Craft Notes: Secret Box #4 Reimagined 2-Page Scrapbook Layout
- Brenda
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Welcome back to Craft Notes! Today I’m sharing a layout that takes me right back to Italy and one of the most unforgettable sights we experienced: the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This spread is a mix of architectural drama, soft textures, and handmade details that help the photos shine. If you love clean lines paired with layers of texture, this one’s for you.
🌟 Story Behind the Page
In 2008, we stood on the lawn of the Piazza dei Miracoli and soaked in every angle of the Leaning Tower. I remember being surprised by how intricate the details were—the columns, the carvings, the repeating arches. It’s one thing to see photos your whole life, but it’s another to be standing right there looking up at history.
These photos capture some of my favorite memories from that day: the crisp blue sky, the strong shadows across the stone, and the quiet beauty of those architectural close-ups. This layout felt like the perfect place to honor both the overall experience and the tiny details we might otherwise forget.
⭐ Design Notes
I wanted this layout to feel structured and architectural—almost like something you’d see in a travel journal or museum exhibit—while still keeping a soft, scrapbook feel. Here’s how I approached it:
Neutral tones & texture: The gray patterned paper echoes stonework and sets the tone for the entire spread. Pairing it with white and soft cream keeps everything clean and bright.
Symmetry & balance: The grid-style photo arrangement reinforces the feeling of architecture and order, allowing the photos themselves to be the stars.
Circular accents: The half-circle journals and stenciled textures subtly mimic the curves of the tower.
Flowers & embellishments: The hand-cut florals add warmth and a touch of softness to balance all the straight architectural lines.
Chipboard-style titles: Layered lettering for Pisa and Leaning Tower adds a travel-album vibe without overwhelming the page.
Design Tips & Techniques
1. Build Texture Without Bulk
The stenciled grid and distressed stamping behind the clusters add depth while keeping the page light. It’s a subtle way to echo the stone textures in the photos.
2. Use Layers to Highlight Key Photos
The darker mats under the hero photos help them stand out from the structural background paper. Even just one additional mat color can completely shift the visual weight.
3. Let Clusters Anchor Your Spread
Both floral clusters sit near the titles, guiding your eye across the two pages. Notice how the flowers soften the edges of the square photos and break up the repeat of straight lines.
4. Add Travel-Friendly Details
A small “2008” label, a thin twine bow, and some tone-on-tone border punches help tell the story without distracting from the photos. Little bits like this help personalize travel pages.
5. Play with Contrast in Architecture Photography
Close-ups of arches and carvings pair beautifully with full-tower shots. Mixing perspectives brings the full experience of the location to life.
If you purchased Secret Box 4, you might love having this PDF to reimagine Project 2 of the Secret Box 4 Guidebook to adapt your own travel memories.
Thanks for spending some creative time with me today. 💛✈️📸