Treats for your sweet or wonderful people you meet!

Stampin’ Up! have a new promotion to help you get ready for Valentines.

Get a FREE package of Heart Treat Cups ($7.95 value) when you purchase the Sweetheart Stamp Set or the Full Heart Punch— make it twice as sweet when you buy both and get two free packages of Heart Treat Cups!

Contact me at katetobeck@gmail.com for more information or to order.

Merry Christmas!

Phew it's been a hectic month - I'm looking forward to a holiday away soon because as much as I love Christmas the build up to it is always stressful.

I do have time today for a quick share though. :)

I re-purposed a frame that my sister no longer wanted and turned it into a quick and easy home decor item for my Mum. She loves to decorate for Christmas and I knew she'd appreciate having something stamped to put on the wall. This took next to no time to complete and I was so pleased with how it came out that I'll be making similar frames in the future.

The matting was already in the frame - I simply removed the picture and added a piece of Very Vanilla card stamped with all of the words from Four the Holidays. I added some glittery stars from a packet of Alphabet stickers and the little birds and tree are from the Merry details Sizzlet die. Ink colours used were Marina mist, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Early Espresso.

What do you think?

Kate xx

December Frenzy and a new Mini catalogue!!

It's all happening from today!!

The December Frenzy sale runs from 1st Dec - 29th and the Mini from 1st Dec until the 31st March.


Check it all out and email me if you'd like to place an order =) I know there are a few things I'll be ticking off my wish list for Christmas!!

View mini online here!

xx Kate

Christmas Wreath

I'm loving anything with a wreath on it at the moment. I think I'll have to get cracking and make one for my front door!

xx Kate

Catching up...

Hi All,

It's been a crazily busy couple of weeks so I thought I'd better quickly catch you all up so we can start back with what's currently happening around here!

I've taught 3 Christmas classes and a Christmas Workshop, made a bunch of stuff to donate for the Kindy Gala, and switched back to my old laptop after Dad needed his computer back. This is what has held me back from blogging for so long. I've had to reboot windows and reinstall all the programs I use plus transfer and organise all my photographs. This plus a flat camera battery has not helped take photos for my blog!

So, you are up to speed. Now I can show you some of the things I've been making over the last few weeks.

You saw the Red ribbon dasher card in my last post from my Christmas Stamp-a-stack classes so here are the other 3 we made:

 

I'll be back with more tomorrow!

xx Kate

Just Add Christmas

It's challenge time over at Just Add Ink and seeing as Christmas is my absolute favourite time to craft, I had to join in.

This is one of the cards from my class on Wednesday night, it was a great evening with some lovely ladies! Can't wait to do it all again next week.

Kate x

Sponged Sky

I cased this card from the lovely Paula Dobson who is a master with a sponge and a brayer I've heard!

I love how it looks complicated but actually comes together really quickly once you have the masks made.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Kate xx

Winter Post

I got so much use out of this set last Christmas and will continue to do so this year as well. I just love it!!

Busy busy here prepping for the extravaganza on Saturday, I'm almost done just need to pop bits into bags and make a door prize. Any suggestions anyone? I'm thinking some kind of box with chocolates. Everyone likes chocolate right??

Kate xx

Card recipe:
Stamps: Winter Post, Music Notes Wheel
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Chocolate Chip
Sleigh Bells Ribbon from the Christmas Promotion
1 1/4 inch square and scallop square punches.

Christmas Extravaganza

Is this not adorable?? This is just one of the 5 projects we will be making on the 6th of November in Balmoral.

We still have some seats available so if you would like to attend please flick me an email at katetobeck@gmail.com

Here are the details:
Saturday 6th November 1-5 pm
At the Balmoral Community Centre on Dominion Road
$45 for 5 projects, afternoon refreshments, door prizes and a $10 voucher to spend.

xx Kate

Sparkly Dasher

Isn't he beautiful! I'm so glad I got this stamp -loved glittering up his antlers and popping a pearl nose on him.

Recipe:
Stamps: Dasher, Four the Holidays
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Ink: Early Espresso, Real Red
Ribbon: Real Red stripe and Hemp Twine.
Other: Vintage Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dazzling Diamonds, Pearls.

Kate xx

Marina Mist Christmas Stockings

I'm not usually a big fan of Christmas cards in non-traditional colours but Marina Mist is a beautiful blue and I have to admit I love the bright cheeryness (is that a word?) of it and those cute little stockings! Colouring with markers is what brings this stamped image to life.

What do you think?

Kate xx


Card recipe:
Stamps: Gifted, Many Merry Messages
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Whisper White
Paper: Real Red dotty from the Brights patterned paper stack
Markers: Marina Mist, Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip

Tree Trimmings

I love how simple yet effective this card is! So much so that it is a slightly different variation of a card I made last Christmas! It was a real winner at the class I taught last night.

Card recipe:

Cardstock: Whisper White
Paper: Jolly Holiday
Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Christmas Greetings
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Real Red.
Extra toppings: Real Red 1/4 inch Grosgrain ribbon, stick on pearls.

Kate xx

Engagement thank you cards

I'm designing my Sister-in-laws wedding stationary and seeing as we were spending the weekend together at her parents house I thought it was a good time to get on and do some thank-you cards for her upcoming engagement Party. I have a very busy November booked with Christmas classes, extravaganzas and workshops so it was great to get these organised.

There are a few different designs based around the same 3 colours - Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz and Concord Crush but these were the two that I photographed.

Simple but elegant. Melissa loved them!

Here are my 3 darlings in their Grandparents garden. We had such a wonderful long weekend, it was bliss!

 Kate xx

Christmas Duo

Just playing around with some ideas the other night and came up with these. I'm busy designing samples for classes at the moment and don't have much I can show you right now - but I promise to share soon!!

Kate xx

Isabella turns 8!

This post is nearly a week old so I thought I'd best get it up here!

My eldest child turned 8 on the 16th and we had what felt like an entire weekend of celebrating.

She wanted a craft party so we invited her 3 best mates over and made a gorgeous little treat bag with a hot air balloon sweet treat cup on the front. The whole thing was filled with lollies and they absolutely loved making them. But do you think I remembered to take a photo??!! Nevermind, you'll have to use your imagination.

I did get the cake, the birthday girl and her siblings and Dave got a picture of me showing them what to do.

xx Kate

Dress up Christmas Promotion

Wow! This is a great promotion. From today until 30 November 2010, when you have a workshop/place an order of $600 or more, AND/OR if you order one of four fabulous gift bundles, you can choose some free Christmas ribbon. Here are the bundle details:

Description	Wood-Mount Item	Wood-Mount Price	Clear-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Price
Gifted Bundle Gifted Set and Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper	124041	$80.45	124042	$68.45
Welcome Christmas Bundle Welcome Christmas Set and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper	124045	$83.90	124046	$71.90
Season of Joy Bundle Season of Joy Set and So Swirly Stampin’ Around Wheel	124043	$81.45	—	—
Delightful Decorations Bundle Delightful Decorations Set and Ornament Punch	124044	$88.45	—	—

*Bundles and ribbons available while supplies last
Choose from these ribbons:

Description	Item	Retail Value
Mistletoe Ribbon Originals	116792	$26.95
Sleigh Bells Ribbon	116795	$19.50
Riding Hood Red 1-1/4” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon	113099	$24.50
Real Red 3/4” Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon	115608	$24.50

To see the ribbon, click on the flyer on the right. Then contact me, to place your order! Merry Christmas, from Stampin’ Up!

For tonights Christmas class

A card:

A gift box and tags:

And a door prize:

I'm nervous as anything! 10 ladies I've never met, wish me luck!!

Kate xx

Happy thoughts

It's been a few days since I posted, believe me I haven't been too busy stamping to get on here! It's been a hectic few days trying to get back into the school routine and also trying to get organised for a class I'm teaching on Friday. Everytime I get the urge to make something I feel guilty that I haven't finished prepping for my class!

So hopefully in the next few days I will have something new to show you but in the meantime here is a card I made while the kids were away in the holidays. Apple Blossoms again!! It's late so I'll post all the details tomorrow xx Kate

Retro Flowers

The colours I've used plus the fringed ribbon really make me feel like I've time warped back to the 70's. Not that I was around then, I was just a twinkle in my daddy's eye!

Also the lovely Paula gave me this blog award:

I would like to pass it on to these inspiring ladies-

Bron
Renee
Danielle
Gretchen
Kirsty

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Kate =)

Back to Christmas again

You knew I couldn't stay away from all things Christmas for long!

Playing around with some new bits and pieces, I really like how this turned out.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Four the holidays, Punch Pals, Welcome Christmas, Winter Post, Wedding Sweet. (Yes I used 5 sets LOL)
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Old Olive.
Paper: Jolly Holiday
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, White Craft ink.
Other: Clear embossing powder(on snowflakes), Scallop edge punch, Circles 2 die, Crystal Effects, blender pen.

An apple blossom rainbow card

I told you I was loving this set right?

I'm going to post this one to a friend who has just come home from hospital with a long awaited baby girl. I hope it brightens her day after all those sleep-deprived nights!

I've used all the in-colours and am loving them more and more everytime I get them out.

Kate xx

Supplies:
Stamps: Apple Blossoms hostess set
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black
Cardstock: Crumb Cake for the base, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Concord Crush.
Other: Scallop edge punch, jewel.

Paris by night

I've never been to Paris, or anywhere in Europe actually but doesn't this Eiffel Tower image make you just want to pack your bags and go?! One day... maybe when the kids have left home, Dave and I will have a European adventure. Until then I will have to stick with the cardmaking variety.

I pinched this idea from the lovely Julia Leece who was working on something similar when I was round there last week. This is my first time sponging like this though so I am not the seasoned professional that Julia is!

Another beautiful Auckland day - I'm off to enjoy the rest of it!

xx Kate

Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Cardstock: Black, Very Vanilla.
Ink: Sahara Sand, Marina Mist, Not quite Navy, Night of Navy, Black.
Other: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Vintage Wallpaer embossing folder, Vintage brad, Marina Mist ribbon.

Apple blossoms and butterflies

I LOVE this stamp set, you can expect to see plenty more with it from me!

It's been a beautiful sunny day here today, we took the kids to the beach this morning and they dug holes to their hearts content. They've spent the afternoon outside swinging, jumping and playing pole tennis. I could get used to this, bring on Summer!!

xx Kate

Supplies:
Stamps: Apple Blossoms Level 2 Hostess set,On your Birthday.
Ink: Pear Pizazz, Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip.
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz.
Big Shot: Vintage wallpaer embossing folder, Butterflies Embossilt Die.
Accessories: Certanly celery ribbon, Pearls, Sponge.

Peace on Earth

Just home from picking the kids up from Hamilton Zoo and am about to start dinner. We are having the first BBQ of the season tonight! The kids have had a lovely few days with their Grandparents and we've had a fabulous break too. I feel refreshed and ready to start the final week of the school holidays.

Here's a Christmas card I made yesterday using the new Love Letter Designer paper. Yum, I love the patterns!

See you tomorrow!

xx Kate

Supplies:
Stamps: Notably ornate, Four the Holidays.
Ink: Basic Black.
Cardstock: Black, Very Vanilla.
Paper: Love Letter
Accessories: Vintage Brad, Very Vanilla satin ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Eyelet Edge punch.

While the kids are away...

Kate gets to play!!

I am having the best couple of days just trying out new things. My fingers are all inky, I'm covered in glitter and stick on pearls but boy am I happy!

The best news is that now I'll have lots of fab cards to share with you over the coming days when the kids are home and I probably won't get a lot of chances to craft.

So.. this is what he does with his free time:

And this is what I do:

I cased this card from Cindy Beach -she's a bit clever =) I just changed up a few details like the flower placement, ribbon colour, patterned paper and I added jewels to my flower centres.

Hopefully Dave will wake up in time to take me out for dinner,this will be our third night running, MAN it's great not having to cook.

Have a happy weekend!

xx Kate

Notably Ornate Tag

The new idea book and catalogue is full to the brim with inspiring samples and is a great way to kickstart your creativity.

I've recreated the tag on page 85 using the Notably Ornate stamp set. It was so simple, I will definitely be doing this again especially with Christmas coming up.

I've tried a new technique with the shimmer paint, sponging it directly onto my cut out bird image. It looks amazingly shimmery in real life.

Supplies used:
Stamps: Notably Ornate
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Concord Crush.
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Hemp Twine, Hole Punch, Small Heart Punch, Curly Label Punch, Shimmer Mist.

Kate x

Butterfly case

It's the first day of the school holidays and we actually have some sunshine! I can't believe it but I've actually been able to make a card while my littlest was asleep and the older two colour and play outside.

I saved this card to my case folder a few days ago knowing that I would HAVE to recreate it at some point. It's a card by Jo Eades who is on the Just add ink design team. I made a few subtle changes to mine to substitute products that I didn't have.

Where she used Newsprint DSP, I used the music wheel which is fast becoming a firm favourite of mine.
I also think my base might be a different colour - I've used Crumb Cake and stamped it in Versamark with a script background stamp.


Back tomorrow with some more to share!

Kate x

Wow, where do the days go?

I was hoping to blog everyday but since my class on Wednesday night, I've been going flat tack!

The class went really well, everyone loved the cards and there were orders placed that night and the following day plus 3 of the ladies are keen to host their own classes!

The last couple of days I have spent organising my sister -in-law's engagement party invitations as she and some girlfreinds are coming over tonight to assemble them. I will share a picture of those in the next few days but in the meantime I'll show you the cards Mum got for her birthday. Dad chose to give her the red one and we gave the purple. I just love that baroque pattern from Friends 24/7.

Have a great weekend everyone and I'll be back Monday!

Kate xx

For tonights Christmas class

I have my first class tonight since becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. At first it was 5 ladies but has gradually increased and is now 9! I'm so nervous but excited at the same time.

This is what I'm teaching:

One of my vintage style Christmas cards:

And a contempory design using the new in colours:

Christmas cards are my favourite type to make and teach so I hope these go down ok!

Birthday Cupcakes

For my mums birthday =)