Creations From The Heart

i'm in deep

Here's my first layout from Jessica Sprague's advanced Photoshop class called "Digi : In Deep" and that I am!  This was a fairly complex layout that has taken me all day (and a bit into the next as you see from the time of this post)!!  But I always learn so much from Jessica's classes and it keeps me inspired to keep on challenging myself with what I can do in Photoshop (or Elements as I use).  We've created so many of these page elements from scatch including the big blue circle thingy.  And thanks to Narelle once again for letting me feature her gorgeous kids in my layouts.  I always seem to get some nice, fun photos when our kids all play together.  All the credits for the layout are over at my digi blog.

yet another digi share

Yep, it's layout 2 of 4 from Jessica Sprague's Now We're Rockin' With Photoshop class which has just finished.  This layout used so many things I hadn't used properly in the past so now have a better understanding of like the burn tool to get the edges of the orange paper looking a bit more grungy and also the graph note paper.  Plus that white flower/graph transparency in the background as originally an aqua colour and we sort of reversed the effect to get no colour where the original aqua was and ended with more of an outline of the flower design.  So it's a fairly complicated layout when you look at all the bits it comprises of but it was not hard at all.  Love how it all comes together nicely.

Layout using 'Carnival' digi kit

Created this layout using a free digital kit we were given in our Now We're Rockin' With Photoshop class.  The designers at Sweet Shoppe Designs provided it exclusively for all the members of the class so you cannot purchase it.  We were challenged to make a layout using items in the kit which I did.  I used a template by Jen Caputo but changed it around a little to suit my photos.  I always try and match the colours in my pics with the elements of my layout...that just helps to bring it all together.  Hope you like!

Layout 2 for the night

Yes, it's another 1am finish for me again so thought I'd share another layout I've made from my online class before I head off to bed....this is the last from the beginners workshop so now I can move onto the intermediate one which is about halfway through.  I still learn more and more shortcuts, tips and ideas even though I thought I was more than a beginner at PSE.  That's why I love spending hours and hours mucking around with it as there's always new things to teach yourself.  The word 'shaving' has tiny beads stuck on the letters (digitally of course) and the photo block was from one of Jessica Sprague's Photoshop Friday tutorials on her blog where she goes through how to create a trapezoid photo block using the Polyagonal Lassoo Tool.  Cool stuff.

Another digi layout

Here's another digi layout I've completed from my beginners course with Jessica Sprague...nice calm, soothing colour scheme that she chose for us....took this pic of Ryan the other day and he didn't want his photo taken as he'd just woken up from a sleep and was a little bit sensitive....but this is just a nice, natural shot of him so thought I'd use it.

15 minute digi layout

Here's another digital layout from a Jessica Sprague workshop.  This one has used a template by Jen Caputo as the basis so all you need to do is choose your photos and yours papers and clip them to the relevant layers in PSE.  Very easy peasy and took no more than 15 minutes which was great!  Papers from from Jen Wilson's 'One Haute Momma' collection.

Now I'm rockin'

Isn't this layout just awesome!  Wow, I can't believe what we are learning over at Jessica Sprague's "Now We're Rockin' With Photoshop" online class.  This is the intermediate one and I have learnt some simple things that make using PSE a breeze.  What you can do and create is unlimited once you know how to do it.  Took this photo a while back and have always wanted to do something with it and this was ideal for the layout where we had to colour an object and make the rest of the pic sepia tones.  We have just been given a huge digital kit from a designer just for being in this class and I'm sure there'll be more freebies for us too as Jessica is always so generous in what she provides knowledge-wise and product-wise.  Can't wait to play with all our goodies.  Jessica has a wonderful digital community set up over at her site where you can search the forum for answers to all things digital-related.  There's a number of wonderful galleries to search through too.  I got stuck tonight, even with a video tutorial, but found the answer in the forum.

Another digi layout

I'm so far behind in completing heaps of my own half-made projects, plus class kits are stacked up a mile high in my scraproom and this layout is from Jessica Sprague's "Up & Running With Photoshop" class I did in October last year.  You get all the relevant info whilst the class is in session but you can complete them in your own time as you can see I've just completed week 3 of a 4 week class!  So this is a layout we created from scratch utilising some elements provided as part of the class.  Got so many old photos of the kids that I need to get a move on and scrap some - at the rate I take photos, I never get to do them in any order as I just pick shots I like that match a paper, an embellishment or a theme I might be scrapping about.  Jessica's next batch of classes open up for registration tomorrow so I'm going to take the "Now We're Rockin' With Photoshop" one (or the intermediate one in English)!  She's so much fun and provides you with so much info and freebies, well worth doing if you're still wanting to learn how to go digi or hybrid.

Big Picture Scrapbooking - upcoming classes

Most of you know that I love taking classes at  Big Picture Scrapbooking and they have just announced a couple more classes that I will be enrolling in.....here's a screen dump from Lisa Cohen's new class titled 'Wellness Journey'...the price is USD so it will work out to around maybe $50 mark.  I know Mum, Yvonne and Gabbie are all working hard on their weight at the moment with wonderful success, but I just need a good kick up the rump to get moving and eat well again as I have been constantly sick and a lack of energy just keeps me down in the dumps and doesn't help my wellbeing at all.  Lisa is a very talented digital/traditional scrapbooker too but she's very inspirational and this class is well worth a look at.  Her blog has loads of healthy info and scrapbooking inspiration on it too.

Wellness Journey

Let's face it. We all struggle with balance. Still, balance IS possible when we consider that balance doesn't mean that everything is present in equal amounts, as if we are weighing happiness or food portions on a scale. Rather, balance means that everything is as it should be to create a healthy and abundant life. This means that sometimes the scales will tip in favor of one part of your life on some days (like when there's a deadline at work) and other parts of your life on other days (like when you have a cold). It's all about setting intentions and creating a successful environment where you and your health can *thrive*. That means starting with a healthy attitude toward your body. <gasp> Yep, that's right. I said a healthy attitude toward your body! Forget that you aren't as svelte as the cover model on your favorite magazine. Life's not about that (and believe me, there's a bunch of airbrushing going on to get those fabulous cover shots anyway)! Your body serves you well in so many aspects of your life, so let's celebrate and improve what we have. If you've ever struggled in starting AND following through with a fitness program, then this workshop is for you. If you are a seasoned exerciser but have hit a plateau or are still seeking more out of life, this class will give you plenty of inspiration to live a more balanced life.

In this eight-week workshop, we will take the first steps towards a life-long commitment to wellness. We'll set goals and create a fitness and wellness plan that will *work* for you. And don't think I've forgotten all about our love for PAPER! I wouldn't do that!

Lisa Cohen returns to Big Picture Scrapbooking as a personal trainer, a nutrition counselor, a wellness and lifestyle advisor, and scrapbooker ALL wrapped into ONE. Join us as we document our wellness journey in an inspiring mini-album along the way. Each week, Lisa will introduce a new wellness project that will allow you time to acclimate before adding the next topic to your wellness repertoire. You will also receive guidance and support with weekly thought-provoking journaling ideas, photography prompts, layout inspiration, and monthly chats.

Lisa's class includes:

• Pre-class handout, journaling templates, and an audio message to help you prepare for class, available in the classroom upon registration
• Colorful handouts with step-by-step instructions for wellness-related projects
• Realistic advice on making wellness part of your daily routine
• Photography, layout, and journaling prompts to document your wellness journey
• Food journal and fitness log pages designed by Lisa exclusively for this class
• Live chats with Lisa - and email access, too!
• Private message board for interaction with your fellow students
• Reminder emails when the classroom is updated - and so you don't miss a chat!
• Private gallery where you can share your work and view the work of classmates
• Voice messages from Lisa available as streaming audio, downloadable mp3 files, as well as audio transcripts
• Weekly welcome messages in the classroom from Lisa
• Resource section with links that extend the topics covered for further reading and browsing (including some of Lisa's favorite flavorful and healthy recipes!)
• Master supply list with live links to product resources
• The start of a life-long wellness commitment!

Taught by:	Lisa Cohen
Class Duration:	8 work weeks and 4 break weeks
Start Date:	November 1, 2007
End Date:	January 23, 2008
Price:	$40.00

Now the other class I just want to jump right into is by Kollette Hall.  I have taken one of her past courses titled "The Art of Choosing Joy" all about reflecting on your life and choosing to take the path of joy rather than wallowing in negativity and sorrow.  We've all faced challenges in our life and this journey helped me to focus on where I've been and where I want to head with my life, especially since my separation with Mark has forced me to re-evaluate who I am and what's most important to me.  Kollette's husband broke his back as a teenager then had a major car accident later in life so she's had to overcome adversity at its worst.  Her classes are always so inspirational and this new one won't be any different.  This class is titled "The Art of Giving Well" and here's a screen dump from the BPS site....

Giving Well (in two hours or less!)

Gift-giving is an art. From the gift tag and wrapping paper to what's inside the package, you say something powerful when you give a gift. Learn more about the art of Giving Well from Kolette Hall and talented BPS teachers as they design fabulous yet manageable gift ideas for the holiday season. This five-week workshop is packed with everything you need to give well for the holidays, and you'll love how these ideas will meet your giving needs all year long, too.

Every other day, you will receive a new idea for Giving Well (in two hours or less!) along with tips for wrapping each gift in a beautiful, fun, or interesting way. As always, Kolette has included exclusive downloadable artwork to help you create the perfect gifts, holiday cards, and gift tags.

Whether you are mass-producing one gift idea or choosing to craft a different gift for each person on your list, you'll get tons of ideas for creating personalized gifts in less than two hours each. Come join Kolette and her team as they guide you in your new art form: the art of Giving Well.

Kolette's class includes:

• colorful, step-by-step instructions to complete dozens of different personalized projects, cards and gift tags
• over twenty project ideas from Kolette and the BPS team, with downloads available every other day
• exclusive project downloads to create designer looks
• exclusive downloads for holiday cards and gift tags designed by Kolette
• two voice messages from Kolette as streaming audio, downloadable MP3 files and transcripts
• project supply lists with live links to product resources - available with each new project
• images of creative, beautiful gift wrapping ideas
• email access to Kolette
• Private gallery and message board for sharing your experience with other students

NOTE: Due to the variety of projects offered during this workshop, individual project supply lists will be available the day that each gift is revealed instead of in a master supply list.

Taught by:	Kolette Hall
Class Duration:	5 weeks
Start Date:	November 1, 2007
End Date:	December 5, 2007
Price:	$35.00

There's thousands of people all over the world that join in these BPS classes including loads of Aussie ladies.  You can chat via messageboards, live chats, weekly downloads, audio messages from the teachers, they off so much with their classes so thought I'd fill you in on the details!  Have fun and let me know if you're going to do either of these classes so I can look out for you in the galleries and messageboards!

Sharon....

Kim Archer's "Here Comes" class....

This week I did another of Kim Archer's classes titled 'Here Comes'. It was a layout done onto a manilla folder, for something a little different, much rather like a big greeting card.  I've done mine in 8.5 x 11 inch size and here's some pics of my layout titled "Here Comes Trouble". I've used some felt scraps, Magistical Memories chipboard arrows, American Crafts Foam Thickers alphas & rubons, Scrap FX acrylic alphas, Heidi Swapp alpha stickers and We R Memory Keepers p/paper.  Very simple layout that can stand up or eventually end up in an album.  I've popped some journalling onto the notepaper in the envelope inside the folder.  Hope you like!