Then and Now, two layouts

Here are two layouts. This first is the final (except for maybe some small staples at the bottom of the "and" element as suggested today in the "Office Hours" at Masterful Scrapbook Design. Cindy says I offer a lot of free advertising; but, only for products I believe in; so, it does benefit me if they keep going!

At any rate, the layout offers a bit of Bohemian Style. The multiple colorful patterns and mix of elements give that feeling. The problem with the first iteration is a lack of cohesiveness among the elements. There is in both layouts an underlying block structure with half inch borders with some irregularity on the sides. The second attempt brings that irregularity more evenly along the right. The darker elements are not balanced in the first layout. In the final one the "and", the leather fringe and the dark photo with the flower tag make a visual triangle. Shapes are repeated more in the final page, too. There are now three circles and three bracket shaped elements. The multi-colored dots and the yellow dots show up in three locations as well. Arrows and clustered tags are also seen in three groups and colors repeat around the page. The journaling has room to breathe in the final layout and using only one feather is more effective in the design. Additionally, I think I would have had to add the word "feathers" to my sub-title and while Metis people did use feathers they were not as prominent a feature as they are for First Nation people.  Our Metis culture had its origins in the fur trade and certainly fringe and floral beading patterns are prominent  parts of traditional costumes. I think the story of the Metis sash deserves it's own page and is not a part of the displays I saw at the museums I visited. Metis are not well known in the USA but I believe it was Robert Kennedy who ensured our recognition in the USA. In Canada, of course, we are a prominent part of the history of our confederation.

The layout is a good example of non-vintage  photo heritage scrapbooking. 

I need to make more scrap pages about other areas of my heritage. I think knowing where we come from gives us better insight into who we are, though it's only a small part of our makeup.

I did do genetic testing and my Metis/First Nation genetic makeup is pretty tiny. Not surprising since one of the earliest Iroquois family I can race was a captured white guy. Nonetheless, the cultural input was there.

Interestingly to me was how much of my genetic make-up was from the Viking contribution to my Acadian and French Canadian background. Makes me appreciate my high school experience at LCBI (the once Norwegian Bible College). Funny how heritage and experience can collided!