comforts of home...

The comforts of home....friends, family, familiar surroundings, a feeling of belonging. The comforting sounds of being at home; little Siamese paws playing on the hardwood..conversations, tv shows in the background.. all remind us of what makes a house a home.

Six months or so ago, I left the comforts of the home I shared with my family...moved to a place I had  never heard of before...couldn't locate on the map...leaving friends behind..knowing no one. I had a very bleak outlook.. wondered if I were making the right decision...willing time to stop moving forward..

 A day before I left home I received an email...an everyday occurrence..a quick note from one person to another.. one I won't forget..something so simple, yet meant so much to me then, and to this day. A hand reaching out of the darkness...Simply put I 'met' a wonderful person that day. One who has helped make my transition to my new life so much easier..Alexis, this post is for you, on your birthday..

Alexis was one of the first people I met once I moved to our new little town. It's always hard to settle and meet people when moving somewhere new.. had it not been for her and her fiance, I don't know how I would have managed. We have much in common; her ideals and ways of thinking are similar to mine. We are close in age.. She is a spirit lifter...I thoroughly enjoy spending time with her... our chats have helped me more than she may know..

 She is sassy and smart, quick witted...a great listener with a big heart. She tries to see the positive in everyone..is helpful. Thoughtful and sweet.( Knowing I was having issues with iron levels, she baked me some delish molasses cookies because they were iron rich...)You can see her passion for what she does..I know she's gonna make a great mama someday. In the few short months I've known her and gotten to spend with her I feel those comforts of home returning. She has gone through what I am going through.. offers advice...listens...all that reminds me that I'm never alone...there's always someone to talk to...to lean on in the tough times... for that, I am truly thankful.

I am fortunate to be able to count her as a friend. Lucky to have had someone there to welcome me as part of this extended family we share.That feeling will stay with me..I'll be reminded of it every time we move.. I can only hope that one day I can pass on her gift to someone first starting out like I was.. I dread the day when she moves away..on to another chapter in this life..It is inevitable in the career 'family' we are marrying into..Until then, I know more memories will be made, more chats will take place, and the bond I felt then and now will stay with me forever.
Happy Birthday Alexis!
~Becks xx

new addition...

Around my way a few new additions are coming...a few cute and cuddly babies.. how I love baby related things. We recently had a fur baby addition to our household.. a cute, 7 week old puppy. He sure is a handful. I can't imagine what a real baby would be like..

This extra girly, very pink card was by the request of my BFF. For her cousin, on the arrival of their new bundle of joy.. I love making baby cards, albums.. you name it.. something about onesies, baby carriages, bottles, booties that make creating baby items so much fun.

Since this was for a little baby girl, I had to include a crown...every princess needs one.. complete with bling.. in this case a very glittery crown on the top and a little one here with her initial..very appropriate pink half pearls.. yummy, yummy

I went very girlie with his one.. I love all the elements combined.. the fabric rose with pearl in the centre.. Girl's Paperie and Melissa Frances papers..trims and twill tape...a die cut PTI mat stack 4, pressed with their Tin Types Impression plate..so subtle but adds texture.. and of course some stitching..just to finish it all off..I can't wait to get busy and create some more baby items for the expectant families around here..
On another note, this post today marks my 100th post! Wow oh wow.. who would have thought I'd get to this amount? I'm very thankful for all of you that visit and leave comments.. so stay tuned for a blog candy giveaway.. in a few short posts.. I promise it will be worth the wait.I'm still finding and adding goodies, and need to photograph it but, just my way of saying thanks to all of you that come here :)
'Til next time,
~Becks

housekeeping...

I do seem to keep disappearing on you don't I? It's not intentional...believe me. I have had a busy last few weeks and now I am back at home...refreshed and ready to dig in and start working on some new projects, getting back to challenge sites, opening up my Etsy account again, even a giveaway coming very soon!!So many fun and exciting things going on. I hope you will stay tuned and be patient with me.
First off tho, I need to do a little housekeeping...some of my loyal blog followers have bestowed upon me this award:

How exciting!!! I am honoured to accept this award. It means a lot to me that people stop by my lil ole blog-o here..SO many thanks to Joanne and Stella. You ladies made my day!!! Take some time to check out their blogs! You won't be disappointed!
The 'rules' of this blog award are simple: Thank whom ever you got the award from...Share 8 things about yourself. Pass it along to 8 other bloggers...simple simple.
Where do I begin... 8 things about myself...as you can tell I'm pretty open on my blog here...give a little glimpse into my world..so here are 8 things you may not have picked up on.. depending on how long you have followed me on my journey in blogland..
* I love to read.. LOVE getting new books and settling into them. I've been an avid reader since I was 5..always had my nose buried in a book. There is nothing better.

*I bake. A lot. My baking is considerably better than my cooking. Living at home I had my moms cooking to look forward to.. and there's nothing better than moms cooking.. so, I never really picked it up. Moving out on my own I had to get mom to teach me to cook.. it's getting better I suppose, but baking is where I excel in the domestic diva sense of things.

*I am a summer girl.. I love the summer..if it were summer all year round I'd be one happy girl!Being born and growing up in Bermuda I was spoiled..the summers there are amazing..

*Fall is my second favourite season. I love the changing colours of the leaves.. that crisp feeling in the air.. the smells of fall...the soups, stews and comfort food... sweaters and light scarves..Thanksgiving(for us Canadians) truly a wonderful time of the year.

* I hoard tea. All sorts. I love a good cup of tea. My mom and my guy have to reign me in some days. I need to use up the tea I have before buying more...loose leaf teas are some of my favourites..

* Photography is something that amazes me...how some people have that gift of capturing special moments.. I yearn for the day when I can focus on becoming a better photographer.. and have a proper, good camera. I love experimenting with my little cameras.

*I've recently moved to a small town in northern Saskatchewan. It is very different from what I am used to. My guy and I moved here for his job. We will continue to move around due to his job every few years... takes awhile to get used to a small town mentality and way of life...

*One of my favourite colours is black. I bet you wouldn't have guessed it by what you see on my blog.. I find it hard to incorporate into cards. I love the vintage, muted colours, pearl and lacy goodness that I tend to lean towards in my projects..I guess there is a time and place for everything...

Now it is time for me to bestow this award on some of my fave bloggers...I'm sure they have been awarded the award themselves a few times, but I'd like to show my appreciation for the ladies that stop by regularly and pay me a visit and leave sweet kind comments..you make it worth it! Along with these ladies I am adding some of the ladies that I look up to and enjoy visiting myself:
                                                               *ROS*
                                                               *STELLA*
                                                               *JOANNE*
                                                               *MONA*
                                                                *DANA*
                                                                *MELISSA*
                                                                *BETY*
                                                                *CATHE*


It's a shame it's only limited to 8 people.. there are so many creative souls out there.. but, these are some of my faves.
Well.. that is it from me for now...I have some cards to share with you in the upcoming days.. can't wait to get back into my craft room and create...
Have a wonderful week!
Talk soon,
~Becks

simply love...

Today marks a special day for me. Nine years ago today 'me' became 'we'. It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone...many years filled with great memories.. this year is more special...this year it means just that much more. It is the start of a new adventure.. a new step forward.

The past nine years have been some of the best of my life. I have found a truly wonderful person to spend my life with. I feel blessed. He is everything I could have asked for.. everything I could have dreamed of.. he is my best friend...can make the worst day bearable, knows how to make me smile.. is so generous and giving.

B,
The best part of me is you...it is hard not to take for granted you will always be there for me. I am thankful for the life you provides for us, for wanting to be better...always giving, so patient.. for wanting to walk this life with me by your side. I am grateful you chose me. This upcoming year will be memorable, magical and I can't wait for it to start.
Happy Anniversary. I love you more than you will know,
Love always,
B

two little words...

As 2010 draws to a close and 2011 about to begin I stop and think of what one word I would carry with me throughout the year. A word to help find the simple joys in life...a word to help through the difficult times..The more and more I pondered what word that should be, I found myself continually drawn to not one, but two words.. two little words that mean so much to me right now; hope and acceptance.

Hope for health, happiness, and strength.  Hope that spreads far and wide, beyond my circle; out into the world and to others. Acceptance of myself; my faults, flaws, strengths, weaknessess and limitations..Acceptance that while I cannot change the world, I can change my world- who I come into contact with..how to treat every situation.. accept that not everyone will like me for who I am, and that I will not change to accomodate that.. will not...acceptance to be myself.

 These are two little words that will make a big impact on my life in the year ahead. In every passing, happy, difficult, emotional moment these words will help me through. To appreciate each of those moments; be them passing, happy, difficult and emotional..to learn a lesson, to help understand the dark days. To appreciate the happy moments and store them away in memory...

A new year to see what personal goals can be accomplished...no pressure, no stress to acheive them. Let the cards fall as they may. Push to bettter myself in my craft...Be aware of my own talents..try not to compare to others...easy to say..hard to do otherwise..somedays anyway....

Time to cherish those around me...nurture new budding friendships and relationships..acknowledge that change is inevitable and to go with the flow, not against it. Enjoying the ride..so hard to remember that..just enjoy the ride somedays.

No more worrying about what I don't like about my image. We ladies tend to scrutinize ourselves way too much. So what if we have a little flaw here and there.. we are loved for them. So many New Years resolutions wasted on worrying about loosing a few pounds here or there..denying ourselves sweets or favourite foods.. no more... this is the year to embrace it all.

A new year to remember those no longer with us physically, but with us every day spiritually.. Finding strength in each passing day to honour their memory...to smile about the time we did share. It's a slow wound to heal..but one day it will..It just makes you cherish those around you that much more.

Living each day to the fullest...letting the small things go...all the things we tell ourselves we should do.. it's time to just DO. we might end up happiest this way.. I'm game to try.. to just find ....

Joy... pure and simple. Joy in everything...
Here's the last of the Christmas cards I made this year. A fitting way to say goodbye to 2010 and hello to a bright, wonderful 2011.
Thankful as always for your visit!
Happy New Year!
~Becks