Coastal Christmas Vibes – A Scrapbook Layout That Brings the Beach to the Holidays
- This Chick Loves Paper
- Jul 28
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 22
Let’s be honest—we’ve all been there. You start a layout with one plan… and halfway through, the vibes totally shift. 🙃
That’s exactly what happened here.
Originally, I was building a layout to feature some “less-than-perfect” photos from Paradise Pier at Disneyland. You know the ones, blurry, off-center, but packed with love anyway. The goal was to celebrate imperfect moments. But as I started laying my papers and blending that dreamy coastal palette… something changed.
About halfway through, I started seeing a beachy Christmas vibe! Twinkle lights on palm trees, cocoa in a coconut, and a tree planted right in the sand. The whole layout transformed into a cozy, sun-faded holiday dream!
And now? I’m torn. I don’t even know which photos to use anymore!
But that’s the magic of crafting. Whether you’ve got Disney pics, tropical Christmas photos, or just want to create something that says “holiday sparkle—but make it salty,” this layout is for YOU. 🌴🎅
Ready to dive into the supplies? Grab your trimmer and SPF—because this paper party is heading to the beach. 🏖️✨
📦 What You’ll Need to Build This Coastal Christmas Scrapbook Layout!
Patterned Paper
• Marble Pattern (used for the central panel)
• Brown Geometric Pattern (used as thin accents)
🪵 Cardstock
• Peaceful Days 12x12 Two-Tone Cardstock – For all the stunning seaside layering
• White Willow 12x12 Cardstock – Scored and inked to create that shiplap-style background
• Stampin’ Up! Brushed Silver Specialty Paper– All die-cut ornament elements
💫 Stamps & Dies
• Poinsettia Petals Bundle – White poinsettia
• Hang an Ornament Bundle – Brushed Silver ornament
• Golden Greenery Dies – Vellum sprigs
• Snowflake – Cut with Cricut from White Willow Cardstock
• Sea Shell – Cut with Cricut from Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake Cardstock - CTMH Toffee inking for dimension
🛠 Tools
• Foam Tape
🪄 Step-by-Step: Build the Beachy Christmas Magic
1. 🪵 Shiplap Like a Shoreline Pro - Create the Coastal Shiplap Background
The background may look like dreamy beachy wood, but spoiler alert: it’s not patterned paper—it’s scored White Willow cardstock!
To create that breezy, beachy backdrop, I started with a sheet of White Willow cardstock and scored it horizontally, 1 inch apart, across both pages using my Paper Trimmer and scoring blade.
Then, I dragged my CTMH Mink ink pad directly across the page. The ink naturally caught in the grooves, creating the soft, weathered look of sun-kissed paneling. It’s subtle, but sooo worth the technique. 🐚
Pro Tip: Don’t overthink the pressure! Use light, uneven swipes to add to the rustic effect. Let it look “naturally beachy!”
💎 Marble & More: Creating That Center Statement
Once the shiplap was dry, I started building the structure of the page with cardstock and DSP strips. Here’s how it went down:
Peaceful Garden DSP:
Cut one piece to 12” x 4” (marble pattern) for the center panel. Inked the edges with Jet Black StazOn for contrast.
Secret Sea & Crumb Cake Strips:
Cut two 12” x 1” strips from each color.
Inked edges of Secret Sea with its matching Classic Ink.
Inked edges of Crumb Cake with CTMH Toffee.
Layered the strips horizontally—above and below the 4” marble panel—to build structure, frame the photos, and add tone-on-tone texture.
Pro Tip: Inking the edges of your strips deepens the color and helps each layer pop without needing foam tape. It’s like contouring… but for paper. 💁♀️
📸 Double the Mats, Double the Drama!
For this layout, I double-matted five photos using Stampin’ Up! Secret Sea and White Willow cardstock. The soft contrast keeps things clean, breezy, and totally luxe—like a linen beach robe but for your pictures. 😎
Secret Sea (bottom mat layer):
• Three mats at 6-1/2” x 4-1/2”
(One of these is turned vertically to break up the flow and add visual interest.)
• Two square mats at 4-1/2” x 4-1/2”
White Willow (top mat layer):
• Cut five mats, each one 1/4” smaller than its Secret Sea base
That means:
• 6-1/4” x 4-1/4” for the rectangles
• 4-1/4” x 4-1/4” for the squares
Photos are trimmed down to 4x6 and 4x4, so everything stacks beautifully without looking bulky or cramped.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate the power of clean matting—it gives your photos room to breathe while tying together your whole color story. Want to sneak in a sixth photo? Pop a smaller one next to the vertical pic on the left page. I left that space open for a ❄️ cluster, but hey—you do you, crafty queen!
❄️ Flurries, Foliage, & Foam Tape—Building the Cluster
Now let’s talk about the tropical holiday cluster that’s sleighing the scene.
• Poinsettia: Petals Bundle, cut from White Willow, centered with an Antique Pearl dot
• Leaves (Petals Bundle): Crumb Cake, edges inked in CTMH Toffee
• Sprigs: Cut from vellum using Golden Greenery dies
• Shell: Cricut cut from Crumb Cake + White Willow, edges inked with CTMH Toffee
• Ornament: Cut using Hang an Ornament Bundle
• Bulb = Secret Sea
• Ornament Hanger & topper = Brushed Silver
• Decoration = White Willow Cricut cut (stacked for depth)
Every piece was thoughtfully inked, stacked, or layered to bring luxe dimension to the layout.
Pro Tip: When adding dimension, use partial foam tape under the corners of embellishments. It keeps clusters dynamic while still flat enough for page protectors.
🌟 Cluster Close-Up: Why This Works
This embellishment cluster is giving major Coastal Couture Christmas—and I am OBSESSED. 😍
Here’s why it totally slays:
Texture on texture: Vellum + shimmer = winter frost meets ocean breeze
Color balance: Cool silver and Secret Sea pair beautifully with krafty Toffee tones
Shine game strong: The Antique Pearl center adds subtle bling without overpowering
❄️ Let It Snow… With Style
Let’s talk about the last-minute addition that turned out to be everything: the snowflakes. These weren’t even part of the original plan—but thank goodness for extra die cuts, right? 🙌
Just like I did with the ornament decoration, I doubled up each snowflake to give them more depth and weight. Then, I swiped on CTMH Clear Shimmer for a barely-there sparkle that catches the light without overpowering the soft beachy vibe. Each flake was finished with an Antique Pearl center—because even a snowflake deserves a little jewelry. 💎
Honestly, if I didn’t point them out here, you might miss them altogether in the photos. But in person? These snowflakes are absolute stunners. ✨ They’re the perfect subtle embellishment—adding just enough shimmer and winter magic to tie the whole coastal Christmas story together.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate the power of leftovers! Doubled die cuts and shimmer brush touches can elevate even the simplest shapes into swoon-worthy details.
🔤 Let’s Talk Title: Beachy Bold with a Twist!
I cut Secret Sea letters and layered them on a print-and-cut backdrop that looks like sandy linen but feels oh-so crisp!
The entire title is popped up with foam tape for dimension—because who wants a flat title on a layout this fab?
💡 Pro Tip: Custom titles are like extra whipped cream—they make everything better. Don’t be afraid to layer cardstock on top of texture or foam for a polished pro finish.
🎉 And Just Like That… BAM! A Holiday Layout Worth Framing
This layout is DONE—and wow, what a coastal Christmas glow-up. Whether you fill it with beachy holiday photos, tropical travels, or Paradise Pier magic, the structure and palette are versatile enough to make it yours.
Want to remix it?
• Swap the blue for Pretty Peacock for a deeper ocean vibe
• Trade poinsettias for layered stars or shells
• Swap in gold foil for silver if you’re team warm tones
No matter how you style it, this layout is proof that Christmas doesn’t have to be red and green. ❄️🌊
✨ EXPLORE MORE: When Sand Meets Santa 🎅🏖️
Who says your scrapbook can’t sip eggnog on the beach? If you’re loving this mix of mistletoe and maritime, get ready to dive into even more merry-making magic. From sun-drenched Disney days to peppermint-kissed paper projects, This Chick’s got a whole lineup of layouts that celebrate the unexpected. Click around, get inspired, and let your creativity ride the wave straight into the holiday season. 🌊🎄
💬 Share Your Creations – Let’s See Your Holiday Hybrids!
Whether you’re channeling coastal Christmas vibes or remixing it into something completely different, we want to see your spin! Your creativity might just inspire the next big paper party trend. 💥
🎨 Upload your creations to the Members Gallery—I wanna see your wildest pivots and happiest accidents!
🎯 Final Thoughts: Christmas Can Be Whatever You Want It To Be
Whether this layout has you sipping hot cocoa or daydreaming of boardwalks and twinkle lights, one thing’s for sure—Christmas doesn’t need snow to sparkle. ✨
This page is proof that holiday layouts can be elegant, unexpected, and uniquely you. So grab your shimmer, score your background, and pop those poinsettias like the paper party queen you are.
Because when it comes to creativity?
YOU bring the magic. I show you where to shop for foam tape. 💥
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!®
Bring the beach to your holiday pages with this Coastal Christmas scrapbook layout! Featuring shiplap-style backgrounds, shimmer snowflakes, poinsettias, and seaside embellishments, this dreamy double-page spread sleighs with Stampin’ Up! favorites and storytelling sparkle—crafted by This Chick Loves Paper.
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