Hi there,
After passing Microsoft exam 70-551, I've found some time to learn some more about WPF, Silverlight and the Expression Studio programs. I was cleaning up my suitcase and I found a Microsoft Expression DVD that was given away for free at the beginning of this year. So I decided to put it in my dvd player and I've found a true treasure of Microsoft Expression video materials.
It was actually this DVD:
http://blogs.microsoft.nl/ux/archive/2007/12/01/designer-training-dvd.aspx
But unfortunately Microsoft isn't giving them away anymore. but he...at least i've got a copy of my own. On the DVD there were three free training materials of Lynda.com videotrainings.
Since I still hadn't checked out Microsoft Expression Blend myself, I thought it was about time to check it out. So currently I'm checking out the following video training:
In Getting Started with Expression Blend, Lee Brimelow covers all the basics that every designer and developer of WPF and Silverlight content needs to know. He starts with an overview of how Expression Blend fits into WPF and Silverlight workflows, then guides viewers through the process of creating and manipulating objects, building timeline-based animations, and exporting compositions into XMAL for use in Visual Studio.
http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modPage.asp?ID=384
Currently I'm already at chapter 14 and I already have a good understanding of the capabilities of the product. Lee Brimelow is really explaining everything very clearly. I really would like to develop some cool WPF / Silverlight in the near future, so I think this is a good starting point for me. Since I'm not a designer but a developer, it still is worth to learn Blend, since you have to use it distinctively during WPF development. Did I already mention that I really dig the transparancy things you can do with brushes? 
.
Oh yeah, before doing the Expression Design training, I'm first going to follow the free Microsoft eLearning training on WPF:
Clinic 6263: Introducing Windows Presentation Foundation using .Net Framework 3.5 & Visual Studio 2008
After this training I'm gonna check out the following video training:
From basic vector-based drawings to professional three-dimensional graphics built with Live Effects, Ted LoCascio covers the full range of possibilities in Getting Started with Expression Design. He starts by explaining Expression Design's interface and how to work with documents, then moves on to cover working with objects and applying fills, strokes, and effects for best results. Exercise files accompany this training.
http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modPage.asp?ID=339
Did you by the way also know that Total Training has also some great video trainings on Microsoft Expression Blend and Design:
Microsoft Expression Blend 2 Essentials
Microsoft Expression Design 2 Essentials
If you want to find out more about the Microsoft Expression studio toolkit, make sure you check out the Dutch Microsoft Expression website:
http://www.microsoft.com/netherlands/expression/
Hope this is usefull!
gr,
Robbert