Poetry in Motion

In the words of William Cullen Bryant, "Poetry is that art which selects and arranges the symbols of thought in such a manner as to excite the imagination the most powerfully and delightfully." Poetry can be stirring, angry, gentle or humorous. It has the ability to make you laugh, make you cry or make you fall somewhere in between. Think poetry is for only the pros like Maya Angelou or Emily Dickinson? Think again!

It was just last February when I asked you to channel your inner poet. My column that month was all about incorporating poetry into your scrapbooking projects. So I must know ... did you search for a meaningful poem from your favorite writer or did you attempt to record your own thoughts? Or did you continue to think that using poetry on your scrappy projects was too difficult? I am here, again, to say that it is not, especially if you have the right tools.

Don't know where to start, grab a familiar poem from your favorite author. Allow it to drive the theme of the entire layout, sparking creativity along the way. If you are feeling braver, pick up the pencil and get writing. The layouts below are sure to inspire you. Pay close attention to how the journaling flows and adds great interest.

Puppy Love by Jennifer Findlay

Supplies: Paper, Alphabet, Die-Cut: Pink Paislee, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Trim: A Million Memories, Ribbon: Jo-Ann, Pin: Fancy Pants Designs, Tools: Cricut, Opposites Attract Font (Provocraft), Other: eyelets, embroidery floss.

Design Notes: I really love the look of a lot of white space and the homespun feel that hand stitching gives my layouts.

Journaling: Dolly. Fuzzy, quiet, cute, and sweet. Leaves wet kisses on your cheek. On shifty looking rugs she sneaks. Snoring away while she sleeps.

Growing Up by Lydia Jackson

Supplies: Paper: October Afternoon, Cardstock: Core'dinations, Stickers: Sassafras Lass, Brads: Bazzill Basics Paper, American Crafts, Alphabet: American Crafts, Buttons: The Buttons Box.

Design Notes: I started this layout by printing the finished poem directly onto my cardstock. Then I built a grid and decorated with simple strips of pattern paper around it. I then added fun, colorful embellishments in a visual triangle to add interest and lead your eye around the page.

Journaling: I'm learning to crawl. And I'm learning to walk. And I'm learning to speak. Not whine when I talk And I'm learning not to be rude. And I'm learning not to be cruel. And I'm learning that sometimes it's hard to play by the rules. And I'm learning to imagine when I build and I craft. And I'm learning that it's much, much easier to laugh.

Pout by Janneke Smit

Digital Supplies: Kit: Underwater World by Ivelina Cholakova, Damayanti Studio (Sunflower Scrap), Alphabet: Party Perfect by Dora's Designs (ScrapStreet), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3, Font: Verdana.

Design Notes: I used part of a rhyming children's book "The Pout-Pout Fish" by Deborah Diesen as my journaling.

Journaling: I'm a pout-pout fish, with a pout-pout face. So I spread the dreary-wearies all over the place.