20 Scrapbooking Ideas to Honor Your Memories In Style
Give all the family photos in your camera roll a pretty place to live.
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Your smartphone is great for a lot of things, but creating warm and fuzzy feels isn't high on that list. After a day of fun, what do you do with those photos? Maybe one or two make it onto Instagram with a witty caption. But let's be real, most of those images will wind up gathering cobwebs in your camera roll or — oh no! — getting wiped in a smartphone mishap before you have time to back up to the cloud.
The solution for anyone who wants to preserve memories forever: Curate your favorite shots and use them to create a fabulous keepsake with our list of the best scrapbook ideas. Not only are well-designed scrapbooks perfect for dressing up a coffee table, but they also make great DIY gifts for your nearest and dearest.
Ready to get started? First things first: Buy yourself a scrapbook. Once you have it, you'll want to personalize it and make it your own. From pre-made elements you can use in all kinds of ways, to learning how to create your own custom features, this list of 20 simple scrapbook ideas will inspire you to create meaningful masterpieces you'll revisit for years to come.
Use Scrapbook Stickers
One of the easiest things to do when scrapbooking is buying a big scrapbook sticker pack. No pasting required, these are pre-glued and ready to go! Many sticker books come in different styles, interests, and more.
Get the Sticker Idea at Lia Griffith.
Frame Your Photos
We like a scrapbooking frame (which you can buy pre-sticky), but we love a unique photo frame that you make from scratch.
Get the Papercut Photo Frame tutorial at Lia Griffith.
Add a Vision Board Page
Want to include a lot of typography? Pick a section in your scrapbook to create a vision board right in it. Don't forget to pick words from magazines (or scrapbooking kits) that help you manifest.
Get the Vision Board tutorial at Made With Happy.
Make a Paper Heart
It's almost too simple to do, but this paper heart craft can add some dimension to your scrapbook. Pick a pattern of your choosing, or even a solid color.
Get the Paper Heart tutorial at Pattern and Paste.
Feature a 3D Flower Cutout
It wouldn't be a scrapbook without a floral cutout. This one —originally developed for a greeting card — can be created for your scrapbook.
Get the Paper Flower tutorial at Crea Bea Cards.
Include the 'Friends' Motif
Love the show Friends and want to showcase your own friends on the pages of your scrapbook? We love this tutorial to recreate the Friends motif on paper. Could this BE any cuter?
Get the 'Friends' Frame tutorial at Pattern and Paste.
Label Pages with Tags
One great way to recycle gift tags you're not using (or even reuse ones given to you with a gift), is by incorporating them into the pages of your scrapbook to indicate special people or occasions featured.
Get the Gift Tag tutorial at Lia Griffith.
Create Paper Luggage
If your scrapbook is one that focuses on travel, this suitcase card can be a really cool inclusion. You can include passport- and travel-inspired stickers, and make the luggage open to reveal one of your travel photos inside.
Get the Suitcase Card tutorial at Crafting Cheerfully.
Make a 'Vintage' Scrapbook Page
Want your paper to look old for an antique-style visual effect? Take plain paper and stain it with tea to create some faux aging. Once complete, you can glue or paste anywhere within your pages.
Get the Tea-Stained Paper tutorial at Pattern and Paste.
Include Real Buttons and Fabrics
If you're making a memory book for your child, cut scraps from their too-small baby clothes or glue on old buttons to truly personalize their special scrapbook.
Showcase a House Cutout
Have house memories you want to immortalize in a scrapbook? Include this home cutout to make the page truly your own.
Get the House Cutout tutorial at Crea Bea Cards.
Display Your Photo Strips
Who doesn't love a photo booth? From weddings to malls, they're everywhere. And there's nothing like a nostalgic strip of shots to commemorate a special day. Display them by layering some colorful and patterned paper, and stick on with Washi tape.
Get the DIY Photostrip Strip Scrapbook tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Steal This Card Cutout Idea
We love how you can see the wildflowers and leaves behind the word in this card. Transform the same craft and incorporate it into your scrapbook.
Get the Pretty Paper Cutout tutorial at Lea Griffith.
Incorporate Real Items From Nature
You may fill your scrapbook with stickers galore, but if you want to go a more natural route, pressed leaves and flowers will add a beautiful touch. If you've never made pressed flowers or leaves before, there are pre-made ones you can buy as well as kits to help you get started.
Feature Retro 'Polaroids'
You may be taking all of your photos on a phone these days, but some photo services allow you to order pictures in different sizes. We particularly love the idea of printing your new photos like old-fashioned Polaroids. Narrow strips of Washi tape can hold the photos down for a cute contrasting look.
Add an Award Ribbon
Perfect for celebrating milestones like birthdays, soccer seasons, or graduations, adding an award ribbon to your scrapbook is a lovely touch. And the best part is, they're easy to make yourself with a printable kit.
Get the Award Ribbon tutorial at Crafting Cheerfully.
Repurpose Journal Stickers
Just like you may buy a scrapbooking kit that comes with stickers, many planners and journals include super cute sticker sheets, too. We love the thought of repurposing these, whether to mark an important month or holiday, or just to record the simple joys of your everyday life.
Print Your Paper
If you're not a super crafter with a Cricut machine, no worries. You can print your own scrapbook paper with all of the accoutrements right on it. Then, all that's left to do is add photos. Easy!
Get the Printable Scrapbook Paper tutorial at Design Eat Repeat.
Upcycle Old Paintings
If you want a really unique scrapbook, you can make one from scratch by upcycling old paintings.
Get the DIY Scrapbooking Journals tutorial at Thriving With Less.
Stay Organized
Scrapbooking is more fun when you can easily find all of your materials. We love this DIY that displays beautiful scrapbook paper right by your desk or crafting table where you do the work. There are also plenty of organizers on the market to hold your various scrapbooking tools, stickers, and more.
Get the Paper Organizer tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
RELATED: 25 Unique Gifts for Crafters That Are Sure to Spark Creativity
Ysolt Usigan is a lifestyle writer and editor with 15+ years of experience working in digital media. She has created share-worthy content for publishers Shape, What To Expect, Cafe Mom, TODAY, CBS News, HuffPo, The Bump, Health, Ask Men, and Best Gifts. A working mom of two, her editorial expertise in parenting, shopping, and home are rooted in her everyday life.
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