Sunday, August 8, 2010

Class Review: Love Your Pictures, Love Your Pages

It's a scrapbooking class. No wait, it's a photography class.  No, I mean it's a series of sketches. No, it's a photoshop class.  Maybe it's a series of e-books.  Actually it's all of those!!!  
I just finished Shimelle's class "Love Your Pictures, Love Your Pages," and I give it an enthusiastic A+! 
The four week class had six prompts each week: three photography prompts; two scrapbooking prompts (which included sketches but also covered design theory and story-telling ideas); and one digital enhancement/photoshop type prompt.  I tended to ignore the last prompt of the week because I don't do that sort of thing, but I still feel like I easily got my money's worth out of this very inexpensive class (16 pounds, but I signed up with the early bird discount and paid about $20 U.S., I think). In addition, there were three free "workbooks" given out at the end of the class - one on technical photography tips; one with a month's worth of sketches; and one with photoshop ideas.  As in all of Shimelle's classes, there was an easily accessible forum and a nice community feel.  Shimmelle monitored the forum, answered questions and participated actively in the class.  One thing I liked about this class was the size of it - it was not too big (like Journal Your Christmas has become). There was something for everybody in this class, and all the "somethings" were very well done - interesting and unique enough so that just about everyone could walk away with some new lessons learned (and maybe some old ideas refreshed).
I completed the above layout in the class.  The photos were taken with the idea of using the floor as a tripod and the sketch came from the "month of sketches" workbook.  Not a typical layout for me, but I love it!
So, if you took the class, I'd love to hear what you thought of it.

10 comments:

Amy said...

Yes, it was an excellent class as most of hers are. I think the size is one of the key factors - I felt as though I could keep track of the galleries and visit quite a few blogs of other classmates. What I liked in the photoshop area of the class was that Shimelle had a different way of doing things - a few of the techniques I knew about and could do, but my approach was different - it's always great to learn new ways!
I found the mix of photography and scrapping good too - kept things fresh.

helena said...

I signed up but had no internet access at home while it was live so will be doing it sometime soon -probably very soon having read this review

Elizabeth said...

I loved the class and think Shimelle is just so cute. Some of my layouts were too personal to me to post but I did them! This is my second class with Shimelle and I enjoy very much the relaxed atmosphere in the forums. I signed up for my third class Learn Something New Every Day. Sounds like a lot of fun.

debs14 said...

I thought it was a great class and I learnt a lot and challenged myself to try new things. The only part that I felt excluded from was the Photoshop prompts as I don't digi-scrap and don't have photoshop but that was my problem - not Shimelle's!
I've enjoyed touring round the blogs and feel like we have made a nice network of scrapbooking friends. All in all, well worth every penny/cent it cost!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Hi Rinda ~ Just catching up over here after being out of town. I love this layout with your cat! I took Shimelle's class too and I did enjoy her prompts. Unfortunately it was a busy time for me and I wasn't able to keep up at a level I would have liked to. I do plan to go back and re-visit the prompts once things settle down a bit. xo

Sian said...

Like Deb, I have been busier than expected this summer and we were away for a couple of weeks too, so I didn't get the chance to participate the way I would have liked. But I always enjoy Shimelle's classes and the forum there, and as you say, she can't be beaten for value.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad I'm not alone in being unable to keep up with this class, but I agree it was another A+ class. I spent almost no time on the forums even when I was home, so I missed out on the community part this time, which I feel the worst about. Getting caught up with the prompts shouldn't be too hard. I enjoyed both the photography and the scrapbook portions of the class. Love the layout!

scrappyjacky said...

Also was unable to keep up with the class due to holiday commitments....but that hasn't stopped me loving it...and trying to put some of what I've learned into practise while I was away.
Am looking forward to catching up on the prompts...and would recommend anyone to take a Shimelle class.

Unknown said...

I knew I should have taken this class - it sounds great!

Becky said...

I also wasn't able to keep up with the class due to holiday and work commitments, but I have loved reading all the prompts and will definitely be 'taking part' over the next few months when I have time. Yet another brilliant Shimelle class.