chasing the night...

The other morning we headed south to pick up our special weekend guests, a couple of good friends that used to live here. We drove in those early hours of the morning, watching as the dawn was slowly chasing the night away. To the east of us, the skies were slowly brightening up; to the west: inky blackness dotted with twinkling stars. A yellow ochre, crescent moon was slowly being swallowed by the light. 

Its amazing to watch the change from night to day, it's like the whole North is waking up.  The sun turning the skies orange and pink; starting at the horizon..The pine trees were silhouetted against the sunrise. By the time we got into the city it was frosty and foggy; hoar frost(ice crystals) clinging to trees branches turning them into ethereal white beauties. They glisten like they have been dusted with white glitter. They look so soft from afar. A true beauty to behold.

My love affair with nature has become more intense; being able to experience it in many different ways in different parts of the world. Each place holding a special part of my heart, but it seems the natural beauty of the North is now taking hold of me. I welcome it with open arms.

Speaking of love affairs, two more are wrapped up in this card; buttons and yummy glitter. Is there anything better than glittered buttons?! They look so sugary, dusted with that shimmer. I made this card for a co-worker of my guy's. It was a Valentine request for his special lady. I was only too happy to oblige his request.(He was super sweet about it) Over at Papertrey Ink, their Make It Monday challenge incorporates glittered buttons so I'm going to link this up there.
See you soon!
~Becks

snowflakes falling...

...on my head. I'm of course singing it to the tune of 'Raindrops falling on my head'. I love when it snows. I could watch it for hours just falling. Silent and peaceful. I'm hoping for a snowy Christmas.

 Snowflakes are one of my go-to stamps for cards at Christmas time, and I'm popping in today to show a few I did for very special customers this year.

I wanted to capture the feeling of looking out the window as the snowflakes fall. I spritzed Glimmer Mist over the card.. it had a wonderful shimmer in real life. My heat gun got a workout recently with all the heat embossing I did.

 Kept these cards clean and simple..Once again I turned to kraft and white, loving the pop of dark green ribbon.. some of the prettiest cards are the simplest. I upcycled an old card from Christmas' past to cut out the mat stack(PTI). It had a wonderful embossed image on it that I just couldn't pass up.
Are you all ready for Christmas? 2 days left. I can't wait :)
Be back 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

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

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

pearls and lace...

Hello again,
Where does the time go? It's been some time since I last posted...promise more regular posting to come...I've had lots to do-packing, working, visiting with friends...spending time with family before I head out on my own with my guy, to a new home and new province...Cherishing the time I have with my family and friends before starting out and meeting new friends...
Here's a card based off Kazan's sketch over at my fave sketch site: 2sketches 4 you...

I love its simplicity, elegance and had fun playing with bits of lace and new stamps...

Oodles of my fave things used here...K&Company papers, antiqued pearls, tea stained seam binding, my hoarded pink half pearls(a gift from my sister) some lace and tea dyed edging, P.T.I stamps(finally got my much desired Fancy Flourishes set...I hate budgeting for stamp sets..grr)...all things that make me smile.
Well that's all for tonight...off to do some much needed crafting before a special guest arrives tomorrow:)
'Til next time,
 Thanks for stopping by,
~Rebekah

sweet baby...

Remember a few posts back I said I was working on some mini albums? Well, I'm happy to say that I've finished one. It's my first so tread gentle...would love to hear what you think about it. I love it to pieces; can see where I can improve for next time..oh the journey is my favourite part of crafting..always learning, exploring and improving along the way.
This baby album was made with my friend Susan in mind..I hope to surprise her with it..hope she will have fun filling it with pictures and memories of being a first time mama...

I had so much fun creating this mini album. I'm not really into scrapbooking myself, but I had seen many posts on mini albums and I was hooked. Of course when I went looking for mini chipboard albums I couldn't find any...then one day I happened to look in the $1.50 section at Michaels and they had a bunch of great shaped ones..on sale..such a deal..I now have a stockpile of them..

The cover..possibly my fave page of the album. The onesie was fun to make..and I used my fave P.T.I set as well..how could I resist. I love the soft feel of the cream and blues together.The tab can be used to write in the date of birth and baby's name...

The inside of the cover..had to part with some of my Melissa Frances goodies here..well worth it..

A little pocket to add precious memories...vintage trims add to the shabby feel I was going for. More P.T.I stamps and Prima papers..

A spot to tuck a photo..

Little feet are adorable...

Front and back of a page inserted..Keeping track of first teeth.

Some more Melissa Frances goodies, Prima paper and Tim Holtz stamps..

Another photo page...

An envelope insert to keep little tabs in..perhaps all the little cards that come with flower bouquets...

I couldn't bear to cover up Mr. Rabbit. The back cover (inside)

And the outside back cover..stamped to match the front, and all distressed to look vintage and shabby..
All in all I feel very satisfied; glad that I finally finished it. Can't wait to start on another...
Thanks for visiting!
~Rebekah