[journaling l photography l scrapbooking]
warning: ice-cream is a fabulous way to...journal about life! (this is all about Circle Journals)...
So...if you were asked what flavor of ice-cream BEST describes your life...which would you pick?
Strange question? Not if you were part of a Circle Journal Group that included a theme album asking you to create a page on this very subject! "Flavors of Life" is the theme of my Circle Journal in a group that I'm involved in...
What exactly *is* a Circle Journal? I would guess that many of the people reading this blog know...but for those of you that are scratching your heads, be sure to click the "continuation" button below for a great description of a Circle Journal, together with a fabulous list of topics...all of which I copied-and-pasted from a thread on this subject from Two Peas in a Bucket.
Circle Journal Groups take a certain amount of...commitment. Dedication. Follow through. And most importantly, communication. I've heard of horror stories where journals are kept and not rotated, lost, damaged...but this group works. Maybe because our organizer and CJ Leader, Sonda Tadlock, is on top of things. And she gets after us to communicate with each other as our journals rotate each month. :)
Okay...I admit it! I'm the biggest slacker of them all! My entry in Sonda's journal was 2 l/2 weeks late. BUT! I communicated with the group through our Yahoo board. So...the communication is what makes it all work! They *knew* I was slacking...every step of the way...right up to the part where I packaged it and mailed it!
I'm anxious to get my *Flavors of Life* journal back at the end of the year (with 7 of us in the group, and allowing for a few extra extensions, it will take approximately 9 total months to get our originals back). I can't wait to see everyone's fabulous entries into my CJ! To view my journal *set-up* and my personal entry into it, click here. Also, to view Kathy Montgomery's entry IN my CJ, click here. She was the first one to receive my journal...her entry is *fabulous*...be sure to peek at it!
My instruction to each of the members in our group receiving my "Flavors of Life" journal, was to create an entry using an ice-cream flavor to inspire them. It could be a page describing their favorite ice-cream...or a flavor used to describe a day, place, loved one, experience. The color and the flavor were to be used as inspiration in their creation...different, but fun!
The first journal I received in the group after passing mine along on the first rotation, was Sonda Tadlock's. It's a beautiful journal, with the fun and romantic theme of 
*Dream Destinations*! Her instructions were to create an entry about a place that you would love to visit...
Okay. My sister says I cheated...but I say Paris, France is fair game! I spent a summer there long ago...24 years ago...I was practically an infant! Okay...I was 18...just a young girl! She was going to pick Paris and said I shouldn't have picked someplace I'd already visited! But since I received the journal FIRST...well, let's just say it's *payback* for a sisterly deed I owe her on! :) I want to go BACK to Paris with Don!
I loved Sonda's entry and design of her journal. Her dream is to visit Venice. To view her entire journal entry and *set-up*,
click here. To view my entry into her Dream Destinations CJ, click here.
Picking a theme for any album can be challenging, but especially for a Circle Journal. It's important to create a journal that will have meaning to you when it's returned. So, pick a topic that inspires YOU...one that will be timeless, significant, inspiring.
Most Circle Journals request that you complete a *tag*, or some sort of sign-in...usually with a photo of yourself. So...here's an opportunity to get your camera out and practice your {self} portraiture that we were just talking about! :)
I've really enjoyed this CJ group...and they've been particularly patient with me and my last-minute tendencies. I just received the newest CJ from Michele (hi Michele!) and it's AWESOME...with a theme of "13 Things I Love". When I've completed my entry into her journal, I'll post her journal *set-up* and entry, together with the accumulated entries from the other gals along the way...plus my entry into it. This way, I'll feature each journal and it's completed pages once a month for the next 5 months through our rotations.
Have you ever been in a Circle Journal Group? Have questions? Be sure to read the following tips/explanation/theme ideas I've copied-and-pasted from 2peas (click button below)...
Have fun! And be sure to include your self portraits and other creative photo techniques in your journals, like "sliced-photos", "photo-within-a-photo", "artistic photos" (see my {photography} page...scroll down for various topics).
PICKING A THEME FOR YOUR CIRCLE JOURNAL
You may pick any theme you would like for your circle journal. I have seen a lot of different themes in the Peas Gallery, so you can look there to get ideas. Once you have your theme, you need to pick a journal. I am not going to specify a size for your journal so please choose whatever size you would like to work in, or feel comfortable with. Just remember, it has to be mailed around, and the larger it is, the more the mailing will cost. I would also suggest a journal that is spiral bound, as these are easier to work in, but whatever is your preference. Please be sure that your theme is stated, and explained if necessary, somewhere in or with your book. This will alleviate any doubts.
THE CIRCLE JOURNAL PROCESS
Once I have everyone's snail-mail address and e-mail, I will forward a mailing list. We will mail our books out by a set date each month. In other words, you will work in your book and then by the set date, you will mail it to the person below your name on the mailing list. You will then receive another book, work in that, and mail it on the next set date. (Yes, you CAN mail a book out earlier if you're finished with your spread.) You will always be mailing to the same person. I apologize if I sound like I am instructing children, I just want everyone to understand, and I'm not sure everyone has participated in one of these before.
YOUR JOURNAL
The Cover - some folks love to do the cover of the book. That's fine if you are going to paint it, cover it with decorative paper, and stamp it. It is best to put buttons, beads, dangles, baubles, dominoes, dice, scrabble letters or anything that sticks up when your journal returns to you. Every journal that has come to me with something like this on the cover almost always falls off and it makes it hard for other players to work in your book. Even the strongest of glues are no match for the postal service.
Take care when mailing your journal and everyone elses journal. Respect the players and their journals. Use a box, as padded bags often get ripped and many mail carriers will bend, smoosh and manipulate a package to fit in a small place not intended for a book. Use bubble wrap around the book and put the book into a big zip lock bag. Put other padding such as: peanut, shredded paper, newspaper around the book in the box and then mail. Now that book is as safe as it can be. You have done your best to get it to the next person in line in tact.
Print or write out the addresses big and clear and double check them when you mail the package and adhere to any guidelines the host set forth. I prefer to use Priority mail with confirmation so you know the journal gets to the person you are sending it to, or you can track it. If you live somewhere where using UPS is better than just let the host know. Check also with whom you are mailing to so they know how it will be arriving to them. Never hurts to double-check about that stuff before hand.
IDENTIFICATION
Make sure you put your name and address somewhere in the book. The inside of the back cover is the best place. That way if the package becomes damaged the PO can return it to you. You can do this as creatively as you choose. Just make sure it stays on the page.
GUIDELINES
Please stick to the person's theme. If you have a question about it, please ask them before making any decisions on your own.
DOING YOUR SPREADS
It is considered not good etiquette to mail out a book without adding some of your own artwork first.
SIMPLE ETIQUETTE ISSUES
When working in others books be respectful of their books. When you are not working in them keep them in a safe place. You don't want the dog or puppy or kitten to get at them, or small hands. If you do smoke, store them in a baggie and put them in an area of the house where it is less likely to absorb the odor. Some people are very allergic to it. Don't take that as an insult to you. It is just a respectable thing to do. It is not personal. Make sure, if you plan on showing the book to others be careful, don't lose the book. It has happened. You will feel awful, and so will they. It is an accident but one you want to avoid. Contact your host and the books owner if a book comes to you damaged. It happens, it's no one's fault, but let him or her know. If something happens to you and you find you cannot complete the journal let your host know. She will often think of something you may not have and it will work out. Hosts really want to help but you have to tell them. If other issues arise when in doubt ask your host. They are always willing to help you.
Once all groups are established I will set up a Yahoo! Group specifically/solely for the purpose of communication among members.
Communication is everything. ~ ~ Most of all have FUN!
IDEAS / INSPIRATION
Here are some ideas that I've compiled from a variety of posts (I've also thrown in a few of my own). These are only ideas - you may CERTAINLY come up with your own that has nothing to do with any of these:
JOY (things/people that bring you joy)
MOTIVATION (what motivates you)
FAMILY RECIPES
MUSIC (that motivates you, that you love, that reminds you of something, etc.)
FAVORITE COLOR
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT
SIMPLE PLEASURES
LIFE LESSONS
LOVE LESSONS
FRIENDSHIPS
HOW YOU SPEND YOUR TIME
BEING A GIRL
THE 5 SENSES (my favorite smell, taste, texture, sight, sound..)
FAVORITE SEASON
WHO YOU'D LIKE TO MEET, ALIVE OR DEAD
QUOTES THAT MOVE ME
TRAVEL
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY
GIRL TALK
THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR
MONOCHROMATIC
DETOURS
MY GIFTS
WORDS TO LIVE BY
THINGS I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW
FAVORITE BOOKS
WHY I LIKE BEING A GIRL
DREAMS
WHAT FONT ARE YOU?
MY HERO
INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS
MY FAVORITE THINGS
FAVORITE ANIMALS
PROUD MOMENTS
SELF PORTRAIT
MY HOMETOWN
HOMETOWN TRAVEL GUIDE
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
WHAT MAKES ME GIGGLE
A-Z ABOUT ME
FINDING YOUR INNER STRENGTH
MY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (about or among)
GRATITUDE
WHERE I'D LIKE TO TRAVEL
WHAT MAKES ME BLUSH
ALL ABOUT ME
CLASSIC ADS OF DAYS GONE BY
IF (questions for the game of life - each participant chooses a different question)
IF I WERE QUEEN FOR A DAY
IF I COULD GO ANYWHERE
INSPIRATION (quotes, stories, photos, etc.)
BETCHA DIDN'T KNOW (things that most people don't know about you)
WHERE I COME FROM
MY FIRST DREAM COME TRUE
MY PET PEEVE (lighthearted)
YOUR FAVORITE BOOK PASSAGE
HOBBIES
OBSTACLES
I AM, YOU ARE, WE ARE AMERICANS.
FLOWERS
POETRY
LULLABIES
FABLES
POCKETS (what's in them)
WOMEN/PEOPLE/PERSON WHO'VE INFLUENCED YOU
YOUR FAVORITE PHOTO
GAL PALS
MY MOST PRIZED POSSESSION
MY COLLECTION(S)
MY FAVORITE TEXTURE(S)
MY FAVORITE JOKE
THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE
INFLUENCE
MY NAME
POTPOURRI
POT LUCK (you can let everyone come up with their own idea for a page, or specify certain things about their page such as they must use only certain colors, must use a certain type of embellishment, etc. but leave the rest up to them
very awesome...I love your entry today...pretty cool self photo on your main page...
Posted by: heidi | June 08, 2005 at 07:23 AM
Thanks for sharing. You are correct about the horror stories and communication. Communication is paramount and horror stories happen.
Love your ice cream entry and your use of the mica chips on the Paris entry. You've given me some new ideas to mull over for my CJ entries. :-)
Posted by: pamMc | June 08, 2005 at 07:45 AM
Oh my! I've turned down every invite I've ever gotten to do a CJ, and now you have me salivating to do one! I love your ice cream theme! Tehehe, if I were doing an entry in yours, it would give me a good excuse to go to Marble Slab for a Double Dark Chocolate in a chocolate dipped cone!
Now I'm off to hunt down some friends to do a CJ with me!
Posted by: heather | June 08, 2005 at 10:52 AM
Oh my! I've turned down every invite I've ever gotten to do a CJ, and now you have me salivating to do one. I love your ice cream theme. Tehehe, if I were doing an entry in yours, it would give me a good excuse to go to Marble Slab for a Double Dark Chocolate in a chocolate dipped cone!
Now I'm off to hunt down some friends to do a CJ with me!
Posted by: heather | June 08, 2005 at 10:52 AM
Wonderful isn't it. I'm participating in 3 CJ at this moment, 2 overhere in The Netherlands and 1 ( at this moment) in the States. I will be joining another one real soon in the States. And in Septembre another is starting overhere. Oh Ter it is so addictive to join those CJ's I just love it. :)
I have ( yet again , sorry) a question. Can you please tell me how I can get a black and white photo with a piece of color in it, like your icecream photo? I used to know how to do it, but I seem to lost how to do it. I just love the effect of it.
Have a nice day
Alette
Posted by: Alette | June 08, 2005 at 11:47 AM
"Okay. My sister says I cheated...but I say Paris, France is fair game! I spent a summer there long ago...24 years ago...I was practically an infant! Okay...I was 18...just a young girl! She was going to pick Paris and said I shouldn't have picked someplace I'd already visited! But since I received the journal FIRST...well, let's just say it's *payback* for a sisterly deed I owe her on! :) I want to go BACK to Paris with Don!"
YES, I did read this miss sis...and for the record (my awesome defense), I have ADD!!!
Posted by: heidi | June 08, 2005 at 01:18 PM
Yea, well, because I have ADD, I clicked post instead of commenting...AGAIN...I think that you should have picked someplace that you haven't been to like - Hungry, or Madagascar...and kept Paris to me!!! But, that is okay, I will pick Lincoln, CA!!! You didn't pick that one at least!!! Ha!!!
Posted by: heidi | June 08, 2005 at 01:22 PM
I participated in a circle journal last year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The woman who was immediately before me on the list is published quite a bit in my favorite scrapbooking magazine and the woman after me on the list lives closely enough we will eventually meet to crop together. :)
I LOVE the theme of ice cream flavors, though! Very creative!!
Posted by: Melinda | June 08, 2005 at 03:26 PM
Thanks for that Teri. Your CJ and the others you posted are just gorgeous.
I am in a group with 16 other women at the moment and it is an awesome experience.
About to start a new group too.
Posted by: Lee | June 08, 2005 at 04:25 PM
Teri~
This is awesome!!! Like I said before, I can't wait to see what you do in my book. This group is totally awesome!!!! :)
Michele
Posted by: Michele | June 08, 2005 at 04:33 PM
I remember seeing your CJ on 2peas and loved it! I have only ever been in one and that turned out to be a disaster. My theme was Favorite Recipes and I really liked how it turned out. However, it was for a dt for website that is no longer around, when the site went down so did the CJ and some of us don't know who ended up with ours and they were never returned to the original creators. I was really bummed to not get it back. So, yes communication is key!
Posted by: Tammy | June 08, 2005 at 06:45 PM
You are so incredibly talented. Thanks for the inspiration. :-)
Posted by: Amanda E. | June 21, 2005 at 03:05 PM
I so hope you get this i want to do one with a friend but my question is . Do you just make an album but nothing else to it when you first send it out , meaning is it naked no papers and your friend does that. You know plain white pages
Thanks diana
Posted by: diana molinaro | October 04, 2011 at 04:26 PM
I ment you dont use patteren paper you just leave them white
thanks again diana
Posted by: diana molinaro | October 04, 2011 at 04:28 PM