Hello friends! Today’s blog post is a different papercraft idea I made because a very good friend requested me to make a going away memoir for her fellow choir colleague. A standard card would not do this time since I need to fit in photos and messages of well wishes and I decided that a handmade scrapbook will exactly fit the bill.
This easy scrapbook idea is very beginner friendly as I consider myself a newbie when it comes to scrapbooking too. But this scrapbook design is unique which makes it a really special gift. I will try to share this DIY scrapbook tutorial as best as I can in hopes that this will help somebody who is looking for a special gift idea for their friend too.
This scrapbook is about A5 in size. I used 3 A4 cardstock in navy blue colours and cut them in the middle crosswise so I ended up with 6 pages. Then, I scored all of the cardstock pieces on one side at half an inch. The tabs created by creasing the pages were used to attach each cardstock to each other and form the base of the scrapbook.
The layout of this handmade scrapbook was made up of 12 pages front to back. I splattered all pages with different metallic golds and pearl white. I also brushed gold ink randomly, which added a beautiful shine on the pages.
At first, it was difficult to decide where to put things, but I learned a very effective scrapbooking technique.
This step by step scrapbooking guide is self-made, so please bear with these ideas. First, I laid out the photos and message cards. Then I decided how to embellish the entire scrapbook. I decided a colour scheme and figured that adding pink to the dark blue, gold, and silver creates a beautiful contrast. Using Spellbinders Be Bold Bloom dies set, I used the 2 flower dies and cut them on white smooth paper. For the bigger flower die, I cut 5 pieces and about 10 pieces for the smaller flower die.
I coloured each flower using a blending brush and pink and red distress inks – Worn Lipstick (Distress Ink) and Real Red (Stampin’ Up!). I started brushing with the darker red from the inside and then went lighter as I colour outwards, leaving the outer edges white. For the middle of the flowers, I used a glittery gold thin cardstock. I also die cut a variety of leaves in silver, gold and vellum.
I just went free style and placed the elements where I think they fit, trying how it would look if the flowers and leaves were glued here and there. So really, it’s not a difficult scrapbooking process – for me, going with the flow makes this handmade gift more creative and special.
I also printed and die cut some words like “we will miss you” at the front and then “happy thanksgiving” (since our friend was from church), hello, etc. At the last page of the scrapbook, I included Sis. Mel’s name in large gold letter die cuts.
Finally, for added embellishments, I added gold confetti stars on random parts of the scrapbook. I also added an additional blank white card at the back which is kept inside a blue pocket for additional messages – after all, what is a scrapbook without the heartfelt messages 🥰
Hugs in a Card 