Cathy Zielske's Blog

Project Life, Week Sixteen

OBSERVATIONS: I didn't get around to posting my pages last week. Work and life got in the way of printing my photos, writing my journal cards and putting it all together.

In fact, as I write this, I don't know if I'll have enough photos to document Week 17 (hopefully coming on my usual Thursday post day.) We'll have to see, as they say. I've been wondering what it would look like to just do one week per page on those weeks when I don't have enough content. I know there are people out there doing just that, and honestly, the idea appeals to me greatly. 

Another idea that appeals to me is going all digital for Project Life in 2014. As I try to figure out where albums are going to go in this house, it appeals to me even more. I don't have endless storage and the thought doing it all digitally then getting an actual printed book at year's end… that seems kind of cool. Just letting that simmer around my brain. I'd love to hear from those of you who do your Project Life in the all digital format. Tell me what you love about it.

Here are my pages for Week Sixteen:

I used one of the folded 3 x 4 cards to journal something personal, something I don't necessarily want everyone to read unless my family members are so inclined to pull it out years from now and do just that. Which is fine by me, actually. I like the idea that you can tuck something very personal into this album format. I may do more of that this year.

This past week saw, in my opinion, another monumental milestone in the development of a child: when they no longer have to shop in the boys' department. Sigh.

Speaking of Cole, he was rocking a very Kurt Cobain-inspired vintage look for his 7th grade dance last week. So grateful he let me take a few photos.

Week Sixteen also was when the Boston Marathon bombing happened. While I didn't cover it extensively, I did want to include it in my weekly recap. 

The question of covering tragedies in our albums has come up from time to time here in the comments of my blog. What do you do? Do you include them in your documentation?

Onto the week ahead.

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Project Life, Week Fifteen

OBSERVATIONS: Other than realizing I have the wrong week written on my main weekly recap journal card, this week's Project Life is just peachy.

Another week dominated by the iPhone photo. And some of them are not great quality, like this one of Rufus Wainwright in concert. 

And yet, it's my favorite shot of the week. Taking a crappy shot and yet still making kind of a cool visual? Well, that just makes me happy. 

Here's a look at the rest of the stuff for Week Fifteen.

Yep, every shot, save for the small shot of Rufus (that came from the concert program) was taken with my phone. Dang! That little phone is the bomb. Seriously.

And now, the most boring PL card story I have done to date:

Oh, Grandma!

Week Fifteen… Week Fourteen… who's keeping track, really? Oh that's right. I am. 

And that's all I wrote for Week Fourteen Fifteen.

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Project Life, Week Fourteen

OBSERVATIONS: Another week that relied heavily on the iPhone photo. When Monday rolled a round, I seriously doubted I had taken enough photos to fill even a single page for the week. Then I realized, "Oh, you… always so dramatic!" and found plenty of shots to choose from for the spread.

Because we are in a new quarter of the year, I decided to swap out the paper I'm using for my Week in Review card. Still going with stripes, but now in gray for the next 12 weeks.

Onto this week's pages.

All but two photos came from my phone. I debated blurring out the Sullen Teen, but maybe he'll be okay with this. Or not.

No, that's not my cat. But he's sure cute, isn't he?

Doesn't the gray look nice? Maybe a little more subdued than my album is used to, but I think it'll grow on us. 

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Clean & Simple: The Workshop is still open for registration through April 17. Remember, once you sign up for any Big Picture class, you have permanent access to the classroom and materials. So, if you're not sure you can keep up, you can work through the material at your own pace. We are just launching into Week 2 today with another in-depth digital/hybrid page project. Another cool thing is that my students get to watch a new documentary by Yale film student Tory Jeffay called "Scrapbookers." It's generated quite the discussion so far.  I'm hosting a private viewing of this hour-long movie and yes, I happen to be in the movie, as does Stacy Julian as well as the founder of Creative Memories. Plus, there's a villain. And that's all I'm going to say about that. 

For more information or to register, click here.

Project Life, Week Thirteen a.k.a. Winning!

OBSERVATIONS: This morning, I was showing Cole a photo of him and his friends that I was planning to put into the Project Life album. He approved, and then said, "Have you been doing this all year?" (meaning, making this album), to which I replied an enthusiastic, "Um hello? Yes! And all 52 weeks of last year too."

And he paused, and said, "I might have to look through that album."

WINNING!

Thank you.

Onto the pages.

I'm sorry, but do you totally love the shot of Cole and two of the members of the Tickle Bros? They had just returned from thrifting, which is where the got two of the crazy colored jackets you seem them wearing. So fun and so fun that they all asked me to do a photoshoot with them. That is a tender little mercy, don't you think? Teens who want their photos taken? And boys, no less!

I'll admit it: we totally phoned in our Easter eggs this year. Sometimes, you just have to say, "Good enough!"

Yes, there's a typo in my journaling. No big whoop. 

This shot below? My favorite iPhone shot of the week.

And that is all I wrote for Week Thirteen.

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Clean & Simple: The Workshop starts begins today! We've already got a few layouts completed and in the gallery (those overachievers!) Registration closes on April 10. Remember, once you sign up for any Big Picture class, you have permanent access to the classroom and materials. So, if you're not sure you can keep up, honestly, you can work through the material at your own pace. Another cool thing is that my students get to watch a new documentary by Yale film student Tory Jeffay called "Scrapbookers." I'm hosting a private viewing of this hour-long movie and yes, I happen to be in the movie, as does Stacy Julian as well as the founder of Creative Memories. Plus, there's a villain. And that's all I'm going to say about that. 

Plenty of time to register. I'd love to have you! To register, click here.

Project Life, Week Twelve

OBSERVATIONS: It's been a slow week here on the blog. Kids are on Spring Break. I'm trying to break in some new specs, and that means less time staring at the computer. It's good for me every once in awhile, right?

Last week's Project Life included many shots of Aidan's birthday party, a smaller scale event than in year's past, and exactly what my girl wanted to do. A dinner party and games for teens. Love that. I never did anything like that as a teen, come to think of it. I hope her parties, the ones she has planned and put on over the years, become warm and fuzzy memories for her.

I feel like I'm having trouble focusing on my shots for Project Life. Meaning, they aren't as in focus as I would like them to be. Or is that just this new prescription talking?

Here's the actual file of the clean table photo from above. I love finding ways to drop type onto a photo, and it works well with big, dark expanses like this. I also love when my scraproom/dining room table is clean. It rarely lasts. (And yes, that bit white splotch? Someone watered a plant there and forgot that the pot leaks.)

To watch a video on how to add text to photos, click here.

I'm loving—no pun intended—the Life Lists No. 02 cards—for use in my 3x4 pockets. As you know, I do a lot of adding text to my cards. To learn how I do it, watch this video.

Side note: Cole said he will never allow me to record him doing either his Creed or Eddie Vedder impression. Sigh. Those privacy-lovin' teens!

And that is all I wrote for Week Twelve.

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Clean & Simple: The Workshop starts one week from today! I'm nervous and excited to kick off a whole new type of workshop for me. This is the first class I've ever done that has been heavily video tutorial-based and I can't wait to start connecting with students and helping them learn to use Photoshop Elements to build beautiful, well designed, hybrid layouts. Registration closes on April 10. Remember, once you sign up for any Big Picture class, you have permanent access to the classroom and materials. So, if you're not sure you can keep up, honestly, you can work through the material at your own pace. Hope to see you there!

Designer Digital's 8th birthday celebration is still going on. Save 30% on selected items throughout the store. Find my collections and select items on sale here.

Clean&Simple Q&A

Clean&Simple: The Workshop kicks off two weeks from today. This class has been a long time in the making, and I'm getting excited to get the ball rolling.

I've been fielding a lot of questions and wanted to put together a quick Q&A for anyone who'd like more information on the class.

Do I need Photoshop to take this workshop? Yes. But technically you only need Photoshop Elements. Photoshop users are welcome, but all of the instruction is offered using PSE 10.

I have Photoshop Elements 11. Will this class work for me? Yes! Just know that PSE 11 has been redesigned so the interface looks different but the functions and key processes remain more or less the same. It might take a little extra finagling, but my goal with this workshop is to really build your understanding of using digital processes to create hybrid pages, so a little extra finagling will only help you to really understand the software.

I am a digital scrapbooker. Is this class designed for me as well? Technically, no, but let me explain: we are creating hybrid pages—pages that start in a digital area but move into the printed world. However, those scrapbookers who only do digital will defintely be able to work through each weekly assignment and gain skill as they go, especially in the latter half of the workshop, where it's less template based and you are challenged to do more ground up design work. That said, this is not a purely digital scrapbooker's class.

Can you tell me more about the assignments for this class? You will have 12 assignments, some are 8.5 x 11 pages, some are 12 x 12 pages, and there's a mini album project, too. Every week we'll have a theme focus and the assignment will include the following components: overall guiding principles, design principles, journaling focuses, photography tips and production techniques. In the latter half of class, there will be a strong emphasis on typography as well, working with a host of free fonts to create beautiful type for your layouts. There is room for interpretation on some of the assignments, but some of the challenges are designed to get you thinking and creating around a predetermined theme.

I'm a complete beginner in Photoshop Elements. Will this class be too much for a newbie? If you've never cracked open the software, I would have to say possibly. That said, there are really only a handful of key processes we use in this class and once you master them, you're going to be really solid in your understanding of this program and process. One thing I plan on telling my students is to remember: Command or Control + Z is your new best friend. As with any new process, it will take time to master. Each week, there is a detailed, step-by-step handout with all of the processes typed out, in addition to our weekly video tutorials. I welcome beginners, but if you're the type of person who gets really stressed out because you don't get something the first time out, it might not be the best time for you to take the class.

I can't take your class right now but am wondering if you are teaching again later in the year? This is the only time I'm teaching the workshop in 2013. 

If you want to know more about my instruction style, I have a channel on Vimeo and you can get a sampling of what my teaching style is like.

If you have any further questions, I'm happy to answer. Leave me a comment or email me at czdesign@comcast.net. 

For more detailed information on the class, click the banner below:

Project Life, Week Eleven

OBSERVATIONS: I'm writing this from Day 4 of my sick bed. (Yes, I am purposely doing this to elicit sympathy. Thank you.) And in fact, I documented the start of said sickness in Week Eleven of Project Life.

Yes, nothing like using a Mini Minimal template to document your ills (see below). Last week also included glasses shopping, fresh haircuts and a coffee house concert at my kids' school. Here are my pages:

I should also point out Dan in the awesome green vintage sweater. That was his St. Paddy's Day get up. He blended right in with the St. Paul revelers.

If you're wondering what the grainy, creepy photo is all about on the first page, here's the explanation:

Here's the weekly recap:

And that's all I wrote for Week Eleven.

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Project Life, Week Ten + video tutorial

OBSERVATIONS: This weeks marks the first week where every single photo came from my phone. I knew it was bound to happen. This iPhone 5 camera is pretty sweet and it's with me all the time, unless my I haul out my dSLR. I think the shots are pretty decent. One thing that has really changed for me with Project Life is not worrying about having the best quality shots on every spread.

Real life isn't always about the best quality photos. I'm shooting for real and true as often as possible. So there you go.

Let's take a look at Week Ten.

Of course, last week was Birthday Week (me and Dan celebrated on the 6th and 8th, respectively), ergo the cupcakes and the lovely birthday series of photos of yours truly.

In an effort to create more of a clean look, I designed a new 4x6/6x4 photo template series called Mini Minimals 01. The set includes 10 photo templates, both landscape and portrait, that present simple collages with common margins, ample white space and a single line of text to add a caption. 

Here's one of the templates featuring a series of iPhone shots taken of some of the gifts Dan and I received for our birthdays. Simple, elegant and a nice way to get several photos on a single 6 x 4.

I also designed a new card set, J-Cards No. 10 Everyday, and used a few of those cards in this week's spread.

One think I felt compelled to do this week was to capture one of my Comcast Visual Voice Mails. They crack me up. The accuracy is generally horrible. Just try to make sense of this message from my father-in-law, who can be difficult to understand beneath that Minnesota accent in the first place.

I'm really curious as to what he 'plugged in Iowa.' 

On this journal card, I added in a white bar over the dot pattern so I could add a little caption to the card. You can do this easily to any card or file. Here's a very quick 3-minute tutorial showing you how.

Adding a caption box to a predesigned journal card from Cathy Zielske on Vimeo.

 

If you want to learn how to add text to journal cards, watch this video.

Speaking of adding text to a card, I also used one of my new Life Lists cards to log the media we ingested for the week.

Here's my recap for the week:

And that is all I wrote for Week Ten.

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Project Life, Week Nine

OBSERVATIONS: Hello March! March is known 'round these parts as Birthday Month. Dan, Aidan and yours truly all share birthdays with this most Spring-y of months. (Mine is on Friday, for those keeping track, but don't worry, I'll remind you.)

Let's take a closer look-see, shall we?

This week I continued with a Design D page protector, going more vertical again with photos and journaling cards. I like mixing it up a bit. It reminds me I really do like portrait orientation.

I also like my new phone! Many of the shots this week come from the new phone.

This week, I also went a bit more digi on my photos. I used my Grid Labels by placing them digitally, directly on the photo files you see above, and then just printed the photos out. Sometimes I like printing them out and pasting them down; sometimes, no.

My Journal Cards set comes with two vertical 4 x 6 cords as well, for those of you who like to mix up your pages as well. To learn how these cards work, I have a video you can watch here.

Another thing I did this week was add a layout to the spread. I was inspired by seeing Ali Edwards use my Story Guide No. 01 template, so I decided to do a page about Aidan this week. I've done one about Cole back in 2011, so I figured Aidan was due.

Like Ali, I just kept it super simple, and then printed it out onto photo paper. I plan to do one on Cole this week, and put in in the back side of the page protector. Keep in mind: you can alter or tweak the questions to suit your subject. The layout uses a free font and comes with links so you can download them and get the same look.

I also used some of the photo flags from my free set. Download those by clicking here here.

And that is all I wrote for Week Nine.

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Project Life, Week Eight

OBSERVATIONS: It's Week Eight of Project Life. My heart is very heavy as I post this. One of our team at Designer Digitals, Pattie Knox, has passed away. I wish I had something deep and profound to say. I just feel sadness for her family and for those who love her so dearly.

Life is such a gift. Every single day of it. 

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