Memories Deserve More Than A Shoebox ^TM

Writing With Numbers

by Amy Stultz

As a teacher I hate to admit it, but I was a champion note passer in school. Lengthy notes containing meaningless gossip were passed back and forth in my circle of friends on a regular basis. Not only was each note folded in a way that rivaled the best Origami, it also contained a creative (or so I thought) use of numbers as part of the text. Who can forget “Best Friends 4ever?”

Most likely you are no longer passing notes before Science class, but the use of numbers is a great way to spice up otherwise ordinary titles and journaling. Consider the following options the next time you sit down to scrap.

Word Replacement: Using numbers to replace words is the simplest way to incorporate numbers into your scrapbook projects.

“2” = to, too, and two
Ex. “2 Much Fun”

“4” = for and four
Ex. “Love You 4ever”

Number Sentences: Make your math teacher proud by incorporating a number sentence into a layout. This unusual title or journaling treatment immediately draws attention to your page and encourages the viewer to read the layout.

Ex: “1 Mom + 2 Kids = Sibling Rivalry”

“5 Kids + 1 Mom – 1 Dad = 1 Stressful Road Trip”

Making It Standout: No matter how you choose to use numbers in your layouts, you want them to make a statement and draw your viewer into your layout. Experiment with the following techniques to make those numbers take center stage:

Rubber Stamps - When writing out your title or journaling leave an empty space where you would like the numbers to appear, then use rubber stamps to add the numbers back in.

Font Size - Whether you are using your own handwriting, rub-ons, or letter stickers, using a larger font size for the numbers in your text will make them pop.

Font Style - Just as using a larger font will allow your numbers to pop, using a different font style for the numbers will have the same effect on your viewer.

Mixed Media - Put to good use the odds-and-ends letter stickers, alphabet charms, and rub-ons that are cluttering up your stash, by mixing and matching different numbers to make a bold statement.

No matter how you choose to use numbers on your layout, your layout is sure to be “2 good 2 be 4gotten.”