YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Celebrating All Things Dragon

Year of the Dragon 2024! Mayhem Crafter’s own Dragon has been looking forward to this for quite some time. He kicks off the year with a gorgeous scrapbook layout he did in honor of his Chinese dragon friends.

This post is all about the year of the dragon in the Chinese zodiac calendar. It features a Chinese dragon junk journal layout done by Dragon of Mayhem Crafters. Also included is a list of the scrapbook supplies used and a discussion of the history of the Chinese zodiac and what the year of the dragon symbolizes and represents.

Monsters of Mayhem Crafters

If you don’t know who the Monsters are, check out their introduction post here!

Blog posts featuring the Monsters include:

• A junk journal layout or scrapbook layout (we use these terms interchangeably because we don’t really consider them to be different)
• A video showing the creation of the junk journal page or scrapbook page
• A list of the journal supplies or scrapbooking supplies
• Junk Journal ideas inspiration or scrapbook page ideas inspiration based upon what the featured layout is

Year Of The Dragon – Scrapbook or Junk Journal Page by Dragon of Mayhem Crafters

Dragon’s favorite thing to talk about is DRAGONS! Not necessarily about himself per se, but about all things dragon. Although he originates from a land currently known as Scotland, he has dragon friends all over the world. This layout is his homage to his Chinese dragon friends. He loves to go visit them, not just because they are friends, but because he loves how revered dragons are in Chinese culture. He LOVES that!

The Making of Dragon’s Scrapbook Page

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Disclaimer: Affiliate links are included for convenience and ease of reference. If used for purchase, they will result in a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer.

Junk Journal Supplies Corner

We know that seeing other people’s (or creature’s) junk journal layouts or scrapbook journal often makes you want to get the same supplies as those being used. This is the area where we provide quick references for the scrapbook supplies the Monsters use on their junk journal and scrapbook layouts.

Generally, you can also look to the Monster’s Junk Journal Scrapbook Storefront (linked below) for all kinds of amazing stickers, ephemera, tools, storage, and more for your scrapbooking hobby.

For this layout we focused on Dragons! Specifically, it was a focus on Chinese culture and the role of dragons in it.

Here are quick reference links for the main features of this junk journal page:

• Far East Scrapbook Paper Pack
• Dragon Sticker
• Famous Art Stickers
• Black flower stickers
• Gold Washi Tape

Mayhem Crafters Storefront

Quick link to our storefront if you want to do a little browsing!

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Chinese Zodiac Calendar (History Nerd Moment)

We can’t resist a nerdy history moment, so if you don’t love this part, jump down to the scrapbook prompts!

The Chinese zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with an animal sign. The assignment of animals to years is traditionally linked to the Chinese lunar calendar.

The story goes that the Jade Emperor, in Chinese mythology, organized a race among animals, and the order in which they finished determined their position in the zodiac cycle.

The twelve animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. This cycle repeats every 12 years, creating the Chinese zodiac we know today.

People believe that the animal ruling the year of their birth influences their personality and destiny, creating a cultural and astrological framework that is still followed and celebrated in various East Asian countries.

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Year Of The Dragon

The dragon is a symbol of power, strength, and good luck in Chinese culture. It is considered a divine and mythical creature. Historically, the dragon was a symbol associated with the emperor in China. It represented imperial power and authority, and its image was often used in imperial clothing, architecture, and art.

The Year of the Dragon recurs every 12 years. Past years have included 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, and 2012.

People born in these years are believed to inherit some of the dragon’s positive traits. They are thought to be ambitious, charismatic, confident, and courageous. Dragons are considered natural leaders, and those born in these years are believed to have the ability to inspire others and achieve their goals. Dragons are associated with energy and liveliness. Thus, people born in these years are often thought to be full of vitality and enthusiasm.

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10 Dragon Prompts – Scrapbook Journal or Junk Journal Page

We might be slightly biased, since we have an actual dragon in our scrapbooking group, but we can’t get enough of dragons or dragon layouts. Don’t tell him we said this – but we could do one every day! Because Dragons! We came up with a list of 10 prompts for you anyway, just in case you needed some prompting to get the creative juices flowing for your scrapbook ideas.

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• “Dragon’s Lair”
  • Prompt: Create a mystical dragon’s lair layout showcasing the significance of the dragon in Chinese culture.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Use dragon-themed paper, embellishments like dragon stickers or die-cuts, and incorporate rich, fiery colors like red and gold. Add small scrolls with interesting facts about the dragon.
• “Year of the Dragon Birthdays”
  • Prompt: Celebrate birthdays highlighting the personalities and characteristics of those born in this auspicious year.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Use birthday-themed embellishments and dragon imagery. Include photos, personal anecdotes, and even zodiac compatibility charts. Decorate with glittery accents for a festive touch.
• “Dragon Dance Festival”
  • Prompt: Capture the excitement of a dragon dance festival or parade attended during the lunar new year celebrations.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Incorporate images of dragon dances, vibrant festival colors, and decorative elements such as sequins or ribbons to mimic the energy of the dance. Use textured paper resembling dragon scales.
• “Dragon Artistry”
  • Prompt: Showcase traditional and contemporary dragon artwork, whether in paintings, crafts, or street art.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Collage images of dragon artwork, include paint splatters or brushstroke embellishments, and layer with dragon-themed washi tape. Add journaling about the cultural significance of dragon art.
• “Dragon Tales”
  • Prompt: Tell a story or document myths and legends associated with dragons in Chinese folklore.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Create a narrative by using vintage-style paper, parchment-like backgrounds, and mythical dragon illustrations. Incorporate calligraphy or handwritten journaling to mimic ancient storytelling.
• “Dragon Zodiac Collage”
  • Prompt: Explore the traits and characteristics associated with the Year of the Dragon, creating a visual representation of the dragon zodiac sign.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Arrange a collage with images representing dragon characteristics, such as leadership symbols, dragon silhouettes, and zodiac symbols. Use metallic elements and bold fonts for captions.
• “Dragon’s Treasure”
  • Prompt: Design a page focused on the idea of dragons guarding treasure and prosperity.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Incorporate metallic elements, such as gold and silver foil paper or embossed dragon images. Include pockets or envelopes to hold symbolic “treasures” like coins or lucky charms.
• “Dragon’s Flight Across the Seasons”
  • Prompt: Capture the dragon’s journey through the changing seasons, representing the passage of time in the lunar calendar.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Use seasonal colors and patterns to represent different times of the year. Add dragon illustrations in various poses, adapting to the changing scenery. Include date stamps or calendar-style elements.
• “Dragon Scales and Patterns”
  • Prompt: Highlight the intricate and beautiful patterns found in dragon scales and their representation in art and design.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Experiment with textured paper resembling dragon scales, use stencils to create scale patterns, and add metallic accents. Include close-up photos of dragon sculptures or artwork.
• “Dragon’s Blessings”
  • Prompt: Document personal blessings and goals for this year, embracing the positive energy associated with this zodiac sign.
  • Scrapbook Elements: Include handwritten blessings, motivational quotes, and images representing personal goals. Decorate with lucky symbols such as Chinese coins, red envelopes, and symbols of prosperity.

Year of the Dragon Inspiration – Scrapbook or Junk Journal

We hope this post has given you lots of ideas to make some great scrapbook journal or scrapbook layouts featuring dragons, or the Chinese zodiac, or both! If junk journaling is more your thing, we hope you have gotten some inspiration with Dragon’s junk journal page! To see more of Dragon and his layouts, check out his section here. If you are looking for more scrapbook or junk journal inspiration, check out our entire crafty section of the blog!

If you love all things dragon, like we do, check out our book review of the hottest dragon book out right now – Fourth Wing!

Hey crafty peeps, let’s be friends on TikTok!

Happy Scrapping!

Mayhem Crafters, crafty division of Slowestuff Blog

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