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

home for the holidays...

There's no better feeling that being back at home. For Christmas this year, my guy decided to send me home for the holidays..since he would be working.. knowing how home sick I was getting..knew I needed to be surrounded by my family this holiday season. Such a wonderful gift.

This past week has flown by...time always flies when you are enjoying yourself. Still a couple weeks left at home...I will savour each remaining day...glad I have my mom around to take care of me...nothing worse than being sick over the holidays but, just my luck that's what I got. Just goes to show you're never too old to be looked after by mama.

Yet another Christmas card that was requested by my sister. There's nothing I enjoy more than whipping up little packages of cards for people I love. She passed them on to a friend who, as I was told today, just loved them. It makes it all worth it when I hear how much someone enjoys one of my handmade gems. Some sheet music..my fave for Christmas cards..Maya Road tree pin..random buttons...I just had to use my PTI die and background basics text....doilie and some extra thick seam binding in that gorgeous burgundy...Mmm mmm. it's love I tell ya.
Sometimes the simplest cards give me the most happiness..
Til next time,
~Becks

snow globe Sunday...

There's nothing I like better then a fresh snowfall. I don't enjoy the cold that goes along with it; I could do with out that. And, venturing out in it isn't desirable, but there's something calming about snow falling. This Sunday I sat watching as big fluffy white snowflakes fell from the sky. Drifting and floating on the breeze; covering every surface..looking very magical. On days like these I feel as if I'm enclosed in a snow globe that has been gently shaken. Such a wonderful feeling.

 The fallen snow is a bright-white clean slate so to speak. It glistens and sparkles as the sunlight hits it. It blankets the area with such a silence. Have you ever stopped and listened to snow falling?It's such a surreal experience. Those fluffy, white, light-as-air flakes have a quiet whisper about them as they make their way to the ground. Simply amazing!

Another one of my wreath ornament cards. They are highly addicting to make... I just couldn't stop. This card reminded me of my snow globe Sunday afternoon. Of course I had to add sheet music edged with distress ink, along with some sparkle to those Maya Road snowflakes.. how I love Maya Road goodies! The stamps and sentiment are from PTI's snowflake serenade. One of my favourite wintery sets!
I am off to do some more Christmasy jobs. Such a busy week! Hope to pop in again soon with some more Christmas creations.
Have a wonderful wintery time!
~Becks

silent night...

Holy night. All is calm, all is bright....


I love Silent Night. It's one of my favourite Christmas carols. It's calming..it captures the Christmas spirit for me. It's just not Christmas til I hear that song...

Before I start into some of my holiday baking I thought I'd pop in for a quick post...some more of the cards I made for special people in my life...I do love requests for cards...

I must admit, I don't like 'traditional' Christmas cards...I prefer muted greens and deep reds..golds and glitter. Sheet music and creamy cardstock...

All captured in my mini wreaths...I used some fabric scraps..used my pinking shears..found the cutest mini reindeer in my stash..my mom had given them to me a couple years ago.. they come in handy here.

These cards pull a double duty..the wreath comes off and can be used as an ornament. How cool is that?

 I wanted to work in sheet music and the library pocket die(PTI) worked perfectly. Some Upsy Daisy and Prima papers fit my muted colour scheme.. I love how it all comes together.
Well, I am off to get some baking done. It's not the same being away from home this year, but I know my guy's co-workers will appreciate it.
Off to spread some holiday cheer,
~Becks

twinkle lights...

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of multi-coloured twinkle lights at Christmas. I prefer white(clear) lights. They always brighten up the holidays for me. They are crisp and pure..reflect off of the ornaments just so...they are perfect in my opinion.

I enjoy looking out through the falling snowflakes and seeing the lights outside.. nothing more Christmas-y than seeing the houses all lit up, with their various scenes...That was my inspiration for this set of cards I made for my MIL.

This is the first post of a few of Christmas cards for this year. I've still got to make my own... Here's the set of 10 I did..all in a row...

Even on the inside.. normally I leave my cards blank, unless requested..

Here's a close up. I cut out all 50(yes I said 50) lights by hand...used some PTI stamps...heat embossed the sentiment...These cards fit the challenge over on the City Crafter Challenge Blog this week..thats where I'm off to link up to.

Twinkle, twinkle..
~Becks

count your blessings...

"When I count my blessings, I count you twice"

This post is a bit delayed. It's a continuation of my 'thankful posts' The first one can be found here,  if you haven't read it yet. In the last one, I "left out" one important person in my life I am thankful for; my guy. This post is for him...

For everything you do to make life that much easier..
For your generous nature..
Your sense of humour; your laugh. It warms my soul, lifts a gloomy day...

For naps on the couch, snuggled up..
Pretending to 'give in' when play fighting.. 'cuz we both know you are way stronger than I am, but you let me 'win' some days..
How you won't leave the house with out a kiss goodbye..

Your protective and helpful nature, and the fact you do that every day in your career...wanting to do better for everyone, not just yourself.
Long car rides into the city, full of great conversations, laughs...bopping to music... remembering..
For support and ideas with my creativity..
For the life you are providing for us..

Getting to spend this journey with you for the last 9 years and for many years to come..
You are my best friend, soul mate,my perfect match.
You are sexy, loving, sweet and funny..supportive, strong, gentle and most importantly; all mine.
I definitely count you twice when I count my blessings.
Love
B