Spiromaniacs

Here is the basic information you’ll need to participate in your online class

(If have not registered for an online class but would like to see course listings and register, click here.)

Getting to Class: A few days before class begins, a password-protected page for the class is set up on this blog.  Registered students receive the password to access the page via email.  Keep the password handy in case you need it again.  (You computer might remember it as a “cookie” and give you access to the class pages without re-entering the password.)  The same password will give you access to the main class page and the work-in-progress pages of each class participant.

In addition to the main class page, each student has their own “work-in-progress” page — like a scrapbook, sketchbook and virtual studio — where I’ll post your photographs and we can communicate about your work.  These pages are open to the other class participants (but not to the public) so everyone in class has the opportunity to share and learn from each other.

Creating a Profile (optional):  If you wish (and this is COMPLETELY optional), you can to to the WordPress home page (www.wordpress.com) and create a profile for yourself.  As part of the profile you can attach a photo of yourself or any other image that you wish to represent you.  Then, when you write a comment to your page, your picture will pop up next to your name.  It helps make things more personal and friendly.

Getting Class Materials:  Each week (usually Saturday morning) the materials for that week are posted under the main class page — just click on the page title(s) to open the page and access the materials.  Then work on the project at your own pace during the week.  (Since WordPress doesn’t accept EQ files as uploads, any EQ live files will be sent to you via email.)

It is a good idea to set up a physical notebook to keep and organize your class materials.  These can include not only materials that you download and print out, but can also be your working sketches and materials you gather to inspire   you.  It’s also a good idea to set up a class folder on your computer, where you can keep together any computer files, images from the web, etc.  If you don’t know how to do this, there is likely someone in your home or a friend who can show you.  The “Help” button on the top bar of your computer can also provide this information — just search for the topic “create a folder.” 

Do I need to buy Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts? As you probably know by now, Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts is my book which was published in Fall 2008, and deals with spiral quilts — which is what most of these online classes cover. 

Do I need the book for the class?  Yes.  The book provides many of the basic materials used in the classes; the class provides additional depth and one-on-one help as you learn and/or design your own spiral quilt project. 

How do I buy SASQ?  Click here  If you purchase SASQ at the time you register for a class, you’ll receive a 20% discount off the cover price of the book.

Communicating with me and other class members:  Whenever you have a question about your project, just go to the “Leave a Comment” box at the bottom of your work-in-progress page.  Write in it and click “Submit.”  When you do, two things happen: your question or comment is saved to the page, and it is automatically sent to me as an email.  I will then respond to your comment in the same comment box, so there will be a running dialogue between us. 

To leave a comment for another class member, go to that person’s work-in-progress page and write in their comment box.  Your comment will appear on their page, and I will receive a copy by email.

Email addresses of class participants are not shared, but if you wish to communicate privately with someone you can post a comment to their page, asking for their email address. 

Just a note about comments: I’ve noticed a trend lately in email communication, where people seem to forget that they are actually talking to a person.  Email can sometimes seem brusque because we don’t have the benefit of body language to convey the emotions behind our words.  Please remember that beyond the screen you are looking at are human beings with tender feelings, so please be positive in your praise and gentle in your suggestions.  We are quilters — we like things (and words) that are warm and cuddly!

If you want send a question or comment to me privately, email me directly at ranae@ranaemerrillquilts.com.

Posting photos to your page:  Since you can’t include a photo in a comment, send them to me attached to an email, and I’ll post them on your page.  Please, please, please send your photos in this format: 

JPG format ONLY (no bitmaps (bmp), gifs, tifs, or zipped files!),
300 pixels wide (the height doesn’t matter). 

Since there are quite a few programs out there for editing photographs, I can’t tell you exactly how to do this in your particular software, but in general you should first make a copy of the photograph (don’t edit the original, just in case), then find the function in your software that lets you re-size images.  If you’re not already familiar with how to do this, please find somehow to help you learn.  It’s really quite simple, and is a skill that you will likely use again and again, once you know how!

For those of you working in EQ, please do not send me EQ files.  Rather, export your images from EQ as JPG files and send me those.  In EQ6, cick on “Export Image”, select a location and give the file a name.  Then, then next dialogue box asks forthe following:  

Width: Select 4 inches
Height: this will automatically set itself if the “Retain aspect ratio” box is checked
Resolution: Select 75 pixels per inch
Format: Select JPG

You can then email this file to me and it will be in the correct format for posting on your page.

If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask — just send me an email at ranae@ranaemerrillquilts.com, or just use the “Leave a Reply” box below.

“See” you in class!

RaNae