I’m launching a new e-course today, Digi Basics with Cathy Zielske. (No, I swear I won’t start referring to myself in the third person. It’s just this one time. Maybe.)
I’ve been wanting to offer a digital scrapbooking basics course for a long time. I’ve created lots of free tutorials over the years, but every time I field an email that asks, “Do you have a class I could take that boils it all down?” I usually send them off to Jessica Sprague (who is a terrific instructor!)
But I have my own approach to Photoshop Elements. It’s fairly straightforward in that I don’t believe you need to know the program inside and out to achieve a level of confidence. When I got into digital scrapbooking, I was completely confused, having used Photoshop over the years for graphic design jobs but never for memory keeping. Once I connected to the basics, I was hooked.
This class is designed for beginners who want to get over that Photoshop hump of, “HELP ME!” You’ll work through five lessons and create three complete pages, using templates from my CZ Design Digitals collection and digital elements from me and Katie Pertiet, owner of Designer Digitals and designer extroardinaire. Students will also get an exclusive $5 coupon to use on anything in the CZ Design Digitals collection, so they can take their new digital skills and play even more.
While this is a self-paced class, I am here to support and troubleshoot for all of my students. Plus, we have a private Facebook group set up for sharing and chatting and you can request to be added to the group upon sign up.
Here’s a quick promo video for the class:
For a full course description, click here. I’m teaching this course using Photoshop Elements 13, but you can also use earlier versions or even full versions of Photoshop to complete the class.
SAVE ON REGISTRATION! To kick off the e-course, save 15% off the registration fee until April 15. The savings will be reflected at check out.
If you have any questions about this workshop, don’t hesitate to post in the comments or email me directly.
SAVE ON ME: THE ABRIDGED VERSION FOR PROJECT LIFE! You can still save $5 off the registration price for this workshop until April 15. This is a continuously running e-course, but the savings ends on tax day! To learn more, click here.
Donna says
Oh Cathy, that looks so cool! I would encourage anyone who is interested in Digital Scrapbooking to take this course from Cathy. She is a wonderfull instructor who puts together great videos and materials. Personally, I can’t wait for the Digi Advanced class…
Isabel says
Awesome class Cathy! I learn so much with your tutorials, can wait to take it to learn new skills. 🙂
Dolly says
Ok, I’m all in…I loved Jessica’s classes, but this appeals to both my new “simple and clean is better crapfree” approach and my wallet. Seriously, $20ish? I’ve spent more on a lunch I forgot about 30 minutes after I ate it…this is a steal!
I love you man…
Cathy Zielske says
Ha! That makes me smile! I just wanted an affordable class for those who would like to know how this whole digital scrapbooking thing works, but not with all the fluffy stuff. 🙂
Kendra says
Yay!!!! I’m so excited for this class. Now I just need to go buy my new computer and then I’ll be all over it!!!
Cathy Zielske says
Ha! Yes, Kendra, a computer will help. Did you happen to see the new MacBooks that are coming out? They’re making them in GOLD now.
Mary says
I am anything but a beginner, but I still signed up because I always learn something from you! I’m a Jessica Sprague-taught digi scrapper but you do have a different approach and it’s always good to know several ways to do things! Templates, digital elements, Facebook group, $5 coupon and 15% off…heck yes, I’m there!!
Christine K. says
This is an amazing class at an amazing price. Additional goodies!
Thanks Cathy.
Cathy Zielske says
Wow, thanks, Mary. The thing is, I adore Jessica Sprague and I have recommended her to so many people! But the cool thing is, there are so many ways to work in PS. I come from a print mentality, so it’s taken me some time to figure out exactly how I want to use the program.
🙂 Enjoy!
Helen High says
I’ve been hoping that this class would appear one day and your timing is PERFECT for me–yes, like you did this just for me. . .lol.
Over the years, I have watched your free videos and dabbled a bit in PSE for last year’s “30 Days of Thankful”, but this will get it all in one place and my heart is happy. . .what a way to ease into the weekend.
Thanks for your “crap free” and beautiful approach. Clean and simple applies to so many parts of my life and now I can use it with digital scrapping too.
You are “all of that” and a bag of chips–okay a bag of carrots–I read your posts earlier this week and as I trying to navigate my way into a better way of eating myself, I’ve tried to ease up on the chips too!
Cathy Zielske says
Helen! LOL. Yes, this week… I am a bag of lean ground turkey and broccoli! 😉 Glad you’re excited!
Beth S. says
I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!! Thank you so much! I’m signing up right now! I just want to write another sentence so I can use another exclamation mark or two!!
Kerry F says
I’ve been watching for this class and was excited to see the sign-up in my email this morning. Today is my birthday and my gift to myself was jumping on this steal of a price for instruction from Cathy Z. Happy Birthday to me !!
Vickie says
I’m not a beginner either and would love a more advanced class soon- but in the meantime I am going to sign up for this class because I just love taking CZ classes!
Kathryn Benfiet says
Picture me jumping up and down…well maybe not because I need to lose some weight first (I’m so with you on the weight issue that you blogged about earlier this week)! Anyway I’ve been praying and wishing for a basic, easy to understand class on unlocking the mysteries of Photoshop Elements. Had to laugh at the video…it perfectly described me….so thank you. Grabbing my credit card and signing up right now. Have an awesome weekend!!
Valerie W says
Congratulations Cathy, this is awesome! I have shared it with our FB group, as I mentioned previously, and will continue to share with others, you GO!
Cheri says
I’ve always said I would take anything the great and wonderful CZ teaches and this proves it! I’m far from a beginner digi-scrapper (maybe advanced intermediate?) and yes, I originally learned from the wonderful Jessica Sprague… BUT, I recently upgraded from PSE10 to PSE13 and holy deep waters batman… what a boatload of changes… I feel like I’m drowning! I can’t quite get used to the look and feel of this new set-up. So when the course description mentioned setting up your workspace – I’m all IN! With the templates, coupon and reasonable price – I’m sure I’ll take away far more value than the cost of the class. So excited to spend more time with you Cathy!!!
Jennifer D says
I am excited for this class. I need to brush up on my PS Elements basics. 🙂 Also, I love the promo!
Cathy Zielske says
Yay! Thanks, Jennifer!
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks, Cheri. I appreciate your good words.
Cathy Zielske says
Yes! 🙂 Thank you!
Cathy Zielske says
Man, this is the kind of stuff that makes me feel very humbled and grateful. Thank you.
Cathy Zielske says
Yay!
Cathy Zielske says
The head honchos at CZ Design Corporate HQ have no issue whatsoever with excessive punctuation!!!!!!!!!!
Nancy says
Just what I need! I fear I have forgotten most of what I might have learned in the past since I rarely use PSE. And I’m thinking I might want to do my meTAV digi instead of paper. 😮
Tena says
loved the video…. photoshop does freak me out and I have cried tears of frustration!! I am in. Can’t wait to get some photoshop skillz. tena
Holly Corbett says
Been waiting forever for this class! Yippee! Everything I have learned regarding PSE, I’ve learned from you and trial and error. Looking forward to picking up a new tip or two! And what a great price! Thank you!
telisj says
Thank you Cathy for offering a low cost class on something I have wanted to learn about for years! I am signing up! 🙂
Andi Walsh says
Ta da! Don’t have to ask me twice!!! So glad you are doing this!
NickieB says
I am so excited 🙂 Thanks so much Cathy for offering this class. I purchased photoshop elements a couple years ago with plans of doing a little hybrid scrapping but have never used it as I didn’t know how and it was all too overwhelming. I am off to get started.
Barb in AK says
I’m in ! Can’t wait. 🙂 Cathy, I only have PSE 3. Will I be okay with the class?
Keianna says
Not a newbie, but I love you and your classes, so think I will sign up later today. It mentions digital goodies besides the templates. What are those?
Are you considering creating a more advanced class?
Good luck with your new venture 🙂
Jacquie says
I am one of those that has learned so much from you about digital scrapbooking (and other stuff), and even though I know my way around PSE, I am betting 25 bucks that you can teach me more. I’m all in!
Cathy Zielske says
You are welcome!
Cathy Zielske says
Cool! This will help you in hybrid, too! In terms of understanding how templates work. I’m also working on a new hybrid scrapbooking class, but that’s still a ways off.
NickieB says
Awesome. I will definitely be signing up for that class too. I am so excited to be finally learning how to use Photoshop. Thanks again Cathy.
Linda says
Like Vickie, I am an advanced dig-scrapper — but I may just have to sign up for the extras and it’s always interesting to learn different tricks.
From reading these posts, sounds like you have students lined up for the intermediate and advanced versions of these classes. You go girl!!
Raegan L says
Cathy, I am so happy/excited/thrilled that you are offering this class! Actually both classes, but I got a new computer for Christmas and talked the hubs into letting me buy PSE 13 along with it, and low and behold, I don’t have a clue where to start! This is exactly what I need to get started to know how to use the program and finally after more years than I care to admit, use the digital elements I have purchased!
Lindsay says
Ok, so I bought PSE12 a while ago, installed it a while after that and have no idea what to do with it! I don’t think I will ever be an exclusively digi scrapper, and I’ve been using Project Life for about 5 years. Do you think I would still benefit from your class if I wanted to take a more hybrid approach?
Cathy Zielske says
Hey Lindsay, I would say yes, if you’re unfamiliar with the program. Because I explain how it works and how layered templates work. I do pretty much all of my personal scrapbooking in hybrid form, as I will never be a fully digital scrapbooker.
I am planning a new class on hybrid scrapbooking, however. If I were to take a guess as to when it will be ready, it will be summer, or sooner. I have three classes i’m working on right now and I’m not sure which one to do first! 🙂 This class is on sale until April 15. 🙂
Lindsay says
Oooo! Ok sounds like I might wanna take the hybrid class too! Thanks so much! I’m so excited!
Karen says
Hi Cathy–I have admired your work ever since your “Simple Scrapbook” Days. I mourned when that magazine folded. I have both of your books and look to you as the guru of “how scrapbooking should be done.” I’m so excited that you have put together this class! (Now I just need to break down and purchase Photoshop Elements…..)
Katie Jones says
Oi, missus, you are costing me money again!! 😉
Just ordered PSE 13 and signed up for your how to use it course. I’m hoping it will tell me how to make use of all the digi kit bits I have bought and never used because I don’t really know how to! Hopefully (surely) your course will allow me to finally do some “proper” digi-pages.
Really looking forward to it!
Cathy Zielske says
Yay! And yes, you just need some basics and you’re on your way!
Judy says
Just signed up for your class and am so excited you are doing this. I’ve watched your PSE instructional videos before and have learned lots from them. You get to the point and are easy to follow along. Looking forward to the class!
Carolyn says
Signed up for Digi Basics. Excited to learn a bit about PSE. Thank You!
Pam says
Thanks Cathy! I like the idea of learning the basics…and I love your style and approach in simplifying so I’m signing up! Totally awesome price, too! Just what I’ve needed for years…maybe now I’ll finally not be so intimidated and actually open up the Photoshop 10 disk I bought oh so many years ago. I drool over your templates and for years have wished I’d have a more positive attitude in attempting to understand how to use Photoshop…I think your course is the answer to my prayer…can’t believe I’ll finally be able to make pages using your super fabulous templates! Question for you: being very technology challenged (remember I already admitted to also having a bad attitude with technology)…lol…do you think it would be easier/better to just purchase PSE 13?
MichelleB says
Sounds like a fabulous class and I’m in! All signed and up looking forward to this weekend to get started. Thank you for starting off with a basic, simple class for us PS challenged!
Sharyl Olson says
Hi Cathy, Before I sign up for the PSE class, I wanted to make sure that your class will teach me how to use digital brushes….I want to be able to add them to my photos before I print. Are digital stamps and brushes the same thing?
Thank you,
Sharyl
Cathy Zielske says
Hi Sharyl,
Digital stamps and brushes are not the same thing, but they produce the same results. Many designers (myself included) sell them packaged together. The brush file is a .abr file and you load it into PSE to use with the Brush Tool. I do not use .abr files for teaching. It’s just not how I learned to work with digital files.
Instead, I use PNG files, which are the digital stamps, so to speak.
Digi Basics does not cover brushes at all. We do work with digital stamp files, however. But this class is not what I would consider a digital stamp class. Hope that helps!