Monday, March 1, 2010

February Class Review

I participated in two on-line classes this month.  The first, Building Pages, was taught by Debbie Hodge at Get it Scrapped.  The four week class, offering three prompts a week, covered how various design principles can be used to improve the overall look and flow of scrapbook pages.  I loved the class because it explained why and how design principles work, appealing to the left-side of my brain.  I love learning about design principles because I have no design training.  Debbie's lessons were clear and well-illustrated.  They covered a variety of topics, such as how to best use rectangles, white space, foundation mats, diagonals (see above) and balance.  For right-brained folks who are more visual learners, she offered lots of sketches and examples.  Each lesson included at least one digital template/sketch to download for free, and there were many digital scrappers in the class.  But, the class was also geared to paper scrappers.  It's hard to find classes which appeal to both, and I think this class accomplished that.  I also appreciate the fact that each lesson had sketches and examples that could be used by people who scrap with LOTS of pictures (like me) or only a few. There was a fabulous gallery chock-full of examples from other class participants, and a forum for questions and discussions The class was originally priced at $25, but I responded to an early bird special and only paid $20.  All-in-all, it was a terrific class, and I highly recommend it!
The second class, a free on-line class called "Develop on Fridays," focuses on developing photography skills.  Once a week (on Friday), a different lesson or prompt was posted. It was originally scheduled for four weeks and hosted by Paislee Press.  I loved the prompts, and it really helped me think differently and more deeply about my photography.  When doing the sports portraits and team photos at DD's school, I kept the angle lesson in mind and found myself on the floor often, in order to get some good shots.  I especially like the photograph above, which is of two cousins who play on the team.  Aren't they beautiful? There was a forum to post your assignments, but not a lot of participation in the forums.  Instead, many people used flickr and twitter - neither of which work well for me.  After four weeks, the folks who offer the class plan to continue it with a few changes.  It has moved to this new website, and prompts will be offered every other week.  I plan to continue to visit the new website and do the prompts.  The most important thing I learned from the class is that I do want to step up my photography.


Not sure what I'm taking (if anything) in March.  I'm seriously considering Shimelle's Something from Almost Nothing and Dina's Art Journaling 101.  Do you have any classes to review?  Any that you're planning on taking?

7 comments:

Sian said...

I always love to read your reviews :) There was so much in Debbie's class..I really need to get a binder to keep all the class notes in (and some new printer ink lol). If you sign up to Shimelle's, you'll know quite a crowd!

scrappyjacky said...

Love the reviews....so well thought out....I may take a look at that free one....as definately want to improve my photography..to which end I've just started a class at Scrapkits.

SarahLP said...

Thanks for your reviews.. I just checked out Develop on Fridays as I'm keen to improve my photography too.. it's a really interesting blog!

I have just signed up to Shimelle's new class (couldn't resist it!) and am also doing Dina's AJ 101.. I signed up for this a while ago when it was in the archives, but didn't get very far. Now it's going live again, I really MUST take part!

Look forward to seeing which class(es) you do!

Mommy2CVC said...

Hi Rinda! Not planning on taking any classes, but I wanted to pop on over and wish you a very Happy Birthday!!! Hope you have a day as wonderful as you!

humel said...

I'm one of many doing Shimelle's class :-) I love the idea of the art journal one but can't really afford to do too many at once, from a financial and a time point of view! And - is it your birthday today? Happy birthday!

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for the class reviews! The Debbie Hodges design class sounds like one I would like to take since it caters to both traditional and digital scrappers--I'm a digital.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Hope the sun is shining where you are; it is here for the first time in several days--so uplifting. I'm still on the fence about Shimelle's class since we'll be gone for 10 days, but will probably break down at the last minute. Especially since I know so many bloggers taking the class who will be posting the goodies. :-)