True Scrap 4 Class Review: “Hybrid Techniques” by Jennifer Wilson

I’m continuing to review “TRUE SCRAP 4” individual classes, which were originally part of the huge 2-day “True Scrap 4” event in October 2012. I purchased the whole event and, although I was unable to attend “live” because I was out of town that weekend, I have really enjoyed watching the classes since then.

On the True Scrap 4 replays, you can either choose to watch just the instructional video itself or a recording of the live event = class video + ongoing chat of participants, intro by True Scrap hostess Lain Ehmann, and a Q&A with the class instructor afterward.

The next class up for review is one of my favorites: “Hybrid Techniques” by Jennifer Wilson.

It’s kind of funny that this ended up being a favorite because (if I’m being totally honest … and you know I always am, sista’) it was one of the classes I was least looking forward to. I’m such a staunch paper-only scapper who swears that I will never go digital. So even the word “hybrid” kind of turns off my interested button.

BUT.

I was wrrr . . . I was wrr-rrr . . . I was not exactly right. {10 points if you know what I’m quoting!}. Well, here. Let me just show you.

I was WRONG. Okay?!?!? I was wrong. This was a great class and I think it should be one of your FIRST choices of True Scrap 4 classes to take. If you’re a VERY beginning computer-digital-hybrid scrapper like me, that is. I would not recommend it for experienced hybrid or digi-scrappers because I suspect that you already know how to do these techniques.

– How to print on a journaling card (in Word)
– How to add text to photos (in Photoshop)
– How to use Word Art (in Photoshop)
– How to print photos in any size you want (in Photoshop)
– How to print digital scrapbook supplies (two ways: DIY stickers in Word or photo-quality embellishments in Photoshop)

But these things were new to me! So if you don’t know how to do these things either, I would highly recommend this class. Jennifer has a nice, soothing, patient way of walking you through things. She shows you click by click these basic things and also how to play around with them a bit.

How to print photos in any size is great for you Instagrammers – she shows how to easily print those photos at home or send to a photo printer and a way to make sure the edges don’t get cut off. The DIY stickers ideas was a big hit among the class participants.

I think *my* most-used techniques will be the first two – printing on a journaling card and adding text to photos. I’ve been wanting to learn these things for so long, but my pledge to do Project Life in 2013 really had me wanting to learn how.

The whole Photoshop thing . . . well, I’m skerred of it. Didn’t wanna’ own it. Didn’t wanna’ learn it. Didn’t wanna’ pay a lot for it. Didn’t wanna’ go anywhere near that Devil of Digital Scrapbooking. But, well, to do most of the techniques in Jennifer’s “Hybrid Techniques” class, I’ll have to. The good news is that she provides a link where you can do the free trial of Photoshop Elements 11 (that’s the cheaper version anyway, and all a scrapbooker would need).

I’m waiting until I have some time to sit down and play with these techniques but I do plan to try the free trial. When I do, I’ve got a GREAT cheat sheet provided as part of the class – saved and bookmarked! Also – as with all True Scrap classes – I have lifetime access so I can go back and watch the video again as many times as I need to. And knowing me, it will take lots of times :)

While I’m raving about Jennifer Wilson, I thought I’d mention something else she’s doing that I’m very excited about for the new year. It’s a program she’s running on her own site, Simple Scrapper (which I’m a member of), and it’s called “Focus.”

And to introduce you to the class and see what it’s about before you pay for it, she’s offering 2 free sessions: Monday 01-07-12 @ 8:30 pm CST and Wednesday 01-09-13 at 1pm CST (2 different times to accommodate different schedules and time zones). Just pick which one works best for you. You get an e-mail confirmation and will get a reminder when it gets closer.

The purpose of this training is to share some of my best tips for simple scrapbooking and introduce the new Focus program. I hear so many talk about not enough time and getting behind etc. This year-long program will help scrapbookers hone in on what is most important and learn new skills to be more effective and efficient.

Do you want to:

Feel more relaxed every day?
Learn ways to scrapbook faster?
Finish the projects you start?
Find more time for scrapbooking?

I’d love to teach you some of my time-tested approaches for simplicity in a free training event. I want to show you exactly how to focus on what matters most in 2013 and have the best year ever! There are two dates and times, to best fit your busy schedule.

This is a perfect match-up for my other pledge for 2013: to get more scrapping done. But I need help. Obviously. I need someone to hold my hand. So I’m signed up to attend the session on 01-09-13 . . . if you sign up as well, please say “hi!”. If you click on the graphic, it will take you to the right place :)

And here’s where you go to take Jennifer’s (or any of the other great) “TRUE SCRAP 4” individual classes.

Hope you had a scrapalicious Christmas!!