Thanks so much + thoughts on technique.

I think you described technique very well.
I've never done painting (always thought it was too messy), embossing, only been rubber stamping the last year or so (because I see it on your pages), I do very little computer generated journaling because I haven't quite figured out ways to make it fit the way I can if I hand journal. Any and all techniques could be new to some people and they could learn from a class taught by someone who has done it before.
I also had a couple questions for you.
1. I like to keep cards, momentous, etc within my scapbook. Any tips on how to do it? I've seen your ideas about punching out portions of tickets, brochures, etc and will be incorporating that "techniqe" onto my pages but cards and some other things--I don't want to cut up.
2. Any tips on writing on Textured Cardstock? My writing tends to look messy because of the texture.
Just wanted to tell you that I read your blog everyday--I really missed your posts while you were on vacation--so I read your archives--starting with Nov 2004 and read your entire blog! A WORLD OF INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION!!!!! I got answers to several questions I had while reading--Thanks Ali!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
{vicki}
vicki.dalton@yahoo.com

Ali, thanks for the constant inspiration you provide me with. I didn't leave a comment 'cause I haven't taken any scrapbooking classes so far except the beginning class that introduced me to scrapbooking but next week I am taking two classes at the scrapfest.
One with Tim Holtz and another one of Heidi Swapp techniques. I am taking these classes because ink is a medium I have not used so I don't know what products to buy, how to start...etc.
Also, even though I have painted on paper and canvas a lot in different mediums but I am a little apprehensive about trying it in my scrapbook, I am lost when it comes to incorporating pictures and paints, so I think it would be neat that somebody show me how they explore these mediums /techniques and then I'll get a little more confident about playing with these and making my own discoveries.
Just wanted to convey my thoughts to you.
Thanks
Shalini

Hi, Ali!
When I mentioned technique I was thinking of the exact same thing you said, a new skill that can be used on a variety of projects. You just worded it so much better than I could have! Anything that is new or a new way to use old tools (such as punches, stamps, paint) is what I would look for in a class. I have reached the point where new ways to use what I already have is much more exciting to me than having to buy a new "toy". Don't get me wrong, new stuff is great fun, but I have accumulated so much that I like to pull out old stuff and use it new ways.
HTH!
Dana

I really appreciated everyone's answers too... I myself am a teacher at my LSS and there are times when I'm at a loss when it comes to offer for classes. I know things that I would like to teach, but it's pointless to offer something if you don't think it will sell, so I generally play it safe and stick with the type of classes that I know will be popular. It's good to know, though, that there are people that are interested in things other than what I consider the "safe" options.

I agree with your definition of "technique" I refrained from commenting the other day, since I felt that similar opinion had been expressed. :D
And the previous post did just what you mentioned for me. I'm planning to put a class together to pitch to my LSS owner. :) I'd LOVe the oportunity to share what I've learned about scrapping and life art in general. I already do some designing for her, and have taught classes on other sujects, so I don't think it'll be too much of a stretch. Thanks for the push! :D

You described technique exactly right. I have often been surprised that when I take a class and learn a technique I didn't think I was interested in, I learn to like it and use it later. Don't know how you could get that across to a student to motivate them to take a class. Stamping is one of those techniques. Also altering albums/journals and using mod podge. It is all so fun! Good luck with your class.

I was one of the individuals who mentioned technique in my response yesterday and I think you described my view of technique very, very well.

Hi..drop me a line some time!

hi Ali,
yeah, i agree very much with your definition of techniques. When i go for a class and when i used to plan for classes i was designing and teaching, one of my guiding principles was that at the end of the lesson, i hope i have picked up at least one new technique (though sometimes, i may attend a class because i like the end product and/or want to complete something...) and for classes i teach, i hope there would be at least ONE technique the students could take away with them, that they could replicate and expand further on in their LOs and albums...
I also like and share the same thoughts as Dana or "Shalini" in one of the comments above. think it is a cool idea - how to use familiar techniques and turn out something new or different...

oops, i mean Dana Nichols.

I am always interested in learning how to use different products. It seems like everytime I pick up something new at the store there are little to no instructions on the packages. They just assume that you already know how to use it. I recently taught myself how to use embossing powder(with not that great results) because none of my local stores had a class on that. I'm sure they think everyone already knows how to do that, but if you haven't been doing this very long, you don't. I would love attend a class that ran through alcohol inks, embossing, painting, those chalk things (cats eye - is that ink or chalk?), how to use those things on paper and/or altering those clear embellishments, etc.

Ali,
I would also be interested in seeing classes about design, how to create pages that convey my message in an aesthetic way. If you have any suggestions about design books to read, I would love to have them.

When I think of a technique class, I think of Tim Holtz's class I took at CKU Detroit this year. I can't remember the title, but it was all about using the paint daubers. Instead of walking away with a scrapbook page, we walked away with a little tag book. Each tag had a different paint technique that we did in the class and the back has directions, which Tim had printed on pre-made labels. Not only did we learn the techniques, we walked away with the example and directions for each. I could see this way of teaching used for any technique. Students walking away with a mini-book of techniques - examples and directions - that they created themselves and can then take home and use as a reference.

Hi Ali,
Technique to me means learning how to think about and/or look at and.or use things in a new way. I think that one of the things that is so inspiring about you and the way you approach your art is the way you SEE things. Helping others to consider other perspectives, other possibilities, other applications for materials... that would be wonderful.
It's like one of my favorite life drawing teachers used to say about drawing -- that it isn't about the drawing, it's about the SEEING. It's about turning off the preconceived notions of the ways things SHOULD be (or the way they've always been used/done) and instead really seeing the possibilties. Light/shadow; form/funtion; you get the idea... If you could somehow incorporate that into your teaching (beyond what I am sure that you already do), that would be awesome.

I agree with your definition of technique as well. Things I would love to see would definitely have to do with your background in design and color comb. etc. Something incorporating all the rules you have shared with us for example the visual triangle. Karen Russell who is also a great talent does photography Q&A, which I think is a great idea. Being that digital scrapbooking is now becoming so popular, maybe a technique class on integrating the computer into your everyday scrapbook pages would be beneficial. Maybe also a technique class on how to come up with, organize and bring to fruition creative ideas. Hope this helps. Love your style!!

a technique that i would love to learn is how to get more from stamps, rather than just use the image as it is, how could I use stamps together, in more creative ways?
Also - more about making my own embellies from paper, a basic component of all our scrapping, there must be ways to get more from it!

I think you did a good job describing what defines technique. When I started scrapping, the big chain stores were really all there were out there and they didn't have sbing classes. So it would have been great to take a class that would allow me to explore uses for things like chipboard, or eyelets, or ribbon. Now, I think that technique for me would be focused more on bigger and broader concepts like design, structure, color.
Thanks for keeping us thinking and all the inspriation!
Jennifer

I didn't answer the post yesterday, but for me, what keeps me coming back is the teacher and the techniques. Also a special project can be interesting. Where I live, we don't have a LSS, just a crafts store that sells some stuff, and their class projects are so... old! LOL About me teaching, I'm starting to, at my homw, and it has been so much fun! What the girls that come to my classes enjoy are the techniques, actually more the little tips, you know? You described technique very well, and I think it goes beyond that. In one of my classes we were using a scalloped paper, and I told the girls they could make their own scalloped paper with a ruler and a coin! They were thrilled! So, I guess for me it more about this little secrets... Hoped I helped!

Gosh this may seem repetetive but I think of classes when I have learned from Tim Holtz, Donna Downey or Stacy Julian. It's not just about a product, for me it is about seeing something, knowing you could do it or want to do it but also wanting a friend who will make you comfortable to take it to the next level. I love things that turn me on visually whether it is revisiting circle punches (that's you miss Ali), changing what I document via the scrapbook or just pure art. Something fresh, something unique. Something I haven't seen 100 times.

For me, technique, is learning something new. The things I need to learn: embossing and, honestly, how to use Versamark Ink. I have it, I just 'don't get it'.

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