My Favorite Digital Scrapbooking Layouts From January 2025
▼ A great festive layout by Beatrice.
▼ Great use of journaling and a cluster by Brenda.
▼ A delicately beautiful layout by Tiffany.
▼ An awesome mixed media layout by Cindy
▼ Great detailed elements by Susanne.
▼ Awesome cluster work by Angie.
▼ Cool mixed media vibes by Lou.
▼ Another great mixed media layout by Kelley.
▼ A great pocket page by Sara.
Layering Like a Pro: How To Create Depth in Your Digital Layouts
Using interesting and visually distinct layers is one of my favorite techniques to use when creating a digital scrapbooking layout. By combining different textures, elements, and shadows, you can add depth and dimension to your pages, making them more engaging and polished. Whether you're using Affinity Photo, Photoshop, or another design program, the principles remain the same.
This post is based on a video I made. Watch me use these principles in action here.

1. Getting Ready
Before you start adding layers, it’s important to have a solid base for your design. I often like to use a fairly solid background to keep the interest on what comes next.
I like to choose a kit that includes a variety of interesting layers, such as paint, sequins or scatters, and textured elements like doilies, fabric, tulle, and vellum. I’m especially drawn to scrappy, mixed-media pieces that add depth and character.
Choose your photos. I usually like to put some sort of frame around my photo to help make it pop. Often it will just be a simple white border or white frame.

2. Adding Texture and Dimension
One of my favorite parts of scrapbooking is working with different textures and materials. To build depth, I start by layering various digital scraps behind my photo. This could include:
- Textured paper pieces
- Vellum pieces(for a semi-transparent effect)
- Fabric scraps or doilies
- Strings and Ribbons
- Vintage Ephemera
As I arrange these elements, I make sure to adjust their size, rotation, and layering order to create a balanced composition. I personally don't like anything to look too tidy.
After I get the main elements placed behind my photo, I'll add in some paint splatters and scatters/sequins to help anchor the cluster I've been working on.

3. Balancing the Layout
After I’ve built up the main focal cluster, I add two other interest points elsewhere on the canvas. Make sure the cluster you've created is small enough so that you have space between your three spots.
Your three focal points can be arranged:
- Vertically
- Horizontally
- In the points of a triangle.

4. Enhancing with Embellishments
Now it’s time to add the finishing touches! Embellishments are what make the layout pop. Some elements I love incorporating include:
- Florals – They add softness and elegance.
- Buttons – Great for introducing different materials like plastic.
- Greenery – Helps create a natural, organic feel.
- Word art – Perfect for reinforcing your layout’s theme.
By layering these embellishments strategically, I can guide the viewer’s eye through the design while keeping it visually appealing.

5. Final Look
At this point, I step back and evaluate the layout. I check for:
- Depth and dimension – Does it feel layered and dynamic?
- Flow and movement – Does the eye naturally move through the page?
- Cohesion – Are the textures, colors, and elements working together?
Mastering layering techniques in digital scrapbooking takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to create beautiful layouts. By playing with textures, layers, and embellishments, you can add incredible depth and make your pages truly stand out. Let me know if any of this tips sound helpful and what graphics you have to have to create your layout.
Pages
Monthly archive
- November 2012 (9)
- December 2012 (37)
- January 2013 (17)
- February 2013 (13)
- March 2013 (20)
- April 2013 (27)
- May 2013 (28)
- June 2013 (9)
- July 2013 (10)
- August 2013 (12)
- September 2013 (17)
- October 2013 (12)
- November 2013 (16)
- December 2013 (12)
- January 2014 (15)
- February 2014 (9)
- March 2014 (16)
- April 2014 (11)
- May 2014 (4)
- June 2014 (9)
- July 2014 (8)
- August 2014 (7)
- September 2014 (7)
- October 2014 (13)
- November 2014 (6)
- December 2014 (3)
- January 2015 (13)
- February 2015 (14)
- March 2015 (15)
- April 2015 (13)
- May 2015 (12)
- June 2015 (11)
- July 2015 (10)
- August 2015 (8)
- September 2015 (7)
- October 2015 (10)
- November 2015 (7)
- December 2015 (10)
- January 2016 (7)
- February 2016 (6)
- March 2016 (9)
- April 2016 (7)
- May 2016 (8)
- June 2016 (8)
- July 2016 (6)
- August 2016 (5)
- September 2016 (8)
- October 2016 (8)
- November 2016 (10)
- December 2016 (7)
- January 2017 (6)
- February 2017 (12)
- March 2017 (11)
- April 2017 (7)
- May 2017 (9)
- June 2017 (9)
- July 2017 (10)
- August 2017 (7)
- September 2017 (11)
- October 2017 (8)
- November 2017 (8)
- December 2017 (8)
- January 2018 (8)
- February 2018 (8)
- March 2018 (9)
- April 2018 (4)
- May 2018 (9)
- June 2018 (9)
- July 2018 (4)
- August 2018 (5)
- September 2018 (13)
- October 2018 (18)
- November 2018 (17)
- December 2018 (14)
- January 2019 (23)
- February 2019 (21)
- March 2019 (17)
- April 2019 (14)
- May 2019 (18)
- June 2019 (13)
- July 2019 (8)
- August 2019 (3)
- September 2019 (14)
- October 2019 (17)
- November 2019 (15)
- December 2019 (6)
- January 2020 (14)
- February 2020 (20)
- March 2020 (16)
- April 2020 (18)
- May 2020 (19)
- June 2020 (16)
- July 2020 (8)
- August 2020 (5)
- September 2020 (8)
- October 2020 (10)
- November 2020 (10)
- December 2020 (7)
- January 2021 (4)
- February 2021 (9)
- March 2021 (8)
- April 2021 (7)
- May 2021 (7)
- June 2021 (7)
- July 2021 (10)
- August 2021 (7)
- September 2021 (8)
- October 2021 (5)
- November 2021 (7)
- December 2021 (6)
- January 2022 (5)
- February 2022 (7)
- March 2022 (9)
- April 2022 (6)
- May 2022 (7)
- June 2022 (4)
- July 2022 (2)
- August 2022 (1)
- September 2022 (3)
- October 2022 (5)
- November 2022 (4)
- December 2022 (6)
- January 2023 (4)
- February 2023 (5)
- March 2023 (6)
- April 2023 (5)
- May 2023 (5)
- June 2023 (5)
- July 2023 (5)
- August 2023 (5)
- September 2023 (5)
- October 2023 (4)
- November 2023 (4)
- December 2023 (5)
- January 2024 (4)
- February 2024 (5)
- March 2024 (5)
- April 2024 (3)
- May 2024 (3)
- June 2024 (3)
- July 2024 (4)
- August 2024 (2)
- September 2024 (4)
- October 2024 (5)
- November 2024 (4)
- December 2024 (3)
- January 2025 (5)
- February 2025 (2)