I have posted a link to an article  (below) showing how to use a faded picture as a journaling block instead of a plain coloured background.  An example is pictured here.

This article refers to using Photoshop to make the block, but the same principle could apply to traditional scrapbooking. How..?

Well you can achieve a similar effect by printing your journaling onto a piece of vellum and placing that over a photograph.

Another way is to bring the photograph into something like MS Word and use the brightness button to “fade out” the photo and then place a text box over the top of your journaling.

Here is an article  about putting text onto photos in word, which has a link at the end to a video tutorial.

Photoshop: Photo Inspired Journaling Block

by Denise Gormish  for ScrapJazz.com

Ever find yourself searching for a great background for a journaling block? Sometimes a plain piece of cardstock will do the job. Sometimes a piece of patterned paper will work wonderfully. But sometimes something more creative feels appropriate. At those times, consider using one of the photographs in your layout. By using a photograph for the journaling block, you can create a layout with special impact.  Read More>>