top of page

How This Chick Fell in Love with Paper: My Scrapbooking Story & Creative Journey

Writer: This Chick Loves PaperThis Chick Loves Paper

Updated: Mar 17

This is NOT the story I thought I’d be telling—but it’s the one that changed everything. What started as a “someday” hobby turned into my greatest creative adventure, and now I can’t imagine life without it!



Hi, I’m April – the chick who loves paper!
📸 Meet the Chick Behind the Paper! Crafting, storytelling, and making memories—one scrapbook page at a time! 💕✂️ #ThisChickLovesPaper

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be completely obsessed with paper, glue, and a Cricut® machine, I would have laughed (and probably asked if you were okay). But life has a funny way of turning “maybes” into musts—and that’s exactly what happened.


Welcome, friends! I’m April, the creative mind behind This Chick Loves Paper! 🎨✨


By day? I’m a flooring sales rep! By night I’m a personal assistant, house cleaner, chef, chauffeur, coach, trainer, referee—yup, you guessed it, I’m a mom! My little man (who isn’t so little anymore) keeps me on my toes, and together, we’ve made some of the wildest, funniest, most unforgettable memories. 💖


 

💡 The Moment It Hit Me: Without Stories, They’re Just Photos On My Phone!


Life was busy. Chaotic. I had a million responsibilities pulling me in different directions, and scrapbooking? That was on my ‘maybe someday’ list.


✔ “Maybe someday I’ll scrapbook.”

✔ “Maybe someday I’ll be more creative.”

✔ “Maybe someday I’ll have time for this.”


Then… life threw a major plot twist my way.

An arm with two IV ports taped to the skin on a bed in a medical setting, with wooden cabinets in the background.
This wasn’t the story I planned on telling… but it’s the one that changed everything.

In May of 2022, what started as a minor health scare quickly turned into a serious diagnosis. Suddenly, doctors were looking me straight in the eye and saying, “Get your affairs in order.”


Excuse me, WHAT?!


Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting to hear that!


Let that sink in.


 

This Chick Loves Paper: My Scrapbooking Story & Creative Journey Begins!


The news was devastating. But what hit even harder was sitting next to my son, scrolling through photos on my phone, just cracking up at all the memories flooding back. The inside jokes. The little moments. The absolute chaos.


Children in red and white outfits eat snacks and pose happily in a classroom and playground. Festive decorations and school setting visible.
A single conversation. A phone screen full of photos. And a heartbreaking realization—without me here, these were just pictures with no stories. That had to change.

My little man looked over and asked, “What’s so funny?”

I turned the phone toward him. “Do you remember this?”

He squinted at the screen. Paused. Thought for a second.

“Nope.”


I laughed, shaking my head. “Are you serious?! This was HILARIOUS!” And just like that, I launched into the full story—every wild, ridiculous, laugh-out-loud detail.


As I talked, he started laughing too—like belly-laugh, can’t-breathe, oh-my-gosh-we-actually-did-that kind of laughing. It was like I had just unlocked a memory he didn’t even know he had.


So we kept going. More photos. More moments. More stories.


And with every “I don’t remember that” he said, the realization hit me harder.



💡 Without me here to tell the stories… these were just photos on my phone!!


The memories I treasured so much? They were fading for him! I couldn’t let that happen.


That was the moment I knew—if my stories were going to be remembered, I had to tell them. I had to write them down.


And that’s when I found my Scrapbooking Story & Creative Journey Begins!


So I grabbed some paper, some glue, and I started scrapbooking. Whether I was here or not, our stories would be. 💖


 

✂️ The Secret Scrapbook That Started My Creative Journey!


Scrapbook supplies on a table with Halloween-themed pages and photos. A Christmas tree with lights glows in the blurred background.
One of my first scrapbook projects… created in secret, but filled with love. 💕

So I got to work. Quietly. Secretly. Determined.


At first, I didn’t want my little man to know I was making him a scrapbook filled with our memories! I wanted it to be a surprise! So in the beginning, I called it my “project” and crafted it in secret.


I’d work on it when he was at school or asleep, stacking papers and supplies on my coffee table—ready to hide “My Project” them if he walked in.


But as with all good secrets, the truth eventually comes out.




 


🚀 Hooked on Paper! (And Why I’m Never Looking Back!)


Scrapbook page with colorful flowers and stripes. Two photos show people posing happily outdoors. The word "LOVE" is prominently displayed.
One page turned into two… then ten… then a full-blown obsession. And let’s be honest—I’m NEVER looking back! 🎨🔥

Once I started scrapbooking, there was no turning back.


It was way easier (and more fun!) than I ever imagined! The more I created, the more I fell in love with paper, inks, die-cuts, layering, stamping… ALL OF IT.


First, it was just for him.

Then, it became for me too.

And before I knew it, I had found my creative passion.




 

💖 Scrapbooking With a Personal Touch: More Than Just Pretty Pages


Of course, I want a pretty page. Who doesn’t?


But a pretty page without a story? That’s just paper.


For me, scrapbooking isn’t just about design—it’s about bringing memories to life. I want my layouts to be special, unique, and deeply personal.


That’s why my scrapbooking style is a little different than most.


A collage with a surprised person holding Nestlé Drumstick cones, text and images on a polka dot background, next to snowy wooden planks.
Scrapbooking isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling good. Every layout tells a story, captures a moment, and keeps our memories alive.

✨ I build scenes—because a layout should feel like stepping back into the moment.


✨ I add custom details—because the little things are what make a memory yours.


✨ I bring in humor, quirks, and personality—through titles, journaling, embellishments, and yes… even intentionally misspelled words (because if my son said it that way, that’s how I want to remember it!).


Every page tells a story.

Every detail has meaning.

Every scrapbook is a time capsule of us.


That’s what makes it so much more than just paper. ✂️✨



 

Why Paper? Why Scrapbooking? Why This Blog?

My pages reflect not only our memories but also our humor, our quirks, and the little moments that make us “us.”
My pages reflect not only our memories but also our humor, our quirks, and the little moments that make us “us.”

I created This Chick Loves Paper not only to share my Scrapbooking Story & Creative Journey but to also:


✨ Inspire you to start documenting your own stories.

✨ Teach you how easy and rewarding it is to scrapbook.

✨ Show you that every memory—big or small—is worth capturing.


📢 Don’t wait for a “better time” to start. The best time is NOW.


Whether you’re a seasoned scrapbooker, a Disney enthusiast, or just starting, I hope you find encouragement, tools, and fresh ideas here to inspire your creativity. If you’re looking for unique ways to scrapbook your Disney adventures, you’re in the right place! With years of annual visits to Disneyland and countless magical memories, I’m excited to share layouts, tips, and ideas for crafting Disney-inspired pages that bring those moments to life.


 

Your Scrapbooking Story & Creative Journey Starts Here!


Map-themed scrapbook page with "National Lampoon's Griswold Christmas Vacation" text, photos of a person in a car, and colorful suitcase icons.
Let’s turn your favorite memories into something you can see, touch, and relive forever. Ready to make magic? Let’s do this! ✂️✨🔥

If you love:

✔ Disney (because, SAME.)

✔ Personalized, meaningful scrapbooking

✔ Card-making that WOWs

✔ Laughing, crafting, and making memories


Then you are in the right place!


This Chick Loves Paper is not your average crafting blog. This is where creativity meets storytelling, where memories are made with ink, cardstock, and a little bit of magic.


 

Let’s Get Crafty! Explore & Get Inspired!


🎨 Looking for Scrapbook Ideas?


👇 Check out my latest layouts & projects here!



 

💌 Need Handmade Card Inspiration?


👇See some of my favorite card Christmas designs below:



 

📖 Want to Learn More?


👉 Browse my blog for tips, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes crafting fun!




 

📸 Share Your Creations: Join the Community!


I’d love to see YOUR scrapbook pages and handmade cards!

📢 Drop them in the Members’ Gallery and let’s inspire each other!


Whether you’re capturing your favorite vacation, your child’s milestones, or just the everyday moments that make life special—let’s create together!



 

🚀 Why Wait? Start Scrapbooking Today!


The best time to capture your memories? RIGHT NOW. Let’s get scrappin!


If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe someday I’ll start scrapbooking…” consider this your sign.


Life moves fast. Too fast. Moments become memories in the blink of an eye, and if we don’t capture them, they fade.


Scrapbook page with baby's photos, blue and yellow celestial theme, stars, moon, clouds, and text: "Baby Braden." Emotive and dreamy design.
Scrapbooking changed my life—now it’s your turn! Grab your paper, your glue, and let’s start telling your story. 🎨

📸 Don’t let your favorite moments live only on your phone.


✂️ Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to start.


💖 Don’t let the “I’m not creative” excuse hold you back.


Because once you start, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.


Scrapbooking isn’t just about making pages—it’s about making time for what matters. It’s about preserving your story in a way that’s uniquely YOU.



🎉 So grab your paper, your photos, and let’s do this! 🎉


📢 Join me on this creative journey! Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned crafter, there’s always inspiration, ideas, and a welcoming community waiting for you here at This Chick Loves Paper!


 

💖 Final Thoughts: From Maybe to Must-Have

 A child whispers to a surprised woman, both smiling and playful. Two smaller photos show them posing happily together. Warm, joyful mood.
💖 Scrapbooking isn’t just about paper—it’s about the moments that matter most! My greatest masterpiece? Being his mom. 🥰✨ #MemoryKeeper

What started as a maybe someday turned into a can’t live without it—and it can for you, too!


Scrapbooking changed my life—and it can change yours, too!


Let’s make memories.

Let’s tell stories.

Let’s fall in love with paper together!


Welcome to This Chick Loves Paper—I’m April! 🎨✨ It’s so nice to meet you!


🛒 Grab Your Supplies & Start Crafting!


 

Please note:

All photos and projects are subject to copyright ThisChickLovesPaper.com.

Images @ Stampin’ Up!©️

Images @ Close to My Heart©️


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!®


💖 From a secret scrapbook project to a thriving creative adventure, This Chick Loves Paper is all about preserving memories through scrapbooking and card-making! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this blog is packed with ideas, inspiration, and personal stories to bring your memories to life—one handmade creation at a time! 🎨✨

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
bottom of page