^ TMshop Inspiration Pad

I spotted this handwriting exercise via Rachel's blog and thought it was sweet -

How it works:
Write down the following, snap a picture (or scan the document), post it, and tag others.

1. Name/Blog Name
2. Right handed, left handed or both
3. Favorite letters to write
4. Least favorite letters to write
5. Write: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
6. Write in caps: CRAB HUMOR KALEIDOSCOPE PAJAMAS GAZILLION
7. Favorite song lyrics
8. Tag people
9. Any special note or drawing

Here's my scrawl;



I'd love to see your handwriting :) Do play along!



Tonight I was meant to go to a Rockabilly Festival around the corner from my house with some friends, but I have done something horrible and unknown to my ankle. C has lent me his funny cane that has a duck's head on the top (see above picture) so I can limp around with it, ha. Tomorrow I'm catching the bus to Swansea to have lunch with my Nana. I'm trying my hardest to catch up with everyone I need to see before we go (9 DAYS!). I ended up sending out an awkward bulk message on Facebook inviting people to come hang with me next Friday at a designated pub. I am so not the awkward obligatory self-imposed going-away-party kind of person, but I seem to have organised something of the sort. I am very excited and totally frightened by this move, and I had a bit of a cry last night about being so far from my mum and sister. Wah. I know they'll visit and call though. And hopefully I can keep up with the blogging game while life is in transit. I also start back at uni (by correspondence) on Monday!

I was just going through photos on my camera and found this cute picture of Sophie just after she'd unwrapped her Diana mini this week. She was so happy!;



It was my blog's first birthday yesterday (it feels like this has been going on for much longer!). I was thinking of some way to celebrate it - I wanted to make some cupcakes in its honour or ice up some sugar biscuits shaped like letters and spoons, but I didn't get time this week. Regardless, I would like to thank you tenfold for being a part of a very enjoyable first blogging year - it has been so much fun :D It has changed my life in no small way and this blogging community brings me so much joy on a daily basis. When I'm done setting up my nest in Tasmania there's a bundle of things I'd love to give away to you!

Ps. I don't know if I told you, but I bought this bike the other day. It will be in Launceston when we arrive waiting for me. I'm not generally a pink kind of gal, but it was kind of irresistible;



Also, I'm considering participating in The Sketchbook Project, it looks very cool.

Hope your weekend is sweet!

Listening to: Sophie Hunger, Paul Kelly, Hungry Kids of Hungary.
Consuming: Nutella sandwiches

My friend Sophie and her boyfriend Adam have been staying with us for a few days from Queensland and they have been the loveliest company. Sophie bought a pretty Diana mini from Blackbird Corner while we were out this week and we did an experimental roll to test it out - here are just a couple of the pictures she took - I think they're wonderful (and she's trying to convince me to make the splurge and get a mini of my own);



She goes home tomorrow and I'm going to really miss her :( In a strange twist of fate, we met on Myspace about 5 years ago and our in-person meetings are few and far between. I hope to find some affordable plane tickets and make a trip to see her sometime near the end of the year. She's a sweetie.

^ A brilliant little package from Canadian Carrie.


^ A cute quick note from Rebeccca in the UK. I love the used stamp decorations.


^ Wonderfully decorated first letter from lovely Stella in New Zealand.


^ My first, very pretty letter from Femke.


^ A lovely letter from Rhiannon on the opposite side of Australia.


One single outgoing this week! I haven't been able to find a spare moment! I think for each box I pack for moving I should reward myself by writing one letter.


^ A little package for Siobhan.

^ A gorgeous desktop background for July by Tabitha Emma.

C's parents are up at the moment from Tasmania. We're staying in their house in Launceston for two months while they're on holiday until we find a house down there. There seem to be an endless supply of lovely houses to rent there so I don't think we'll be there too long (hope I don't jinx it). C's parents came to visit and took us out for lunch this week and they brought me up a little present from Tassie;


^ Full of delicious liquorice (not so full any more).

A new month, a new calendar (from Frankie) and a new pin-board arrangement;


This month will involve a lot of packing and fretting (mostly on C's part).

Today I'm feeling bad because I hung up on a telemarketer. I just couldn't muster the effort to bring the fruitless conversation to a proper close so I faked not being able to hear and hung up. Bad. Sad. I'm going to the post office to send a letter. I hope karma doesn't catch me.

Some more sweet giveaways spotted this week:
- The Scribble Project colouring in book giveaway, here (til 5th July).
- Good Mail Day's 'I-cleaned-my-office!' giveaway, here (til 1st July).
- Very Dark Horse's excellent stationery giveaway, here (til 11th July).