Some places become part of your childhood so quietly that you don’t realize how much they mean until years later.
For me, that place is Otterbein Park.
Growing up, I spent so many mornings there with my grandma. We’d walk through the park, play on the playground, and stop to visit the horses almost every morning. It became part of our routine, and looking back, those ordinary mornings are some of my favorite childhood memories.
When I found these old family photos, I knew they deserved a place in my scrapbook.
One photo captures me playing on the playground, another shows me with my grandma, and of course I had to include the horses. Each picture reminds me of a season of childhood filled with simple joys, quiet routines, and time spent with someone I loved so much.
This page is part of a special album I’m creating that tells the story of my husband and me before we ever met. Instead of making traditional baby books, I’m documenting our childhoods, favorite places, family memories, and the people who helped shape who we are. My hope is that one day our daughter will enjoy flipping through these pages and getting a glimpse into our lives before we became Mom and Dad.
Supplies I Used
For this layout, I kept everything simple so the photos could tell the story.
- White 12×12 cardstock
- Coordinating patterned papers
- Torn handmade paper for texture
- Rounded corner family photos
- Foam adhesive for dimension
- Washi tape
- Alphabet stamps
- Watercolor paper
- Black ink
- Paper trimmer
- Adhesive
Why I Chose This Design
Since these photos already hold so much meaning, I wanted the design to feel clean and timeless.
I layered torn papers behind the photos to add warmth and texture while keeping the embellishments minimal. This allows the memories to remain the focus without overwhelming the page.
For the title, I stamped “Otterbein Park” onto watercolor paper before tearing each piece by hand. I love using watercolor paper for titles because it has a beautiful texture that adds a handmade feel to the page. The torn edges blend naturally with the layered papers and create a soft, organic look that fits my scrapbook style.
It’s one of my favorite ways to create simple titles that feel unique without adding a lot of bulk to a layout.
Ways to Customize This Layout
One of my favorite things about this design is how easy it is to adapt for your own memories.
Try recreating it with photos from:
- A favorite neighborhood park
- Grandparents’ house
- Zoo or farm visits
- Beach days
- Camping trips
- Nature walks
- Family vacations
- Childhood memories
- Everyday family moments
Simply change the patterned papers and title to fit your photos while keeping the overall design the same.
Final Thoughts
Looking back through these childhood photos reminded me that our lives are made up of so many ordinary moments that don’t seem important at the time.
Years later, those mornings at Otterbein Park with my grandma are some of the memories I treasure most.
That’s one of the reasons I love scrapbooking.
Not just to preserve birthdays, holidays, and big milestones, but to remember the places, routines, and people who quietly became part of my story.
I hope this layout inspires you to document a place that feels like home to you, because sometimes the simplest memories become the ones we treasure most.
See More Scrapbook Layout Inspiration
A was If you enjoyed this layout, be sure to explore the rest of my Scrapbook Layout Inspiration series. You’ll find simple 12×12 scrapbook layouts, everyday memory ideas, and timeless page designs created to help you preserve the stories that matter most. Whether you’re documenting childhood memories, family traditions, or everyday life, I hope these layouts inspire you to tell your own story one page at a time.
