midnite lullabies...

I'm becoming a bit of a night owl...keeping odd hours...doing what chores I can while my guy is at work...slowly adapting to his crazy hours...

Working around his schedules..spending as much quality time together as we can manage..

I'm learning to navigate life as a couple...biting back hurtful words when tempers flare, setting up the new house...learning the meaning of compromise...

 I'm missing my wonderful family..adapting to life in a small town...meeting new people.. a new experience, another adventure...

I'm learning that when you're in  a new place you discover who you really are...

I'm nurturing long distance relationships..looking forward to text messages and phone calls....reconnecting with my family out on the west coast.

My fingers are itching to play with my new craft supplies courtesy of my aunt via my mom..anticipating setting up my craft space...creating for hours listening to music or the tv late into the night...

I'm missing one of my favourite people in the whole world..one who knows me best..one who's always there; my sister..

I made this keepsake book for her to fill with her own memories ..something to tuck special cards,trinkets, ticket stubs; to pour over and to remember that I'm thinking of her miles and miles away...

A small piece of my heart;my creativity..

Something I spent hours joyfully creating with her in mind...keeping my hands happy even when my heart was not...

 Trying to take in what I can everyday, knowing I'll get by with support from great new friends, old friends, family and my special guy.
Thanks for visiting.
Have a good night my friends,
~Becks

summer's beauty...

It looks like we're turning the corner here in British Columbia. The weather this week is more summer-like, and I couldn't be happier. Summer is my absolute favourite season...I was fortunate to have lived  in Bermuda for majority of my life. How I used to look forward to summer vacations as a child. Lazy hot days, beautiful clear blue skies,camping, heading down to the beach, or out on the boat.. summer was definitely a treat. Having moved to Canada it's the season I look forward to most. It means the winters are over and its time to head on outdoors and enjoy the sun. I've been spoiled the last few years living on Vancouver Island; our winters can't really be considered "winter". Hardly any snow, lots of rain...really, compared to Ontario(where I lived before moving here) winter here is nothing to complain about.

Just as the weather is getting nice here, I am moving...just my luck. Hopefully it will be nice and hot near the lake...One can only hope. Here's a photo album all shabby chic-ed up for my friend Jo. We really hit it off when we met, have had our ups and downs, and I'm gonna miss her when I'm gone...So I decided to make her a memory book to remember me by.

A little pocket on the inside cover to hold tags, spare photo's odds and ends....

 A spot to write memories..or a favourite story or quote..and a ribbon band to tuck photos, mementos..perhaps a ticket stub or two...

A hidden tag sits behind a favourite photo, ready to write in details of the photo proudly displayed...

Dark chocolate ribbon creates wonderful loops...adding a little drama to the page..a little photo tag to jot down a date...

A picture frame to slide in a photo of someone special..

Another hidden tag peeks out, ready for journaling, perhaps the story behind the photo..

Another peek-a-boo tag...since the mini album is only 6"x6" I wanted to leave as much space as I could to display photos...maximizing any extra space to add bits and pieces like journaling tags without compromising valuable photo real-estate :)

A handmade kraft envelope, stitched together with some lace..stamped, stitched and just waiting to be stuffed with letters, postcards...anything special she wants to keep and pull out to reminisce about...

Finally, the back cover..very feminine and soft...distressed around the edges..just the way I like it.

I used a ton of my favourite items.. and some new favourite items.. Some Ali Edwards stamps..all the sentiments you see here are by her..Basic Grey papers came out of my hoarded stash... my beloved Papertrey Ink stamps- Fancy Flouishes, Giga guide lines,Background basics: Text style, Polka dots  and wood grain...Tim Holtz stamps, K&Company papers and ephemera...lacy trims, ribbon, buttons, seam binding..Tattered Angels framed fonts and Glimmer Mist..... all fun things that make my crafty fingers happy..
I hope to get in one or two more posts before I have to pack up my craft area... I'm missing all my usual challenge haunts...can't wait to get back into them...get those crafty processes all fired up..
Hope that you're experiencing all summer has to offer...Thanks for visiting!!
Til next time,
Becks.

happy hands...

My hands are happy lately.. lots of crafting has been done, and not just with paper. I do apologize for my absence. So much to do; time seems to allude me these days... just not enough hours. That all will change now that I'm finally done with work and can settle into a slower pace.

I can indulge in the roles I enjoy most-sister; daughter; friend; crafter. I no longer have to worry with my less favourite roles of student and manager...I am thoroughly enjoying the weeks I have left at home; the family dinners are well worth the effort I put into learning how to cook.Everyone coming together at the end of the week and enjoying each others company. Spending some great time with family and friends...all help nourish my soul. Good times that I will miss in the coming months.

Happy hands are trying to tame a mischievous Siamese snowshoe, who loves to jump on my lap lately bumping my hands as I type; demanding my full attention...my adopted fur faced friend who follows me like a shadow- begs for attention; who misses his mama oh so much...I will miss him terribly when I move...

Happy hands are selfishly creating..taking a break from sketch sites and challenges(for now..I do miss those challenges!) Working on a few mini albums...some conventional and some not.

A newly discovered love of all things Kraft- that can be prettied up with bits and pieces,odds and ends, ribbons, buttons, paint, ink and stamps...I'm resisting the urge to hoard every single inch of my newly acquired Melissa Frances papers;so gorgeous and feminine..they are being used for a very special album.

My happy hands are frantically trying to finish a beautiful crocheted quilt for my sister...only three weeks to finish.. it is gorgeous in cream and burnt orange...I know she will love it.

All good things to bring a smile to my face and lift a somewhat heavy heart..I'll pop in as much as I can with my finished creations.. Trying to get in as much crafty time as possible,leaving the craft supplies out and unpacked until the last possible minute...until they are unpacked in their new home, in my new studio...happy times ahead.
Hoping your hands are happy tonite too.
~Becks

love affair...

I have to admit to having a love affair with all things french; the language, the food, the fashion, and of course Paris. While I haven't gotten there yet, there's something that draws me in...I can imagine sitting in a very cute Parisian cafe; sipping on a cup of great coffee, sampling all sorts of pastries and goodies.Watching the world go by as I enjoy myself and take in my surroundings.
Thanks to the challenge this week over at The City Crafter Challenge Blog I've gotten to indulge in this love affair of mine...

Here is the inspiration photo.. very shabby, vintage, chic...

My best friend C, got the chance to go to Paris last summer...how jealous am I?? She did however have a
Cafe Latte on the Champs de l'Elysee for me.. and took a picture of it too... Gotta love besties..
I decided to go very romantic and soft with this card. One can't think of Paris and not associate it with romance...Little vintage touches added with some distress ink..

I associate gorgeous handwritten postcards with Paris...sending a message back to loved ones about your adventures...taking in the beauty of the city, and of course the Eiffel Tower...

I used lots of Tim Holtz stamps here: vintage writing stamped in Antique Linen distress ink... my favourite swirl stamp of his is watermarked and peaks through ever so softly...Mini Maya Road fleur de lis were stamped onto some tea stained seam binding, again in Antique Linen ink, as well as on the mini hanging circle tag, which has been watermarked ever so slightly with that vintage handwriting...I used some old edging I have to make scallops along the border, highlighted by mini pink pearls...P.T.I's 'merci' stamp from their Mega Mixed Messages set hangs down, accented by part of that watermarked swirl stamp, this time stamped with pink ink..I've accented my fave parts of the card with my pics... Hope you enjoy them as much as I did creating it...
Have a fantastic weekend!
~Rebekah

one day at a time...

                                                             Make a promise to yourself
                                                to always choose the very best things in life...
                                                            to hold on to your dreams,
                                                               believe in your ideas,
                                                      and follow the voice in your heart.

                                                            Make a promise to yourself
                                                            to always choose the things
                                                              that make you happiest.

                                                          Make a promise to youself
                                                        to make every moment count,
                                                        to stop and smell the flowers
                                                                 along the way,
                                                       and enjoy life's simple pleasures
                                                               one day at a time...

I hope that you are having a wonderful day...
I've been thinking a lot about what makes me happiest, and trying to enjoy what life has to offer each day. I try to incorporate this into every creation, to have fun and be satisfied with not only the final product, but the creative process along the way, each time growing and learning more, and enjoying the gift I have. When it becomes more of a chore than a pleasure, that's the sign to walk away.. but for now, I'm enjoying the journey one day at a time..
Here is something I created for Melissa Phillips photo inspiration challenge over at my absolute fave blog, Lilybean Paperie..
Here was the inspirational photo:

                                                      {Photo courtesty of A Creative Mint}

I just love how airy and summery this photo feels.. refreshing and delicate and oh so girlie..I had alot of fun with this photo..can't wait for the next..
Thanks for popping in,
~Rebekah

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

colour me happy...

Hi there!
I hope that where ever you are joining me from, that you are having a wonderful day.  I have to mention today's post is inspired by my fave blogger, Melissa Phillips, over at Lilybean's Paperie.. It's a take on one of her latest entries, which I found to be so inspiring, and got me thinking I need to start my happy colour list too. So settle in, and enjoy the colours that make my heart sing and bring a smile to my lips.. I only hope that they too bring a little smile to your day...

The glorious shade of burnt orange of that perfectly picked pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, in anticipation of carving up a scary scene...

Bright red of his ceremonial Red Serge, with gleaming gold buttons...

Silky Siamese fur of dark chocolate brown and tan...

Beautiful blue and turquoise, crystal clear, gleaming waters of my homeland...

White and pink hued sandy beaches that stretch for miles, along those beautiful blue and turquoise seas..

Golden, late afternoon sunshine gleaming through the evergreens into the house..

Snowy white topped mountains of British Columbia, my place to call home these days...

Lemon yellow of madeleine's, hot and fresh out of the oven...

His gorgeous hazel eyes...

Creamy card stock, the perfect blank creative canvas...

Deep ochre, burnt orange and brilliant reds of a maple tree in the fall...

Burgundy and cream petals of my favourite Gerber daisies...

Pale, creamy tan  in my coffee cup...

Little white paws of a mischievous Siamese Snowshoe...

 I say that's a good start...I'll be adding to it in the future...whenever the mood strikes...Thought I'd share my latest creation, made as a special request by my best-est girlfriend...love her to bits.I was happy to oblige her request. She always gushes over my creations-how can I say no?I know this baby is going to a good home..Thanks C for the opportunity to create something special for you!
What's on your happy colour list? I'd love to hear.
Thanks for your visit, it's much appreciated:)
'Til next time friends...
~Rebekah