2003 |
The birth of Artistry In PSP.
A friend, Ann and I had belonged to another teaching group, which shall remain nameless. We were both students at different times. I started first and when I completed the lessons became a Moderator.
I loved helping new students learn more about PSP and build up their creative confidence.
Unfortunately I wasn't happy about what was going on behind the scene.
The Mods and the site owner were ridiculing some of the students behind their backs. Because of their attitude I resigned. I was asked to come back... I did because I believed everyone is entitled to a second chance. BUT, things didn't change and one of the students, Ann, was having a really hard time with them.
I resigned again and Ann and I decided we should start our own teaching group. There would be no ridiculing of students by Moderators. We would treat everyone with respect..... whether they be a raw beginner or an expert.
So we created Artistry In PSP as a Yahoo Group. Ann did all the work setting up because I was clueless... LOL!!
We had lots of help from Christine and Ginger.
(I might add here.... the group we belonged to is still listed on the Internet but since they are still only offering lessons for PSP6, 7 and 8, I'm guessing they're not doing so well.... wonder why?? )
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2004 |
After setting up a bunch of tutorials of our own last year (2003) for Beginners and Intermedate students, assisted by Christine, we were ready for action.
Ann and I were both surprised how quickly we added to the list of students who quickly became friends.
By February we had almost 300 registrations!
We had the need for Moderators since I was busy creating tutorials for the Masters group and involved in many things behind the scene.
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2005 |
Ann had to resign owing to work commitments but I had an endless list of assistants from the group who had offered their help. Ginger and Christine became co-owners. Unfortunately owing to family needs both are no longer participating (in 2013).
If my memory serves correctly, this is the year Jason, my son, set up the ARTISTRY IN PSP Forum. We went ahead in leaps and bounds with this.
We could have all the students in their individual classes but on the same site instead of having to join a new lessons group with
each new class in Yahoo.
We still kept the Yahoo Masters group for those who preferred to send in tutorial results by email. We had heaps of Artistry Masters... amazing!!!! Well... I was amazed... didn't think we'd ever be this popular.
We also had a tutorial writing session (lessons) where Masters could learn how to write their own tutorials
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2006 |
Unfortunately Christine had to leave us this year owing to family commitments.
But our membership was ever increasing.
This year we added Advanced lessons to the classes.
We did have a few members unsub for health reasons, our prayers went with them. This is such a caring group and we have all become friends who seem to have known each other forever. *S*
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2007 |
This was a sad year...
Many of you will remember we lost one of our sweetest members, Cajun Sue.
She passed away in March this year and is still in my memory. I think this was the first time any of our members had passed away... was an unexpected shock.
I had to take time off towards the end of the year. My mother wasn't well and I had a feeling she wouldn't be with us much longer. I wanted to spend uninterrupted time with her. We disagreed about a myriad of subjects, BUT, she was my mother and I loved her so much.
Ginger promoted Kathleen to a co-owner and they both took care of the group in my absence. They did a fabulous job!!! |
2008 |
My mother passed away on 15th March and I was happy that I had spent the time with her and was able to let her know that over and above our disagreements, I truly loved her. I wouldn't be who I am today if it were not for her and my Dad (who passed away in 1999)
I appreciated the time off that Ginger and Kathleen allowed me. When I returned in May (there were so many things to be seen to after my Mum's passing) I was in awe ...... the group was running so smoothly, thanks to them. *S*
My computer caused me grief when I was about to return but got through it.
We started doing scrapping tutorials for something different to do.
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2009 |
Another year of computer problems for me but I survived.
We were joined by Daela who has since become an Artistry Administrator.
Between Daela and Kathleen I'm kept on my toes.... thankfully!!!
They have to jog my memory about things at times!!!!!
Members have taken time off and some have returned after a few years break. So nice to have friends return.
Scrapping finished at the end of August 2009... I think I had too much to do to keep it up.
We lost another member Barry, who passed away in December... so sadly missed.
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2010 |
Everyone put up with my bitching about the services at our local hospital after I got my first leg ulcer. *S* New Masters probably wondered what kind of a group they had joined!!! LOL!!! That ulcer cleared up in a couple of months.
Had the usual computer problems.... technology... BAH!!! Nothing unusual this year.
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2011 |
Rebba began providing Animation tutorials which I'm sure everyone enjoys.
I started getting spammers infiltrating the Artistry Forum... GRRR!!
We had server issues early in the year.
I got a birthday present in the form of another leg ulcer and have been through the 'wars' with our local hospital with no success.
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2012 |
I had problems with people trying to register for lessons in the forum... that took a while to sort out... then we had troubles accessing the FORUM again.... we were shut down regularly because of spammers using up my bandwidth.
Of course I had more computer problems too *S* I fell behind so many times in updating archives because of computer breakdowns and owing to the site being down.
But with all the hassles we still survived and Jason (son) promised to do something about registrations for the lessons so spammers can't join Artistry.
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2013 |
Jason removed the registration page at the Artistry Forum early this year with a promise to create a new form which will weed out spammers.
I can't recall any computer problems this year so far... but hey... it's early days!! LOL!
In the last couple of years we have had old members return to Artistry ... I'm guessing some were surprised we're still operating (grin). It makes me so happy when old members return.... we must be doing something right..... *S*
Jason has finally created the form for new registrations... hallelujah!!!! New students have dropped off, so maybe they will build up again once it's uploaded. I have to "pretty it up" first.
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GENERAL |
Artistry is a success because it's a combined effort from so many members, I can't take all the credit. We are still operating thanks to so many volunteers.... past and present.
Where would we be without our Moderators, Daily Activity Leaders, my Tutorial Testers, people like Yvonne and Rebba who also provide tutorials. Connie has provided tutorial in the past as well as Troy and now JojoD is offering her tutorials to the group.
My tutorial testers do an outstanding job testing a minimum of 150 of my tuts a year and make me looks so good that other groups are using my (Public) tutorials to teach their members more about PSP ... Fortunately they can read my mind and know what I mean to say.
I look back on my old tutorials, which are still on my public page and can see that I have learned a lot since the beginning. So not only are you being taught new things, I'm learning as I go too. My style has changed over the years *S*
Our Moderators are the best, giving their time even when they have real life issues to take care of. I'm proud of the work they do and with the patience they have, especially with students totally new to PSP.
Our wonderful Daily Activity Leaders
scour the WWW looking for tutorials that they hope you enjoy as well as offering my weekly efforts.
I would be lost without Kathleen and Daela who keep an eye on everything to make sure all runs smoothly in the group... and keep me in tow when I forget things... like our 10th Anniversary!!! *S*
Last but certainly far from least, all of you, the members of Artistry Masters give me reason to wake up every day. I take great delight in checking out your results and watching your creativity grow with each passing week.
Everyone here is caring, helpful and more like a family than a bunch of strangers. You put up with my whining about my health and I know many of you also have health problems yet, you still take time to support me. Sometimes I need to vent and you put up with it, for that I thank you, it saves my sanity. No-one here at home really wants to listen to my problems, though they do put on a good act occasionally. *S* It helps to get things off my chest so I can get back to creating and dreaming up new things to teach you.
We wouldn't have lasted 10 years if it were not for the friendliness and caring in this group.
Thank you all for the beautiful birthday/anniversary greetings!!!!
You're all the BEST!!!! Love you ALL !!!!
Hugs
Jamie
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