NOTES FOR THE TEACHER

It was Levi's last day of preschool yesterday. A weird but rewarding feeling!
For a teacher gift, I was looking at some personalised business cards on Minted which in turn lead me to the idea of creating a personalised note set for each of his teachers.
While I'm very aware teachers are always given 'teachery' things, I didn't know their own style, so I bent to the stereotype and did a teacher theme...but in my own style.  A bit of graph paper & retro stationery supplies. hmmm I love stationery...
I had them printed, then bundled them up with envelopes in a cardboard box. Added a belly band and a signed note from Levi, and we called it a day!
I'm so happy with how they turned out! I hope they liked them too, and do actually use them!

I wonder if you give teacher gifts? A friend of mine gave a baking pack including a Donna Hay magazine and cookie cutter for her daughters teacher one year. I guess it does help if you know what their hobbies are (aside from dealing with our darling children of course! : )

COPING THROUGH LOGO & BRANDING

A few weeks back I had a logo & branding sale. It's been a lot of fun getting to help people build a brand and logo for their business. I will share a few of those logos that I can over the coming weeks. This one today, is close to my heart. All about supporting those going through a loss of a baby. We worked on a few concepts, but Michelle settled on this direction which appealed to both male & female.  The main logo can be reversed out and also supported with a 'rain shower' pattern. I look forward to seeing it worked out on their website, social media & stationery. I'll let you know when the site goes live!

If your business needs a logo face lift or you're just getting things off the ground, email me for a questionnaire to get the ball rolling! A new look is just an email away!

HOMEMADE MEALS LABEL :: FREEBIE

It wasn't till I became a mum, that I understood the value of a cooked meal as a gift.

I mean I would give meals to other friends who had had babies, or were going through a rough patch, but until I had received a warm home cooked meal at the pointy end of the day with a newborn, did I fully understand how this gift is seriously one of the best. Do I hear an 'Amen', fellow frazzled mummy?

I've gifted a couple of meals recently and when I went to package them up, I was reminded of these labels I did for one of those big cook things late last year. And well, they came in real handy again for writing up ingredients, instructions and serving suggestions.

So, I thought I'd share them & give you all a freebie today!

You can download both the meal label (print onto label/sticker paper) and there is also a Food Roster to help organise who's brining what when. (My sister in law goes to a church where they organise two full weeks of meals when someone has a new baby. Such a great idea...the obvious inspiration for the roster). If you prefer an electronic version try Meal Train. I've tried looking for an app for this type of thing, but haven't come across one, have you?

Download the Meal Label here
Download the Food Roster here

Well, I hope this is helpful and makes organising and lending a hand to others a little bit easier!

I'M GOING TO ALT...SAN FRANCISCO

Earlier in the year, Alt announced they were doing a day long Alt conference in San Fransisco. I have always wanted to go to the original in Salt Lake, but since I missed it in January, this new location was looking pretty good. There was a mad rush when rego's were released, so it was a bit like getting a 'golden ticket' when my registration went through. (I held my breath everytime I had to go to a new screen and got the confirmation just before their system crashed. Talk about edge of your seat! Haha).

All this to say....there are more tickets that have just gone on sale! You can register here. I'm sure these will also sell out, so I'd get on it if you missed out.

I'm an extrovert, but not a huge networking kinda girl, so that kind of makes me a little nervous. But, I just can't wait to go and just be inspired, sit & mix amongst those I admire and just soak up being in a creative environment. (not to mention a little getaway for mummy! : )

Are you an Alt conference veteran, do you have any tips for me? let me know if you're going to the San Fran day too, would love to meet you in the flesh!

SPRING LONG WEEKEND HAPPINESS

We've had a long weekend here this weekend. It marks the beginning of camping season apparently. And I'm told the chances of snow from here on out are reduced heaps. (A friend told me that the only month of guaranteed, no snow, is July...yikes! : ) So fingers crossed, this lovely weather will be sticking around!

We brought our bikes over here, so we dusted those off last week and have been riding most days since it's been nice out. Having the wind in your hair (err...helmet) and sun on your body, just brings a smile to my face. Love it, love it, love it!

I've also been envying all those attending the NSS this week. I've been ogling at all the booth displays in my instagram feed (@polkadotprints). So inspiring. I dream of one day having my own stationery & party line! Wouldn't that be fun. : )

I'm also working on projects for Christmas (ahhh yes, it is only May...crazy!) so lots of ideas needing to be put down on paper and designed this week. Happy week to you! xo

P.S I just had to include these two pics. Ahhh my little girl...love her!

KIDS' QUIET BAG ESSENTIALS

With no family close by for those short 'can you mind my kids?' appointments, Levi & Ellie have been hiking along with me more than usual in the past year. One thing that helps me with the waiting and entertaining on the go, is having a quiet bag hanging in the hall cupboard, ready to grab on the way out the door.

I was planning on making and designing my own freezer stencil bag (because I now live in a country that actually sells freezer paper and I've been itching to try it). But then I found these bags at Forever 21 for $1.50...and...well, you just can't beat that. (thanks Christine for the heads up!).

If you think one of these would work at your place, you can of course put whatever in it you like in it. But to get things going, here's ours. Let's take a look inside:


Something to colour - think crayons or pencils (textas don't look too good on a Dr's couch!), stencils, stickers, colouring book, activity book, blank notebook etc.

Something to play with - These wooden cars, game & beading tube I got at Superstore for like $2 or $3 each. But think, silly putty, little dolls, paper dolls, dinosaurs...whatever you kid is into. For me, these toys are just for the quiet bag. They don't get played with at home. It keeps them special and engages for a bit longer! Every second of quiet counts...

Something to read - These are what is currently in ours, but change them up regularly to keep them guessing!

Then, hey presto! Hang it in your hall cupboard or with your handbag so it's easy to just grab and go as you're walking out the door.

MOTHERS DAY MUSINGS

These guys make me a mum. I love them so much.

I always try and mother with the vision of seeing my two gorgeous kids grow in character more than anything else. I love them, but sometimes I just don't do as well as I'd like. Just this week we had a showdown over making a bed before school in the morning, a toddler tantrum over a water bottle, and a day that just needed to end at 3.30pm. But, that all turns out inignificant when this morning Dave told me while gift shopping yesterday, Levi wanted to buy me "a beautiful dress". How sweet is that? Seriously that kid takes me from the pulling my hair out, to getting all lovey dovey.

I'm so aware that this motherhood thing is like a roller coaster ride with it's ups and downs. But I'm also aware that I am not riding this puppy on my own, but there is a train full of women...screaming right along with me! You encourage in all areas of my life, you advise, you tell me that 'that is normal'. Thank you my friends. I couldn't do this thing alone.

Happy mothers day friends xo

GLUTEN & ALLERGY FOOD PICKS :: SHOP NEWS

I mentioned last week that I have recently found out I have some food allergies. It's a little depressing, I'll admit, but I am determined it not to let the joy of food be lost and hosting parties can still happen! So  please enter my latest shop addition - the Allergy Food Pick

These are new to my shop, can be shipped world wide. 
There are two pack options: 

Gluten Free 12 pk
Allergy Free Mixed 12 pk (inclues two of each; sugar, dairy, gluten, wheat, nut & egg free)

If you are a fellow party host-er, or a creator of beautiful dessert tables, you will most likely be aware of the unfortunate increase in food allergies. With these food picks you need not fear! These allergy alerts will add to your food display and make it really clear to your guests which foods are a-ok to enjoy!

Please let me know if you have any questions about them or if there is a specific allergy you were after and I will be happy to help you out!

Note: the Cupcakes in this shoot are completely allergy free and the recipe can be found here. The icing recipe is from this book. 

Images // Copyright to Polkadot Prints

DREAMS THAT TURN OUT, & DREAMS THAT DON'T...(& OTHER WAFFLINGS!)

This post turned out to be a lot more text and photos than I'd first planned...just a warning, but read on to hear where we are & what happend to the lodge :)

Today is my 500th blog post. Kinda crazy. Kinda cool. I don't even want to go back and look at my first post, I cringe! I am so thankful I've grown and changed over the years. I wish I could share more of life with you, but I am learning to just be in this season of raising young children. I have more ideas than time allows which can be frustrating. And it's hard at times when I'm tempted to look around & see what accolades and accomplishments I could achieve, but I am reminded to keep my blinders on, look straight ahead, be me, live in the 'now' with a vision of the future. So much more like me.

I was going to write about our first year of living in Canada today, so when I saw the old 500 post mark, it couldn't be better timed I don't think. While my sister was visiting, we marked our one year anniversary here. On the actual date, we went out for a bit of a ten pin bowling session followed by dinner. It was such a fun family activity. We need to do that more!

When I reflect back on our move here; we left Australia with a 3mth, newborn baby, who is now walking around & chatting; We had all our stuff in packed up in boxes for months, and now I feel like we have created a home. We knew nothing of the banking, phone, and health systems here, let alone the different grocery brands and products, and now I'm feeling a little more pro in all those things. It's interesting that you can live in an English speaking, developed country, but still feel a sense of culture shock! Oh those early days...I'm so glad they are behind me! (Have any of you moved overseas and felt like that?)

Originally you may remember we moved to Canada for this lodge. Making it a little more mod, and running it with my hubby's family. Well, lets just say things didn't work out the way we planned (let's hear it for family business - haha!!) and so last August we moved to Edmonton for work for Dave. I never really mentioned it here because we thought it was just temporary. But we've been here for 8mths now. When we arrived in Edmonton we knew two couples, and now I feel like we have connected in with a church, school and a social group of friends. It's becoming so much more familiar and is better for our family than the remoteness of the lodge.

We have been living in a two bedroom apartment for the first time in our married lives...I'll have to show you around sometime.  But that will be for another day!

We don't know what the future holds for certain (but who really does anyway?). We have some dreams and plans, so we are just wisely waiting to see when & how that all works out, and we really can't say where we will be in a years time from now, coz honestly I never thought a year ago I'd be living in Edmonton of all places. (I hear Bamuda is lovely though...that's tempting after experiencing the longest winter of my life!) But I'm not complaining. Living 10 mins from one of the biggest malls in the world is kind of a perk, and does something in balancing out the 'too cold to even go outside' moments.
I don't know if you even care about where I'm living, but there is a part of me that feels like I've been keeping a secret from you for the past few months. Of course that is never my intention. Like I said earlier, I don't have time to post all I want to about my design world, let alone my personal world! But, I have had a few of you lovely regular readers asking me about the lodge, so I hope that fills you all in. And the rest who didn't ask....thanks for reading anyway! Here's to adventures ahead, I've kind of just invited you all in on the journey! :)

Thanks for being here!
Jordan xo

Images :: Top to bottom, L-R // Family Bowling night to celebrate our one year in Canada // The lake just steps from our lodge // The bear bell I put on my pram when going for a walk at the lodge...no joke! // Logging country // Canada Post // Even the toilets are different // Yellow school buses are for real, not just the movies // Moose & snow plows on the loose, just everyday signs here // Quadbiking at the lodge // Setting off to Edmonton // Dave & Ellie reflecting on life // Our first 'Fall' was beautiful, I now know why people love it so much!

SPRING PARTY DRINK CHARMS + FREE PRINTABLE

Happy Monday folks. I was so chuffed to see my Down in Garden party shared on Babble last week (a lovely surprise thanks Gabrielle!). Seriously. Happy, happy.
With spring arriving, it's definitely heading into party time on this side of the world. Things are even getting warmer here in Edmonton too...it's been a long winter! : )
Enter my latest freebie for you all. These party drink charms are a great addition to your party arsenal as we head into barbie, outdoor living kind of weather. Throw away the paper cups and niko (aka sharpie) and pull out these re-useable tags made from Shrinky Dinks. And next time you're at a party and ask for a refill, you can tell them "mine's the mint/peach/aubergine one..."

Here's how:


1. Print this freebie design onto Shrinky Dink paper
2. Cut out and punch holes ready for hanging
3. Be mesmerised by the way the tags shrink down in size (enlist a small child to add to the wonderment)
4. Use ribbon or a silver charm ring to attach tags to your drinks. I used silver elastic for these mini glasses which worked really well.
5. Party On without mixin' germs!