Thanks so much + thoughts on technique.

While I am probably going to want to see a "new to me" technique, you have to remember that very simple techniques are intimidating to those who aren't very adventurous and haven't tried so many techniques yet. Even setting an eyelet is a new technique to some. An LSS has the focus of those who haven't done much more then cut their papers and use stickers. A convention is more likely to draw those who are wanting the newest and greatest!

I think you described it perfectly! It's like the difference between Tim's classes at CKU (doing the little tag book with the paint dabbers) vs. some of the cute project classes. Those cute projects are sitting in my closet and I will never use them for my own photos. But the stuff I learned from Tim added to my repetoire - I can use it over and over again.
And sometimes it's just a different way of approaching things or using your supplies in a different way. Two examples of this... your MME transparency mini-album. That's just a cool concept that I think many scrappers wouldn't think of. And the other was some of the things you did in your album track... simple stuff like popping certain things up, tearing the tags in half, etc. It's simple but maybe not techniques that would occur to the average scrapper who just thinks... put this sticker here, adhere this mat here, etc. I like things that stretch my boundaries and make me look at something in a different way. It doesn't have to be rocket science but it should be thought-provoking!

I did not comment on classes earlier. Have never taken one because of this issue of technique and lack of availability as you defined. Yes, I would consider a class that demonstrated a materials and methods process that could be applied in many ways afterwards, such as embossing, incorporating etched tin, homemade paper making through screening, or something un-related to the physical layout aspects, which (I believe)one can best learn by doing (over and over again). Learn by doing - that's what works for me. The classes at our local papersource look more interesting to me in that I might apply these unrelated paper skills to my pages, books and altered projects.
Also worth noting - though I've never take a local class, I am seriously considering spending $$$ for flight, hotel and costly ticket to participate in INSPIRE, Donna Downey's new event. Specifically for the reasons mentioned above.
Thanks Ali - Great disscussion here!

Hi Ali,
I concur with a lot of the comments here. I took Tim's class in CKU-Anaheim and loved and am using the techniques repeatedly. I also like your rules (not that I normally like rules - LOL) the visual triangle and 3 embelishments, etc. The idea of new ways to use old things or adapt what you have; how to alter the pink chipboard leftovers for a layout about your husband. I learned a lot from your album class, probably lots of stuff you didn't even know you were teaching :) (like its OK to chop the top of someones head off - in a picture) Shortcuts are also very much appreciated, not so much of buy the kit and it's faster but quick ways to line things up or how to stamp with various alpha sets and why some look good together and some don't.
Wish I was going to your class. I'm sure it will be fantastic! Thanks again for all the ideas and inspiration!

As a class teacher- this is one of the hardest things about teaching: techniques! Trying to come up with new ones or trying to figure out WHAT people want to learn.... it's not easy. I am thankful for this post and the previous one. I have learned quite a lot about classes! Thanks for your inspiration.
www.annecamille.blogspot.com

I think of technique as a skill...a new trick to learn...a new item in your bag of tricks...a new thing to consider when doing a layout...
but it can also mean something that refined...you have one skill you use (broad skill-painting), but it may need a little refinining/fine tuning (learning new types of brush stokes). so essentially taking a skill you can already execute, but now doing it better.
I love the idea about us teaching at a local store...I would have never considered that for myself. A good challenge to put on that to do list and research my options more...
Thanks Ali!

Great questions.
To me, technique means I will learn how to do something in a specific and detailed way. Learning a single, individual process in depth that can stand alone and be used in many ways, be in cards, scrapbooking pages, journals, altered art, etc.
Techniques:
Print press techniques (adapted). Screen printing using paint or ink. Stamping. Making my own paper from scraps. Designing my own paper using paint/stamps/whatever. Making my own transfers. Using water color paper or other art paper as a background (something besides scrap paper). Using artists materials in everyday scrapping (most artist materials are acid free, I believe). I love your idea of using mail, that was so fun. Developing artistic sketches using sound design principles. Color theory. Altered art projects for my photos. Different ways to display photos using scrapping supplies, other than the flat pages. Using the sewing machine to dress up pages (yes, I would actually bring my machine to the class given the chance). How to use type as a design element, rather than just for journaling. If I think of more I will add over the next couple of days.

I have only taken a few classes locally, but I'm always turned off by the "do this with this product" and "do that with that product" that results in everyone having something that looks so very the same. (Perhaps that's why I don't want to take more.) I am always wanting to wait, watch and then do it my way. I'm not trying to be difficult, because I do want some help; but I'm looking more for direction and structure and a place to start so that I can access and focus and channel what I've already got going on upstairs.
My big problem is workflow--getting into the groove and finding a thought/work process that works for my brain.
I would love to attend a class where I saw various people (oh, off the top of my head . . . you!) just do their thing. Put a page together or an album together and describe where it is coming from. I am quite sure that I could sit and watch you work all day. And then, through watching the process, I could find some things to establish my own workflow and set down some of the (I'm quite certain) fabulous ideas that are rattling around in my head.

Ali,
There was nothing in my area about 2 years ago, and I was as frustrated as many of bloggers out there... I wanted to learn more techniques and was excited to share them, it started with a couple of girls from work coming over to "play" and developed into a loyal group of 20 people who come to my house once a month! We learn and play together and have made great friendships through it. Now an even happier ending, a scrapbook store opened in our area (finally) and guess who's teaching!
Thanks for being a constant inspiration to follow your creative spirit!
Sharon

Ali:
Re: technique. Your OLW layout featured your play with "beeswax." I bought some at my store, (I actually work and teach at a scrapbook store). I have no idea how to use it and neither do my co-workers. I guess I can see if I find a free tutorial online, have not done that yet. I know that Ms. Hellmuth is a pro at using beeswax, but my scrapbook budget is very tight as it is and can't really go and purchase a dvd tutorial.

Innovative ways to use tools is also a technique I think. I took a Making Memories class at CKC this year and learned some different ways to use their tag maker I would probably not have thought of myself. Our LSS is now gone, so I rely on internet classes. I've taken some fantastic ones and they are usually technique based. Digital techniques, unusual use of embellishments, journaling techniques, to name a few. I took a course at the Paper Source years ago on the Gocco printer, but never used it enough to get good at it. I was glad to see your link to a tutorial several weeks ago. It's on my fall project list! Thanks for you continuing inspiration. I subscribe to your blog and love it.

I learned a new technique from Tim Holtz at CKU last week that I just love. I had never bought the Paint Dabbers because they looked too hard to use, and why spend the money if there isn't anyone around to show you, but after taking his Paint Outside the Lines class in Nashville, and learning how to use the alcohol inks during the MnT's, I am more than ready to use what I learned on my scrapbook pages.
From you, I would love to see how to incorporate transparencies. I loved the mini books you had in class for us to see, but I feel itimidated by trying something like that. For me that would be a great class.

For me one of the thfings that i would love to see offered as a technique is altering otp projects for eg tins, boxes etc.

I agree with your definition of technique. I think of classes as a time to play and try new things. The last class I took involved making a tag book of techniques. Many techniques I liked and have used on my layouts. A few I tried and realized that they are not for me. I liked that it was a broad class.

I also agree with your definition of technique. I would like to see maybe upto three techniques highlighted in a class (depending on how complicated they are). For example, I have never painted on a scrapbook page or on pictures. I would want to know about supplies: how is this safe for photos, what would I get, where, and why would I do this to my page? I would want to use throw away photos to just play with. Have samples to look at (pre-done), watch through demo, then be able to give it a try with no pressure. Another idea (I'm thinking like a technique of eyelets) is to have three or four simple projects displayed, and after a demo and practice on scraps of setting eyelets, then be able to choose one of the projects and do it there under supervision. Make sure there is time for questions. And encourage cameras. Maybe have projects written up on a handout.

Good question...since I teach mostly newbies from various cultures I can't wait to see the response to your question.
The technique I teach is how to make a cultural connection such as how I, an African American, can connect an everday photograph from my life to a Japanese phrase as I did here:
http://www.scrapsofcolor.com/_mgxroot/page_10814.html
My goal is to teach techniques that involve altering your perspective (my word for the year thanks to you).

You nailed the description of technique that I would have used. (you actually probably said it more eloquently)...
I would love to learn techniques for combining patterned papers, how to layer different patterns, cardstock; how to get a balanced layout...what basic rules of design are out there...
Thanks for asking our opinion...

To me learning new technique is really about learning how to play with new stuff or with old stuff in a new way. Part of the problem that most of us face is that we see new stuff and don't have a clue about how to use it or the versatility that it might have beyond the obvious use that we can see "simply". I love it when someone tells me a new way to use something that I have sitting in my stash or shows me how to use something that I've only seen in the magazines or on-line - then off I go. It's sort of like giving me permission to take off and fly away. Thanks! Sher

Ali, to respond to your earlier question about what I look for in a scrapbook store -- it is integrity. In fact, I stopped taking lessons at a store because the owner lacked integrity. I had foolishly forgotten about a class and was charged for the class packet. That is fine -- I would expect to pay for a packet that I had promised to buy. But the packet did not include all the supplies and no instructions. I stopped in the store several times to get the missing items, but the owner was never able to get those items from the teacher. Tell me, who is in charge in this situation? The teacher works for the owner and they both must keep me happy!!
That pretty much sums it up for me.
Thanks for asking.

In terms of technique, anytime I learn to make something new with explicit instructions, I consider that a technique. Take your album track at CKU for example- it was so great because you had great instructions in class AND great written instructions with color pictures. Even though there was not a detailed new technical technique I learned, I loved that I learned how to stamp on different spots or combine stickers different ways, even learning how to put the album together with different sized pages horizontally and vertically seems so simple, but I would not have figured that out on my own. I enjoy classes like this. Tim's classes were also great because we were using masks, paint, and different materials and learning how to actually use them in different ways. I would love any class that included or combined stamping, painting, art journal, how to create something cool out of a blank chipboard album, using "regular" supplies in different ways (like Kal's pencil crayons)...anything that is going to either produce a cool project or learn how to use something new. So many scrapbook stores offer random classes that I am just not interested in- I want to learn to make something artsy, not your typical creative memories scrapbook page.