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Welcoming other voices into your stories

March 1, 2010

Welcoming other voices into your stories

While cleaning over the past weekend, I picked up a dusty frame containing this old photo:

Dzazbabylr 

I see this photo every time I walk through the dining/scrap room. It was taken by a good friend of ours by the name of Kurt Kueffner back in 1996. Kurt is a pioneer in the hair styling industry and a local Minneapolis hair legend. A bit of a renaissance man, he also pursued his passion for photography, and this photo was definitely a cherished gift to our family.

I recently resurrected a design from Clean&Simple 2, a layout called "Blink." Those of you familiar with it will recall it looked a bit like this:

BlinkOriginal 

The idea is simple. Pair an older photo of your subject, with a shot from present day, then start writing.

Seeing the people in our lives and the passage of time right there in front of us on the scrapbook page is a powerful thing, evoking immediate and often very emotional responses. This can make for very uninhibited journaling, as well.

As I was dusting off the frame with the shot of Aidan and Dan, I thought, "What a great shot to pair with the shot of them from a few weeks back." Old and new, then write.

Using my newly updated template from Designer Digitals, I dropped in the photos and set out to begin writing, when I realized that my voice, while it would work just fine on this page might not actually be the best voice to capture the story.

So I asked Dan if he would do the honors. Lucky for me (and Aidan) he said, "Absolutely."

(Click on the layout to see it larger in a new window to read the journaling.)

Blink2010

SUPPLIES: Layered Template No. 47 β€’ Olan Solids Cardstock β€’ Just Linens No. 1 β€’ Archer font

Now I realize any man capable of making this is obviously not going to say 'no' when given a challenge to write about his daughter, and maybe some of you are thinking, "Yeah, right… have you MET my sigificant other? He's about as poetic as a rock."

Still, I realized what a gift it is to bring another voice into the mix. If not a willing spouse or partner, maybe it's a grandmother, or grandfather. Maybe aunts, or uncles. Or maybe just asking a few questions to siblings about each other.

I believe that other voices make the story tapestry so much more vibrant in the grand scrapbooking scheme of things.

Whose voice can you invite into your personal documentation?

Food for thought on this fine first day of March.

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Comments

  1. Kate says

    March 1, 2010 at 6:06 am

    I like this idea. Might dig out some old photos and see what we can come up with for it! If I asked my husband-to-be he would probably write something like “this was a very nice day on the beach, we had fun and i love you and i like the seashells”. πŸ™‚ Maybe I should test this theory and ask him what he would say….

    Reply
  2. Maureen says

    March 1, 2010 at 6:18 am

    Wow…that really opened up my heart this a.m. and brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely beautiful Dan.

    Reply
  3. Dottie says

    March 1, 2010 at 6:22 am

    What a lucky lady. You certainly have a great man there! Beautiful layout.
    Does make one cry.

    Reply
  4. Christy says

    March 1, 2010 at 6:23 am

    Good Morning Cathy- I can only assume that Dan is now interviewing anyone who decides that he might like your beautiful daughter! Thanks for the tear jerker this morning- what a great idea. I’ll have to go trolling for photos today. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. Barb says

    March 1, 2010 at 6:33 am

    “Collectively our hair is about the same.”
    I had to do a double-take at the photos. What a smart, funny man!

    Reply
  6. Debby says

    March 1, 2010 at 6:43 am

    WOW, what an awesome gift. Aidan is a very lucky young lady to have a dad that can articulate how he feels!

    It is so obvious from both photos that they share a special bond.

    Reply
  7. Jeanne Pellerin says

    March 1, 2010 at 7:04 am

    Fabulous!

    Reply
  8. Jennifer M. says

    March 1, 2010 at 7:08 am

    Love the layout and the template!

    Reply
  9. Lori says

    March 1, 2010 at 7:53 am

    Awesome!

    Reply
  10. Bec says

    March 1, 2010 at 7:55 am

    I got the weepies. Simply wonderful.

    Reply
  11. melissa says

    March 1, 2010 at 7:59 am

    This provoked a teary eyed reaction. Absolutely something she will treasure when she is older.

    Reply
  12. TanyaS says

    March 1, 2010 at 8:08 am

    This is great – what a wonderful daddy and husband! You both are so lucky πŸ™‚

    Reply
  13. robyn devine says

    March 1, 2010 at 8:11 am

    Love this! such a great way to capture the memories of those moments, to give a different voice to your memories – and what a great writer he is!

    Reply
  14. Sue O says

    March 1, 2010 at 8:23 am

    Wow! What a great way to begin a Monday morning. This is such a great gift for Aidan. She is one lucky girl.

    Reply
  15. mary says

    March 1, 2010 at 8:32 am

    beautiful layout. . . way to go Dan! Two writers in the family is simply terrific.
    We have adult children so we have had that milestone of stepping out of the way but are now enjoying “friendship” with our daughters.

    Your children will cherish the words you and Dan have written to them.

    Reply
  16. Jill says

    March 1, 2010 at 9:03 am

    OMGoodness Cathy that journaling made me tear up (especially the part about maybe time to get out of the way). Great reminder to let others voices into our scrapbooks.

    Reply
  17. patti quagliarini says

    March 1, 2010 at 9:03 am

    I thought I was all done crying now that the Olympics are over but this did bring a tear to my eye! Great idea…I am totally going to use this for my husband and two boys. Now if I can get him to write it would be perfect. Thanks for the great ideas and all the ones before this. Love your site and your humour!

    Reply
  18. Julia says

    March 1, 2010 at 9:05 am

    Well, that is just beautiful. Touched my heart.

    Reply
  19. Panamomma says

    March 1, 2010 at 9:11 am

    Awesome. I have asked both my husband and my son for journaling on pages at one point or another. With my daughter I have only been able to do an interview type of question and answer as she doesn’t write or dictate just yet.

    Reply
  20. Deb J says

    March 1, 2010 at 9:15 am

    What a great layout. Dan did such a good job with the journaling too. How special for Aiden. I wish I had things like that from my dad who is now deceased. I never did know much about what he thought about me. I also have only a few pictures of us together, just the two of us.

    Reply
  21. Nancy Hyland says

    March 1, 2010 at 9:25 am

    what a wonderful gift to Aidan! Dan’s journaling just made me a bit weepy. my hubby doesn’t do stuff like that, but he is good about telling my daughter often how special she is. But I loved the idea of having others do it as well. My brother and his girlfriend were just here on a visit and I have some great shots of them all together, how great would it be if they could do the journaling for some of those shots!! Thanks for the idea!!

    Reply
  22. Jennifer says

    March 1, 2010 at 9:40 am

    Simply beautiful! Love the photos, and Dan’s journaling. Great job!

    Reply
  23. Linda says

    March 1, 2010 at 9:42 am

    I love what your husband has written! How very special for a daughter to have that message.

    Reply
  24. Amber Lee says

    March 1, 2010 at 10:22 am

    That is such a wonderful idea to add a voice, and his is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  25. janel says

    March 1, 2010 at 10:24 am

    One of my blocks to actually getting pages done is because our kids are in their 20’s. Now seeing this gives me new inspiration to use some of their youthful photos and get some new ones now. Just a wonderful, inspirational post. Thanks. Off to DD to get the template.

    Reply
  26. Carolyn says

    March 1, 2010 at 10:24 am

    Wow! This was a really great post. That’s a brilliant idea to have your hubby do the journaling. And he did really good! Thank you for sharing your LO, it was very touching.

    Reply
  27. Sarah says

    March 1, 2010 at 10:26 am

    OMG! Way to step up Dan, that was awesome. I would cherish thoughts from my Dad or even a piece of his handwriting, neither of which do I have. What a gift you just gave, Aidan.

    Reply
  28. audrey v says

    March 1, 2010 at 10:50 am

    “…collectively our hair is about the same…” Priceless!

    Reply
  29. Stephanie says

    March 1, 2010 at 10:55 am

    Thank you so much for sharing! But not for the mascara that’s about to run down my face — I’m welling up here at work!!

    Great inspiration, wonderful story and hilarious about the hair. No wonder you married him!

    Reply
  30. sarah says

    March 1, 2010 at 11:02 am

    tell Dan, big ole alligator tears, dang it.

    Reply
  31. Donna Tullis says

    March 1, 2010 at 11:30 am

    girl…the original was fantastic and this one is just as well…i truly love how you always get to the emotion of this life we are living and it is front and center in your scrapin…thank the heavens for cathy zielske!

    Reply
  32. Wendy says

    March 1, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    Wasn’t planning on tearing up so over my afternoon salad, but this was really beautiful! Thanks for sharing and for providing such great inspiration!

    Awesome!

    Reply
  33. carlaj says

    March 1, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    love this idea!

    Reply
  34. michelle says

    March 1, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    It’s not fair to make me cry while at work. damn you!

    Reply
  35. Sandi D says

    March 1, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    A perfect page to answer the question “Why do I scrapbook?”

    Sandi

    Reply
  36. Lynn L. says

    March 1, 2010 at 1:28 pm

    That was so awesome! I want to get my husband more involved too. How nice for our kids to get mom AND dads thoughts! Give Dan a big high five!!

    Reply
  37. Leora says

    March 1, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    Wow! I am all choked up now. Wow! Thanks for sharing.

    Leora

    Reply
  38. june says

    March 1, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    What sweet journaling. This layout would be perfect for those of us taking Stacy’s LOM class!

    Reply
  39. Diane says

    March 1, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    Great photos and layout.
    I was reminded of “Young Me Now Me” http://www.zefrank.com/youngmenowme/

    Reply
  40. Jacqueline M. Schimmel says

    March 1, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    Amazing photos and perfect story/design as always!

    Reply
  41. Kelli says

    March 1, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    Love it! I love the recent photo, what a great picture of the two of them!

    Reply
  42. Tammy M. says

    March 1, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    This is so sweet!! I could see doing this as an album with my sons taken with their dad, grandparents, etc. and having them comment about them…so cool!

    Also wanted to tell you I caved on the Adagio Tea…got the IngenuiTEA and several different teas (some for hubby too to smooth over my purchase …LOL) should be receiving it in a few days…I’ll let you know what I think.

    Reply
  43. Michelle K says

    March 1, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    I love what he wrote..absolutely loving.

    Reply
  44. Judy Webb says

    March 1, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    Love your BLINK. Off to search for some photos to use in my rendition.

    Reply
  45. Kim says

    March 1, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    WOW – absolutely awesome LO. I love using time lapse photos like that, and your LO is perfect with Dan’s voice. After my initial WOW response, all I could think of was Cole looks more like Dan than I ever thought possible – I’ve been seeing photos of Dan now, but the younger Dan and Cole look just alike! But you knew that already . . . .

    Reply
  46. Lisa says

    March 1, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    Together, these photos beautifully demonstrate the evolution of the parent-child relationship. It’s almost surreal. That Dan’s a pretty cool guy.

    Reply
  47. Marg says

    March 1, 2010 at 6:26 pm

    Thanks for the great inspiration. I bought the template but didn’t think of giving it to ‘dad’ to do. He has now seen Dan’s version, been briefed and is ready to go….Keep the inspiration coming!

    Reply
  48. Julia says

    March 1, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    That is such beautiful journalling from Dan…I really need to make my husband do this! Any hints on arm-twisting techniques?

    Reply
  49. Stephanie Howell says

    March 2, 2010 at 5:39 am

    okay. **SAP ALERT**.
    i’m sitting here at 6:30 a.m. in a silent house, drinking my coffee…and tears are streaming down my face.

    you see, this is why i LOVE scrapbooking. and as a mommy to two little girls (two little girls with the best daddy in the world), this really tugs at my heart.

    i’ll be doing this soon. it won’t be as effective, considering harper is only 3 (HA!) but i’m doing it.

    i want to tell you that you are the reason i fell in love with scrapbooking. i have both of your clean and simple books (spiral bound and well-loved). i had C&S 1 in the hospital with me when i was in labor with harper. i read it through labor, and after…during her first night, as i watched her sleeping.

    and i looked at her, and jimmy, both sleeping…and read your book. and thought about scrapbooking. and how i wanted to record the moments like the one above. and i fell in love. with my new baby and with scrapbooking.

    so thank you.

    i have also just discovered what my next blog post will be about.

    love you, and thank you again. i can’t say it enough. s

    Reply
  50. Corie in Indy says

    March 2, 2010 at 6:57 am

    Thanks for the constant reminder that simple pages are fabulous. I sometimes look at a layout of my own and think, “there’s nothing there…no flowery embellishment, no ‘bling,’ nothing ‘creative.’ Maybe it needs something.” But then I look at the page and think, “But I love it.” And it’s OK if it’s simple. It’s more than OK. It’s fantastic. It’s classic. It’s timeless. It’s focused. It’s moving. It’s wonderful. I love your blog – your simple scrapbooking style, your witty writing style and your awesome family. Thanks for sharing with us.

    Reply
  51. MelissaL88 says

    March 2, 2010 at 8:05 am

    Thanks, Cathy! After reading your post yesterday, I thought hmmm…I might try that sometime. And I did! Last night while I was working on a layout about my oldest son trying soccer, I asked him if he wanted to journal about how he felt and he agreed! I handed over my laptop to him (I’m a digital scrapbooker) and let him go to town! I love that he will have his own voice on one (and now maybe more) of his pages. Very cool!

    Reply
  52. amy tangerine says

    March 2, 2010 at 10:04 am

    love this.
    i recently did “a decade later”- a pic from 1999 and one from 2009. so fun

    Reply
  53. Karen Poirier-Brode says

    March 2, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    Great idea! Love this. I’m a little scared to ask my son to tell me about the changes in his life but I’m thinking I should ask. When he first became ill he asked me “Is high school going to end up being the highlight of my life?” and I cried so hard. He’d been popular, the quarterback, etc. He is older now and I think happier with life so I should ask him – I think I’d get a meaningful page.

    Reply
  54. Chatty Scrapper - Kari R'ville says

    March 2, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    My hubby is much the same. Though it’d still be nice to have his take. And at times I know he might surprise me with more, if asked, if he’s in the right mood. Either way probably more likely now that our son is here if I explain these things are for him in a lot of ways.

    Reply
  55. tara says

    March 2, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    shit. that made me cry. those two pics. old and new.

    Reply
  56. Chatty Scrapper - Kari R'ville says

    March 2, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    I think having other’s point of view is great. And something we often forget about but doing your version would be nice also. And/or having a layout about your reaction to Dan’s take on this page.

    Reply
  57. glee says

    March 2, 2010 at 11:37 pm

    amazing beautiful wonderful treasure. great husband, fantastic partner.

    Reply
  58. Margy Eastman says

    March 3, 2010 at 12:16 am

    The photo of Dan and Aiden “grown up” is awesome. You must be so proud.

    Reply
  59. Beth R. says

    March 4, 2010 at 12:44 pm

    Wow, that hubby of yours really is an amazing writer.
    So heartfelt and honest, made me wish I had a father that could express his thoughts in that way.
    I love this idea and so nice for Adian to have her dads voice on paper.
    I think he’s a keeper.

    Reply
  60. JoLynn says

    March 6, 2010 at 7:26 pm

    What a touching journal. I have tried to get my husband to do so. He’s a bit reluctant. I’ll keep on asking…

    Reply

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