Sound Off!

As I sit here at my computer, a rhythmic “click clack” fills the air. When the ideas are free flowing, the tapping of my fingers on the keys almost make a song. It surely is pleasing to my ear. Sound is a powerful tool and some familiar ones conjure up certain emotions. Crashing waves bring up images of relaxation while blaring sirens awaken anxiety. Integrating sensory details in writing helps your audience make a moving picture in his/her mind. I love the idea of selecting one of the senses and giving it special treatment. Choosing to focus on just sound in your journaling can make a greater impact. It can also help you become an accomplished storyteller!

To start, simply grab the photos you want to work with and close your eyes. Imagine all the sounds you heard at that location or from that person! Often times when I am writing, I will create a list using a stream of conscience approach by brainstorming as many details as I can. Then I go back, review the list, make some tweaks and choose. One simple approach is to take a noun and describe the sound it makes. Birds chirp, children giggle and old chair coils creak. Think about how much fun it would be to focus on sound when creating layouts about the county fair or jumping in the autumn leaves!

Check out the layouts below to see how the talented artists incorporated sound into their layouts! The photos show the scene, but the details about the sounds really bring the story to life.

Content by Stacey Michaud

Supplies: Papers: Cosmo Cricket, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Buttons: Autumn Leaves, Alphabet: Scenic Route, Other: hemp.

Design Notes: My husband recently found older pictures of him on a hiking trip. I had fun scrapping them and chose to write this journaling from my perspective. I recalled my own experiences with hiking and simply got descriptive with my writing. I chose earthy papers and embellishments to match the topic.

Journaling: You are so content when you are hiking. This trip to Mt. Glacier National was an exciting one for you. I wonder what makes you so calm when you are out in the woods. Is it the consistent stamp of you boots hitting the dirt or maybe the gentle trickle of the stream? Are you at ease because of the chirping birds or the many insects who sing their scratchy songs? I imagine how the wind whispers through the grass, swirling and swaying. Knowing you, the sound of laughter and your friend’s voices brought you joy on this trip. I mostly wonder what you hear in your thoughts. Do you get that buzz of happiness? Does you inner voice ring loud? Whatever it is, you are truly at peace with the world.

The Bar is Ours by Brittny Lejeune

Supplies: Papers: Pink Paislee, Alphabet: American Crafts, Flower: Prima Marketing, Specialty Ink: Tattered Angels.

Design Notes: I made this page before I thought about the journaling for it, so it's my first foree in digital scrapping. I created the journaling in Photoshop using the "Vaguely Repulsive" font.

Journaling: "Hey Baby." "Come talk to me." "What's your name?" "Where you goin?” "You fine!" Those were just some of the more polite sounds that emanated from the unwashed miscreants sitting at the windows at the Frog & Peach. YUCK! So one day we decided to turn the tables. We defiantly declared "Enough!" That night all we heard was the roar of the crowd behind us as we sat at our window, heckling the boys for a change. This is one of my very favorite memories at school - those times when all the stress and noise around you just fades into the background and all you care about are the people you're with and the fun you're having and the memories you're creating. Frog & Peach May, 2008.

Sound of Quiet by Lisa Dorsey

Supplies: Papers: My Mind's Eye, BasicGrey, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet Stickers: Scenic Route, Pearls: Prima Marketing, Chipboard Bracket: Bo Bunny, Chipboard Letters: Melissa Frances.

Design Notes: To create the journaling block so that it fits inside the bracket, I simply scanned the bracket and opened it in Adobe Photoshop. I created a second layer for the journaling. After I was sure that the journaling fit exactly where I wanted, I erased the first layer (the picture of the bracket) leaving only the journaling.

Journaling: One of the advantages of our recent move has been all the state parks that are now within half an hour drive. Each of these parks are so peaceful and serene. This particular park is one of my favorites. As you walk along the creek, everything disappears except the quiet sounds of nature. The water bubbles and gurgles as it flows over the rocks. The frogs and toads croak as if they were playing a song for our ears only. The butterflies and dragonflies join the symphony with the soft flutter of their wings. Add the immense beauty of this park and there is no doubt in my mind that God created all this to remind us of His goodness and love for us.