Going on adventures is, well, adventurous! It can be fun, daunting, and exhilarating all at once. Each journey brings with it a rush of excitement, new experiences, and unforgettable moments.
However, once you return home and settle back into your daily routine, those thrilling travels can quickly become distant memories. The details that once felt vivid may fade over time, leaving you with only a hazy recollection of your adventures.
Don't panic, though! There are many ways to keep those memories alive. You can make photo albums, keep travel journals, create scrapbooks, drawings or even music with your adventures as the inspiration.
My chosen way of capturing and freezing those memories is by creating a travel journal scrapbook. I am not an artist or doodler, I don't paint or craft abstract art. My art form is photography and writing. Those are the ways I express myself and capture the moments most dear to me. Combining the two, I am able to produce this scrapbook that is full of colour and life, vibrantly preserving the trip for years to come in a way that throws me back into those memories every time I look at the pages. Not only do I capture the big moments, but I write about the little things that made the trip so special, the memories that are likely to be lost or thwarted with time.
Everyone has their own way of doing scrapbooks, and that’s what makes it so much fun! Since we all have different styles, you might find that you need a bunch of different materials to match your vibe. Whether it’s colorful papers, fun stickers, washi tape, or other cool embellishments, the choices are endless. Playing around with different supplies lets you personalize your scrapbook and really show off your adventures in a way that feels true to you. So, don’t be afraid to try new things and see what works best for you—it’ll make your scrapbooking journey even more enjoyable!
You will probably need:
Scrapbook:
- You could use a notebook for this, but I find the pages are often too flimsy, and the ink tends to leak through, which means you can only write on one side. If you add a bunch of photos or receipts, the notebook might not close properly which I dislike as I feel its messy, but if that works for you, go for it!
- Ring binders are a great option! You can grab a pack of plain paper and design it however you like. The best thing about binders is that you can easily take out pages and swap them out if you change your mind or forget something. Plus, they come in all sorts of designs, sizes, and shapes to fit your needs.
- I’ve used purpose-made scrapbooks for mine. I really like the colors of the pages and the overall feel of the book. The pages are thick and sturdy, which is a plus. You can customize the front and back pages, and they come in different sizes and styles. I love the brown ones because they add a nice touch to the journal’s vibe. Scrapbooks are pretty thick and filled with pages. The one I used for my Scotland trip has also become my Ireland trip scrapbook, I just started from the back since there were so many empty pages. Two trips, one book—saving the planet one bit at a time!
Glue or double-sided tape
Scissors
Pens, pencils and markers
You might want to include:
Coloured paper or card
Colored paper or card is easy to find and comes in an endless array of designs, so you’re sure to discover something that fits the vibe you’re going for! Most craft shops sell packs, but if you’re looking for specific designs, searching online might be your best bet. Etsy has a fantastic selection. I’ve used card as backing paper for photos, filled in empty gaps on the pages to complete them, or even added random pieces on the page and written over them. It’s a great way to add some flair and personality to your scrapbook!
Photos from your trip
Photos are the main bulk of my additions to my scrapbook, alongside writing. Take photos of everything on your travels like your meals, where you are staying, a dog you met or a bird that was following you. You never know what photos you might want for your scrapbook. You can either get a camera that prints photos as you go, or take them on your phone or camera and print them when you get home. I use Snapfish to print all of my photos as you get 50 free prints a month (you just pay postage). It’s a great way to capture and preserve those special moments!
Collectibles
Leaflets, receipts, parking tickets, venue tickets, bus or train tickets, and maps are all fantastic items to collect from your adventures. They look awesome when used to fill in empty gaps on your scrapbook pages. Not only do they add visual interest, but they also serve as great reminders of your experiences and the places you visited!
Art work
If you love coloring, drawing, or doodling while you travel, find a spot that inspires you and then later add your creations to your scrapbook. You can even include poems!
Embellishments
Stickers, washi tape, stamps, magazine cutouts, ribbons, and other decorative goodies can really make your scrapbook pop! They bring your pages to life with memories and emotions.
Stamps and Ink
Using ink stamps on your scrapbook pages can give them a cool vintage vibe. Just make sure to let the ink dry completely before closing the book!
Write ups of your journey
At the end of each day while I’m traveling, I jot down everything I did, the places I visited, and the moments that made me smile or cry in a little diary. I include even the tiniest details that might seem insignificant at the time, but trust me, you'll appreciate it when you look back years later. These moments could include what you cooked for dinner or if you had a really bad day and the lesson you learned from it, or if you found a starfish at the beach and it made you smile. If you just want to focus on making a scrapbook without the journaling, feel free to skip this part!
You can add digital elements to your pages, if your tech savvy! Things like maps or photo collages. There are some apps that allow you to design digital scrapbook pages and print them off, too.
Now that you have everything you need, I recommend finding a nice surface where you can spread out all your materials. This way, you can leave everything out and keep your scrapbook open while waiting for ink or glue to dry! Personally, I use my art desk for this purpose, and I usually let everything dry overnight before closing it up to reduce the risk of smudging and ink transference.
As for the rest of the process, it’s completely up to you! Think about how you want to lay out your scrapbook, what elements you want to add, and the overall aesthetic you’re aiming for. There are no strict rules here—it's all about your personal style and creativity.
I cannot give you a step-by-step guide here as it is your creation. I can, however, give you some inspiration and explain my process to give you an idea on where to start!
I like to organize my scrapbook pages by days, like day one, day two, and so on. It helps me keep everything in chronological order and makes it easier to reflect on my travels.
Before I stick anything down or write on the pages, I always take a moment to plan the layout for each individual page. I carefully place the photos where I want them, and if I have any receipts or mementos from that day, I’ll position them among the photos too. If I have too many photos to fit on the page or if some contain a lot of 'wasted space,' I choose to cut them up and include only the sections I want. For instance, if there's a photo of my dog in a field, I would cut out just Anayah and place her on the page.
I make sure to leave enough space for my write-up, as I want everything to fit nicely together. Once I’m completely happy with the arrangement, I’ll stick everything down and then add the writing. For the titles, I use a specific font related to where I went, while I use my own handwriting for the main text because I am not committed enough to keep a certain font up all the way through!
After that, if there are any gaps left on the page, I love to fill them with stickers, stamps, and washi tape. Sometimes, I even plan with those decorative elements in mind, leaving intentional spaces just for them. If I come across a magazine cutout that fits the theme of the page, I’ll definitely add that too. It’s all about making each page feel vibrant and full of life!
These photos showcase the very first pages I created in my very first scrapbook! At the time, I was still quite new to the whole process, and my creative spark was a bit low, but as I practiced, my pages became more polished and visually appealing. Even though I feel my skills have improved, I still have a soft spot for these initial pages.
On the front page, I decided to include a map of Ireland, complete with pins marking every place I stopped during my travels. I made the map using Google Maps and then printed it out, then noted my favourite places of the trip on the cover. I didn't want to over-do the pages which is easily done. I have found that most of the time less is more. I also noted the miles I drove and walked, which really captured the essence of my adventure. For the first page, I wrote about my feelings leading up to the trip, sharing my thoughts during the packing and organizing process.
After that, I jumped into the day journals, documenting everything I wrote while I was traveling. It was a fun way to capture my daily experiences and emotions! For added flair, I printed a flag and a compass specifically for the scrapbook, which really tied the theme together. The ferry image was a magazine cutout that I thought fit perfectly with the travel vibe I was going for.
The further I got into the designing process, the more I learned about colours and themes. Before, I would just throw a bunch of random stuff on a page and hoped it would look good. Now I search for additions that would enhance the theme of the pictures or the day. If I had a day that was mostly visiting beaches, I would find sea or blue themed stickers, tape or card. If it was a forest themed day, I'd find fauna and flora embellishments that fitted. For example, the pages below were autumn and sea themed as it was an autumnal day with lots of sea views. The stickers and tape I used were all along that theme. These pages are out of the Scotland trip side of the scrapbook (it's not finished yet!)!
I love adding quotes to my scrapbook! Whether it's a travel quote or some lyrics from a song that match the vibe of the day, it really brings everything to life. Magazines are a goldmine for this—there are so many quotes just waiting to be snipped out and added to your pages. I’ve got a stash of old National Geographic and photography magazines that I use for cutouts, along with free food magazines from supermarkets, travel brochures, and my local parish magazine. These resources are fantastic for inspiration because they can spark ideas on how to set up your pages.
If you're looking for even more sources of inspiration, definitely check out Pinterest and Instagram! They’re filled with creative ideas. Plus, Etsy and other online shops offer pre-made scrapbook pages if you’re not in the mood to create your own or if you just want some fresh design concepts. And don’t forget about TikTok and YouTube—they have tons of helpful videos showcasing layout ideas and other fun additions you can incorporate into your scrapbook.
So there you have it—your ultimate guide to creating a travel scrapbook that’s as unique as your adventures! Remember, there are no hard and fast rules here; it’s all about capturing those memories in a way that feels right to you. Whether you’re layering photos, adding quotes, or even sticking in little mementos, each page tells your own story. So grab those supplies, let your creativity flow, and have fun with it! Your scrapbook isn’t just a collection of pages; it’s a beautiful journey through your travels that you can revisit anytime you want. Happy scrapping, and may your pages be filled with joy and inspiration!
Good luck with your creations! I would love to see them when they are done. You can either send me an email or connect with me on social media!
Comments