My story matters: I feel

I feel like a teenager with my nails done like this! But as a teen I would never have tried something this daring.

I did love nail polish and wore it most days from about 15ish until August 2003 when I started in records management full time. All the paper handling ruined the polish but helped the nails grow.

My smiley boy at 8 weeks

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/MUS6X7noe5/

My new stash - its all your fault @starofmay :)

I'm loving Kristina Werner's nail blog

And splashed out to get some new base coat, top coat and colours thanks to her inspiration. I've not done my nails in a couple of years, so I'm thankful Seche Vite covers a multitude of sins!

Even Emily decided she was "a bit bigger now" so she could get her nails done too!

Next up... Nail stamping (once I get better at avoiding cuticle flooding)

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/MSoak0Hocx/

Edward at 7.5 weeks

You are starting to enjoy time on your mat. Lifting your head, kicking around and even playing with your toys.
You love to look to see new and familiar voices. You especially love Daddy and Emily talking to you.
You are 'a happy little boy' as Emily would say and are quite good about going to sleep in your own bassinet.
You have slept 8 hours once, but more usually do 6, 3, and 2 hours at night.
You are blessed with lots of relatives who love to visit and I am often stopped when we are out by people who comment on your gorgeous blue eyes and how alert you are.
You are very good in the car, but when it's time for a feed or nappy change you have quite a good cry on you!
You are starting to enjoy family dinners and manage to stay awake for tea time now.
Bath time is also a favourite and you love to hold Emily's hand while Daddy washes you. In the trough you stretch out to touch the ends and like to look at the taps.
I love you my little boy.

Your Story Matters

A class with Lain - name your price!

I'm excited to share that I'm participating in Your Story Matters next week.

It's a week long course with video and email prompts from Lain Ehmann to help ease you into recording your memories, life and beliefs. It going to be a lot of fun  - it always si with Lain!

Lain's band of happy scrapbookers are just the most encouraging and sharing people too, so come and meet them

Join me and name your own price for the class.

That's right - attend the class for free, 1c, $1 or $100, whatever you think it is worth to document your story.

I hope to see you inside!
Melissa
*affliliate links where possible- please use them to support my blog*

Photography made easy: Coupon for 20% off

I just wanted to share with you the latest Ella ebooks and a special deal (scroll down!)

Real Life Photography

In 70 pages of photo fabulousness, pro photographer Rebecca Cooper shares her best insider tricks for taking amazing photos in all kinds of real-life situations.
You'll learn how to take the best possible photo in the first place as well as how to use a few simple editing tools to add an extra dose of magic to your everyday moments.
Illustrated by 127 real-life photos, this life-changing eBook is organized into six useful chapters, including: Photographing Real Life, Using Real Light, Capturing Real Relationships, Practicing Real Patience, Enhancing Real Photos, and Checklists for Real Life.

Get better photos with actions

Add an extra dose of magic to your favorite photos with these simple actions for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Fix common photo problems, punch up the color, or even create ultra rich black and whites in just a few clicks of the mouse.
If you're new to actions, watch one of two instructional videos to see exactly how to install and use Photoshop Actions. Your life is about to change! If you're a photo-editing pro, this high quality, versatile, classic set is a must for your action library. You'll turn to it again and again.
Enjoy these 8 amazing actions:
Simply Boost
Simply Lighten
Simply Darken
Simply Dark/Light Selective
Goodbye Red Skin (see example)
Goodbye Yellow Skin
Simply Sharpen
Simply Black & White
Instructional .pdf is included with purchase. Actions can be installed on either Macintosh or PC versions of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

20% off Coupon Code

There’s a special offer on these books

Purchase Real.Life.Photography and the Simple Fixes Action Set in the same purchase and save 20% with code PHOTOFIX. And since both are currently only $9.99 each (introductory price! regularly $12.99 each), that means you'll save a total of $9 by purchasing them together now!

Melissa
PS Haven’t seen Ella’s stunning ebooks? Get your free super sampler!

PPS I’m an Ella Friend  because I love Ella! That’s why you get the great deals

Emily with her 'penelopede'

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/L4_kT2noet/

Omelette for our fried rice! Yum!

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LxQ5f2HoRR/

Watching Peppa (too close to the TV) #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LxPfhHHoQ7/

Arvo snooze #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LxPbjCHoQ6/

Colouring in #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LxPRadHoQ3/

Very strong boy #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LxPJq6noQ0/

I'm too tired to play #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LwrD1EHoXF/

Bubbles in the rain #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LwfawanoQp/

Love my Kenwood - apple walnut tea loaf #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/Lwe_vAnoQb/

A spot of painting #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LwZiLlnocX/

Loving red shoes #take12 @ellapublishing

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LwVD21noZV/

Morning mum (take 3!) #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LwU-yPnoZQ/

New socks - but I miss bunny #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LwU2xWnoZG/

Morning mum! #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LwUyU7HoZF/

Starting early! #take12

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LwKYD8HoRz/

Summer Biz Camp for Creative Business Owners

I’m excited to be part of the Biz Camps class coming up next 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 Summer 2012 session of Biz Camp 101. With this online course, you will:

• You’ll receive 10 downloadable PDF lessons with action-oriented assignments. The lessons provide your basic training as well as a jumping off point for further discussion.


• Jennifer will be available to answer your specific questions in the forum during the two month course.


• You’ll become part of a tight-knit online community of fellow Biz Camp members, to brainstorm solutions, trade advice and experience, find potential partners, and get personalized advice.


• We’ll help you develop and follow through with a crystal clear action plan for implementing your Biz Camp experience.


• You’ll have lifetime access to our forum AND future Biz Camp sessions for ongoing encouragement, advice and support.

For just $89 today, you’ll receive the Biz Camp course material, bonus business-building lessons, unlimited email access to Jennifer 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*

Take 12 June 2012 #take12

It's time again for Ella's Take 12. On the 12th of each month I stop and take (hopefully 12) photos of our daily life. There’s also monthly theme prompts in the Take Twelve pack, but I’m keeping it simple with a toddler and new baby!

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.

Are you taking 12? Don't forget to share them on Instagram or Twitter with #take12 hash tag or in our Flickr group

I've been using Instagram to take my photos each month (mostly) supplemented with my Canon IXSUS point and shoot.
 
Here’s my photos for the Take 12 year so far…
 
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Melissa
PS Have you got the free Ella Sampler ebook yet?

Making plasticine animals with my girl

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LuFFIinodr/

The birthday girl eating the last of her cake

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/Lttbv-Hoec/

Shutterfly Top 10 photobook

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LnGJ9qnobt/

Ooh my @shutterfly photobook arrived!

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/Lev60ynoRt/

Boris and Claude (named by Emily)

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LesrxlnoQe/

My little girl

Just let me check on little Edward
Mummy do you want to play with me?
Edward is a happy baby
Golden curls
Drawing pictures
Carrying baby doll in the new carrier
Learning to tell the time (well sort of)
Learning to share even the favourite toys at Pebbles
Loving babysitters
Loving to visit Aunty Lauren at work (not for much longer)
Learning surprises can be good

Baby love

Little noises
Bonds cozy cuff suits
Chubby cheeks
Eyes that stare into yours
Sleep routines

Love my little boy

Third birthday smiles

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/LXZQz8noeW/