Introducing Edward #weekinthelife

We are excited to share that Edward James Shanhun was born at 5:29am today.
3.43 kg (7lb 9oz) 52 cm long. Everyone is doing well.

Love from Phill, Melissa and Emily

Day 4: Lest We Forget #weekinthelife

Today was ANZAC Day, remembering those who have fought for our freedom and those who continue to do so.

We spent the early hours of the morning caring for our little girl who has come down with another cold (she eventually slept from about 4pm-2am, then 2:30-7:30am).

She’d emptied out the whole tissue box into her bed and was just happy to have some cereal and go back to bed at 2am. Mummy joined her for yoghurt and headed back to bed again too.

In the morning we left Daddy to sleep in and I did a bit of admin tidy-up for The Fathering Project and Fresh Styles. I’m trying to finish up all my work before baby number 2 arrives.

We then headed to Neil Hawkins Park with our lifegroup. Emily was thrilled that all her friends were there.

It was a lovely picnic, but I was wishing I still had cooler maternity clothes that actually fit! Only just over a week to go, so never mind! Thankfully none of us got sunburnt and Phill was finally able to pull out the Coke cricket bat and ball he’s be waiting to use (oh and they men kicked the footy as well).

After a bit more work, I had a sleep and woke to find Phill and Steve had put together our newly repaired trampoline! (Thanks Mum!).

We finished the night with Phill’s home made pizza and Liz’s choc brownies. Phill even said he didn’t mind being in Week in the Life when the pizza looked this good!

After showing Steve Phill’s China trip pictures and moving a bit of furniture ready for the new baby, it was time to say goodnight.

I actually got a full night’s sleep on Wednesday night (well I only got up 3 times and went straight back to sleep).

My week so far…

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.


You can follow along on in many places and share your work:

• Big Picture Classes Free Week In The Life Community – includes message boards and gallery (and archives from last year for additional inspiration)
• FLICKR | Week In The Life 2012
• TWITTER | #weekinthelife
• INSTAGRAM | #weekinthelife

Over at Digital Scrapbooking HQ I’ve put together some tips for Week in the Life, along with my plan on how I’m tackling it.

Week in the Life Day 3

Today was a tough one for me with little sleep last night (maybe I was hungry? I eventually got myself some yoghurt at 4:30 and back to sleep!), blood glucose monitoring, lots of washing, Emily coming down with another cold and an appointment with a new obstetrician (while my GP/Obs is away for the next 2 weeks). On the plus side, the baby’s head is engaged and my longitudinal blood sugars came back at 5.2 which is totally fine.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

I’m cooking a roast for tea, so I hope that I’ll feel better with a full tummy tonight!

But on the other hand, I’m thankful for only a tiny reaction to the flu immunisation I had on Friday, a day with Phill at home tomorrow for ANZAC day and Mum who was able to come and mind Emily while I saw the Doctor (oh and help me change my sewing machine needle, cut pumpkin and replace the elastic in the bassinet cover – love you Mum!)

You can follow along on in many places and share your work:

Big Picture Classes Free Week In The Life Community – includes message boards and gallery (and archives from last year for additional inspiration)

FLICKR | Week In The Life 2012

TWITTER | #weekinthelife

INSTAGRAM | #weekinthelife
Over at Digital Scrapbooking HQ I’ve put together some tips for Week in the Life, along with my plan on how I’m tackling it.

Week in the Life Day 1 & 2 iPhone Photos

Just a quick post today to share my iPhone photos from day one and two (Sunday and Monday my time). Some of these will be culled - some were taken by me and some by Emily.
I've not got the photos off my 'big camera' yet and I also want to grab some of my screenshots of computer work I did today.
I like to start on Sunday and get a jump start on the week!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Over at Digital Scrapbooking HQ I’ve put together some tips for Week in the Life, along with my plan on how I’m tackling it.

Why not link me up to your Week in the Life post in the comments?


Melissa

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

Week in the Life Tips

Over at Digital Scrapbooking HQ I’ve put together some tips for Week in the Life, along with my plan on how I’m tackling it.

Ali Edwards’ Week in the Life always seems to come at a busy time for me. But then I think, why not document that too?

I am currently 38 weeks pregnant and would love to document this upcoming week, the last of our family of three. Last year I completed my Week in the Life on my personal blog but never got the album made. I am happy to say that I’ve got all the documentation and photos stored and ready for when I do want to scrap it though!

I’m thinking of using simple photo collage pages along with written notes and memorabilia.

Read on…

Here’s a little recap of my photos from last year’s WITL.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

You can read my other Week in the Life posts here:

1. Tips for Week in the Life
2. Day 1
3. Day 2
4. Week in the Life Day 3
5. Unexpected Call
6. Unexpected Arrival
7. Unexpected Delivery
8. Christmas in July
9. Day in our Life

Melissa

New Card Company from Shutterfly and Tiny Prints

I used Shutterfly to create these gorgeous Christmas cards in 2010, so I was excited to hear that Shutterfly and Tiny Prints  have joined forces to bring us even more stylish, affordable greeting cards with the launch of Treat.

Have you heard about the new personalized greeting card company, Treat? Treat is a new brand from the folks at Shutterfly and Tiny Prints that lets you create unique, personalized greeting cards. With more than 4,500 customized card designs at launch, the Treat service offers one of the industry’s largest selections from the best designers, including Hallmark. To ensure that you never miss an important date like a birthday or anniversary, Treat also offers an integrated service that will remind you of all those important events. A Treat calendar can be set up with reminders for anniversaries, events, family holidays and more. Plus, users can use Facebook Connect to link their Facebook and Treat accounts to import friends’ birthdays.
Treat is an easy and revolutionary new way to make personalized greetings in your own style and personality just in time for Mother's Day! Here is how it works:

Choose your card from their thousands of designs, including the Mother’s Day Collection. Personalize it with photos, nicknames, inside jokes, whatever you want to add. This is your chance to make it YOUR card. Be creative. Be funny. Be sappy. Make them laugh, cry, or just smile. You can also add an embedded gift card from stores such as Amazon, Target, Pottery Barn and more.

When you checkout, get unlimited cards for $0.99 each through Mother’s Day. Use the code AFFTREAT to get this special deal. Or, you can also choose to get just one card for free. Use code FREETREAT for that. (Note: These offers are good for first time Treat customers only, so you have to pick one or the other. The good news is that this includes previous Tiny Prints customers). If you are ordering more than one card, the $.99 cent offer will save you the most as each card is normally $2.99.

Treat will truly brighten your day…and the day of the recipients of your new cards! So check them out now and take advantage of their two awesome promotions. They have cards for all kinds of occasions including Birthdays, Friendship Cards, Thank You Cards, Thinking of You and more.

So why not check them out today?

If you decide to sign up or purchase, you’ll be supporting my blog – thanks so much!

Melissa

Free Class at Big Picture Classes: Creative Crop

 

Looking for something free, online and scrappy for interNational Scrapbooking Day?

Big Picture Classes and Creating Keepsakes Magazine are teaming up to bring you our 2nd annual, fun-filled Creative Crop for National Scrapbook Day! The online event will kick-off Saturday, May 5th at 9am PST. You can look forward to 12 jam-packed hours offering creative challenges every hour, live chats with industry professionals, amazing giveaways, and constant inspiration and interaction!

The best part? It's all FREE!

You’ll receive challenge from:

 

Ali Edwards	Cindy Tobey	Deena Boese
Stacy Julian	Mou Saha	Nic Howard
Megan Hoeppner	Tami Morrison	Lisa Day
Kim Watson	May Flaum	Nicole Harper

Plus you’ll be able to spend the day (or as much of it as you can spare) chatting with the experts and fellow scrappy people!
So sign up today!

PS You can still to enter my Design Challenges giveaway

Ee

Last few hours to join me at True Scrap

True Scrap registration is closing in a few short days and I don’t want you to miss out!

Last year I was so excited to attend True Scrap, I loved having access to awesome instructors who would never visit our city all that way over in Australia. I was able to attend several classes live, while my little girl was napping in the next room. Being a busy mum, I did miss some of the classes - but of course I had access to all the handouts and recordings to watch later.

The Student...

I learnt so much - from how to create embellishment gatherings, to photography tips, to information on earning money from scrapbooking. In fact, the site you see today is part of the October 2011 True Scrap fallout!

Becomes the Teacher...

I'm so excited to share that I'll be teaching at True Scrap 3! I have been working on a variety of classes for my own website over the last year and have had a lot of positive feedback so this year I approach Lain Ehmann with a new class idea and she was keen! I've been working furiously on the class since January and can't wait to share it with you.    

Finish What you Start: My 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 focusing 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!

Why True Scrap?

If you want to get the best value for your crafting dollar (don't we all?) I say True Scrap is well worth the price tag of $147.

Special Offer just for you!

if you register for True Scrap using my link I'm able to earn a commission, which is how I'm paid for my work as a teacher. I know that it is such an awesome event that I don't want you to miss, I got so much out of True Scrap, that I want to share a BONUS to encourage you to sign up. If you register for True Scrap using my link come back email your reciept to me at melissa@mshanhun.com I will give you FREE access to my BRAND NEW Digital Scrapbooking Primer! This is an awesome set of tutorials, videos and ebooks that will get you started digital scrapbooking. Over 5 hours of video training, 35 pages of printable guides, plus a one on one Skype call with me to answer your trickiest questions! I guide you through:

• Getting started with digital scrapbooking
• Photoshop Elements basics to get you up and running
• Using templates to help you finish pages faster
• Organising your supplies to get the most out of your digital scrapbooking stash
• Creating photobooks to share your pages with friends and family
• Sharing your work online
• and more!

Interested? The Digital Scrapbooking Primer will be for sale shortly - get on the waiting list today!

What is True Scrap?

• Inspiration and Education from 15 A-list instructors…
• Five virtual project make-and-takes…
• 300+ keen scrapbookers, cardmakers, photographers and digital scrapbookers to meet and greet...
• All from YOUR computer!
• All for one low price… $147

 

Register now to secure your $147 all access pass + bonus Digital Scrapbooking Primer

Find out more and Register today!

Don't forget to email your receipt to me to redeem your bonus Digital Scrapbooking Primer

Not sure if True Scrap is for You?

You need to listen to my exclusive interviews!

• Learn to turn your house into a home with the Midas touch
• A Photoshop "Cheat" shares her Secrets
• Meet happiest scrapbooker in the world
• Dip into a well of Endless Inspiration Secrets with a Prolific Crafter
• Meet the photography teacher who launched her new career on a bus!

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to my new Scrapbooking Inspiration podcast to hear more from these other inspirational artisans and crafters.

Or you can listen on the web now.

Design Challenges Class Giveaway

Do you ever feel like your design skills aren’t quite getting the workout they need?

Head over to my Digital Scrapbooking HQ site and jump in on the giveaway I’m running this week!

I’m always looking for new ways to grow my scrapbooking skills and though I’m more than happy to share my digital know-how I sometimes feel less than confident in my design skills for scrapbooking.

So when I got the opportunity to participate inElizabeth Dillow’s latest class starting April 29, I was thrilled! I’m so excited that I’ll have 12 concrete ways to put my skills into action.

So what has this all got to do with you?

I’ve been given one free spot in the Design Challenges class to YOU.

Head over and enter to win now!

Photoshop Elements Discount Coupon

Photoshop Elements 10 is half price!

One day only - 50% off Premiere Elements 10 with promo code ELEMENTS50.

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 15th of April so jump on it now!

PS If you buy using my links you'll be helping support this website and the free workshops I provide!

PPS Sorry this is only in the US Store

Take 12: April 2012

I've been using Instagram to take my photos each month (mostly) supplemented with my Canon IXSUS point and shoot.
 
I'm also going to grab a few extra photos of places we went to off the web!
Here’s my photos for the year so far…
 
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

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?

Take 12 Tomorrow

Just a quick reminder to everyone to Take 12 Photos tomorrow… and for myself! I took 12 on the 13th of March as I totally forgot on the 12th! Oops!

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?

Emily at 2

I'm not two and a half I'm two
After Mummy's birthday the baby will come
When the baby is born Aunty Kath will come
Then it will be my birthday and I'll be three (holding out 3 fingers)

Emily loves crafts and when I suggest an activity the response is:
I'll give you a kiss (kiss)
You are my best friend!

You are two best friends (to Phill and I)
We can all be best friends together.

Last week Emily was playing so nicely with the babies and toddlers at Craft group. I didn't have to interfere/settle disputes in about 45mins of play! The had fun collecting rocks and making ice cream in the cubby house.

Spring Training: Want to get into shape for free?

Are you ready for another giveaway?

I’ve got one place in Ella Publishing’s Spring Training Event to give to a reader!

Why I’m excited about Spring Training

Spring Training is a video based training week that will give us bite-sized exercises (that are totally achievable) and will help get us all scrapbooking.

I totally love video classes – easy to watch on my computer while I craft on the table (or lately the floor!) and watch. I also love that they never expire so I can catch up in my own time.

Of course I’m excited to be learning and I love that the challenges will be practical and help me create meaningful layouts… did I mention I managed 29 layouts in February thanks to challenges?

We will also get to meet and greet participants and coaches at the four chats throughout the week.

Oh and how much is it? Just $44.99

So who’s involved

Ella has put together a great team of coaches to take us through the week until International Scrapbooking Day!

• Erin Cobb, Your Photography Coach
• Wendy Smedley, Your Organization Coach
• Nichol Magouirk, Your Techniques Coach
• Lisa Dickinson, Your Design Coach
• Tami Morrison, Your Scrapbooking Fitness Coach

The Giveaway!

I’ve got one place to give away. So spill… what do you want to get out of a scrapbooking event? Socialising? Completed layouts? New techniques?

Share in the comments by April 6 and I’ll announce a winner on April 7 – my 30th birthday!

Want extra chances to win?

You can earn an extra entry for:

• Liking Digital Scrapbooking HQ on Facebook - ask your burning digital scrapbooking and photobook questions
• Following DigiScrapHQ on Twitter - watch for digital scrapbooking tips, offers and inspirational links! Follow @digiscraphq
• Tweeting about this giveaway

  GIVEAWAY @ellapuablishing Spring Training: Want to get into shape for free? bit.ly/HgtQni

  — Melissa S (@digiscraphq) April 2, 2012

Just add another comment to let me know you which ones you did and I'll tally up the entries.

 

Are you ready for Spring Training 2012?

Affiliate links included: I’m so excited to an Ella Friend this year – it means I get to bring you lot of information and giveaways. Plus if you use my links you’ll be supporting my blogging efforts!