired length so they will fit on your page. You can use the ruler across the top of the screen to check the length of each line of text. Print the journaling on cardstock.

8. With your timmer, cut off the left edge of the paper.

9. You can use your trimmer or a good pair of scissors to cut in between each line of journaling. I like to leave all the strips attached to the page until I am ready to glue them down so that I don't lose any small pieces. It also helps me make sure my journaling stays in the correct order so it makes sense! LOL

10. One by one, cut the strips from the page.

Ink the edges as desired and adhere to your project. Now you've got perfect journaling strips!!

Author: Jennifer Priest

It started with jewelry, beading, sewing, home decor, painting, basket weaving, pottery, and cross-stitch. Marry that to an entrepreneurial spirit & at 9 years old a girl is selling her wares at craft fairs as far as her parents and grandparents would drive her. These days, Jennifer enjoys crafts of all genres from sewing to scrapbooking to jewelry with a little dabbling in the mixed media world. Her style is approachable and she wants everyone who sees her work to feel that they too can embrace creativity and make their home and life beautiful.