Hello everyone! As I was working on getting a binder ready for our next big trip, I remembered a tip I wanted to share with you. It might be pretty simple, but can be very helpful, when the time comes to putting the whole thing together.

I value journaling in every shape and form of scrapbooking, but often struggle to include enough of those special memories in words. Any time I can involve other family members in it is such a great plus! It not only helps me remember more, but it also adds a different perspective to the story.

Before we leave for a family vacation or when kids go to camp, I like to give each of them these tiny notebooks that are small enough not to take up a lot of space, but  cute enough that will inspire them to take a few moment at the end of each day to write a few notes and maybe draw a few pictures from the day.

These particular camping journals measure 4x4” and were created using the “Happy Trails” collection. I trimmed a strip of two 4x4” elements that was folded in half and used for the front cover. The back cover was made in a similar way but instead I just used a piece of patterned paper with an all over design. For the pages inside I used plain “filler” lined paper that was also trimmed to size.

Also, I decorated just one page in each journal simply for fun. When I give these to my children, I know they will be scribbling in them and might add just enough precious information for the overall story. I may also keep some of their drawings and add them to one of the pockets in my album.

I love it whenever I can get my children involved in the memory keeping! They feel important and I feel lucky to get the additional bits to our story!