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Sustainable Scrapbooking: The Ultimate Guide

Whilst getting crafty is a great project for the family, traditional scrapbooking uses lots of paper, glue, and even plastics to create the works of art. Not only does this create unrecyclable waste, but it can also get pretty expensive. With this in mind, we created our ultimate sustainable scrapbooking guide with our best selling craft products to help you create something special without compromising on your green values.

Scrapbooking Fair Trade and Sustainable

Coloured Leather Journal

Secured with a hand-dyed, tri-colour leather strap, this personalised journal contains pages of plain, unlined khadda paper. Explore our 7 different coloured leather journal here.

How to sustainably scrapbook

1. Pick your theme

So where do you begin? You’ll want to start with picking an event or theme for your scrapbook. You might have a special someone’s birthday coming up, or maybe you’re in need of a place to keep graduation photos, baby photos, wedding photos, or keepsakes from a special trip. It could be based around a specific event, or an ongoing project to keep adding to over the years. Or maybe, you’d just like to use scrapbooking as a relaxing moment for yourself, while creating a page that reflects your personality and creativity? Just make sure you’ve got plenty to fill your scrapbook with!
Personalised leather wedding album

2. Gather your supplies

Now for the basics – collecting your materials. For your most special memories you’ll want to choose a journal or album that looks good, feels nice, and is hardwearing enough to keep your treasures safe over the years. And it’s even better if it’s handmade, Fair Trade, and crafted from sustainable materials! Here’s what I gather when I scrapbook:
  • My leather journal (you can find a journal or album here)
  • My printed pictures and photo corners
  • Stickers and papers of all kinds (I also love using gift wraps as a base layer)
  • Masking tape and glue
  • Printing blocks and ink
  • My paints (either watercolour or acrylic) and brushes
  • Pens/pencils/scissors…

 3. Get creative

The base layer

First, I start creating my page by visualising where my elements are going to be placed. I make sure to layer my stickers and papers as much as possible to create depth.

I start by gluing the elements into place, in the order I want them to be in, as seen on the top right picture.

I finish off by applying the top layer which is usually my stickers.

My lemon themed page reminds me of summer. I love these colours together!

Using printing blocks

I love adding a little something to my scrapbook by using printing blocks. I particularly love this butterfly one but we also offer other designs such as plants, patterns, animals…
Gift wrap as a background

I love our Petaled Natural Lokta Gift Wrap and thought it would look lovely as the background paper of my second page. It adds texture to my spread. I cut it to the right dimensions and glued it to my left page.
Picture time!

First, I cut a fun design in my picture, to add some character to my page, and then used photo corners to secure my photograph into place. Our clear photo corners are a great mess-free way to keep pictures secure.

Finishing touches

We’re almost there! Here I’m adding a little message, a few more stamped butterflies, watercolour flowers, a few finishing details and voilà!

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity flow when you start scrapbooking.

The finished result

In need of more inspo?

Check this video of my latest creations in my distressed leather journal. I love using it for scrapbooking, but also for bullet journaling or creating travel pages. Give us a follow on social (@paperhighuk) for more creative ideas.

and more…

Our scrapbooking essentials

Our photo corners are a great mess-free way to keep your pictures secure. We also offer printing block sets (animals, leafs, lovely patterns…), recycled newspaper pencils and leather pencil cases!
Tropical Printing Blocks

Here’s a few products to start scrapbooking

Tropical Printing Blocks

£19.95

£34.95 – 49.95

Embossed albums

With a clasp or a leather strap, a semi-precious stone or a stunning pattern, each of our embossed albums are unique and perfect for scrapbooking.
Brown leather roll up pencil case sustainable

£27.95

Photo corners

£2.95

A Round Recycled Newspaper Pencil Holder, made from recycled newspaper, contains various stationery items, including pencils, pens, scissors, and a paintbrush. It is placed on a white surface next to an eraser and a notebook.

£7.95

Colorful notebooks with intricate patterns reminiscent of sari fabric and a button clasp lay stacked on a wooden table. A small plant and decorative rings are placed nearby, creating an inviting scene that could easily frame a Small Sari Fabric Photo Album (Copy).

£14.95 – £24.95
Naturally dyed, handmade Personalised Distressed Leather Journals in a range of sizes. Personalised on the leather flap.

£9.95 – £29.95

Hands holding an Indra Extra Large Embossed Leather Journal with a brass clasp, placed on a wooden table alongside a bowl of paperclips, a green plant, and a cup of tea.

£29.95

A set of Paper High recycled newspaper pencils and a cup of coffee.

£5.95 – £10.95

Tree Of Life Album

£19.95 – £39.95

Hands holding an open, Personalised Compass Buffalo Leather Refillable Journal. A pen and plant are visible in the background.

£29.95

Person holding a large Indra Chakra Embossed Leather Album with Semi-Precious Stones on a wooden desk near a potted plant and watercolor painting supplies.

£39.95

Our best-seller is the Leather Tree of Life Embossed Photo Album, and we understand why! The tree of life traditionally symbolizes personal growth, strength, and beauty.
Tree Of Life Album

Whilst getting crafty is a great project for the family, traditional scrapbooking uses lots of paper, glue, and even plastics to create the works of art. Not only does this create unrecyclable waste, but it can also get pretty expensive. With this in mind, we created our ultimate sustainable scrapbooking guide with our best selling craft products to help you create something special without compromising on your green values.

Scrapbooking Fair Trade and Sustainable

How to sustainably scrapbook

1. Pick your theme

So where do you begin? You’ll want to start with picking an event or theme for your scrapbook. You might have a special someone’s birthday coming up, or maybe you’re in need of a place to keep graduation photos, baby photos, wedding photos, or keepsakes from a special trip. It could be based around a specific event, or an ongoing project to keep adding to over the years. Or maybe, you’d just like to use scrapbooking as a relaxing moment for yourself, while creating a page that reflects your personality and creativity? Just make sure you’ve got plenty to fill your scrapbook with!
Personalised leather wedding album

2. Gather your supplies

Now for the basics – collecting your materials. For your most special memories you’ll want to choose a journal or album that looks good, feels nice, and is hardwearing enough to keep your treasures safe over the years. And it’s even better if it’s handmade, Fair Trade, and crafted from sustainable materials! Here’s what I gather when I scrapbook:
  • My leather journal (you can find a journal or album here)
  • My printed pictures and photo corners
  • Stickers and papers of all kinds (I also love using gift wraps as a base layer)
  • Masking tape and glue
  • Printing blocks and ink
  • My paints (either watercolour or acrylic) and brushes
  • Pens/pencils/scissors…

How to sustainably scrapbook

1. Pick your theme

So where do you begin? You’ll want to start with picking an event or theme for your scrapbook. You might have a special someone’s birthday coming up, or maybe you’re in need of a place to keep graduation photos, baby photos, wedding photos, or keepsakes from a special trip. It could be based around a specific event, or an ongoing project to keep adding to over the years. Or maybe, you’d just like to use scrapbooking as a relaxing moment for yourself, while creating a page that reflects your personality and creativity? Just make sure you’ve got plenty to fill your scrapbook with!

 3. Get creative

The base layer

First, I start creating my page by visualising where my elements are going to be placed. I make sure to layer my stickers and papers as much as possible to create depth.

I start by gluing the elements into place, in the order I want them to be in, as seen on the top right picture.

I finish off by applying the top layer which is usually my stickers.

My lemon themed page reminds me of summer. I love these colours together!

Using printing blocks

I love adding a little something to my scrapbook by using printing blocks. I particularly love this butterfly one but we also offer other designs such as plants, patterns, animals…
Gift wrap as a background

I love our Petaled Natural Lokta Gift Wrap and thought it would look lovely as the background paper of my second page. It adds texture to my spread. I cut it to the right dimensions and glued it to my left page.
Picture time!

First, I cut a fun design in my picture, to add some character to my page, and then used photo corners to secure my photograph into place. Our clear photo corners are a great mess-free way to keep pictures secure.
Finishing touches

We’re almost there! Here I’m adding a little message, a few more stamped butterflies, watercolour flowers, a few finishing details and voilà!

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity flow when you start scrapbooking.

The finished result

In need of more inspo?

Check this video of my latest creations in my distressed leather journal. I love using it for scrapbooking, but also for bullet journaling or creating travel pages. Give us a follow on social (@paperhighuk) for more creative ideas.

In need of more inspo?

Check this video of my latest creations in my distressed leather journal. I love using it for scrapbooking, but also for bullet journaling or creating travel pages. Give us a follow on social (@paperhighuk) for more creative ideas.

Here’s a few products to start scrapbooking

Here’s a few products to start scrapbooking

Tropical Printing Blocks

£19.95

£34.95 – 49.95

Naturally dyed, handmade Personalised Distressed Leather Journals in a range of sizes. Personalised on the leather flap.

£9.95 – £29.95

Hands holding an Indra Extra Large Embossed Leather Journal with a brass clasp, placed on a wooden table alongside a bowl of paperclips, a green plant, and a cup of tea.

£29.95

Brown leather roll up pencil case sustainable

£27.95

Photo corners

£2.95

A Round Recycled Newspaper Pencil Holder, made from recycled newspaper, contains various stationery items, including pencils, pens, scissors, and a paintbrush. It is placed on a white surface next to an eraser and a notebook.

£7.95

Colorful notebooks with intricate patterns reminiscent of sari fabric and a button clasp lay stacked on a wooden table. A small plant and decorative rings are placed nearby, creating an inviting scene that could easily frame a Small Sari Fabric Photo Album (Copy).

£14.95 – £24.95

A set of Paper High recycled newspaper pencils and a cup of coffee.

£5.95 – £10.95

Tree Of Life Album

£19.95 – £39.95

Hands holding an open, Personalised Compass Buffalo Leather Refillable Journal. A pen and plant are visible in the background.

£29.95

Person holding a large Indra Chakra Embossed Leather Album with Semi-Precious Stones on a wooden desk near a potted plant and watercolor painting supplies.

£39.95

Naturally dyed, handmade Personalised Distressed Leather Journals in a range of sizes. Personalised on the leather flap.

£9.95 – £29.95

Hands holding an Indra Extra Large Embossed Leather Journal with a brass clasp, placed on a wooden table alongside a bowl of paperclips, a green plant, and a cup of tea.

£29.95

A set of Paper High recycled newspaper pencils and a cup of coffee.

£5.95 – £10.95

Tree Of Life Album

£19.95 – £39.95

Hands holding an open, Personalised Compass Buffalo Leather Refillable Journal. A pen and plant are visible in the background.

£29.95

Person holding a large Indra Chakra Embossed Leather Album with Semi-Precious Stones on a wooden desk near a potted plant and watercolor painting supplies.

£39.95