Move Over Martha Stewart!

In the quest to become the world's most domesticated woman - or at least one that can train my kids well enough to do myself out of a job - I have created a new family chore chart. I have created it as an A3 printable to be laminated and used as a whiteboard like my menu planner.

I have also created a school morning routine chart as a visual prompt for my little guys. I have updated our routine a little now that the kids are all at school and wanted something they can read and mentally tick off each day. I have created a blank one that you can fill in with whatever routine suits your family :)

You can download each of my charts for free.

Family Chore Chart

School Morning Routine Chart

Take that Martha...now I just need to knock the Supernanny off her perch and get the kids to follow the routines.

Prima cards

This is just a few of the cards I have been commissioned to make this week. I have used some more gorgeous Prima papers and embellishments for these cards.

I have been doing some scrapbooking but it is all for work or publication at the moment. I had a layout picked up by Scrapbooking Memories this week which is one of my favourite ever layouts...it's always exciting to have work accepted but it's especially lovely when it is such a favourite :)

I have a few photos I am keen to scrap for myself this week so will pop back with some shares when I get a few spare minutes to play!

There are just not enough hours in the day to do everything I need to do...I need a wife!

Free Menu Planner Download

I have used all sorts of menu planning boards and documents over the years and have never found one that works well for long...

So I designed this laminated A3 sized menu planner to place on the front of my refrigerator. I have been slack with my menu planning lately and really need to get back to organising my meals more efficiently. We have been so busy with after school activites, church and work recently that meals are often rushed, unimaginative and not very well planned.

I have also pledged to get the kids more involved with planning, preparing and cooking the meals we make, not only as a necessary life skill, but to have them take some ownership over the task.

Having the meals for the week written down and in plain sight prevents the inevitable daily "Mum, what's for dinner?" questions.

It won't, however, prevent the kids from complaining about your cooking. That, my friend, I can't help you with ;)

You can download a free copy of my menu planner here. It is designed as an A3 document so you may need to get it printed at a copyshop if you don't have access to a large printer. I laminated it and plan to write on it with an erasable whiteboard marker. It is the perfect size for the top section of my fridge but you could easily alter the size of the document to suit your needs.

Let me know if this planner works for you and if you have any other ideas for free printables to make life a little more organised! I also designed this sign which is yet to attract any offers....typical *sigh* ;)

Cards galore!

Excuse me if my typing is a little off, the neighbours wayward kitty is perched on my lap and resting his head on my wrist. Not very conducive to typing!
I have never been a cat person but this little fella is terribly cute and sunggly :) I am quite enjoying him in small doses...the pet you have when you don't have a pet!
I have been on a bit of a card making frenzy again this week. I have well and truly been bitten by the card bug. I made a range of simple birthday cards to have on stand-by. I always end up making a card at the last minute for birthdays so wanted to have a stash ready to go when I need them.
I used a heap of leftover October Afternoon papers for all of these cards.

These were easy and quick to make and used up a lot of scraps. If yoou like the look of the Happy Birthday tags I have made in Photoshop, you can download the 2 page document here for free, ready to print at home :) There are a range of colours and fonts included in the document.

I plan to do another session this week to make some masculine cards. I haven't done many manly cards so that should be interesting! I'll have to tap into my testosterone supply to pull that one off ;)

I am the host at this week's Autumn Challenge at Little Scrapbook Shop's The Seasoned Scrapper challenge. I have challenged the participants to create a layout using two different threading or stitching techniques using thread, fibre, wool, string etc.

This photo below is purely to prove that I do in fact have a teenager. This species is rarely photographed and never unplugged from one electronic device or another. He is also in desperate need of a haircut but insists on the shaggy, orphaned look that is so popular with teen boys everywhere right now.

Just when I was reaching the point of dispair last night, his sister told him that he looks like Justin Bieber...he immediately agreed to a haircut! God bless the little sister!

I can't wait to see what his forehead looks like again :)

It is the Labor Day holiday here in Queensland today. It has always bemused me to think that the day that is also known as International Workers Day is celebrated with a day off! No complaints from me, however, as I have had a lovely relaxing day. I even had some time to scrap a layout of the Mikaela's kitty photos.

Love this October Afternoon Fly a Kite range. I have been waiting for these new October Afternoon lines for so long and they are just gorgeous. Click on the link to see the full range instore at Little Scrapbook Shop.

Well it seems the holiday is over...the housework needs some serious attention. I might get the kids on board and make the most of their help...we'll call it Child Labor Day :)

Tutu cute!...and loads to share :)

First up is the cute bit...Miss Mikaela and the tutu she conned me into buying for her yesterday because-it-is-all-I've-ever-wanted-and-I-promise-I'll-wear-it-forever-and-ever. *sigh*.

She does love it, and she has asked for one for a while. Now she just has to deliver on the wear it forever and ever bit ;)

And now for some scrapping shares. I have done quite a bit lately and haven't shared for a while so there is a few!

This one is Miss M again with our part-time pet...the cat from next door. She is way too fond of this little kitty and it practically lives here.

If it wasn't for the fact that she is quite allergic to her and her eyes swell shut, I'd be fine with it!

My adorable nephew Laclan :) Is he not just the sweetest thing? Yummy new October Afternoon Thrift Shop papers here.

A card using some lovely Websters Pages papers. I am seriously liking this card making thing. I might have been converted!

More Thrift Shop loveliness :)Yep, Miss M again. I do have other children but they are not very camera happy at the moment.

Here's another snap of Miss M and the kitty...this is rather sweet. Right before the eye swelling I mean ;)

A set of cards using Cosmo Cricket's Garden Variety range for Little Scrapbook Shop this month.

And a layout too. See, there's one of my other kids. See, I don't really favour the girl child.

A challenge for Little Scrapbook Shop for Mothers Day. A pic of my Hubby and his Mum :)

And my layout for The Seasoned Scrapper challenge over at Little Scrapbook Shop. I challenged the group to create a layout inspired by quilts. Autumn is the perfect time for creating downy quilts for Winter so this is a great choice for a challenge I think!

And a design team layout for A-Z Scraplets featuring the sweet Made With Love chipboard words. So easy to paint and use on layouts for quick, gorgeous layouts. Too easy! Hmmm there's that girl child again!

I have scrapped some of the boys this month but they are for work and publication. I'll be sure to pop back in and prove I don't really play favourites ;)