One of the best parts of the Memoirs & Memories collection is how adaptable it is. There are so many different layouts you can create with it, from academic achievements to milestone moments and anything in-between. When blog contributor Natalie got her hands on the collection, the flexibility of it was the first thing she noticed. Take a look at the rustic scrapbook layout she was able to create and imagine the possibilities that come with it!
Natalie’s Inspiration
When I first saw this collection, I fell in love with the versatility of the paper and stickers. I can use it on any number of page layouts. I just happened to be working on highlighting our Alaskan cruise in our family album and I love how the layouts turned out. I always try to fit as many photos on a page as possible and decorate with embellishments after I’ve finished adding journal spaces and titles.
Layout created by Natalie Burgess – CM Independent Advisor
Layout created by Natalie Burgess – CM Independent Advisor
For this this project, you will need:
- Memoirs & Memories Paper Pack or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- Memoirs & Memories Variety Mat Pack or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- Memoirs & Memories Stickers or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- Navy Cardstock or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- 12-inch Trimmer with Straight & Wave Blades or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- Personal Trimmer or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- Medallion Punch or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- Custom Cutting System with Circle & Rectangle Patterns or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- White 12×12 Plain Refill Pages or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- Tape Runner or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- Repositionable Tape Runner Refill or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
- Dual-Tip Pens or (Shop Canada | Shop Australia)
Page 1:
Step 1: Use a White 12×12 Plain Refill Page as your background.
Step 2: Using the Medallion Punch, punch five medallions down the left side of a piece of dark patterned paper. Punch three more medallions from Navy Cardstock and two medallions from light patterned paper. Adhere the medallions to the punched holes on the paper, alternating each one.
Step 3: Using the 12-inch Trimmer with the Wave Blade, cut a strip of light patterned paper that measures 5-3/4″ x 12″.
Step 4: Cut two photos using the Custom Cutting System and Circle Patterns. Cut two mats from Navy Cardstock using the Custom Cutting System and Circle Patterns. Mat the photos.
Step 5: Trim three photos to measure 5″ x 3-3/4″ and adhere them to the layout, as shown. Mat the middle photo with Navy Cardstock.
Step 6: Add a journal box by cutting a mat in half. Journal with a Black Dual-Tip Pen and add stickers as desired.
Pages 2 & 3:
Step 1: Create a two-page spread by using the back side of the Page One layout and another White 12×12 Plain Refill Page.
Step 2: Add one border sticker to the left edge of the left page and one border sticker to the right edge of the right page.
Step 3: Cut two pieces of dark patterned paper that measure 6″ x 12″ using the the 12-inch Trimmer with the Wave Blade. Align the one piece with the right side of the left page and adhere with the wavy side toward the middle. Align the other piece with the left edge of the right page and adhere with the wavy side toward the middle.
Step 4: Use the Custom Cutting System and Rectangle Patterns to cut eight photos. Cut four mats using the Custom Cutting System and Rectangle Patterns, two from Navy Cardstock and two from light patterned paper. Adhere the photos to the layout, as shown.
Step 5: Cut two photos using the Custom Cutting System and Circle Patterns. Create two mats from Navy Cardstock using the Custom Cutting System and Circle Patterns. Mat the photos.
Step 6: Using the Medallion Punch, punch two from dark patterned paper and four from light patterned paper. Adhere them to the layout, as shown, alternating each one.
Step 7: Cut a small square from a mat and adhere it to the layout. Journal on the square and around the photos with a Dual-Tip Pen.
Step 8: Finish the layout by adding stickers throughout, as shown.
There’s no limit to what types of photos you can use with this vintage scrapbook layout — that’s the beauty of it, there are no rules! What stands out to you the most when you look it? What kinds of photos will you use? Let us know in the comments below!
I LOVE these layouts. Both of them are clean and fresh with the focus on the pictures. The embellishments are there, but do not overshadow or hide the pictures ! AND there’s more than 2 or 3 pictures on a page. My kind of scrapbooking !
I am thrilled to see a blog contributor state that, “I always try to fit as many photos on a page as possible and decorate with embellishments after I’ve finished adding journaling spaces and titles.”! I’ve been a CM scrapbooker for 27 years, and I couldn’t agree more that Natalie’s approach to creating a page is exactly what the philosophy of CM was at the beginning. Most unfortunately, too many of CM’s blog posts for page ideas now contain layers and layers of decorative paper and/or cardstock and so many embellishments that it becomes hard to even see the one to three pictures included on the page! On one such blog post, I counted ELEVEN layers of paper!!! Come on, CM, what happened to maintaining the integrity of your great strap-hinge albums by not overloading the pages with fluff?
I may be in the minority, but my goal in keeping scrapbook albums is to record my family’s history in a safe and beautiful way which will last for generations. I will never choose to put so much paper and so many embellishments on my layouts that I wonder what the focus of the page is supposed to be. And I will ALWAYS include journaling to describe the action in the pictures. I’ve noticed that journaling is another thing that some blog contributors leave sadly lacking.
So, thank you, Natalie, for bringing some sense to a blog post. Your pages are beautiful.
Count me in as well. I love the original templates for that reason: minimal cutting of photos and lots of photos per page.
AMEN.
I totally agree with Wendy, Lynette & Lisa. Love this layout. I will be using it this Saturday at a crop.
WAY TO GO NATALIE!!!!!! I am proud to say that Natalie is MY independent advisor!!!!!!I HAVE BEEN WITH HER SINCE THE YEAR AFTER SHE STARTED IN 1997!!! She has kept me excited about scrapbooking since I retired and it is my best hobby.
I’ve been a consultant for 22yrs and I’m in full agreement with those who know the value of a scrapbook that preserves the photos and the journaling more than the decorations. That said….I LOVE the border punches, punches and other tools that add so many options for a plain page or embellished page or a “fussy” page. Choice is great. My customers vary from one end of the spectrum to the other. I’m glad I can still offer them what THEY want to make their albums THEIR way. Long live CM!!
So glad their are still some of us left who love the simple layouts, 5 to 6 photos on a page and journaling, journaling, journaling ! Don’t get me wrong, I love looking at this blog and seeing the different ideas. And I’ve used some of them, just paired them down to the basics. I’ll be honest and say that there are times that I fret way too long over what colors I want to use and what stickers will work, but the focus is still on the pictures. I love all the border punches and other tools and use them all the time, but still use a minimal approach. And I love the CM products, so very happy to have them back ! But sometimes feel like these layouts that are layers and layers are geared towards getting us to go through our products quickly so that we can buy, buy, buy.
I agree —The simpler the better as far as I’m concerned! Less stressful that way, for me, at least. Some of my gals like to be more artistic, & that’s great, too! There’s room for everyone 👍 at our crops😀
Quick question. Which rectangular pattern is used for the square-looking photos and mats? The square pattern appears to be too big to use mats and photos within the designated area as I’m trying to duplicate the layouts. It seems it would be better to use the 12″ Trimmer to cut a square size that will fit properly. Any comments?
Bravo on this post. I’m not the most artistic person when it comes to doing pages, so I love 💕 this approach. Simple but decorative with many photos featured.
Thank you for showing us that the “old way” of doing CM is still out there. I’m very glad that this blog is able to highlight all of our interests in creating our own pages.