Sometimes a scrapbook page becomes more than pretty paper, photos, and embellishments.
Sometimes it becomes a place to remember what God has done, what He is teaching us, and how He is carrying us through a season.
For this month’s Restoring Joy Sketch Challenge with Pamela, I created a 12” x 12” scrapbook layout inspired by my favorite scripture, Hebrews 11:1. This page is called My LIFE Verse, and it combines faith, storytelling, hidden journaling, and the peaceful patterns from the Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!®.
I love when a scrapbook page gives me space to preserve more than a memory. This one helped me document a meaningful piece of my faith journey.
The Story Behind This Scrapbook Page
The heart of this layout is Hebrews 11:1:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
This verse has meant so much to me, especially in a season where I am learning to slow down, continue healing, and move forward in God’s will by faith.
One of the most meaningful pieces on this page is a photo of an older Close To My Heart stamp from my collection. I believe I purchased this stamp sometime between 2001 and 2003, and 2003 is the year I was born again and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
That makes this stamp feel like a small but meaningful piece of my faith story.
It has been tucked away in my craft supplies for years, but now it connects so beautifully to the scripture that continues to anchor my heart. That is one of the reasons I love scrapbooking so much. Sometimes a stamp, a photo, or a piece of paper carries a story we did not fully understand at the time.
Using the June Restoring Joy Sketch Challenge
This page was created using the June Restoring Joy Sketch Challenge with Pamela.
The sketch includes a large banner element, a main focal photo area, a circle feature, and space for journaling or sentiment strips. I used those basic design pieces but adapted them to fit my story.
For my layout:
- The large banner became a hidden journaling flip-up.
- The focal photo area holds the photo connected to my Hebrews 11:1 stamp.
- The circle element highlights the scripture.
- The title area became My LIFE Verse.
- The bicycle Designer Series Paper became a symbolic design choice.
That is what I love about sketches. They give you a starting point, but they do not lock you into one exact project. You can flip them, simplify them, stretch them, or use them to tell a completely different story.
Photo Placement on the Layout
For this layout, I used the sketch as a guide for the main photo placement, but adapted it to fit the story I wanted to tell.
The main photo is placed inside the large banner area on the lower left portion of the page. I used a photo connected to my Hebrews 11:1 stamp and layered it onto a shaped banner mat. This helped the photo become the main focal point while still allowing the patterned paper to support the story.
Behind the main photo, I added the bicycle Designer Series Paper as part of the hidden flip-up banner. This creates both movement and meaning. The bicycle pattern represents moving forward by faith, while the flip-up feature gives me space to tuck in deeper journaling.
The scripture circle is placed to the right of the photo, creating balance across the page. This circle holds the Hebrews 11:1 verse and becomes a secondary focal point.
The title, My LIFE Verse, is placed across the top of the page so it immediately tells the viewer what the layout is about. Smaller embellishment clusters around the title, photo, and scripture circle help move the eye around the page.
If you recreate this sketch, here are a few photo placement ideas:
- Use one vertical 4” x 6” photo as the main focal point.
- Place the photo slightly left of center so there is room for the scripture circle on the right.
- Tuck patterned paper behind the photo to create depth.
- Use a banner-shaped photo mat or frame to echo the sketch.
- Add hidden journaling behind or underneath the photo if the story is personal.
- Use the circle element for a scripture, small photo, journaling spot, or embellishment cluster.
This sketch works beautifully for one meaningful photo, especially when you want the story and journaling to be just as important as the image.
Why I Chose the Bicycle Designer Series Paper
The Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper has such a peaceful, reflective feel. While this suite includes beautiful waterside images and outdoor-themed artwork, the bicycle pattern felt especially meaningful for this particular page.
To me, the bicycles represent:
- moving forward slowly
- finding balance
- trusting the road ahead
- taking one faithful step at a time
That symbolism connected beautifully with Hebrews 11:1.
Faith does not always look like rushing forward. Sometimes faith looks like slowing down, trusting God’s timing, and continuing to move forward even when you cannot see the whole path yet.
Techniques Used on This Layout
This scrapbook page includes several techniques that add both beauty and meaning to the project.
Hidden Journaling Flip-Up
I created a flip-up banner to hold more heartfelt journaling. Hidden journaling is one of my favorite ways to include personal stories without making every detail visible at first glance.
The outside of the page tells the visual story, while the hidden journaling holds the tender heart of the story.
Ink Blending
I used a blending brush to add soft color and depth to the page. Ink blending is a simple way to add movement, softness, and a custom look to your cardstock or die-cut pieces.
Paper Tearing
Paper tearing adds texture and a more organic feel to the layout. It also works beautifully with the Waterside Retreat theme because it creates a soft, natural edge.
Fussy Cutting
I fussy cut small images from the Designer Series Paper to create embellishments that coordinated perfectly with the page. This is a great way to stretch your patterned paper and create custom accents without needing extra products.
Layering with Dies
I used several dies to build dimension, including alphabet dies, banner dies, circle dies, and other detailed shapes. Layering die cuts helps create focus and movement across the page.
Product Highlights
The star of this project is the Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper. The soft colors, peaceful outdoor imagery, and delicate patterns made it a beautiful choice for a faith-based scrapbook layout.
I also used the Relaxing Waterside Bundle, which includes images that work beautifully for waterside scenes, peaceful outdoor projects, and nature-inspired memory keeping.
The Party Alphabet Dies helped create the large LIFE title, while the Mini Alphabet Dies added smaller title words. I love mixing alphabet sizes because it gives a scrapbook title more personality.
Tips for Creating a Faith-Based Scrapbook Page
If you would like to create your own faith-based scrapbook page, here are a few tips:
- Start with one scripture, phrase, or prayer that feels meaningful.
- Choose one photo that helps tell the story.
- Use hidden journaling if the story feels personal.
- Let your paper choices support the emotion of the page.
- Add small phrases or journaling strips to reinforce the message.
- Use symbols intentionally. In this layout, the bicycles represent moving forward by faith.
- Do not worry about making the page perfect. Let it be honest.
Faith-based scrapbooking does not have to be complicated. It can be as simple as one verse, one photo, and a few words about what God is teaching you.
Journaling Inspiration
For this page, I wanted the journaling to reflect the season I am walking through right now.
Here is the heart behind the journaling:
In this season of healing, Hebrews 11:1 reminds me to slow down, trust God, and move forward by faith. I may not see the full road ahead, but I know He is leading me in His will. I can trust His timing, His goodness, and the unseen work He is doing in my heart.
If you are creating a similar page, here are a few journaling prompts you could use:
- What scripture has been anchoring me lately?
- What is God teaching me in this season?
- Where am I being asked to trust Him without seeing the full picture?
- What does moving forward by faith look like right now?
- What piece of my faith story do I want to preserve?
- What old photo, stamp, card, or keepsake connects to my faith journey?
Faith Reflection
Hebrews 11:1 reminds me that faith is not about seeing the whole road ahead.
Faith is trusting the One who already knows the way.
This layout became a reminder that healing can be slow, but slow does not mean stuck. God is still working in the unseen places. He is still guiding, still restoring, and still inviting me to take the next faithful step.
That is the kind of story I want my scrapbooks to hold.
Not just where I went or what I made, but how God was present in the middle of it.
Product List
Here are the main Stampin’ Up!® products and tools featured on this layout:
- Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper
- Relaxing Waterside Bundle
- Party Alphabet Dies
- Party Banner Dies
- Mini Alphabet Dies
- Spotlight on Nature Dies
- Stylish Shapes Dies
- Sunset Coast Dies
- Blending Brush
- Cajun Craze 12″ x 12″ Two-Tone Cardstock
- Gray Granite 12″ x 12″ Two-Tone Cardstock
- Pool Party 12″ x 12″ Two-Tone Cardstock
- White Willow 12″ x 12″ Cardstock
- Coordinating ink and embellishments
I also included a photo of an older Close To My Heart stamp from my collection as part of the story.
Join the Restoring Joy Sketch Challenge
I would love for you to create along with this month’s Restoring Joy Sketch Challenge with Pamela.
Use the June sketch to create a:
- 12” x 12” scrapbook page
- 6” x 8” scrapbook page
- handmade card
- tag
- or any paper crafting project inspired by the sketch
Share your project on social media using:
#RestoringJoySketchChallenge
And tag me at:
@passionateaboutscrapbooking
I’ll be doing a giveaway at the end of the month for those who participate.
Current Customer Thank-You Offers
When you place a $50+ order with me, you’ll receive the Global Ink Collective Tutorial PDF free.
When you place a $75+ order, you’ll receive the Global Ink Collective Tutorial PDF plus a product sampler kit featuring the Valley In Bloom Suite Collection.
You can shop Stampin’ Up!® with me here:
www.passionateaboutscrapbooking.stampinup.net
Thank you for supporting my Stampin’ Up!® business and allowing me to keep sharing faith-filled scrapbook layouts, creative ideas, tutorials, and encouragement with you.
Closing Encouragement
Your story matters.
The joyful parts, the tender parts, the waiting seasons, the healing seasons, and the places where you are still learning to trust God one step at a time.
Scrapbooking gives us a beautiful way to remember not only our memories, but also God’s faithfulness through every season of life.
Creating with Jesus, crafting with joy.
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