While You're Christmas Shopping....PLEASE REMEMBER TO GRAB ONE FOR....

Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas Toy Drive!
I mentioned Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas last week, and the effort is now in full swing!

{please copy this icon for your own blog,
and link to: http://www.prayforkate.com/}

If you are new to my blog, Kate McRae is a local 5-year old battling a brain tumor. Her story has touched my life. I have hosted several auctions, along with others for her benefit. I recently reached out with Holly, Kate's mom and offered my help with this toy drive, as well as Kate's upcoming birthday party. The McRae family is collecting Christmas gifts for ALL of the children in the oncology unit at Phoenix Children's Hospital.

A new {amazing} website was just launched at http://www.prayforkate.com/, read her story, see her sweet face, and get details on what toys they are hoping for and where to send them.

I just helped create a Facebook Fan Page for Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas.
Please become a fan, visit and leave your thoughts and comments for the McRae family!

VISIT KATE'S CRAZY COOL CHRISTMAS
FACEBOOK PAGE HERE

As you start shopping for your holiday gifts, please remember to pick up something extra for this amazing cause! Please share with your family and friends, so we can help make this effort a successful one!
Thank you in advance, my sweet readers!

Do you LOVE The TomKat Studio? WANT MORE?

I just wanted to let you all know, that I am officially addicted to my Facebook Fan Page. It is so easy to post links, photos & more on it, that I find myself posting several times (many!) a day. I've been posting some of my latest finds for the new house, like this:
{my new zebra lamps from HomeGoods}
and....inspiring posts by other bloggers, like this post by Holly at Decor8:

and.....exciting mentions, like this one on ohdeedoh:

And links to things I love, like this sweet holiday idea post from Creative Hostess: AND the best part, you can post links that you think my readers would like to read, too!
I also plan on hosting special giveaways, photo contests & more on my Facebook page!

SO.....

if you are not a fan yet or don't visit Facebook very often, you should start!
You don't want to miss any of The Tomkat Studio fun, do you!?!

VISIT MY FAN PAGE HERE NOW!

XOXO, Kim

{Free Printable} December 2009 Calendar ~ Red & Aqua Snowflakes!

Your December calendar is ready to be printed!

Isn't this the best time of year?

I can't wait to move into our new house and decorate for Christmas!
(just a couple more weeks!)

We will literally finally have a HOME for the holidays!

Printable December 2009 Calendar by The Tomkat Studio

Enjoy!

{Inspired by TomKat Studio} Gorgeous "La Petite Boulangerie" 1st Birthday Party!

I'm swooning over here!
Have I got something for you to feast your eyes on today!

Jess from Pen N' Paper Flowers just sent me a tweet, telling me that I inspired her dessert table placecards, and I hopped on over to see. I nearly fainted at the sight of her gorgeous dessert table for her daughter's Little French Bakery birthday party! Ohhh....the details. Ahhh....the delicious desserts. Oh....the handwritten tags. Ahh...the favor boxes. Ooo....the adorable birthday girl! I had to share immediately.
I MUST design a a collection inspired by this party.
I absolutely LOVE it.
This momma is SERIOUSLY talented.
I'm so flattered that she sited me as inspiration!

View all of the photos and details, HERE on Pen N' Paper Flowers!
While your there, look back at all of her prepartion posts...
for more eye candy, like this:

(she MADE this)

Just breathe. I know it's a lot of beauty to handle.

Amazing job, Jess!

Project Nursery: Little Snowflake 1st Birthday Party!

Check out my latest post for Project Nursery!
Little Miss Marley Ava is my best friend's daughter, and I am having so much fun finding fabulous inspiration for her 1st birthday party next month!
Marley's momma, Kristi & I decided on a red & aqua blue snowflake theme!
Here is the invitation I designed for the party!

Who doesn't love a little bling, right?

This printable invitation design, along with party circles, labels & more
will be available in my shop soon!



I can't wait to pull all of these ideas together to help
create a beautiful party for this sweet little snowflake!

For a full list of the inspiration photo SOURCES,
please visit my post at PROJECT NURSERY!

Cupcake Monday: Sweet Cupcake Tower for Your Sweetest Little Cupcakes!

My favorite blog stalker, Mandy (you know I love you!) sent me the link to this ADORABLE cupcake stand toy for your little princesses that love cupcakes! I'm thinking Kate would LOVE this for Christmas...I better tell Santa!

Find it HERE!

Have a fabulous week!!

Be sure to check out my new MODERN HOLIDAY printable collection!
More holiday designs coming this week!

{New to The TomKat Studio Shop} MODERN HOLIDAY Printable Collection!

I'm so excited to share with you my new designs for my first holiday collection! I designed these to sell at the boutique, and now you can print and make them, too!

This set is $12 and includes 4 printable PDF files:

{1} Modern Holiday Party Circles
(use to make gift tags, cupcake toppers, napkin rings, place cards & more!)

{2} Modern Holiday Fancy Gift Tags
(6 designs with TO: & FROM:)

{3} Modern Holiday Fancy Blank Labels/Tags
(perfect for place cards, dessert/dinner buffet labels, gift tags & more!)

{4} Modern Holiday Rectangular Dot Tags
(simple dot background for making tags as shown!)

So what are you waiting for?
Just print, cut & get CREATIVE!

Find the collection here in my Etsy Shop

More holiday designs coming soon!

Kate McRae: Santa's Coming and Kate's Helping!

"Continue to pray that somehow, Kate will keep dancing through her treatments......." ~ Holly McRae in her latest entry.

{photo above used with permission from oh so posh photography}
I haven't mentioned Kate McRae lately, but she is on my mind all of the time. I have to admit that I cannot read her mom's blog entries everyday, because I can't handle even reading what she is going through without the tears flowing. I read it about once a week when I am alone. I can honestly say that this little girl has changed my life. Her situation makes me appreciate what is most important in my life (my family), and nothing else matters. When I lay my own kids down to bed, I think of Kate and thank my lucky stars that my own babies are healthy and happy. My heart breaks into a million pieces for Kate and her family.

The holiday boutique I participated in last weekend was at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Chandler. This is the church that the McRaes are members of, and where Kate's father works. A magazine was handed out at the boutique....and there she was on the cover, sweet Kate. A smiling, beautiful little girl with a brain tumor. There's that pit again in my throat.

Despite their own needs, the McRae family is organizing a toy drive for ALL of the children at the hospital where Kate receives treatment. How's that for thinking of others? It's so cute, they are calling it "Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas" and YOU CAN HELP! If you would like to donate a toy(s), please contact me, or view the post on 11/8 for a list of what items are suggested. I would be happy to collect them from you and drop them off all together, or you can ship directly to:
Cornerstone Christian Fellowship
c/o Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas
2211 E. Pecos Road, Suite 2
Chandler, AZ 85225

Also, I recently connected with Holly (Kate's mom) and she has taken me up on the offer to make Kate's birthday party items! Kate's birthday is the day after Christmas. I hate to even write this, but all I can think is...what would it feel like to wonder if this birthday would be your child's last? The thought devastates me. I would love to help make Kate's birthday celebration special, even if it has to be in the hospital. If you have a product/gift that you would like to send to Kate, please email me. Modern Frills has already offered to design a t-shirt for Kate to match the party goods I create (thank you!). Kate will be 6 years old.

{tomkat studio photo from my kate's lollipop party}

I will do whatever I can to help make this little girl smile.
I hope to one day have the pleasure of meeting her and her amazing family.

Visit www.PrayforKate.com to read Holly's inspiring posts and updates on Kate's treatment and progress.

Believe Holiday Boutique: A Sparkling Success!

It was very first "show" ever. I was so nervous when I got there. I seriously felt like it was my first day at a new school where I didn't know anyone. As I made the 7 trips back and forth from my car to my tables, I felt quite akward. You know, everyone is checking out everyone else's goods. Luckily, once I started getting settled, I met an old friend from high school, selling Mary Kay right behind me! She's an old pro at these things and gave me some great tips and advice while I was setting up. And of course, by the time the doors opened for the boutique, I was friends with everyone down my aisle. :) This boutique was not as exactly how I imagined it would be. No offense to those who make crocheted beer cozees, but I just didn't realize the amount of trendy, fabulous handmade talent that would be there. SERIOUSLY. Super cute stuff. I should have taken pictures of other booths, but this thing was PACKED with people. Two days, over 100 vendors....with the majority that you would want to stop and take a gander at! So fun. I have to thank one of my sweetest customers, Andra for securing me incredible space in the lobby area!

My sales were great! I sold out of all of my 12x12 frames, as well as all of the DIY frame kits that I had with me. The best part though, was really meeting and connecting with so many sweet people. I brought a stack of my Go Gilbert magazines, and really enjoyed being called "Cover Girl" by multiple people! They would look down at the stack, look up and say "OH MY...that's YOU!...I read that article, I saved that issue!" Sooo flattering. I met a bunch of "fans" including one who made me blush with her lovely compliments! It was so amazing to have all these sweet girls come up and say they read my blog, have visited my blog or even just heard of The TomKat Studio. It gives me the warm and fuzzies! :)

I ordered 250 new business cards for the event, and came home with 25. WOW!

Such a great time and such wonderful people! It sure was exhausting, though! I'm not used to being on my feet all day, and being "on". I'm used to dealing with customers via email in my pjs! It was so fun though, and I'm really glad I did it!

I have several sets of my holiday gift tags leftover, so for you....my loyal readers, let's have a GIVEAWAY!

Two winners will be chosen & will receive 4 sets (6/set) of gift tags each!

Here's 4 ways to enter!
(Enter up to 4 times by doing the following):
1. Leave me a comment and let me know which item you like best from my booths!
(you will be disqualified if you say the bowl of candy bars :)
2. Post about this giveaway on Facebook, comment with the link!
3. Tweet about this giveaway, comment with the link!
4. Post about this giveaway on your own Blog, and comment with the link!

Winner will be chosen on Monday, November 16th at 11:00pm (MST).
Any entries received after this time, will not be considered. Open to US residents.
Winners will be chosen using random.org

Cupcake Monday: Fabulous Faux Cupcakes!

Remember when I wrote about the fabulous cupcake wrappers from Bella Cupcake Couture? Well, it's time to feature Carrie, the owner/creator of Bella Cupcake Couture again with this great tutorial on her blog for making FAUX cupcakes! Using insulation foam & spackle, these cupcakes look delicious, but aren't! :) I would love to try making these to use as props for my cupcake toppers when I can't use real cupcakes to show them off!
I'm thinking these could make adorable Christmas ornaments?
I wonder if they are strong enough to hang!

I'll post if I have time to try them out!

CHECK OUT THE TUTORIAL HERE!

BELIEVE: A Holiday Boutique!

Just a little peek at one of my frames that will be on display at the boutique! You might notice a few new things in this photo....my new LOGO and my new little unofficial spokesmodel, Miss Ivy Rae. I fell in LOVE with these photos of my friend, Katy's daughter and I knew I had to use them!

{Photo via Ivy's Auntie Vicki ~ Vicki Lynn Photography}

I'm so excited because this will be the first time my designs are displayed in person, rather than online! I'm a little nervous about the logistic side of the things, but I'll figure it all out!

Thank you to all my girls that helped me assemble all my crafty stuff, I could have never done it without your help! A big thanks to Kristina & Camille, who helped me build up my inventory for the event! And, way to take charge and keep me on track last night, Taryn & Amanda!

And to Tina for learning how to fold paper!

If you are in the area, please stop in and visit me!

Cornerstone Christian Fellowship

Chandler, Arizona

Friday, November 6th 5:00pm-9:00pm

Saturday, November 7th 9:00am - 2:00pm

The TomKat Studio is BEHIND!

{LOVE this photo via tracy girl via we heart it}

I'm trying my best to keep up....but I'm behind. Behind on posting, behind on reading, behind on designing, behind on everything! I miss you all, so I thought I'd catch you up on what's going on with me!

{Local Boutique Event}: I am preparing for an upcoming holiday boutique this weekend, which will be my first experience with something like this. I'm very excited, but nervous as well. I wanted to create actual inventory, rather than just displaying my designs and taking orders so I've had some help assembling fabulous things for the boutique! I have some really cute things ready and whatever doesn't sell, I'll be posting in my Etsy shop! If you are in the Phoenix area, PLEASE come visit me at BELIEVE: Holiday Boutique at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Chandler, AZ! Friday, 11/6 5:00pm - 9:00pm and Saturday, 11/7 9:00am - 2:00pm. Over 100 vendors are participating!

{House Update}: We found ANOTHER house! We've had a few hiccups, but if things work out the way we hope, we will be doing a quick remodel (flooring, paint, granite) and moving in a few weeks (AGAIN)! Luckily, I haven't purchased much furniture yet and we kept most of our stuff packed, since we weren't sure if the house we are in was going to be ours. We've been working on selections for the remodel, and boy is it fun! It's been a few years since we've done one, and I've missed it. The most exciting part for me....glass tile for my backsplash and fireplace. I'm a little obsessed and hope to end up with a fireplace that looks like one of these: {images via flickr}

{Holiday Designs}: I've had a ton of people ask me about holiday photo cards, and I had planned on offering a set of unique, glamorous designs. However, with the house situation keeping me so busy, I've decided to not offer cards this year. I want to get the house, coordinate the remodel, move, get settled and enjoy the holidays! However, I have already started working on PRINTABLE designs for all of your holiday party and gift needs! I'm really excited about the new designs and I will start posting them in the shop next week, once I get through the boutique this weekend! Here's a sneak peek:

So, enough about me....how are you?!
Are you so excited for the holidays? I know I am!