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A Creative Memories Sketch Revisited
Sometimes a scrapbook layout looks simple enough until you sit down to follow the directions! That’s exactly what happened with this week’s project.
For Scrapbook Live this week we are revisiting a layout originally featured on the Creative Memories blog in January 2025 using the Noteworthy Days collection. The design creates an eye-catching angled checkerboard pattern using strips of designer paper.
Creative Memories Advisor Helen reached out to me about doing this layout as part of Scrapbook Live. She spotted the layout in the 2026 Creative Memories Sketchbook that was offered during Birthday Week earlier this month. She had tried following the original blog instructions but was struggling to get the pieces to come together correctly.
After taking a look at the instructions myself, I could understand her frustration! I spent some time working through the project with actual paper and developed an alternate approach that produces the same overall design. The result is what I’m calling the Angled Checkerboard Layout, and I’m excited to share my version of the directions with you.
Creating the Angled Checkerboard Pattern
The interesting feature of this layout is the diagonal band of patterned paper that runs across the page. By arranging and rotating strips of paper, we can create a checkerboard effect that adds visual interest without overwhelming the photos.
I’ll walk you through the process of building the angled strips, cutting them into sections, and arranging them on the page to create the finished pattern. I’ve included a Halloween version of the layout in the handout, but this design isn’t limited to seasonal projects. You can use a variety of paper collections and color combinations to create a completely different look.
Taking the Design from One Page to Two
We’ll also explore how to expand this single-page layout into a coordinating two-page scrapbook spread.
Rather than simply duplicating the design, we’ll look at ways to create a complementary second page that carries the colors and design elements across the spread while leaving plenty of room for additional photos. It’s a great opportunity to talk about how to take a layout you like and adapt it to fit your own scrapbooking needs.
Scrapbook Live – Recording
The updated step-by-step directions are available below, along with photos to help you follow the cutting and assembly process. Whether you’ve seen this sketch in the Creative Memories Sketchbook or you’re discovering it for the first time, I hope this week’s project gives you another fun technique to add to your scrapbooking toolbox!
Printable Directions – Angled Checkerboard Scrapbook Layout
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