Kit-Centric Challenge May 2025

The Kit-Centric monthly challenge is all about using one kit or collection to make your layout. Even when you don’t think you have photos for the challenge, it’s amazing how many totally different layouts are created for the challenge. Whether you turn your photo(s) black and white or use them in full color, the kit/collection has enough variety to scrap them. There’s no rules or themes your layout needs to meet — just use only the kit or collection on the majority of your page. And the bonus? Katie provides a 50% off coupon for the kit or the collection that’s valid through the end of the month. So be sure to jump in and super charge your creativity.

May’s challenge uses the ARToptions Alena Scrapbooking Bundle. This month the team found this bundle to be very versatile with layouts ranging from family members, family activities, celebrating a special holiday, and great advice. They are all very different, and I hope they provide you with ideas and inspiration.

Katie has provided a coupon code for 50% off the ARToptions Alena Scrapbooking Bundle. The code is KPD50AOA and it is valid through May 31st.

First up is Creative Team Member Erin (ErinR), who hosts this challenge every other month. Her layout features her youngest child, wearing fun sunglasses, in a series of photos showing her fascination with dandelions.

Erin used ARToptions Alena Scrapbooking Bundle, ARToptions Alena Transfer Bundle, ARToptions Alena Sentiment Transfers, ARToptions Alena Chipboard Stickers, Classic Frame Layers, and Plainly Woven Paper Pack 02.

Next, Creative Team Member, Liz (lizziet5), features her adorable granddaughter on her layout. Liz is an expert at layering and clustering. She creates some of the Layer Works Templates you can find in the store, and in doing so, she’s sharing her design talent and creativity with all of us.

Liz used ARToptions Alena Scrapbooking Bundle, ARToptions Alena Transfers 01, ARToptions Alena Transfers 03, Clipped Stack Layers 16, and Watercolor Sketchbook 01 Solids Paper Pack.

This next layout was created by Sharon (shannamay) featuring several young people playing Monopoly — three hours and counting. I love all the layering she created behind her photo. Sharon is very creative, and we benefit from her creativity through her monthly Sketch Challenge. Be sure to watch for that one.

Sharon used Artoptions Alena Scrapbooking Bundle, ARToptions Alena Chipboard Stickers, and Game On Stamp Pack 01.

Our next layout comes from Creative Team Member Carol (carollee). She’s created a lovely layout about Mothers Day. I’m guessing the older woman featured is Carol’s mother or mother-in-law. The dark background is absolutely stunning, and the lighter patterned paper is perfect.

For her layout, Carol used ARToptions Alena Scrapbooking Bundle, ARToptions Alena Transfers 02, ARToptions Alena Sentiment Transfers, Thin Classic Photo Frames Curled and Flat, and Splatters Brushes and Stamps 03.

First time Guest CT Member, Renee (5grand), created a perfect layout of great advice. She added the just the right amount of layering behind her photo to set it off from the patterned background.

Renee completed this fabulous layout using only the ARToptions Alena Scrapbooking Bundle.

Finally, I, Valerie (nana_vg) created this layout of our youngest granddaughter and her friends all dressed up for their last high school prom. She is graduating in June.

For my layout, I used ARToptions Alena Scrapbooking Bundle and ARToptions Alena Sentiment Transfers.

My favorite part of any challenge is to see the variety of layouts that can be created from a single collection or example. I’m looking forward to seeing yours grace our gallery. I’m sure they will show many more ways this kit/bundle can be used.

I hope these pages have inspired you to make a page with the ARToptions Alena Scrapbooking Bundle. Dig it out of your stash or purchase new with the coupon code above (expires May 31, 2025.)

Remember to post your page in the Kit-Centric Challenge Gallery as well as in the May Challenges sign-in thread in the forum.

I look forward to seeing your creativity fill the gallery. Happy scrapping! — Valerie (nana_vg)