BUMBO SEATS

I recently purchased a Bumbo seat for Ellie. I can tell you it is now on my 'must have' parenting list, I love that it give me some time to do things around the house, cook dinner with two hands or work on design projects with her nearby.
She really loves it and is able to join in the family activities a little more than when plonked on the couch or floor. The colours are sweet too, don't you think? Do you have an item that is a parenting essential? I'd love to hear.

LEGO GIFT BAGS

I have been so thankful to some people who have really blessed us in the first few weeks of arriving in Canada. I wanted to show them just a smidge of my appreciation. Not having all my usual arty supplies with me yet, I used what I had in my hand, which was a box of Lego and the basic craft supplies I jammed in my suitcase. I bought a roll of white textured wrapping paper from Michael's, and printed some printables to finish them off.
I love that they can be made in any size you like, and filled with anything!


Crease the edges while the paper is still wrapped around the lego block. It will make it easier to fold the sides together and the bottom up.

I used a 1" punch to finish them off.


You could go with the Washi tape and use it for decorating too, however I had some printables on hand of a new design that will be in the shop soon. Voila!
You can then go ahead and make them in any size you like!

Images // Polkadot Prints

SHOP OPENING

Happy Monday all! Good news for you party girls...the shop is open again this week. It's been a little add-hock with internet and getting everything in order, but now I'm ready to help you get your parties happening once again. I can't wait! There's even an re-opening special of a big 20% off all stationery! Just enter "CANADA20" in the promo code box (although of course anyone can use it, not just you Canadians!) Share with your friends and happy Shopping! xo

All images & designs are Copyright to Polkadot Prints

WEEKEND WHIPAROUND

I think things have finally caught up to me this week. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with learning how a country operates. It's easy to take for granted all that you know about your home country works. You gradually pick things up over time as you go through school, get your license, insure a car, buy a home, have a child, shop for groceries (knowing the good brands from the bad), understand the medical system, government etc. We have been trying to get a grasp on it all in just a month...talk about brain overload! Not to mention the mammoth task of visa applications....

It was so nice to spend some time out at our friends cabin today and not do much at all.
We're finally off to the lodge this week so connections may be down for a bit, but I look forward to getting back on deck and getting my craft on!
Here are just a few things from the web this week as I haven't had much spare 'surf time':

// Create a large format photo - love
// A ripper font find
// Hey mum's we can all take a leaf from these tips
// Confetti Dishtowel
// Oh Sweet Mum (and follow the links to the online mag) - sugar rush!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! xo

CREPE PAPER CHANDELIER

I first created a crepe paper chandelier for a photo shoot last year. Unfortunately it wasn't featured, so I've been hanging out to create another for some event. Our farewell party seemed the perfect oppportunity with a cute colour palette. They're kind of my new favourite backdrop.
They are inexpensive to make and super easy to boot, and easy enough for a little boy to help out with too.
All you need are
// Embroidery hoops in various sizes
// Crepe paper streamers in your choice of colours &
// Masking tape
// Twine to hang

I suspended my hoops from a hook stuck in a ceiling beam to give me some height. Then worked my way around the hoop, taping streamers over the edge, letting them fall to the floor & then cut (this is where the toddler help came in handy passing them back up to me! - and yes, it must have been hot work :).

I alternated colours that matched my event, but you could do these in solid colours which I think would look really cool too.

I wish I'd taken a few more shots of these, but I was in such a hurry and pressed for time. They're really quite easy, but if you have any questions, just leave a comment below and I'll be sure to answer them. 
Because I made these ones shorter than my first ones, there was nothing to anchor them to the ground when the wind picked up. It meant they got caught up in the trees a little more than I'd planned, but I decided not to get hung up on such a detail but just embrace the crepe paper & leaf tangle! : )


Images // DIY by Polkadot Prints & Ice Cream table by Gerty Photography

FAREWELL PARTY IN THE PARK

This week we had to crack open my computer to print some stuff for my visa paperwork, which was actually a big 'Yay' for me. As sad as it may sound, being without my computer is like a part of me is missing - I miss my creative outlet, and my usual programs and tools to make my ideas happen! So nice to feel a little bit normal : )

It has also meant that I have access to the photos from our farewell party which I have wanted to share with you for a while, double yay!

Given we didn't have our own house and the fact we wanted to invite as many of our friends & family as we could to our farewell party, we held it in a nearby park. I had no 'plan B', so thankfully, it was a beautiful day and didn't rain!
Hot Dogs & Ice Cream were on the menu, which made it easy for a big crowd. It's times like these that I am extra thankful for a big helpful family and a chef as a brother in law (I dare say hot dogs were a little below his level, but he was very obliging! : )

I love that photo of Levi and one of his little buddies! xo

I created a new stationery design for the occasion (which will be in the shop when it re-opens), and put together an ice cream bar. Easy and always fun! We had some delicious flavours of ice cream and I tried to choose Australian style lollies along with the standard sprinkles & toppings.

I think my favourite little details are the blue glass spoon holder from Ikea, and the pastel paper doilies (thanks Chelley Bean Designs for such a speedy delivery!). My favourite hand made detail were the crepe paper chandeliers that I hung in the tree. They looked a little different than I anticipated due to the wind (didn't think of that!), but they were quick to make and made a nice impact.

We sent everyone home with a giant freckle in a glassine bag with our contact details - so there's no excuse not to keep in touch! : ) Tied with bakers twine, they looked so cute all packaged up.

We had some props set up for friends to have their photo taken too. A few laughs!

I want to say a humungous thank you also to some lovely friends who helped make this day so awesome -
// Tash from Whimsy Petite Styling for her fabulous props, games & tables - she hires these out did you know? They really made it all come together when I just wasn't feeling it.

// Jess from Gerty Photography - seriously, so thankful she was able to capture so many photos of our friends and casual fun. Evertime I looked up there she was snapping away so many memories for us.  Please check out her website and facebook page. I will treasure all her photos.

// Daneve from Ah-Tissue & Chalk-It for those snazzy chalkboard labels. Love this product, thank you for a lovely going away gift xo

// And the photobooth props were from Oh Happy Day for a bit of fun. Thank you for the last minute inspriation! : )

I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my last Aussie event. Have you ever hosted a party for a lot of people? I'm curious to know what you served for food!

WEEKEND WHIPAROUND

We took the kids to see the snow for the first time this week. While it's quite mild weather where we are, there is still plenty of snow up at the nearby ski resort. To say Levi had a great time is an understatement! He threw, jumped and played with the stuff with reckless abandon. We'll see what he thinks of snow after a long winter at the lodge!

I'm having a few techy problems at the moment; one is replying to your comments with Bloggers new threaded comments widget, so I hope that sorts itself out soon. Thank you for all your thoughts and kind words of encouragement. It's such a highlight of my day to read your comments.
The other issue is sending email. I am getting email fine, but outgoing are have a few issues. I hope that will be fixed soon too especially if you're waiting for a response from me!

Until then, here are few fun things from around the web this week:

// This tutorial would help me respond to you easier (please do it! : )
// An easy take home idea you could use for many occasions
// Eat in style (reminds me of this)
// Have you ever tried felt food?
// An easy toddler craft to practice sewing

FONDUE FOR YOU

Here's a little free printable that I thought you might enjoy. Perfect for a personal treat (hello Mothers day!) or for a get together with the girlfriends, these little flags are ready to be stuck to a toothpick and be dunked in chocolate.

I used them at a party I hosted last year where I served individual plates & pots of chocolate fondue & fruit. Instead of pure chocolate, I made a mousse style dip with whipped cream and melted Toblerone (delish!). It made it a little less rich and sickening. But I'm sure you're friends wouldn't complain whichever you served!

These photos make me miss Pascall marshmallows - so soft and creamy....hmmmmm. Have some for me!

NOTE: Remember to play nice - if you re-post or pin these images, please link back to this post and not the dowload directly. Thanks! : )

LEST WE FORGET

It's ANZAC day in Australia on Wednesday. Are you a regular at the dawn services? We normally have a BBQ breakfast to start the day. Being miles apart this year, I don't think we'll make it!

But, I saw these free Poppy printables from Mooo to commemorate the day. They would be great for a place settings don't you think? You can see more creative ideas and download the set here.

Enjoy the public holiday and may we all take a moment to be thankful for those who fought for our freedom!

WEEKEND WHIPAROUND

Everyday is feeling like a weekend at the moment with not much daily structure, so I nearly forgot to post today! But I wanted to send you off for the rest of your weekend with a smile. 

We had three deer trot down the street in broad daylight this week! So random and funny. I don't want to mock this new country we live in, but I find myself taking iPhone photos of so many things that I find different to home. A walk down the street and a trip to the supermarket has never been so quirky! I'll be sure to share some more photos with you in the coming weeks!

Here are a few more fun things I've come across this week that I thought you might enjoy...

// Cute shop and baking supplies
// The second edition of a pretty online mag
// Blank Goods
// Quilling never looked so chic
// Would you dare have a neon wedding?
// Fill your picnic basket with these tasty sangers

I remembered our Australian farewell party this week too and can't wait to unpack and share the photos with you. Oh memories!

Image // Polkadot Prints