Are you storing your kid’s sweet little drawings causing chaos? Here’s our guide for Simple Scrapbooking for Real Parents.
Lately you may have found yourself making more crafts than normal or trying to organize all those boxes, envelopes and more of the kids’ photos, momentos, etc.?
Yes, we all are. Or at least trying.
Even with all this “extra time,” that doesn’t mean that you want to spend all of it meticulous;y creating some beautiful scrapbook only to hate the final result? Don’t worry where there’s a will, there’s a way – and our way is much easier, practical and efficient than those top-line scrapbooks made by those perfect Pinterest mamas (that’s not us, either.)
Guide for Simple Scrapbooking for Real Parents
Paper
I have tons of random paper all over our house and this is the best place to use it! There’s no rule to making things match! So get creative and use what you have, even make some of the memories part of the process like maps, menus, etc. or for just almost $6 order a collection of scrapbook papers with all different designs and colors to easily put in your plastic sleeves.
Got nothing on hand? Then let canva the work for you. I’m not sure what I did before this super easy graphics maker and I’m so glad I don’t have to. The online transforms you into a marketing / graphics genius with easy scrapbooking templates like these. You can either print them out to add your photos or scan/download your photos and make your entire sheet in canva.
Stuck on Fun
Oh man, this is where things get sticky! Sticky dots, photo corners and definitely this amazing adhesive tape makes my world work. No mess and no stress – all of these make it easier to make your scrapbook look good without the work.
Envelopes
Have a few envelopes laying around? Put them to work. Many times we’ve collected small momentos like tickets, post its, maybe even a piece of hair. An envelope makes for a cute way to make it attractive and easy to put in the scrapbook. The name of the game is easy, right?
Putting it Together
You don’t even have to use a “photo album” or “scrapbook” when making your book. Consider using a favorite book or magazine to be the binding for your scrapbook. I love using the instax mini camera from FujiFilm to take photos for parties. And now’s an even better time to use them and record some of the memories you’re making at home right now.
Don’t Forget to Document THIS
Speaking of now, you really do need to find a way to record your family’s experiences through the Corona-19 pandemic. While I am not thrilled to record our latest events as they don’t exactly seem to be happy times, you can’t debate that these are going to be times that will be part of your child’s story. So instead record the experience with a time capsule. Start taking photos with that the instax and Modern Mom Life has some cool printables to make yours.
Still don’t want to make one with even less creative effort? Or want to multi-task and make a scrapbook that can be a gift to someone miles away?
Here are other ways to scrapbook without scrapbooking.
mixbook.com
It’s a one-stop shop to make your own scrapbook with mixbook. Even the printed version is formatted to lay flat and can be done on the computer and the mobile phone! Do all the photos, text, theme, printing, and even delivery. And with more than first order here.
Get up to 50% off + 10% off everything with code CHERISH for a limited time.)
shutterfly
I’m pretty sure I’ve made a ton of these for Mother’s Day and Christmas gifts! You do it all in shutterfly – the photos, the format, the colors, the theme – you name it! And then you order it to be delivered in a hard bound book! Right now get a free personalized scrapbook or up to 50% off orders for a limited time with free shipping plus 1% back using Rakuten when you shop (it’s free money.)
Ready to do some serious Scrapbooking?
The answer to all things creative nowadays seems to be done with the help of the Cricut! The ultimate cutting machine gives you the freedom to make everything from paper crafts, iron ons, and vinyl decals to sewing projects, leather crafts, and more!
- The ultimate in professional-level cutting performance and versatility
- Cuts 300+ materials, from the most delicate fabric and paper to matboard and leather
- Rotary Blade for cutting virtually any fabric without backer
And yes, I’m just figuring out how this Cricut works! (I will not admit how long I’ve had mine and how long it’s taken me to get this far!) But I want to share my new found love with you! So just in time for Mother’s Day, one lucky reader will win their own CRICUT MAKER!
More from mamachallenge.com
Holiday Fun for Everyone at the Hilton Anatole’s Sparkle- JCPenney Says MOM is #SoWorthIt For Mother’s Day
- Make-Ahead Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole
- Have a Blast This Independence Day at Horseshoe Bay Resort
- To-Do Thursdays: DFW Fun Runs with Zombies to Zebras
- Get Ahead of the Class for Back-to-School with $15 Giftcard from Just Between Friends Fort Worth!
I need a Cricut so I can make all the cute vinyl crafts! T-shirts, signs, bags, and all the things.
The sky is the limit with a Cricut Maker! I would scrapbook, make shirts, make items for school.
Love this! I’m always looking for ways to help me be more crafty. I need all the help I can get!
I’d make cute clothes for my son or some decor for his woodland themed bedroom ❤️🤞🏻
I think this scrapbook is a great idea and it would be perfect for our family that travels.
Very cool! I volunteer to teach a couple of art classes for kids at church during the school year, so I would love a Cricut. I know that some of the kids wants to make t-shirt decals, so that’s probably my top pick of what I would use it for with them!
I want to make ALL the t-shirts!
I’d make so many personalized items with all the families names on them. Probably too many lol.
I have ALWAYS wanted a Cricut to make custom gifts!
You’ve inspired me to take on a new hobby!
I’d make whatever my little heart desired lol ☺️❤️
I would use it to make vinyl cutouts, use for scrapbooking (have so much to catch up on), sky’s the limits ❤️
Craft projects would be so easy with a circuit!
OMG How I would love to win this. I love scrapbooking and card making and this would make it so much easier. I’ve used my friends but never been able to splurge on my own. Eeeeek! Fingers crossed 🤞🏽
I would make tshirts with my kids!
I would use it to make some cutouts for my scrapbook
I would use it to make templates for painting!
I would make homemade cards.
t-shirts!
This is definitely a fun activity to do with the whole family.
Simple is the best for me. I love the idea of intricate scrapbooking but with three kids and a ton of responsibilities, I can’t do all that fancy stuff.
I want to make wall art for my kids’ rooms!
Very cool ideas for scrapbooking. I have never used a cricut machine before, but they seem pretty awesome!
Some fancy cards
I love this so much! I’ve always wanted to scrapbook, but I just never had the time. Keeping it simple like this lets me do it and not take a million years.
I would like to make personalized tote.
This pretty cool. The idea of scrapbooking has always been better than actually scrapbooking for my family, mainly because of how much time it takes. I like the idea of a faster way.
I want to make a tote bag.
Hi I would make team shirts in memory for the three cancer walks I do each year.
I’d make those cool exploding boxes I’ve seen on Facebook pages
How fun! I just got a Cricut Joy and I’m completely obsessed and want to make everything!
I would make cards and decorative signs
I’d personalize all my children and granddaughter’s school supplies and water bottles.
I would make some quarantined graduation shirts for graduating students.
I would like to make some personalized greeting cards
I would like to make some fancy cool labels for my spare storage room stuff!
I want to learn to make scrapbooking stickers and all those cute vinyl crafts I see everywhere.
I would spice up my kids photo albums
I’d love to make banners and decals for my 4 kids’ rooms!
I remember when I did scrapbooking, the big tools were special scissors and cut-outs. This is so clever and impressive.
I made a lot of scrapbooks as a kid and that’s great to know that there are so many new tools, template and gadgets now to make the scrapbooks so much more beautiful 🙂
i havent explored any of those sites yet. but, will check them out. this looks so fun to do… 🙂
We’re having a baby here in a few weeks I would love to make some baby clothes for baby Kaydee
I love sketch books! The ideas that you have shared are great and the best part is that it is totally doable.
I will use the machine for making cards and my scrapbooking.
Make a sign for my workshop
I would make embellishments for my scrap books.
I’d use it to make t-shirts!
I would make everything!!!! Haha. But id start with cute home decor 💜💜
Such good ideas here for sure. The perfect time to start scrapbooking for sure during this lockdown x
An ideal time to be getting into simple scrapbooking. Personally, i love working with polaroids!
I would make everything! First thing would be cards to send to teachers and local hospitals saying thank you for all of their hard work!!
I LOVE this; this has inspired me to start making a scrapbook for the past 3 years and sort out all my videos n pictures 😀
thankyouuuuuuuuu, for this 🙂 love the post very creative and original
xtineloves.co.uk
I’d love to make my scrapbooks more personal and creative.
I want to make home decor items and t-shirts for the grandkids
I would make paper plants and flowers.
Stencils!
This is definitely a great idea to spend your time during these quarantine days and me, I am trying to be more crafty nowadays.
I would make greeting cards, pantry labels, personalized shirts, and so much more! The first thing I would make is a birthday card for my daughter!
I want to make original stencils for use in refinishing furniture
I would make t-shirts for my family.
I’d make a fun front window decoration for my neighbors to see as they take their daily walks. Make it something that the kiddos in the neighborhood could enjoy. Staying home, reading, crafting, blog viewing and staying safe. You all take care.
I’d love to make quote boards for my children!
I would use it for scrap booking!
I would make shirts for my kids
I would make personalized water bottles.
I would love to personalize some shirts for the family! I would also make personalized cups for my co-workers!
Not sure what I’d make, but I definitely would love to gift this to my mom.
These are some of the cutest templates and will make such a fun family project! Saving this pin and cannot wait to try!!
These sites are very resourceful. I will visit them and check them out. Thanks.
I would make shirts for our 4h club. thank you
I have been hearing a lot about Cricut. I really want to use it for my DIY projects.
I want to make personalized gifts!
T-shirts and monograms!!!
If I won, I would use this to make fun decorated t shirts.
I’d love to use a cricut to make homemade cards and do crafts with my daughter. 🙂
I’m trying to get organized, so making labels would be my first project!
My husband and I have been looking at these for at least a year. It would make a great addition to his woodworking and I love to do tshirts for special occasions.
I would make some fun shirts first!
I would make birthday cards for my family.
I want to make homemade cards.
I would love it for applique quilts.
I’d make scrapbooking pages. So much creativity and fun going on.
My girls would use it to make shirts that have something to do with dogs. They are all about dogs. Thank you
If I were to win this, the first thing I would create is something to send my students. As a 5thg rade teacher, my school year was cut short in mid-March. Now that they are going to middle school, I would love to create something for them to hang on to cherish the time that we had.
I would make place mats with it
Oh my goodness, I would make so many things with a cricut machine!! Cards, EVERYTHING with vinyl, home decor, scrapbook embellishments, cute gifts for family and friends… so many other things I can’t even think of right now 🙂
I’d love to make labels for my things I have and or make some photo scrapbooks.
This would go to my little niece who loves crafts she would love this so much
It would help with my creativity.
So much crafting to do, so little time.
I would use this to make designs for my hand made quilts.
I would love to make some leather earrings with the cricut!
I would make tshirts and seasonal decor.
The first thing I would make are cute labels for my pantry. I store a lot in mason jars and clear plastics. I love the look of an organized pantry.
I would make t shirts and maybe even try to figure out how to make Christmas ornaments for the family.
First thing I would love to make is tee shirts!
I would make t-shirts and personalized water bottles for all of our Little League’s kids.
I would love to make my own tshirts! I have lots of designs in mind!
i would love to be able to make some shirts with this
I would make cards to encourage those I love to keep the faith!
I would use it for projects for my Girl Scout troop!
Well, the possibilities are limitless, but I know I would use it to make personalized greeting cards. Thanks for the chance.
This would be amazing for making some new framed sayings for in my house as we have been repainting so now I need new things. I t would also be great for all the kids crafting over the summer and for making t shirts for trips if we can ever go anywhere.
I would make decor for my kids.
First item to make spice labels
I would make tshirts and make crafts with the kids for the holidays also
I would use it for scrapbook pages and making cards for family and friends.
Personalized tumblers for my kids!
I would give it to my daughter
not sure what she would make first
I would make signs, t-shirts, ornaments and scrapbook!
A vision board of all the things I want to do after quarantine and the pandemic is over!
i would make some cards
I would love to make some t-shirts. I would also do some scrapbooking and maybe make some greeting cards. The possibilities are endless!!!
Gosh, I don’t know for sure….probably some paper ornaments…I love paper crafts but have never tried a Cricut and really want to. Thanks and God bless!
I would love to make my own stickers with a Cricut! I spend so much on stickers that it would probably save me money in the long run!
I would make a gift of this for my best friend who loves scrapbooking and other crafts. She will love it.
Thanks for the contest.
I’d make a lot of cards and some shirts and shorts vinyl
I’d make so many personalized items with all the families names on them.
I would do t shirts, scrapbooking and make personal gifts.
I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE VINYL MONOGRAMS WITH THE CRICUT.
I would love to use it to make craft projects with my kids!
I WANT TO MAKE A TEE SHIRT FOR MY SON. HE IS GRADUATING FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL AND IS OVERSHADOWED WITH EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE GRADUATES MISSING OUT.
I WANT HIM TO BE HAPPY OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT.
I will make decorating images for graduating theme carda
What wouldn’t I make!? I have wanted one of these for awhile! I would make matching shirts for my 5 kids first, I’d make some cups, and decals…it’s limitless! Thanks so so much for the awesome giveaway!!!!
I’d love to make t-shirts for my family’s trip to Disney in March 2021!
I would make some greeting cards
how exciting this would be ..
I would personalize some shirts and pants!I’d also design a few coffee tumblers. Sooo many fun things can be done!
I would cut vinyl and make stickers and tops for coasters.
I would make t-shirts.
I would make cards.
I would use the Cricut to make a Father’s Day gift for my father.
We have a lot of disc golf events. This would really help getting everything ready for them. Thank you
Really not sure, I’ve never used one but it might be fun…or maybe my brother would like it. He made t-shirts and stickers in Vo-Tech when he went for graphic design. He’s in Merchant Marines now but he does make his own skateboards sometimes.
everything! I already sell digital prints, if I can take out the 3rd party i use for products, I can really make some money.
I would make some shirts.
What an awesome giveaway! I’d make some fun signs and shirts. Maybe even some tumblers.