Polkadoodles Digi Choosday Challenge | First Scrapbook Layout with Polkadoodles

There’s always something special about a “first,” and this week’s project for the Digi Choosday challenge is exactly that - my very first scrapbook layout using Polkadoodles! 

This layout is extra meaningful because it’s part of an ongoing scrapbook I’ve been creating for my mom. Even though this post is going live a few days after Mother’s Day, it still feels like the perfect little love note - featuring photos of her from our 2018 Singapore trip. A sweet memory, finally documented after 8 years.

The Papers & Elements

For this layout, I mixed and matched patterned papers from several Polkadoodles collections (one of my favorite things to do!):

1. Happy Cactus Succulent
2. Wanda Plane Janes
3. Noodle Panda Set 1
4. Winnie Sugar Sprinkles Heaven
5. Winnie Sunshine Delights
6. Winnie Let’s Hangout
7. Set 3 Wanda
8. Gnome Men Football USA

• Pattern papers from the Polkadoodles collections listed above

• Embellishments: Winnie Sugar Sprinkles Embellies Bundle (roses)

• 12x12 cardstock

• Plain white cardstock (photo mats)

• Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue

• String

• 2 photos

• Modeling ball tool

Instructions:

1. Cut your flowers, leaves, and stems - use as many (or as few) as you like.

2. Use a modeling ball tool to gently curve the flowers so they’re not flat.

3. Fold each petal slightly in the middle to add more texture and dimension.

4. Repeat the same process for the leaves.

5. Adhere three pieces together to form each flower.

6. Add an acrylic dot in the center of each flower.

7. Arrange everything on your 12x12 cardstock, don’t glue just yet. Place your photo mats on the lower part of the layout to guide your design.

Once happy with the placement, adhere the flowers and photo mats.

Add the stems, making them meet at the lower center between the photos. Glue only the top parts. Tie the stems together with string for a gathered look.

Add your leaves around the flowers.

Add your floral digi stamps. I used the cute roses from the Winnie Sugar Sprinkles Embellies Bundle as my main embellishments.

Finish by adding your photos.

Design Inspiration

This layout was inspired by a design from Paige Evans for Scrapbook & Cards Today. Her template originally used 10 flowers… but I may have gotten a little carried away and ended up with 12. But actually, I love it even more because of that! It made the layout feel fuller, more dimensional, and extra cheerful.

To make things easier, I used my Cricut Maker to cut all the elements. But if you don’t have a cutting machine, no worries at all, you can absolutely recreate this using dies or even just good old scissors.

Final Thoughts

This layout came together so beautifully and was surprisingly easy to create. It’s one of those projects that looks intricate but is actually very relaxing and fun to make.

Most of all, I love that it holds a memory so close to my heart. That’s really what scrapbooking is all about - telling our stories. 

If you haven’t tried mixing different Polkadoodles collections yet, this is your sign! And don’t forget to join the Anything Goes challenge over at Digi Choosday - you might just discover a new favorite way to create.