ACOT Message Board

So I signed up for the Journal Your Christmas, bought a ton of Christmasy products to create an album and .... I'm really disappointed in the content so far. It's not at all what I was expecting. I guess I had in mind that it was a class but it's really just a long letter each day (the photos aren't even full size/clear) with a prompt? I feel like I paid $35 for a list of challenges - which I could have gotten for free right here at ACOT in our awesome challenge forum!

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I'm not enjoying it so far because EVERYONE gushes and raves about how amazing this class is ....

Ladies who have taken it before (or who are taking it this year & loving it) what am I doing wrong??? Any tips on how to get the most out of JYC? I love Shimelle and I desperately want to enjoy this experience ...

PS - I should mention I've taken classes from Shimelle before and really, really enjoyed them so I can't figure out why this isn't "clicking" for me!!?

You know you are NOT required to be "into" it. Even though you paid for it or had a class before. So, you are not in the mood! Don't sweat it. Relax.





OK, ok. What the heck is wrong with you? lol

Yep, what Bibi said. I would just plug along and do your own thing. Can you put your own twist on the class and what you do?

Sorry you're feeling that way. I've never done the JYC, hope you can get some insight from someone who has. And, hope your Christmas mood brightens up!

I experienced the same thing with her Learn Something New class. I didn't find the prompts inspiring and had a hard time translating that to a page. It was geared more towards reflecting and journaling than scrapbooking. I'm glad I have forever access to the prompts so maybe one day I'll got back and work them into my books somehow. Like you, I have taken and loved some of her other classes.

Maybe check out Ali Edwards's December Daily. I don't know how that class works but it's an alternative.

Sorry you're not enjoying the class. This is my first JYC, and I'm enjoying it. I think because it is so reflective, not take a picture of what you are doing Dec. 1, Dec. 2, etc.
Since you have "forever access" you can always choose to do it another time of year or when you feel a bit "nostalgic".

I've not taken any of her classes and I'm sorry you're disappointed it in.

I will ditto what Bibi said. She was extremely insightful!


I'm totally not into Shimelle so I kind of also get where you are coming from. With all the talk earlier (summer) it took me a week to even find her. Crazy I know.....and it was also frustrating because I can find anything I want in usually a minute or less. On occasion it's five minutes max.

I found her blog to be every jumbled for me to follow where she was going. I did love what others contributed to her blog in their projects. Her style of scrapping and steps she went through I thought great. But it's the way she writes that just was too much for me. Too hard of a read.

I've taken a total of five classes. One online years ago on basic design via Scrapbooks, etc. It was a terrific class and I learned a lot. Next one was a beginning stamping and misting class. That was a great class, too! The other three I took in one day on Mists and Mixed Media. Those three classes were unbelievably great! it was that class that totally set me free of all worries about how I scrapped. The best thing I learned was it's ok to get completely messy and there is no such thing as a screw up as well as believe it.

Like Bibi I would relax.....there may come a time where those prompts may stir some creativity!

Thanks for the input everyone. I guess I'm just extra disappointed because $35 for an online class isn't cheap (at least not for me) and I've only ever heard positive reviews so I had pretty high expectations.

I did manage to make a layout inspired by one of her prompts ... so who knows, maybe I just need to give it more time.

killarney_rose wrote: I found her blog to be every jumbled for me to follow where she was going. I did love what others contributed to her blog in their projects. Her style of scrapping and steps she went through I thought great. But it's the way she writes that just was too much for me. Too hard of a read.

YES, that is precisely it. It's the way the daily prompts are written. They are 2+ pages long and the prompts aren't clearly marked so you have to read the whole thing to find out what she's challenging you to do. I really don't have time to read 3 pages of stuff (more, if you count the photography prompts she also sends out) every day

citygirl22 wrote:

killarney_rose wrote: I found her blog to be every jumbled for me to follow where she was going. I did love what others contributed to her blog in their projects. Her style of scrapping and steps she went through I thought great. But it's the way she writes that just was too much for me. Too hard of a read.

YES, that is precisely it. It's the way the daily prompts are written. They are 2+ pages long and the prompts aren't clearly marked so you have to read the whole thing to find out what she's challenging you to do. I really don't have time to read 3 pages of stuff (more, if you count the photography prompts she also sends out) every day

I've never taken any of her classes, but I'm thinking you should maybe give her some of your feedback. Maybe she feels with the price being so high, she needs to offer more content. But if you don't think you need that much, maybe she could change the way she presents the actual prompt. Maybe hightlight it or set it apart some how. I'm sure there are others who think the same as you or who would benefit if it was different. I'm not saying she should change her way of doing this class for one person, but she might benefit from your feedback.

Well I did the JYC prompts last year and loved it! ( a sweet friend hooked me up) I really learned some ccool photo techniques with my iPhone and really enjoyed it. So I bought it this year-- only to find out it is exactly the same as last year. That is SUPER disappointing!!! I do like her style of scrapping . I should've known when I didn't like the kit stuff she picked either . But I made my own kit and I am also looking at other sites for inspiration and making some of my OWN!! I really like the supplies I got for my own kit too! So
Have you felt any better about this since you posted???

suewho372 wrote:Well I did the JYC prompts last year and loved it! ( a sweet friend hooked me up) I really learned some ccool photo techniques with my iPhone and really enjoyed it. So I bought it this year-- only to find out it is exactly the same as last year. That is SUPER disappointing!!! I do like her style of scrapping . I should've known when I didn't like the kit stuff she picked either . But I made my own kit and I am also looking at other sites for inspiration and making some of my OWN!! I really like the supplies I got for my own kit too! So
Have you felt any better about this since you posted???

man, that just really stinks! You'd think she'd do at least a few things different. Very disappointing to have the same prompts as last year!


I've spent HOURS on Pinterest over the past few days drooling over looking at gobs and gobs of inspiration items! A lot of December Daily, but it's basically along the same lines of JYC. I've found SO many things I like, from handmade books, to tabs on pages, ideas for layouts/designs, to ideas for pages/pictures to take/do this year. I have been HOOKeD! I can't WAIT until I have some extra money to buy the whole line of the Echo Park Tis the Season and a few other additional pages, to make my book! I'd definitely look on Pinterest or other sites. I personally am addicted to Pinterest (after refusing to join for the longest!!) because it's a one-stop-shop for all kinds of inspiration with links to fabulous blogs, including Ali Edwards herself. TONS of ideas and inspiration!

I ordered it this year and was so excited to start it, then my son, daughter in law and two grandchildren moved in with us after my son lost his job. So I haven't even looked at the prompts yet.

cajenkins81 wrote:

suewho372 wrote:Well I did the JYC prompts last year and loved it! ( a sweet friend hooked me up) I really learned some ccool photo techniques with my iPhone and really enjoyed it. So I bought it this year-- only to find out it is exactly the same as last year. That is SUPER disappointing!!! I do like her style of scrapping . I should've known when I didn't like the kit stuff she picked either . But I made my own kit and I am also looking at other sites for inspiration and making some of my OWN!! I really like the supplies I got for my own kit too! So
Have you felt any better about this since you posted???

man, that just really stinks! You'd think she'd do at least a few things different. Very disappointing to have the same prompts as last year!


I've spent HOURS on Pinterest over the past few days drooling over looking at gobs and gobs of inspiration items! A lot of December Daily, but it's basically along the same lines of JYC. I've found SO many things I like, from handmade books, to tabs on pages, ideas for layouts/designs, to ideas for pages/pictures to take/do this year. I have been HOOKeD! I can't WAIT until I have some extra money to buy the whole line of the Echo Park Tis the Season and a few other additional pages, to make my book! I'd definitely look on Pinterest or other sites. I personally am addicted to Pinterest (after refusing to join for the longest!!) because it's a one-stop-shop for all kinds of inspiration with links to fabulous blogs, including Ali Edwards herself. TONS of ideas and inspiration!

I have been a fan of pinterest for the longest time-- I just keep adding stuff on my boards! LOL

love2stamp wrote:I ordered it this year and was so excited to start it, then my son, daughter in law and two grandchildren moved in with us after my son lost his job. So I haven't even looked at the prompts yet.

Sorry you got so busy-- the good thing is you can go back and look at them anytime and it is on your own pace! So keep your chin up and you can work on it a bit at a time!

suewho372 wrote: Have you felt any better about this since you posted???

No, not really I did make a holiday manifesto page (inspired by prompt #1) but that's it. I think I just need to accept that I "wasted" $35 on a class that isn't my cup of tea and move on. That's just the nature of classes/workshops I suppose ... some you love, some you don't ... I'm sure there will be a class in 2014 that blows my socks off & I'll forget all about JYC!

citygirl22 wrote:

suewho372 wrote: Have you felt any better about this since you posted???

No, not really I did make a holiday manifesto page (inspired by prompt #1) but that's it. I think I just need to accept that I "wasted" $35 on a class that isn't my cup of tea and move on. That's just the nature of classes/workshops I suppose ... some you love, some you don't ... I'm sure there will be a class in 2014 that blows my socks off & I'll forget all about JYC!

well the good thing is you're a lifetime member now. And the month is still young, there might be something really great later on. Maybe? Just do your own thing and document what happens around you and the book will be fabulous no matter what