FAITH GETS OUT OF THE BOAT

I like this quote. It's so me right now. When you're stuck between a rock and hard place, sometimes you have to have the courage to make a move. We have dreams and plans that mean we have to step out of the boat. So we are heading to Edmonton this weekend. Oh yeah, travelling seems to be our hobby of late!
We are going to be looking for a place to rent and happy hubby needs some work for a bit, so if you know of anything...I'm all ears!

Image // Polkadot Prints from Ann Voskamp

HOW TO HOST AN ICE CREAM BAR

 I've designed a few ice cream bars in my days of sharing here on the blog. It's my fall back desert - it's fun, interactive and I haven't yet met someone who doesn't like a spot of ice cream! You might remember my sisters baby shower, Australia Day party, family photo shoot & wedding that all had an ice cream desert.

When we were planning our farewell party, I again pulled out the ice cream bar from my bag of tricks as I thought with a large crowd it would be a really simple option and let our guests create their own sundae's. Not being a 'stylist' as such, I think ice cream bars are a really easy to make look pretty too. A win in everyones books!

Do you want to see where I begin when starting any kind of project or event? 

I always sketch up my ideas and make notes to consolidate my thoughts.

And here's the finished product.

Image // Gerty Photography


It definitely helps when I'm shopping and collecting props and things for an event, and keeps things on track when I'm tempted to squeeze in every idea into the one event!

I thought I'd share some tips and things I've learnt along that way, that might encourage you to host your own little ice cream get together!

Here Goes....

Mock up - I always do a little mock up a few days before an event. I like to just set things out and make sure I actually have the room for that big 20 Litre tub of ice cream! Also it gives me time to do any last minute running around and purchases if I need to.

Image // Gerty Photography

Keep things in order  - I like to place things on the table in order that you use them. From cups and ice cream right down to toppings and garnishes. It might sound common sense, but sure helps things flow nicely, particularly if there are a lot of guests.

Glasses or paper cups - I've only had the opportunity to use sundae glasses at my sisters wedding. Otherwise I use plain paper cups and decorate them to match my theme. You can use party dots, ribbon, stamps, wrap with fabric, a cup wrap (eat drink chic) or coloured cups are also an option.

Image // Etta Photography


Good quality ice cream - you can't build a sundae cathedral without a good foundation! Phone around your local ice cream shops and get prices on buying their bulk tubs, big and yum! I have always had a Sorbet for those people with allergies too. Trust me, they'll thank you for it! : )

Mix ins -  Think cookie dough, marshmallows, crushed Tim Tam's or chocolate bars & after dinner mints, macarons, ferrero Rocher etc for a classier 'do'.

Image // Etta Photography


Garnishes & Toppings - again depends on the style of bar you're creating, but can be anything from glace cherries, sprinkles, nutella, to fudge sauce, crushed nuts, gold leaf etc.

Essentially, let your imagination take you away! It's summer here at the moment in Canada, so it's getting to be perfect ice cream weather. Can't wait!

Need invites, buffet labels & tags for your next ice cream bar? You can find printables for some of these ice cream bar themes in my shop!

WEEKEND WHIPAROUND

It's been hard getting back into moving mode today after some lovely time off.  This past weekend was spent at Colour conference in Sydney. It was Ellie's first flight. My last girls weekend. My first time at Lindt cafe - holidays are all about the food and experiences in my books! I also discovered a really fun shop!
What did you do this weekend?

WEEKEND WHIPAROUND

I hope you had a lovely weekend! Another full & fun one for me. (I have a feeling this is going to be the way things go at this time of year!)

// I bought supplies for a new photo background ready for my Christmas printables (and Dave is nearly finished it...yay!)
// Had a movie night
// Had one too many meals of fried food
// Styled a little shoot for a new party craft idea
// And collaborated with some lovely party girls on my second last event for the year.

Without giving too much away, here's a little behind the scenes from yesterday's beach shoot. It was fun albeit a little hot and windy!
I was in bed at 8.30pm...zzzzz....

VISUAL KINDA GAL

It's all stations go this week at my place. Along with normal orders and design work, I have to get a printed order out by tomorrow - 120 invitations for a charity event I'm working on, and it's also full steam ahead on the preparations for my sisters baby shower this coming weekend. I feel my diary is definitely mapped out for the week! Putting together and crafting of all the bits and pieces to help make it a fun day is my favourite.
It's mock up afternoon this afternoon with one of my sisters too. I like to get a visual on how things are coming together and give time to fill in any gaps that are needed. Fun times! Are you a 'wing it' kind of person, or do you plan and visualise everything?

{Image: Some of my 'perfect pair' supplies just waiting for the weekend!}

THIS LITTLE LIFE OF MINE

Hey all! Well, I'm back on board after a week off! And can I say how enjoyable it was. As much as I love you all and love getting orders and designing, after a hectic few months, I really needed to get my creative mojo back. I don't know if it's all fully back on deck again yet, but I definitely see it up ahead now.

I spent 4 days last week visiting my parents which was so relaxing. There was mainly a lot of walking, eating and sitting going on. They live near the beach and so even though it was a tad on the cold side (for my tropical-loving self anyway), we trekked down and played in the sand a few times which made for one happy boy!

One of the reasons I've been so slow in emails, blogging and all round enthusiasm for anything other than a pillow and salty crackers is because....I'm pregnant!!! I know crazy right? After last year's heartache this is just a little miracle for Dave and I ...and I'm feeling good (other than the morning sickness of course!).

I know I will look back and wish I had done some kind of creative announcement to you all but seriously, my energy levels have been next to zero, so words and a picture will have to do today (and I can't keep it secret for any longer!!). So...baby number two is on it's way!

Woohoo!! (do these exclamation marks hide the fact that I'm really sitting here typing, but wishing I could be in bed already? oh the joys of hormones!! :)

{Original image by Etta Photography}

BEHIND THE SCENES :: MY MIDGET ASSISTANT

I wanted to share a little behind the scenes today in tribute to mothers day is this weekend.
I do all my designing and most of my photoshoots here at home and feel completely blessed to have this opportunity to be a mum and do something I love all at the same time. It does prove a juggling act sometimes when it comes to photoshoots and I have to plan around sleep time vs good light etc. {Let me take this moment to say I am no pro photographer, I have a digital SLR and know how to use Photoshop...that goes a long way! :) }

Here's a fun glimpse into life at my place, over the past few months, when I'm doing a shoot or something and there are an extra pair of little hands around to "assist"!
Let's call it, What you see vs what I see!....

What you see is a full jar of milk bottles, what I see is a child getting hopped up on sugar after he woke from a nap and wanted to 'help' put them in.

What I see is a little chubby hand that just wants to play with the cute bugs

What you see is nice swirly icing...what I see are finger marks and a sticky face

What you see is nice manicured grass and round choc pops...what I see...let's just say these choc pops didn't make it into the shoot - this still makes me laugh!

What you see is a spool of twine with vintage scissors...I walked out of the room after shooting the new twine colours and come back to find these craft scissors in a spool. I realise this kid is getting good!

This is very recent and maybe my favourite. He even did some art directing on this shoot, I leant back after finishing my shots, and he wheeled his favourite truck into the frame and then said "do his face" - who am I to say no?! He loves you 'red trailer truck'.

He won't be this small forever, so I find it helpful for me to remember the cute moments amongst the everyday - I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse behind the scenes at my place!

And I hope you all have a lovely mothers day! - Jordan x

{P.S. Don't forget the FREE mother's day printables!}

Behind the Scenes :: Photoshoot & Mathilda's

If you're a fan of Polkadot prints on facebook, you know that I have played a part in a Christmas/New Years project for Peekaboo Magazine's next edition.
The New Years shoot was last week, and I promised to show you some behind the scenes, but the photos I took would have either revealed a little too much of the finished product, or they were a little bit *too* behind the scenes if you know what I mean (blinking, blurry, strange facial expressions etc) So here are a couple from the Christmas shoot we did a month ago...

(All the paper, ribbon, props ready to go)

(Sharnel & Naomi making sure they're getting the right shots...serious work! :)

I always enjoy seeing what goes on behind the scenes of other people's projects, I hope this gives you a little glimpse into mine.

Also, I had a wonderful weekend at Mathilda's Markets on Saturday. I laughed when a couple of people introduced themselves as 'blog stalkers'! So funny to think I have stalkers :) Well, welcome to my new 'likers' and followers, stalkers or not. Thank you for kind words over the weekend and I hope you enjoy your paper goods!
I have a Christmas craft on my list to do this week with a tutorial to share with you. Better get gluing!

Behind the Scenes :: 7 Random Things...

I have forgone any pretty packaging for this Friday and it's time to take a little peek behind the scenes! I hope you don't mind me sharing some things about me...You see I was passed the Kreativ Blogger Meme from the very gifted Tracey from Tracey Lau Art & Soul and so I have to share 7 random things about me. Here goes: 

1. I believe baking is therapeutic and love to hang out with good company over food of any kind. 

2. Growing up I always said I would have to live 10 lives to accomplish all the careers I wanted to try - dr, chef, florist, midwife, air hostess, OT, full time arty person...and the list goes on. After pursuing many jobs after high school, I eventually decided on graphic design which took me to uni, something I never thought I would do. I'm so glad I did. I LOVE it!! 

3. I can visit Officeworks just for a browse. I love stationery Kikki K is definately a favourite!

4. I lived in Uganda, Africa with my husband  in 2007. We were working for an aid organisation where I helped to set up a marketing team and some communication strategies. My husband, Dave worked in the construction of villages for orphaned children. This was one of the best years of our lives and we would go back in a heartbeat if the opportunity arose!

5. Last week my husband didn't buy me flowers...he didn't buy me chocolates...he bought me...a design magazine! I was so impressed. It gave me the biggest warm fuzzies to be known like that! Curling up reading an inspiring magazine is my fave!

6. I am one of nine children. I have two older brothers, one younger, and 5 younger sisters. It is definately fun times when we all get together. I could hang out with my family any day of the week! If I can create the same atmosphere and vibe in my own home with my own children, that my parents did for us, I will count myself successful!

7. I love Max Brenner, and believe I have happily converted many friends! Yummmmmm!!!!!

I shall now pass this onto the following beautiful bloggers

Ros from Grace Designs

Sarah from Style Me Gorgeous

Sharnel from My Life, My Loves

Trish from Paper Vogue

If you choose to follow for a bit of fun, the “rules” are:
- Copy the award to your blog
- Insert a link to the person who nominated you
- Share seven things about yourself that you haven’t told us before.
- Nominate other bloggers for the award – share the love
- Link to their blogs.
- Tell the nominees about their award.

I was also completely chuffed to be interviewed on My Little Jedi this week. You can read more about me & Polkadot Prints in an interview Vesna did there. If you're tired of me talking about myself (seriously, zip it already, Jordan!)...feel free to check out these fun things I came across this week!...

Weekend Whiparound :: 

:: I really want to host a beach party like this
:: Grab a cuppa, get cosy and have a read
:: Yummmmm! (and clean out the cupboard at the same time)
:: A different take on the pom-pom
:: Baby Shower of the week

CELEBRATE A FIND :: Create-a-Jelly

I am starting to collect supplies for Levi's 2nd birthday next month, and in my stockpiling of jelly, I came across this neat product.

 Yep, it's as simple as it sounds - 'Just add your favourite drink'. You could do the healthy fruit juice jelly...the 'sparkling' juice jelly...Gatorade jelly...
Some eye catching packaging of pretty much an old school idea - clever! 


By the way, I am not sponsored by Aeroplane Jelly in any way! (that would be nice! :) I often see things that just make me think parties and events, so want to pass them on!


Also, in cupcake news, the new design will be ready for purchase online tomorrow....Here are a couple of photos from my amateur photo shoot today...I think I might just stick to designing for the next few months...they really are a lot of work!

And what do you think of these little guys? I had a 'moment' when walking past fairy floss, thinking of this new cupcake design (ice cream and cake totally go together in my mind!). I just need a stainless steel ice cream cone stand...

Till tomorrow then...

Amy Atlas :: What goes into a dessert table...

Many of you may be following Amy Atlas and her wonderful desert table creation. She truly has great talent and has helped set a great trend in motion.

Amy Atlas on Martha Stewart: Art of Cakes II from Amy Atlas on Vimeo.


I came across this video via her blog (over a year old I think!). It shows the efforts of her and her vendors to create a gorgeous end product. (and just so happens to be one of my favourites!) 


It was quite interesting to see how Amy pulls together the talents of many others to create her creations. She may have the brains behind it, but each person adds their skills to that and it all comes together in a really cohesive way. I really appreciate that - food, graphic design, props...
I love a little "behind the scenes", don't you?