Creative Jumpstart 2021

Creative Jumpstart 2021
Join me for the 10th Anniversary of CJS2021

Friday, June 15

the whatevers #1 or How Could She?

Are you ready for the first Whatevers? If you missed the post of what this is all about- check out yesterday's blogpost.
Click here to see what Nat made out of this photo and details of the story she tells of the Whatevers!


Click here to see what Vicki made out of this photo and details of the story she tells of the Whatevers!

My two sweeties are called Newton and Winston Whatever, named after their father. This is where their story starts:

Winston Nicely Whatever – or Winnie for short – was 8 years old when this photo was taken. Her brother, Newton – also known as Newt – was 5.

Sitting in front of this contraption, the Daguerreotype Camera – or whatever they called it, holding her body completely still for several moments was absolutely horrifying. Under ordinary circumstances Winnie could sit completely frozen for quite some time, but today she was furious.


Newt on the other hand was so happy he could barely contain himself, making it nearly impossible for HIM to sit still too.
One phrase kept running through her head, HOW COULD SHE? How could Mother make plans for the entire month of August without calling a family meeting. She could have consulted with me first. Winnie was horrified at having to spend the entire month of August smiling, curtsying and visiting her cousins at the beach. Those girls were mean and crabby, and maybe even crazy. She just wasn’t going to go. Eldridge and Forget-Me-Knot would have to find someone else to tease this summer. 



I've had so much fun with the cover to my book and this first page that I'm already working on the pages for next month -- and planning out my story -- oh this is so much fun. Since we are having such a great time with this, the three of us thought you might like to play along too. Here is our first photo that you can download and use to play along if you want to:

Here is how it works if you want to play along:

Vicki, Nat and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
  • Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
  • If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you - just right click on it to safe it to download and show us your version of The Whatevers.
  • There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
  • There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
  • There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
  • Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
  • These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
  • If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
  • You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page
  • You can share you work with us by submitting here:



That's all for today -- stay tuned next month for more of the Whatever's!

oh, and here's a Blinkie you can add to your blog if you want!

14 comments:

  1. ahhh love your story!!!! LOL- the names are so fun ;) Can't wait to see the next month!
    nat

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  2. Poor girl! Spending the whole month at the beach.... what a gruesome childhood! Love your page and your story! Thanks for the inspiraton.

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  3. Oh Winnie...buck it up & put your big girl panties on...the beach is a great place to spend one's summer!

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  4. Fun idea to unleash the creative muse and really like the story you have woven

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  5. How fun! Love your page and the whole idea.

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  6. A really great story! This is such a fun idea and I love your page and the way you have changed the photograph into a sketch.

    Am off to read the others!

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  7. OH Cat... I LOVE it! You just amaze me with you talent! And a writer too? Oh girl!

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  8. Oh my what a lovely giggle fun story, you had me at the edge of my sit....loved the names...and oh my the whole summer at the beach one lucky girl....

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  9. i love what you have done with the image. i've never done any creative writing but thinking i might just give this a go! x

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  10. Great journaling and I really like the coloring in your photo! LOVE this whole Whatevers concept and can't wait to see everyone's art and stories!

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  11. I think this is such a cool idea, I can't even explain, I just love it.

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  12. I adore your story - those names cracked me up already and their story came to live through your post. Cannot wait to see next months

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  13. Hi Catherine! I love this project you all are doing - so much fun - and your story is terrific!

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Hi and thanks for visiting my blog. I appreciate your sweet comments and thank you for taking the time to drop me a line.