Here’s how it works:

A group of about 6 to 12 people participate in the circle. Each person creates a journal or mini album with the theme of their choice. Themes can range anywhere from “All About Me” to “Zoos I Love”. More theme ideas are below.

Along with selecting a theme for their journal, each person creates the rules or guidelines for everyone else, concerning their journal. These can be as specific or as minimal as you wish. Some people give you no guidelines for your layout other than to enjoy yourself. Others ask that you use a certain color scheme, technique or other specifications.

Every month or so, the group meets and passes the journal to the next person in the circle. Depending on how many people are in the group and how often they meet, the group can lasts for several months to around a year.

When the journals have gone all the way around the circle, each person gets their journal back, for the first time since the beginning of the exchange.

Its a really cool concept and you have the chance to learn so much about the other people in your group. You can do it with friends, other scrapbookers in your cropping group or even total strangers, living near each other or far apart (just be prepared for shipping costs).

Here’s the layout I did for my journal. My theme is “I’ve Never…” (you know…the game you used to play in college?):

The cover

Sign in page

Instructions page

2 page layout

I’d recommend giving it a try if you ever have the opportunity to do so.

Need some theme ideas? Here’s a few, in alphabetical order:

A Day in the Life
Being a Mom
Best Friend
Bet You Didn’t Know
Bucket List
Childhood Memories
Confessions
Favorite Quotes
Favorite Photo
I’ve Never
Love of My Life
Motherhood Means
Music
My Hometown
Pets
Recipes
Sisters
Three Wishes
Top 10 (Favorite Things)
Traditions
What Do You Cherish?
What Makes Me Giggle
What Makes me Happy
What’s In Your Purse?