Hello. Goodbye. Hello.

Hello blog. There has been a very long pause. I don't know, I seem to have lost that momentum. And I'm sorry for the lack of fore-warning, or at least a notice that says "BLOG PAUSE" or something like that. But I want to thank you all for coming back to check on me. I know that because just the other day I received an email from my sponsors, Nuffnang, to tell me that they will be advertising on my blog. Gasp, my blog! So that's how I know that there must still be sufficient traffic coming through. Thank you also for the encouraging notes and heartfelt messages. I definitely feel the love, and hope that I could return them by blogging again.

How have I lost it? Hmmm.... it could have all started when our lives got a little topsy turvy (a good kind of topsy turvy) when we moved to this amazing place we now call home. I counted 50 steps the other day taking my laundry to the line. And back 100 steps. If I did two loads of laundry, that would be 200 steps and then another 200 steps to retrieve them. I love it! It gives me extra pleasure in eating that piece of chocolate afterwards. And then we decided to rip out the beautiful slate tiles because they gave our socks holes and feet calluses. My new kitchen is being installed and I'm cooking on a portable electric stove in the laundry. Totally uninteresting!

Then I lost my stay at work from home hubby to a little shop near by *happy dance*. I am happy that the business is growing and just NOT sustainable in this very home. Along with it went the computer with all my precious photos. I don't have a printer in this house. Nor do I have any envelopes, stamps or even sticky tape!

My three precious are definitely keeping me on my toes. On some days, they drive me insanely up the wall. Yet, the little things they do, like big sloppy open-mouthed kisses could send me over the moon. You wait, I will do an update on them real soon and that's a promise!

I thought I'd leave you with a photo of our brand new PhotoBook office:

Pop by for a visit, coffee is on us!

PhotoBook Australia
Shop1/475 Burwood Hwy
Vermont South VIC 3133

Lily's Book

Photobook. Publish yourself...

www.photobookworldwide.com

Photobook Projects

Here's a sneak peak of one of the photobook projects I've been working on. No surprises whose book it was going to be.



I know it's hard to believe, but it's actually the first time I've used their new software launched some months ago.

There are so much more you can do with this new software, tweaking with the photo colours, brightness and contrast; adding borders, masking, fading and much much more. It's like a mini photoshop, except much easier. It's amazing!

Now I can't wait to see the end product. I've chosen the small square softcover for gift books (for grandma, for aunts and uncles overseas etc) and hardcovers to keep for ourselves. Next I'm going to make a large landscape image wrap, and the boys' birthday book.

Check out their new website, and new free to download software. And if you're stuck for ideas, there are some wonderful featured books on display. Check out Baby Willow's book, makes me want to make Lily pose nude for some photos too. Go on, hop on over!

www.photobookaustralia.com.au

www.photobookworldwide.com

Photobook. Become a Fan!

I am excited! The response to the Photobook Facebook fan page has been overwhelming! In the span of a couple of months, they have gained 3889 fans! What's more, the comments from the fans have been remarkably positive and encouraging.

Right now, Photobook Worldwide is having a promotion. Hop over to their facebook page, become a fan and you will receive 25% off your next order*. Yes, a whopping 25% off! Just for becoming a fan. It's as easy as that.

Become a Photobook fan now.

*Promotion runs from now until the 31st of August 2009.

Photobook: Father's Day Promotion

Some parts of the world will be celebrating Father's Day in June. I hear whisperings that the promo code is valid also for the Australian website. So why not start your book for your dad this year. Fathers Day in Australia is celebrated on the first Sunday of September, just a blink of an eye.

20% OFF ALL orders including free shipping, valid until 15th of June 2009.

Birthday Books

Now that the birthdays are over, my next task is to create photobooks for each of them.

In the age of digital photography, it is easy to store away your photos and forget about them. I prefer to show them off. Make a photobook. It could be a coffee table book, or one for the collection on the shelf. There are just so many possibilities. At Photobook Australia, they make no compromise when it comes to engineering a photobook. Their quality is the highest in today's marketplace. Try it once and you will see what I mean!

Making a photobook is just so easy.

1. First of all, you will need to download MyPhotobooks Editor. This software is available for download at their website free of charge. It enables you create your own personalised photobook at the comfort of your own home.

2. Designing your book is as easy. Choose a book size from their selection of 14 hardcover and softcover books, load your pictures and simply drag and drop pictures into the pages. You can choose to spread your photo across the page, or fill them into frames and lay them out as you wish. You can edit your pictures by adding Black & White or Sepia filter, or apply image enhancements such as Contrast, Sharpen, Skin Tone, Noise Reduction, and more to bring out the details of your images. Check out these 9 simple steps at their website to help you create your book.

3. Then simply upload your book either by sending the file via internet or by mail or hand at their office. The checkout process requires an account with the 'Photobook store'. Sign-in with your email address and password or register for a new account.

Your photobook will be ready and sent out to you within 5-7 working days!

I can't wait to see my books!

Pirates and Pilots

So Lachlan wanted a pirate ship birthday cake, but Christopher wanted an airplane. We'll be having a pirate and pilot party, and this is the invitation postcard I designed for the party. If you haven't received one in the mail, fret not. I have just placed my order today and they will arrive tomorrow on priority DHL. It's great having a family printing business!

How on earth do I make an aeroplane cake?

Wedding Diary Asia 2009

Great news! Photobook Asia will be showcasing their products at the Wedding Diary, Asia 2009. There will be great discounts and bonuses! If you're planning on going, do say hello to my husband Gary, who will be there.

Unfortunately, I won't be there this time due to family commitments, so sadly I won't be meeting up with any of my bloggy friends as planned earlier. Would definitely love to meet up some day!

The Wedding Diary Asia 2009
Suntec Singapore International
Convention & Exhibition Center - Hall 404
27-29 March 2009 (10:30am-9:00pm)
BOOTH 731

www.photobookworldwide.com

Photobook Christmas Promotion

Have you ever thought about making a REAL book as a special christmas gift? It could be a memory book for mom from your childhood years, collection of photos from a recent getaway for your loved one or even a simple coffee table book of combination of photos and text. It's just such a creative way to share your love this christmas.

They're doing this christmas promotion - 20% off all photobooks until 15th of December, 2008 for shipping to Malaysia and Singapore only. However, if you're in Australia and would like 20% off, just ask me nicely. I'm sure my darling brother will do a thing or two for his little sister. Plus, there's free shipping!

Just use the code - XMASGIFT at checkout, and you'll get 20% off.

This sure beats the christmas rush at the shops!

On our shelves...

Those who know us will know that we are passionate about our PhotoBooks. It is afterall our livelihood.

The photobook business was the brainchild of my brother, Mark. What a clever fella he is! Well done bro, we are eternally grateful to have this wonderful opportunity. Now, we are a worldwide company with Photobook Canada and Photobook Australia picking up speed. Visit out worldwide website here.

This is a photobook for the best mom ever! It was even featured in TheStar for mother's day this year.

Our holiday to Hong Kong in December 2007.

I'm even fuelling up a recipe book with a collection of mouth watering, well tested recipes and hand-me-down family favourites. Who knows one day I might be selling you a copy? ;) Anyone interested?

Photobook Possibilities

Travel & events Whether it’s a birthday, weekend getaway or a trip of a lifetime, you can immortalise your memories with your own custom-made photo book.
Weddings & anniversaries Weddings are a once-in-a-life-time moment, and what better way to cherish the memories than by sharing it with all of your friends? You can also compile a collection of pictures depicting the times you’ve shared together for the anniversary of an occasion.
Arts & photography Share your amazing photographs with the rest of the world. It shouldn’t remain stored in the computer. Photobook Australia’s services are great for professional photographers who want to create their own portfolio.
Babies & children Capture precious moments such as the birth of your child or your kid’s graduation. Or compile a collection of photographs to track their growing years.
Business development Perfect for creating corporate profiles for smaller companies or showcase your products and services in a photobook. Travel companies could compile a collection of their resorts in pictures to be placed in travel agencies.
Your own work Showcase your collection of artwork or document the progress of a particular project. You could even publish your own storybook complete with pictures and illustrations, or create your own diary.

The possibilities are endless!

What will your book be?