Scrapbook Layout 12x12 - Love This!

I had so much fun putting this layout together because honestly… these photos completely tell the story all on their own 😄

Remi trying carrot cake for the first time was just too cute not to scrapbook. You can almost see her little thought process happening from photo to photo…

👉 “Ummmm… what is this?”
👉 “Okay… maybe another bite…”
👉 “Actually… I think I like this!” 

I didn’t really overthink this page too much. I just wanted it to feel soft, sweet and happy, so I pulled together some pastel pink papers, florals and butterflies from my stash and started layering everything across the middle of the page.

Layout Design:

• Colours –  I went with a soft, layered design with a gentle mix of pastel colours—pink, orange, black and white.  I've used quite a few different patterned papers, including the green polka dot piece that helps anchor the photo while still keeping things fresh and playful.
  
  
• Photos - I used three 3x4 photos centred along the middle of the layout.  I love using black photo mats on layouts like this because they help ground all the softer colours and stop the page from feeling too pale or floaty. 
  
  
• Title -Alpha Letters  –  The use of  black letters for the title also helps draw your eye straight to the photos. The black also helps draw your eye straight to the photos.
  
  
• Embellishments - The floral clusters and butterflies were really just built up as I went. I tucked bits in here and there until it felt balanced without becoming too busy. The yellow butterfly ended up being one of my favourite little touches because it adds that tiny pop of warmth amongst all the pinks and soft blues.
  
  
• Journalling - Simple but effective — telling the little story behind the photos and capturing the moment in a natural conversational way. These kinds of everyday memories are honestly the best ones to scrapbook because they freeze those tiny expressions and reactions you’d otherwise forget over time.

Techniques Used:

• Layering patterned papers: One of the main techniques on this layout is simple paper layering. I layered several strips and blocks of patterned paper across the centre of the page to create a foundation for the photos and embellishments. This helps build depth without needing lots of complicated techniques.
  
  The softer pink patterns all work together because they stay within a similar colour palette, but the different prints still add interest and stop the page from feeling flat. I also love mixing subtle patterns like this because it creates texture visually without overwhelming the photos.
  
  The scalloped paper at the top and bottom softens the whole design and gives the page a more whimsical feel.
  
  
• Creating balance with embellishment clusters: I used embellishment clusters to help move the eye around the page and create visual balance. Instead of spreading embellishments everywhere, I grouped them into three main areas ie top right, bottom left and bottom right. This creates what we often call a “visual triangle,” which helps guide your eye around the layout naturally.
  
  The clusters themselves are made up of layered florals, leaves and butterflies tucked together at different heights and angles so that the page feels full without looking cluttered.
  
  
• Using black accents for contrast: The black title letters and black photo mats play a really important role in this layout. Because the papers and embellishments are all quite soft and pastel, adding black creates visual grounding and helps everything stand out more clearly.
  
  Without the black accents, the layout could have easily started blending together too much. The darker elements help frame the photos, make the title pop, and naturally draw your eye into the centre of the page. It’s one of my favourite little tricks when working with softer colour palettes.
  
  
• Repetition of florals and butterflies: Repeating elements across a page helps create cohesion, and this layout uses repetition really well. The florals appear in multiple clusters around the page, while the butterfly motif is repeated both at the top and bottom of the design. The repeated soft colours — pinks, yellows and pale blues — also help tie everything together.
  
  Repeating shapes and colours is such an easy way to make a layout feel polished without needing to overcomplicate the design.
  
  
• Storytelling through sequential photos: The three photos work almost like little frames in a story. Instead of using random separate images, these photos capture a sequence of reactions, which adds personality and movement to the page. This is one of my favourite ways to scrapbook everyday moments because it allows the expressions and reactions to become part of the storytelling itself.
  
  
• Using Stash & Leftover Pieces Creatively: This layout is also a really good example of stash-busting in action. A lot of scrapbook layouts don’t need full collections or perfectly matching products. Sometimes mixing older embellishments, leftover papers and random die cuts creates even more personality.
  
  Using scraps and older stash pieces also gives layouts a more collected and layered feel rather than looking overly coordinated straight out of a packet.

Want the Sketch for this layout?

I share each layout over on the Scrap of Your Life Facebook Page and you can find all the layout sketches in the Facebook Creative Craft Community so you can save the sketch and create this layout too. This sketch is Sketch Layout no. 1.

The sketch is only available inside the community (not on the business page), so if you’d like to grab it and have a play, come join us over there 😊

If you use the sketch - don't forget to tag #scrapofyourlife.

Let me know in the comments if you like this sketch!