Why Subscription Kits Changed How I Scrapbook
I used to spend more time shopping for supplies than actually making pages. Seriously – I’d wander around the craft store for an hour, buy a bunch of stuff that looked great individually, get home and realize none of it coordinated. Or I’d order online and end up with five packs of patterned paper that were basically the same shade of blush pink.
Monthly scrapbooking kits fixed that for me. Someone else handles the coordinating, the brand mixing, the color palette decisions – and I just get to create. But here’s the thing: not all kit clubs are the same. They vary a LOT in what you get, how much you pay, and what style of crafting they’re geared toward.
I’ve tried several over the years and I’ve watched my design team friends bounce between different ones. Here’s an honest breakdown of what’s out there so you can find what actually fits how you craft.
What Makes a Good Scrapbooking Kit?
Before comparing specific clubs, here’s what I’ve learned matters most after years of unboxing these things:
- Coordination – The papers, stickers, and embellishments should work together without you having to force it. This is the whole point of a kit.
- Brand quality – You want products from brands like American Crafts, Crate Paper, Maggie Holmes, Vicki Boutin, or Pink Paislee. Cheap cardstock and flimsy stickers kill the vibe fast.
- Variety in the box – Just paper gets boring. The best kits mix in die cuts, washi tape, stamps, chipboard, enamel dots, or other fun stuff.
- Value – The retail value of what’s inside should be more than what you paid. Otherwise just shop sales.
- Inspiration – Design team projects or sketch layouts showing what to do with the supplies make a huge difference, especially when you’re staring at a pile of product going “now what?”
What’s Inside a Typical Scrapbook Kit?
If you’ve never unboxed one before, here’s what you can generally expect to find. Contents vary by club, but a solid mid-range kit usually delivers a mix of:
- Patterned papers – Usually 6 to 10 sheets in coordinated prints. Mix of bold florals, smaller geometrics, neutrals, and a “hero” print that anchors the palette.
- Cardstock – 2 to 4 solid sheets in colors pulled from the patterned paper palette. These give you mat options and let you build clean backgrounds.
- Sticker sheets – At least one sheet of mixed stickers (alphas, phrases, icons). Often two or three sheets in a premium kit.
- Die cuts and chipboard – Pre-cut shapes you can layer into your pages. Chipboard adds dimension because it’s thicker than paper.
- Embellishments – Enamel dots, sequins, flair buttons, fabric tags, tiny tags, washi tape – the small stuff that makes a layout feel finished.
- Exclusives – Some clubs (Hip Kit Club included) design their own papers or stamps that you literally can’t buy anywhere else. Those exclusives are part of why kits are worth the price.
- Inspiration material – Sketch layouts, project photos from design team members, or step-by-step tutorials showing how to use that month’s supplies.
Premium kits stack more product into each box. Budget kits trim down to maybe 4 papers, 1 sticker sheet, and a small bag of embellishments. The right amount depends on how much you actually craft – over-subscribing is the fastest way to burn out and feel guilty about the unused product piling up.
Scrapbooking Kit Clubs Compared
Here’s the landscape right now. I’m including clubs across different price points and styles because what works for a pocket scrapbooker is totally different from what works for someone doing 12×12 layouts.
Budget-Friendly Options (Under $25/month)
ScrapbookingStore starts at around $12-14/month, making it the most affordable kit club out there. You get themed 12×12 papers, stickers, and cutouts. The quality is decent for the price and it’s a great way to test whether kit clubs are your thing without a big commitment. The trade-off is you won’t get the premium brand names or the variety of embellishments that pricier kits include.
Close to My Heart’s Craft with Heart runs about $15-21/month depending on your plan. Their scrapbooking kits include pre-printed base pages, which is kind of genius if you want finished layouts fast. You’re not starting from a blank page – the design work is partially done. Ships three times a year instead of monthly, so it’s a different rhythm. Great for people who want results without spending hours on each page.
Club Scrap at about $25/month includes 12 sheets of original-design paper (they create their own prints, which is cool), downloadable instructions, and monthly video workshops. They claim each kit makes at least 8 layouts, which is solid output per dollar. The educational component is a nice bonus.
Mid-Range Kits ($25-35/month)
Paper Pumpkin by Stampin’ Up! is around $25-27/month with shipping included. Fair warning though – this is really a card making kit, not a scrapbooking kit. Everything comes pre-cut and ready to assemble. If you want all-in-one card projects with zero supply shopping, it’s unbeatable. If you want scrapbook layouts, look elsewhere.
My Creative Scrapbook offers multiple tiers from about $29-42/month. Their Main Kit and Creative Kit are solid mid-range options with coordinated papers and embellishments. They include exclusive monthly sketches that go with the kit supplies, which is helpful for layout planning. Quarterly free gifts are a nice touch.
Hip Kit Club (that’s us – full transparency) runs about $30-35/month. Each kit is hand-curated with products from premium brands, and we design exclusive papers and embellishments you can’t get anywhere else. The Main Kit includes 6+ patterned papers, cardstock, and a mix of embellishments. Add-on kits (Embellishment Kit, Paper Pack, Pocket Life Cards) let you customize based on your style. We also have 23 design team members posting projects with each month’s supplies, so there’s no shortage of inspiration. I’m obviously biased here, but I genuinely believe the coordination and exclusives set our kits apart. You can check out the current month’s kit and judge for yourself.
Gossamer Blue is in the same $30-35 range and has a strong following in the pocket scrapbooking world. Their Project Life-style kits are well-curated, and they also offer stamp kits and add-ons. No commitment required – cancel anytime with no fees. If pocket scrapbooking is your primary format, definitely check them out.
Premium Options ($40+/month)
Grabie’s Scrapbooking Club Box runs about $50/box and leans heavily into stickers and washi tape. Past boxes have included 7 sticker sets, 6 paper sets, 5 rolls of washi, and more. It’s more of a journaling-meets-scrapbooking vibe – great if you’re into that aesthetic, not the best fit if you’re strictly doing traditional 12×12 layouts.
Noel Mignon is the premium end at around $60/month. They pack SO much product into each kit that people call it “the mama of all kit clubs.” The catch? You need a 6-month subscription, and sign-ups only open in December and May. It’s exclusive and premium and honestly kind of a splurge – but fans are intensely loyal.
Die-Cutting and Tool-Focused
Spellbinders Kit of the Month is a different animal entirely. They offer 8 different club types ranging from $15-100/month, focused on dies, stamps, stencils, and foil plates. Their Card Kit of the Month includes everything to make about 10 finished cards. If you’re into die cutting as your primary technique, Spellbinders is the go-to. Members also get 10% off other products. Just know this is tool-focused, not paper-and-embellishment focused.
Quick-Compare Table: Top Scrapbook Kit Clubs
Here’s the same lineup at a glance. If you’re skimming, this table is the fastest way to find what fits.
| Kit Club | Price/Month | Best For | Brand Quality | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScrapbookingStore | $12-14 | Trying kit clubs on a budget | Decent | Cancel anytime |
| Close to My Heart | $15-21 | Finished layouts fast | Good | 3 ships/year |
| Club Scrap | ~$25 | Paper variety + tutorials | Original design | Cancel anytime |
| Paper Pumpkin | $25-27 | Card making kits | Stampin’ Up brand | Cancel anytime |
| My Creative Scrapbook | $29-42 | Mid-range with sketches | Premium brands | Cancel anytime |
| Hip Kit Club | $30-35 | 12×12 layouts + exclusives | Premium brands + exclusives | Flexible |
| Gossamer Blue | $30-35 | Pocket scrapbooking | Premium brands | Cancel anytime |
| Grabie | ~$50 | Sticker + washi-heavy crafters | Mid-tier | Cancel anytime |
| Noel Mignon | ~$60 | Premium splurge | Premium | 6-month minimum |
| Spellbinders | $15-100 | Die cutting + tools | Spellbinders brand | Cancel anytime |
How to Pick the Right Kit for You
Honestly, it comes down to three questions:
What do you make? If you do 12×12 layouts, look at kits built around patterned paper and embellishments (Hip Kit Club, My Creative Scrapbook, Club Scrap). If you make cards, Paper Pumpkin or Spellbinders. If you pocket scrapbook, Gossamer Blue. If you journal, Grabie might be your thing.
What’s your budget? Kit clubs range from $12/month to $60/month. More expensive doesn’t always mean better – it means more product. If you only scrapbook a few times a month, a budget kit might be perfect. If you craft daily, a premium kit gives you more to work with.
How much direction do you want? Some kits (Close to My Heart, Paper Pumpkin) basically tell you what to make. Others (Hip Kit Club, My Creative Scrapbook) give you supplies and inspiration but let you go your own direction. Neither approach is wrong – it’s about how you like to create.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Kit Club
I’ve watched a lot of crafters subscribe and then quietly cancel three months later because the kit didn’t match what they actually do. Here are the biggest mismatches to avoid:
- Picking on price alone. The cheapest kit isn’t a deal if you don’t use it. A $30 kit you love is way better value than a $14 kit you ignore. Match to fit, not to budget.
- Subscribing to a card-focused kit if you scrapbook layouts (or vice versa). Paper Pumpkin makes amazing card kits, but if you’re trying to scrapbook 12×12 layouts with one, you’ll be frustrated within a month. Read carefully what the kit is actually built for.
- Joining three clubs at once. Pretty much guaranteed to drown you in product. Subscribe to one, use it for at least three months, and only add a second kit when you’ve genuinely exhausted what the first one gives you.
- Ignoring commitment terms. Some clubs lock you in for 6 months (Noel Mignon) or release in seasonal windows (Close to My Heart). Don’t assume “monthly subscription” means cancel-anytime – check before you sign up.
- Not factoring inspiration into the choice. The supplies are only half of what you’re paying for. A kit with no design team, no project photos, and no sketch ideas leaves you to figure out what to do with everything. If you’re new, that’s a recipe for an unopened pile of paper.
- Quitting after one bad month. Every kit club has stronger and weaker months – colors that don’t suit you, themes you can’t connect with. Give a club at least three kits before deciding it’s not the right fit.
Can You Mix and Match?
Absolutely. A lot of crafters subscribe to one main kit and supplement with add-ons or a second club that fills a different niche. Like getting Hip Kit Club for your 12×12 layouts and Paper Pumpkin for quick card projects. Or using a budget kit as your base and adding a Spellbinders die club for tools.
The point of a kit isn’t to be your only source of supplies. It’s to give you a coordinated starting point so you spend less time shopping and more time creating.
What I’d Recommend for Beginners
If you’re new to scrapbooking and not sure where to start with kits, here’s what I’d suggest:
- Start with ONE kit club. Don’t subscribe to three at once – you’ll drown in supplies.
- Pick a mid-range option ($25-35/month) so you get quality brands without a huge investment.
- Make sure there’s a design team or gallery you can browse for ideas. Having someone show you what to do with the supplies matters more than the supplies themselves when you’re starting out.
- Give it at least 3 months before deciding. Every kit club has stronger and weaker months. One kit isn’t enough to judge.
If you’re totally new to the craft, start with our how to scrapbook guide to learn the basics. Once you’ve got a feel for what you like, a monthly kit takes the supply stress off your plate entirely.
Beyond Scrapbooking
One thing people don’t always realize – scrapbooking kits aren’t just for scrapbook pages. The same coordinated papers and embellishments work beautifully for handmade cards, junk journals, art journals, planner decorating, gift wrapping, and basically any paper craft. If the patterns and colors call to you, there’s no rule saying you have to make a 12×12 layout with them.
Our members use Hip Kit Club supplies for everything from pocket scrapbooking to card making to mixed media projects. A good kit is just a well-coordinated collection of beautiful paper products – what you do with them is up to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What comes in a monthly scrapbook kit?
Most kits include coordinated patterned papers, cardstock, embellishments like stickers and die cuts, and sometimes stamps or exclusive items. Everything is curated to work together so you can start creating right away. Premium kits also include exclusive papers or stamps that aren’t sold anywhere else.
Are scrapbook subscription kits worth the money?
For most scrapbookers, yes. You get curated, coordinated supplies delivered monthly for less than buying the items individually at retail. The time saved not shopping and color-matching is worth it alone. If you only scrapbook a few times a year though, a budget kit or buying supplies as you need them might make more sense.
What is the difference between scrapbook kit clubs?
Price, contents, and style vary a lot. Some focus on paper and cardstock, others include stamps, dies, or mixed media supplies. Some are for 12×12 layouts, others for cards or pocket scrapbooking. The best way to compare is to look at past kit reveals on each club’s site and see which style matches how you scrapbook.
Can beginners use scrapbook subscription kits?
Kits are actually ideal for beginners. Everything coordinates, so you skip the overwhelming step of choosing supplies that go together. Many kit clubs also include tutorials or design team projects showing exactly how to use that month’s supplies. That coaching is often more valuable than the supplies themselves when you’re starting out.
How many layouts can I make from one scrapbook kit?
Most monthly kits provide enough supplies for 4-8 layouts depending on your style. If you use every piece sparingly, you can stretch a kit further. Many scrapbookers also use kit leftovers for cards, tags, and junk journal pages. A typical mid-range kit gets you about 5-6 finished layouts plus 2-3 cards from the scraps.
Can I cancel a scrapbook kit subscription?
Policies vary. Most clubs (Gossamer Blue, Paper Pumpkin, ScrapbookingStore, Hip Kit Club) let you cancel anytime with no fees. Others (Noel Mignon) have minimum commitments of six months. Always check the terms on the subscription page before signing up – don’t assume “monthly” means cancel-anytime.
Do I need other supplies besides the kit?
You’ll need basic tools like a paper trimmer, adhesive, and scissors regardless of which kit you choose. Some kits (Paper Pumpkin) include all the tools you need for that month’s project. Most scrapbooking kits assume you have basic tools and provide the consumable supplies (paper, stickers, embellishments). Check our scrapbook supplies guide for the full rundown on tools.
What’s the best scrapbooking kit for beginners?
A mid-range kit with strong design team support. Having example projects to reference is more important than premium supplies when you’re learning. Paper Pumpkin is great for card making beginners since everything is pre-cut. For scrapbook layout beginners, I’d recommend Hip Kit Club or My Creative Scrapbook since both offer extensive inspiration galleries with finished projects every month.
Where to Go Next
If you’re ready to compare kit options on actual coordinated supplies you can pick up today, take a look at this month’s scrapbook kits collection. If you want to keep researching first, here’s where to head next:
- How to Scrapbook – The complete beginner’s guide if you’re brand new to the craft.
- Scrapbook Supplies – The full breakdown of basic tools every scrapbooker needs alongside their monthly kit.
- Scrapbook Page Ideas – 50+ layout ideas to spark inspiration for whatever’s in your current kit.
- Scrapbook Ideas – Layout themes, techniques, and tutorials from our 4,500+ post archive.
- Pocket Scrapbooking – The lazier (and prettier) way to scrapbook if you want quicker pages.
- Card Making Ideas – For when your kit scraps are begging to become cards.