Self Portrait by 4 year old

When i uploaded photos from my old point and shoot that Rolf used on the weekend while i was away I was surprised to see a lot of photos that Alexandra has taken over the past months. We let her use this camera whenever she wants, and when Rolf gets his new point and shoot sometime before we head to Australia she will then be able to have this one as her own.

What amazed me was that Alexandra thought it would be cool to take some self portraits. She was using the shelf in a bookcase in my scrap area and when i walked in and saw it - i thought hey why didnt i think of that before!

I then put the self timer on for her and got these shots.
She has this little obsession with this pose. She makes Bethany pose like this everytime she is over here. Not sure where she got the idea from but i think it is kinda cute.

I have been scrapbooking!!!!

I finally was about to scrapbook this week. I feels like ages since i got out my paper and adhesive and just got creative.

Firstly at Phyllis' on Thursday where i could scrap from 9am-2.30pm without any kids I got three layouts done

This morning I woke up and thought i really need to scrap so did this layout in between breakfast, watching the kids and getting ready for the day.

An award

Well I have never got a Blog award before. So a big thanks to Martina on of my European Shades of Summer girls who gave me this award!

The rules are to tell the world 5 things about myself. Things that I like to do. Then I have to give the Award on to 10 more people who have a great blog (um, maybe i wont make it to 10)

1. Photography - Think people have gotten the hint recently that I have really gotten into photography. And everything about it makes me happy. I am still learning and have a long way to go but am really enjoying the process. FINALLY found something that i love to do.

2. Reading Information books - I used to read a lot of novels. But I don't really anymore, which is a shame but my brain just cant handle a whole book at the moment. But what I have always loved are books about things. Where I learn something. So currently I am reading Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. Also next to my bed is a couple of Homemade Books and a ton of other photography books

3. Creating - I havent given up scrapbooking at all and still love the creative freedom it gives me. I love now that my photos are just that bit better then they were before and makes me enjoy scrapbooking even more.

4. Teaching Alexandra to read - I am teaching Alexandra to read in English and I am having so much fun doing it. Not only do we get to spend some 1 on 1 time together but I love how she loves to learn. She keeps asking me what that word says and starts to sound out words. Love it!!!

5. Organizing - I still love to organize. Currently high on my organizing list has been Dylan's 2nd birthday party in October and for our road trip to Australia in november. Lots of papers to file and ideas to organize!!!

So who will i send this on to.

Sara - love her daily blogs!

Angie - a blog friend who i havent chatted with in ages!

Christine - another great blog friend!!!

Marjo - in Finland one of our SOS girls! I don't understand Finish but love to look at the photos!

Shades of Summer Update!!!

Well I think we are going to do it girls! I got an email a couple of days ago saying that the glasses are now on their way back to Switzerland!!!!!!! So just one stop more (and an easy stop - I scrap at her place once a week ;) ) and they will be back in my hands! Very excited!

As soon as I have the last photo in I will make sure I post all our great photos! Fantastic!

Christmas wish list for kids!

I have been doing a bit of surfing lately looking for suggestions for when people ask what to get my kids for christmas.

If money were no issue check out these play rugs.


I think something like this would be perfect for Alexandra.

How cute are these fabric stickers

Love the idea of this found here



Think something like this would be a cool idea for a little boy

Ella Publishing is up and running!

The moment I have been waiting for has arrived.
Ella Publishing is now officially up and running and you can go and check it out over here

Now to decide which book to buy first?
I am thinking Rebecca Cooper's photography book looks fantastic!

Also I am really looking forward to the Ezine that comes out tomorrow.

What a week

There has been headaches, fevers, runny noses, bad coughs, tummy aches, vomiting, grumpy kid, grumpy parents and not much sleep.



Poor Alexandra really got the bad end of it, and most of today was laying down on the couch doing nothing.



But hopefully we are past the worst of it and the new week can be enjoyed!

This weekend I have been able to do a layout. This is one of the first layouts I have done in a long long time - well it feels like that anyway.

A card and a box

On the weekend I was able to take some time to make some cards. I have been trying to use up my old scrapbooking kits and here is one i created - using mostly Crate products.



I have been waiting for a couple of boxes to arrive. Finally 2 of the 3 arrived today. I got my first Cocoa Daisy kit and cant wait to have a play. And then the second surprise was my warehouse box from Sassafras!!!!

I thought I would share what i got in the box!

Some clear stamps: Gas hogs and the other is an mix alpha


Buttons!!!! Love how these are already threaded and are self adhesive.


Had no idea Sassafras did 6x6 pages!


Some diecuts


Lots of die cut sticker sheets


tons of alphas


some felties and flowers


And then the pattern papers starts:










I did not own one sheet of any of these papers so it was well worth the purchase.

There was also some chipboard stickers, rubons and some stickers!
Now I just need to find time to scrap!