journaling first

the challenge at Scrap weekly (link of logo on left)  was to write the journaling first so that it gets the space it needs, rather than squashing the story into the space that is left after placing all of the other elements. 
I like this approach and decided to use the page height free download journaling strip from Cuddlebeez (I used the one designated July – other months have a different pattern strip).  I the decided to just add a photo because I have not made a page this dimensions before.  A nice easy and pleasing to my eye digi layout

the journaling reads
Lyall Bay has everything that I could want in a beach. There is sand to walk on and waves to listen to and to watch. It is long enough to provide a good long walk for plenty of chat or contemplation and justification for the coffee or ice-cream at the end.
One end is for dogs so there are always canines of all shapes and sizes running, chasing balls or sticks, smelling each other or shaking over people - often strangers. Dogs playing always makes me smile.
Elsewhere there are usually surfers and other walkers and kids playing. Sometimes there are wind or kite surfers and kids learning to be life guards. Further interest is provided by the airport at the end and boats passing on the horizon, including the interisland ferry
Rain, wind or sun I was there each Sunday.