Finish What You Start: My True Scrap Class

Did you start scrapbooking with dreams of rows of finished albums?

Is the reality more like a cupboard of unfinished objects (UFOs)?

In Finish what you Start I help you learn how you can actually finish a project, and get the results you want by focussing on what motivates you in your scrapbooking.

• Prevent writer's block by using journalling you have already
• Finish pages faster by keeping your process simple
• Rescue half-finished projects by repurposing or finishing them with rediscovered motivation.
• Get a headstart on your own project using printable worksheets
• Have fun and get the project done!

Join me for plenty of inspiration for your next project, or that little extra kick to get those UFOs done!

I'm so thrilled to be teaching at True Scrap, and know it is well worth the price you pay to get in no matter what kind of memory keeper, scrapper, crafter or photographer you are!

Join me for the most awesome scrapbooking event EVER!

I'm so excited to share with you that I've been invited to teach a class at True Scrap 3!

Find out what's coming in True Scrap 3 and join the mailing list for all the news I'll be sharing much more about this event in the coming weeks, but in the mean time, here's the basics:

What is True Scrap?

• Inspiration and Education from 15 A-list instructors…
• Five virtual project make-and-takes…
• All from YOUR computer!
• All for one low price… $127 (if you register by April 15)

On April 20-21, fifteen instructors will share high-def video classes with you, live, in our state-of-the-art webroom. By signing up for True Scrap 3, you’ll receive access to our state-of-the-art webroom where you can hobnob with the rich and famous (okay, the not-so-rich and kind of famous!) and hundreds of other fanatical papercrafters, just like you!

Be the first to know about teacher and class updates, special announcements, and more…

Join the True Scrap “Early Notification” Email list here: Sign up today!

Melissa
*affliliate links where possible- please use them to support my blog*

True Scrap: Interviews Coming Soon!

I've had the privilege of chatting with Anna Aspnes, Erin Basset, Gretchen Schmidt and other True Scrap teachers over the past few days, and will be sharing these interviews with you soon. I know you'll be excited to hear:

• the creative prusuits of out True Scrap teachers
• a little sneak peek of the classes
• tips on maintaining your creativity
• what's coming up for our instructors

Stay tuned - starting March 1 you'll hear more!

 In the mean time - Find out what's coming in True Scrap 3 and join the mailing list for all the news (plus a 30% off coupon for a class valid until 29th February!)

What is True Scrap?

• Inspiration and Education from 15 A-list instructors…
• Five virtual project make-and-takes…
• All from YOUR computer!
• All for one low price… $127 (if you register by April 15)

On April 20-21, fifteen instructors will share high-definition video classes with you, live, in our state-of-the-art webroom. By signing up for True Scrap 3, you’ll receive access to our state-of-the-art webroom where you can join hundred of other scrapbookers, crafters and artists, just like you!

Be the first to know about teacher and class updates, special announcements, and more…

Join the True Scrap “Early Notification” Email list here: Sign up today! Melissa

*affliliate links where possible- please use them to support my blog*

Creative Market: New design resource coming from ColourLovers

COLOURLovers is launching Creative Market soon, and I'm excited!

Billed as the Etsy for mouse-made goods, this will be a market place for brushes, graphics, fonts, icons and more.

If you sign up using my special invite link you'll receive $5 towards for awesome design content! http://creativemarket.com/upZTgbl

Hope you enjoy it!

Melissa

LOAD 212: Progress!

 I just wanted to share with you some of the layouts I've been creating this month as part of LOAD 212.

 
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

In the last 10 days I've mostly just scraped in with my layout going up around midnight PST, but I'm thrilled I'm keeping up. I've attempted to finish a few different projects I'm working on and have settled on finishing my December Daily for 2011.
  I've used my Simple Template Album set nearly every day! I'm loving how quickly my December Daily album is coming together by using the templates and a small range of kits, including those from Flergs and Karen Lewis Designz - past class sponsors for my Perth Scrapbooking classes. Plus I've dipped into my Digi Files stash. 

How's your scrapping going?

Melissa

*affliliate links where possible- please use them to support my blog*

Photoshop Elements for 50% off only!

Photoshop Elements 10 is half price!

Photoshop Elements 10 is on sale for 50 percent off!

So for around $50 you can enjoy text on a path, quick photo fixes, masking and more. Want to learn more about PSE10? Check out my Photoshop Elements 10 Review here.

This sale ends 14th of February so jump on it now!

PS If you buy using my links you’ll be helping support this blog and the free webinars I provide!

Take 12: February 2012

This month I’ve gone for a day in the life approach again for my Take 12 – though I’ve seen some awesome themed paged around – I may have to try that for next month.

Click the image to view larger

What is Take Twelve?

The goal of the 2012 Take Twelve Project is to take 12 photos on the 12th day of each month for a full 12 months—and scrapbook them! You can join in the fun any month of the year, but we hope you'll join in starting January 12. Get the scoop at ellapublishing.com/taketwelve.
Learn more about the history of the Take Twelve project and see Ella’s FAQ section.

Melissa
PS Have you got the free Ella Sampler ebook yet?

Kickstart Your Creative Business this Year

I’m excited to be part of the Biz Camps 101 class coming up this week and just wanted to share this class with you. If you are building an business in the creative space I know you’ll be inspired by Jennifer’s actionable steps to building a business with happy, loyal customers. Jennifer knows her stuff, and is the owner of Simple Scrapper.

Biz Camp 101 demystifies the online tools and approaches today’s small businesses need to know and lays out exactly how to attract and build relationships with the creative consumer.

Registration is open!

Get started with marketing your business online by enrolling in the Winter 2012 session of Biz Camp 101. With this two week online course, you will:

• Develop your profitable business approach for creating happy, repeat customers
• Gain confidence and clarity in your passion-driven creative business
• Build the skills you need to communicate efficiently and effectively online
• Learn how to finally move forward with your enthusiasm and big ideas

For just $89 today, you’ll receive the Biz Camp 101 course material, bonus business-building lessons, unlimited email access to me during the course and the ongoing, lifetime support of your Biz Camp peers in our forum.

I’d be thrilled to see you inside!

Melissa

*using the affiliate links support my blog and free digital scrapbooking webinars*

Bite-Sized Scrapbooking Inspiration Bundle Giveaway

Have you heard about Bite-Sized Scrapbooking?
It's a system that breaks down the process of creating a layout into three distinct steps, and guides you to work on one step at a time so you won't waste time, get side-tracked, or feel overwhelmed. It's also a fun way to create layouts—paper or digital!
Kim Byrns has just compiled 6 more months of scrapbooking inspiration into bundles - each one with six months worth of inspiration!

Kim is generously offering a copy of BSS Bundle #2 to one lucky reader!

BSS Bundles - 52 Weeks of Inspiration
BSS Bundles offer you a self-paced version of Bite-sized Scrapbooking with 52 layouts in total (26 in each bundle). Use them to get layouts done on your own schedule, or prepare for a crop -- you'll be the most productive scrapper there!
With both bundles, you receive:

• 12x12 single and two-page layouts

• many layouts using 4x6 photos and less than 10 products

• measurements
 for cardstock, papers, journaling blocks, etc.

• sketches
 to help you see the different elements on the page

• ideas for topics and photo alternatives

• a quick reference sheet organized by number of photos (see both quick reference sheets below)

• an index of the inspiration layout sources with active links

• inspiring layouts from fantastic scrapbookers - 
please visit their blogs and websites listed on the right under Inspiration Layout Sources

Each layout is presented in three bites (steps), encouraging you to complete smaller tasks when you're short on time:
Bundle #2 includes layouts 027-052, designed by:
Barb Wong, Laura Vegas, Melissa Stinson, Debbie Hodge, Jennifer Larson, Katie Sellers-Gordon, Diane Payne, Melissa Kaiserman, April Foster, Mandie Pierce, Sharon Jonsson, Kelly Noel, Jenni Hufford, Lisa Dickinson, Kelly Goree, Sasha Farina, Stacy Julian, Keshet Starr, Melissa Shanhun, Meghann Andrew, Monika Wright, Katie Nelson, Jody Wenke, Tessa Buys, Celine Navarro, and
Brenda Johnston

BSS Bundle #2 quick reference sheet

Just leave a comment below and let me know how you like your scrapbooking inspiration? What inspires you? What is the source that gets you scrapping more?

• Browsing magazines
• Pinterest
• Classes
• Google Searching
• Looking at galleries
• Reading blogs
• Simple Scrapper Premium Membership

I'll draw the random winner on the 20th February at 8pm EST.

Good luck!

Melissa

*affliliate links where possible- please use them to support my blog*

Take 12 on the 12th of February

I just wanted remind you to … TAKE 12 Photos today! (And come back to my blog tomorrow for a fun giveaway!)

What is Take Twelve?

The goal of the 2012 Take Twelve Project is to take 12 photos on the 12th day of each month for a full 12 months—and scrapbook them! You can join in the fun any month of the year, but we hope you'll join in starting January 12. Get the scoop at ellapublishing.com/taketwelve.

Learn more about the history of the Take Twelve project and see Ella’s FAQ section.

Melissa

PS Have you got the free Ella Sampler ebook yet?

Layout a Day Digi Style

I'm busy scrapping away this month for Layout a Day...

I'm finishing a few albums and having a ball with over 400 scrapbookers!

Want to see what I've been working on?



Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

I've written about my Day One of Layout a Day here.

I'm also doing my photoshoot and video for True Scrap this week - exciting stuff!

Melissa



*affliliate links where possible- please use them to support my blog*

Are You Wearing Red Today?

Are You Wearing Red Today? | Ella Publishing Co.:

Go visit Ella today to learn more about Wear Red day and be entered to win this awesome prize!

'via Blog this'

Melissa

*affliliate links where possible- please use them to support my blog*

True Scrap 3 - Sneak Peek and BIG NEWS!

Join me for the most awesome scrapbooking event EVER!

I'm so excited to share with you that I've been invited to teach a class at True Scrap 3!

Read more about what I'll be teaching here! Find out what's coming in True Scrap 3 and join the mailing list for all the news
I'll be sharing much more about this event in the coming weeks, but in the mean time, here's the basics:

What is True Scrap?

• Inspiration and Education from 15 A-list instructors…
• Five virtual project make-and-takes…
• All from YOUR computer!
• All for one low price… $127 (if you register by April 15)

On April 20-21, fifteen instructors will share high-def video classes with you, live, in our state-of-the-art webroom. By signing up for True Scrap 3, you’ll receive access to our state-of-the-art webroom where you can hobnob with the rich and famous (okay, the not-so-rich and kind of famous!) and hundreds of other fanatical papercrafters, just like you!

Be the first to know about teacher and class updates, special announcements, and more…

Join the True Scrap “Early Notification” Email list here: Sign up today!

Wondering if True Scrap is for you?

Check out the recordings of the previous True Scrap events. You can sample classes from Spawn of True Scrap for only $9.99!

Spawn of True Scrap

Featuring Cathy Zielske, Noell Hyman, Renee Pearson and 14 more!

The Original True Scrap

Featuring Ali Edwards, Katrina Kennedy, Erin Bassett and 10 more! Buy the classes in a bundle or individually for $9.99


I hope to see you there!

Melissa
*affliliate links where possible- please use them to support my blog*

One Little Word in Focus: OLW Blog Hop

Welcome to to my stop on the One Little Word blog hop for February. If you’ve come from Karen’s blog, welcome! The full list of blogs is at the end of this post.

 

After completing a hybrid album last year, I’ve decided to stick to my usual digital pages this year. I just love the slim finish of photobooks, so I’ll just print my book out as a soft cover photobook at the end of the year.

 

In the mean time I’m using this page as my January cover and photo of myself.

To keep it in plain view, I’ve also made this page my desktop background.

Credits: Simple Album Template 3, Tangie Baxter Wish you Well mini kit, my own Handwriting Font

 

If you’d like to see how I created this layout check out my latest Digital Scrapbooking Workshop.

More posts about my One Little Word adventure:

• One Little Word January Blog Hop
• One Little Word September Blog Hop
• One Little Word August Blog Hop
• One Little Word July Blog Hop
• One Little Word June OLW Blog Hop
• One Little Word April Self Portrait
• One Little Word–My album so far
• One Little Word 2011–Grow
• One Little Word 2011

About the Class

Ali Edwards sends out monthly emails with a prompt for the month and you just complete it as you are inspired to throughout the month. Did you know that the One Little Word class is open all year?

Want more OLW inspiration?

Check out Devon’s Blog

Here’s the rest of the stops in the One Little Word blog hop:

• Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com
• Sharyn   http://www.lavieenchic.com   
• Jill      http://jillconyers.com
• Lynn         http://www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com
• Jenn                        http://www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
• Carmen            http://www.carmenpaulsorthner.com
• Marilee            http://rose-brier.blogspot.com     
• Kristina            http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.com/
• Cindy  1                     http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com
• Kelly                        http://mindingmynest.com
• Cheri                        http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
• Amanda            http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
• Cindy 2                        http://seriousplay.typepad.com
• Brooke            http://www.everysnapshot.com
• Naomi                        www.poeticaperture.com
• Melissa            http://www.smudgetime.com
• Karen                        http://breathenowsmile.blogspot.com
• Melissa S            http://blog.mshanhun.com – YOU ARE HERE!
• Devon                        http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com
• Donna                         http://holimess.blogspot.com/
• Dawn                        http://sunshineandcreativity.com
• Katrina             http://www.katrinasimeck.com
• Sam                        http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com
• Monica  B1           http://scrapinspired.com
• Kimberlee              http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com
• Missus W            http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/
• Kaylea                         http://www.myscrappylife.com
• Nikki                        http://www.inkyart.com.au
• Erin                        http://erinsparkes.typepad.com/optimstic-fascination/
• Jo                        http://www.curlyscrapbooker.blogspot.com
• Coley                        http://coleybelle.blogspot.com/
• Beth                        http://www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com
• Veronica            http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
• Jamie                        http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/
• Monica B2            http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/
• Lisa                   http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog
• Rebekah         http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/
• Jan                  http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com
• Veronica            http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
• Cate                        http://www.lifebehindthepurpledoor.com
• Karen                        http://breathenowsmile.blogspot.com
• Stephanie              http://www.scrapworthylives.com
• Orange Gearle            http://orangegearle.blogspot.com
• Tere                                    http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
• Junelle                        http://yesandamenblog.blogspot.com/
• Becky                  http://www.becky-handforth.blogspot.com

Thanks again to Margie for organising this hop!

Happy hopping!

Melissa

*Thank your for using affiliate links to support my blog*