It's Alive!

Are you ready to add another figurative language technique to your writing repertoire? This installment, we are focusing on personification, a figure of speech where inanimate objects or animals are given human-like characteristics. You are most definitely familiar with this technique, but just might not know its name. Think about the statement, “The leaves leapt off the branches and danced to the ground.” How about, “Time flew by.” The use of personification can add a real punch to your journaling!

So why feel like you are in high school English class and use this type of figurative language? Personification adds a rich dimension to your writing. It helps make something abstract feel more relatable. It can also set the tone for your text. When taking about the sun, you can say, “The sun gently stroked my cheek, making me feel alive.” Or “The blistery sun drove its hammer at me, making me want to retreat to the shade.” By choosing personification that fits the subject, you can eloquently convey the mood. It adds drama and flair to your scrapbooking pages.

The talented artists below put personification to good use. It sounds unique and makes the pages come alive. Personification helps Lisa and me add a level of drama and brings the story to the next level. Look at how Leslie created an amazing title by giving the carnival a human-like ability.

The Carnival Screamed Fun by Leslie Coltrain

Digital Supplies: Page Kit, Alphabet, Date Tag, Word Art, Extra Alphas: Vintage Carnival by Sahlin Studio and Jennifer Barrette (All at Scrap Matters), Stitches: Stitches No. 1 by K Studio (CatScrap), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Fonts: arial.

Design Notes: The fantastic alphas of this kit inspired me to give the title a bold treatment and prominence on the page.

Journaling: About twice a year, a carnival complete with games and midway rides takes up residence at the Dell Diamond for two weeks. We went to our first one last year and you couldn’t wait for it to come back. You both begged and begged and at the end of spring break daddy hooked us up with tickets and we set off for a good time. And a good time we definitely had. The only thing that could keep either of you off of a ride was when you didn’t meet the height requirement. We dealt with tears and frustration a couple of times, but there were plenty of things to keep you completely entertained and enraptured for more than a couple of hours.

Plate Attack by Lisa Carroll

Digital Supplies: Kit: No Flowers Allowed by Amy Wolff (The Lilypad), Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8, Fonts: Joyful Juliana, Alphas: Modern Patio by Amy Wolff (The Lilypad).

Design Notes: I had a hard time finding a picture of the plate to use on my layout. I had taken one a few years ago to complete a mini album about my favorite things, but I could not find it. I did however find one in the background of a picture so I cut it out and tried to improve the quality of it as best as I could. I decided to use it as more of a design element instead of a focal picture because I felt the main topic of the layout was my injury. I also used red as an accent color to symbolize blood and pain.

Journaling: On day 2 of unpacking I was viciously attacked by my favorite decorative plate. I had just found the perfect place for it on top of the kitchen cabinets when all of a sudden it jumped down and smacked me on the head. I was bleeding as the plate lay shattered on the floor mocking me. Thankfully the movers were still at the house because Ace and Daddy had left to get Ace a haircut and we don’t speak French or Dutch, so it is hard to ask for help. One of the movers found a neighbor and they graciously offered to drive me to the medical clinic. I had to get three stitches and now have a little scar on my forehead, all thanks to the plate that didn’t want to stay where I put it.

In the Pot by Stacey Michaud

Supplies: Paper, Stickers, Alphabet Stickers: Pink Paislee, Bling: Kaisercraft, Font: Arial Narrow.

Design Notes: I wanted to show how important a pot of stew is because it truly represents a long-standing family tradition. I hand cut the swirls from a sheet of paper and love how they represent the stem from the pot.

Journaling: Relaxing in the pot, it whispers your name, asking you to come closer. It tickles your senses and reminds you of the tradition. It brings family members together. Every Halloween. Hobo Stew.