How to Create a Digital Scrapbook Journal in Canva | Animated Instagram Carousel
Feeling crafty but not sure what to make? Learn how to create a digital scrapbook or junk journal in Canva with this simple, beginner-friendly guide — complete with template and theme ideas for your next creative project.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make your own digital scrapbook or junk journal using Canva. You can just start creating or build with a theme in mind.
🌸 Scrapbook Theme Ideas
Need a little inspiration? Try these:
- Weekly dump
- Monthly recap
- Holiday memories
- Vision board
- Food blog
- Baby milestones
- A special gift
💻 Step 1: Start Your Canva Project
Open a new project in Canva. I like to use a custom size of 2160 x 1350 px, which equals two portrait pages side by side — perfect for posting as a carousel on Instagram.
If you’re creating just for fun, any size will do!
🎨 Step 2: Choose a Background
Pick a background that suits your theme. Background ideas: vintage, nature, collage, fabric texture.
Then, add a blank notebook graphic, some spirals, and grid lines for that realistic scrapbook look.
📎 Step 3: Add Photos and Frames
Upload your favorite photos. For a nostalgic touch, use Canva’s filters or film-style frames.
You can also try polaroid frames or use the Choppy Crop app for a hand-cut effect.
🔤 Step 4: Add Titles and Elements
This is where your creativity shines! Use scrapbook letters, beaded fonts, or handwritten text to label your pages.
You can find lots of aesthetic elements on Pinterest or within Canva’s own library. Try mixing stickers, doodles, and tape graphics for texture and depth.
💌 Step 5 (Optional): Share on Instagram
There are a few ways to share your creation:
- Single post – upload your full spread as an image or video.
- Carousel (split image) – use a free image splitter to divide your design into panels.
- Animated carousel – split your Canva project manually into portrait pages and export as short videos.
💕 Bonus: Free Canva Template
To make things easier, I’ve created a free Canva template with a blank notebook layout and my favorite element keywords — perfect for getting started!
👉 Join my email list to get access to the free Scrapbook template in Canva
✨ Final Thoughts
Scrapbooking doesn’t have to be perfect — it’s about creativity, self-expression, and preserving memories. So grab a cup of your favourite drink, open Canva, and start creating something uniquely you.
If you try this out, tag me on Instagram @classnoteswithnicole — I’d love to see your creations!
