How to Choose the Perfect Scrapbook Style for You

Scrapbooking is such a personal and fun way to document life’s moments, and over the years, I’ve tried just about every format out there. When I started scrapbooking 20+ years ago, I didn’t realize how much my style and preferences would evolve. Let me share my journey with you, along with some tips to help you find the format that works best for your stories, style, and lifestyle.

My Scrapbooking Journey

When I first started scrapbooking, I had a specific project in mind: a baby album for my high school sweetheart (now my husband!). I used a pre-made album and didn’t worry much about storytelling—just the photos and making it look cute.

Fast forward to my daughter’s baby album, where I went all out with 12x12 layouts. I loved every second of creating those pages—so much so that I ended up with two full albums of her first three months alone! By the time I had my third child, life was so busy that I switched to digital albums through Shutterfly.

Then came a long break. We moved, and I didn’t have a craft space, so scrapbooking took a backseat. While I used Shutterfly for a while, I realized I missed the tactile side of scrapbooking. There’s just something special about the feel of paper, stickers, and all the layers that digital can’t replace. So around 2018/2019 (thank you, Pinterest and Instagram!), I got inspired again. I started following some amazing scrapbookers and discovered new formats like 8x8, 6x6, and traveler’s notebooks. Eventually, I stumbled into mini albums through a class taught by Erica Rose Creates, and let me tell you—I was hooked.

Why I Still Love 12x12 Layouts

The Pros:

• Room to Create: Whether it’s a bunch of photos or lots of pretty embellishments, 12x12 layouts give me the space to go big.
• Classic Style: It’s timeless and always feels like home.

The Cons:

• Storage Issues: They’re big and bulky, which means they take up a lot of space.
• Size: Unlike other smaller formats, they require a bit of commitment to sit and flip through due to the larger size.

Mini Albums: My New Favorite

Mini albums have completely stolen my heart. They’re fun, versatile, and my kids love them.

Why I Love Them:

• Perfect for Themes: Whether it’s a holiday, a season, or an event, mini albums let me create focused, complete projects.
• Kid-Friendly: My kids are always drawn to them—they’ll grab a mini album before a 12x12 layout any day.
• Pretty Décor: They’re like little works of art I can display in my craft room or around the house.

One Small Downside:

• They can take a lot of time to put together, but they’re worth it!

What I Learned About Traveler’s Notebooks

I really wanted to love traveler’s notebooks, but they just weren’t my thing.

Why They Didn’t Work for Me:

• Texture Issues: I love layers and chunky embellishments, which don’t play well with the slim binding of a notebook.
• Balance Problems: My notebooks ended up super lopsided, which drove me nuts!

My Short-Lived Memory Planner Phase

I also tried memory planners for half a year using Heidi Swapp’s system, which combines planning with scrapbooking.

What I Liked:

• More Storytelling: They helped me include more writing and reflections.
• Creative Meets Functional: It was a fun way to stay organized while documenting memories.

Why I Stopped:

• Time-Consuming: It took away from the time I’d rather spend scrapbooking.
• Handwriting Woes: No matter how hard I tried to improve, I still don’t love seeing my handwriting on every page.

What Works for You?

If you’re trying to figure out which scrapbook format is right for you, start by thinking about what you enjoy most:

• Do you love storytelling or designing pretty layouts?
• Do you prefer big projects or smaller, themed ones?
• Are you short on time and looking for something quick, or do you love diving into detailed work?

Experiment with different formats—you might be surprised by what you fall in love with!

Let’s Chat!

I hope sharing my scrapbooking journey helps you figure out what works best for you. If you’re curious about any of the formats I mentioned or want to try something new, let me know! I’d be happy to answer your questions and cheer you on. 😊

Xo,

Inessa