Yesterday & Today Registration Is Open & Class Questions

Registration has started for my upcoming 3-month online workshop called Yesterday & Today at Big Picture Scrapbooking. You can find all the basic details and sign-up here.

Since registration began I have been receiving emails with some specific questions that I'd like to address to help those of you who are considering joining us on this journey.

1. You do not need to have old photos to participate. "Old photos" will mean different things to different people. I actually consider old photos to be any photos that are not in digital format. My goal is to make this workshop accessible to anyone. For the layouts that use older photos I will address ways you can still document those stories without the photos.

2. This workshop is more about approach, inspiration, theory, and ideas than it is about creating layouts with a bunch of products. There will be one simple 12x12 layout each week. My hope is that the actual lessons and content will give you new ideas for getting your stories told and lead you to create pages that are truly meaningful to you.

3. If you are out of the country, having a baby, or just generally busy you can still sign up for the class and attack the content on your time. This is one of the best things about Big Picture's workshop structure. Each week you will receive an email notice that new content is up in the classroom. There is no specific time you need to be available to log on. 

4. Each week's content will include: a video/slide show concept lesson, a detailed how-to handout for the layout, a handout that highlights the content from the video, a digital elements/printables package (most likely word-art/something to do with storytelling), and a digital layered template to create a fully digital page (optional of course). 

5. All digital elements will also be available as PDF files in addition to PNG files.
This means if you don't have Photoshop you can still easily open and print the elements
to be used on your layouts. ***The exception will be the 12x12 layered
templates which are for Photoshop & Photoshop Elements only (you
would only use these if you are creating completely digital pages).

6. The digital elements and layered templates created for this class will be ALL NEW and not repeats of templates currently available at Designer Digitals.

7. I am all about flexibility. In this workshop, as in all classes I teach, you are welcome and encouraged
to make each of the layouts your own. I want what you create to be
meaningful to you and your family not an exact copy of whatever it is I
present.

On to some more specific questions:

Q : I started this year determined to take this 12 week class. But economic times being what they are vs. my need to connect with "ali style & simplicity"...now I need to process a choice. My question would be: how different will this class be from the CKU Evolution class in Houston, besides a longer version?

A : This class is different from Evolution in that the idea is to create a
12x12 album that is open to adding more stories as time goes along
(rather than a completed minibook). I guess you could say that it is able to literally evolving as you identify more stories to add. This
album is also more geared towards telling longer stories (vs. the three
sections in Evolution) and more specific ones than could be told in
that small album size. Because this is an online class I am also able to go more in-depth and provide more resources than is possible during an in-person class.

Q : There is no "requirement" that we need to be available on Thursdays for new information - nothing like video conferencing as such.  We just need to take advantage of the information sometime during the week before a new post/lesson happens on the following Thurs, correct?

A : You do not need to be available at any specific time. New content is uploaded on Thursdays each week and archived in the online classroom for the duration of the class. If for some reason you missed something you can email Admin at Big Picture to request an access pass for the content.

Q : I'm very interested in your up coming class, although I only scrap 8.5x11 formats -- will this be a problem for me if I take the class? I understand some of the downloads may only be in 12x12 format, but I'm good at making that work for my own 8.5x11 formats.

A : I definitely think you can do this class if you are 8.5x11 scrapper (especially if you are flexible). The class content is really more about process + thinking + storytelling. The outcome is up to you. My goal is that you will gain new knowledge about how you approach scrapbooking. Each week there will be one 12x12 layout that encompasses the principle/lesson for the week such as "addressing the challenging stories in our lives." During that week my presentation will show different ideas for telling stories that are tough/hard/etc and then invite you to choose just one and tell it on a scrapbook page.

Q : Is this a class that you will typically have every year? I really want to take it but not sure I can financially right now (like everyone). How much time is needed for this class?

A : This is not a class that will be offered every year but may be offered at least once more (nothing firm). I completely understand the financial issues. The amount of time you choose to put into this class will be entirely up to you. Each week there will be one layout to create - for some people it may be super quick and for others it will take longer. My examples will be very simple with the main focus on the words + the photos.

Q : Can I add your workshop banner to my blog?

A : Sure thing. Here is the code:

<a href="http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/yesterdaytoday.php">
<img src="/AE_SFAd.gif"></a>

Q : I am (surprisingly and somewhat frighteningly) interested in your online class and am wondering if it is OK for an absolute beginner.  

A : I think an absolute beginner could definitely take this class (there will obviously be a bit of a learning curve, but nothing you couldn't handle). The layouts are going to be very simple and really the main thrust/education is in encouraging people to tell the stories that mean the most to them (ideas, thoughts, inspiration, links, etc are all part of the class content). It is less about the step by step of creating a scrapbook page and more about learning to document your life in the past + present.

Q : My childhood was NOT "happy, happy, happy." I would like to do a scrapbook that will be cathartic and therapeutic for me. My concern with your class is that all the stories and all the ideas and guidance will be about "happy, happy, happy" lives and I won't fit in. Your thoughts?

A : Everyone will be coming to this workshop with different life experiences. All of us have had challenges in some form or another in our lives and we each choose to deal with them in our own way. I think scrapbooks should be the same way (your choice in how you approach them). This class is an opportunity to tell your stories - whichever ones you choose to tell. I will be giving you ideas about ways to deal with your memories whether they are happy or sad. One week of the class is set aside for specifically addressing the topic of the challenging stories in our lives.

A couple other things for today:

• My friend Andrea Scher at Superhero Journal is giving away a spot in my Yesterday & Today on her blog. Go here to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing.

• New stamps I designed for Technique Tuesday are now available at Scrapbook.com: Simply You, Favorite Memories, and This Is The Day.

• I have collaborated with kit club Cocoa Daisy for their September kit (more details coming soon). For a chance to win the September kit take a guess at the contents on Cocoa Daisy's message board.