simple as that

DIY pocket travel journal

Well, I'm officially on my way to Queensland tomorrow and I can't even tell you how excited I am to get there! It's sure to be a memorable trip and to keep a record of my travels I created this quick + simple pocket travel journal.

The pages are blank - ready to be filled with journaling, memorabilia and when I get home - photos. Since its a long trip and I'm packing as light as I can I didn't want to take anything too bulky, so this little journal is perfect. Created using a small notebook from the dollar store + various scrapbook supplies, the journal measures 3.5" X 5.5" and all I need to keep it up to date on the trip fits neatly inside a regular ziplok bag.

I'm excited to get to work on filling it with memories from my trip to Australia. When I get home I'll be sharing images of the completed album along with more detailed instructions on how to make your own. You can see the complete supply list for the album below.

supplies: elle's studio tags || making memories bracket || heidi swap chipboard letters + chevron paper || printable graph paper || mini stapler || kaiser craft orange polka dot paper || pink paislee map paper || hair elastic

I don't know when I'll have time to blog again, but I do plan to post from the road as often as I can. I arrive in Australia June 4th and we have a packed schedule. I can't wait to share more about the exciting things Tourism Queensland has planned for us to do! Simple things Sunday will go ahead as usual...I've got my post scheduled to go first thing Sunday morning and I'll check back in here as soon as I can. :)

In the meantime, please follow me along on this once in a lifetime trip! I'll be sharing updates regularly on Facebook, twitter and instagram @rebecca_simpleasthat. Be sure to subscribe to my blog feed as well to get to stay up to date on my latest posts.

We'll see you soon from Australia!

Have a great weekend everyone.

I'm linking up with these fabulous blogs!

A Month in Photos - May 2012

Another month has come and gone in a blur and I'll admit, sitting down last night to go through May's photos and put together my monthly collage, was just what I needed. It's been so busy the last few weeks that it was nice to take a moment to slow down and and just soak in the memories. There's something about looking through our collection of photos that takes me right back to what's most important and it does so much to set the tone for the new month ahead.

May was a great month. It was warmer than April and I liked that. A lot. May was busy and crazy and tiring but it was full of good times and I'm so happy to have captured these special memories of May with my camera.

MEMORIES FROM MAY 2012

Early evening bike rides.

The joys of having a two year old. ;)

A field trip to the fire station.

Packing for Queensland.

A simple little Sunday picnic.

Some kite flying at the park with Grandma + Grandpa
Soccer, soccer and more soccer.

So, how are you all doing with your month-in-photos project these days? We've nearly reached the six month mark, isn't that crazy!?

If you've created a photo collage for May, I'd love for you to share it with us! Simply post your collage somewhere online, copy and paste the html code for the month-in-photos button below and include it in your post, then come back here and leave a link to your collage so everyone else can see your fun photos!

I can't wait to see your month in photos!

For more info about the month in photos project go here.You can download any of my free collage templates or use your own collage and join in the fun with us each month! Just think of the incredible collection of photos we'll have put together at the end of 2012!

A peek inside my suitcase | packing for Queensland

[artwork by christopher stott]

Well, it's getting down to the wire and I'm busy packing up my suitcases for Queensland. I don't know about you, but I'm always curious about what other people pack for a trip, so I thought it might be fun to show you some of what I'm taking with me to Australia.

I'm trying to pack as light as I can. I'll only be there 5 days and with some really long flights on either end of the trip, carrying around a lot of luggage isn't something I want to do.

Here's what I have packed in my bags so far:

-Various swimsuits from DownEast Basics, Divinita Sole + Hapari-

-This Fuji Film underwater camera that I'm looking forward to trying out-

-Eye drops, my favourite floss, warm weather clothes with a jacket and some cardis thrown in-

-I'm bringing along my new Gracie Butterscotch Jo Totes bag-

-In it will be my Canon 5D Mk II, 50mm 1.2 lens and my new 24-70mm zoom-

-I've been working in these new barefoot shoes from Merrell the past week and I'm absolutely loving them so far! I can't wait to really get them dirty on the trip-

-melatonin, earplugs, my cute travel notebook and some good old Canadian chocolate-

-a new book to read, the latest issue of REAL SIMPLE, a couple of yummy almond+coconut KIND bars

I'm making some headway, but still have a lot more packing to do.

What am I forgetting? What must have items do you take along when you travel? I'd so love to hear!

I invite you to follow me along on this exciting journey from Canada to Queensland, Australia. I'll be sharing updates throughout the trip and you can stay in touch with me here:

subscribe to my blogfollow me on facebookinstagram @rebecca_simpleasthatfollow me on twitter

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Thank you to everyone who linked up their photos in the Simple things Sunday party this week!

As promised, one person who linked up this week will receive a copy of one of my photography eBooks and according to Random.org the winner is...

Congratulations Bailey! Shoot me an email and I'll hook you up!

Don't forget...

My books 40 Top Tips for Better Photos and Don't Say Cheese! How to get great, natural photos of your kids are available now as part of this fun Photography Idea Bundle.

This collection of Ella's three top-selling photography eBooks valued at $21.97 is available for a limited time for just $16.97. Get it while you can!!

17th Avenue Design Blog Makeover Giveaway

I'm super excited about today's giveaway from 17th Avenue Design Studio! Kate, the creative genius behind 17th Avenue recently created the new look here at Simple as That. I was so happy with the results and now I'm just as thrilled to share the gift of a cute new blog with you!

Here's is a little bit about Kate and 17th Avenue Design Studio:

Hi Simple As That readers! I'm Kate, owner and designer over at the 17th Avenue Design Studio. We are a small blog & graphic design company specializing in custom blog designs, premade blogger templates, business branding design, and more! Each of our custom works is hand-crafted to reflect the unique taste, style, and personality of our clients. I had the pleasure of working with Rebecca to create her a new look for her beautiful blog and I am excited to work with one of her fabulous readers to create someone their own dream blog!

If you're looking to start your own blog or refresh the look of your current one, I'd highly recommend Kate for the job. She's got design packages and a la carte design items suitable for any bloggers needs. Visit her portfolio page to see more examples of her work.

Kate even has premade blogger templates available in her Etsy Shop which are both cute and affordable along with other goodies like customizable social network buttons, premade etsy shop sets and more!

All Simple As That readers can take 20% off everything in the 17th Avenue Etsy shop with coupon code SIMPLEASTHAT20. Offer runs until June 13th.

Today Kate is giving away a Classic Custom Blog Design package that includes:

a custom designed header,

coordinating background

post signature + custom fonts

standard navigation bar

custom blog button

custom template

installation of the design

This amazing package is worth $125.00 and with Kate's expertise it will give you everything you need to create a beautiful, one of a kind blog!

So who wants to win this!? :)

You must first be a follower of Simple as That to be eligible to enter. Take a second to follow via Google Friend Connect on the left sidebar or sign up to receive updates via email or through your favourite RSS reader. Then all you have to do is follow the prompts in the Rafflecopter widget below to be entered to win. There are seven possible ways to enter.

Giveaway closes 6/6/2012 at 12:01am.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Travel Photo Checklist | Free Download

We've been chatting about all things travel on the blog the last while as I countdown the days until I leave for Queensland, Australia! Only 5 more days until I board a plane at the Calgary international airport and make my way from LAX to Brisbane to Queensland. I'm busy packing and getting things arranged for the kids while I'm gone. I am such a mixture of excited and nervous, but I'm mostly just excited to get there and see all the wonderful things that Queensland has to offer!
I can't wait to share this trip with all of you! You can check out my previous travel posts on purchasing travel insurance, amateur wildlife photography tips, creating a DIY travel notebook and some quick travel photography tips. I look forward to sharing more travel themed ideas over the coming weeks and documenting the details of my trip in photos.
I invite you to follow me along on this exciting journey here:
subscribe to my blogfollow me on facebookinstagram @rebecca_simpleasthatfollow me on twitter
Today I'm sharing another of my popular photo checklists with ya'll, this one of course follows the travel theme. Document your next trip, whether its abroad or somewhere closer to home, with this list of travel photo ideas!

[download travel photo checklist here]

Please remember that FREE downloads are for Simple as That followers only. Before downloading this photo checklist {or any of my other versions} please take a second to follow via Google Friend Connect on the left sidebar or sign up to receive updates via email or through your favourite RSS reader. Thank you. :)

The cute digi supplies used for this photo checklist {as with all my previous checklists} are from the talented Crystal Wilkerson! Her digital scrapbooking kits are some of my go to supplies and come June 5th she is releasing her darling new Vintage Summer collection! You're going to want to get your hands on this ASAP! Here's a super top secret sneak peek for you...isn't it to die for!? :)

Find information about all of Crystal Wilkerson's products here: shop | blog | facebook | twitter | pinterest
Don't forget there's still time to share your photos in the Simple things Sunday link party! The linky closes Wednesday at midnight and for every photo linked up this week you'll be entered to win a copy of one of my photography eBooks from Ella Publishing!