Memory Logbook Arrived!!

A couple of weeks ago my Log Your Memory January-June Print Edition arrived – it seems to have taken 2 months wandering aimlessly around the world!

Anyway I said goodbye to my pretty home made book and I’m tossing up what to do with the January pages. Perhaps I’ll just tear them out and staple them into the other book? Then I can reuse the cover for something else.

In the mean time I’m using my Logbook to note my hours for work (now the my uni tutoring has started again), time specific to dos, meal planner and daily diary/organiser.

While I’m on the topic, I just received an email about the latest product from Log Your Memory. 2010 Real Life Scrapbooking Yearbook

Log Your Memory's first Yearbook, including 365 layouts selected from our gallery during 2010 - one for every day of the year!

Layouts featured each month were chosen for their design as well as their ability to capture everyday, real life during that particular time of year. Also includes personal information and a larger-size layout from our Featured Artist each month, picked by the Log Your Memory community!

The 2010 Yearbook includes...

• Monthly Sections - Tabbed divider pages (print edition only), followed by a quick reference page at the beginning of each month showing a numbered, mini version of every layout featured that month.
• Monthly Featured Artists - Get to know our monthly Featured Artists, including a photo of the artist and a nearly full-size look at their chosen layout, as well the artist's favourite product designers, subjects to scrapbook and reasons for why they choose to scrap their everyday, real life.
• Full-Colour Layouts - Every one of the 365 layouts featured in the Yearbook is in full-colour! These images are linked in the PDF edition to the original full-size layouts in our gallery.
• Monthly Scrapbooking Ideas - A handful of ideas every month for scrapping your everyday, real life, gleaned from the layouts featured that month.
• Layout Credits - A complete supply list for each layout featured.
• Artist Index - Find all of the layouts featured by your favourite artists with this handy reference at the back of the book.

Special Note: The purchase of the coil-bound print edition of the 2010 Yearbook includes a coupon good for a free PDF download to go along with it!

Sounds fun – like having a gallery at your finger tips!

Melissa

Want to know more about the 2011 Logbook?
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Bible in 90 Days–Memories

Dad and Emily in September 2009

Image by mshanhun via Flickr

Today (16th of Feb) I was reading Psalm 119 and it brought back some memories. I am blessed to have been encouraged to memorise scripture since I could talk.

My first memory verse came from a bookmark I got when I joined the Cradle Roll at Morley Baptist Church… Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord,O my soul and forget not all His benefits. Mum and Dad even have a tape of me saying it as a little girl – my version was

Bless the Lord

and do not forget (geget)

how kind He is

Mum had us learning verses at home, in particular I remember the ones we learnt while at Grandma and Grandad’s house in 1990. 1 Peter 3:4, Phillipians 4:5

At school we had memory verses which we’d write out with our spelling test on Friday. In year six in particular I can remember my fellow students asking me to recite it for them the morning of the test, as the teacher would take down the poster with the verse on them the night before, and I would often already know the verse from home or church.

For (home) school each month we’d memorise 10 or so verses in a passage, I found that very challenging! Plus each workbook in each subject had a character trait and memory verse together, these were all in King James version, so I learnt new (old) words all the time. “Ensample” (meaning example) is one of my favourites!

Dad worked hard to memorise scripture, with many little cards and what I called the “Graham Okely Handwritten Version” (sheets of notepaper with scriptures written out on them). His method for memorising Psalm 119 was to photocopy it, and paste each stanza onto a small piece of card. On the way to evening church services he would quote from it and I would read along – prompting him where necessary. He’d do 8 or so stanzas at a time. WOW!

Another memory was reading and speaking scriptures in the first person from Peter Tan’s God’s Meditation Food Book – you can actually download it now in PDF form if you are interested.

I’m thankful that I have much scripture to draw on in hard times, and I hope that Emily too will grow up in a home covered in the word of God.

I’m amazed that I’m keeping up with this challenge and hoping that after 90 Day the habit of reading the word each day will be part of my makeup.

Melissa

New52- Not such a good new thing

Emily is on her first ever course of antibiotics. She has had some fevers a few of weeks ago (teething perhaps?) but then when she has 3 in a row and a rash we took her down to the hospital - they said it was likely a virus and just leave her be unless she can't sleep then give her Panadol. Then last Sunday she was quite croaky so we took her in to the Dr and she got antibiotics. That really helped her. Perhaps she had a secondary throat infection after the virus or tonsilitis. Anyway she is much happier now and had slept through for the last few nights.

 

Australian currency photo by vagawi 

 

Ok so this one is a little old but on the 21st of January I saw my first US currency. Perhaps I’ve seen some before when others have visited the US, but I can’t remember! These notes were freshly minted and smelt good. I still prefer our colourful Australian (plastic) money it’s easy to differentiate the notes, and feels sturdier.

Learn more about the New 52 challenge here. I’m finding that looking out for new experiences is helping me appreciate that my life is full of variety. What new things have you tried this week?

 

Melissa

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Get it Done Guy Book Sale- Great personal productivity advice with ZOMBIES

I love the Get-it-done guy podcasts blend personal productivity, business and life skills with a big helping of humour to get you thinking about using your life efficiently and effectively (all this in a 5 minute podcast each week). So you can imagine I was thrilled when Stever Robbins brought out his book. Here’s my quick review of the book – I got the audio version from Audible.com.

Great personal productivity advice with ZOMBIES!

Everything is better with humour and Stever gives practical, usable tips with a healthy dose! The book includes lots of tips and also makes you think twice about how you are living your life. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am even implementing some tips already. Stever mixes self-help with business acumen and a life purpose perspective that really makes you think about what you are spending your time on. He even includes tips on what to do with your newfound time and how to avoid getting sucked back into busy work.

I just had to share it with you when I got this email:

Get More Done for Less Than $5!!!

In honor of my 10 millionth show download (!), we're dropping the price of my e-book, Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do MorGet-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More (Quick & Dirty Tips)e to only $4.99! This is a limited-time offer; the price goes back up to normal at the end of the month.

In addition to Angelina and Brad (who you'll remember from previous newsletters are big fans), Aaron Rodgers said he never could have won the Super Bowl MVP without my advice on beating distractions and staying focused, and Christina Aguilera, who read my entire book on her e-reader yesterday, said she only wishes she had gotten it sooner--the advice on using Life Maps helped her realize she should have spent more time practicing the Star Spangled Banner and less on answering emails. 

Get a copy for your own e-reader (for less than $5!) today. Who knows how it might change your future for the better--or help you avoid a big mistake.

You can buy the book here.

Do you have a great book to share? I'm keen to see what you are reading.

Melissa

Related articles

• 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More: Review and Upcoming Call (30minutemartha.com)
  
• resources | Get-It-Done Guy Resources (steverrobbins.com)
• Eventual Book Review: 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More (eventualism.com)
• Productive Magazine #6 - November 2010 issue with Stever Robbins - the Get-It-Done Guy! | Productive! Firm - new home to your favorite productivity Magazine and Show (productivefirm.com)

Valentine's Day

We’ve only had 5 Valentines since being a couple, and it’s a fun excuse to remember to indulge in a little romance. In 2007 we went out the Oceanus as an early Valentines outing since Phill was in Perth In 2008, we were in the midst of moving house we went to the Palace in Kalgoorlie. 2009 we were expecting Emily and spent the night with Natalie, Lauren and Cait at the Fab Four outdoor concert in Kalgoorlie. In 2010 we spent the day with Phill’s parents and went out to dinner with them on the 15th to Rydges in Kal, where Emily sampled her first steak while teething!

Emily enjoying her first steak–and posing to wait for the camera flash!

This year was a little different, I was running errands at the shops and administering anti-biotics to a sick little girl. This year I didn’t consult Katie’s excellent guide to the holiday, I didn’t have a card prepared and I didn’t even pull out my red dress (the picture below is from 2008 – the I love you is written in pegs). We spent the evening with the Okelys and we enjoyed dinner and dessert being made for us! I received a gorgeous puzzle card though!
I’m sure 2012 will bring yet another new and different Valentine's Day to our collection!
Much love to my Valentine!
Melissa
(Photo at left from September 2006)

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December Daily complete!

Image via CrunchBase

After a few hectic days and nights with Phill returning from Argentina and Emily being sick I can finally let you all know I’ve completed and ordered my 2010 December Daily book.
I completed 17 pages to complete my book in less than a week, using my notes in my Memory Logbook and blog to fill in the details. I even did 6 pages one day! Lain Ehmann would be proud! Go ME!
I used a limited range of supplies and a template/base page design, and if I came up with a page I loved, I just rotated or altered it and reused it. I didn’t do a page for everyday and I did more than 1 page for some days. I’m thrilled with the result and can’t wait for Shutterfly to post it out to me!

Click here to view this photo book larger

If you like how I put together my book – I was inspired by Katie’s post at the Daily Digi – How to Narrow it Down with Thin Slicing and Noell’s article – How to Get More Impact with Less Effort.
For the actual conversion of 12x12 layouts to 8x8 Shutterfly book and to create the cover I used Wendyzine’s Shutterfly Toolkit: 8x8 version 2.0. To split my two page spreads I used her Action: Crop it.


I did have grand plans to put together my 2009 book at the same time, as I’ve got the photos and journalling done. But that didn’t happen. Not to worry! I’ve got the paper version from my Holidays in Hand class so it can wait. Or just be in paper form for good.
I’d love you to link me up to your December Daily or other project that you are proud to have completed!
Keep visiting my blog because I’ll be sharing a little more about my book and how I can help you create your own soon.
Melissa

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Join me in Embracing Imperfection

I’ve just received the first instalment of this free (yes, it’s free!) two week class by Karen Grunberg. I’ve not even finished watching the presentation and I’m loving it already! So much to apply to my scrapbooking and life in general I think.

Here’s more about the class from Big Picture:

Embrace Imperfection

" Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it."
Salvador Dali

Many people never create the layouts they dream of creating because they are paralyzed by the fear of imperfection. They think that if their photos aren't technically excellent, their words aren't just right, or they use the wrong colors, their layout will not be worth creating. A voice in their head tells them the page is not perfect, the photo is less than ideal, and the papers are not lined up properly. They cannot stop the feelings of inadequacy from creeping into their mind and so they stare at one embellishment as they try to decide where to place it…for hours…days. Sometimes they even walk away permanently.

Is this sounding at all familiar to you? Think of all the stories that are never told, all because you aren't sure where to place an embellishment. Because you can't tell that voice in your head to "take a hike!" Because you compare yourself to an ideal that simply does not exist. It's time to squash that voice and embrace imperfection.

In Karen Gurnberg's free two week class, she will teach tangible ways to get around the most common cases of imperfection with tips and tricks to work with each problem: imperfect photos, hand-journaling, choosing embellishments, laying things out on the page, lining items up, color use, trying new things, making a mess with ink and sprays, using rub-ons and stamps. It's time to learn why you should embrace imperfection in each of these areas.

I’d love to see you in the class and it is not to late to register, you have until the 16th of February.

If you decide to register at Big Picture using my link and purchase your first class, we'll both receive a code for 10% off** our next order. Of course you can always just sign up and select from one of the free classes.

I am blogging about my progress in the classes I’m working on over at Big Picture. So stay tuned people!

Melissa

**Disclaimer: For each new account created with your Registration Code as a "friend", a 10% off code will be issued once the new account has purchased one class. Code will be available under "My Rewards". 10% off code can be used towards Self-Paced classes and Workshops. Code cannot be used towards gift certificate purchases. Melissa’s registration code is D952F179 - or click on http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/register.php?refer=D952F179

New 52–Battle of the Facial Cleansers

This week I’m saving the family budget a few dollars by using up a sample of Alpha Keri wash instead of either Phisohex (I hear it’s only available on prescription in some areas) or Clinique Liquid facial soap. I've also saved myself a shopping trip.

So far I’ve been happy with Alpha Keri, the texture is similar to the Clinique one my skin is still clear despite the stress of an upset baby (well toddler now I guess!) and Phill being away.

Oh and in not so good news for my productivity I found Entanglement! It’s a fun game where you need to create the longest possible path around a board. Thanks for pointing out this game Google Chrome!

 

Learn more about the New 52 challenge here. I’m finding that looking out for new experiences is helping me appreciate that my life is full of variety. What new things have you tried this week?

 

Melissa

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December Daily–25 December 2010

I am so excited that I’m making progress on this album, I was feeling a little intimidated by scrapping Christmas day (which is silly really – there’s no reason to be!). I’ve still got several days to scrap, here’s hoping I can get them done soon.

Credits:

SupplyTracker by SpeedScraps
Scrapbookgraphics Santa Brings Goodies blog train items by Flergs and Dawn Inskip
Syrin Stitched Christmas
Tangie Vintage Christmas Flashcards 

The journalling is from my Christmas Day post and I added some time captions on the the second spread of photos.

Are you still working on your December Daily?

Melissa

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All about my name

I feel odd doing a very ME focussed page and have spent far too long fussing over it!
I've always loved my name. I guess this became a big thing for me when I read Anne of Green Gables where Anne hated being called Ann and often wished to be called Cordelia. Mum and Dad liked the names Melissa and Melanie. Mum always enjoyed the Little House on the Prairie TV series, there were two actresses named Melissa (Melissa-Sue Anderson being one of them). Melissa means honeybee, and I like the thought that I can be industrious and produce something delicious like them!
Caroline, my middle name means ladylike, and I love that! I'm named after Caroline Okely, who was the daughter of farmers in the North Beach area. She was called Carine for short and there's now a suburb named after her.
My favourite colour (pink) my handwriting font, my story about my name! All about me! The kit is Honeybee by One Little Bird
Some tips from this LO:

• I masked out my little in the honeybee word art to create a title
• I masked off the end of the pink large ribbon so you can read the title
• To create the journalling box I drew a rounded rectangle using the Shape tool in PSE and clipped cream paper to it
• I clipped the stamped bee onto the cream paper and reduced the opacity to 18%
• I clipped the photo to the included mask for the fancy frame thanks for including that Peppermint!!
• To make the ribbons look unique I slightly rotate some and also flipped on (Image>Rotate>Flip Layer Horizontal)
• Shadowed using Flergs Shadow Styles Freebie from flergalicious.com
• To shadow the bee with translucent wings I followed the tutorial by Jessica Sprague here

Melissa
PS I was featured as layout of the week over at LYM with this layout!  

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