Choosing Which Scrapbook Classes to Take

For free introductory scrapbooking classes online, visit ScrapTutor at Scrapbook.com.

For beginning, intermediate, and advanced online scrapbooking classes, visit our preferred educator, Big Picture Scrapbooking.

Signing up for a scrapbooking class is a great way to learn something new, meet others who share your interest in scrapbooking and do something fun for yourself. Classes are available at local scrapbook stores, conventions, retreats, and crops. The options and opportunities to learn are available, but choosing the right classes to take can be somewhat hit-or-miss depending on your skill level. Not every class is designed for a beginner, nor does every class assume that you know the basics. Whether you're a novice, intermediate or advanced, don't worry; you're not alone and there are classes available for you.

Attending classes with a group of people who also want to learn the same things can be very helpful no matter what skill level you have. Instructors are available to give step-by-step instructions and provide time-saving tips and design techniques that help you get the most out of the class you are taking. Plus, for most classes, the instructor provides almost all of the tools and supplies you need so you don't have to worry about forgetting anything and you can concentrate solely on learning for an hour or two. Some classes require that you bring a basic supply kit. This usually includes a paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, a journaling pen, a 1/8" hole punch, some photos and a carrier to put them in. Most stores or crops will indicate what their basic supply kit requirements are.

By determining your skill level, reviewing the class options and assessing your interests, you will be able to find scrapbooking classes that will be inspiring, educational and fun!

Determine Your Skill Level
Are you new to scrapbooking but ready to take another step beyond the basics? If so, you'd probably be in the novice or beginner category. Are you a person who has been scrapbooking for a while but could use a few new techniques to liven up your pages? You'd likely fall into an intermediate category. Maybe you're an advanced scrapper who knows pretty much everything there is to know about scrapbooking, except for maybe a few techniques that you haven't had the time to learn yet. Classes at your level will be labeled as advanced.

Review Your Options
Look through your local scrapbook store's newsletter or calendar of classes. Read the descriptions and look for topics that you think sound interesting. Some classes will only be offered once, while others may be offered regularly. Check to see which classes will fit into your schedule and which classes fit your skill level. Not all newsletters list the level of class, so call and ask them if it doesn't specify.

Taking classes at scrapbook conventions is a little different. When going to a convention, the sheer volume of classes to choose from can be overwhelming, especially when there are many that you'd like to take. At "scrapbooking schools," such as Creating Keepsakes University, included in the tuition you're allotted a certain number of classes to take. At other conventions, you will pay per class. It's exciting to see all the different options that are available. The hard part is trying to limit your classes.

Convention class descriptions are usually fairly specific to make sure you really know what each one consists of and they will also indicate what level of scrapbooking they target. They often can include more take-home product value than the cost of the class itself.

Pre-registering for a convention is a good idea and if you have the option, I would recommend that you take advantage of it. Convention classes fill up extremely quickly, often within hours. If you've pre-registered for a convention, when it comes time to sign up for classes (usually done online), you won't need to enter the basic information and can go right to picking your classes. Usually pre-registration requires that you give your name, address, phone number and usually your payment information.

Assess Your Interests
Decide what you want to learn. Does including more journaling on your layouts and learning the best way to tell the stories of your photos interest you? Or maybe you want to learn how to incorporate rubber stamps into your scrapbooking. You can learn about eyelets, brads, and other embellishments or you can find out the best way to go about making an entire album. You might be interested in photography classes to improve your technique, or to learn how to use the full range of features on your camera.

Some might lean towards taking classes on topics or techniques they're already somewhat familiar with. To that I say, step outside of your comfort zone and use the opportunity to learn new things. A convention or class is a great time to expand your horizons, explore fun new techniques and try something completely different from your normal style.

Regardless of where you take classes, whether it be a local scrapbook store, a convention or even a cruise ship or tropical island (those kind of scrapbooking conventions really exist!), it's important to be sure you get your money's worth and feel that you're more knowledgeable afterwards. Whether your pages are basic and you only use cardstock or you love lots of patterned paper and lumpy embellishments, there's always a new technique out there to learn that could even change your style of scrapbooking forever. The proud feeling you have after you've taken a class in which you made or did something completely new means it was well worth your while.