17 Great Scrapbook Ideas to Preserve Your Family Memories (2023)

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17 Great Scrapbook Ideas to Preserve Your Family Memories (1)

Credit: Johnny Miller

A nostalgic link to the past, scrapbooks hold everything from crinkled letters and train tickets to newspaper clippings or a candid shot of a loved one we wouldn't dare to lose. Your scrapbook can be whatever you'd like to make it. Family history is always an engaging subject, but even episodic moments of life can make for great creative fodder.

And not every scrapbook needs to be an actual book—a few ingenious ideas turn the concept on its head, from tins to folders and more. Some of our best tips and techniques for new scrapbookers have to do with the book or vessel itself, and all it takes to customize the cover is some creative thinking. As pictured here, you can instantly transform simple school binders into something special with cloth covers. After covering, we used one of our custom templates to iron on floral-shaped transfers, giving the binders a modern look. Here, we're sharing our best scrapbook ideas for all of life's little moments that need safekeeping.

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Tools and Materials

Ribbon Photo Scrapbook

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Credit: Damian Russell

Before you begin, you'll need a few items on hand to keep everything looking clean. Start by acquiring a craft knife, sharp scissors, a bone folder, and a screw punchif you don't already have them in your craft supplies. Then, choose your scrapbook with care: While you can make your own, purchasing a bound book is a good idea. Consider factors such as the binding and page count, and choose your materials and palette based on the theme, person, or event you plan on commemorating. It's a good idea to find solid and patterned paper that matches the items you are archiving.

Because you'll be working with small bits and pieces, you should look for fine-tip pens and adhesives (such as a glue stick or roller). Try to source archival or acid-free products that are designed to last longer. Office supplies such as labels and envelopes work for housing keepsakes.

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Mini Books Within a Scrapbook

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Credit: Gentl and Hyers

Create small albums for your scrapbook, each with a story to tell—the ones here are devoted to family and summer friends. Stiff covers, paper spines, and corner covers give them a fancy hardcover feel; the book on top has a closure fashioned out of a paper fastener and string.

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Collected Memories Scrapbook

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Credit: Johnny Miller

(Video) How to Archive Your Family History Documents, Photos, & Artifacts

Get the Scrapbook Headings Template

Compiling "remember when" moments in an album and presenting them to a friend makes the bonds even stronger. Use our template with the headings "How We Met," "My Favorite Memory," and "Our Biggest Laugh," or make and write your own.

Download the template. Print in multiples, trim to size, and distribute to other contributors with a deadline and self-addressed stamped envelopes, also requesting photos and friend-related memorabilia. Then, insert the responses into transparent sleeves in a book, and present the honoree with what's sure to be a much-cherished trip down memory lane.

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Polaroid Scrapbook

A fantastic idea for guests attending a birthday party, this scrapbook makes use of fun Polaroid-style shots that are instantly developed on the spot. At a party or an event, use an instant camera to catch candid shots in action, set up a table with a laid-out album, tape, and a pen. The rest is up to your guests.

Shop Now: Polaroid Instant Camera, from $119, us.polaroidoriginals.com;Newport Scrapbook 11x14, $49, kolo.com; Recollections Rose Gold Washi Tape, $4.99, michaels.com.

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Family Photo Scrapbook

mixbook everyday design

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Credit: Courtesy of Mixbook

Creating a beautiful, personalized scrapbook has never been easier. In collaboration with Mixbook, Martha created her own collection of scrapbooks for you and your family to fill with your most precious memories.

Shop Now:Martha Stewart x Mixbook "Floral" Family Photo Album, from $56.10, mixbook.com.

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Folding Travel Scrapbook

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Credit: MARIA ROBLEDO

Who says pop up books are just for kids? Enlarge photos from a recent adventure and create accordion fold outs, which can be achieved using a bone folder to make sharp creases. These inserts, pasted into an ordinary journal of your choice, add an element of surprise to the story of the trip and convey some of the city's grandeur.

Shop Now: Lineco Bone Folder, $7, amazon.com.

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Nature Scrapbook

Nature Scrapbook

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Credit: Johnny Miller

Pressing dried leaves and flowers is a great way to create unique art for your home. But if you're traveling abroad, or simply don't wish to disturb the natural beauty of your locale, why not try photographing them instead? Take a snapshot with your smartphone, edit accordingly, and print the photos for a scrapbook. You can also include them alongside children's sketches of nature or your own.

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Monogrammed Scrapbook

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Credit: Johnny Miller

Here's a way to create a scrapbook that's as special as the photos and other keepsakes it holds. Start with a fabric-covered album, and personalize it with decorative touches. We modified this one in two ways: covering the plain pages with patterned papers and adding a metallic monogram to the cover. Instead of using self-adhesive photo corners, cut slits in the decorative papers and slide in your pictures and card stock labels. It's pretty and simple to do.

Shop Now: Medium Script Cake Stencil, 1.75", $30, designerstencils.com; Craft Smart Acrylic Craft Paint, in Gold, $5.49, michaels.com.

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Sketch Scrapbook

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Credit: MARIA ROBLEDO

Think of a scrapbook as a traveling companion. When Martha Stewart Weddings editor at large Darcy Miller took a three-week trip to Africa, she brought along a blank book (light enough to carry in her bag) and a small kit—including scissors, magic markers, rubber cement, and a portable watercolor set. "I'd take my book out while the guide was talking about something, a tree or flower, and sketch it," she said in the August 1998 issue of Martha Stewart Living. "By drawing something, you have to really look at it, which forces you to 'see' it." When you return home, you can pair your sketches with photos from your experiences.

Shop Now: Strathmore Sketch Pad, $4.19, michaels.com; Elmer's Rubber Cement, $3.99, michaels.com; Artist's Loft Necessities Watercolor Pan Set, $6.99, michaels.com.

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Pet Scrapbook

green and blue pet scrapbook

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Credit: Johnny Miller

Here's a great gift for someone who's just adopted a new pet: Start a scrapbook to document their life with their new companion. Fill the pages with information about their new family member: Their family pedigree if they're a purebred, or adoption papers if they're a rescue; any photos from the breeder or shelter, or classified ads; photos of the pet's parents or littermates; ID tags; a first collar; a favorite toy; the box top from a favorite treat; and heartfelt memories from your first meeting, whether those are written or in visual form. You can continue to fill the pages with new memories as time goes on.

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(Video) Scrapbooking Ideas : Ideas for Heritage Scrapbooking

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School Scrapbook

Elmer's CraftBond Extra Strength Glue Stick

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Credit: Gemma Comas

A scrapbook can help organize and proudly display the steady stream of photographs, artwork, awards, and other keepsakes that accrue during a young person's school years. Here, we taped two pieces of standard notebook paper together, from short end to short end; trim the width if necessary to fit the scrapbook pages. Then, fold the paper up from the bottom, and make pockets in desired depths. Stitch the sides to scrapbook pages with a sewing machine to secure, or simply glue with an archival glue stick.

Shop Now: Elmer's CraftBond Extra Strength Glue Stick, $4.99, michaels.com.

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Ribbon Photo Scrapbook

Ribbon Photo Scrapbook

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Credit: Lisa Hubbard

If you're working with very fragile photos, historical documents, recipe cards, or anything that can easily tear or be tarnished, you'll want to avoid destructive tape and glue. These ribbon mounts allow you to secure items to the scrapbook page without damaging them. Start with a three-inch strip of grosgrain ribbon; fold both ends down at the midpoint to form a triangle, and then iron it out. Repeat the process until you have two or four ribbons for each item. Attach them to the photo by slipping the triangle (with the seams in the rear) over the corners, and use acid-free double-sided photo tape to affix them to album pages.

Shop Now: Gwen Studios Grosgrain Ribbon Roll, 1.5", $13.99, michaels.com; Scotch Photo Safe Double-Sided Tape, $5.14, amazon.com.

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Map Scrapbooks

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Credit: Raymond Hom

(Video) Preserving Your Family Treasures

Upcycle the maps you used on a journey through foreign lands as the show-stopping features of a new travel scrapbook. The printed papers become colorful and fitting backdrops for vacation memories.

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Newborn Baby Memories Scrapbook

Storybook with Classic Font

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Credit: Seth Smoot

Martha herself shared this precious idea back in the December 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living. Our founder created four printed-and-bound photo stories of special moments in her granddaughter Jude's first months as a newborn. Then, Martha gifted the set to Jude and her own daughter Alexis for Christmas.

Shop Now: Storybook with Classic Font, from $54.99, pinholepress.com.

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Kids' Memorabilia Scrapbook

Kids' Memorabilia Scrapbook

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Credit: Gentl and Hyers

Tiny treasures like stickers, buttons, or stamps are easier to enjoy and store when they're glued to folded pages. Measure and mark a long strip of paper or card stock with its short side matching the long side of a small box. Accordion-fold the strip and glue the first page to the inside of the box's lid and the last page to the inside of the box's bottom.

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Memory Flip Book

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17 Great Scrapbook Ideas to Preserve Your Family Memories (17)

Credit: Johnny Miller

A video of a baby's first steps, a tossed wedding bouquet, or a less-than-perfect attempt at a high dive can be transformed into a keep-at-hand photo flip book forever. These small flip books, just about three-and-a-half inches by two inches, are perfect party favors and can be slipped into muslin drawstring bags for guests.

Shop Now: Custom Flip Picture Book, starting at $2 per book, flipclips.com.

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FAQs

How do you do a scrapbook for family history? ›

Begin your heritage scrapbook project by gathering together as many photographs as possible, from boxes, attics, old albums, and relatives. These photos don't necessarily need to have people in them - pictures of old houses, automobiles, and towns are great for adding historical interest to a family history scrapbook.

What should my scrapbook be about? ›

A scrapbook should always tell a story, whether it's through photos or actually writing a story and featuring it on a page. Write out your memory, then place accompanying photos around it.

How do I create a family history album? ›

Getting Organized
  1. Create a folder for all the family tree photos. Include one portrait or headshot for each family member.
  2. List relations and birthdates on a spreadsheet. Outline your family lineage in order by parents to children. ...
  3. Log into Mixbook.com so you can save your work.
15 May 2019

What is a heritage scrapbook? ›

What is a heritage scrapbook? It is a multi-generational family photograph and mementos. It includes information about the family history, culture, and traditions of their ancestors.

What are some popular scrapbooking themes? ›

Popular Themes
  • Anniversaries Scrapbook.
  • Baby Scrapbook.
  • Birthday Scrapbook.
  • Christmas Scrapbook.
  • Family Scrapbook.
  • Family Heritage Scrapbook.
  • Friendship Scrapbook.
  • Graduation Scrapbook.

What do you write in a memory scrapbook? ›

Great ideas for a memory book:
  1. Write your own life story.
  2. Make a Memory Book about the life of someone you love or respect. ...
  3. Capture a momentous event in your life.
  4. Make a travel Memory Book.
  5. Make a book about your pet.
  6. Compose a family history.
  7. Make a book to help someone losing their memory.
28 Oct 2020

How do I make a memory book? ›

To make a memory book, pick a theme, like a book all about your family, your wedding, or a vacation you took. On each page of the book, tape or glue a photograph or another item that ties into your theme, along with a written explanation for why that item is significant.

What is written in a scrapbook? ›

Scrapbook journaling is a combination of typical journal or diary writing with the artistic craftiness of scrapbooking. Most journals tend to be places where people write their thoughts and feelings, to express things they may not otherwise feel comfortable telling other people.

What is inside the scrapbook? ›

In short, a scrapbook album is a collection of pages, typically bound like a book or a photo album, containing photos, journaling, ephemera, clippings, letters, tiny trinkets, and other souvenirs. It is often decorated with stickers, die-cuts, stamped images, colorful washi tapes, journaling, doodles, etc.

How do I organize my photos for scrapbooking? ›

Starting with the most recent photos is usually easiest for her. After that “sort by decade if you have photos going back 40 or 50 years,” she said. “Then go into each decade and put them into some sort of order from there.” Make sure you choose the best photos for your scrapbook, and consider shredding outtakes.

How do I present my family history? ›

Here are 4 Ways to Share Your Genealogy Research with Others
  1. Start a Family History Facebook Group.
  2. Assemble a Genealogy Binder.
  3. Create a Family History Blog.
  4. Write Biographies of Your Ancestors.
13 Mar 2019

How can I make my family history interesting? ›

To make a family history more exciting, you need to dig deeper than just names, dates, and places. You need stories. Personal details are what lift a family history from a mere record of a long-ago person's descendancy to something that lots of people unrelated to that person will want to read.

How can I protect my photos in a scrapbook? ›

If possible, choose an album that comes with a slipcase to protect images from light and dust. Page protectors for album pages, if made of safe materials like polypropylene or inert plastic, can protect your images from spills, dust, abrasion and other mishaps.

How do I make a memorial album? ›

  1. 1 Share memories. Whether around the dinner table with other family members or on the phone with a friend, talk about the person you have lost. ...
  2. 2 Go through family photos. ...
  3. 3 Figure out the structure of your book. ...
  4. 4 Design beautiful page layouts. ...
  5. 5 Print your tribute memory book.

What is your most beloved childhood memory? ›

Here are seven of the most common childhood memories that you may not have trouble remembering.
  1. 1 Your Favorite Stuffed Animal. ...
  2. 2 Memorable Children's Storybooks. ...
  3. 3 Building Forts and Castles. ...
  4. 4 Watching Your Favorite Cartoon. ...
  5. 5 Your First Crush. ...
  6. 6 Your Parents' Favorite Music. ...
  7. 7 Playing with Friends outside.

What is a book of memories called? ›

Definition of memory book

1 : scrapbook not so much a book of memoirs as a memory book — New Yorker. 2 : a small album for autographs.

What do you put in a relationship scrapbook? ›

The Best Ideas for Couples' Scrapbooks
  1. Document your anniversaries. ...
  2. Compile your love notes. ...
  3. Create an old-school photo album. ...
  4. Record your adventures. ...
  5. Memorialize your wedding. ...
  6. Celebrate what you love. ...
  7. Dedicate a page or a whole book to your most romantic date. ...
  8. Chronicle a year of dates.
11 Mar 2022

What size pictures are best for scrapbooking? ›

The 4×6 Rut

After all, 4×6 is a standard photo size, so that's the one to use. Of course there are 5×7 or 8×10 enlargements, but those are for special photos.

What do you think is the first thing to consider when doing scrapbook? ›

PICK A THEME

Picking a theme or style for your scrapbook is an important first step that will help you create a cohesive look from start to finish, which in turn will make each of your pages part of a beautiful whole.

Do people still scrapbook? ›

There are now digital scrapbookers and those who prefer mixed-media projects that incorporate photos. And there are still many, many people who still love traditional paper scrapbooking. We get together at smaller events and buy our supplies online.

Which paper is used for making scrapbook? ›

Cardstock. Cardstock is a medium weight paper. It is heavier than printer paper and thinner than cardboard. Greeting cards, scrapbooking, handmade boxes, and more are most often made from this type of paper.

How can I protect my photos in a scrapbook? ›

If possible, choose an album that comes with a slipcase to protect images from light and dust. Page protectors for album pages, if made of safe materials like polypropylene or inert plastic, can protect your images from spills, dust, abrasion and other mishaps.

What are some popular scrapbooking themes? ›

Popular Themes
  • Anniversaries Scrapbook.
  • Baby Scrapbook.
  • Birthday Scrapbook.
  • Christmas Scrapbook.
  • Family Scrapbook.
  • Family Heritage Scrapbook.
  • Friendship Scrapbook.
  • Graduation Scrapbook.

How do I make a memory book? ›

To make a memory book, pick a theme, like a book all about your family, your wedding, or a vacation you took. On each page of the book, tape or glue a photograph or another item that ties into your theme, along with a written explanation for why that item is significant.

Can I store photos in ziplock bags? ›

ZipLoc bags are indeed low-density polyethylene. The drawback is that they have an inner coating of Butylated Hydroxy Toluene which will damage the photographs if they are stored in there long term. There are a couple of options that are low-cost and will depend on how many bags you need.

How do you stick things in a scrapbook? ›

Use liquid craft glue. For most scrapbooking items, you'll want to use dry scrapbook adhesives such as glue dots, glue sticks, or double-sided tape. For embellishments such as plastic items or metal charms, you'll need to use liquid craft glue. The Helmar's liquid glue brand is also great for decoupage projects.

What's the best way to stick photos in a scrapbook? ›

Permanent methods include double sided tabs and tab rollers, double sided tape, adhesive dots, and glue and glue sticks. These go on the back of the photo, and then stick the photo onto the photo album page. Double sided tabs are the most popular permanent photo mounting method, and for good reason.

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