happily ever after...

"Find me here, speak to me
I want to feel You, I need to hear You
You are the light that's leading me
To the place where I find peace again

You are the strength that keeps me walking
You are the hope that keeps me trusting
You are the light to my soul
You are my purpose, You're everything

You calm the storms, and You give me rest
You hold me in Your hands, You won't let me fall
You steal my heart, and You take my breath away
Would You take me in, take me deeper now

How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?
Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?

'Cause You're all I want, You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want, You're all I need
You're everything, everything" -Lifehouse

How I love that song.. so romantic.. poignant.. very much a love song. It was a song I listened to over and over when my guy and I started going out. It speaks volumes..it's everything I feel when I look at him. How blessed I am to have him.
A couple of good friends of ours are getting married. This card is for them. I'm sure they would relate to the song. They are meant for each other; very compatible.. so cute together. I am so happy for them..I know they will have a wonderful life together. They can live their happily ever after.
I decided to make a glassine bag since I didn't have any on hand.. decorated with a die cut, lightly stamped butterfly, complete with a handmade rosette.  Lots of Basic Grey goodies..tried to capture the 3d effect of it all. Little personalized embellishments all over the place. I really had fun making this card for them. And, it fits with a couple challenges this week too! Over at The Shabby Tea Room, they have a gorgeous inspiration picture...challenge is to use butterflies.. I made this card before knowing the challenge. Funny how it fits.
Over at Kaboodle Doodles Challenge Blog this weeks challenge is "here comes the bride." I believe it is to do with weddings.. and this card fits just so. I'm off to pop on to the sites and post my creation.
Thanks for the visit,
Night all
~Becks
ETA: This card made honourable mention over at TSTR! I'm so proud to be chosen along with all the other talented ladies! Thanks to the DT!

catch a falling snowflake...

Winter seems to have its grip on us here in the North. We had a few nice, sunny, Spring like days last week. Then old man winter let us know he was still around by giving us a few centimeters of snow.. covering the ground again. Showing us who's boss.

The last few days we have dipped back into the minuses. While walking the pup this morning large fluffy, light flakes fell from the sky. Slowly at first, one by one. I watched them drift and melt away. By the time we got back inside they were falling faster, and harder. It was wonderful to watch from the window. I remembered when the pup was a couple months old he would catch the falling snowflakes, opening his mouth wide.. snapping at them. A very cute sight to see him trying to eat the snowflakes. A part of me was a bit sad that maybe today was the last time we will see the snow fall before next winter. As much as I love summer, there's something about snow falling that puts me in such a calm place.

 Today I decided to enter another challenge site. They are getting quite addicting. Today I'm playing along with The Play Date Cafe, and one of their colour challenges. Here's the colour palette to work with:

I used kraft cardstock as a base.. been awhile since I've used kraft. Some green and white K&Company paper in the background. Sheer tan and brown ribbons..a cream Maya Road trinket pin and stamp. Chenile flowers and some pale brown buttons.. I apologize for the pictures today. Once again the camera and I are at odds. Can't seem to quite get the lighting right. Rearranging my craft room today may help that. We shall see.

 

This card was inspired by the talented Cherry, over at Cherry's Jubilee. She did an amazing neutral version of this.( Much better than my attempt.) I fell in love with hers at first glance. Take a peek at her blog. You will enjoy your visit there!

Well, I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow. Up bright and early for a trip into the big city. Had to pop on and post this card, and pop it up on the challenge site.
Thanks for the visit,
~Becks
E.T.A Just saw that I was an Honourable Mention cup of tea over at The Shabby Tea Room for last weeks challenge.. oh happy dance!

birthday bliss...

Birthday season is kicking off next week for my crew. My guy celebrates first then a whole slew of birthdays follow.. I can't wait for mine to come around ;) I am one of those people who love celebrating my birthday, don't care who knows my age..Often people are shocked when I tell them how old I really am.

I have found that I'm usually last minute for making birthday cards. So when I stumbled across this blog, you can imagine how I felt. Such a great idea, having birthday card challenges so you are always with in arms reach of a fab birthday card.

Diving right in with the current challenge.. again, barely squeezing in before the deadline..a result of just finding the site...The inspiration picture was a beauty! I decided to play with the banner detail...I'm hooked on banners lately..using up little scraps..making a shabby cupcake.. using some corrugated cardboard painted and glittered up. Every cupcake needs a little glitter...

Trying to capture the 3d effects of the cupcake icing..all sorts of buttons, trims, stitching..I love the way this one turned out.

What do ya think? Does it pass the grade :) I better get this posted over on Birthday Sundaes blog before time runs out. Give it a check. I can't wait for the next challenge.
Thanks for stopping by!
Stay sweet :)
~Becks

the journey so far...

 

I like looking back at previous posts or photo's to see how far I've come along this journey into card making and creating. The other day when Blogger informed me that I had hit my limit for photo uploading, I went back to older posts from over a year ago.. Deleting older posts I could do with out. I don't want to upgrade my online storage just yet. I got rid of some of the photo's I'd been storing online...just making a little more space to continue on with my journey here.

 For me my blog is like a scrap book.. I can go back and see the progression.. Look at older challenges...seeing what I liked back then, and dislike now.. I think I've finally found my groove. My own style.. I'm loving feeling comfortable in my own card making abilities and not constantly comparing myself to others..

Closeup of center piece layers

I've decided to enter another challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room. It features some of my favourite items; doilies and lace.  I used a combo of crocheted doilies and paper.. and used some lace to add dimension to the centerpiece. 

*sigh* Don't you just adore that sentiment..I need to get more of Ali Edwards stamp sets. The way the script and handwriting go together amazes me.  I think this one is going to my MIL, by way of my guy.. Mother's Day is coming up soon. Some PTI goodies; papers and my fave Love Lives Here dies.. Those little hearts make my day. Melissa Frances papers..some tea stained trim... I like the overall effect. 

I'm off to post this over at the gallery and take a peek at some of the other talented ladies.

Talk soon,

~Becks

me again...

just checking in...

enjoying the weekend with my guy...I love when he has four day weekends..

soaking in the sunshine gracing us daily.

watching the snow melt.. its amazing how fast its going. I'll be planting a garden in no time.

enjoying afternoon walks with the puppy..getting him used to the route..socializing with other owners and their dogs out on their walks...

crafting away while the sun comes pouring through the windows...such a lovely feeling of Spring even sitting inside. This card is inspired by spring, and the mood it puts me in. We are already planning out the backyard...lots of work to do: putting in a new fence around the perimeter.. making a new fire pit and seating area for those long anticipated, summer evening fires. Sitting around the fire talking with friends late/early into the night/morning...I can't wait for those nights..it's been too long a winter.

*sigh* I adore these little houses.. and the accompanying stamp set (Love Lives Here). I can't wait to see what other sets Melis can dream up. Such an inspiration she is... Lots of different papers used here; The Girls Paperie, Basic Grey, old book print.. a new love of corrugated cardboard..as seen on one of the sweet roofs. Used some 3D pop dots to add dimension to the card.

This is one in a set I'm making at the request of my mama.. I'll have to post the set up soon!.
Well, that's it for me for tonight.
I'm off to watch all my fave Sunday night shows, and who knows, maybe a little more crafting too.
Happy Spring!
~Becks

game on...

I always have such a hard time with guy cards.. I love my bows and ribbons, glitter and buttons-anything girlie. I love adding little embellishments like  tags; tucked away behind a flower; tied to a button, around a bow.. how can I possibly give up all those fun things and make them masculine???

My solution? A fun themed card for my sisters guy. I had so much fun with it. She gave me an idea to play with and I just ran with it. I'm so glad I did. Casey is such a gaming fanatic. This was the perfect card to wish him a Happy Birthday.

I loved the nights when we all would meet up online and her guy and my guy would game, and my sister and I would take over the mics and chat. Even though we were miles apart it was like we were in the same room together.

The front of the card...I went 'old school Xbox' for this card...The newer models are sleek and slim-lined...the older models have more elements to make a cooler looking card, in my opinion. For this one I used 3D foam dots to make the lines of the console stand out, kind of like they do in real life...

The game disc on the inside was pop up style.. to add some dimension to the inside as well.. I scanned in one of the games we played, shrunk it down to the size, and then hand cut a controller and decorated by using water colour pencil crayons. I incorporated all the elements that come to mind when I think of gaming My first inside and out decorated card.... I was thrilled with the end result and I know Casey appreciated the card:) Makes my heart feel good.

Before I go, I just want to announce the winner of the magazine giveaway I posted here. **drum roll please** Random.org selected:


True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 2

Ros said... Your post makes a picture in my mind ... you sound more settled and happy now and I am happy for you ... your beautiful cards are a delight ... Enjoy your day Becks...

Congrats my friend! Feel free to email me your address if you'd like the magazine!! Look forward to hearing from you:)
That's all I have for tonight. I'm off to spend some well needed time with my guy and 'the kids'
Happy Weekend!
~Becks

happy days...

I'm so excited to announce I was chosen winner over at the City Crafter Challenge Blog for week 50! Thanks to the DT for choosing my lil card! I'm beyond happy! I'm off to post the winner badge on my sidebar..Thanks to everyone for their sweet comments!
Happy days!
*hugs*
~Becks

season to celebrate...

Spring time brings with it sunshine, warm days, and rain showers. Buds on the trees and flowers popping their heads out of the ground. Around my way April and May also bring many celebrations; birthdays and other such milestones.. It certainly is a time to celebrate the good times.

We'll be celebrating:

growing older...

relationships...

mothers and motherhood...

commemorating a job well done...

graduation and the start of a new future...

Over at the City Crafter Challenge Blog the challenge this week is "Celebrate Good Times". You have to use either a banner or the word 'party' on your project. Since we have a few birthdays coming up I decided to go the banner route. It's such a great way to use up those little scraps that I just can't bring myself to throw away.

Mmmm...where do I begin? So many favourite things used here.. Basic Grey Papers..PTI dies and stamp set(Just the Ticket) seam binding and a satin flower(courtesy of my aunts goodies)..mini pearls and some mini scallop crocheted trim. I used some scraps of sheet music with the intention of tying in the singing of the birthday song...without actually having to stamp 'Happy Birthday'. Aren't I clever?(laugh) I thought I was...
I am off to post this to the CCCB site and check out some of the other entries.. Won't you join me?
Have a great Sunday afternoon,
~Becks

the view from here...

four tiny, brown and white, mischievous mottled paws…

two amazingly blue and turquoise, curious Siamese eyes…

two floppy, silky soft Husky ears; cock-eyed and alert…

one shiny, bright red stand mixer  sitting proudly on my counter…

a brown haired,  hazel eyed boy; all mine…

 

fuzzy leopard print slippers, so cozy and warm…

 a grey,red and cream fuzzy flannel blanket keeping my legs toasty...

Just the view from here as I sit and type my post...Bringing you another completed envelope...using some more of my favourite things; The Girl's Paperie papers, old book print, PTI stamps, Love Lives Here die cuts..half pearls, organza flowers...all yummy products that make me smile. I thought ahead and added a ribbon to help hold closed the envelope once I put some treasures in it...

Here's the two together... keeping the colour schemes relatively the same. I love the background floral print...a stamp set given to me by my sister one Christmas.. it was just what I was looking for to add a floral motif..I'm looking forward to working on another one tomorrow..while my guy is at work.. if I can get the kitten and puppy to get along for just a little while...

Before I go I wanted to show you this:

 Have you had a chance to check it out? I have a subscription to it.. Each month I am dazzled by the gorgeous creations within its covers.. as I am with my Cards subscription as well... I have an extra copy of the Feb/Mar "Simply Handmade" If you'd like a chance to grab this copy, leave a comment. I'll leave it open a few days and randomly draw a name:)

Have a wonderful weekend

~Becks