A photo blog today. I have been working on the next lessons for readers of my Dissolvable Delights book. It's hearts all the way - perhaps because I love embossing powder!
Dissolvable paper is also close to my heart. I am working on a border here.
Really hoping that a free video will be up on the d4d blog (d4daisychains.blogspot.com) as part of this lesson.
I have been asked to make a video instead of a book for my next d4d project. What do you think - are they as good as books? I thought perhaps a video with a series of free workshops to do more step by step stuff might work. I think unless you run the video while you work you tend to forget the techniques. Let me know what you think and I'll give some stuff away to those who reply.
We have a new patio - thanks to Mark and Scott, who did a great job. We were just going to get the tarmac relaid but the quotes were astronomical so we went for gravel and a patio.
You can see the patio, below. I mixed two colours and I love it.
Went to a great National Trust house yesterday.
Hinton Ampney has a wonderful garden and the plant stall was tempting.
Shouldn't have bought the catnip though as Smudge has destroyed it.
33 comments:
Not keen on the video idea, technology changes at such an alarming rate. At least a book is for keeps. Speaking personally I prefer to have a book beside me to refer back to. But keep up the extra online workshops, love 'em. Jacky
I much prefer books as they are so much more transportable to where i am working. Try planting the catmint under an upturned wire hanging basket. The catmint can grow through but the cats can't destroy it completely. Only way I ever found to keep catmint in the garden and mine has now been thriving for 10 years.
Would love a video format. Yes I love books and love to drool over them but I would love some practical demonstrations and for you to add some workshops on the internet as well would be wonderful. (Not keen on e books) Looking forward to the next free lesson.
I would choose a book every time Maggie, although a little video demo with the free lessons would be great.
I love the different sizes and colours of the patio slabs - so much more interesting than having them all the same.
At least Smudge appreciated the plant you bought!
I think both formats have their place, but I have a preference for books because I can curl up with them in bed or on the sofa for inspiration as well as using them as a recipe book. However - how about a book with a tie-in video? Now you are doing less face-to-face teaching, a video would certainly help get you out to a wider audience who could benefit from your inspiration,expertise and enthusiasm that way. However, I can enjoy a book when the rest of my family are hogging the tv without going to another room...
I like the books more then a video. With a book you can sit on the couch and enjoy. And you can lay beside you as you work
The patio looks super!
I don't think you can beat a book and a book will never be replaced for sheer touchy-feeliness, but a book containing links to short related videos to demonstrate some of the content would seem a good compromise. I think though that you will never get a 100% "right" solution - we are all different in the way we like to learn. Still think books have it though!
I think I would go for the book every time.It is portable and needs no device or connections,turning pages is easy too,
I too favour books, however some of my favourite books have a CD/DVD in a pocket at the back. The book/CD combination has the ability to show extra demonstations that are so hard to capture with still photography. I love 3 dimensions for demonstrating and like to see the easiest way of doing different techniques. So for my money... I would like both. Sooooo......No big ask there then ;0)
Maggie ( the other one!)
I love watching videos but find it hard to remember what I have seen without a book or a booklet to go with it. Therefore I too would rather have it in written form with lots of pictures.
Please Maggie - "Book! Book! Book!" as the baby says. My tiny brain would be re-running that video til the poor thing was exhausted! A book is cherished in a whole different way. I love your online workshops - they are very helpful and have encouraged me to go that one step further.
thats a smart patio.....it would look great as a patchwork too!
Love the on-line book extras and a video would be great on the blog, but the book format wins every time for me. I can refer to it anytime, anywhere, and it will not become obsolete as does our rapidly changing technology.
Jean
I have worked while a video is playing, but you have to keep stopping and rewinding - is you're like me. I think I'd rather prop up a book. The mix of book plus extra lessons seems a good plan.
I prefer the book however for new techniques there is nothing like seeing it in action.
Can we have both??
Maybe downloadable dvd's for those of us on the other side of the world.
Perhaps pricing could be for one or other or baoth.
I prefer a book for many of the same reasons already given, mainly I like curling up with a book and don't feel the same way about watching a video. I can also dip in and out of a book when I have a few minutes and concentrate on sections that I know less about and perhaps skip over other sections.
I also think reading about a technique and having to think about it a bit makes you put a bit of yourself into the work - with some videos I have seen before (although not all) there is little scope for thinking around the specific "project" being demonstrated.
Good Morning
Books are my favourite , nothing beats dipping in to a different world but have had a couple of books that do have a video as well and as I am 'show me please 'learner that must be the best combination .
Hoping to go visit Blickling this week its the summer so mustgo to a National Trust/ English Heritage House. VBG:) Jackie
My first choice would be a book .
My first choice would definitely be a book so I can have it near me in my workroom to consult when I am working - my computer is in another room so I would be running backwards and forwards all the time. A small video with the free lessons would be wonderful.
Your patio looks great, much more interesting than tarmac! Cheers
Defnitily à book, I wouldn't buy à video.
I buy lots of books on art, textile art etc.
www.art2wearblog.blogspot.com
Just read your Facebook post - they say you can't please everyone, but a book with a video is the perfect answer. We'd all be very happy.
People learn in different ways. There's just no getting around it. You could be missing an entire audience because most of your instruction has been in books. Those who have attended live workshops may have then bought the books as reminders of what they learned in the live format. I do think that a combination of video and book is the best. It makes the instruction more personal and many will buy future books once they feel a personal connection with the author.
When I was learning to weave a friend had all the good beginner books but had a hard time learning from them. She would lend them to me then I'd learn what she wanted to know and teach her. We both learner easily from demonstrations. Most people are visual learners.
So what I would like to see isall o f the formats! I'd love to see video demonstrations with the free classes. Short ones. And downloadable ones for sale that teach the workshop that goes with the books.
That Smudge just cracks me up.
I like the book/video combination. Books for quiet time and videos for a bit of a spark.
A book is always my first choice! To have it at hand when I'm working, to take it to bed to dream over when I don't feel well, and to treasure years later after uncountable changes in technology. A book, please, dear Maggie. But a video with the online classes would be a great addition to the extras you already give us. Can't wait to get home and play with the current classes. Have been enjoying an extended road trip since mid-May (in HOT Indiana right now). Left before the classes started so, of course, didn't bring tne book! Home to much cooler Washington by mid-July.
An idea put forward for by our ever resourceful programme secretary for a guild branch meeting is to show a stitchy DVD then ask members to take some inspiration from either the technique, the source or any other related matter. So I think there is a niche for this . The idea of sharing a source and techniques as a group is I feel, potentially very exciting.
I do agree with the book supporters, but branches and groups can't share a book in the same way they can imagery (static or otherwise) and if you gets some legs for this maybe we could help with a pilot?
I really like my workshop DVD's and seem to buy more of these than books lately, but a book with DVD is even better, I have several Committed to Cloth books and 3 Fold magazines which include discs in the back and work really well, best of both worlds.
Call me old fashioned or not up with the play. But I prefer to have a book that I can continually refer to while working, especially while learning a new technique. And you can also sit in comfort,by the fire, and browse through a book while looking for inspiration.
Glenys
Maggie - I would rather have a book - mainly because DVD's from the UK don't play on Australian players- you are "Zone 2" and we are "Zone 4" - It's a big bug bear of mine that there isn't just one worldwide zone :( Cheers
Britt in Perth Western Australia
I love demonstration dvd's as long as they are well filmed, I often buy the download version as I can't wait for the post to come! my favorites are books with a demonstration dvd (like Claire and Lesley's) they are the best of both worlds
Books - everytime! I rarely get a chance to sit down in front of the telly, and I find it weird to watch DVDs on the laptop. But a book can be with you wherever you go. Are most visual artists also visual learners? I always remember whereabouts in a book I saw an idea - which side of the page, how far through the book etc...
Maggie, I forgot to say how much I enjoy the pics of your house progress, garden, and Smudge. I also truly appreciate the pics from your visits to National Trust houses and gardens. They encourage me to go read about the places and explore a bit more. The only time I've ever been to England, I was truly shocked to see a road sign to Windsor Castle and Legoland, but what really stunned me was seeing a stately house from the freeway (I think the M3?)! Yes, I am sooo American! ;-))
I love both, but it often depends on the topic and my learning style. I cherish my art books, however, a video is great because you can have it right beside you as you work. It feel as if the instructor is right in the room with you. Books .. although amazing can sometimes be heavy to transport. (especially if you are carrying quite a few ) A video is a good application because one laptop can equal many lessons.
I love the idea of a video as it appeals to two senses. That helps me remember things better. Of course, I love books as well. You should see my personal library!
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