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If you love soft florals, lace, pearls, and romantic vintage details, this shabby chic junk journal folio is going to steal your heart. Today I’m sharing how I created a journal ephemera folio using simple paper lunch bags as the base, dressed up with the Whispers Junk Journal Kit and embellishments from Decor8yourlife.

This project is inspired by a tutorial from Lenae Creates for the basic folio structure, but I took it in a slightly different direction. Instead of a traditional bound junk journal, this version is designed to store and display ephemera—tags, pockets, journaling cards, and layered clusters—while still being easy to convert into a full junk journal later.

You’ll be able to watch the full process in the embedded YouTube video below, where I walk you through the construction, decorating, and clever ways to keep everything removable and flexible.

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What Is an Ephemera Folio?

An ephemera folio is like a beautiful holding book for all your handmade pieces. Think of it as a cross between a junk journal and a storage album. In this project:

• The base is made from paper lunch bags.
• The right side holds removable pockets and clusters.
• Silicone dots are used so elements can be lifted and repositioned.
• A lace-trimmed pocket is permanently hot-glued to hold loose ephemera.

At any time, this folio can be transformed into a full junk journal by:

• Replacing temporary elements with stitched or glued signatures
• Adding writing pages

It’s a wonderful way to build a project in stages, especially if you like working slowly and savoring the creative process.

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Supplies Used

All of the following can be found at Decor8yourlife (website and Etsy shop):

• Whispers Junk Journal Kit (digital papers)
• Shabby chic lace trims
• Pearl trims and rhinestone brooch charms
• Satin ribbon bows
• Floral appliqués
• Silicone glue dots (removable)
• Hot glue and craft glue
• Paper lunch bags (standard brown)

These are the same types of junk journal supplies many crafters search for when looking for vintage scrapbook kits, printable junk journal pages, ephemera packs, lace for journals, and journal embellishments.

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Decorating with the Whispers Junk Journal Kit

Following the Lenae Creates method, paper lunch bags are folded, layered, and stacked to create this beautiful Shabby Chic junk journal folio. This structure is perfect for shabby chic projects because it gives instant depth without bulky chipboard.

The Whispers kit brings in:

• Soft blush florals
• Pale aqua, cream and pink backgrounds
• Vintage architectural elements
• Romantic portrait focal points

These were layered with lace, pearls, and dimensional embellishments to create the feminine, French-inspired look you see in the photos.

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Temporary vs Permanent Elements

On the inside right panel:

• Small pockets and clusters are attached with silicone dots so they can be removed.
• The lace-trimmed pocket is hot-glued and will remain when the folio becomes a journal.

This makes the folio functional now and adaptable later.

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Where to Buy Your Junk Journal Supplies

Every paper, embellishment, lace trim, charm, and decorative element used in this project can be found at:

• Decor8yourlife.com
• Decor8yourlife on Etsy

Whether you’re searching for:

• Junk journal kits
• Printable ephemera
• Vintage scrapbook papers
• Lace and ribbon for journals
• Shabby chic embellishments
• Adhesives for paper crafting

You’ll find everything you need to create projects like this ephemera folio in our shop.

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Final Thoughts

This shabby chic junk journal folio is proof that simple materials—like paper lunch bags—can become heirloom-style keepsakes with the right papers and details. It’s soft, romantic, practical, and endlessly customizable.

And the best part? Today it’s an ephemera folio. Tomorrow, with a few added pages and a stitched spine, it becomes a full junk journal.

Happy crafting, my friend.