Tuesday, November 26, 2013

2013 Holiday Gift Guide : Great Book Creations you can DIY

How would you feel if you were given a gift that was handcrafted? Or you knew was something that he created, with much effort, wholeheartedly and with real intentions of making you happy? Isn't it an awesome feeling right? You can make this happen too. For your loved ones, family and friends would really appreciate such gifts made by you, alone. Why not let Blurb be your platform in making these ideas happen?

Creating a professional looking photobooks, or recipe books or just merely a collection of your poems will be wonderful enough to deserve a hug from the recipient. Here are some ideas if you are running out of one. 

"People love getting really creative, one-of-a-kind books for Christmas. Books that elicit a “where did you find this?” response. As the leading indie- and self-publishing platform, Blurb has an entire online bookstore full of unique books by an incredible array of undiscovered, self-published authors, artists, and photographers. And while these books probably aren’t in your recipient’s bookshelf, many of them should be. So, if you’re thinking of giving unique gifts this year, consider these titles. Each costs around $40 USD or less:

Cookie Cravings by Maria Lichty and Heidi LarsenWe all have cookie cravings. Popular food blogger Maria Lichter decided to put them into something deliciously original: A baking book featuring 30 recipes you won’t find anywhere else.


Dog by My Side by Adam SchnitzerThis charming collection of original, vintage photos shows us that as long as there have been cameras, we’ve wanted to photograph our canine best friends. As a special bonus, there’s a glossary of the early photographic methods used in the original images.


Around the World with a Toy Camera by Giorgio GiussaniPerfect for the photography or graffiti-art fan on your list. This book is an explosion of gritty color that explores the wonders of street art and analog photography.


Food Stories by Elena ScottA short, wonderfully illustrated collection of recipes (and food stories) that will inspire you to pick up the knife and spatula—or just pen and paper.

Things I Love by Carol Nehls and Jessica RoseIllustrated and written many years apart by a mother and daughter, this sweet rhyming story told by a fox is pure joy for all ages.


Patent Pending by Jordan NatyshenChicken goggles, air-conditioned rocking chairs, monkey jockeys for greyhounds… humankind has invented and sought to patent some amazing and crazy things. Illustrator Jordan Natyshen illustrates some of the strangest in this history of odd inventions.


Tiny Horses are Everywhere by Thea LuxThe perfect stocking-stuffer for fans of off-beat humor, this undeniably nutty book is based on a Tumblr blog and combines simple photo collages of small horses in human environments with incredibly funny captions.

Rouleaux by Anastassia EliasWhat can you do with an empty roll of toilet paper? If you’re French artist Anastassia Elias, you create tiny dioramas inside of the discarded tubes. Inspired by art and movies, these pieces are beautifully crafted, fun, and unbelievably detailed.


Low Fidelity by Bobby GrossmanIf you, or someone you love, listened to New York punk and new wave in the 70s, chances are your favorite artist can be found in this book. Bobby Grossman photographed Iggy Pop, David Byrne, The Ramones, Debbie Harry, Andy Warhol and many more. This book is a time capsule of—and a love letter to—a legendary time, place, and sound.


Take a second and head over to Blurb to see if you can end your search for that perfect gift this season! 

Oh by the way, Save 30% on Blurb's Print Books with code: SAVE30

Creating the best gift for your best pal from the best Blurb books.
For me, it is still better to give than to receive.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Getting Hooked with Craftsy

It is never too late for anyone to learn some arts and crafts, even if you are the most hard-headed kid in your class when you were still studying, Craftsy can help you each step of the way so you'll get to finish what you started. Meantime, let me give you some information what Craftsy is all about. I've been posting about Craftsy lessons and promos but I have never really introduced it in details.

Here you go.

What is Craftsy?

Craftsy is a worldwide craft community offering online classes. It also has a patterns marketplace where independent designers can sell their patterns; a supplies shop with great deals on yarn, fabric, and class kits; and a projects section where members share pictures of their latest craft successes. With over two million members and counting, Craftsy has something for just about everyone, in categories ranging from quilting, sewing, knitting, painting, photography, cooking, and more. 

Craftsy Logo 

Behind the Scenes: The Making of a Craftsy Class

Before filming even begins, hours and hours are spent determining what content will be covered in each class, and how to best teach specific techniques to the camera. Instructors work with an instructional designer to create an in-depth outline of each lesson, and decide how to best prepare props or “step-outs” that show what your project should like at different steps. Instead of a scripted class, instructors follow their outlines on camera to create an authentic and engaging teaching experience. 

Most Craftsy classes are filmed in one of five Craftsy studios in Denver, CO, assuring that every part of the production process goes off without a hitch. They fly in instructors from all over the world to spend several days filming, then spend several weeks turning hours of footage into a two to three hour class experience that has been watched, re-watched, and reviewed by industry experts. The final result is an HD-quality video that takes you in-depth into specific topics in any given craft category- from cooking and fine art to sewing and knitting. 



What is the Craftsy experience?
Craftsy classes are designed to have all the benefits of an in-person class, with none of the drawbacks. Available online and on-demand, you always have world-class instructors at the tip of your fingers. You can retake the class as many times as you want, and the 30-second repeat feature allows you to watch the same section over and over again until you get every technique just right. 

Watching a Craftsy class is like having a first-row seat with some of the best instructors in the world. Even better, classes have a 100% money-back guarantee. 

Try online learning today with a free mini-class from Craftsy! Choose from 23 Free Craftsy Classes ranging from drawing and painting to sewing and quilting, from knitting to cake decorating and more.



Happy Craftsy-ing!



Zinc Door Offers Select GIFTS Discount

Holidays are fast approaching and so as our bread and butter. 
Make no Christmas rush and save more from your gifting. 

SHOP ONLINE at Zinc Door!

Zinc Door offers 15% off discount on Select Gifts,  use the code: GIFTING on checkout. 


The more you shop, the more savings you get.


Monday, November 18, 2013

Nations Unite to Save Lives Campaign

We can do MORE!


The recent disaster that hits the country received an overwhelming response from other nations around the globe. A tragic thing has led many people to be as one. Despite the controversies in the government agencies, people outside the Philippines never ceases to help in times like this. When I watched the news about the Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan victims, I just stared and feel the feeling of a heartbreaking survivor staring at his surroundings with no one to hang on to. I don't need to enumerate everything and relive the saddening parts in this tragedy, I just want to help them, the survivors.

Last week, I posted on our village that we accept donations for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, and it will be forwarded to GMA Kapuso foundation, because a friend of mine works there. She, together with her families and friends exerted much effort to pick up donations at different locations in the metro. Ours was picked up last Friday, and was forwarded Sunday to GMA via loaded truck of donations. It is a great feeling to have extended help to our needy kababayans, and because of this, I am launching a campaign to get more help and to provide more to the survivors. Thank you so much Nena Celle Dumol for the initiative to help others.



I really wanted to help Typhoon Yolanda victims and this is one way I can think of that hopefully would have a positive response.

I created a Teespring campaign, it's just a simple design which you can see here.

Originally the creative and touching design made by my cousin Jenny Labit, from Daly City California, was the one I am trying to upload on Teespring, but due to the very good quality, high resolution and multiple vivid colors, Teespring was unable to capture it and so sad they haven't replied to my inquiry yet. Giving me first a failed hope in extending my help. But then I thought, maybe it really isn't meant to be like that, so I decided to browse on the net and found this Philippine flag under 'free philippine flag photos', place it on my tee design, posted my credits on the campaign description so as not to infringe on any copyright

Now, my Nations Unite tee campaign is launched, and will run for 10 days, ending November 28, 2013. If successfully after 10 days,  50 shirts minimum required to be printed are ordered, we will give all proceeds to buy food, bottled water, blankets, mats and even tents if response will be overwhelming. Basic tee price with print is $13.70 (Hanes) so the excess which is $10 multiplied by the number of shirts which will be bought from Teespring will all be forwarded to the Eastern Visayas region survivors of the typhoon.

We will provide transparent updates so you will know where your help has been forwarded.

Please help this spread on your Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks. Help us Help them.

Thank you in advance. Wishing hardly for this to be a successful campaign.

Proceed to this link for the campaign:  http://teespring.com/nationsunitetosavelives  you may copy and paste it on your sharing wall/timeline/tweet.

Keep in Touch...

Email me at  chaicgalapon18@gmail.com
Like whazz bloggin you and me on Facebook
Be a fan of my book page Innocence in Time
Follow me on Twitter @mythinktanknet


Subscribe to my updates.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Blurb's DIY Chicken Soup for the Soul

In choosing a book gift for a friend or family, it is sometimes hard as you really wouldn't know exactly the likes of that person. After all, you never know what books they already have. And then when you do find the right book, and give it to them, how do you make it really personal? Put in a book plate? Write an inscription? How do you make the whole thing totally them?

These personalized "Chicken Soup for the Soul" are one really great way to do it.Not only do you get to choose from the five different themes (from Christian stories to Giving Thanks) you can personalized it in ways you just can't in a conventional book. As the title suggests, these are stories meant to comfort and heal.

Your custom “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book will truly be a book for them because the book is printed with their name on the cover, as the recipient. And it’s truly from you because your name is printed on the cover as the giver. You can even include an inscription inside the book and on the back cover. Even add a photo to the back. 

There are other nice options to choose from, like the type of cover you’d like and the type of paper. It takes just about five minutes to make it a truly custom book. And chances are, it’s something they’ll love forever. And a 60-page book starts at just $24.95.



There’s a quick video here: Chicken Soup for the Soul that shows you how to fill in all the info using a simple online tool. The books are all done by Blurb, so you know the quality is going to be great. 


 Get started here: Blurb's Chicken Soup for the Soul


Make gift giving special by creating it from the bottom of your heart!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links.

Keep in Touch...

Email me at  chaicgalapon18@gmail.com
Like whazz bloggin you and me on Facebook
Be a fan of my book page Innocence in Time
Follow me on Twitter @mythinktanknet
Subscribe to my updates.

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Saturday, November 9, 2013

2013 Holiday Guide - Blurb Gift Center

'Tis the season to be jolly... approaching in a couple of weeks. Escape the Christmas rush, why not do the gift shopping now? There are a lot gifts you can give to your friends and families but there's nothing special when gifts come from the bottom of your heart and is created by you.  That's where Blurb comes into action.

Introducing: Blurb Gift Center

Offers are for a limited time only. Make up your mind now and create the best book gift you can give.

"Blurb lets you make seriously beautiful books using their free tools. Just add photos and text, choose your options (like paper and cover type), and then order. Of course, you do have to decide just what kind of book you want to make. But relax, because they have put together the cool Blurb Gift Center to give you lots of ideas.

For instance, if you’ve got a genealogical bent, there’s the Blurb Family History Book.

For those with newborns (or those that know someone with a newborn), a BlurbBaby Book might be just the thing.

And if you’re the kind of person who keeps getting asked for copies of your recipes, think about making a Blurb Food Book.

This holiday season, make your gift recipients feel really special by making them something special. There really is a book for everyone."






Promo details:

Save 20% when you spend $40 or more on print books at Blurb
Use Coupon code: MORESAVINGS**Offer valid through November 11,2013. Valid for printed books only. A 20% discount is applied toward your product total with a minimum order of $40. Maximum discount is USD $100 or CAD $100 off product total. This offer is good for one-time use, and cannot be combined with volume discounts, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders.

Save $25 when you spend $100 or more on print books at Blurb
Use Coupon code: EARLYSAVINGS**Offer valid through November 11, 2013. Valid for printed books only. A $25 discount is applied toward your product total with a minimum order of $100. This offer is good for one-time use, and cannot be combined with volume discounts, other promotional codes, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous orders. 

Happy Shopping!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Little Miss Captain Flash Giveaway

I may have been out for quite awhile, fixing things up for my book Innocence in Time, hopefully this month paperback copies will be available.

How about a flash giveaway now? 
Stay with me and please do share this giveaway to your friends too, 
especially if they have little cutie baby girls..

The prizes for this mini event will be a gorgeous red tutu dress, headband, socks and bib.





This giveaway is being sponsored by Little Miss Captain.
Little Miss Captain is a budding online shop for babies and kids, as well as kids at heart. More items will be revealed on the weeks to come. So don't forget to drop by at Little Miss Captain online shop.

Now for the giveaway.
Use the Rafflecopter to gain entries. Giveaway starts now, November 7th, 
and ends on November 12, 2013.
The winner will be announced on November 13, 2013.

Goodluck!


Keep in Touch...

Email me at  chaicgalapon18@gmail.com
Like whazz bloggin you and me on Facebook
Be a fan of my book page Innocence in Time
Follow me on Twitter @mythinktanknet
Subscribe to my updates.

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