5 Key Elements of a Scrapbook Layout

I’ve been doing a lot of research and I’ve taken several classes on scrapbook layout design. I’ve come up with 5 key elements that I like to include on all of my layouts or in each double page layout.

These 5 items include:

Photos
Canvas (layout background)
Ephemera (the “jewelry”)
Title
Journaling

I scrapbook to tell my story and my family’s story. I want my layout to convey an event or a moment in time that I want us to remember.

I always try to start with the photos or the potential photos a soon-to-be event will create. If I’m making my layout for a future event, I plan for the photos and add photo place holders cut to size for the photos I hope to include.

I also want the layout to have the name of the event (title), the date, and the people involved at the very least. I may want to include several thoughts or memories of the event which I will usually write directly on the page with a journaling pen.

This means that I want all eyes on my photo and then my journaling! I always use my ephemera to draw your attention to my focal point which is almost always my main photo!

I used the Close To My Heart Now & Forever scrapbook workshop kit to create two layouts with my favorite layout. You will find a printable version of the layout sketch below!

I purchased the workshop kit with the stamp set and thin cuts and I’m so glad that I did that. I created a huge pile of flowers, butterflies, hearts, and other ephemera using th estamp and die set. I use almost all of the ephemera that I made.

I also pulled out a couple of my thin cut tags and tabs dies to create pretty tags and tabs that you can see included on these two layouts.

How did I do with the key elements on this double page layout?

Photos: I included two photo place holders. I made one a portrait orientation and the other landscape.
Canvas: I used my favorite scrapbook layout. I love the L-shaped layout with the photo nestled in the corner where the two papers meet! See the sketch below!
Embellishments: My favorite part! I created a lot of my own ephemera and added some stickers and embroidery elements from the workshop kit.
Title: I used a pretty wood laser cut work piece for my title. At this point, I had used all of the pre-made sticker title pieces that came in the kit!
Journaling: The journaling will be added by the recipient of this album when they add in their photos. I used a piece of the ledger patterned paper below the photos on each page. This makes a perfect spot to add journaling, along with that pretty white heart on the first layout that I shared.

You can get the printable PDF of the sketches and sample layouts here: 2023 Sketches Stamping Imperfection Now & Forever Go To Layout

Video:

Supply List:

Are you interested in the products I used? To make them easier for you to find, I have linked them below. (Affiliate disclosure ) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Your purchases help keep my blog running at no additional cost to you and I thank you for the support!

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