Scrapbooking isn’t just about preserving memories—it’s about expressing your creativity and telling your story through color, texture, and design. At 12×12 Cardstock Shop, we believe every crafter has the power to make magic by mixing and matching scrapbook paper colors. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned scrapbooker, experimenting with different color combinations can bring your pages to life in unexpected ways.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to play with popular scrapbook paper colors like blue, brown, purple, pink, red, and green. Get ready to spark some ideas and craft stunning layouts that reflect your unique style.

1. The Power of Blue Scrapbook Paper

Blue is one of the most versatile colors in the scrapbook world. It can bring a sense of calm, add a pop of brightness, or even give a cool, modern touch to your pages.

• For baby boy albums, pair light blue scrapbook paper with whites and soft grays.
• For travel or beach themes, combine navy blue scrapbook paper with sandy tones or kraft paper.
• Add silver accents or denim textures to create a layered, dimensional look.

Blue scrapbook paper also works beautifully with brown or green tones for a rustic or outdoor-themed layout.

2. The Warmth of Brown Scrapbook Paper

Brown may sound simple, but it’s a secret weapon for adding depth and warmth to any scrapbook page. Think of it as the “neutral hero” that balances brighter colors and adds an earthy vibe.

• Use brown scrapbook paper as a background for fall-themed pages with orange, red, and mustard embellishments.
• Pair chocolate brown with soft pink for a romantic, vintage look.
• Combine kraft brown with green scrapbook paper for nature, garden, or hiking memories.

Don’t forget to play with different shades—from tan to espresso—for texture and contrast.

3. Playful and Powerful: Purple Scrapbook Paper

Purple is bold, creative, and often underused. It’s perfect for projects that need a royal, whimsical, or feminine touch.

• Pair lavender with soft pink scrapbook paper for dreamy wedding or birthday layouts.
• Mix deep plum with metallic gold for an elegant, luxurious design.
• Use purple scrapbook paper to make seasonal spreads like spring florals or Halloween themes.

If you’re feeling adventurous, layer different purple tones for an ombré effect that’s sure to turn heads!

4. Pretty in Pink Scrapbook Paper

Nothing says sweet and stylish like scrapbook paper pink. From baby albums to bridal showers, pink adds a soft, cheerful vibe to your crafts.

• Try pairing hot pink with black or white for a modern, chic contrast.
• Light pink goes beautifully with mint green or sky blue for a soft, pastel palette.
• Combine pink scrapbook paper with red for Valentine’s Day cards or romantic journals.

Pink works well with almost any color, making it a must-have in your paper stash.

5. Red Scrapbook Paper: Bold and Bright

Red scrapbook paper makes a statement. It’s passionate, energetic, and perfect for attention-grabbing designs.

• Use red for holiday layouts, especially Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
• Mix with green scrapbook paper for festive, traditional combinations.
• Pair red with blue and white for patriotic or summer-themed crafts.

You can tone red down by layering it with neutral browns or grays, or amp it up with gold and glitter.

6. Green Scrapbook Paper: Fresh and Fun

Green brings freshness and harmony to your scrapbook pages. It’s a natural fit for themes like spring, outdoors, gardening, and more.

• Pair light green with blue scrapbook paper for serene, ocean-inspired pages.
• Combine olive or moss green with brown and beige for rustic, outdoor scenes.
• Use bright lime green with pink or purple for playful, funky layouts.

Green scrapbook paper can easily shift between calming and energizing depending on the shades you use.

Tips for Mixing & Matching Scrapbook Paper Colors

• Start with a theme or mood: Are you scrapping a birthday party, a wedding, or a hike in the woods? Let the story guide your colors.
• Use the color wheel: Complementary colors (opposites on the wheel) like red and green or blue and orange can create striking contrasts.
• Stick to 2–3 main colors: Too many colors can feel overwhelming. Use neutrals like brown, gray, or white to balance bold shades.
• Add texture and patterns: Mix solid-colored scrapbook paper with stripes, florals, or polka dots for added interest.

Wrap-Up: Let Your Colors Tell the Story

Mixing and matching scrapbook paper colors is part of the joy of crafting. With a collection of vibrant and versatile papers like blue, brown, purple, pink, red, and green, you have endless possibilities to express your creativity. At 12×12 Cardstock Shop, we offer a rainbow of high-quality cardstock so you can play, experiment, and design with confidence.