🎄 Still Here, Still Slaying: A 12x12 Double Page Christmas Scrapbook Layout That’s Full of Heart
- This Chick Loves Paper
- Aug 30
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 22
They told me I wouldn’t make it past Christmas…
But this layout says otherwise. 💥
In May of 2022, I was given a diagnosis that nearly shattered me. “You probably won’t make it past the holidays,” they said.
Well guess what?
This is Christmas 2023.
I’m still standing. Still scrapbooking. Still decorating the tree. Still living with more purpose, gratitude, and creativity than ever before.
This 12x12 double-page Christmas scrapbook layout isn’t just paper and glue. It’s proof that life goes on — beautifully, boldly, and with glitter in every corner.
So yes… this layout includes poinsettias and presents. But it also holds something more powerful than any die cut: hope.
So grab your cardstock and a little bit of courage… and let’s craft this miracle together. 💥
Supplies You’ll Need for This 12x12 Double Page Christmas Scrapbook Layout
🎁 Designer Series Paper (DSP):
• Stampin’ Up! Modern Christmas DSP
(Fa La La La La Pattern & Black & White Polka Dot Pattern)
• Stampin’ Up! Nature’s Sweetness DSP
• Stampin' Up! Brushed Gold Specialty Paper
🖼️ Cardstock:
• Stampin' Up! Basic Black 12x12 Cardstock (Scrapbook base)
• Stampin' Up! White Willow 12x12 Cardstock (Trimmed to leave a 3-sided border)
• CTMH Pine Cardstock (used for holly leaves and one gift tag)
🌟 Embellishments:
• Stampin' Up! Decorative Trees Bundle – for black, white, and gold trees + gold stars
• Stampin' Up! Hang an Ornament Bundle – for the ornament and its “ornament crown”
• Stampin' Up! Poinsettia Petals Bundle – White Willow poinsettias & Pine holly leaves
• Stampin' Up! Peaceful Season Dies – for the title (cut in gold foil)
• Stampin' Up! Gold & Silver 1/8” Trim Combo Pack – tied on the gift tags
• Antique Pearl (Adhesive-Backed) – centers of poinsettias
✂️ Tools:
• Stampin’ Seal & Bearly Liquid Glue
• Foam Tape (used under poinsettias and title only)
• Avery Clear Full Sheet Labels (for journaling strip)
🖥️ Design Space & Layout Planning
Let’s be real — sometimes the hardest part isn’t making the page, it’s deciding which papers to commit to! 😅
This layout started with a simple idea: black, white, gold, and green elegance. But with so many beautiful Modern Christmas patterns, narrowing it down took longer than cutting the dies!
Once that was done, I worked out all the measurements in front of me, with a clear plan to balance the bold and subtle patterns. Every piece, photo mat, and embellishment was designed with intention and symmetry.
Still Standing, Still Scrapping: The Step-by-Step Slaydown
🎬 Start with the Base: Create That Seamless Canvas
To kick off this stunning double-page spread, grab:
• (2) sheets of Basic Black 12x12 Cardstock – these will be your border base
• (2) sheets of White Willow 12x12 Cardstock – these become your top layout base
To reduce bulk and save paper for future use
embellishments, you’ll want to hollow out the center of each black base:
• Trim an 11” x 11” square from the center of each black 12x12.
• Save those cutouts — you’ll use them later for photo mats and decorative die cuts.
Now prep your White Willow:
• Trim ¼” off one side and ½” off the bottom of each piece.
• These cuts will create a sleek three-sided black border around your layout when layered over the Basic Black pages.
🖤 The key detail? No black border in the center of your layout! When you place the two White Willow pieces onto your black bases and push them side by side, they’ll meet perfectly in the middle — giving you a seamless, connected double-page look.
🔳 Add That Bold Background Magic
Time to turn those neutral bases into a holiday showstopper! For each page of your double layout, you’ll layer these gorgeous strips — cut two of each (one for the left, one for the right):
• Polka Dot DSP (Modern Christmas) – 10½” wide × 3¼” high
• CTMH Pine Cardstock Strip – 11½” wide × ¼” high
• Fa La La La La DSP (Modern Christmas) – 11½” wide × 5½” high
• Gold DSP Strip (Nature’s Sweetness) – 11½” wide × ½” high
(You can also substitute with Stampin’ Up! Gold Foil Sheets for extra shine!)
Layer each set of strips from the top down, adhering them directly to the trimmed White Willow base.
✨ Design Spotlight:
This combo isn’t random — it’s strategy, baby! The Fa La La La La DSP brings the bold punch, so placing the subtle polka dots above it gives your layout some visual breathing room. That skinny ¼” Pine Cardstock strip? It’s the unsung hero — just enough green to echo the Christmas vibe in your photos and bring serious contrast. And the gold strip at the base? A shimmering anchor that ties the whole thing together like a sparkly bow on a holiday gift.
🎁 Balanced. Bold. Beautiful. This background does the heavy lifting so your photos can shine.
🖼 Frame Your Photos: Matting Like a Pro
📸 Left Page – Large Photo Block
Start with a 9¼” x 7” black cardstock mat. Position it flush against the White Willow side without the black border, and nestle it just above the final strip of “fa la la la la” DSP.
Cut three White Willow photo mats to 4¼” x 6¼”. Layer two of the mats on top of the black cardstock—side by side. One of them should align right up against the unbordered edge, creating a seamless visual anchor.
📸 Right Page – Single Horizontal Photo
Cut a 5” x 7” black photo mat and align it so it matches the height of the large photo block on the left page. Adhere a 4¼” x 6¼” White Willow mat centered on top.
✨ Gold-Framed Beauty (Vertical Photo Stack):
• Gold DSP Mat (Nature’s Sweetness): 4½” x 10”
• Black Inner Mat: 4” x 9½”
• White Photo Mat: 3¼” x 4¾”
• Photo Size: 3” x 4½”
Adhere the black mat inside the gold one, then layer your white mat and photo on top. Gorgeous.
📝 Underneath the photo, place a White Willow journaling box (3¼” x 3¼” or bump it up to 3½” x 3½”). Type your story on a clear Avery label for a sleek, semi-transparent journaling look.
✨ Pro Tip: The vertical gold-framed photo block on the right balances the wider double-photo feature on the left. That asymmetry? It’s intentional design magic. Your eye dances across the page, and your photos stay center stage.
🎄 Embellish Like a Christmas Queen
This is where the layout goes from festive to full-blown fa-la-fabulous:
🎁 Gift Tags:
• (1) Fa La La DSP
• (1) CTMH Pine Cardstock
• (1) Basic Black Cardstock
Topped with Gold & Silver ⅛” Trim Combo Pack ribbon. Pure elegance.
🌟 Trees (Decorative Trees Bundle):
• Die cut from Basic Black, White Willow, and Brushed Gold DSP
• Layer trees on both sides of the page.
🌺 Poinsettias & Leaves (Poinsettia Petals Dies):
• Poinsettias = White Willow cardstock
• Leaves = CTMH Pine Cardstock, edges inked with Stampin’ Up! Old Olive
• Centers = Antique Pearl Adhesive Dots
🪅 Ornament (Hang an Ornament Bundle):
• Cut from Basic Black
• Gold Foil Ornament Cap & Hook
🔥 Pro Tip: Add foam tape to your poinsettias and title for extra POP while keeping everything else flat for balance. Dimensional layering draws attention without overwhelming.
✨ Finishing Touches
• "Christmas" title is cut from Gold Foil Sheets and mounted with foam tape for dimension.
• Every embellishment (except title and poinsettias) is glued flat to the page.
• Final touches include stars cut from the Decorative Trees bundle in Brushed Gold DSP adhered to tags and ornaments to echo the sparkle throughout.
🎁 When Minimal Design Carries a Maximum Story
This layout might look clean and minimal, but the layers tell a deep story. From the precise measurements to the sparkle of brushed gold, every detail celebrates another Christmas I wasn’t supposed to see.
Whether you use this sketch to document your own holiday memories, remix it in a new color scheme, or simply take inspiration from the embellishment clusters… know this: your story matters. Every layout is a victory in paper form.
🎨 Explore More: Holiday Layouts That Sleigh the Season
If you love layouts with elegant clusters, meaningful journaling, and just the right amount of sparkle, you’re in the right place. From tropical trees in Santa hats to magical frozen castles and stitched-up stockings, my holiday layouts are packed with heart, layers, and story.
💬 Ready to Share Your Story Too?
Inspired to tell your own story through a Christmas layout?
I’d LOVE to see what you’re working on! Upload your projects to the Members Gallery and let this incredible community cheer you on. Whether you’re crafting through a hard season or simply celebrating life’s sweet moments, your layouts belong here. ❤️
Who knows… your story might be just what someone else needs to see today.
🌟 Proof That Paper Can Hold a Miracle
This layout isn’t just paper and glue… it’s my proof.
Proof that I made it through the storm.
Proof that I was still here — standing, slaying, and scrapbooking another Christmas I wasn’t promised.
And now?
This layout is my confetti cannon of gratitude. 🎉
Because sometimes the biggest gift under the tree…
…is the fact that you’re still here to decorate it.
Craft like every page is a miracle — because sometimes, it really is. 💥
April – This Chick Loves Paper
🛒 Grab Your Supplies & Get Crafting!
All photos and projects are subject to copyright © ThisChickLovesPaper.com.
Images © Stampin’ Up!®
The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of April Raine – This Chick Loves Paper as a Stampin’ Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services, or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up!®
Celebrate life, survival, and storytelling with this 12x12 double-page Christmas scrapbook layout featuring Stampin’ Up!’s Modern Christmas DSP. Get inspired with a powerful comeback story, layered embellishments, and a heartfelt holiday scrapbooking tutorial from This Chick Loves Paper.
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