Friday, July 19, 2013

A Balalaika Story told Two Crafty Ways (FYV and PTA)

For Week #4 of the Find Your Voice Workshop, one of the creative challenges was to tell the same story in two different crafty ways. I chose to work on a story about getting lost along the Danube Bend when we took a day trip out of Budapest, Hungary.  I had already created this scrapbook page which has basic journaling: "After touring Visegrad, we took the bus to Szentendre. Unfortunately, we got off five stops too soon and had to walk a long way. Luckily, Szentendre was cute and relaxing when we arrived, and the boat trip to Budapest was lovely." Here's the page in in its two page spread:
For my altered book page (created as part of my book for the Passport to Art class, based on the challenge for Day #9 which was about overcoming difficult things and what was learned in hindsight), I painted over part of a picture in my book, collaged on some map paper and a copy of the same tower photo used above, and then added rock candy crackle paint over the trees and tower:
I tore the facing page, added some paint, map paper and embellishments, then told the sane story in a totally different way:
"Damn it!" We got off the bus too early.
"How early?"
"I have no idea."
"I thought it would be easy to tell when we got to Szentendre."
[It wasn't.]
Now we're wandering through the Hungarian countryside, hoping to stumble upon our destination.
It's hot.
[And muggy.]
"Just keep walking and stop complaining."
Everybody thinks it's my fault.
"If we stay along the road, we won't get lost."
"What's that noise? It sounds like balalaikas."
"Oh my gosh, they're playing balalaikas!"
"What a cute town."
"Yes, boys, you can sit in the shade and play cards."
[And eat ice cream. Or drink beer.]
"Yes, girls, we can go shopping."
Szentendre, Hungary
The moral of the story is written along the side of the page: 
A week later, people only remembered the balalaikas and good times . . .
**************************************************************************
I think the second version of the story does a better job of capturing the emotions of the day and the lesson I learned (no one except for me remembered the bad part of the day, so I should let go of the guilt). As such, it works really well in my altered book about travel and the lessons learned. I think for scrapbooking, it would be unusual for me to incorporate anything other than basic journaling. I'm not sure why; it's just the way I do things. Do any of you incorporate unusual journaling in your scrapbooks?

15 comments:

helena said...

Great lesson . Interesting how we all set up rules for ourselves about what belongs within a medium or format. I include all kinds of journaling in my layouts including dialogue

scrappyjacky said...

I tend to do fairly basic,factual journaling in my scrapbooks...though do occasionally add conversation.
I love how your journal page has turned out though.

Cheri said...

I've never including running commentary on a scrapbook page, but I do love the way it captures what happened!

Abi said...

I really like the commentary style of journalling. I like how you have done the two pages with the same story. Both tell it well.

JO SOWERBY said...

Love this, both stories are so individual and well written Maria. Can you come help me with mine?
Jo xxx

Miriam said...

This is such a great page. I love dialogue on scrap pages, I think it adds so much to the memories. A very interesting lesson about letting stuff go.

Missus Wookie said...

I like dialogue on pages - glad everyone remembered the good times.

Karen said...

I've used some dialogue occasionally on scrapbook pages, and I find that just changing altering the voice of the narrative can make a difference, too. I agree, the second telling is much more vivid.

Amy said...

I rarely use dialogue but I do use snippets of conversation. I embrace both your pages as I see the value in both styles- but your second take is fabulous and contains so much more of your personality!

Alison said...

I always love your Art Journal pages, Rinda....love how the rest of your party only remember having a great time!
Alison xx

Lou said...

I like how it's been recorded. I usually keep mine to a minimum.

The Mann Fam said...

I love your second version! It grabs the reader in, lots of short sentences, and a great moral to the story! Well done!

Unknown said...

I don't use unusual journaling but maybe I should. Your second story makes me feel like I was there.

sky-blu-pink said...

Oh wow! I had a summer in Budapest in 1991! I went to a folk music festival in Szetendre (I think it translates as St Andrews) and agree, it's such a pretty little town. I love Hungary, and central/Eastern Europe in general. Happy memories!

Anonymous said...

I like both versions. I haven't used conversations on my layouts but have used the odd bit of what someone has said.