3 To Inspire with Ali

Hello CTK fans! It's Ali today and I'm excited to bring you your weekly 3-to-Inspire featuring September's All About Me kit! 

Here are the three elements to inspire you:

1. Tell a story without using photos
2. Use real life ephemera
3. Make a collage element

Before we get in to all the details, here's a quick process video to see how the project came together!

Now let's dive a little deeper into each element.

Telling a story sans photos won't come natural to many as they are, in large part, the main component of most of our scrapbook pages. But I would argue that many stories can be well told with other visual components such as:

• art work (especially a child's)
• a greeting card, a note or letter
• an award
• a meme
• book covers or tv/movie posters
• screenshots or text messages
• or, as I did here, with real life ephemera 

The real life ephemera I reference could consist of some of the following elements: 

• movie tickets
• clothing tags
• price tags
• merchandise stickers
• handwritten notes
• shopping or to do lists
• packaging

Most ephemera is high contrast, vibrant and bold enough to stand on its own in a layout, most especially when used, as I did here, in a grouping.  My main section of ephemera is housed in the full size pocket I made using paper from the kit. I made it deep enough to contain the components while still allowing color, pattern and branding to show. I chose to make a pocket outside of the page protector to allow for maximum interactivity with the contents, as one of the highlights of including ephemera is the ability to handle it.

And finally, the collage element, which can easily be a natural extension of the ephemera, as in my project, or it could be scraps of pattern paper, die cuts, stickers, stamps, washi tape, labels, etc. Whichever it is, the idea is to use other items to make an interesting pattern, background or pocket insert that is unique to your project.

Besides the three elements in the challenge, I used lots of components from the September "All About Me" kit. The stamp set, letter stickers, die cuts and papers all quietly set the tone for my ephemera and story to shine. Sometimes I like the products to take center stage, but today, I chose more subtle pieces that enhanced my project and this kit was the perfect choice!

I hope you have a chance to make a project using one, two or all three of the elements above. Please post your project and tag @CitrusTwistKits and myself, @PaperCutGoods, so we can see your genius at work!