What happens when you mix Disney magic, a tropical theme, and a cozy Christmas memory? You get a scrapbook layout that’s full of unexpected vibes and so much heart! This page celebrates Little Man’s very first trip to Disneyland, where we stayed at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel—back before its magical revamp into the Pixar Place Hotel. This memory holds even more value now, as it captures a piece of Disney history.
Blurred Vision: When Crafting Doesn’t Go as Planned (And That’s Okay!)
There’s something so exciting about starting a new scrapbook layout—especially when it’s inspired by such a special memory. I had this vivid vision in my head of how this tropical-meets-Christmas layout would look, and I couldn’t wait to bring it to life. To start, I turned to Cricut® Design Space® to map out my ideas. Design Space is my go-to tool for visualizing layouts and planning every detail, from measurements to embellishments. Seeing my vision come to life digitally helps me feel confident when it’s time to start cutting and assembling.
If you know me, you know I’m all about turning creative visions into scrapbook reality. But let’s be real—not every page turns out exactly the way we imagined, and that’s totally okay! Sometimes the journey of crafting is the best part, even if the result takes a detour from what we had planned. So grab your favorite tools and follow along as I break down this tropical-meets-Christmas layout, one step at a time.
Materials for the Disney-inspired 12x12 Paradise Pier Tropical Christmas Scrapbook Layout
Here’s what I used to bring this Disney-inspired scrapbook layout to life:
Cardstock:
• Stampin’ Up! Blueberry Bushel, White Willow, Balmy Blue, Pool Party
Inks:
• Stampin’ Up! Balmy Blue, Lemon Lime Twist, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Melon Mambo
• CTMH Mink, Lagoon, Glacier, White Daisy
Dies & Embossing:
• Stampin’ Up! Happy Hibiscus Bundle, Otterly Amazing Thin Cuts
• CTMH Summer Vibes Scrapbooking Stamps & Thin Cuts
• Stampin’ Up! Soft Waves 3D Embossing Folder
• Stampin' Up! Deckled Circle Dies
Embellishments:
• Custom-cut Christmas presents and tropical details from CTMH’s Home for Christmas & Digital Art Kit
• Cricut®️ Design Space®️ for the title and extra elements
Please Note: Some items used in this project may be discontinued. However, Stampin’ Up! offers similar products and crossovers that can help you recreate this design. Be sure to check my Stampin’ Up! store for the latest options and inspiration!
Step-by-Step Guide to This 12x12 Disney-Inspired Scrapbook Layout
Crafting the Base
I started with a 12x12 piece of Stampin’ Up! Blueberry Bushel cardstock as the border and built an 11-1/2” x 11-1/2” White Willow base. Using CTMH Mink ink and scoring techniques, I added a wood-grain effect to mimic ship-lap—because who doesn’t love that rustic touch?
With the Blueberry Bushel center I had cut out, I created a 4-1/2” x 6-1/2” photo mat, double-matted with White Willow cardstock. A swipe of Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin’ Pad along the edges added a little pop.
Details Make the Magic
• Flowers and Leaves: From the Stampin’ Up! Happy Hibiscus Bundle and CTMH Summer Vibes, I stamped vibrant flowers in Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight and added Lemon-Lime Twist and Garden Green leaves.
• Surfboards and Shades: Who says Christmas can’t include a surfboard? Stamped in Coastal Cabana with matching shades in Melon Mambo, these add a playful nod to Paradise Pier’s beachy vibe.
• Underwater Fun: Otterly Amazing Thin Cuts came to the rescue with Jade cardstock seaweed details. Pro tip: Don’t let scraps go to waste!
The Waves: A Layered Masterpiece
The showstopper of this layout is the wave panel. Using the Soft Waves Embossing Folder, I textured Balmy Blue and Pool Party cardstock, adding depth with Balmy Blue and Glacier inks.
To soften the colors slightly, I gently ran my CTMH White Daisy ink pad across the top, adding a subtle highlight that made the waves truly stand out! Using the embossed pattern as a guide, I cut the cardstock into strips, inked the edges with Lagoon and Balmy Blue, and carefully layered them onto a Lagoon background for a dynamic, dimensional effect.
The result? A dynamic ocean effect that almost feels like it’s splashing off the page. My little man called it my Van Gogh Masterpiece - Stary Waves! Lol. 😂
Putting It All Together - When Vision Meets Reality
I started by positioning the wave panel and photo, ensuring they were aligned just right to leave enough space for the embellishments. To create balance, I began with the hibiscus and leaf clusters, starting in the bottom right corner. This allowed me to adjust the placement of the wave and photo, ensuring everything felt cohesive.
Next, I added the remaining flower clusters around the page, letting the tropical vibes shine! To draw attention to the center package in the photo, I created a visual triangle using Melon Mambo elements, including sunglasses, hibiscus, and a coordinating Christmas package.
The finishing touches included a Cricut®️-designed title and Christmas presents made from the CTMH Digital Art Kit - Home For Christmas. These little accents tie in the tropical and festive themes perfectly.
At this stage, the layout looked just as I envisioned it in Design Space®️. But as I stared at the completed layout, something still felt…off. It wasn’t quite hitting the mark.
I decided to experiment with a few Riverside Irregular Pearls for a touch of sparkle, but even then, it felt like something was missing. That’s when inspiration struck—I added three circles, cut with the Deckled Circle Dies from Stampin’ Up!®, and inked the edges with CTMH Lagoon ink using a sponge dauber.
To make the circles more functional, I used the top one to display the date (December 14, 2016—our first Disneyland trip!) and the bottom one for a small but meaningful bit of journaling. These simple additions tied everything together, adding the perfect finishing touch and bringing the layout to life.
Was this layout everything I envisioned? Not quite. But the unexpected turns and creative tweaks made it uniquely special—just like the memory it celebrates.
Why This Paradise Pier Layout Holds Special Meaning
This layout captures Little Man’s first Disneyland trip and our stay at Paradise Pier Hotel—a place filled with tropical charm and festive holiday decor. With the hotel now reimagined as Pixar Place, this memory feels even more special, preserving a piece of Disney history alongside our family’s story.
Explore More Disney & Holiday Inspired Scrapbooks Layout & Cards
Love the holidays & Disney as much as I do? Then you’re in for a treat! From festive scrapbook layouts to magical holiday cards, there’s plenty of creative inspiration to explore. Whether you’re preserving Disney memories or crafting holiday cheer, these projects are sure to spark your creativity. Check out some of my favorites:
Let the magic of the season inspire your next crafting adventure!
Share Your Creations
Crafting is more than just creating something beautiful—it’s about sharing your passion, inspiring others, and building a community of like-minded creators. That’s why I created the Members Gallery! It’s a space where crafters can showcase their projects, whether you’ve recreated this Disney-inspired tropical Christmas layout or put your unique spin on it. Sharing your work celebrates your creativity and motivates others to dive into their paper stashes and start crafting their magical memories. Let’s inspire each other, one layout at a time!
Shop with Me!
Ready to recreate this tropical Disney-inspired layout? My Stampin' Up! store has all the materials you need, including cardstock, inks, and more!
Warm Wishes & Tropical Vibes
April - This Chick Loves Paper
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All photos and projects are subject to copyright ThisChickLovesPaper.com.
Images © Stampin’ Up!
Images © Close To My Heart.
Blog Disclaimer:
The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of April Raine - This Chick Loves Paper as a Stampin’ Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services, or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up!®.
Learn how to create a 12x12 Disney-inspired scrapbook layout that blends tropical Christmas vibes with Paradise Pier memories. It's perfect for preserving magical moments! Celebrate magical memories with This Chick Loves Paper’s creative designs.
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