Creative Escape 2026: The Scrapbooking Stationery We’re Bringing to the Retreat (and How to Use It)

We’re proud to be sponsoring Creative Escape 2026 with goody bag goodies and a special prize, and we cannot wait to help 110 creative guests make something beautiful.

There’s something special about a weekend dedicated to creativity. You arrive with a few ideas, you leave with a stack of projects, new techniques, and that quiet confidence that comes from making things with your hands.

That’s why Mega Office Supplies is excited to support Natalie May Scrapbooking - Creative Escape 2026 at the Hahndorf Resort in the Adelaide Hills. As part of our sponsorship, we’ll be contributing to the goody bags and providing a prize, with the goal of helping every attendee discover stationery favourites that genuinely earn a place in their craft kit.

If you love scrapbooking, journalling, cardmaking, or mixed media, here are the types of stationery products we recommend (and why they work so well), plus a few simple ideas to get more from your supplies once you’re home.

1) The paper basics that make every page look polished

Great scrapbooking starts with a strong foundation. A few reliable paper essentials make it easier to build cohesive layouts and keep your work looking intentional.

• Cardstock and coloured paper for mats, borders, journalling blocks, and layered titles.
• A4 and A5 notebooks for planning spreads, sketching page layouts, and jotting supply lists.
• Presentation folders or project wallets to keep papers flat and protect finished pages while travelling.

Quick tip: Keep a small “neutral core” of whites, creams, greys, and kraft tones. They pair with almost any patterned paper and make photos stand out without fighting for attention.

2) Cutting tools that save time and keep edges clean

Neat cuts are one of the fastest ways to elevate a scrapbook page. The right cutting tools also reduce waste and make repetitive tasks far quicker.

• Paper trimmers for straight cuts and consistent borders.
• Scissors (general and precision) for fussy cutting, trimming labels, and detail work.
• Steel rulers for measuring and tearing clean lines.
• Cutting mats to protect your workspace and improve blade control.

Try this: Cut a set of photo mats and journalling blocks in one sitting, then store them in a labelled wallet. Next time you create, you’ll already have a “starter kit” ready to go.

3) Adhesives that behave (and don’t ruin your projects)

Adhesive can make or break a scrapbook page. The right option depends on whether you need a permanent bond, repositioning, dimension, or quick placement.

• Double-sided tape for clean, flat adhesion on paper and photos.
• Glue sticks for lightweight paper elements and quick coverage.
• Glue dots for embellishments, ribbon ends, and layered details.
• Foam tape for dimension, shadows, and “pop” effects.

Pro habit: Use permanent adhesive for photos and base layers, then add dimension only where it adds meaning (titles, focal embellishments, or key highlights). A little height goes a long way.

4) Pens, markers, and colour that bring the story to life

Scrapbooking is part design, part storytelling. Good writing tools help you capture the memory and add character without smudging or bleeding through.

• Fine-liner pens for journalling, borders, and small captions.
• Gel pens for smooth writing and occasional highlights.
• Permanent markers for bold titles, outlines, and labelling storage.
• Acrylic paint markers for creative accents on tags, cards, and mixed media elements.
• Coloured pencils for shading, subtle texture, and gentle colour transitions.

Simple technique: Write your journalling on a separate card first, then attach it once you are happy. It takes the pressure off and keeps the page neat.

5) Tapes, labels, and finishing touches you’ll use constantly

The small details often become the most satisfying part of a page. These are the items many scrapbookers reach for again and again.

• Washi tape for quick borders, tabs, and layered accents.
• Sticky notes and page flags for planning, temporary placement, and workshop notes.
• Stickers and label sheets for titles, dates, and themed embellishment.
• Label makers and label tape for crisp captions, storage labels, and journalling strips.

Layout idea: Use one label strip for the date, one for a short title, and one for a “quote of the day”. It creates instant structure, and it looks beautifully consistent from page to page.

6) Punches and page tools for instant shapes and texture

Punches and simple page tools are a shortcut to professional-looking results. They add repeatable elements without needing advanced equipment.

• Hole punches for tags, inserts, and binding styles.
• Corner rounders to soften edges and create a finished look.
• Shape punches (hearts, circles, stars) for accents and confetti.

Make it cohesive: Pick one punch shape and repeat it three times on a page (for example, three circles down the side). Repetition creates design unity.

7) Storage and protection so your work stays beautiful

Creative weekends produce a lot of pieces quickly. Storage keeps your supplies organised and protects finished pages from bends, scratches, and moisture.

• Sheet protectors and display books for completed pages and inserts.
• Project boxes or document wallets for works-in-progress and paper offcuts.
• Zip pouches for pens, adhesives, and small tools in your retreat bag.

Fast tidy method: Keep a “scrap bag” for offcuts, and a separate wallet for pieces you want to reuse. It saves time and keeps your desk clear while creating.

What we’re most excited about at Creative Escape 2026

We love events like Creative Escape because the community is engaged, curious, and genuinely excited to try new materials. Goody bag inclusions are not just freebies, they become conversation starters, technique triggers, and “I didn’t know I needed this” discoveries that stick around long after the weekend ends.

As part of our sponsorship, Mega Office Supplies will be supporting attendees with a selection of scrapbooking-friendly stationery and a prize for one lucky guest. 

Mega Office Supplies is proud to support creative experiences that bring people together. Here’s to three days of inspiration, laughter, and pages filled with stories worth keeping.