Step-by-Step Ephemera and Sticker-Based Grid Style Scrapbook Layout

Create a structured 12 x 12 grid scrapbook layout filled with layered patterned paper, ephemera, stickers, and dimensional embellishment clusters. This beginner-friendly tutorial uses four large paper squares to divide the page into balanced sections, giving you a simple framework for arranging one photo and three decorative clusters.

You will learn how to distress paper edges, build the grid, layer large and small ephemera pieces, and use thin foam adhesive to add dimension without making the finished page excessively bulky. The design requires only basic scrapbook supplies, making it approachable for beginners while still offering plenty of opportunities for experienced scrapbookers to experiment with layering, memorabilia, additional photos, and journaling.

Hello, crafty friend! I’m Adrienne Boese, better known online as Alice Scraps Wonderland. Today, I’m sharing how to create this easy but beautiful scrapbook layout using the Spellbinders Rosie’s Jubilee collection.

You won’t need specialized equipment to create this page beyond a paper trimmer, scissors, and adhesives. That makes it a great project for scrapbooking beginners who are still building their supply collections, or experienced scrapbookers who want to make a quick and playful layout.

Project Snapshot

Skill Level	Beginner
Approximate Time	1 Hour +
Project Type	12 x 12 scrapbook layout
Techniques	Grid design, paper layering, edge distressing, ephemera clustering, and dimensional embellishing
Theme	Travel, memories, or everyday storytelling
Finished Size	12 x 12 inches
Photo Size	3 3/4-inch square with a 3 7/8-inch mat
Featured Collection	Rosie’s Jubilee

What You’ll Need

Spellbinders Supplies

• Rosie’s Jubilee Collection
• Rosie’s Jubilee 12 x 12 Designer Paper Pack
• Rosie’s Jubilee 6 x 6 Designer Paper Pack
• Rosie’s Jubilee Die-Cut Cardstock Ephemera
• Rosie’s Jubilee Die-Cut Sentiments
• Rosie’s Jubilee Sticker Book
• Rosie’s Jubilee Chipboard Embellishments
• Rosie’s Jubilee Butterfly & Bow Embellishments
• Rosie’s Jubilee Puffy Stickers
• Coordinating 12 x 12 solid cardstock

Other Supplies

• One photo
• Paper trimmer
• Scissors
• Roller adhesive
• Thin foam adhesive in 1-millimeter and 2-millimeter thicknesses
• Liquid adhesive
• Small paintbrush
• Cornstarch
• Awl or paper-piercing tool
• Optional cardstock and pen for journaling

How to Make a Grid Scrapbook Layout

This layout uses paper-layering techniques to create organic embellishment clusters within a structured grid. The finished design includes one photo, but you can replace one or two decorative clusters with additional photos. You can also tuck tickets, receipts, postcards, and other memorabilia into the layers.

The key to creating successful embellishment clusters is choosing pieces in different sizes. Begin with one large ephemera piece or several medium pieces to anchor each cluster. Then layer smaller decorative elements around and over those pieces. Thin foam adhesive adds separation between the layers and helps individual elements remain visible.

Step 1 - Prepare and Distress the Background

1. Select one sheet from the Rosie’s Jubilee 12 x 12 Designer Paper Pack for the background.
2. Trim 1/8 inch from each side using a paper trimmer.
3. Carefully drag one blade of your scissors back and forth along the edges to create a rough, distressed finish.
4. Adhere the patterned paper to a sheet of 12 x 12 solid cardstock using roller adhesive. Keep the adhesive away from the outer edges.
5. Use your fingers to lift and distress the edges. Dog-ear the corners, create a few small tears, or fold back selected sections to add more texture.

Designer Tip: Choose a simple, less-busy pattern for the background. A subtle print allows the smaller patterned-paper squares and embellishment clusters to stand out instead of becoming lost among competing patterns.

Step 2 - Trim and Mat the Photo

1. Trim the photo to a 3 3/4-inch square.
2. Trim a coordinating piece of cardstock to a 3 7/8-inch square.
3. Center the photo on the cardstock square and attach it with roller adhesive.

White cardstock creates a crisp border, but you can use any color that coordinates with the collection and helps the photo stand out.

Step 3 - Cut the Patterned-Paper Squares

1. Select four sheets from the Jubilee 6 x 6 Designer Paper Pack and trim each one to a 4 1/2-inch square.
2. Select four additional sheets and trim each one to a 4 1/4-inch square.
3. Use scissors to rough up the edges of all eight paper squares.
4. Distress the edges further with your fingers, repeating the techniques used on the background paper.
5. Layer each 4 1/4-inch square over a 4 1/2-inch square.
6. Attach the layers with roller adhesive placed primarily in the center.

Leaving the outer edges free of adhesive gives you room to tuck ephemera between the paper layers later.

Step 4 - Build the Four-Part Grid

1. Attach the matted photo to one layered paper square using thin foam adhesive.
2. Position this square in one corner of the background and secure it with a small amount of foam adhesive placed near the center.
3. Place another layered square diagonally across from the photo and attach it with foam adhesive.
4. Attach the remaining two squares in the open corners using roller adhesive.

Designer Tip: Use 1-millimeter or 2-millimeter foam adhesive. Thin foam creates visible dimension without making the layout so thick that it takes up excessive room in a scrapbook album.

Keep adhesive near the center of each square whenever possible. This allows you to tuck ephemera under the squares and between the paper layers as you build the decorative clusters.

Step 5 - Embellish Around the Photo

1. Select several pieces of Jubilee Die-Cut Cardstock Ephemera in different sizes.
2. Tuck some pieces beneath the photo mat and between the patterned-paper layers.
3. Place additional pieces over the edge of the photo to connect the image visually with the surrounding cluster.
4. Use both roller adhesive and foam adhesive to vary the depth.
5. Add a sticker from the Jubilee Sticker Book.
6. Finish the photo cluster with a Jubilee Chipboard Embellishment.

Layering embellishments over and beneath the photo helps it feel integrated into the design rather than sitting alone inside one square.

Step 6 - Build a Postcard and Tag Cluster

1. Move to the paper square positioned diagonally across from the photo.
2. Select a large piece of ephemera, such as the postcard, and attach it with foam adhesive.
3. Choose a large tag from the Jubilee Die-Cut Cardstock Ephemera pack.
4. Cut the tag in half with scissors.

1. Attach the top half of the tag above the postcard, tucking the cut edge beneath it.
2. Attach the bottom half below the postcard, again hiding the cut edge.
3. Position the two halves so the tag appears longer than it really is.
4. Select a frame from the Jubilee Chipboard Embellishments.
5. Add a small amount of foam adhesive to the frame and place it over the cluster.

Using only a small amount of foam adhesive on the chipboard frame leaves space for more ephemera to slide beneath it.

Step 7 - Add Sentiments and Smaller Details

1. Add more die-cut ephemera and several die-cut sentiments to the postcard cluster.
2. Layer some pieces beneath the chipboard frame and others over it.
3. Use roller adhesive for flat layers and foam adhesive for selected focal elements.
4. Add one or more stickers from the Jubilee Sticker Book.
5. If you used the postcard, add a postage-stamp sticker to reinforce the travel theme.

Designer Tip: Shape banner sentiments and leaf sprigs with your fingers to give them a more dimensional appearance. Hold the paper between two fingers and gently pull it through to curve the piece upward or downward, much like curling ribbon while wrapping a gift.

Step 8 - Create a Ticket and Frame Cluster

1. Move to the layered paper square positioned diagonally from the postcard cluster.
2. Select several large and medium ephemera pieces, such as tickets, tags, and floral sprigs.
3. Arrange the pieces so they overlap while remaining individually visible.
4. Attach them with a combination of roller adhesive and thin foam adhesive.
5. Position a chipboard frame over the ephemera and secure it with a small amount of foam adhesive.

1. Add smaller die-cut ephemera and a die-cut sentiment beneath and over the chipboard frame.
2. Shape any banner or leaf pieces with your fingers.
3. Finish the cluster with stickers, such as small sentiments or the tiny binder clip.

Designer Tip: To curl one end of a long sentiment sticker, brush a small amount of cornstarch onto the portion you do not want to adhere. The cornstarch removes the stickiness so you can shape the end with your finger. If you apply too much cornstarch, use a small dot of liquid adhesive where the sticker needs to attach.

Step 9 - Complete the Final Embellishment Cluster

1. Move to the final paper square.
2. Arrange several large pieces of ephemera, such as flowers, a frame, and the camera.
3. Attach the pieces with a combination of roller and foam adhesive.
4. Select a large script die-cut sentiment and position it across the top of the cluster with foam adhesive.
5. Add a chipboard sentiment embellishment.
6. Review the entire layout and add smaller ephemera or stickers to any areas that feel unfinished.

Step 10 - Add a Dimensional Butterfly or Bow

1. Select a butterfly or bow from the Jubilee Butterfly & Bow Embellishments.
2. Place a small piece of foam adhesive behind the center.
3. Use a small paintbrush to apply cornstarch to the remaining adhesive area on the back.

Attach the butterfly or bow to the embellishment cluster containing the large script sentiment. Because only the center is secured, the wings or loops remain lifted for a more dimensional appearance.

Step 11 - Finish with Puffy Stickers and Journaling

1. Add small confetti dots from the Jubilee Puffy Stickers throughout the layout.
2. Place three dots on and around each embellishment cluster to create repeated odd-numbered groupings.
3. Add handwritten journaling to an appropriate ephemera piece.
4. Alternatively, write the journaling on coordinating cardstock, trim it with a paper trimmer, and attach it with roller or foam adhesive.

Designer Tip: An awl or paper-piercing tool is helpful for lifting and positioning tiny stickers, including puffy dots and small pieces from the chipboard or sticker collections.

Tips for Layering Ephemera and Embellishments

• Begin with an anchor. Start each cluster with one large ephemera piece or several medium pieces before adding smaller details.
• Use different heights. Combine roller adhesive with thin foam adhesive to separate the layers visually.
• Limit the bulk. Choose 1-millimeter and 2-millimeter foam adhesive to create dimension while keeping the page practical for an album.
• Keep outer edges accessible. Apply adhesive mainly near the center of paper squares, frames, and large embellishments so you can add more pieces later.
• Repeat colors and shapes. Carry similar florals, tickets, sentiments, or circular details across the four clusters to unify the page.
• Test before adhering. Move pieces around until the arrangement feels balanced before attaching anything permanently.

Ways to Customize This Grid Scrapbook Layout

• Add more photos. Replace one or two embellishment clusters with additional images.
• Include memorabilia. Tuck tickets, receipts, maps, postcards, or other keepsakes between the paper layers.
• Change the color palette. Select patterned papers and solid cardstock that coordinate with your photo or the story you want to tell.
• Use a different collection. Recreate the same grid structure with other patterned paper, stickers, chipboard, and Spellbinders ephemera and embellishments.
• Add hidden journaling. Place journaling on a tag tucked behind one of the layered paper squares.
• Simplify the design. Use fewer layers and flat adhesive if you prefer a cleaner or less dimensional page.
• Change the page size. Adapt the four-part grid to a smaller scrapbook format by reducing the dimensions of the paper squares and photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a grid scrapbook layout?

A grid scrapbook layout divides the page into organized sections, often using squares or rectangles. Each section can hold a photo, journaling, patterned paper, or embellishment cluster. The grid gives the page structure while still allowing you to create playful, organic layers inside each area.

How do you layer ephemera without making a scrapbook page too bulky?

Combine flat roller adhesive with thin foam adhesive in 1-millimeter or 2-millimeter thicknesses. Reserve foam for selected focal pieces instead of placing it beneath every layer. This creates visible dimension while helping the completed page fit comfortably inside a scrapbook album.

What should go on the bottom of an embellishment cluster?

Begin with one large ephemera piece or several medium pieces to anchor the cluster. Add frames, tickets, flowers, or tags next, then finish with smaller sentiments, stickers, and decorative details. Using multiple sizes helps the cluster feel layered and visually balanced.

Can I add more than one photo to this scrapbook layout?

Yes. Replace one or two of the embellishment clusters with additional photos. Crop and mat the images consistently so they work within the four-part grid, then use smaller embellishments to connect the photos with the rest of the page.

How can I reposition stickers before attaching them permanently?

Arrange stickers on their backing sheet or lightly position them before pressing firmly. If you want part of a sticker to remain lifted, brush a little cornstarch onto that section to remove the stickiness. A small dot of liquid adhesive can be added later if needed.

More Scrapbooking Ideas from Spellbinders

• Explore Ephemera and Embellishments for Scrapbooking
• Discover the Rosie’s Jubilee Collection
• See Another Easy Rosie’s Jubilee Scrapbook Layout

Create a Balanced Scrapbook Page with a Simple Grid

A four-part grid provides an easy foundation for arranging a photo, patterned papers, and layered embellishment clusters. Start with larger ephemera pieces, introduce dimension selectively, and finish each section with smaller stickers and decorative details. The structured paper grid keeps the page balanced, while the organic layers give you plenty of room to play, experiment, and personalize your scrapbook story.

If you are a visual crafter like me, move your embellishments around before adhering them. Try different combinations of sizes, colors, and shapes until you find an arrangement you love. This style of layout is all about play and experimentation, so have fun with the process!

---

About the Author

Adrienne Boese, better known online as Alice Scraps Wonderland, creates scrapbook layouts featuring patterned paper, dimensional embellishments, and layered storytelling details. Visit her blog for another easy scrapbook layout featuring the Rosie’s Jubilee collection.