I actually kept up and completed the materials in quite a few of these classes, while I barely managed to check out the materials and create something here and there in other classes. There are even a few classes that I really haven't even looked at! My plan is to review the materials in each of these classes, save the various handouts and digital elements, and act on whatever inspires me as I go along. I am not taking time to review the message boards or galleries at this point, despite the fact that I know there's lots more inspiration in those areas.
Over the past few weeks, I've reviewed (and saved) the materials in several classes. I chose these few to start with because I knew they would be quick to review and/or because I had actually already completed the materials or project for the class. For example, I kept up with the materials and process throughout the BPC Reclaiming My Time workshop when it ran at the end of 2011. This class was great for helping me think through how I really wanted to spend my time, so a few weeks ago as I was preparing my 50 Things To Do Before I'm 50 list, I read through all the handouts as well as the welcome and audio messages in the classroom. I saved the files I wanted to keep and marked that class completed and reviewed.
Two other BPC classes that I completed were the self-paced Permission To Live A Creative Life and the live run of Embrace Imperfection. I actually created a mini-album for both of these classes (which you can see here and here), so I simply scrolled through the materials and saved the handouts I wanted to keep for future reference before marking these classes done. I also took a few minutes to read through and enjoy the mini-albums that now hang in my craft room. It was FUN looking through these albums and reading my journaling from a few years ago.
There were several layout examples in the Embrace Imperfection handout. Two of the layouts really caught my eye, so I acted on that inspiration by scraplifting the designs to create two layouts for our 2014 album.
I really enjoyed adding lots of bits & pieces to this layout, and I was even inspired to use my sewing machine to stitch a border!
I also re-read all the handouts and watched the videos in Shimelle's Blogging for Scrapbookers and Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers classes. I enjoyed both of these classes and have a list of great ideas for blog posts in the coming months. The materials in these classes are filled with great ideas and tips for successful and FUN blogging. These classes are still available as self-paced classes, and although many of the links in the handouts are no longer found (because blogs have been deleted or moved to different domains), I highly recommend them for anyone looking for blogging tips and inspiration.
I'll be continuing my review of classes and sharing my progress and inspiration along the way. I'm excited that several of you have been inspired to join me in reviewing and/or completing classes.
Karen recently commented, "You've totally inspired me to go through and list every online class I haven't finished. I've avoided this because I know it's frighteningly long, but it needs to be done. I'm in the midst of three online classes as we speak. I'm caught up in two of them, and behind in one." And a few days later she shared that she "did make a list of all the online classes I want to finish. It was a sobering task!"
Cheri commented, "I can't begin to tell you how inspiring these posts have been. I have an excel spreadsheet in the works to list every online class, along with it's status (completed, in progress, not yet started), the skill set addressed, the web site, and once it is complete I intend to set priorities and start working my way through that list!"
Susanne commented, "I'm on board for going back and looking at all the scrap classes I've taken over the years - just the sketch ones could keep me busy for a year."
Who else will be joining us this fall as we review and complete some online classes?
An interesting project indeed. I'm not hi tech enough to have a spreadsheet for classes...but i do have lots and lots of pdfs all printed out and stored in a big document box and I enjoy pulling them out every so often for renewed inspiration
ReplyDeleteI'm another who has done a lot of online classes, mosting with BPC and Shimelle. Like Sian, I print out the pdfs and keep them on my desk for a month or two. They then go into the recycling and I revert to looking online again to refresh my memory.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little hesitant to check out my purchased classes, because there's so many of them! But maybe I could choose one to look at between now and the end of the year, and move on one at a time? (It's safe to say that the only class I ever finished was stories in hand)
ReplyDeleteGood for you for making progress. I need to sketch out a plan of action. Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI think this might be more of a winter project for me but it sounds good in several ways, getting inspiration, learning, shaking the cobwebs and actually getting my money's worth.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I love the Spiderman layout too--the tickets are a perfect touch.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea. I feel overwhelmed every time I look at my BPC account and wonder what the heck I took and if I even "took" the class. There is so much information out there and there is so much more to find. Thanks again for the inspiration. ~Ann
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Melissa! I'm joining you in reviewing classes! Making my schedule tonight and starting Monday! Thanks for inspiring us to use what we have and not rush into 'more'.
ReplyDeleteComing to the end of my current online classes, all of which I managed to keep up with. The Online Card Classes have so much information that there's no way to finish all the techniques within the allotted time unless that's all you did for two weeks! I've started reviewing one of the classes I barely started, and hope to finish it this month!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post - when you mentioned this idea before, I went and made sure I had downloaded all the materials and pdfs for the classes I, too, had not finished (though I've gone electronic and don't print them out). Next step, schedule 'em in!
ReplyDeleteway to use that sewing machine! you'll be a quilter yet (even if it kills me!)
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post Melissa. I DO believe this is something I NEED to do but it's going to require much thinking, remembering (ugghhh) and searching.......another item on my list of things/classes to do. LOL But a very worthwhile project! TFS!
ReplyDeleteI continue to follow this with interest. Since I have been taking online classes from multiple sources since 2006 (and my time is limited) I am still working on adding to the list and identifying all of the classes. On the upside. I did get through one of my BPC self-paced classes last week!
ReplyDelete