Craft Notes: Giving Thanks 2-Page Scrapbook Layout

🍂 There is something so heartwarming about scrapbooking family gatherings—especially when those gatherings are full of gratitude, laughter, and togetherness. This Giving Thanks layout celebrates a beautiful family Thanksgiving, and the warm autumn palette makes every photo feel cozy and intentional. With a mix of group shots, candid moments, and even a festive vegetable tray, these pages tell a complete story of the day.

❤️ Story Behind the Page

This layout is all about family—across generations, across miles, and across the years. Thanksgiving has a way of bringing everyone together, and these photos show exactly why we treasure these moments so much.

I love how this particular gathering captures the essence of the holiday: people piled together on living-room rugs, kids nestled between parents, grandparents wrapped in hugs, and everyone smiling a little brighter because they’re together. Even the little turkey veggie tray adds joy and personality!

As I worked on this layout, I wanted the design to feel as warm and grounded as the memories themselves—simple, heartfelt, and focused on the people who make the holidays meaningful.

✨ Design Notes

For this layout, I leaned into the rich copper-orange tones that feel quintessentially autumn. They anchor the pages and pair beautifully with both warm wood textures and crisp white cardstock.

Along the top, I created a layered border that combines soft scallops stickers with a more detailed punched design. This adds visual texture while still keeping the layout clean and open. I added just a few seasonal embellishments—pumpkins, leaves, and stems—to echo the Thanksgiving theme without overwhelming the photos.

Photo groupings are kept neat and consistent across the spread, letting the story unfold naturally from left to right. The Giving Thanks title cluster adds a perfect touch of emphasis to the center of the page, drawing the eye without competing with the photos. The overall look is warm, balanced, and welcoming—just like Thanksgiving itself.

🧰 Tips & Techniques

1. Use Warm Tones as Your “Grounding Color”

The coppery orange paper across the bottom instantly unifies the entire spread. Try using a strong horizontal color block to pull your photos together, especially when they come from a busy event.

2. Layer Borders for Extra Texture

Combining two different border styles (a lace-style punch with a scalloped strip) adds delicate detail. Keep your colors neutral or coordinating so the layering looks intentional and elegant.

3. Let Photos Drive the Layout

Arrange group photos in stable, rectangular blocks to give the eye a solid place to rest. Mix in a few smaller or more candid shots for interest and storytelling.

4. Tuck Embellishments with Purpose

A few pumpkins and leaves placed near the photos add a seasonal touch without clutter. Keep embellishments close to photo corners or title clusters for a cohesive look.

5. Add Small Touches of White for Brightness

The tiny lace punch details at the bottom corners help lighten the layout and bring contrast, especially when working with deep autumn colors.

Download the instructional PDF for this layout and grab Simple Page Kit #11. You'll have so much fun creating this set of pages!

Print Craft Notes PDF