So, what's all this hubbub about me and a new class over at bigpicturescrapbooking.com? I thought you'd never ask!
Introducing "Everyone Can Write a Little: The 2009 MicroBlog Album Workshop". This new class is designed to get you into the habit of writing a little, here and there, using one of two fabulous social media services, Twitter , or Facebook as your virtual notebooks for documenting your own little bits and pieces. I say "little" because for those of you who use either service, you know, you really only can write a little.
Both Twitter and Facebook ask you the same question: What are you doing? In turn, you answer, and document a bit about you and your daily life. This class is going to encourage you to use either (or both) to improve your life observation skills. Then, you'll take that authentic content and create cool little digital pages in Photoshop Elements (or Photoshop). In the process, you'll learn how to work with templates, make good type choices and creatively pair photos you love with your words.
See, the thing is… these social media networks can be used to keep in touch, sure. Or they can be excellent tools for marketing. But for me, Twitter and Facebook have been more of a way to record little snippets of life—thoughts from my brain, little observations, and bits of conversation from people I love and keep me entertained on a daily basis. I spend a lot of time on the computer, and it just seemed like a match made in virtual heaven.
I've been doing Twitter a lot longer than Facebook, and one day, I was all, "I need to save these somewhere, especially the ones I like!" And because I'm a scrapbooker, well… I figured I'd make an album, and encourage others to do the same.
This class is not about the latest and greatest products. You don't have to sink a fortune into getting stuff to make the album. I'm providing templates and downloads and a cool Powerpoint presentation, and other good stuff to inspire you to build your own collection of these little bits of your own authentic writing. You'll need some cardstock, a stack of letter-sized photo paper, a few sheets of patterned paper and an album (detailed supplies are coming very soon!) We'll have video messages, tips on typesetting and step-by-step instruction on how to work with the templates in Photoshop Elements to create cool pages that you'll print out, and place inside your album. And we'll have a rockin' message board and gallery as well.
Go ahead and watch my short but hopefully entertaining video promo, and if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to post 'em here. Registration, price and dates will be coming very soon and I'll post them as soon as they're nailed down.
In the meantime, if you don't already have one, get yourself a Twitter or Facebook account and start documenting a little here and there. I've got plans for you and your words. And remember: everyone can write a little.
Laurie says
This sounds great! I like the “everyone can write a little” idea, because I believe that is true! I’m also thinking about applications for my students…snapshots of their lives, so to speak.
I’ll be interested in your class, Cathy – thanks for the sneak peek!
Laurie
Holly A. Moss says
Sounds pretty interesting, CathyZ. I’ve got a facebook account already & recently started a blog – however, have been a bit shy about posting anything on it . . . I think your class might be just what I need to get me more motivated.
Thanks for the sneak peek. I look forward to reading about/seeing more details as they become available.
HollyM
Sherry Eckblad says
this sounds like a great class and would be perfect for those who don’t want to or aren’t sure how to document just the everyday things.
SherryE
Zarah says
Sounds awesome! 😀
Cheri says
I’m IN!
Sue_NovaScotia says
Great timing – I’ve been ‘FBing’ for ages and, funnily enough, just signed up on Twitter yesterday! Can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with!
Lynn Cheryl says
So I need either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements to be able to do this course?
Houston says
Can’t wait!!!! Love your classes!
Jennifer M. says
What a cool idea. I love it!
Lee says
Brilliant! I am so IN 🙂
Jana D says
Sounds great. I loved DYL and will sign up for any class you teach. I like the snippets approach you mention.
Cheryl says
Such a great class idea. Can’t wait to take it! I’ve been a Twittering fool for a while now and am looking forward to doing something with my snarkiness. 😉
JoEllyn says
What a great idea! I use my facebook as a way to remember captions and stories for my pictures rather than writing them in a notebook!
Mart says
Oh – I can’t wait – hurry, hurry – I want to sihn up!!!
Lezlee says
OK – you’re selling me here. Took a bit, but knew I’d cave in! Thanks for the added info. Frankly, not interested in getting on the Twitter or Facebook rat race. On the computer more than need/should anyhow (remember – need to interact with humans, especially the small ones we brought into the world, right? MAKE the memories? must…remember…get….away…from…the…box….). I’m LIKIN’ what you’re planning on doing with it tho’. And maybe I’ll get less intimidated/frightened about the whole mass of internet thing looking in – I really don’t need that in my life. Not a My Space kinda gal. But I did rejuvenate the blogger journal as I AM on the ‘puter more and the pen/paper hasn’t been happening to accomplish same goal. Maybe I can incorporate those snippets – or just trust you and give Facebook/Twitter a chance. I can always kill the account if it gets too much, right? 😉
Looking forward!
Lezlee
MichelleG says
This is FAB! Love, love this idea! I can’t wait to sign up and try Twitter. 🙂
Rhona says
I’ve had a Facebook account for a while but don’t really use it a lot! Perhaps this would make me use it more???? I like the page sneek peek though and I’m tempted (very!!). Looking forward to seeing more.
Cassie Fishbein says
That WAS pretty good:)
Looking forward to signing up!
Rachel H says
Wooohoo! Awesome class description – I’ll be one of the first to sign up!
tena says
love this idea… sign me up! tena
Jane says
Sign me up baby! I definitely need help in the journalling of my everyday life. Just the little things! Perfect!
sue Treiber says
I love that you found a way to make a waste of time into something creative! NO more feeling guilty for time spent on fb!
Hillary says
Hey – I recently got PSE and don’t know how to use it and I regularly “tweet” – I even follow you Cathy!! 🙂
I’m in!!
Hillary
beverly says
Love this idea! Do you use photo shop on a MAC? Is it hard to learn?
Jessica Stoops says
Looks cool.. Loved DYL…I always want to learn more about digital stuff ….Looking forward to hearing the details. Jess
Lezlee says
Alright – I’m twittering! Thanks for the added info! Able to make it private – fear of internet creeps satiated. Thanks for showing me the scrapping applicability! Perfect for the “just popping on” time when not enough time for full blogging – got it! 😉 And I can scrap it? Bonus! And you’re going to kick me in the butt to figure out/use PSE? Well, alrighty then!
Lezlee
Lisa Cohen says
This looks like a great class!! Awesome idea for capturing all the lil’ writings many of us are doing. Looks like I’ll be taking this one!!
Fabi says
You are just the coolest! I love to stalk you! LOL!
Stéphanie says
Well, I’m not a fan of the Facebook or twitter thing but as I was watching the promo video, you got me…yes, I have to admit. And because I have a total trust in you, I know it’s going to be a great time for learning, sharing and also a big time of self- discovering. And yes, I also have to admit, I love your videos. Now you got me so excited about that new project that I won’t be able to focus on anything else today….I even have msn my friend about it, and even she has never scrapbooking of her life, she’s going to register too, so we’ll be able to do it together and share those 4 fantastic weeks together. For that, thank you…and for the rest too….I’m definitly IN
Steph says
oh I can’t wait! I took your album track at CKU San Jose and Loved it!
Lauren says
SO excited for this. What a great idea!
Christine W. says
I love the album you created with your Twitter/Facebook updates! That is just TOO COOL, Cathy. I love your work! You’re so creative. Thanks for coming up with these great ideas and always sharing them!
Dana says
so cool! I can’t wait to find out more about this. You rock!
Katie Scott says
I’ve often thought we should print this stuff all out. Around 2000-2002 I had a site on myfamily.com set up for my high school class and before the site sort went caput (how do you spell that word?) anyway, I printed the whole thing out & just put it in a regular note book. But add some patterened paper & pictures – sounds really cute! I’m also interested in how I can make my blog into a book – not for the whole world or anything – just a book for myself – do you know how to do that in shutterfly? Or have any suggestions? Maybe you could include that in the class.
Cindee says
Super cool!! I can’t wait to sign up.
Sandi says
Excellent! I’ve missed your quirky, fun videos and teaching style since DYL ended. Woohoo….a new way to use my FB account.
Susan says
It’s all your fault, I just joined the twitter band wagon. Now all I have to do is remember that I have it and learn how to write fun and fascinating bits in 140 words or less – I do tend to run on a bit … 🙂
Rhonda Palmer says
i am so there!
Denise Hubbard says
Way cool idea! Can’t wait and will be first on list to sign up! Your classes are the BEST and so inspiring! I’M ALL IN!
AnnieB says
Video promo definitely piqued my interest. But I have a question. My Photoshop skillz are still in the pre-school realm. Will I be abe to do this? I really, really want to, but I don’t want to flunk the course!
Annette says
Awesome! I’m hooked on FB and love love love this idea! You rock girlfriend!
[Sue] says
This sounds like something I could use. I have a facebook account, but am intimidated to write much on there.
lilith says
Cathy, you simply have the coolest ideas! I love facebook, I love scrapbooking, I love you!
Okay, this is awkward, but you get it. 😉
Jaana says
This is a great idea! I’m in!
I just noticed on your sidebar you’re watching FOTC Season 1. My favourite songs are Foux de Fafa and the Hiphopopotomus vs. Rhymenoceros (There ain’t no party like my Nana’s tea party… hey… ho). Makes me laugh every time. Are you watching Season 2?
heather (h2) says
u. r. brillant. can’t wait.
Sarah says
I’m TOTALLY in on this one! Oh, I LOVE IT!
Lisa says
LOVE IT! As a person who just started her Twitter/Facebook journey…I can’t wait to take your class!
Amy says
I saw Stacy’s “mistake sneak peek” yesterday and have been so excited! I am doing everything I can to promote this class cause it is going to be the bomb dot com.
rubberbandgirl says
As usual, you are a type wizard! Looks so lovely.
…and the playdates thing is funny.
Christy says
Count me in!
Kelli Johnson says
you got my vote…I’ll be there 😉 YAY…so exciting and fun, my first virtual CZ class…wooot!
Lynn Herrick says
I can’t wait.
Rachel Dallaire says
This is such a stinkin’ amazing idea! Awesome. I can’t wait!
Marta Valdes says
I am both on Twitter and Facebook. I am ready for this class.
Loved your DYL class and I sure I will enjoy this one as well.
Thank you for offering a class we could all learn more about Twittering, Facebook, and Photoshop.
Carolyn says
I was wondering if you are going to repeat your DYL class.
Nancy Nally says
Go Cathy! I wrote an article recently for a genealogy magazine about how one of the downsides of all this fabulous digital data we are creating is that it is so fragile and fleeting, unlike the paper of previous generations that just got shoved in attics and so survived.
Tweets are a great window on someone’s life and preserving them this way – even a short period of them – will give that window to your great-grandkids someday when they want to know about the family history and what great-grandma was like!
Kelli says
Love the little book to keep everything in!
Teresa Cotterman says
What if I don’t have Photoshop?
Jeannette P says
Sounds like a fun & entertaining class. Hope it is available after I finish LOM. Concentrating om that right now. Love the idea of the twitter & facebook documentation. Sometimes I have a hard time remembering or finding something I think is interesting. Bet your class would get those thoughts flowing.
Maryann says
ooooo fun!!! I need to learn to use facebook better!!! I cant wait!!
Diane says
I love the challenge of writing my thoughts in 140 characters. I’m totally addicted to Twitter! crochetdg (Twitter id) Can’t wait to take your class!!!!!!
PattiP says
I’m happy to take any class you offer, CathyZ! Where’s the link to sign up? I’m ready to rock n roll.
Denise Rotell says
I’m so there! Loved your DYL class and would pretty much take anything you teach now!
Sarah says
I believe that we find things when we need to. I found your site recently as a link to a link to a link (I think?) and it is just what I need…all of it…You are so inspirational and simply put it all out there and I am ready to do the cyber paper combo. I just went digital last year, so it is all about baby steps for me!
Namaste
Marianne says
sign me up! i just got the Facebook account but have done nothing with it because 1) I feel intimidated 2) I don’t know what to do with it 3) I’m waiting for your class! LOL
Deb Zorn says
I took you DYL class and learned a lot. But, because I’m a digital scrapbooker, I think this class will be even better!
Katy says
Love the idea! Cuantos dinero?
Also, I JUST had that tween/”play date” realization yesterday!! Seeing yours made me laugh out loud. 🙂
Verbena says
I have been in CZ withdrawal since I finished your class last fall. I am glad to know that there is a CZ “fix” coming. Interestingly, I had never twittered until I signed up last week for the first time….must have been ESP about the upcoming class. Can’t wait!!
Kelly R says
Cathy – after taking your DYL class and absolutely loving it, to this one – the answer is “YES! YES! YES!
KarenK in CA says
Oh sheesh. I cannot believe this. I SWORE that I would NOT sign up for another class since I’ve got a zillion I need to finish. Even your last one. But dangit, you got me. You had me at, “Hi everyone. It’s Cathy Zielske.” Now, I’m going to BPS to sign up. Curse you CZ!! Curse you!!
Michelle says
What a great idea. I have been thinking the same thing lately. I recently took all my February FB status updates and made them one post on my blog. It’s cool to see them all together. It’s a pretty good representation of my month. I could use some help with writing clever updates, though 😉
Lisa Soares says
Sounds like perfect timing for me. Lately I’ve been wondering what in the heck Facebook was all about. I am a child of the 60s and I don’t really understand all of this. I started an account and then wondered what I was supposed to do with it and how it worked. I haven’t spent too much time there so maybe there’s info. I’m not seeing. But I don’t know what I’m supposed to do! However, I love the idea of having a space to quickly jot down thoughts, but I’m not sure I’d want everyone else reading them. So maybe you can explain this better to me when I take the class. Looking forward to it!
Dianne Nelson says
such a GOOD idea! I’m doing a writing prompt through my blog as well, on how there are No Ordinary Stories in our lives. I love this idea though—great for today’s times!
Smiles,
Dianne
Susie says
Great idea! And in a somewhat related topic, I’ve often thought about printing up some emails (esp. ones with lots of news) for the same reason. But I’ve never been sure how to format them on a scrapbook page, so I haven’t done it yet.
Stephanie Skordas says
*gasp* THREE of my addictions together in one class???!!! Where’s the oxygen! I’m hyperventilating.
Sue says
Way cool! I recently did scrapbook pages of all my family on Facebook who did one of those “25 Random Things About Me” posts. Printed out their 25 things, added a few pictures and now I have SUCH a cool section in my Family scrapbook. And the little blurb I posted today made me think, “You know, I need to make a scrapbook page about that!” So I am so on board with the idea.
My dilema – my husband is actually the photographer, so his PC has Photoshop Elements and he is into all the digital editing. I have been quite content with my iMac and iPhoto and traditional scrapbooking. (I have to touch the stuff, Cathy!!) But I am certainly willing to step out a bit for this project. Will iPhoto cut it, or will I really miss out on way cool stuff without PSE? Thanks!
Kelli says
If we’re not interested in Twitter or FB (my hubby has issues!), are the “assignments” something we can do on our own blog or even as a guided journal? If nothing else I’d love to get your PSE tips, just wanted to be sure I could apply all the elements of your class! It sounds great!
robindiane says
I am definitely in for this class! Can’t wait to get started!!!!
Renata Pacheco says
Hi, Cathy. This class sounds interesting. I’m a Twitter user (and I follow you!), but I’ve never thought about transform these little messages in an album! Great idea!
Jennifer says
I’m looking forward to your class. Imet you in Kansas City and I think you are fabulous. Thanks for offering this class. Now I can really justify being on Facebook so much!