Sound Off!

Studying the way authors craft poems helps us to understand how to use sound in writing. The use of similes and/or metaphors can effectively communicate our state of being or a given situation. For example, "My stomach roared like a lion." gives a sense of how hungry I am. Substitute boring verbiage with powerful words such as babble, shriek, and skidded as these produce sound effects in our brains. It is no accident that an author will use a statement such as, "After seeing the mess in the playroom, my mother turned and hissed, "Clean this up!" Think about the importance of the word "hissed." It reminds you of a lethal snake ready to spring into action after it has been disturbed. Vivid information about sounds can truly set the scene.

Another literary device involves the use of onomatopoeia, which is the use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects they refer to. Think about words such as "moo", "zip" or "buzz". The Kellogg Company used onomatopoeia when developing the "Snap, Crackle, Pop" slogan for Rice Krispies cereal. When considering scrapbooking pages, think about using onomatopoeia to make an amusing list or to use inside of speech bubbles.

The artists below integrated many of the strategies mentioned above to create their entertaining and descriptive journaling. They will inspire you to shine the spotlight onto all that you hear on your next layout! Remember to enthusiastically record the story on your projects. One day, twenty years from now as family members read your pages, they can feel like they have traveled back in time. Doesn’t that just sound great? Wink, wink!

Sights and Sounds on Game Day by Deanna Misner

Supplies: Papers: BasicGrey, Scenic Route, Prima Marketing, October Afternoon, Cardstock: Prism, Ribbon: American Crafts, Maya Road, Chipboard: Jenni Bowlin Studio, BasicGrey, Ticket: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Button, Paint: Making Memories, Glitter Glue: Ranger, Pens: American Crafts, Creative Memories, Alphabet: American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin Studio, Scenic Route, Other: twine.

Editor's Notes: Deanna's descriptive and specific journaling brings up so many good memories of when I attended college football games. I truly feel like I am sitting with her as I can hear the noise she is writing about. It is a creative way to document this fun tradition in her life!

Journaling: Being at Ole Miss on game day is one of my favorite places to be. Maybe it’s the level of excitement or the flood of memories that comes rushing back, but Ole Miss on a gorgeous fall day is one of my favorite places to be! It starts with the band of course. The Pride of the South gives intensity to the day with its booming trumpets and crashing cymbals and drawn out crescendo of “To Dixie with Love.” I get the chills every time. As we approach the stadium, the band is drowned out by Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell blaring over the PA system. Adding to the excitement is the repetition of Hotty Toddy, each round ignited by a single yell of “Are You Ready?” Soon the resounding clangs of the metal bleachers being stomped on ring in my ears. The Rebels take the field and once again the band strikes up. The bleacher noise gives way to a chorus of swishing as plastic pompoms keep time to our fight song. As the game wears on, its peppered by the booming voice of the stadium announcer as he cries, “First Down…” provoking the fans to respond with a resounding “Ole Miss.” Soon and hopefully many times, Steve Sandroni’s voice proclaims, “Touchdown Rebels,” which ignites a huge celebration and is once again led by the band. Booming trumpets, swishing pompoms, a flurry of excitement, on a good day this is the scene over and over again. I take it all in. Usually, this day comes only once a year for us. So I soak it all in the best I can.

What Waiting Sounds Like by Cheryl Nelson

Supplies: Papers: Bo Bunny, Pebbles Inc., Sassafras Lass, SEI, Stampin' Up, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, WorldWin, Stickers: American Crafts, Doodlebug Design, Scenic Route, Punch: Fiskars, Chipboard: Pebbles Inc., Trim: Offray, Other: buttons. Fonts: 2 Peas High Tide (Autumn Leaves), Impact ( Microsoft Word), Clipart: Microsoft Word.

Editor's Notes: This layout is pure fun and whimsy! I love the thought of recording those sounds and phrases that repeat in our heads over and over!

Journaling: With the clock ticking and my heart thumping and my stomach swishing and my conscience arguing...the four days I had to wait for my daughter to get home to find out where she would be going for her mission were the four longest and noisiest days of my life.

Halo 3 by Renee Lamb

Supplies: Papers: Bo Bunny, Cardstock: Bazill Basics Paper, Brads: Heidi Swapp, Alphabet, Chipboard Punctuation: American Crafts, Rub-Ons: Clearsnap, Rubber Icons: KI Memories.

Design Notes: The metal circles are pieces of an old pin button that I took apart and glued down.

Journaling: Halo 3. It's a typical sound I've come to get used to. Whether I'm on the computer or scrapping, it's the soundtrack I've become dependent on! Tom and Bailee are two peas in a pod when it comes to playing Halo 3. I giggle at the commentary between those two while they play. Usually it's along the lines of Tom yelling "where are you" and Bailee yelling "back at the base" or Tom "Snipe them". It's funny how intense you guys get while playing and the sounds gurgling from the T.V. When the other team gets killed, I hear them go Uuuuuugggggghhhhhh....aaaaahhhhhhh...ooooohhhhhh. And the blast of machine guns...dadadada d or the gaaaarrrrrsss when someone attacks. My favorite yet is the talk from y'all after a kill with your "Your Grandma's, beat downs, oh snaps and fo'shizzles." I truly get a kick out hearing you two play together!