I’m often amazed and, frankly, sometimes overwhelmed, by the speed at which communication occurs today. We tweet, post on each others’ walls, “like” things, comment, pin, repin, text, video chat, and “reply all” at the push of a button (or two.) Like most people, I’ve been blessed by technology and social networking: I reconnected with a cherished long lost friend after 11 years apart, found my grade school buddies and delight in seeing them”all grown up” with jobs and/or kids, and I love that I can find out something about almost anything in record time using my smartphone.
But there sure is a downside. That same friend with whom I was reunited? We’re not talking now due to a disagreement that occurred mostly via text message. The pressure to be available and “on” all the time is overwhelming. It’s hard to ignore that “ding” sound from your pocket or purse. And when you do, will someone be offended? What are the “rules” for timeframe for replying to emails? And I know I’m not the only one to have quickly closed a Facebook window so as to not be visible and avoid a chat!
So how have your relationships—and the way you relate—changed as a result of this brand new world?
Our newly expanded Scrapbooking from the Inside Out Design Team created some fun and sweet scrapbook layouts on this subject with our July kit, Communication.
Design Team Coordinator Melissa Elsner is on her way to a new life in Chi-town and is determined to use all the tools in her technology arsenal to stay connected to a close friend who is more like a sister.
Can’t Lose This by Melissa Elsner for Scrapbooking from the Inside Out.
Diana Brodeur has found a way to keep connected with friends despite her busy schedule. She loves the sound of her phone letting her know she has a text. It’s a simple way to keep her links intact.
Ding Ding by Diana Brodeur for Scrapbooking from the Inside Out.
Nicole Martel works a ten-hour day and when she comes home, she takes advantage of email and voicemail to get time for some well-deserved peace and quiet.
All in a Day’s Work by Nicole Martel for Scrapbooking from the Inside Out.
Jen Matott has built and maintained meaningful creative relationships with fellow art teachers from all over the country by connecting online. Meeting in person is a special bonus, but the relationships were created virtually!
Art Talk by Jen Matott for Scrapbooking from the Inside Out.
Mary Jo Rhoda’s husband travels for work, and she’s grateful for Skype and the opportunity to be ‘face to face’ with him every night.
Face to Face by Mary Jo Rhoda for Scrapbooking from the Inside Out.
Kate Vickers shares an experience that many of us do—seeing our kids be tech savvy in a way we could never have imagined.
iKids by Kate Vickers for Scrapbooking from the Inside Out.
So how has your life been impacted by technology? Has it enhanced or hurt your real-time relationships? Comment below by Monday, July 23, at 9:00 am MDT, and you might win our newest kit, Communication. This bold, whimsical kit, filled with rotary phones, stamps, paper airplanes, typewriters and more, is ready for you, as is our free inspiration page with music, prompts, quotes, and a Pinterest board to help your creative heart and hands flow.
And do come join us online and grab your kit and our multimedia inspiration now…we would love to welcome you and join you on your journey. Explore your inner world!
—Rachel Kaufman, Scrapbooking from the Inside Out
P.S. We’re getting excited for CK Summer Camp 2012!! Here’s a sneak peek at what we have lined up for you next week. Each day we’ll be talking about adding a certain type of medium to your scrapbooks.
Monday (7/23): Markers and pens
Tuesday (7/24): Stickers
Wednesday (7/25): Found items
Thursday (7/26): Metal
Friday (7/27): Fabric and thread
Be sure to join us every day here and on Club CK for challenges, inspiration, how-tos, prizes, and lots and lots of fun!
Congratulations to our winner!
Sharon Gullikson: I like technology in SOME ways, but hate it in others. I email instead of call most times so I don’t disturb people. But some people think it’s cold…I love the old school things in this line.
Watch for an email in your inbox with instructions on how to redeem your prize.
I’ve been thinking about this type of thing a lot lately — in fact, just started working on a layout about the telephones of my childhood, what they looked like, and how they worked.
I’m thankful for technology because we recently moved to the East Coast and left our kids on the West Coast. We use iChat, texting, and Facebook when we are not talking on the phone with them. BUT, I have to say it is annoying to be at dinner with family or friends and someone is constantly checking their phone!
I really had not even thought about scrapbooking the way we communicate. What a great idea and very inspirational layout examples! Thank you!
What a great theme–my Dad worked 30 years in the telephone company. This set is so cool!!
Technology has helped me connect with old friends.
what great layouts! i have not scrapbooked about my communication habits…not sure i want to admit my apple obsession, lol
Technology helped us to connect with our families who’s thousand miles away from us now.
My retirement and my ability to afford this delightful hobby is all because I worked for the telephone company for many, many years. Prior to that I was an operator for the railroad!
I constantly learned new telecommunications technology throughout my career. That enabled to access higher paid jobs:)
Although I enjoyed my career, I enjoy my retirement too!
i love that i can keep in touch with friends so much easier! but everything is balance-i can see where people get caught up with it -
I have been blessed to connect with my Father’s side of my family which I never knew (my father was not part of my life) and that has been a huge blessing I would not have had without technology (computers, facebook, etc, etc). I would love to document that and also the everyday communication I have with my 6 children or husband. Thank you for the chance to win!
I remember when computers used cards with holes in them. So you can see how technology has impacted my life. I now spend hours working and playing on the computers. I would really miss my computer. I do still have a problem with program techniques with our TV and DVD. That’s OK with me. Just don’t take my computer away from me…
Technology has mostly helped. I don’t have to discipline myself to get out stationery and stamps to keep in touch with friends all around the country and the globe.
technology has helped me find old friends and family that I had lost touch with……it has also gotten me hooked on pinterest……lol
What a great concept! Technology has so many benefits and some consequences come with those as proper etiquette is hard to establish and maintain. There a few interesting ideas in my head that I can’t wait to tackle now!
Where are people getting those view finder’s slides that they used on some of the layouts? Need ideas.:)
My paternal grandfather’s sister was a pioneer switchboard operator for the telephone company approximately 70+ years ago, and retired in the early 1970s from the telephone company. If she were alive today to see the advancement in telephones, etc., I think she would be astounded. This Communications Kit would be just the right thing to get me started on my heritage and family pictures of her. Thank you for coming up with this scrapbooking concept!
Hard to say. I try to draw a line and still prefer the personal interactions. But, definitely could be detrimental, I think. What a cute kit!
I think it’s done some of each. I’m able to connect with some friends and family that are more difficult without technology. But on the other hand, I spend a lot of time online that could be better served meeting in person.
I love technology-it was been a huge enhancement for me. It helps in so many ways-I can’t imagine not being able to instantly find what I looking for on Google, or text my sons when I have a question for them.
I think about this all the time. I was a technology baby being born in 1978 while I was growing up technology was leaping forward boundlessly. I love technology, always have. But now looking at my son and his ease with technology I want to maintain a balance. I don’t want him to be one of these kids who are just “plugged in” all the time. I like him to go out and do stuff or just plain play with his toys using his imagination. It is hard to work your way out of the Matrix! LoL
A note to Melissa: The adorable viewfinders are from the Echo Park Note to Self Collection. It’s a great collection! k. bye.
Technology is one of those double edge swords. It puts us in touch with family living out of town, but distracts from many of our day to day interactions. Great pages.
I did a digital layout last summer with my new computer, showing what I did that summer with technology including me at my computer, images of lynda.com , photoshop, and light room software that I was learning online, images of my iphone showing the podcasts I was faithfully listening too (Paperclipping Scrap & Digital), and some images of the books I was also using to learn various softwares.
This is an awesome kit! Thanks for the chance to win!
Very Nice! Interesting, clear and precise. Great job creatingkeepsakes.