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

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