By Cherry 2026
If you’re completely new to scrapbooking or junk journaling, I recommend starting with a beginner’s guide first. But today, we’re talking about building pages that go beyond the usual routine.
The best part about scrapbooks is that they are personal. They belong to you and your eyes only. But even so, we still want them to be pretty and not mundane.
Eventually, you’ll get tired of the same routine: writing, pasting stickers, doodling, and repeating. Although that itself is fun, we’re bound to ask ourselves — scrapbooking is a creative hobby, so doing the same thing again can only develop your skills for so long.
So, here are 5 ways to make your pages more creative.
When I first got into scrapbooking and junk journaling, I had no idea what I was doing. Even though it’s supposed to be a pressure-free hobby, I still want to make my pages look as pretty as the ones I saw online.
I knew this hobby was meant to be personal, something just for me. But at the same time, I still wanted my journal to look nice. Not for other people, just for myself. And at the end of the day, it wouldn’t really be a hobby if you couldn’t enjoy it your own way.
So, as someone who also started from nothing, here are a few basics that will help you start and not quit halfway through your first journal.
1. Flat Surfaces
Paper is commonly torn and shaped before being glued or taped into a journal. But have you ever considered other flat materials that can be added inside?
Maybe this is normal for experienced junk journalese, but for others, it might not be.
I recommend using:
- Old fabric
- Receipts
- Leaves
- Random textured papers
The sky is the limit — or at least anything flat is.
Speaking from experience, when you include these in your book, they spark memories more than anything else. Not everything is easy to glue, though, so I recommend getting:
- Double-sided tape
- Strong adhesive tape
- Glue gun + glue sticks
2. Non-Flat Surfaces
This contrasts with the previous idea, but that’s okay — because when it comes to scrapbooking, the sky really is the limit.
From personal experience, take any small object lying around your house and try crafting it into your book. I once used a Tic Tac container to make a shaker page and even added googly eyes to my friends in photos.
If your goal is to preserve memories, use objects that feel interesting, new, or oddly meaningful.
Anything can be rebuilt into something beautiful — but if it truly has no potential, let it go. We don’t want to become hoarders.
Some useful tools:
- Craft cutter
- Glue
- Strong tape
Even though creativity thrives on constraints, having the right tools helps.
3. Pop-Ups
There’s something wonderful about being able to interact with a page. Toddlers seem to love it — and honestly, so do we.
A pop-up doesn’t have to be grand. Even a simple window flap can add excitement.
But measure properly.
Without rulers and guidelines, you’ll spend HOURS fixing mistakes.
Tools you’ll need:
- Ruler (at least 15cm)
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Scissors
- Glue tape or glue stick
Precision saves time.
4. Ripping Pages
I know what it feels like to own a scrapbook full of memories. You treasure it like gold.
But hear me out — try ripping or cutting part of a page to reveal the previous or next page.
It creates layers, mystery, and a new way of seeing the story.
You can also rip a section and tape something flat between the layers to create a hidden insert.
To try this:
- Scissors
- Invisible tape
Sometimes breaking the page makes it better.
5. Anaglyph Glasses
You can hide a secret message in plain sight.
You can even create a pocket inside your journal to store the glasses.
Here’s how:
- Scribble over a page using red pencil.
- Write your hidden message in green pencil.
- View it using red cellophane.
To make DIY glasses:
- Cut two identical cardboard frames.
- Cut red cellophane slightly bigger than the frame.
- Sandwich the cellophane between cardboard layers.
- Glue everything together.
Materials needed:
- Red cellophane paper
- Coloured pencils (red + green)
- Glue tape
- Glue gun
This is a little suggestion and idea inspiration that made scrapbooking more fun for me, so I’d hope you guys would love these ideas and share some of them with me