Connect with Tracey Clark via Instagram

 Glimpse of Elizabeth Dillow's instagram pictures

Glimpse of Cathy Zielske's instagram pictures

Using photos as a method of connecting to others is my favorite way to learn more about people. Instagram is my favorite social media. 

Glimpse of Stacy's latest instagram pictures

I will sharing instagram feeds all week long, share your instagram links in the comments so we can connect with you.

Asking questions and making observations in our life and in the world around us will help us to appreciate the beauty and wonder that is our everyday. Life is CRAZY! It's busy and full, and complicated and dramatic! It's up and down; there are beautiful triumphant moments, and heartbreaking disappointments—somehow, all combined, they equal something wonderful and worth remembering. 

Heidi invites you to test unique observation techniques and record your thoughts, feelings and discoveries… she'll then help you combine your findings with photos and her trademark "fabulous" to fuel the creative process. Each week will begin with a clue and a question. An observation assignment will follow.

Take a peek at Heidi's, The Art of Observation classroom. This class was taught live last year as a 12 week Four expert class and is available as a self-paced class.  All 12 weeks of content will be available upfront, so you can work through the class at your own pace. 

SAVE 15% OFF the class using promo code observe2013 (code expires 2/20/2013)

Below is a look at the weekly assignments.

Each weekly assignment includes a TON of content including;

• videos
• techniques
• downloads 
• inspiration

Watch the video below to learn how to make a journal in true Heidi Swapp style. 

Heidi Swapp Download by Big Picture Classes (link takes you to Scribd to download the file)

 

Check it out! If you missed it the first time, you're in luck! Composition for Collage with Claudine Hellmuth is back! This is such a great FUNdamental class that will teach you all of the basics of good composition. You'll get to spend four weeks with Claudine in a virtual, active classroom. You'll be amazed at how learning these composition tips and tricks will improve every creative project you tackle in the future. Class starts August 2nd, sign up now!!

Can you believe it's almost summer? May seems to be filled with a lot of "lasts"...last day of dance, last day of school, last-minute planning for summer vacations...but there are a lot of "first" going on here at BPC too (as well as some oldies-but-goodies). I hope that you'll make the BPC community part of your summer plans because it just wouldn't be the same without you!

Here's what's starting soon:

Kidding Around {3} - if you have a kiddo (or 2 or 3) in your life, then come join Tami for a smashing good time!

Lift Me Up! - We're excited to have Mou Saha back, teaching a workshop about upcycling...in other words looking at things in a new way, and turning them into creative outlets for you!

There are so many great workshops starting soon. Visit the the workshops page here to see even more great classes!

Class is officially in session, and we invite you to join May and Nic in their popular workshop: Double Take!

What are you doing on National Scrapbook Day (May 5th)? I hope you'll make the time to do some scrapbooking! If you need a little inspiration (and who doesn't?) then join 12 of our favorite teachers from Big Picture Classes and Creating Keepsakes Magazine for 12 hours of scrapbooking fun!

Giveaways...Layouts...Challenges...Inspiration...FREE!

Sign up today!!

Design Challenges is starting soon! All of us can use a little design inspiration now and then, so this class is a must-take in my opinion! You'll not only find inspiration for a ton of layouts, you'll learn to look at the world around you in a new way!

And the winner of the Pinterest Design Challenge is Kim! This is such a fantastic layout, with such a special story! Georgia is definately adorable!

And as promised here are a few pictures of my daughter's new "big girl" room. What a nightmare! Am I the only one who bites off WAY more than she can chew with these DIY projects?

I think I'll be creating some scrapbook pages soon, using ideas from this room...The wall and fabric colors/patterns are a great starting point for a scrapbook page (small print, large print, solids); the ombre drapes could be translated into any number of ombre color schemes on a page; the chevron stripes on the wall, well, I LOVE anything chevron.

And here's the little cutie that convinced me to create this room for her!

And guess what!?! We are SO close to announcing two new classes that will give you the opportunity to take your creativity and all-around craftiness off the page and onto some fabric! Both of these classes are perfect for beginners and serious-stitchers alike.

Amy Powers is almost done with her first BPC class, Happy Go Lucky Stitchalong. This workshop will help you create an embroidered sampler that represents all of the things that make you happy.

Designer Amy Hall, of amykathryn handbags has created a fabulous class that will teach you the basics of designing a bag, creating a pattern, and then sewing a bag. How amazing is that!?!

A big thank you to those of you who participated in the challenge. It was fun to see your layouts in the gallery! I hope that all of you keep seeing inspiration in the things around you.