How to Create a First Day of School Scrapbook Page

The first day of school is one of those special milestones you'll want to remember for years. From a brand-new uniform and shiny shoes to that all-important first-day photo, turning these moments into a scrapbook page is the perfect way to preserve the memory.

Using our Life Is Sweet Collection, alongside some of our favourite dies and crafting essentials, you can create a colourful First Day of School scrapbook layout filled with personalised handmade details.

Follow our step-by-step guide below to create your own!

What You'll Need

12" x 12" white cardstock
Life Is Sweet patterned papers
Pink and yellow linen cardstock
Black cardstock
White Ultra Smooth Card
Alphabet, Numbers & Icons Die Set
Milestone Birthday Mini Metal Die Set
White alcohol markers
Fine liner pen
Straight Tape Pen
Dotty Tape Pen
Your favourite first day of school photograph

TOP TIP: Use your Straight Tape Pen for larger areas of matting and layering, then switch to your Dotty Tape Pen when attaching smaller and more intricate die-cut details.

Step 1: Create Your Background

Start by preparing the layers that will form the background of your scrapbook page.

Cut your papers to the following sizes:

White cardstock – 12" x 12"
Life Is Sweet paper – 11¾" x 11¾"
Life Is Sweet paper – 10½" x 10½"
Life Is Sweet paper – 5" x 8"

Layer the patterned papers onto your white cardstock using your Straight Tape Pen. Mixing different patterns from the Life Is Sweet Collection is a great way to add colour and interest while creating defined areas for your photo and embellishments.

Step 2: Create the Numbers & Ruler

Next, add some school-inspired details!

Using the Alphabet, Numbers & Icons Die Set, die-cut your chosen numbers from black cardstock. You could use the child's age, school year, or the date of their first day to make the layout even more personal.

To create the handmade ruler, cut a strip of yellow linen cardstock and use a fine liner pen to add the measurement markings.

Step 3: Add Your First Day Photo

Choose your favourite photograph from the big day and mat and layer it onto pink linen cardstock.

The contrasting border will help the photograph stand out against the patterned background and make it a focal point of your scrapbook layout.

Secure your layered photograph onto the page with your Tape Pen.

Step 4: Die-Cut Your School-Themed Details

Use the Alphabet, Numbers & Icons Die Set to create a selection of coordinating embellishments for your page.

Then, use the Milestone Birthday Mini Metal Die Set to die cut the wording '1st Day of School'.

Play around with the positioning of your die cuts before sticking everything down. This gives you the chance to find the perfect arrangement.

Step 5: Add Handmade Details

Add a personal touch with a few handmade embellishments.

Using white alcohol markers and White Ultra Smooth Card, draw and colour a pencil to complement the school theme.

You can also create your own piece of lined notebook paper – a simple detail that instantly gives your layout that classic classroom feel.

Don't worry about making these elements completely perfect. The handmade finish is part of their charm!

Step 6: Assemble Your Scrapbook Page

Once you're happy with the placement of your photo, title, and embellishments, it's time to bring everything together.

Use your Tape Pen to secure the larger pieces and your Dotty Tape Pen for smaller die-cut elements and intricate details.

Layer your embellishments around the photograph, mixing die-cut and handmade elements to create dimension and guide the eye around the page.

And you're finished!

A Memory to Treasure

Your First Day of School scrapbook page is now ready to add to your album. Why stop at just one? You could create a new page at the beginning of every school year, building a scrapbook that follows their journey from those first classroom adventures right through to graduation.

Change the papers, colours, photographs and embellishments each year to create something unique while keeping the same first-day tradition.

It's a lovely way to turn those photographs sitting on your phone into memories you can look back on, share and treasure for years to come.