DIY Scrapbook Embellishments – 3 Easy Projects

DIY scrapbook embellishments are what turn a layout from “I followed the kit” into “this is mine.” You can buy beautiful pre-made embellishments by the bagful, and we do, every month, but mixing in a few handmade pieces gives a page personality that store-bought stuff can’t. Today I’m walking through three projects: layered tag and filler-card embellishments, a single-photo layout that goes heavy on the embellishment clusters, and a Project Life spread that recycles the DIY pieces from project one. Watch the videos, copy the technique, and use whatever paper and ephemera you have on hand.

What Are DIY Scrapbook Embellishments?

DIY scrapbook embellishments are decorative elements you make yourself instead of buying pre-made. Layered tags, hand die-cut shapes, fussy-cut florals, mini banners, stamped circles, and clusters built from paper scraps all count. They serve the same purpose as store-bought embellishments (adding visual interest, breaking up white space, drawing the eye to a focal point) but they fit your photos, your color palette, and your scrap pile.

The other reason crafters love DIY embellishments: they use up the bits you already paid for. That gorgeous patterned paper you cut into for one layout? The leftover strip becomes a banner. The wood-grain piece you couldn’t bring yourself to use? Layered behind a photo, it adds texture without competing with the photo for attention.

Materials You’ll Need

Most DIY embellishments only need a handful of basic supplies. The good news: if you scrapbook at all, you probably have most of these already in a bin somewhere.

• A manual die-cutting machine like the Sizzix Big Shot – the workhorse of any embellishment-making setup. No batteries, no software, no Wi-Fi, just turn the handle.
• Patterned paper scraps. Start with a 12×12 paper pad in a single collection so the colors automatically coordinate.
• White or kraft cardstock as a base for layered tags and cards. Pick something at least 80 lb so it holds adhesive without warping.
• Pre-cut tags and Project Life cards in 3×4 and 4×6 sizes. The most useful filler-card sizes for any pocket-page format.
• A pack of alphabet stickers (Thickers) for titles. Two contrasting sizes is more useful than five matching ones.
• 3D foam squares for layering. The single biggest visual upgrade for any embellishment cluster.
• An assortment of stickers, ephemera packs, and a sheet or two of puffy alphabet stickers. Stock up when you find ones you love because they go fast.

If you’re starting from zero, our complete scrapbook supplies guide walks through every category with brand recommendations.

Project 1: Layered Tag and Filler-Card Embellishments

I started with the task of creating DIY embellishments and ended up using them on the Project Life spread you’ll see in Project 3. I used my Big Shot to die-cut a few pieces from leftover patterned paper, then layered stickers, ephemera, and a bow clip on top of pre-cut tags or 3×4 PL cards. This is a great way to use leftover product and a perfect way to create a filler card for a Project Life spread.

The layering is what sells it. A flat tag with a sticker on top reads “store-bought.” A tag with a die-cut shape, then a sticker on top of that, then a tiny ephemera flag tucked behind one corner reads “made by someone who cared.” Foam squares between layers are the trick that makes the difference.

Here’s the process video for project 1:

Project 2: Heavy-Embellishment Single-Photo Layout

For my second project I created a simple single-photo layout with that beautiful woodgrain paper from the Crate Paper “Cute Girl” collection. I love this paper so much it was hard to use the entire sheet, and y’all know woodgrain is my fave.

I placed the photo down next to a 3×4 card from the “Oh Happy Life” collection and went heavy on embellishments around it. Floral pieces from an Amy Tangerine ephemera pack, puffy stickers, two sets of Thickers for the title, and a few hand-cut bits filled the rest of the page.

The trick to embellishment-heavy layouts: cluster, don’t scatter. Three or four dense clusters around the photo will always look more polished than the same number of pieces spread evenly across the page. If you’re new to building clusters, our scrapbook page ideas guide has more layout starting points.

Project 3: Embellishing a Project Life Spread

For my third and final project I built a Project Life spread for week 6 using several of the standard PL cards from the kit. My favorite part: the few DIY embellishments from Project 1 found a home here. It’s so easy to drop in a quick filler card with a die-cut shape and a sticker, then add a few clustered embellishments around the rest of the spread.

If you’re new to the Project Life format, our pocket scrapbooking pillar covers the whole format from the ground up – what pocket pages are, sizing, and how the system fits with traditional layouts.

5 More DIY Embellishment Ideas to Try

Once you’ve got the basics, the variations are endless. Here are five quick ideas to play with on your next layout.

1. Layered banners. Cut three pennant shapes in graduated sizes from coordinating papers, stack them with foam squares, attach a length of twine across the top. Works on any layout that needs a focal-point title bar.

2. Stamped circles. Punch 1.25″ or 1.5″ circles from plain cardstock, stamp a sentiment or tiny image on each, then layer with foam squares for dimension. Half the appeal of journal spotting cards in 90 seconds.

3. Fussy-cut florals. Pull the most detailed floral image from a patterned paper, cut around every petal with sharp scissors, and pop it up on a layout with foam squares. Time-consuming, but the result is a layout that doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

4. DIY clip clusters. Glue two or three small embellishments (chipboard, a button, a tiny flower) to a basic mini binder clip. Instant dimensional accent that doubles as a functional clip for tags or photos.

5. Watercolored die cuts. Die-cut a shape from white cardstock, run watercolors over it, let dry, ink the edges with a distress ink pad, then attach with foam squares. Custom color, custom shape, ten-minute project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a die-cutting machine to make DIY embellishments?

No. Punches, scissors, and basic stamps will get you 80% of the way there. A die-cutting machine just makes shapes faster and more consistent, especially when you’re cutting the same shape five times. Start with what you have and upgrade later.

What’s the easiest DIY embellishment for beginners?

Layered tags. Take a pre-cut tag, add one die-cut or punched shape, top with a sticker, attach with foam squares. Three components, five minutes, looks intentional.

How do I keep DIY embellishments from looking homemade in the bad way?

Stack and ink. Layering creates depth (homemade flat-flat-flat reads as homemade). Inking the edges of every layer with a brown or black ink pad blends the seams and adds the “this is finished” touch. The difference between an embellishment that looks like a craft project and one that looks like it came from a kit is usually those two steps.

Where do I get supplies for DIY embellishments?

Most of what you need is already in your scrap bin. For paper and ephemera packs, our monthly scrapbook kits are designed to give you everything for a full month of layouts, including ephemera-rich main and add-on kits that are perfect for breaking up into DIY pieces.

Where to Go Next

• Complete scrapbook supplies guide – every category, brand recommendations, and budget tiers
• Scrapbook page ideas – layout starting points to use these embellishments on
• Scrapbook ideas – full inspiration hub across themes, formats, and skill levels
• Pocket scrapbooking guide – the format Project 3 uses
• How to scrapbook – if you’re brand new and need the basics first
• Monthly scrapbook kits – the source of most of the paper, ephemera, and embellishments shown above

Have fun with these. I’d love to see what you make. Tag us on Facebook or Instagram if you do.

XOXO

Ashley