trying something new.

[anniem888]

     I am a card-maker and home project crafter.  I envy all of you who do beautiful pages w/so many layers and embellishments.  I feel I've improved, but my pages are still flat.  I have wanted to take classes for the past 2 years, but life and work seem to get in the way when classes are offered.  I'm also having a hard time finding classes that teach design and technique.  There are lots of "make the pages I've cut out for you"  classes.  I find crops frustrating because they are usually on Friday evening and they don't help if you have trouble starting. 

     All that said I found a few websites that offer classes on line.   I have settled on this one for now http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/    I really like many of the teachers.  I've read books by a few and seen some on TV.  Some of the classes are free, and they ranger from 10$-200$, but most are under $60.  I'm giving one a try I'll keep you posted.  Ann

[Joyanne]

I can't wait to hear how they work out for you.  A lot of times I want to take a class at my LSS, and it is only offered during the day and I work full time.

[boysmom]

good luck, let us know how it works out.

[Maya]

Annie, BPS is a wonderful place to take classed and grow as a scrapbooker. Are you taking anything right now?

[anniem888]

I've signed up for a class that starts May 27th.  It's called Bakers Dozen.  It sounded like a good way to start.  I've decorated my egg carton.   I think we choose embellishments in the egg carton and use them for the length of the class.  The teacher says at the end of the class we will each have 13 pages.  They won't all be perfect, but we will have 13 pages to share and enjoy.  I thought this was a good place for me to start.  The more you do something the better you get.

I also signed up for a free  self paced class called Start here w/Stacy.  I have a book by her.  I like her approach to scrapbooking.  She talks about how photography has changed w/digital cameras.  I like her approach to scrap events not chronologically.  She encourages you to use pictures from multiple events and years to tell a story or show a persons personality.

My big problem is I'm so excited and want to sign up for a ton of classes, but I know I only have so much time so I have to wait! 

[Maya]

That sounds great Annie! I didn't take Bakers Dozen but I heard great reviews about this class. I took a lot of classes at BPS 
I took Stacy's Library of Memories class in 2007. My system is far from finished but I follow the basics - I don't scrap chronologically, use ring albums and so on. I am taking now Dimensional Details with Nic Howard. It is really awesome class for those who want to learn how to make those multi-layered, distressed, tons of details  layouts. It is not my usual style but I enjoy it tremendously and even manage to keep up (very unusual for me  )
I have several layouts from the class posted on my blog: http://mayadahan.blogspot.com/

[philly*mom]

I took a class there a couple years ago - called 28 days of scrapbooking (or something like that).  it was great!  It was hard to keep up with the assignments though.  What I did learn and accomplish, I was very happy with.

Maya - as always love your work - and love the Twisted Sisters sketch site - nice!

[Maya]

Oh, 28 days is one of my favorite classes ever! I love Gretchen Schmidt! She blogs here by the way: http://gscrapbooks.blogspot.com/ The funnies thing that the same year I was invited by Fiskars to their training and she was their too. I knew that I am going to meet her so I brought my 28 days photo album for her to sign. At the hotel check-in I found out that she is my roommate.

[anniem888]

Maya - as always love your work - and love the Twisted Sisters sketch site - nice!

Ditto!!

[scrapmama]

I did 28 days, too!  I also did Every Day with Donna Downey and A Year to Remember with Heidi Swapp..and a couple others..they have great classes there.

[ScrappinJuls]

I've also taken quite a few classes from BPS but I haven't checked them out in awhile.  I guess I have limited time to commit to anything extended.  They have great classes but like someone said, my biggest problem is keeping up.  Once you miss one week, you feel like you're never going to catch up.  I guess if you have regularly scheduled scrap time, then it's a lot easier.  The classes are great though.

[anniem888]

I finished one class and loved it!  If I had had the time I would have finished 13 pages.  I was able to finish 8 pages and have one more almost completed.  The more important thing for me is the class changed how I look at scrapbooking.  I've signed up for a longer class and am loving it.  I think I will be taking a few classes over the year.  It helps me to have a class format.   I recommend you check them out again, there are some great classes coming up.   

[boysmom]

glad it worked out for you!