Spring River Cruise 8 1/2" x 11" Scrapbook Page Layout: Scrapbook.com

Hi crafty friends,Today I’m excited to share something a little different—but still right in the heart of memory-keeping: a bright and whimsical 8 ½" x 11" scrapbook layout celebrating a sweet spring river cruise I took with some friends in Savannah, Georgia.

Now, I don’t scrapbook everything, but every so often, there’s a photo that holds a story I don’t want to forget. This was one of those moments. The paddle boat ride, the sunshine, and the slow drift down the river just felt like spring had finally arrived. So I pulled out my Meadow supplies from Scrapbook.com and got to work telling the story in paper and ink.

Spring River Cruise 8 1/2" x 11" Scrapbook Page Layout

A Soft, Spring Base to Set the Tone

When I start any layout—card or scrapbook—I always begin with a feel. Do I want it bold and graphic? Soft and dreamy? Since this cruise felt like the kind of slow, quiet day that makes you exhale and finally feel like the season’s changing, I leaned into light, fresh colors and airy layers.

I trimmed down a piece of Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock to 8" x 10 ½", and matted it on Vanilla Malt Cardstock to get that clean framed look. The white is a nice grounding color, and the warm vanilla brings in just enough contrast without making the whole page feel heavy.

Pro Tip for Card Makers: If you’ve never used Ultra Thick Cardstock for a layout base, give it a try. It holds up beautifully under layered dies and embellishments—just like it does on a card front.

Playing with Pattern: Circles, Strips & Soft Movement

The Meadow 6 x 8 Paper Pad from Scrapbook.com is packed with those soft greens, peaches, and florals that just scream spring. I cut several of the patterns using the Nested Circle Dies and played around with a loose, staggered layout. The key here is to not overthink the placement—let the patterns and colors guide your eye.

To anchor the layout, I used a 3" x 8" strip of floral patterned paper as a grounding element. It pulls your attention across the page and gives you a visual path to follow.

Story Time: I’m a circle-lover when it comes to design. I think it’s because circles add that organic, “no sharp edge” softness that works so well for both cards and layouts. Plus, trimming a few circles off the edge of the page or photo mat tricks the eye into thinking there’s more happening than there really is. It’s one of my favorite cheats when I want something to look detailed but feel effortless.

The Photo: Simple, Dimensional, and Center Stage

I printed my photo (the paddle boat on the Savannah River) to 3" x 3" and matted it on a soft mint green cardstock—one of the solids from the Meadow 6 x 8 Paper Pad. Then I popped it up using foam tape for a little lift.

Pro Tip: Foam tape is your friend. Don’t be afraid to use it on layouts, not just cards. It’s a subtle way to guide the viewer’s eye exactly where you want it.

Border Details That Feel Fancy (But Are So Easy)

If you’re like me, you’ve got a stack of border dies that are often forgotten in favor of sentiment strips or stitched rectangles. But the Ornate Borders Die Set from Scrapbook.com? That’s one I keep on hand for layouts and cards.

I used two of the dies to cut delicate vanilla borders stacking them on top of each other, then tucked it at the bottom of the patterned paper strip to soften that hard edge. It adds just a bit of texture without overwhelming the layout.

Rub-On Transfers = Instant Magic

Okay, let’s talk about rub-ons. If you haven’t played with the Lights & Lanterns Rub-On Transfers from Scrapbook.com yet, you’re missing out. I added some to the top-right of the page—just enough to balance out the layout without needing more layers or bulk.

Rub-ons are the unsung heroes of paper crafting. They’re flat, beautiful, and detailed without needing a stamping platform or extra dry time.

Custom Titles with a Personal Touch

To give this layout a clean title, I reached for my Bold Basic Alphabet Dies in both upper and lower case. I die cut “river cruise” from solid mint cardstock, then arranged it beneath the photo and patterned paper.

Here’s the thing—I love a premade sticker title as much as the next crafter, but there’s something really satisfying about making your own. It just makes the layout feel you, you know?

Pro Tip for Card Makers: Alphabet dies are an investment, but they’re one of the most versatile tools for card making too—custom sentiments, monograms, shadow layering, the works.

Finishing Touches: Sentiments & Butterflies

To finish the page, I stamped and die cut a sentiment from the Magic Meadow Stamp and Die Set that reads “You are full of magic.” That one felt just right—not too literal, but a perfect way to sum up the feeling of that moment.

Then I die cut a few soft butterflies using the Butterflies 2 Decorative Die Set from paper scraps. I like placing them in odd numbers across the page to create movement, almost like they’re flitting across the spring air.

And for sparkle? Just a few drops of Snowflake Glitter Pops of Color in the butterfly centers. That touch of shimmer catches the light in all the best ways without making the page feel too busy.

Final Thoughts

I loved putting this layout together. It reminded me that storytelling doesn’t always need to be complicated or overly embellished. Sometimes, the right mix of papers, dies, and a single photo is all it takes to make something truly meaningful.

If you’ve been itching to start scrapbooking again—or you’re a card maker like me who’s ready to dip a toe back into layout territory—this might be the perfect project to try. Let your papers do the work. Use your card-making stash in new ways. And most importantly, tell your stories.

Thanks for stopping by today and letting me share a little bit of mine.

Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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