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How to Set Up Your Circle Journal

Circle Journals are so much fun to do. There are many different ways to set your album up and even more ways to complete layouts for them. But there is no wrong way. Because a circle journal is a personal journal of sorts, it becomes a piece of art upon its completion. It also serves as a wonderful memory of the way we really are inside.

The standard way to set up a circle journal is:

  • Decorated Cover
  • Title Page
  • Introduction
  • Instructions
  • Sign In Page
  • Creators Layouts
  • Participants Layouts

Since I already showcased some cute covers in my Themes for Your Circle Journal article, I will move ahead to the title page and introduction.

Not everyone chooses to do a title page, especially if you’ve gone to elaborate lengths with your cover. More than likely, your cover has your chosen theme already written on it and you don’t need the title page. But if you want to do one, you can! The introduction page is probably the next most important feature. This should tell your participants why you chose the theme you chose. It might also tell a little more about you. You can include as little or as much information as you want in your introduction. Here is a small sampling of interesting introduction pages for various themed circle journals.

scrapbooking layouts

contributed by Suzanne Quillen

scrapbooking layouts

contributed by Lori Joas

After your title page and introduction, it’s time to focus on your instruction page. This is where you will list your instructions on how you want your album completed. Some scrapbookers include this info in the introduction and some create a whole new page for it. It’s up to you.

scrapbooking layouts

contributed by Lori Joas

Now it’s time for the creative part. You will need to create some type of sign in page for each participant in the circle journal. This is where you get to have a little fun. Use your theme to create a cute sign in page with tags or cards or whatever you decide to use. Each participant will use one to “sign in” and put the information you request on their little card or tag.

scrapbooking layouts

contributed by Heather Grady

scrapbooking layouts

contributed by Suzanne Quillen

scrapbooking layouts

contributed by Lori Joas

The last part of the circle journal is the layouts. You should create yours first, and allow the participants to add theirs behind it. You can create a one page, two page or multi-page layout. It’s up to you how you want to do it. Here are a few examples of some cute layouts for different themes.

scrapbooking layouts

contributed by Deanna Baltimore

scrapbooking layouts

contributed by Tera

scrapbooking layouts

contributed by Suzanne Quillen

Have fun and enjoy your circle journal. It’s a great way to expand your scrapbooking hobby while getting to know your friends and fellow scrapbookers better!