A Layout Sixteen Years in the Making with Traci
Voting has always been a personal tradition for me, one that became even more meaningful in 2008 when I took my young toddler along to the polls as I cast my vote. In that moment, I felt part of something groundbreaking—voting for the first Black president and hoping for a brighter future. Sixteen years later, as I watched that same “toddler,” now an adult, cast their vote, I experienced an incredible sense of pride and continuity. This time, I had all my children by my side to participate in another historic vote: casting our ballots for Kamala Harris, the first black and south asian female candidate for President. Capturing this moment was essential, and using the I Voted collection made documenting it even more special.
For this layout, I used the I Voted collection to create a cohesive, powerful visual story of these two monumental voting experiences. I began with a background that had large, bold words representing the ideals and the weight of these historical moments. Over this backdrop, I layered three strips of paper, each extending horizontally across the page. This strong horizontal structure reinforces the sense of a timeline—drawing the eye across years and generations, from 2008 to 2024.
At the heart of the layout are two cherished 3x4 photos: one of my toddler in 2008, and the other of my now-grown children proudly voting in 2024. In between these images, I placed a journaling card where I poured my thoughts on this remarkable journey. There, I expressed my gratitude for these experiences, for the impact of our collective votes, and for having raised my children to understand the significance of their voices in shaping the world.
To add a final layer of symbolism, I bracketed each photo with the names of these historical figures, using the I Voted Uncle Sam alpha set: “Obama” alongside the 2008 photo and “Kamala” next to the 2024 image. This framing not only anchors each moment but also draws attention to the historical context and the progress we’ve witnessed.
This layout is deeply meaningful to me, not only as a scrapbooker but as a parent and a citizen. It’s a visual legacy that captures the pride, hope, and continuity of our family's role in these transformative times. Through this page, I can see not only the memories we’ve created but also the values I hope my children carry forward into their own lives. This is the power of scrapbooking—not just documenting the moments, but celebrating the significance of the journey.
The "I Voted" collection is a vibrant and patriotic digital kit designed to capture the spirit of civic pride and the significance of participating in democracy. Bursting with classic red, white, and blue, the collection is packed with bold elements and phrases like “Election Day,” “Cast My Vote,” and “Power to the People.” Whether documenting a first voting experience or a day at the polls, this kit adds a striking, all-American feel to any Election Day memory.
In addition to its powerful themes, the kit includes 20 patterned and 8 solid papers, perfect for adding depth and texture to layouts. It also features three unique alphas, empowering scrapbookers to personalize each design. With over 85 embellishments, from patriotic sneakers and ballot boxes to stars, arrows, and flowers, there’s plenty here to creatively highlight each moment from your Election Day story.
See all the I Voted products, unboxing and example layouts on the I Voted blog post HERE.
DIGITAL KIT INCLUDES:
20 patterned and 8 textured solid 12x12 papers, 3 complete alphas and 85+ digital embellishments!