one week...

Never before have I realized the value of a week...

I am trying to gather my thoughts, my words.. I apologize for my absence. The last week has been a tough one.. the toughest of my life so far. I am dealing with the loss of a very wonderful, special person to me; my grandfather...It's taken a lot of time; a lot of soul searching..a lot of tears, memories, special moments to be able to finally come to a place where I am able to function without breaking down.

One week has allowed me to see the value of time, to not take anything for granted...to make time to speak to friends, family...tomorrow is not guaranteed.

One week has shown me all I have to be thankful for. That I have the most amazing support system of friends and family;both far and near.It has shown me that life goes on, albeit more different than before.

This week has been full of remembering.. good memories and times past..reminding me to live in the present. That our past experiences make us the person we are today. It has been a roller coaster ride of emotions...I am grateful for the time my grandfather and I shared. I will cherish those memories fondly.

I've been keeping my hands busy. It seems when my heart is heavy, my hands must create. This card reminds me of a visit to see my grandfather a few years ago. We went out sightseeing and for lunch and by some fluke we both ended up wearing yellow that day.. I love the pale creamy yellow colour of the card. It's kept clean and simple..I often over complicate things and get discouraged. But not here...

I've learned that this journey is unpredictable..that time is the only thing that will heal this wound..but I'll get by with a little help from my friends and family.
This one's for you Pa,
~Becks
E.T.A The layout is a scrap lift from the multi-talented Melissa Phillips...I loved the clean and simple look of her cards...and tried it for myself!

attitide of gratitude...

*Mom, dad and M- for all they have done, for all they still do..and will continue to do to help me along my journey..for being there when I need them.. to help me navigate through what life throws at me. Your support is what gets me through the loneliest of days.. through home sickness and my lowest lows..

*Best girlfriends- To C for being there through thick and thin...for accepting me for who I am; flaws and all... understanding that life happens; For helping with problems. Giving advice..knowing that it doesn't matter how long in between conversations; you can pick up where you left off and it's like time hasn't passed at all....

*Technology- To keep in touch with those far from me..glorious technology that allows us to be together, miles apart. To share in each others lives...to celebrate milestones together...

*Family- for reconnecting..Knowing that our roots may be spread out over different countries and provinces, but we are all apart of the same tree..Learning more about where I come from, who I take after.. a great feeling of being...

 *New friends, new experiences-for understanding what it's like to start out somewhere new. For support and much needed chats.. For being such great people..for helping, advice, tips and gestures...they do not go unnoticed. For helping us feel like we belong. For welcoming us into a new 'family'..

*Papercrafting- I am glad I have the opportunity to craft and share what I love doing. I stumbled upon this creative outlet of mine a few years ago and haven't looked back. I need to learn not to compare my work to others, and love the journey I take in creating. It is definitely my sanctuary these days..

As the year is drawing to a close, I think it's time to reflect on what I am grateful for. A couple of blogs I follow are also focusing on just the same thing.. a few have even shared today's blog title as well. In no means am I trying to copy them, only pay homage to them. You may have noticed I left out my guy.. I haven't forgotten him.. he's getting his own special post..coming up soon...he needs to know his actions do not go by unseen too.
I made this card for my best friend C. I hope she likes it.. I kept it CAS to showcase the Basic Grey papers which I can't seem to put down...some well used PTI stamps..Maya Road chipboard... yum.
I am very grateful for those of you that view my blog and leave such sweet, encouraging comments. They make my day, inspire me to push on and create..I'm glad that you all take time out of your day, and come to visit me here on the blog. I appreciate it more than you will know.
'Til next time,
~Becks

home sweet home...

I know that when I go home..no matter where the physical structure may be, it's that familiar feeling that envelopes me that lets me know I'm 'at home.' I've moved around my fair share and it didn't matter where I was in the world, as long as my family were together; home was there.

Home to me is the feeling of comfort you get walking through the door. It's knowing that your home is your sanctuary; somewhere you feel safe.Somewhere you can relax..to forget about the big bad world out there.Its not the four walls, or the roof above our heads... no, its much more than that.For me, it's the people who occupy the house that makes it a home..

Home these days may not be my first choice of locations; far from it to be honest...I'd rather be living with my family; closer at least.... but I'm slowly  learning to make this house our home. We are changing things to suit ourselves. Its small things that make the house comfy..it's the familiar sounds that I hear when I'm puttering around my craft room..the swishing of the dishwasher; the sounds of gun fire as my guy plays his online games..sounds that turn an ordinary house into a home.

I made this card to welcome one of my guy's co-workers to the neighbourhood, and congratulate them on their new house. I baked up a batch of cookies to send along with the card. They live a few houses down from us, and I'm sure will quickly start turning their new house into a home..

I found these quotes and will share it with you as I leave for the night,

My home is not a place, it is people.
~ Lois McMaster Bujold

"A house is made of brick and mortar,
but home is made by the people who live there."
M. K. Soni

Til next time, thanks for your visit!
Becks

celebrate today...

Today is a very special day.. for a very special person in my life.. my mom

The one person always there... who always listens..who gives the best advice..

My best friend and confidant..my inspiration.. my strength..

A creative spirit..so talented... I am blessed to have inherited such a small part of her creativity.

A fighter.. her inner strength is something I admire...it's something I strive for...it is limitless..

She is selfless; sacrificed a lot for her family.. for which I am forever grateful...

Super supportive, caring and thoughtful...

I am thankful to have her in my life.Although she may not feel like celebrating her birthday,  I'm celebrating having her in my life...birthdays, after all, are meant for that...for all shes done for me and continues to do so.....I may never be able to repay it all...she brightens my darkest days; my darkest moods..is my support over the phone or through messages..I hope I can do the same for her.. she is always with me, always on my mind.. no matter how far apart we may be..
I love you mom, wish I could be there to celebrate with you..
Sending love across the miles,
Love always,
~B

everythings right with a cup of tea...

It's no secret round here that I'm a bit of a tea fan...my cupboard is slowly filling up with delectable types of tea...if I see a new flavour I might like, I buy it..my guy tells me nicely that I don't need any more tea, and that I need to drink what I have first, but there's nothing better than having a selection on hand...'cuz you never know when the mood will strike for a certain type of tea.

I think I've always had a thing for tea..I used to watch my mom drink it as a child and wish I were "grown up" enough to be able to drink tea. As a child we had a tea set, and were only allowed to use it on special occasions..."Once in a blue moon" my mom would say. Needless to say I couldn't wait for a blue moon month(the second full moon in one calendar month) and break out that tea set. It was special.. I remember it fondly. I suppose every little girl enjoys a tea party...

There's nothing that a cup of tea can't make better; a headache?have a cup of tea...feeling ill? have a cup of tea..cold day outside? you got it; have a cup of tea....it's soothing.. calming.. I just can't start my day without a cup of tea..I recently bought a proper tea cup.. with saucer. I enjoy its thin, delicate handle..tea never tastes as good as it does in a fine, bone china tea cup.

I made this card at the request of my mom...I know the recipient will enjoy it..I had fun making it.. the tea cup image is free hand..made with my favourite  Melissa Frances papers..little pearls added as accents... I decided to keep this card clean and simple...showcase the Basic Grey papers in the background...focus on the tea cup...and of course had to add a little 'bling' to the steam rising from the cup ( I do apologize for the photos.. I had to use a light box to photo them..it was night and I needed to capture the card before I got on a plane!)

I'll leave you with this quote.. which sums me up to a "T"
 
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me".  ~C.S. Lewis

Good night friends ...
~Becks