EPHEMERA

Ephemera is a new noun in my vocabulary. In the dictionary it means, 1) something of no lasting significance 2) collectibles (as posters, broadsides, and tickets) not intended to have lasting value. To the world of scrapbooking and crafting it's quite the opposite. We use it to add lasting value to what we are creating. Our definition of ephemera is, 1)paper embellishments for scrapbooking, collage or altered books. 2) printed material of passing interest, as in periodicals or pamphlets.

I save all the tickets and pamphlets to places I've been and things I've seen. I use to keep them all tucked away and in chronological order. Not anymore, I now use them to enhance the memories that I'm creating on my scrapbook pages. In creating ephemera, you can use the actual old memorabilia you have or create the look of old by chalking or inking the edges to distress your embellishment giving it a shabby chic look. Try crumbling your patterned paper or journaling and then smoothing it back out to give it a worn look.

When trying to explain the technique of ephemera, I found it quite difficult. I was inspired by setting out a collections of items in front of me. I ranged from beads to wire, chalk to ink, jute to yarn and so on. Go through your drawers or grab a few things off the workbench in the garage. Make a pile of ephemera in front of you and compliment it with graphics and backgrounds from Creatables. I think you'll surprise yourself at how creative you can be with this style and see how fun it is.

The Creatables that I used are wonderful for this technique. Customize your own ideas using them to fit your style and needs. I hope my ephemera of ideas will help you become inspired in your scrapbooking and crafting projects. Just remember, there is no right way or wrong way to do this technique, just do it your way.

Layout 1: JOURNEY

Supplies:

• Heirloom Tags Creatable by Julie Torske
• Remember When by Michelle Anderson
• Harlequin pattern paper by Provo Craft
• Dark Plum cardstock by Bazzil
• Vellum
• Circle and star paper fasteners by Creative Impressions Fibers (source Unknown)
• Printers lowercase alphabet stamps by Hero Arts

Instructions:

These old photos of my sister and I where enough to inspire a title page for my "Sister" scrapbook. The graphics and the letter "J" heirloom tag all fell together to compliment the verse that reads, "It is good to have an end to a journey, but it is the journey the matters in the end."
Ursula K. LeGuin

Layout 2: PROFOUND THOUGHTS and some regular ones too

Supplies:

• Patriotic Scrapbook Creatable by Julie Torske
• Composition Book
• Jute
• Old key
• Iron-On thread by Kreinik
• tarnished gold
• Red wire by Wild Wire
• Star paper fastener by Creative Impressions
• Xyron (optional)

Instructions:

One of my favorite elementary teachers is retiring this year after touching the lives of so many children in our area. I wanted to make her something special and knew that a journal would be perfect.

1. To get started creating this vintage looking journal, cover the front and back of the composition book using the newspaper print from the Patriotic Scrapbook Creatable.
2. Print any other graphics you wish to use and cut out.
3. For the title I used Metallic Avocado font downloaded from the internet. I tore the title out, crumpled it and chalked the edges and wrinkles. Arrange the title and graphics onto the book.
4. Add embellishments such as wire, paper fasteners and iron on thread. Using a xyron to adhere everything makes this project easy, but any adhesive will work.
5. Make a loop in the end of some jute. Add some knots to the jute and an old key. Tie a bead onto the other end to fit through the loop.
6. Wrap it around the journal to finish it off.
   
   

Layout 3: ALTERED BOOK

Supplies:

• Antique Keepsake Creatable by Jeff Goodsell (Featured as May 2004 HugClub Creatable - Available for purchase August 5, 2004)
• Thread Woven Tag by Me and My Big Ideas
• Paper Pizazz Ephemera Background Paper
• Paper Pizazz Definitions and Words
• Ephemera Gold Stars
• Paper Punch
• Assorted Fibers
• Beads
• Old or New Book Slide Mount by FoofaLa
• Magic Mesh
• Xacto Knife

Instructions:

Before beginning my altered book, I did some research and found a book called Altered Books 101 by Designs Original. This resource helped me get a better understanding and feel for this craft.

1. Copy and paste the clock graphic to a work space and size to the length of the book. Copy and paste a lock and key and size appropriately. Cut out graphics.
2. Edge the right half of the book with a piece of ephemera background paper by Paper Pizazz . Glue together about 8 pages of the book. Cut a square from the pages that are glued together that will fit the slide mount. Place magic mesh between the slide mount. Embellish the outside of the mount with complimentary paper and adhere in the opening.
3. Punch holes along the edge of the pages and thread together using fibers and finish off with beads.
4. Determine where to cut the clock graphic to make it fit onto both pages and adhere.
5. Tear out the Keepsake definition from Paper Pizazz and crumple and chalk the edges. Place at the top of the right page. Embellish the page with the lock and key and the woven tag the reads "the journey begins."
   Place gold stars randomly among the page.
   

Layout 4: CD MAGNET

Supplies:

• Remember When by Michelle Anderson
• CD
• Magic Mesh
• Vellum tag by Making Memories
• Type Writer alphabet by Lettering Delights Printers lowercase alphabet stamps by Hero Arts
• Jewelry
• hemp
• Wooden beads
• Small clothespin
• Pennies
• Dymo label maker
• 1/2" magnetic buttons
• Copies of black and white photos

Instructions:
While sorting through my childhood pictures, I found these photos of my brother and I and it brought a huge smile to my face. In both photos, he has is arm around me and looks truly affectionate. As we get older we sometimes forget to swing our arms around our loved ones and give them a squeeze. To honor these photos, I made copies and turned them into a refrigerator magnet to remind me to give a squeeze a day. Gather some treasured photos and turn them into refrigerator art using ephemera.