In the world of scrapbooking and cardmaking, it’s the personal touches that elevate a project from ordinary to unforgettable. By customizing your layouts with journaling, meaningful embellishments, and personal mementos, you can tell a story that goes beyond the photos.
Today, I will share some tried-and-true methods to help you personalize your scrapbook layouts, making each page a unique reflection of your memories.
1. Add Meaningful Journaling to Tell the Full Story
Journaling is a powerful way to add depth to your scrapbook layouts. By including anecdotes, inside jokes, or memorable quotes, you bring your layouts to life in a way that photos alone can’t.
The key here is authenticity—don’t feel like your journaling needs to be formal or written “professionally.” Use your own words, exactly how you would say them in conversation. This makes the journaling feel real and personal, helping the reader hear your voice when they look back at the memories.
Pro Tip:
How often do we remember something our mom or dad said, ringing in our ears long after the moment has passed? By writing in your natural tone, you ensure that the people reading your scrapbook can “hear” you through the page. Whether it’s a fun phrase, a casual remark, or even something a bit quirky, your journaling will feel more authentic and relatable.
Handwrite your Journaling
Whenever possible, handwrite your journaling. While typed journaling is great when you have a lot to say or don’t have much room to write, handwritten notes give your layout an extra personal touch. When your loved ones look at the pages, they’ll see your handwriting and feel even more connected to the memory.
Also, journaling often includes details like the date, where you were, and who you were with. But these don’t always have to be in the journal section—you can add them as design elements throughout the page. For example, next to a photo of Uncle Joe, simply captioned the picture with “Uncle Joe.” These small details enrich your story without overwhelming the layout.
Pro Tip: If you prefer to type, consider using Avery clear labels to blend journaling into your design seamlessly.
2. Personalizing Titles and Subtitles
The title of your layout is just as important as the photos and journaling. It sets the tone and captures the essence of the memory. Instead of using generic titles like “Family Vacation,” personalize it! There’s no rule about how long or short your title should be—make it personal, fun, and meaningful.
Ideas for Unique Titles
Here are a few things to think about when creating your titles (use one or combine multiple):
What You Were Doing: Let the title reflect the action or activity you were engaged in.
2 What You Were Wearing: Sometimes your clothing or costumes can inspire a fun title.
3. The Smell or Atmosphere: Capture the sensory experience.
Example: For a camping trip layout, instead of going for a common phrase like “Outdoor Fun,” you could use something like “Crisp Air, Campfires & Constellations. A title like this perfectly captures the sensory experience of a camping trip, highlighting the cool, refreshing air, the warmth and camaraderie of a campfire, and the awe of stargazing under the night sky.
4. The Most Memorable Moment: Think about what stands out the most from the experience.
Example: I titled a layout “First Game, First Goal, First Win!” for my son’s first hockey game where all three things happened. This title is much more personal and impactful than simply calling it “First Hockey Game” or “First Goal.”
5. What Made You Laugh: If something funny happened, let the title reflect that moment.
6. Unexpected Twists: Did something unexpected happen during the day?
7. How You Felt: Use the emotion of the moment as your title.
8. Something Someone Said: Did anyone say something funny or memorable? Turn it into your title!
Example: For my layout, I used “You Got Me Drumsticks!” because that’s what my son screamed in excitement when he saw his favorite treat.
8. An Inside Joke: If there’s a phrase that only you or your family get, use it!
Example: In the “You Got Me Drumbsticks” layout, I misspelled a word on purpose!! I did this to reflect the way my son pronounces the word “original”. He says it with a southern, western drawl. I'm not sure why he does it, but it’s hysterical! Purposely misspelling the word is a small detail, but it turned the layout into something personal and memorable.
Did You Mean To Do That?
I get asked all the time, “Did you mean to do that, or do you know you spelled this wrong?” And the answer is: yes, I did it on purpose!
I love adding little touches that reflect the quirks of our family or inside jokes that make sense to us. It’s fun when people realize there’s a deeper meaning behind those small creative choices. I often get compliments like “How fun!” or “I never thought of doing that!” It’s a great way to add humor and personality to a layout and make it even more special.
Pro Tip:
Have fun with your titles! They don’t have to be perfect or follow a format. The more personal and creative they are, the more your scrapbook will reflect your personality and the real memories you want to remember.
3. Flip Flaps for Personalized, Interactive Storytelling
One of the best ways to personalize your layout is to share multiple stories. You can do this by using flip-flops or hidden journaling pockets. These allow you to document memories for each person in the photos and tuck your notes behind their images. You can even have others contribute their thoughts or favorite memories of the occasion, thus creating a layered and collaborative story.
But flip flaps aren’t just for people’s stories—they’re perfect for sharing multiple stories behind each photo. Sometimes, a single journaling spot doesn’t capture the full story behind all of the photos on your page.
For example, we were in California Adventure on a late rainy night. The crowds were almost gone and my little man wanted to take some unique photos capturing the rain and the Disney lights. For this particular photo, he laid down on the wet asphalt to capture the lighting reflecting off the puddles.
While the main journaling might focus on the overall experience, flip flaps let me explain the little details of how each photo came to be and the unique circumstances of each moment he took them. The flip flaps allow each photo to have its own hidden story, making the page much richer in personal meaning.
4. Add Embellishments with Personal Meaning
Embellishments are more than just decorations—they can be symbols of meaningful memories. In one layout, I used rain boots as an embellishment, not necessarily because it rained that day, but because it reminded me of my son’s muddy shoes that he left right in front of the door. Every time I stepped outside I would trip over them. That led to a funny conversation implying that I’m getting old because I couldn’t remember they were there! And you know what, I would have used muddy shoes if I had a stamp! Lol. Little touches like this add layers of storytelling that only you and your loved ones will fully appreciate.
Pro Tip:
Don’t be afraid to use items that may not seem directly related to the photos. If they evoke a memory, they deserve a place on your layout!
5. Use Color to Personalize & Tell a Story
Colors set the tone and reflect the mood of the day. On a Disneyland trip where it rained, I used cool blue and gray tones with rain boots and umbrella embellishments to subtly tell the story through design.
Personal Example:
Although the photos themselves weren’t directly related to the rain (aside from us wearing parkas and being wet!), the gray skies, cool air, and constant drizzle were such a central part of the experience that I wanted to capture that feeling. By incorporating cool blues, grays, and rain-themed embellishments, I was able to personalize the page to reflect how we felt that day, rather than just focusing on the main events in the photos. The paper and embellishments tied together the atmosphere, helping convey the mood even though the photos didn’t capture the weather itself.
Pro Tip:
When personalizing your layout, ask yourself: What colors remind you of that moment? Were you feeling warm and cozy or chilled and adventurous? Let your color choices reflect the atmosphere.
6. Incorporate Memorabilia for a Personal Touch
Memorabilia like ticket stubs, postcards, or event programs help add context and layers to your layout, making it feel dynamic and alive. These items complement the photos and tell parts of the story that images alone might miss.
Pro Tip:
Use memorabilia to fill in gaps where photos don’t capture everything. Whether it’s a map from a trip or a pressed flower, memorabilia can help tell the whole story.
7. Change the Entire Layout to Reflect the Story
Sometimes the best way to personalize a layout is to design it around the story, not just the photos. For example, while we were getting ready to leave for our Christmas family vacation, we found ourselves quoting lines from the movie Christmas Vacation. As we loaded the car, we kept repeating some of the movie’s most iconic lines, and soon, the whole trip felt like a nod to the film!
This inspired me to transform a vacation layout into a Christmas Vacation movie theme. I used the movie’s font for the title, added famous quotes from the film, and included an SVG of the “Griswold Family Truckster.” This made the page not just a memory of our trip but a tribute to a family inside joke.
Your Scrapbook, Your Rules
Ultimately, your scrapbook is your story, told in your own words. There are no rules that say you have to use specific papers or embellishments to match your photos. Personalizing your layouts allows you to share memories in a way that feels authentic to you, making it special for you and your family.
Final Thoughts
Personalizing your scrapbook layouts is a fun and meaningful way to capture the essence of your memories. By using journaling, custom titles, embellishments, colors, and memorabilia, you can tell a fuller story that goes beyond the photos. Get creative and make your layouts as personal and memorable as the moments you’re capturing!
Share Your Personalized Layouts
I’d love to see how you’ve personalized your own layouts! Share your unique scrapbook pages in the Members’ Gallery and inspire others with the fun and meaningful ways you capture memories.
Happy Crafting!
April - This Chick Loves Paper
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Images @ Stampin’ Up!©️
Images @ CTMH©️
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!
How to Personalize Your Scrapbook Layouts: Tips for Journaling, Titles, and Embellishments for Unique Memory-Keeping!
Discover how to personalize your scrapbook layouts with creative journaling, custom titles, and unique embellishments. Learn tips for capturing memories meaningfully and turning your scrapbook pages into lasting keepsakes.
• Personalized scrapbook layout ideas
• Custom scrapbook embellishments
• Scrapbooking tips for 12x12 layouts
• Memory-keeping ideas with hidden journaling
• Stampin’ Up! scrapbooking techniques
• How to use memorabilia in scrapbooking
• Christmas Vacation themed scrapbook page
• Scrapbook layouts with flip flaps
• How to Personalize Your Scrapbook Layouts: Tips for Journaling, Titles, and Embellishments for Unique Memory-Keeping
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