CKU Detroit.
Tags:I don't even know where to begin this time around.
Every event I have attended has been special and wonderful in its own way. Meeting women (and men from time to time) who are capturing their lives through photos and words and then coming together to create super cool projects that reflect the lives they are living right now. It is powerful stuff.
Something about this weekend took it to a new level again for me. I am not sure what it was about it exactly, but there was something in the air - some combination of just the right elements that made this experience truly fantastic.
Over two days I had 170 women take the challenge of creating an album based on a week in their lives. Many of the women in my classes I have had the pleasure of meeting at events in the past (always love seeing those smiling faces again). This is so much more than an event just about creating; it is also an event about connecting, about seeing that we are all living lives with challenges and successes, that we all wake up in the morning and put one foot in front of the other.
And that when it is all said and done, it is really all about the photos and the words.
So to my students, thank you. Thanks for trusting me with your time and your passion. Thank you for the kind words and the personal stories. Thank you for going with the flow. Each one of you is an amazing gift.
At this event, a wonderful group of women in my classes came together and set up a silent auction with the proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks. There were tons of cool products and projects available for bidding (I myself picked up a very cool little book made by Tim Holtz) - it was awesome to see all the cool donations. Thank you guys so much for putting that all together...for doing something so good.
The total amount raised this weekend: an awesome $4,150. Seriously so cool.
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46 comments
Ali! You are so wonderful! I had the most incredible time. I will continue to work on my album and finish it soon. I enjoyed seeing you again and visiting feeling like we spent it with an old friend. You are truly inspiring and so fun! Keep on keepin' on!
Oh and I second the book list on the side! I would love to see what you are reading. Too bad we didn't get to chat more about that.
Lastly, I guess Parker has not played Max and Ruby all weekend!! He must be going through withdrawal!!
Angie
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So cool! I'd totally love to do a CKU - someday when the girls are older...maybe.
Glad you had a great weekend!
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I just wanted to say I am so glad that I signed up for your class. You are such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing yourself and your amazing talents!!!
I attended your Friday class (right in front of the speaker - great music so I didn't mind)
My first CKU - and I am spreading the word. So glad that I didn't let going by myself stop me !
Karen J
Detroit cku
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Hi Ali,
love to read your journal everyday! I so much want to attend one of your classer some day. Being a patchwork teacher myself, wondering how you manage to teach such big classes (170 people in 2 days!)
anyway, always enjoying your blog, and very inspired by you for my scrapbooking,
Mieke (Belgium)
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Hi Ali - I know you are not a digi scrapper but thought you might be interested in this freebie wordart created for someone with an autistic son:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=182699
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Hey Ali,
Thanks for the amazing experience.
Inspiring
Powerful
Life changing.
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Ali ... it was a pleasure to meet you this past weekend ... if you are ever up for that Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon challenge, you just let me know.
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This weekend was absolutely amazing. I LOVED taking your album track (and like Sarah, its almost done). I learned so much about myself and my family. Thank YOU For taking the time away from your family to share your many gifts with us.
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Ali,
You were absolutely amazing this weekend!!! Thank you so much! It was an honor being in your class.
Kathy
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wow, awesome. you are such an awesome person, people want to do good for you. i love seeing all these people do this for you. it amazes me. awesome awesome!
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Sounds like a very cool event - I think I know what you mean about the connection and the elements just coming together. Connection is a powerful thing!
And that's a lot of money! =) Glad it worked out so well.
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Ali, it was truly a pleasure to meet you and take your album track! I love it! Thanks so much!
Lisa (BOO!)
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Ali-I loved the album track on Friday as well. I agree, it felt like you were an old friend. I love my half done album and plan to do more of them in the years to come. You made me cry at commencement, but that's ok-we got pictures of the tears. =)
I'm so glad that we picked "Week in the Life" and I also love my red t-shirt!! Thanks Ali-I miss you already!!
Sandy
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Well, I'm back to Brazil now and I just have to say I totally agree with you!! This was my third CKU but I felt that was something really special in the air!! This was the best one for me :)
I'm so glad that I signed up for your album track!! I loved to meet you, I looooooooved your class and the album, and I even loved that you made me cry at the commencement party ;)
Hugs,
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What a wonderful auction and so much money raised!! I hope I get to meet you someday!
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I am always so inspired by how your terrific example is so contagious!
I will continue to spread the word. Both about you and autism speaks.
It will make a great blog post this week.
You go, Ali Edwards. You are a force of creative nature!
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WOW! It always amazes me the generosity of people. How awesome is it that they raised the money for Autism Speaks. Way to go! And Congrats on being the top badge for sixdegrees.org!
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Ali,
I just wanted to thank you for another awesome experience! I loved being one of your TA'S and I thank you so much for that opportunity! I met so many amazing women that I truly bonded with and now consider friends. We all shared so many laughs and tears. Hope to see you again real soon!
Jenn
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Ali
This weekend was the coolest and your speech at the end brought us all to tears. Thanks for all the inspiration!
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what a wonderful experience for you and those women! thanks you for being such an inspiration, ali!
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