Heat relief

With temperatures reaching scorching levels this week, the kids have had a little relief in the paddling pool when water restrictions allow. 

Master Connor received a new swimming cap for his swim lessons a couple of days ago and, true to his costume wearing habit, has worn it non-stop for 2 days. He gave it a trial run in the paddling pool yesterday afternoon. He is such a card!

He is still all eyes and eyebrows...waiting for him to grow into them.........

And the smooshed up eye effect. Attractive yes? Great for the peripheral vision ;)

Bless his little lycra swim cap...he cracks me up :)

New look

Did you notice that my blog has a new look? Thanks to my sister Rachel, digital designer extraordinaire, I have a customised makeover for my blog :) Every few months she tells me she has some new elements to play with and then surprises me with a new look...how lucky am I?! 
I love, love, love this gorgeous retro look, and asked her to make me some bottlecap buttons for my sidebar...and she did! Love them :)


Just a quick card share today. I attended a 21st last night and had to make  a card as I forgot to buy one. I am a very average card maker! Scrapping is no problem, but shrink that format down to card size and I have a mild panic attack LOL!!

Today was one of those rare Sunday afternoons when we had nothing to do! No plans, no parties, no jobs...all free, fun time. After much begging, the kids were allowed to play with the hose and the dinky little plastic pool for a little while, even though it was the middle of the day and stinking hot! They had a blast!

It took me right back to when my sisters and I were kids and used to spend hours in the backyard with hoses, sprinklers, slip-and-slides and wading pools...so much simple, clean (pardon the pun) fun :)

Treat Tins

It is the Little Scrapbook Shop Cybercrop this weekend and I have posted a tutorial to make these sweet little gift tins.

Pop on over there for the full instructions on how to make these cute little gifts. They would be perfect for teacher presents or Christmas gifts this year :)

I also have my very first blog layouts up for A2Z Scraplets :) I was so excited to play with their gorgeous chipboard embellishments and had trouble deciding what to use first! 

Miss Mikaela - using the new A2Z corner words.

Lethal Ethan 'Horror Head' using A2Z's new Web and spiders.

If you are wanting a fantastic sketch challenge, pop on over to the A2Z blog to join in with the November sketch competition. Win fantastic prizes and make a gorgeous layout in the process...win, win!

Cybercropping!

Join us for our monthly Cybercrop at Little Scrapbook Shop this weekend. Loads of fun gift ideas for Christmas, teacher gifts or any special occasion!

I'm home!

I flew in today from Bangkok after almost two weeks traveling in Thailand. We visited villages, schools and communities, far off the tourist strips, which were the most incredible and humbling experiences. We traveled for days in the back of a pick-up truck, dodging potholes, scooters and cattle.

We also played traditional tourist for the last few days in Bangkok...shopping, sight-seeing and eating all manner of food-on-a-stick!

Some of these photos were taken on our day trip to Laos which was a highlight of the trip. Truly amazing and indescribable.

It is after midnight and I can't sleep, even though I am shattered. Technically, seeing as morning has sort of broken, it is now my birthday :) I really should get some sleep!

One very exciting piece of news that I received whilst away, was the announcement of my new Design Team position with Kaisercraft Digital! I am so excited to be working with the amazing team of Ladies that make up the very first digi design team for kaisercraft. So many gorgeous digi kits from one of Australia's leading scrapbooking manufacturers!
Checkout the blog post here to see the announcement!

I'm out of here...

I am off to Thailand for 12 days! Richard has been there for a week already, with a group from Church, on their yearly trek. They travel there anually as TESOL teachers, and to carry out work for the orphange we have built a few years ago. A place opened up and I had the opportunity to jump on the plane and go for the last 12 days of the trip! I have never traveled to Thailand before so I am a bit beside myself!

I have organised the kids to go to their gramdparent's houses for the duration of my trip and they are finally all packed and sent off....I am taking a little breath before I finish packing and take off....I'll see you soon :)

Blooms

This layout features the gorgeous little flowers we will be making in my very first class for Scrapbooks etc in November. This is not the layout we will be making but the flowers are made the same.

Cute huh? If you'd like to have a go at making these sweet little blooms, book a class ;)I'd love to see you :)

This is a little peek at one of the two layouts we will be making in my class. It's just a little snapshot so not very clear...but you get the idea.