All Ages Creative Academy

07/08/2025

We use AI to save time. Sometimes it doesn't.

I dictated a long, clear, insightful prompt into ChatGPT today — the kind that only really flows when you're speaking, not typing. Then I turned off the mic… and it disappeared.

If you use voice dictation with ChatGPT (especially on desktop), this is your heads-up. In this post, I’ve covered:
– why dictation sometimes fails
– what might be more reliable
– and a few small habits that could save you from losing your best ideas

Voice dictation in ChatGPT can fail without warning. Here’s why it happens and better tools to use if you prefer speaking over typing.

22/05/2025

Being on-brand IS the flex. 😎
You don't need to be another mug of cocoa.

Bold brands get remembered. Beige brands get… engagement from their aunt.

Celebrate your colourful, garnished, fruity self. 🍸🍹
They’ll still be talking about you long after the cocoa goes cold. ☕

✨ PS: If you’re a business owner or DIY marketer new to Canva — or silently screaming at your screen wondering why it still feels harder than it should — Quickstart Canva for Business is on its way.
You don’t need Canva Pro — the whole course is designed for the free version.
(But if you do have Pro? Great. The skills still apply. That toolbar’s not going to organise itself.) Drop by the AllAgesAcademy.com website or stay in touch here for updates.💅

02/05/2025

Hey there business folk, before you choose that awesome, creative-looking font please remember...

If people can’t read the first line in 1 second, they won’t bother with the rest. This is not a team-building puzzle.

Yes, it's a cool font! Shame no one can read it.

Do a legibility check, and if it's unreadable, it’s un-postable.

🔔🔔🔔 Launching this month! Quickstart Canva for Business is my streamlined, fast-action online course for anyone DIYing their own content >>> business owners, freelancers, or job seekers wanting to add these skills to your resume.

If you’re a beginner with Canva and marketing, or you're using Canva but feel like it should be easier… this is for you.

More details landing soon — make sure you’re following so you don’t miss it.

18/04/2025

Every project is a chance to improve your skills. Your designs look better, feel aligned, and stop draining your soul.

👾 Right now: Kids Get Creative With Canva is open — a self-paced course for ages 6–12 that turns screen time into actual skill time (and yes, it works with Canva Free).

💻 New course for business owners drops soon: Canva, design, and social content that doesn’t make you cry into your chai.

✨ Want a heads up when it drops? Hit the link in bio to learn more.

15/04/2025

Happy World Art Day to us, the kids, the chaotic Canva folders, and everyone out here trying to make something ✨aesthetic✨ while also finding where the “ungroup” button went. 💻🎨👩‍🎨

To celebrate, I whipped up this post using one of Canva’s templates. Just gave it a little tweak here and there to make it a bit different.

Friendly reminder: you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you post. You don’t have to be a professional designer. You don’t have to stare at a blank screen for 3 hours waiting for “the muse.”

Just. Have. Fun. With. It.

Templates are your creative launchpad, not a cheat code. Whether you’re a kid creating for fun, or an adult building a brand, there’s room to play, explore, and experiment.

Tag us in your World Art Day creations, I'd love to see what you’re making!

11/04/2025

Canva has announced their 2025 updates and if you're in the first 1 million people to sign up for them, you don't have to wait for the official roll-out (not sure on the timing of that!). Worth getting in now if there's still time!

27/03/2025

Remember when Canva automatically opened new tabs for each project? That default changed in 2024 and now it takes extra clicks to switch between projects or get back to the home screen.

THE GREAT NEWS IS there’s a quick fix hiding in the settings that puts it back the way it was. Multiple tabs. Less clicking. More flow.

I show you exactly where to find it (and turn it on) in this quick YouTube video.

Subscribe to the channel while you're there 😍

Has Canva stopped opening your designs in a new browser tab? You're not imagining it, this was part of a 2024 update that changed how files open. But don’t w...

08/03/2025

Kids love shortcuts - especially the kind that make things faster and easier!

Most adults stick to the usual Ctrl+C / Cmd+C (Copy) and Ctrl+V / Cmd+V (Paste) when it comes to keyboard shortcuts. That’s about as far as it goes.

Kids, though? They’re tech sponges. The sooner they learn simple, time-saving tricks, the more confident and capable they’ll be using digital tools beyond just entertainment.

Here are two keyboard shortcuts they’ll love next time they’re working on a Canva design:
🔹 Tap the R key → Instantly adds a rectangle to the page.
🔹 Tap the C key → Instantly adds a circle to the page.

No digging through menus, just tap a key and go.

💡 Show your kids this trick and see how quickly they start using it!

27/01/2025

Canva classes coming up very soon at Northern Beaches & Mosman College 🥳

Learn Canva in these beginner-friendly classes

If Canva feels tricky or not as easy as everyone makes it sound, you’re not alone—but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Whether you’re brand new or just want to make Canva work better for you, these beginner-friendly in-person classes are here to help, with clear, step-by-step guidance.

CLASS DETAILS
Location: Northern Beaches Mosman College (NBMC) in Brookvale
Schedule: Wednesdays from 9:30am - 2:30pm

DATES
🖥️ 5 Feb: Canva for Social Media Beginners
Suitable for both free and pro Canva subscriptions.
Get comfortable with essential tools and workflows as we create original designs in Canva.

🖥️ 12 Feb: Getting Started with Video in Canva
Suitable for both free and pro Canva subscriptions.
Working with video in Canva deserves a class all of its own! Great for creating content for social media, presentations or home projects.

🖥️ 19 Feb: Beginner Canva with Pro Features
Canva Pro subscription required.
This is the only class that requires access to Canva Pro account. This session introduces Pro-only features in a beginner-friendly way!

All lessons are designed for beginners or those who want to understand Canva better.

WHY JOIN IN THE CLASS?
📚Supportive Environment: Learn in a friendly, in-person setting where you can ask questions and get immediate feedback.
📚Expert Guidance: Benefit from clear, step-by-step instruction tailored to your needs.
📚Hands-On Learning: Gain practical experience by working on real projects during the class.

📌 Don’t miss this chance to understand Canva better and enhance your design skills!

Link to the college website is in the comments!

02/01/2025

Wishing you a fantastic start to 2025! 🌟

This year is full of possibilities, and it's the perfect time to try your hand at something creative.

At All Ages Creative Academy, my goal is to help beginners and part-time creators feel confident using design tools like Canva, while building skills and growing self-assurance along the way.

And of course, there's our flagship course 'Kids Get Creative With Canva' for 6-12 year old kids to develop super valuable real-world tech and design skills.

Let’s take things step by step and create something amazing this year.

Pop over to AllAgesAcademy.com to see how I can help.

Enjoy creating!

17/12/2024

I've had feedback from students who say this simple workflow saves them heaps of time and makes working in Canva so much easier. So here's a quick video Canva hack!

I've had feedback from students who say this simple workflow saves them heaps of time and makes working in Canva so much easier.This video starts with openin...

17/12/2024

The kids are at home and it feels busy from your perspective, but... are you ready for the “I’m BORED!” chorus?

✅ They’ve already built a pillow fort… that was a hectic 17 minutes.
✅ They’ve tried to turn the cat into a pirate. Cat says no
✅ They’ve walked in and out of the kitchen 47 times.
✅ Everyone seems to be expert level on every game and they need “something new”
✅ You suggest a puzzle and are greeted with a side eye and "that's for old people"

And if it’s too hot or too cold or too wet outside? Forget it. Chaos.

Here’s a better plan:
“Kids Get Creative With Canva” – the online course where 6-12 year olds dive into creative projects that feel like fun but sneak in real-world tech skills (like veggies hidden in pasta sauce).

Think digital designs, creative learning, and “I made this myself!” moments – all from the comfort of your home.

You’ll find all the info at All Ages Creative Academy – link in bio!