Monday-itis

Does anybody else get this? As much as I try to get done on a Monday it always seems to be more of a recovery day from the weekend than anything else! Dave’s back at work and out of my hair (sorry darling but it’s true), Isabella’s at school instead of in my scrap space and it’s just me and my smallest 2 little muffins who seem to create the least amount of work. Both are easy going and relaxed. Cameron sleeps really well most days allowing Sophia and I to bake (today it was lemon cupcakes with pink icing and sprinkles) or create. She will happily stamp or draw for ages while I make my own stuff. I love spending that time with her because once she’s at morning kindy and then off to school next year it’ll be a different story!

I’ve been taking Jessica Sprague’s photo editing course and love it! I am a bit behind on the lessons and need to catch up but this was lesson 3 ‘create a vintage hand-tinted look’. Lots of fun and the possibilities are endless for changing up your photos.

I’m also currently working on some card kits and some page kits using the new June Bug and Lemonade ranges from Basic Grey. Fantastic patterns!

I’ll leave you with a photo of the littlest squirt right now. Love that fat little neck, it makes for great snuggling into.

What have you got planned for the rest of the week?

Kate xx

Have you met my new best friend?

You may not know it yet but Cathy Zieleske (not that she’ll ever read this) you are my new Scrap Queen.

I’ve been scrapbooking for coming up 4 years now, slowly finding my way, discovering what I”m good and not so good at, which style fits me best and why the heck I’m doing this.

Hello!! Why didn’t anybody  introduce me to Cathy back then!??

The woman is a scrap genius. Not only are her designs clean, clever and timeless but she is hilarious and kooky and has you reading along thinking Yes! Scrapbooking is cool, I shouldn’t be embarrassed to tell people what it is I do in my spare time.

So, just in case you have also been in a no Cathy Zielske zone for the past 4 years I thought I’d introduce her. Her two books are called Clean & Simple scrapooking and Clean & Simple scrapbooking – The sequel. I got my copies from www.fishpond.co.nz an online bookstore.

I have to say that they are thus far the best investment I have made in this hobby and I only wish I’d come across them sooner.

You can also follow Cathy’s blog here www.cathyzielske.typepad.com

One of Cathy’s key messages is that scrapbooking is supposed to be fun. If you are not having fun doing this then something is wrong. This is exactly why I downsized Paper Pesto to become something more managable and something that I can have fun with. Because for me scrapping as a hobby is fun but scrapping as a business was not. When I let go of unrealistic expectations about how far I could take scrapbooking as ‘a job’ and just see it for the enjoyment it brings to my life as a hobby I instantly relaxed, and created more pages that told ‘the story’, pages that made me happy.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this,

Kate xx

Early Bird Project kit – designed by Kate Tobeck

Here it is! I’ve been scrapping my heart out all week designing these pages and cards and I’ve put it all together in a very limited project kit that is available to purchase by emailing me at kate @ paperpesto.co.nz (join it all together, I’m just trying to keep the spam away).

The cost of the kit is $45.00 including packaging and courier around New Zealand. A great price just for the materials!

So this is what you get:

5 pieces of Card-stock, 1 and a 1/2  pieces of each of 3 Cosmo Cricket Early Bird double sided patterned papers, a sheet of Scenic Route Journalling shapes, a sheet of alphabet stickers from Paper Salon, a sheet of Early Bird self-adhesive chipboard shapes, a red flower, 3 brads, 2 lengths of ribbon (forgot to put that in the photo) and printed Happy Birthday and Thinking of you Card sentiments.

Plus full instructions and close up pictures (emailed as a word document) to make the following with your kit if you so choose:

A singe layout

A double layout:

And 3 super cute cards:

Also there will be plenty of paper and embellishments left on your chipboard sheet to make more than what is pictured here.

So what do you think? If you’d like to see more pictures or need more info just email me.

First person to order gets a pack of the new Kaisercraft Epoxy brads from the Loire Valley Collection. Free!!

Have a great weekend! xxx Kate

1 more & Goodbye – Ann McLachlan

This is my very last layout.

When my daughter was three she loved going to the park and going up and down on the slide.

When it was time to go home she would look at me with the cutest smile and say ..

“Just one more mum?”

That one would always turn into nine or ten.

This is also a goodbye from me, as Kate takes Paper Pesto in a new direction I am also moving on to other things.

I have been with Kate since Paper Pesto began and i want to say “Thank You” to Kate for everything that we have shared over the last ….Gosh! almost 2 years!

It has been an amazing experience and i thank you for that.

Kate i wish you all the best for your new venture, may it be all you want it to be and the first kit looks fantastic!

Thanks also to the wonderful ladies on the design team who have been an absolute pleasure to work with over the last 5 months.

Bye All

🙂 Ann

Kate’s been busy =-)

Well hi!

I’ve been pretty absent lately, sorting out some new ideas for Paper Pesto. Later this week I’ll be releasing a very limited project kit comprising of a double layout, single layout and 3 cards complete with full instructions and maybe even a video if I can figure out how to work it! The kit is based on the Early Bird range from Cosmo Cricket – one of my current favorites it is incredibly versatile. Here’s a little peak at the single layout:

For now though, I thought I share with you what I’ve been playing around with the last few weeks. These layouts are from the last 3 kits, June, May and April. It was really nice to open those boxes and create something with all my hard work now that I have some extra time on my hands =) The layouts from April (super fort and play) were half finished ones that I managed to complete several months later!

(whoops need to add my journalling to this one!) – It’s Isabella (3) holding Sophia (2 weeks) back in 2005!

Love making these lollipop flowers! They are so simple and effective.

A comparison layout of my two girls when they started kindy (3 years apart).

(eek don’t know what I was thinking with that heavy fringe!)

Isabella on her 5th birthday with her favourite present.

Love this photo, she is such a sweetie =)

Thanks for looking!

Kate =-)

Get Well Card – Hannah Blair

This is the last project from Hannah, and a  lovely card it is too Hannah!

The design team have created lot’s of beautiful and inspiring projects this month.

Thank you for all of your hard work everyone.

🙂 Ann

New World – Dallas Foley

Hi All,

Our guest designer Dallas created this layout which showcases these lovely photos.

Thanks Dallas.

Have a great weekend everyone.

🙂 Ann

For You – Ann McLachlan

When life keeps you busy and you suddenly need a card, what do you do?

Whip out your trusty kit and your cuttlebug, mix in a few ingredients and whip up a card that will fit the bill perfectly!

😉

Ann