Music has always been a HUGE part of my life. In fact, one of my earliest memories involves music and my dad -- two elements of my life that will always be entwined when I think about them.
I couldn't have been more than four or five. I can think of events that happened before this, but they don't arrive with the clarity, the fullness, that this moment carries. It's as though those moments have been dictated to me, and I've constructed the events as I think they've happened. With this moment, though, I'm there; I see it happen, feel it unfolding around me every time I think back to it.
I am in the car with my parents, driving through Fulton, where Highway 45 Y's and becomes Mayfield Road and 703. I am leaning forward between the seats, my hot skin sticky against the burgandy vinyl, the windows down, whipping my long blonde ponytail into my eyes. "Fly Like an Eagle" by the Steve Miller Band blasts through the speakers. From my spot between the seats, I can see Daddy's calloused hands on the steering wheel as he turns to look at me, his smile flashing white in his sun-darkened face.
That moment is just one of literally thousands of moments that play through my mind with their own accompanying soundtrack. Music has always been an integral part of the key moments -- significant or trivial -- that define my life. That's where this idea had its genesis.
What if, I thought, I created a FREE class on my blog where scrappers -- traditional, hybrid, digital or anything in-between -- could be led through a series of journaling exercises to help them use their own "personal soundtracks" as a starting point for some really meaningful layouts? As a result, I present to you:
Each day, beginning with an introduction to the project on Sunday, you'll get a new blog post, right here. You'll get sample layouts, journaling tips and exercises, layout sketches, and lots of encouragement and inspiration. We'll examine the songs that bring to mind important people, relationships, places, objects, lessons, and more -- and we'll use song lyrics and titles as jumping off points for telling these deep stories and to spark our page designs too.
There are no requirements for participation, and since the lessons will be posted FREE here on my blog, you don't have to show up at a certain time or pay any kind of class fee. The lessons will be linked to my blog header once the class has finished, so if time is not on your side right now, you'll can always stop in later and check out each lesson. While there are no official participation guidelines, your comments and questions will be welcomed each day in the comments section, and you'll also be encouraged to share a link to your layouts. (I'm considering a FlickR group as well -- would that be something you are interested in for this project?)
I'm so excited about this, as it's just the beginning of many fantastic things planned for this space in the upcoming months! I hope you'll join me and play along. I've included a sidebar ad (currently it's 300x300 but you can resize if needed) as well as blinkie (of the non-blinking variety, I should add). If you'd like to display these on your blog or on your forum signatures, that's great -- please make sure to save to your computer and then upload to your own account before using them.
I welcome your comments and feedback -- let me know if you're planning to participate! Also, if you can help spread the word on your blogs, in your forums, on Facebook and Twitter -- that would be fantastic!
This sounds GREAT! Sign me up :) I've re-tweeted and posted on Facebook. I hope you get a great turnout, Aud. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Posted by: Lee | January 28, 2010 at 07:55 AM
This sounds wonderful! I put it on my calendar!
Posted by: Karyn A. | January 28, 2010 at 07:57 AM
It all sounds great!
Posted by: Kizzy | January 28, 2010 at 08:29 AM
I'll be here on teh 7th. I have my calendar marked. I'm always wanting to get new ideas for my journaling and I like how you write. Thanx for doing this!
Posted by: Heather Hopkins | January 28, 2010 at 09:43 AM
I can't wait!! I have several other tutorials you've done and they've been wonderfully helpful. Thanks so much for putting the time and effort into this to share!!
Posted by: christy | January 28, 2010 at 09:53 AM
audrey! how cool.
I'm SO in. xxe
Posted by: erika | January 28, 2010 at 10:18 AM
I like that idea.
I keep thinking I should scrapbook about Hubbby and my fav. song. Just haven't done it yet
Posted by: tracy | January 28, 2010 at 10:33 AM
What a great class, Audrey. Can't wait.
Posted by: Janelle Miller | January 28, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Sounds like fun! I've made several layouts with songs/lyrics as the inspiration, I'd love to this! Count me in.
Posted by: Tania | January 28, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Sounds great to me. thank you!!!
Posted by: Yanina | January 28, 2010 at 03:10 PM
Looking forward to it Great idea!
Posted by: Sierra | January 28, 2010 at 03:49 PM
Looks great, I am looking forward to it!! I posted it on my blog :)
Posted by: Jennifer | January 28, 2010 at 04:46 PM
love music as well. sounds like fun!!!
Posted by: lynn | January 28, 2010 at 05:16 PM
Wow, Audrey this sounds like an amazing class. I will definitly participate in this. I'll try to post something on my blog soon. Oh I'm so looking forward to this.
Posted by: kerry stewart | January 28, 2010 at 08:18 PM
looking forward to it... and I shared on my blog, too
Posted by: cate | January 28, 2010 at 10:09 PM
sounds fun, I'd love to join in!
Posted by: Melissa | January 29, 2010 at 06:31 PM
Sign me up please. sounds really fun...
Posted by: Luisa | February 02, 2010 at 03:35 PM
oh yes. def.inite.ly. and posted on my feeble blog. Thanks!
Posted by: Nettie | February 03, 2010 at 12:01 AM