CKU Chicago.
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Thank you Friday Evolution students.
Thank you Saturday Evolution students.
This CKU event had a whole different feel. It was more laid back, more go with the flow, and in the case of my Evolution album track, a bit more emotional.
Introducing a new class is always an interesting experience. After teaching A Week In The Life for the past three years I was ready for something different. On Friday morning as I watched the students pulling out their enlarged photos (many of them from past generations) and getting to work I was feeling that awesome creative high that comes from being a witness to a story coming together. It was the coolest thing.
I also loved seeing all the different ways that students approached the theme of evolution. Stories were told about parents, spouses, children, cousins, grandparents, families, and (often I think most importantly if it has not been done before) stories were told about the person sitting there creating the album. Witnessing someone going through the process of telling their own personal story - their own personal evolution - is such an honor and a privilege.
Check out Tim's great recap on his blog.
Additional thanks from this weekend:
Thanks to Paolo for being one of the best travel partners + creative photographers + for being my friend for all these years.
Thanks to Jenn + Nicole for being the best TA's + knowing what to do without me saying a word. I appreciate you both.
Thanks to Kelly at It Kit Studio for sending along such a great surprise for my students.
Thanks to Windy City Scrapbooking for being a great place to visit + shop on Wednesday night. Susan, you are great.
Thanks to Tim for always knowing where the best food is located. And to Margie for making me laugh so hard that I cry. And to Jessica for being the pioneer. And to the three of you for all the hugs and support after the phone call about Grandma.
Thanks to the CK Events Staff for making everything so smooth and anticipating needs.
Thanks to all the students for embracing + risking + playing + creating + sharing your stories + being open to the possibilities (and for the very thoughtful words + gifts).
And special thanks to the lady in the back of the class on Saturday who brought a very special handmade gift for Simon. I told you he was going to LOVE your gift - he has not stopped playing with the goodies since I got home (she made him a whole collection of food from felt...he is so, so happy).
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39 comments
Ali, I neglected to say it in my comments from yesterday, but I am thinking over CKU again as I read this post. I was torn between taking your class and taking Jessica's... and, since I was lucky enough to take classes with you at SAVE in January 2007, Jessica's class won out. In the end, I missed you, but was still very glad to be one of Jessica's "pioneers!" :) She's awesome....
But, anyhow, I digress. I wanted to come back and tell you what an AWESOME JOB you did on the keynote speech. I was blown away by you. I don't think the CKU Event Staff could have picked a better person to make us all reflect, think, and get "into the mood" of learning and exploring new skills and techniques. I know you're just a "regular person" but you really do inspire me, Ali. You are just one awesome chick!
And, you can bet that the NEXT time I make it to CKU, your class is the TOPS on my list! Thanks for sharing so much of your soul so freely with all us crazy scrappers! :) It was great to see you again! Tracy
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The felt food is so great!
Is there any link on the internet, how to saw it?
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Glad you enjoyed your change in your teaching. That is always good to do once in a while.
Love Simon's felt food - Michelle made all of us felt goodies for Christimas this year and Brody loved them, especially the dougnuts. What a special lady!!
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Ali,
I had a blast with you in Friday's Evolution's class. This was my very first CKU and I am still on a high from all the fun I had. I love my Evolution album and it is my favorite album I've ever done.
One thing I wanted to say to you is that because of your class, I actually went out of my comfort zone and really "played" during your class. Usually when I scraplift a layout of yours, I have to scraplift every single detail to make it exactly like yours. I will go out of my way to the scrapbook store searching for the exact rubons or paper that you used and scraplift all the little details. That was my plan at CKU - to scraplift everything you did. But with a little nudging from you and my CKU buddy Abby, I actually played a lot and for the first time didn't copy your layouts exactly. I used your layouts as a guideline and trusted my inner artist voice for the first time in my life. It was slow at first and there was one major mistake made (had to end up cutting the circle page to 4 circles instead of the 6 due to a Cropadile malfunction but it was totally ok). I actually felt like I was creating for the fist time. I feel so liberated. So thanks Ali for all the inspiration and for the little push you gave me to take baby steps to help me find my inner artist voice :)
And if you didn't hear me during Sat.'s Commencement because I was crying so much - I won one of the prizes for Best Journaling on a Layout ("Living with Autism"), you totally inspired me to do that layout. You are such a cool person and I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me!
xoxo
Jenny
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That carpet is absolutely fabulous! And so are the felt goodies for Simon - they are amazing.
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Ali,
I feel so lucky to have been part of the Evolution class on Friday! Thanks for sharing your creativity and inspiring us to do great things!
Erin Mayrand
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just look at simons face and him "hovering decisively" to pick up a felt treat. I thought they were realy at first. They look it. What fun.
She should Etsy for sure xx
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I understand through your blog that you just lost you grandmother and want of offer you my thoughts and condolences. I just lost my father a few weeks ago. There isn't much to say about loss other than I'm so sorry. I've felt under a dark grey blanket but am slowly resurfacing. What I can say is that sorrow is an alright thing. We can't be expected to 'get over' things. But there are those that are out there to help us. You must surely know you are a lovely person and will not and never be alone. It is important to be kind and gentle to yourself in this time.
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What a sweet thing for that lady to do! Simon looks like he is enjoying his gift.
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Ali - It was great to meet you at CKU and I'm so glad you made it to Windy City :)
I really enjoyed your class on Friday. I'm working on the finishing touches of my album. I know I'll treasure it for many years to come. I left CKU inspired to let my creative juices flow and CREATE! Thanks for having such a great team too! Loved meeting Jenn, Nicole, and Paolo. I have some pics I'll send your way.
Also, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take Care.
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Ali,
Just wanted to send you a big "thank you" for doing what you do to share a bit about yourself-- it really inspires the rest of us to tell our stories, too.
I was in your Evolution track on Friday, and it was definitely one of the most memorable and precious experiences I have ever had. There wasn't a dry eye at my table more than once during the class, which was so moving- I'll never forget it. I don't think I would have ever told my story the way I did if it hadn't been for your class, and I appreciate every bit of yourself that you share with the rest of us-- it helps us to see "it is ok" to tell our stories, and is important to do so not just for us, but also for those that we love.
What a beautiful gift. It really is inspiring.
Kristen
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i'm glad i'm not the only one to have noticed the carpet. can't wait to get a chance to attend cku and take a class from you again. and i sooo know about the awesome grandma . . . i miss mine too. hugs.
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Sounds like a blast....I'll have to check into the ckuprovo...only 6 hours away...the food looks great, how thoughtful!
Have a good day being home with your family!
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Dear Ali
I was amazing for me meet you. You are so sweet, paciente....
My dream cames true.
Thaks for the espectacular class ever...
love u. so much.
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howdy ali - soooo cool to see what u have to say about your chicago class - i am signed up to take your evolution class in houston (cku) !!! i'm doing my homework :) thanks for all your inspiration!! anna tremblay
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Ali, thank you for Simon's picture. I'm glad to see it. Yes!! He is playing with my toys.I'm so happy! I'll make a new set for next time!
I finished my Evolution album. I love it and my husband said it was great!I'll show it to my family when I go back to my country. Thank you again. Kaoru
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I'm sorry I missed it. Maybe some year they will have Chicago CKU during the summertime. Love the recap!
Sue
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Ali's Evolution class was a fabulous experience and I learned sooooo much from it. If you get a chance to attend CKU this year TAKE IT, you won't be sorry. It's the experience of a lifetime and worth every penny. It was my first ever CKU and even though I went alone I never felt like I was. I met alot of wonderful people there and I won't forget the awesome time I had. Ali is a genious, plain and simple. Believe the hype because its all true and then some!
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Those are gorgeous! What a lovely present.
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