Thankful for Projects

I am loving this series, and over the past few years have found great joy in becomine part of a bigger community celebrating life together.

In the past couple of years Facebook Lovebook, One Little Word, Yesterday and Today, Week in the Life, Take 12 and various other projects that get me thinking and documenting our lives. It gives me a change to look on the bright side when things get overwhelming… like yesterday!

I didn’t manage to Take 12 photos this month, but I got several pics in there!

Here’s my Take 12 images so far this year…

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

I’m posting a quick thankful thought each night as part of Cathy Zielske’s 30 days of thankful project

GIVEAWAY: Scrap Chic with Ali, Cathy & Friends

Did you know that as part of the Ella Publishing Friends team I’ve got another fabulous giveaway!

Ella Publishing have just launched their latest eBook  - Scrap Chic: Tricks for being trendy without sacrificing story. Read on to learn more about the eBook and how you can win your own copy.

Learn how to avoid “trend takeover” with help from 14 of the biggest names in scrapbooking, from Ali to Zielske!

Honoring trends can make you feel inspired and energized, truly reinvigorating your scrapbooking. The trick is to keep the trends in check and make them work within your own personal style, so they don’t overwhelm the story you’re trying to tell.

In 36 inspiring pages, you’ll learn insider secrets for showcasing your best stories using today’s top trends. You’ll also enjoy plenty of bonus tricks, from design ideas to product tips to journaling solutions.

See our designers’ takes on: clotheslines, hexagons, ombre, sunburst, wood grain and more—plus a dozen bonus trends to add to your scrapbooker’s toolbox.

• 14 top trends with 2 examples for each
• 14 diverse, well-known scrapbookers
• 36 pages of ideas and inspiration

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

The 14 contributors to this eBook were all featured in the 2012 Big Idea Festival atbigpictureclasses.com. They include: Ali Edwards, AmyS orensen, Angie Lucas,Becky Novacek, Cathy Zielske, Courtney Walsh, Karen Grunberg, Lisa Dickinson, May Flaum, Nichol Magouirk, Rebecca Cooper, Stacy Julian, Stephanie Baxter, and Wendy Smedley.

Scrap Chic Giveaway!

I’ve got one awesome copy of Scrap Chic to give away – just leave a comment by 12 midnight US EST on the 26th of October to be in the running! I’ll do a random drawing and contact you later that night (morning my time!) with your access to the eBook.

How do I enter?

Use the Rafflecopter widget and leave me a comment letting me know what trends tend to take over in your scrapbooking!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Birthday Bonanza! Giveaways inside

On the 7th of September 2011, I took a leap of faith and started Digital Scrapbooking HQ.

After a couple of years teaching in person and 6 months of online workshops, it was time for a real home on the web.

At Digital Scrapbooking HQ we have a great band of digi-scrappers who meet each month online in our workshops and in Perth, WA. I’ve answered hundreds of questions via email and on the site and provided access to Photoshop Elements training that will get your photos looking great, pages made and supplies organised. And there’s more to come!

I have something awesome for you today. A giveaway. With over $600 of goodies to be had. Check it out!

Over $600 in Prizes

Prizes include RadLab, 10 Shuttefly books, my Digital Scrapbooking Primer, Picture Colour from  Ella Publishing and Big Picture Classes. More details here: Birthday Bonanza! Giveaways inside

Enter Here

Use the Rafflecopter widget to tally up all your entries and come back for the big announcement October 1

a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you purchase from the Digital Scrapbooking HQ store this month you'll also get extra entries.

What to write about

Let me know what you'd like to learn about digital scrapbooking or Photoshop Elements, or just wish Digital Scrapbooking HQ a happy birthday!

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

Take 12 August 2012 #take12

I’m sharing my finished layouts this month yay! I love this kit from Paislee Press in the Digi Game this month.

Winter in Perth is delightful. Despite Emily's cold we had a lovely day with the normal washing, cleaning, cooking interspersed with:
Calculating
Role playing
Jumping
Jigsaw puzzling
Reaching
Watching
Swinging
Photographing
A lovely winters day.13 August 2012

Diptych by Paislee Press (The Digi Files 44); Fonts: Verdana,Georgia-Bold

So I was a bit late on Ella's Take 12. On the 12th of each month I stop and take (hopefully 12) photos of our daily life. I ended up taking these photos on the 13th, but who’s counting?

I used a 8.5x11 template this month and resized it. Wondering how? Here’s a demo.

Resize digital scrapbooking templates

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?

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

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?

My post made number 5 at Frugal Dad!

I was reading Katie the Scrapbook Lady’s blog and saw that she was number 8 on Frugal Dad’s Top Scrapbooking Sites list. So I headed over to

My Happy Scrapbookers post is the one featured for Ellla's Daily Trumpet blog! How exciting!

The Daily Trumpet came in at number 5, so I like to think my work helped in some small way.

Check out the list here:

FRUGAL DAD WINNER
TOP SCRAPBOOKING

Melissa

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

Take 12 May 2012 #take12

I'm excited to share my first take 12 for the year with our new little one. As usual I'm not doing a theme, just documenting our every day life. We have had a third birthday and a 40th anniversary to celebrate today, so our usual Saturday of odd jobs and swimming lessons gave way to parties and a late afternoon sleep for all four of us.

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 day 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: 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?

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!

It’s your lucky day: Ella Publishing Offer

I’m back again with another great deal from Ella Publishing.

Lucky 3-day scrapbook inspiration sale!

Save some green this St. Patrick's Day, why don'tcha?

You've uncovered a Lucky 3-Day sale from Ella Publishing! Here are TWO coupon codes to save you some green this weekend.

The first coupon (LUCKY17) can be used to get 17% off any three* items, inlcuding the Take Twelve Guided Inspiration Kit, the coordinating Take Twelve Templates for digital scrapbooking, and the new Stamping Secrets eBook)
And if you're not already registered for Spring Training, now is definitely the time to register for the best value! Add Spring Training and any eBook (valued up to $5.99) to your cart, then apply the code POTOGOLD to get the $5 pre-registration discount and one free eBook of your choice!
Both offers expire at midnight on Monday, March 19. Note: you must use each coupon code in a separate purchase.
*Excludes Spring Training and gift certificates.
p.s. If you're ALREADY registered for Spring Training 2012, watch your email for a coupon code for a free eBook, too. As always, those who register earliest get the best deal!
p.p.s. And if you're a returning Spring Training or Boot Camp attendee, you'll get an email this weekend explaining how you can save 20% off of Spring Training 2012 registration PLUS get a free eBook.

February in Focus: OLW Blog Hop + GIVEAWAY

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

The Giveaway

My special giveaway this month is a brand spanking new Ella Publishing ebook on Stamping - scroll to the post below to enter!

The Prompt

We were asked to take 9 photos over the month to document/express our word. Even though I’ve not taken a lot of photos this month, I managed to find 9 that represented what I’m focusing on right now. I just should have found a photo of Phill to include!

I am sure I’m missing a few focus points (eg faith and sewing) but I like this reminder of what my life is about right now!

• Baby Nano
• Emily
• Us
• Phill’s new hobby (coffee making/latte art)
• My health
• Growing friends
• Creativity
• Scrapbooking
• Gardening

Credits: Template frrom One Little Word class, Flergs and Sugarplum Paperie Garden Whimsy

More posts about my One Little Word adventure:

One Little Word in Focus OLW Blog Hop: January 2012

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?

Head over to Sharyn’s blog.

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

• Margie
• Melissa S – You are here!
• Sharyn
• Kimberlee
• Jill
• Cheri
• Cindy
• Jenn
• Monica
• Catherine
• Naomi
• Jamie
• Coley
• Melissa C
• Donna
• Monica B
• Veronica
• Heidi D
• Lisa
• Nikki
• Devon
• Amanda
• Brooklyn
• Kristina
• Jen R
• Kara
• Eydie
• Ruth
• Missus W
• Marilee
• Cindy
• Kaylea
• Dawn G
• Rebekah
• Becky
• Orange Gearle
• Katrina
• Jo
• Nicky
• Beth
• Kelly
• Tere

Thanks again to Margie for organising this hop!

Happy hopping!

Melissa

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

PS. My Big News!

I'm so excited to share with you that I've been invited to teach at True Scrap 3! I'm the only Aussie instructor and I'd love to see some fellow Simple Aussie Girls there!

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

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!

Join me for the most awesome scrapbooking event EVER!

I'm so thrilled to be teaching at True Scrap, and know it is well worth the $127 you pay to get in no matter what kind of memory keeper, scrapper, crafter or photographer you are!

Register Today!