Choosing the Right Scrapbook Size: 8x8, 12x12, or Journal?

This month I’m collaborating with the #CMCreativeCrew with ideas on how to start an album. Be sure and watch our full playlist! If you could have one completed album this year, what would it be? What memories or events do you most want to remember? Let me help you determine which size scrapbook will be best for you. Creative Memories has three scrapbook sizes: our most popular 12×12″, our Scrap Journal size 6.75×10” and our handy 8×8″.

A collection of colorful scrapbooks in various sizes with a title questioning scrapbook size options, alongside a photo of a smiling woman.

Five limited-edition 8x8 album covers in assorted colors and patterns, displayed on a wooden surface.

Let’s Start with 8×8:
This small size is perfect for making a gift album or for an event such as: Christmas, a Retirement party, a Retreat or Baby Shower. I often use this size for my December Days album.

8×8 albums are small but they still allow plenty of room for memorabilia. You just might need to photocopy large memorabilia and shrink it down a bit.

8×8 album covers and pages are available year round but the foiled designed covers are available just a couple of times per year. Always check with an Independent Creative Memories Advisor who just might have some on hand (I typically do)!

A collection of five colorful scrap journals on a light background. The journals include shades of green with a grid pattern, gray, maroon, white, and another color partially visible. Text overlay announces the new name 'Scrap Journal' and mentions it's available in five new shades.

Next we have the Scrap Journal (formerly called Happy Album) at 6.75″x10″ which is a great in-between size. The Scrap Journal makes a wonderful personal journal or travel journal. I love the portable size. It really feels like a planner size so it’s handy to travel with. I recommend the Scrap Journal size for a:
travel album
personal planner
gift album
journal or bullet journal

You can see my 2020 pandemic journal/time capsule album here: 2020 Flip-through Video and Blog Post.

A person holding a scrapbook open to pages filled with photographs and a handwritten note. The left page includes multiple family photos along with a decorative card stating 'Christmas Blessings'. The right page features more family photos in various settings.

Now let’s talk about 12×12. This is a very popular scrapbook size. It’s super versatile in that you can fit a lot into a 12×12 album. You can get predecorated Fast2Fab Pages, Plain White, Black, Natural or Spargo Refill Pages and even Pocket Pages for this size album! There are Single Pocket Top-Loading Pages and Multi-Pocket Pages. We also have 8x5x11″ Pocket Pages for memorabilia and School Portraits.

I recommend this size if you have a lot of photos. 12×12 albums are perfect for:
General Family Album
Wedding
Baby
School
Travel
Heritage

A scrapbook page featuring photographs of a tulip farm, showcasing vibrant tulip fields in various colors, along with a person sitting among the flowers.

Almost every single trip our family has taken has ended up in a 12×12 album. We take a lot of photos! The 12×12 size also gives you lots of room for memorabilia which is why it’s so great for a Baby Book or School album. I love to mix Refill Pages with Pocket Pages to really speed up album completion.

Creative Memories albums are made in the U.S.A. and come with a lifetime guarantee. I’ve been using them since 1994 and love the quality and the special binding that allows the pages to lay flat. I hope these tips are helpful to you. Be sure to check out my Scrapbooking 101 Video on How to Add Refill Pages to your Album. If you have any questions, feel free to email cmdonnalyn@frontier.com

Ready to get started? Click SHOP to choose your album and pages. If you don’t already have an Advisor, choose Donna Lyn Watson at checkout to be invited to aDashofStory Community Access on Facebook!