Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Christmas Tree Scrapbook Page Tutorial Day 21 Christmas in July Craftalong

Today’s scrapbook layout is all about Christmas trees — the family tree, a favourite ornament, the year the lights finally worked first go, the handmade decorations, or that lovely quiet moment when the tree is glowing in the corner.

This page uses A Stitched Season Designer Series Paper in strips and panels to create a warm, quilt-style background, with room for one main photo, a title panel and an optional hidden journalling pocket.

Finished Layout Size
12" x 12" scrapbook page
You can adapt this layout to 8" x 8" or a smaller memory album by reducing the measurements.

Materials List
You will need:
• 12" x 12" cardstock for the base
Suggested colours: Basic White, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake or Secret Sea 

• A Stitched Season Designer Series Paper 
• Coordinating cardstock for photo mat and title panel
Suggested colours: Old Olive, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Secret Sea, Basic White or Very Vanilla 
• Basic White or Very Vanilla for journalling 
• Stamps for title, greeting or small accents 
• Christmas tree die-cut or stamped tree embellishment 
• Ribbon 
• Buttons 
• Twine or gold thread 
• Adhesive 
• Dimensionals 
• Paper trimmer 
• Bone folder 
• Optional: white gel pen or journalling pen for faux stitching 

Cutting Measurements
Page Base
    • Cardstock base: 12" x 12" 

DSP Strips
Cut several strips of A Stitched Season DSP:
• Vertical strip 1: 1 1/2" x 11" 
• Vertical strip 2: 1" x 11" 
• Vertical strip 3: 1" x 11" 
• Vertical strip 4: 1 1/4" x 7" 

These will sit down the left-hand side of the page.

For the lower horizontal section, cut:
• Horizontal strip 1: 8" x 1" 
• Horizontal strip 2: 8" x 1" 
• Horizontal strip 3: 8" x 1 1/4" 

You can use quilt-style DSP, tree patterns, plaid patterns or small red and green prints.

Photo Mat
For a vertical photo:
• Photo mat: 4 1/4" x 6 1/4" 
• Photo: 4" x 6" 

For a slightly larger layered look:
• Backing mat: 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" 
• Photo mat: 4 1/4" x 6 1/4" 
• Photo: 4" x 6" 

Title Panel
• Title mat: 4" x 4" 
• Title insert: 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" 

Suggested title ideas:
• Christmas Tree Memories 
• The Tree Is Up 
• Our Christmas Tree 
• Lights On 
• Handmade Ornaments 
• Around the Tree 
• Christmas Glow 

Hidden Journalling Pocket
Optional:
• Pocket backing: 3" x 5" 
• Journalling card: 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" 

You can tuck this behind the title panel or behind the photo mat.

Small Embellishment Pieces
• Small banner: 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" 
• Small stamped square: 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" 
• Sentiment strip: 1/2" x 2 1/2" 
• Die-cut Christmas tree: approx. 2 1/2" to 3 1/2" tall 
• Ribbon bow: approx. 15cm ribbon, or to suit 
• Buttons: 2–3 buttons tied with twine or thread  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Page Base
Start with a 12" x 12" cardstock base.

A light base such as Basic White or Very Vanilla gives the page a soft scrapbook feel, while Secret Sea or Old Olive will make the Christmas colours feel richer and more dramatic.

2. Add the Left-Side DSP Strips
Arrange your vertical DSP strips down the left-hand side of the page.

Place the first strip about 1/2" in from the left edge.

Layer the remaining strips beside and slightly overlapping each other. Use a mix of tree prints, quilt-style DSP and smaller red or green patterns.

Suggested placement:
• Place the widest strip closest to the left edge. 
• Add a narrow red strip beside it. 
• Add a green plaid or subtle pattern next. 
• Let one strip extend lower than the others for a layered look. 

Adhere the strips once you are happy with the arrangement.

3. Add the Lower Horizontal DSP Section
Place the horizontal DSP strips across the lower half of the page, starting from the left side and extending toward the right.

Position them about 7" down from the top of the page.
Layer the strips slightly so they create a wide band across the layout.

This becomes the anchor for your photo, title panel and embellishments.

4. Create the Photo Area
Mat your 4" x 6" photo onto the 4 1/4" x 6 1/4" photo mat.

For extra definition, add the photo mat to a larger 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" backing mat.

Place the photo on the left-centre of the layout, slightly overlapping the vertical DSP strips and sitting on top of the horizontal DSP band.

Leave room on the right side for the title panel.

Adhere the photo mat flat, or use Dimensionals if you want more depth.

5. Create the Title Panel
Stamp or write your title on the 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" title insert.

Adhere it to the 4" x 4" title mat.

Place the title panel on the right side of the page, roughly level with the upper half of the photo.

You can add a small stamped subtitle underneath, such as:
• Our favourite tree tradition 
• Lights, love and memories 
• Handmade Christmas magic 
• The year we decorated together 

Adhere the title panel flat if you are not adding a pocket. If you want hidden journalling, only add adhesive to three sides and leave one side open.

6. Add the Hidden Journalling Pocket
To create a simple hidden journalling pocket, adhere the title panel with adhesive on the top, bottom and right side only, leaving the left side open.

Slide the 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" journalling card behind the title panel.

Add a small tab, circle punch or ribbon pull to the edge of the journalling card so it can be pulled out easily.

Use this space for longer journalling, such as:
• who decorated the tree 
• where the ornaments came from 
• the story behind a special decoration 
• what made that year’s tree memorable 
• how your Christmas tree tradition has changed over time 

7. Add Stitched Details
This layout works beautifully with stitched details because the A Stitched Season DSP already has that cosy quilted feel.

Try adding:
• faux stitching around the photo mat with a pen 
• dashed lines around the title panel 
• stamped stitched details 
• white gel pen stitching around DSP strips 
• hand-drawn stitching around the page border 

Keep the lines light and imperfect — that’s part of the handmade charm.

8. Add the Christmas Tree Embellishment
Die cut or stamp a Christmas tree embellishment.

Place it near the lower right corner of the layout, overlapping the horizontal DSP strips.

This balances the tall photo on the left and reinforces the Christmas tree theme.

Add a small star, button or gem to the top of the tree if desired.

9. Add Ribbon and Buttons
Tie a small bow from ribbon and place it near the top of the title panel or near one of the embellishment clusters.

Tie thread or twine through your buttons and attach them to the page.

Good places for buttons:
• near the title panel 
• beside the photo 
• in the centre of a small stamped square 
• near the die-cut tree 
• on a little banner or tag 

Three embellishment clusters usually work well:
1. One near the photo 
2. One near the title panel 
3. One near the bottom right tree embellishment 
This creates a visual triangle and helps the page feel balanced.

10. Add a Small Banner or Accent Tag
Create a small banner from DSP or cardstock.
You could stamp or die cut:
• Joy 
• Merry 
• Christmas 
• Memories 
• Love 
• 2026 

Place the banner near the lower left of the photo or tucked into the vertical DSP strips.

This is a lovely way to use small scraps and add a little extra detail.

11. Finish the Page
Before everything is fully pressed down, check the page balance.

Ask yourself:
• Is the photo the main focus? 
• Can the title be read clearly? 
• Do the DSP strips feel balanced? 
• Is there room for journalling? 
• Are the embellishments spread out nicely? 

Once you’re happy, press everything firmly into place.

Design Tips
Use the tree-pattern DSP as one of the vertical strips so it ties directly into the theme.

Use the quilt-style DSP across the bottom for that warm Christmas patchwork feeling.

If your photo is busy, choose calmer DSP around it.
If your photo is simple, you can use bolder patterns.
A dark base or dark mat, such as Secret Sea, will make the reds, greens and creams really pop.

For a softer family album look, use Very Vanilla, Old Olive and gentle red accents.

Day 21 Challenge
Create a Christmas Tree Scrapbook Page using:
• one Christmas tree photo, 
• DSP strips, 
• a title panel, 
• stitched details, 
• ribbon, 
• buttons, 
• stamped accents, 
• and optional hidden journalling. 

This is a lovely page for preserving one of those Christmas moments that can otherwise slip by — the tree going up, the lights turning on, a handmade ornament, or the quiet glow of Christmas at home.

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