2023: Harry Potter – Forbidden Forest – Opening
A Night in the Forbidden Forest: Experiencing the Magic of Harry Potter Through Scrapbooking
In late December of 2023, a friend and I stepped into a dream—one conjured straight from the pages of J.K. Rowling’s world. We attended the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, an outdoor walking trail designed to transport guests into the eerie, enchanted woods that surround Hogwarts. As longtime fans, we were excited, but nothing quite prepared us for how fully immersive and magical the evening would be.
Set under the Texas night sky, the trail led us through a winding forest path lit by flickering lanterns, glowing runes, and enchanted lights. Every turn revealed another beloved or fearsome creature from the series—towering centaurs peered from between the trees, unicorns shimmered in the shadows, and we even had a chilling encounter with the massive webbed lair of Aragog. Soundscapes of rustling leaves, distant spells, and haunting music completed the atmosphere, making it feel like we’d stepped straight into a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. There were moments of awe, wonder, and yes—some genuine shivers. While family-friendly, I’d definitely recommend it more for teens and adults, as certain parts can be a little intense.
Because this is an outdoor event, I was thankful we had prepared for the weather. December in Texas can be unpredictable, but we were lucky—just cold enough to feel like winter without being uncomfortable. The cool air, the darkness of the woods, and the glowing magical elements all came together to set the perfect stage for an unforgettable evening.
Naturally, I wanted to capture this experience with more than just photographs—I wanted to preserve the feeling of it. So I created several scrapbook spreads dedicated to the event, and today I’m sharing the opening layout.
The Left-Hand Page: An Invitation to Magic
This page serves as the official opener to our Forbidden Forest series, and I wanted it to have a sense of formality and anticipation—like receiving your Hogwarts letter. The focal point is an invitation to the event which looks like an envelope and can be opened, which I adhered to the outside of the page protector. This way, anyone flipping through the album can open it and feel like they’re being welcomed into the experience themselves.
I also included a photo of the two of us at the welcome sign and another shot featuring one of the first statues we encountered. Both images are framed with custom embellishments I designed in Cricut Design Space and cut with my Cricut Maker. One of my favorite design elements here is the title block—The Wizarding World—which I cut in reverse so that the letters are carved out of the top layer. I backed it with a soft light-blue paper, which not only helps the words pop but also ties into the cool tones of the evening photography.
The page is done almost entirely in shades of blue and silver—a deliberate nod to Ravenclaw house (my own!) and the moonlit colors of the evening. You’ll notice I added a small Raven silhouette in the top left, tying together both the house theme and the mysterious vibe of the forest.
The Right-Hand Page: Let There Be Light
The second page marks the true beginning of the trail. This is the part of the experience where you learn how to interact with the forest through spellwork. Guests are taught to say “Lumos”—and when they do, the lamps respond, casting light across the path ahead. It was such a whimsical and interactive detail, and I knew it needed a page of its own.
To complement the warmth of this moment, I chose a red and copper color scheme. It was inspired by the lighting in our photos and also serves as a tribute to Gryffindor, since Harry himself plays a central role in this part of the experience. I created a silhouette of Harry casting a spell and included a Gryffindor shield that I cut using my Cricut Maker. These embellishments help anchor the house theme and add a bold contrast to the cool tones of the previous page.
I used a double-layered edge border technique here, tearing a strip of copper metallic paper and layering it above a maroon base. This created a feeling of movement and warmth, echoing the spell-light flickering along the forest path. There’s texture, shine, and a sense of energy that mirrors how we felt in that moment—standing on the threshold of something magical.
Scrapbooking the Magic
This spread was an absolute joy to create—not just because of the design elements, but because of what it represents. It’s the start of an experience that reminded me why I love storytelling, imagination, and hands-on creativity. It blended fandom and friendship, art and memory. And with every embellishment I placed and every Cricut-cut detail I added, I was reliving the evening all over again.
Whether you’re a Potterhead, a scrapbooker, or both, I hope this gives you some inspiration for your next magical memory. Keep an eye out—I’ll be sharing the rest of the Forbidden Forest layouts soon.
To see the magic unfold, wave your wand (or just click) on the video below:
Categories: 2023, Harry Potter
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