There are some places in the world that feel like they’ve stepped right out of a storybook — and this park in France was one of them. As we wandered through its mossy paths, over wooden-railed steps, and past gurgling streams, it felt as though we had stumbled into the Shire itself.
The air was crisp and fragrant, filled with the sound of birdsong and the gentle hush of running water. Every turn offered another reason to pause, breathe deeply, and soak in the moment. I knew immediately I’d want to capture the essence of this walk in a layout that honored the peaceful magic of that day.
✨ The Layout: “Moments to Breathe”
I chose a two-page spread to give the layout room to breathe — just like our walk. One page is anchored by a 5 x 7 collage of the moss-covered trail, while the Photo Pocket Insert that is centered between the two pages features smaller snapshots of details that made this place so special: mushrooms, bamboo groves, wooden fences, and soft ferns.
To pull it all together, I went with a natural color palette grounded in earthy tones and textures, with soft embellishments and handwritten journaling to bring warmth and personality. (journaling has not been added yet)
A Glimpse into History: The Church in La Châtre
One of the standout pages from this day features the charming church nestled in the center of La Châtre. Surrounded by blooming flowers and old stone walkways, this church took our breath away with its quiet elegance and age-worn beauty.
The architecture is a stunning example of historic European craftsmanship — curved archways, intricate stone carvings, and tall stained-glass windows that pour colored light into the stillness of the interior. Inside, decorative woodwork, statues, and golden details added a timeless, reverent air.
I mirrored the park layout for this page, but with colors that complement the stone textures. The floral elements outside the church inspired me to tuck tiny leaves & flower die-cut along the bottom of the photo edge — a nod to how nature and history coexist so gracefully here.
This page pairs beautifully with the earthy, enchanted theme of the forest walk — both places felt sacred, just in different ways.
🛠️ Supplies Used
Here’s a breakdown of the products that helped bring this layout to life:
Cardstock & Designer Series Paper (DSP):
- Wild Wheat – for warmth and contrast
- Pebbled Path – perfect for grounding the nature theme
Stamp Sets & Dies:
- Tags & Tabs (retired CTMH stamp & die set) – great for subtle tags and layering
- Elements of Text (Stampin’ Up) – for adding natural, textural design
- Simply Said alphabet stamps (CTMH) – used for titling
Photo Display Tools:
- 5×7 Peekaboo Pocket (Creative Memories)
- Full Photo Insert Page (Creative Memories)
🎨 Ink & Coloring:
- Moody Mauve, Pebbled Path, Mossy Meadow
- Stampin’ Write markers – Moody Mauve
- CTMH Ballerina Shimmer Brush
✨ Embellishments:
- Paper Studio Pearl Enamel Dots – for soft accents and light reflection
💭 Final Thoughts
This layout was more than just a creative project — it was a way to revisit that sense of calm, that breath of fresh air, and that moment in time when nature and history invited us to slow down.
If you’re looking to scrap a layout that feels serene, grounded, and a little bit magical, I highly recommend leaning into textured layers, muted natural tones, and organic shapes. Let the photos speak, and your journaling will flow naturally.
Thanks for walking with me through this memory — I hope it inspires you to document your own enchanted moments.
Have you ever scrapbooked a place that felt otherworldly or deeply historic? Share your story or layout ideas below — I’d love to hear!
#ScrapbookInspiration #NatureScrapbook #MemoryKeeping #StampinUp #ScrapbookLayout #MiddleEarthFeels #LaChatre #HistoricChurch #TravelScrapbook
My Paper World 
Leave a comment