We have installed the PDF for the Pillow Instructions in the very first Intro Lesson in the Classroom. You can get the instructions now.
Here's a shortcut link: http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/images/lessons/0/1050/1050_photostarpillow.pdf

Karen, I'm glad that my lesson on scanning was helpful! Be sure to try it out on a couple of photos to make sure that you really understand what I covered - and so that you can ask questions if you get confused.

Mary Kay, I looked at the documentation for Pixelmator because I wanted to make sure that it can print custom sizes. It isn't real clear, but I found a screenshot that looked promising. So when we get to the point of actually printing, when I refer to choosing "actual size", you'll want to choose "Scale 100%". I know that probably doesn't make sense now, but hopefully it will when we get to that part (in the class "Printing 2").

Re: hooking your camera to the computer via a USB cable. Marylh also mentioned this in the classroom comments and these are my thoughts on that... Yes, in many cases you CAN connect your camera to your computer via a USB cable. And if you find that works for you, great!! The reason I didn't mention it in the video is that I haven't always had good luck with that method. For example, when I hook up my little point-and-shoot to my computer via USB, sometimes it just sits there and eventually the camera turns off (due to inactivity) before I can see any of the photos on the camera (much less copy them). Sometimes the computer recognizes it and sometimes it doesn't! Also, I have another camera that required that I install a driver on my computer before it would recognize it. And my aunt had a camera that installed all sorts of software that helped her "organize" her photos, but she was only ever able to find them through that software and not through Windows Explorer. So given those experiences, I tried to give "generic" instructions in the video that I know will work for everyone regardless of what kind of camera they have. Also, I've read (in multiple forums on the web) that using a card reader to copy your photos is much faster than copying from the camera - however, I have not tested it myself to say for sure. That said, if you already have a method for getting your photos from your camera onto your computer, then don't feel like you need to change!

John - that's a cool little gadget! (It's essentially a card reader without a cord. )

Very excited. I just found out I can resize and edit my photos using Pixelmator on my Mac. WooHoo!

I am really enjoying these lessons. I have recently been taught how to download pics from my Sony camera to my computer using the cable. I have lots of old pictures that I want to scan and save. Now I feel more comfortable using my scanner. I just have to get out there and buy Photoshop Elements 4!!! Thanks!!!!
Karen

Another option is a cord that connects the camera directly into the USB port. It came with my Kodak digital camera, and I have never had to remove the memory card from the camera.

I wanted to show another device for transferring pictures to your computer. I bought my memory card from Costco and with the memory came this little Micromate card reader. The memory card slips inside it and it is inserted into the USB port. I have found this to be very reliable. Sometimes the computer has trouble or doesn't react to just having the memory card inserted in the slot, but I have never had a problem when I used the reader.

WOW! Jeanie, I've already learned a LOT! Now I'm gonna go find some pictures to scan and play with! WHOO-HOO!!

Hmmmm, I guess it's possible Ritzy - especially if your photo program was putting temporary files on the card or has "locked" the card for some reason. E.g., when I open a photo (in RAW format) from my card in Photoshop, it writes a separate file to the card that (I think) keeps track of the settings I used to "develop" the RAW file. (If that doesn't make sense - don't worry about it. I don't go into RAW files in the videos - it 's a much more advanced topic!) But the bottom line is that Photoshop DOES write a file to my card if I open the photo on the card before copying it to my hard drive. And if I try to "safely remove hardware" while Photoshop is still running (even if I've closed the photo), I'll get an error that "the device is currently in use" and I need to close Photoshop before I can "safely remove hardware". Sooooo - it's possible that you pulled the card out while your editing program had it "locked" and that caused problems.

That said, the biggest problem that I've seen is that the files on the card get corrupted - not programs getting messed up. Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling your photo program?

Hmm, I wonder if not knowing that you can ( and should) tell your computer that you are taking your card out is the reason my photo program is messed up?

Ok, I typed that previous message and apparently am unable to write in english. I'll be looking for inspiration, please show me what you are doing. There, is that better?

I'll be look for inspiration. All of you out there that are going to be trying this out, don't forget to post what your doing in the classroom Show & Tell. if you SUBMIT your entry, then I can VIEW it. Thank you. I can't wait to see what everyone else is doing.

Here is the link to Jeanie's classroom:

[url]learn/classrooms/[/url]

(You can always access it through the "Classsrooms" link on the purple bar.)

Perfect timing for me too- I am just about starting to organize photos and trying to decide what method to use to transfer them to fabric so I eagerly await the lessons.
And I have PSE 8 so it will teach me alot. Thanks for the links to the tutorials too.
Where would I find the first video? I got the link for the second one through the email newsletter- I must have missed the link first time!