My Favorite Ephemera Layering Trick

 One of the questions I get asked most often is how I create so much dimension on my mini album covers without making them overly bulky.

Adventure Awaits Tri-Fold Mini Album

My secret? Strategic layering and lots of foam tape, this is my favorite crafting hack! 

When building a cover, I start with larger focal pieces and then layer smaller ephemera around them. One technique I use all the time is what I call "Tilt Dimension." I may have made up the name, but it works beautifully!

Here's how it works:

Step 1:

Place foam tape on only one side of the ephemera piece.

Step 2:

Place regular double-sided tape on the opposite side.

Step 3:

Adhere the piece so one side sits slightly elevated while the other side remains closer to the surface.

The result creates a subtle angled effect that allows embellishments to overlap naturally without stacking too much bulk.

I especially love using this technique with:

• Trees
• Signs
• Frames
• Sentiment pieces
• Large floral clusters

This creates depth while keeping the album practical and easy to store.

I also like to tuck elements behind and in front of each other, letting trees, signs, and sentiments extend beyond the edges of my focal point. These little details help bring the design to life and create a layered, storybook feel.

For this project, I paired the Graphic 45 Adventure Awaits collection with the Graphic 45 Tri-Fold Waterfall Folio Album. The beautiful woodland imagery, rich blues, greens, and rustic textures were perfect for documenting special family adventures and outdoor memories. Please visit my Instagram - Creatively Michelle for photos of the whole album. Link - Click Here

Product Details 

Adventure Awaits Collection

Graphic 45 Tri-Fold Mini Album

I hope this simple layering tip inspires you to experiment with dimension on your next project. Sometimes the smallest techniques make the biggest impact!

Happy Crafting,

💕Creatively Michelle

Slice of Life Begins One Layer at a Time 

There’s something so magical about the beginning stages of an album… the moment the papers are spread across the table, scissors in hand, and the creative possibilities start coming to life one tiny detail at a time.

For this project, I’m creating with the beautiful new Slice of Life collection by Graphic 45 paired with the gorgeous Ivory Album in a Box base. From the very first cut, I knew this collection was going to be full of happy, vibrant layers and sweet dimensional details.

I started by cutting into the patterned papers for the cover design, carefully selecting elements that would bring the fresh fruit imagery and cheerful colors together. Then came my favorite part… layering all the ephemera pieces to create depth and movement across the cover.

As always, I reached for foam adhesive throughout the design to give the florals, fruit, and title pieces that signature dimensional look I love so much. Tiny details like layered flowers, tucked leaves, and pops of sparkle make the album feel alive and full of personality.

 I already adore how bright, playful, and inviting this album feels. Slice of Life is such a happy collection — full of warmth, color, and everyday joy wrapped into one beautiful paper line.

View walkthrough on my Instagram 

 Creatively Michelle Instagram

Products used - 

Slice of Life paper collection

Slice of Life 8.5 x 11 Patterns & Solids Pack – Graphic 45 Papers

Slice of Life Ephemera Set – Graphic 45 Papers

ATC Album with Matchbook Box — Ivory – Graphic 45 Papers

Creativity truly begins one layer at a time. 💕 Creatively Michelle 

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Typography Keepsake Collection...A Vintage Story Captured in Time

 

There are moments in life that feel like they were meant to be preserved in something truly special… and this project is exactly that.

Today I’m sharing a handmade mini album created with the stunning Typography Collection by Graphic 45, paired with their beautifully structured Rectangle Policy Envelope Album (Black) — and let me just say… this combination was pure creative joy from start to finish.

A Collection That Tells a Story

The Typography collection immediately stole my heart with its rich vintage tones, bold patterns, and timeless design elements. From classic fonts to intricate florals and nostalgic imagery, every sheet feels like a piece of history waiting to be told.

What made this project even more meaningful were the photos I had the honor of working with — my son Michael and his beautiful wife Lauren during their recent trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

They took these incredible vintage-style photos, and the moment I saw them, I just knew… this collection was made for these memories.

The Perfect Album Base

For this project, I used the Graphic 45 Rectangle Policy Envelope Album in Black, and it could not have been a more perfect foundation.

The structured envelope style creates built-in pockets and layers, making it ideal for storytelling, tucking in photos, and adding interactive elements. The black base adds depth and allows all those vibrant Typography papers and embellishments to truly pop.

Bringing It All Together

Designing this album felt like stepping back in time.

I layered rich patterns, added dimensional ephemera with foam tape (because you know I love that 3D magic ✨), and incorporated beautiful vintage elements like clocks, keys, and ornate frames to enhance the storytelling.

Each page became a little window into their adventure — full of personality, charm, and love.

One of my favorite parts of this project is how seamlessly the photos blend into the collection. It honestly feels like they were designed together — like the papers and the memories were always meant to meet.

Why This Project Means So Much

As a mom, there’s something incredibly special about preserving memories like these. Watching your children create their own stories, their own adventures… and being able to capture that in a handmade piece of art is truly priceless.

This album is more than paper and glue — it’s a keepsake filled with love, laughter, and moments that will be cherished for years to come.

Watch the Full Walkthrough

I’ll be sharing a full video walkthrough on my YouTube channel where you can see all the details, flips, pockets, and interactive elements up close. 

YouTube LINK

Products Used

• Typography Collection by Graphic 45
• Rectangle Policy Envelope Album (Black) by Graphic 45

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing this special project with me.

Until next time… keep creating, keep storytelling, and always add a little dimension to your life 

Creatively Michelle

Journaling Through Time – My 2026 Creative Journal Binder

 

There is something truly magical about creating a project that will grow and evolve throughout the year. Today I’m sharing the cover of my 2026 creative journal binder album, made with the beautiful Graphic 45 “Journaling Through Time” collection.

This album will become a special place where I document moments, memories, and little pieces of life throughout the entire year.

A Journal for the Year Ahead

For this project, I used the gorgeous Graphic 45 Journaling Through Time collection, which is a calendar-inspired paper collection designed for memory keeping, junk journaling, and mixed media creativity. The cheerful color palette—flamingo pink, goldenrod gold, leaf green, and bluebird blue—creates a bright and playful foundation for documenting everyday moments.

I paired the collection with a Graphic 45 Binder Album, which makes it easy to add, rearrange, and build pages throughout the year. My plan is simple: each month of 2026 will get its own space in this binder where I can add photos, journaling, creative notes, and little memories from life along the way.

Designing the Cover

When creating the cover, I wanted it to feel whimsical and layered—almost like a collage of imagination.

I started with patterned paper from the Journaling Through Time collection and began building layers using ephemera from the collection. The focal point of the design is an oval frame created with metal dies, which acts as the centerpiece for the composition.

Around the oval frame, I layered:

• Graphic 45 ephemera pieces

• dimensional flowers and leaves

• butterflies and vintage imagery

• small embellishments for sparkle and texture

To give the cover depth and dimension, many of the pieces were raised using foam adhesive. This layering technique creates a beautiful dimensional cluster that brings the entire design to life.

A Year of Memories

This journal binder album will be a creative time capsule for 2026. Each month I plan to add:

• photos of special moments

• creative reflections

• handwritten notes and journaling

• small keepsakes from the month

By the end of the year, this album will hold a collection of memories that tell the story of 2026—one page at a time.

Let Creativity Lead the Way

One of the things I love most about this collection is how it celebrates creativity and encourages us to collect moments, not things while documenting our lives.

This project is just the beginning. Over the coming months, I’ll be filling these pages with memories, stories, and creativity.

Stay tuned as I continue adding to this album throughout the year.

Full Walk Through album You Tube Link

Products Used - 

Journaling Through Time Collection

Ivory Binder Album

Scrap Diva designs - Oval Metal Die

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 Happy crafting,
Creatively Michelle

Ghostly Greetings Mini Album – Cut File Guide & Creative Inspiration

 

Hello Crafty Friends,

I’m so excited to share my latest creation featuring the Ghostly Greetings collection by Graphic 45. This mini album was such a joy to design — blending gold, black, and soft creams with hauntingly elegant patterns that bring spooky charm to life.

This project is all about layering, texture, and balance. Every page was thoughtfully designed with coordinating cardstock and detailed die cuts, giving each layout its own personality.

Below you’ll find the cut file dimensions and product links for each section — perfect if you’d like to recreate this project or use the structure as inspiration for your own Halloween-themed album.

To see the whole album, watch the full step-by-step video tutorial on my YouTube channel: 

 Creatively Michelle YouTube

Album Overview

Base: Trifold Waterfall Folio Album in Black
Theme: Vintage Halloween Garden
Size: 7- 1/4" x 7- 1/4"" album with interactive pockets, foldouts, and waterfall pages

Cut File Dimensions

Cover:

• Gold Cardstock – 7⅛" x 7⅛"

• Pattern Paper – 7" x 7"

• Green Cardstock – 5¾" x 5¾"

• Gold Cardstock – 5½" x 5½"

• Pattern Cemetery – 5⅜" x 5⅜"

Spine:

• Gold Cardstock – 1⅛" x 7⅛"

• Word Pattern Paper – ⅞" x 7⅛"

Scroll to the bottom of this post for the complete cut file dimensions and materials list.

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Products Used

• Graphic 45 Ghostly Greetings Collection Pack

• Ghostly Greetings Sticker Set

• Ghostly Greetings Ephemera Set

• Ghostly Greetings Chipboard Tags & Frames

• Trifold Waterfall Folio Album – Black

• Scrap Diva Designs Witch Hat Die

• Vintage Leaf Punch – (no longer available)

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Download the Full Cut File Dimensions + Product List Cut File Link

Thank you for stopping by my crafty corner!
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more daily inspiration: @creatively.michelle

🖤 Until next time, stay spooky and creative!

— Creatively Michelle

 

Just Go For It! 

A Dream Come True — Creatively Michelle in Print!

Hello sweet friends,

I can finally share the news I’ve been bursting to tell you — Creatively Michelle (that’s me!) has been published in a magazine! 

The Fall/Winter 2025 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today has officially been released, and you can find it here Scrapbook & Cards Today - Fall Issue 2025  And tonight, SCT will be hosting a very special live celebration on  YouTube Link at 8PM Eastern / 5PM Pacific — it’s not just about this new release, but a celebration of their incredible final printed issue. It’s bittersweet, but what a beautiful way to honor the creativity, community, and friendships that have made this magazine so special to so many of us.

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 A Little Backstory

Let’s rewind about 10 years.
Issue after issue, I would admire the beautiful projects in Scrapbook & Cards Today, dreaming that one day my own work might be featured. Every single release, I’d tell myself, “next time I’ll submit.” But then doubt would sneak in — I’d convince myself my projects were too simple, not enough, not quite ready.

But this year, something shifted.
Somewhere between late-night crafting and quiet reflections, I decided to just go for it. To stop doubting, and to start believing. Little ole Michelle from Chino, CA — the one who’s been handcrafting mini albums for over 20 years — finally hit “submit.”

I sent in a few projects, honestly not expecting much. But on the very last day before the deadline, I remembered an album I had created months earlier that I had never shared. Something in me said “why not?” — and wouldn’t you know it, that was the one they chose. 

And as fate would have it, that project made it into the final printed issue ever of Scrapbook & Cards Today, they are going digital for all future releases. I almost missed my dream — but I didn’t. 

 From Doubt to Dream

If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s this: don’t let doubt steal your dreams.
Every time I’ve pushed through fear or self-doubt, amazing things have happened. From filming a Cricut infomercial to working in the craft industry, meeting incredible creative souls, teaching classes, and now proudly creating for Graphic 45 post as a two-term Brand Ambassador — it’s all been part of this magical creative journey.

I am truly humbled and cannot wait to share my project mini album photos. In my haste to send my project to SCT I did not take any pictures. To see the album, you will have to watch it live tonight on YouTube or follow the issue link to preview the issue until my project comes home, and then I will do a full walkthrough reveal here. 

So if you’re reading this and have been holding yourself back… this is your sign. Just go for it. 

The sky truly is the limit, and my heart is overflowing with gratitude. I have tons more I need to learn , evolve and share with you, so thank you all for your encouragement, for cheering me on, and for sharing in these beautiful creative milestones with me.

Always yours,
Creatively Michelle 💕

Botanical Tea Mini Album | Full Walkthrough & Materials List

 

Blog Post Draft

Title:
Botanical Tea Mini Album | Full Walkthrough & Materials List

Post:
Hi crafty friends, it’s Michelle from Creatively Michelle!

Today I’m sharing my newest handmade album using the gorgeous Botanical Tea Quarterly Kit paired with the Deconstructed Trifold Waterfall Folio Album. This album is full of interactive elements—pockets, waterfalls, and flip pages—all wrapped in soft florals and sweet details.

Materials Used

I’ve included a complete materials list below so you can easily recreate this project:

• Deconstructed Trifold Waterfall Folio Album – Kraft – SKU: 4502927

• Botanical Tea Quarterly Kit with 180+ pieces including papers, stickers, ephemera, and the exclusive Peony Flower metal die set

• Double Stitched Hexagon Dies – Scrap Diva Designs

• Stickles Glitter Glue for accents 

• Ivory cardstock & patterned papers (blue stripes, pink florals)

• Gemstones for flower centers

Album Features

• Cover: Layered patterned papers, hexagon die cuts, peony florals, and glittery accents

• Pocket Pages: Perfect for mementos and photo mats

• Waterfall Flip Pages: 14 panels for photos and journaling

• Photo Mats: Various sizes throughout for plenty of photo space

Video Walkthrough

I’ve filmed a full YouTube walkthrough where I talk about each page and share tips along the way. You can watch the full video Creatively Michelle YouTube

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this album came together. The Botanical Tea Kit made it so easy to coordinate all the layers and details. Let me know in the comments what your favorite page or element is—I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting,
Creatively Michelle