Tips for Scrapbooking Your Travel Memories

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Are you a crafty traveler? Scrapbooking is a great way to preserve those travel memories and is something I love to do in my downtime! Photos are great memories, but sometimes a few little extra embellishments and some journaling can really make that memory shine.

Even if you aren’t into crafts, scrapbooking can be for everyone. It doesn’t have to be too complicated – a little really does go a long way. A super crafty friend of mine got me hooked on being a scrapbooker a couple of years ago and while I’m no pro, I can offer a few tips for you to start scrapbooking your travel memories.

Helpful General Tips

1. Save Everything!

Seriously, I save postcards, magazines, brochures, tickets, drink stirrers, napkins, business cards, maps, receipts, etc. You can always throw out what you don’t use, but I love having extra things to play around with and provide some texture. The photo below, for example, is a collection of everything I saved from a trip to Paris and Italy.

2. Paper Selection

I like to buy my paper on sale from Hobby Lobby, Michael’s or Joann’s. There are paper sales ALL THE TIME. A whole pad of paper can be on sale for up to 50% off! Or, if a designer paper pad is your big ticket item of the day, craft stores usually have a 40% off one item coupon you can use.

I rarely pay full price for paper, unless I see something I just have to have in that moment. And, pads of paper generally have a bunch of different prints all in one, so if you are tight on funds, one will serve you well for a long time.

I generally use a combination of 12 x 12 full pages and smaller “pocket page” cards. Pocket page cards are awesome pre-cut cards that help save time by not having to measure out and cut your own paper, like these from Project Life. I like to get the Project Life kits if I can from Hobby Lobby or Michael’s using the nifty 40% off coupon since they are generally a little more expensive.

Here are some examples of both a full-page layout, and a pocket page layout:

project life scrapbook layout — Pocket Page Layout

3. Make Collages

I figured out very quickly that scrapbooking with 4 x 6 photos was just not going to work, at least for me. I take so many photos, that it is just impossible to scrap that many 4 x 6 photos. By making photo collages, I can fit so much more in on one page!

If I really love a photo or want it to stand out, I will print it a 4 x 6 and place it among the rest of the photos on that page to be the focal point. If you don’t have a printer or program that will make collages for you, Walgreen’s is super easy! Just upload a bunch of photos and arrange them in the collage how you want.

I generally use coupon codes at Walgreen’s to save some money – and they have photo coupon codes all the time!

4. Journal

This is something that I still struggle with, but writing down a little description of what you did/ate/saw really pulls your pages together. Pictures are definitely worth a thousand words, but a few extra can’t hurt right?

5. Always Check for Sales

Craft stuff is always on sale (like I mentioned above regarding paper). My favorite craft stores are Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, and Joann’s – or, you may find it cheaper on Amazon! I am always looking for a good deal, and scrapbooking supplies can add up. There are just too many crafting goodies out there!

My Favorite Products

Silhouette Cameo

I loooove this little machine! But what is it exactly? To use the Cameo, you download “cut files” to your computer and your Cameo will cut those files out on the paper, fabric, or other material of your choice. You can visit the Silhouette online store and download a free shape every week, and they also have weekly clearance items that you can usually get for half the cost.

Amazon has a starter bundle that includes a cut mat, blade, and a few other helpful items. The possibilities are really endless with this little machine! You can also go on Pinterest and search for free “SVG” cut files if you want to be cheap, like me. Ha.

Cutterpillar Paper Cutter

A paper cutter is the most necessary scrapbooking tool to have. I first saw the Cutterpillar at a scrapbook expo a couple of years ago, and my friends purchased it as a gift for my birthday later that year. I can’t find that available online anymore but here is an affordable alternative by Fiskars, which was the first brand of paper cutter I worked with.

Other Recommended Products

Scrapbook Album

I prefer the 3-Ring Albums to the post bound albums, since I usually have A LOT of pages to fit in them and they are easy to work with. I usually get mine from Hobby Lobby.

Protector Pages

You’ll want to be sure to get lots of Pocket Pages or 12 x 12 Full page protectors to put all your designs in! I used a combination of both for some visual variety.

Scrapbooking Tape

I like these combo packs of the tape and the little squares. I use them both, depending on the object.

Journaling Pens

I like to use these fine point Pilot Pens because they make my handwriting look better!

Scissors

Get yourself a pair of scissors you can dedicate to paper cutting. No borrowing the kitchen shears 😉

Washi Tape

This isn’t a necessity, but I really encourage using washi tape, which adds a fun component to your pages. There are literally hundreds and hundreds to choose from – but these travel related ones will get you started, or these more basic patterns.

Glue

For those things that the scrapbook tape wont stick to, or if you need to use a tiny bit of adhesive, I like to use this glue from Tombow.

Date Stamp

I like to date all my pages, unless I have a memento like a ticket stub that has the date printed on it already. One of these date stampers is a great think to have – and of course you’ll need some ink too!

Travel-Related Goodies

I really love the Project Life line of products. The kits are my favorite when I don’t feel like cutting my own paper!

These wood embellishments are so cute! I love adding different materials to my pages:

Laser Cut Wooden Travel Theme Cutout

Lastly, stickers. I am a sticker-holic. If you’ve ever been to the sticker section of a craft store, you will know just how crazy it can be. It’s so hard to choose, but I do find myself lately searching for the stickers with sayings, words, letters, numbers, and dates.

Wow! I could totally go on and on, but hopefully this will get you started. If you’re already a scrapbooker, what are some of your helpful tips? Any brands or items that you would recommend?