2023: Scrapbooking Our Final Family Vacation: A Special Trip to Branson & Sight & Sound’s Esther
In October 2023, my parents and I took a mini vacation to Branson, Missouri—a trip that, in hindsight, became even more special. It turned out to be the last vacation I had with my mother before she passed, and I’m incredibly grateful for those moments we shared together.
The trip itself was a bit of an unexpected adventure. My dad had booked one of those cheap hotel getaways where you have to sit through a timeshare presentation. We teased him about it, but looking back, I’m so glad he did it. That package gave us the opportunity to make memories together, and those moments are now priceless to me.
The Magic of Sight & Sound Theatre
One of our favorite things to do in Branson is visiting the Sight & Sound Theatre—a place we’ve enjoyed many times before. The Sight & Sound Theatre is unlike any other, bringing biblical stories to life with massive stage productions, breathtaking sets, live animals, and state-of-the-art special effects. Combining Broadway-style performances with immersive storytelling, it’s a must-visit for families, faith-based travelers, and theater lovers alike.
Each production features multi-level sets, 3D video projections, and a talented cast of actors, singers, and musicians, transporting the audience into biblical history. Whether it’s Jesus, Moses, Noah, or, in this case, Esther, the 2,000-seat auditorium creates a fully immersive experience. If you’re ever in Branson, this is a show you don’t want to miss!
Designing the Scrapbook Spread
This spread celebrates our experience watching Esther, and while it was a lot of fun to create, it was also a lot of work! I designed the entire layout in Cricut Design Space and cut it out using my Cricut Maker, ensuring clean, detailed cuts for all of the design elements.
- On the left-hand page, I included the program from the event, which is attached to the outside of the plastic page protector so that it can be opened and read.
- Next to the program, I added a custom cutout of a queen, inspired by a Disney character but with color adjustments to match Queen Esther’s outfit from the musical. I’m really pleased with how it turned out!
- For an extra special touch, I replaced the usual colored paper jewel in the queen’s crown with a three-dimensional brad, adding a bit of texture and shine.
The right-hand page includes photos of my parents outside the theater, along with a picture taken inside next to the promotional poster. In between these, I added a special keepsake bookmark I purchased from the gift shop. To bring cohesion to the design, I included a camel cutout from Cricut Access, ensuring that its colors matched Queen Esther’s outfit, tying the spread together beautifully.
A Unique Interactive Feature: Lenticular Bookmark
One of my favorite additions to this spread is the lenticular bookmark, which is one of those plastic pictures that change depending on the angle you look at them. This interactive element adds a fun and dynamic touch to the page, making it even more special. To ensure the bookmark tassel stayed in place and laid flat on the spread, I attached it using a brad—a small but thoughtful detail that helps maintain the layout’s structure. To watch this in action click on the video below.
Cherishing the Memories
This scrapbook layout is more than just a documentation of a trip—it’s a way to preserve the final vacation I had with my mother, capturing the joy, laughter, and love we shared during those days in Branson. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the unplanned moments become the most treasured ones.
If you’ve ever scrapbooked a special trip with loved ones, I’d love to hear how you captured those memories. What unique keepsakes have you included in your spreads? Let’s chat in the comments! 💜✨
MASCrapping 