A Lot of Photos in Small Spaces using the Story Foundations: Routines Collection with Traci!
For this Traveler’s Notebook spread, I used the Story Foundations: Routines collection to play with both structure and storytelling in a really intentional way. The foundation of the layout starts with a simple daily-life story, those small, repetitive moments that make up our routines, and then builds visual interest by physically dividing the page down the center. Instead of treating the TN spread as two separate pages, I wanted it to feel like one continuous story with a clear rhythm.
The centerpiece of the layout is the vertical divider down the middle, created by adhering two 3x4 cards together and backing them with a TN-sized piece of patterned paper. This insert creates a natural break between the left and right sides while also providing a dedicated spot for journaling. Visually, it divides the spread into sections, but conceptually it keeps everything connected, much like routines that repeat but still move the story forward.
One of my favorite things about this design is how much it fits into a small space. By stacking and layering, I was able to include five photos across the spread without it feeling crowded. Using smaller photo sizes and tucking them into clusters allows each image to have its own moment, while still working together to tell a complete story of the day.
On each side of the divider, I repeated elements like labels, word strips, and embellishments to create balance without making the pages feel identical. This repetition helps guide the eye across the spread and reinforces the idea of routine, familiar shapes and motifs showing up again and again in slightly different ways
With the divider in place, the journaling feels intentional and contained, almost like a pause between moments. When you look at the layout without the divider, you can really see how much that center piece anchors the design and brings everything together. It’s a simple technique, but one that adds both function and visual interest to a TN spread while still leaving plenty of room to tell your story.
This is a great technique if you love documenting routines but struggle with where to put longer journaling in a TN format. By letting the structure do some of the work for you, you can keep your pages visually interesting while still giving your words the space they deserve.
