2023: Washington DC – National Cathedral

I arrived in Washington, D.C., a little early for my training, which gave me the perfect opportunity to visit the National Cathedral—something I’d been wanting to do for quite some time. The National Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a breathtaking masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Perched atop Mount Saint Alban, its soaring arches, intricate stained glass, and stunning stone carvings tell stories of both spiritual and national importance. From hosting historic events like presidential funerals to its playful touches, such as the Darth Vader gargoyle and the Space Window featuring a moon rock, the cathedral embodies a blend of solemnity and wonder. This visit was truly unforgettable.
The color theme for this scrapbook spread is purple, inspired by the program featured on the page. I designed the layout using Cricut Design Space and cut it with my Cricut Maker. I was thrilled to find the cathedral’s logo online, which I uploaded and resized to fit perfectly on the page. Though it took some trial and error to get it aligned, it came together beautifully in the end. As a nod to the Darth Vader gargoyle mentioned above, I included a small Darth Vader mask, using a silver pen with my Cricut Maker to highlight the features. I also added my entrance ticket to mark the date, time, and location, helping to firmly place this page in context. For the finishing touch, I used spiritual-themed background paper that matched the color scheme, tying everything together seamlessly.

This is the second spread dedicated to the National Cathedral, and I kept the design simple to let the beauty of the space shine. The photos were carefully selected to showcase the views from both the front and the back of the cathedral. The top row captures the journey toward the main altar, moving closer with each photo from left to right. The bottom row highlights the stunning stained glass window as seen from the front, along with the baptismal font and one of the lecterns—details that embody the cathedral’s elegance. I also used the church’s logo again, placing it on either side of the spread for symmetry and cohesion. While the layout is minimal, I believe its simplicity draws attention to the breathtaking artistry and architectural grandeur of the cathedral.
Categories: 2023