About
I am CarlinaWrites
Growing up, my mother had little plastic drawers full of magazine cut-out words and scraps that she would craft into something special. She had binders, fabrics, hot glue guns, and different craft ribbons that she curated to hand-made photo albums with. I used to pick through her drawers and watch her make the albums so strategically, all to become a beautiful, and life-long gift, to fill with memories.
I am here to encompass that digitally. By sharing ideas, tips, personal creations, and thoughts about crafting and memory collecting that bring me joy, I hope to inspire my readers and people alike in their crafting and creation journeys. Art supersedes crafts; though I include my tangible art, my writing and poetry are important art forms that shape who I am, that (I hope) inspire thought and creation.
Print is Important!
With the rise of technology and the digital age, tactile media and art lost their touch—that is, until digital culture became overwhelming and less fulfilling. People seem to crave more tangible and simple ways to enjoy their day; we’re getting back to basics. Record players, walkmans, magazines, and scrapbooking or journaling are making a comeback. Collecting bits from your day, the things you consume, the things you find, and printing out photos of your life and marrying them in a journal revives the splendor in what seems to be mundane or even trash. Keep receipts, wrappings, boxes that held your tea, and even the stickers you find on your fruit; these are all reusable and create a page full of what you know and love and enjoy. Never underestimate what could be put into your journal; I once saw a junk journaler stick a sock on their page, and I’ve glued sand from a beach in Florida into mine. The point is to get creative and gather your memories and experiences into your own personal book of you! I mean, when was the last time you printed out a photo you took?
There is something so daunting about all our photos being taken, stored, and shared digitally. We trust one device to be responsible for all our lives' fleeting moments, lucky enough to be caught on camera. And when will we look at them if not printed out and displayed or placed artfully in a journal amongst other things that have filled your day? These photos and items tell our story and recreate a moment, a day, a month, or a year. “Studies show that physical engagement with print media leads to higher levels of emotional engagement and memory retention,” according to Royercomm, a print media company. Journaling and printing your photos not only create art but also evoke nostalgia and enrich your experience.
Printing out photos is cheap at your local Walgreens or CVS, and I love my pocket printer—making it easy to print anything (with sticker paper) on the spot and stick it anywhere you want. I’ve even signed up for some monthly sticker subscriptions that add some fun to all my pages. Don’t just take and share photos digitally; add more joy and experience to them while creating a new hobby—and something you can cherish and look back at.
Printing photos–whether it be for keepsake or a scrapbook–can be inconvenient. Selecting the photos and sending them to your local drugstore for pickup is a task we might not have time for, and each photo could cost around 40 cents. In the world of crafting and memory keeping, the Kodak Step instant mobile printer helps bridge the gap between the digital convenience of photo taking and the tactile joy that is scrapbooking. This is a palm sized printer that uses ZINK (zero ink) technology, that utilizes dye crystals, eliminating the need for expensive ink cartridges; but the real star of the show is the 2x3 stickerback paper photos print out on, making it easy for any crafter to stick it virtually anywhere! There is a full editing suite via app that allows users to customize photos with filters, borders, stickers, and personalized text. Printing only takes 60 seconds and requires no cords or internet connection; just your smartphone and bluetooth. Printing unique and personal photos is now both easy and fun!
Pros:
Total portability - weighing less than a pound, it is easy to store in your pocket or purse.
No ink required - ZINK technology eliminates the need for messy or pricey ink cartridges
Adhesive backing - there is no need for glue, making it convenient for on the go
Cons:
Price - the cost of the printer is relatively affordable, but the recurring cost of the paper adds up for frequent users
Mobile only - this device is designed to connect only with iOS and Android, and does not support windows or mac laptops and computers
Kodak One Step Mobile Printer Review
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Your Own Personal Junk Journaling Community!
The junk journaling and crafting world is incredibly welcoming and generous, attracting and shaping artists and creators alike. Junk journaling can seem like a daunting hobby to take up; maybe you don't have enough "junk," or you don't want to spend money on crafting supplies. Digital junk journaling is a good option in this situation; Canva is a perfect platform for getting started on—what is much like a digital collage—a journal spread. There are endless creators on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok sharing their creations and adding inspiration. Not to mention the online communities like "Digital Junk Journal" to help guide you, and events like"Cleveland Junk Journal Art Retreat" that focus on making art and outdoor experiences. Art and creation have become so well known and proven to be healthy for our well-being that they are used as a method of therapy, and includes a group on "Psychology Today" called "Expressive Arts Junk Journaling Group." Art and journaling groups are on many campuses and likely in your town, full of people waiting to meet you and share their creativity! And just like those communities, there is one right here, on Carlina Writes, where I share my personal spreads and tips and tricks on how to get started and make your spreads unique to you!
