2023: Scrapbooking the Journey: A Cross-Country Move from California to Oklahoma
Sometimes, a scrapbook spread isn’t about intricate designs or embellishments—it’s simply about documenting a journey, preserving the experience so I can look back and remember the path taken. This spread does exactly that, capturing the long road trip my dad and I took after packing up my aunt’s house in Los Angeles County, California, and driving a 10-foot U-Haul truck all the way to Ada, Oklahoma, where we lived at the time.
Knowing this would be a long and meaningful trip, we planned stops along the way to visit family and friends, making the drive more than just a move—it became a farewell tour, filled with important connections and shared moments.
The Map Background Design
To visually document the route, I created a custom background map in Cricut Design Space. I started by selecting a graphic map and stretching it to 11.5 inches by 23.5 inches—just enough to fit onto a 24×12 cutting mat. Using my Cricut Maker’s pen feature, I had the map drawn onto the paper before cutting it in half, giving me two 12×12 sheets that seamlessly fit together across the spread. The red line tracing our journey was drawn freehand—not perfectly to scale, but close enough to tell the story visually.
The Journey in Photos
Instead of heavy embellishments, I wanted the map to be the focal point, so I kept the layout simple, placing key photos along the route to highlight important stops.
- Far Left: The back of the U-Haul truck, packed carefully before departure. I took this picture to send to my sister and mother, reassuring them that everything was secure and organized before we hit the road.
- Next Photo (Gilbert, AZ): A stop in Gilbert, Arizona, to visit my mother’s sister and her husband. This was a great opportunity to break up the drive and spend time with family before continuing east.
- Middle Photo (Albuquerque, NM): A visit with dear friends in Albuquerque, New Mexico—friends I originally met when we lived in San Diego. This stop was particularly meaningful, as it allowed us to reconnect and share memories before moving forward on our journey.
- Top Right (Continental Divide, NM): A quick stop at the Continental Divide, a natural landmark that marks the point where water flows either toward the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic. I had to capture this moment, as it symbolized crossing into a new part of the country on our trip.
- Bottom Right (Entering Oklahoma): Near the end of our journey, we took a photo as we crossed into Oklahoma, marking the final stretch of our move and the beginning of a new chapter.
Why This Layout Works
This spread is a great way to document a long journey in a visually simple but effective way. The map serves as the centerpiece, making it clear where we traveled, while the photos act as markers along the route. I intentionally avoided heavy embellishments because I felt they would distract from the map, which is the heart of this layout. Instead, the clean design allows the story of the trip to stand out, making it easy to follow and remember for years to come.
If you’re looking for a way to scrapbook a road trip, a map-based layout like this is a fantastic option—it keeps the journey front and center while allowing room for photos that capture the highlights along the way.
What’s the longest road trip you’ve ever scrapbooked? Let me know in the comments! 🚗✨
Categories: 2023
MASCrapping 