pocket full of love...

I finally got around to sending out my wedding thank-you cards. It always seems to take twice as long when you make your own by hand. It was the last DIY touch to our wedding, and I love how they turned out.

Since our day was full of love and family, I wanted our thank-you cards to reflect the feelings of the day. The hearts burst out of the envelope and seem to float away; our way of spreading the love to all who were there and who couldn't be there, but had us in their thoughts.

I used the same muted colours we had for our wedding. I just love creams and soft pink together.The doily theme stayed with me, (I used large french doilies to wrap our invitations and then tied with some rustic twine) as well as a little lace- to remind me of the pretty, vintage tablecloths my mama found and let me borrow. So many great memories wrapped up in these little cards.

I hope everyone loves receiving them as much as I did making them.

~Becks

Supplies used:
Curtsey Boutique Silhouettes
Curtsey Boutique Doilies

thank-you teacher...

As kids my sister, best friend and I would often play school. There was something about writing on the chalkboard with different coloured chalks, marking papers and keeping attendance that fascinated me. We would set up our classrooms all over and take turns 'teaching'. We had lined books which we made up to be like the attendance books... marks books to record our students test scores. I loved those days we would play school. I enjoyed going to school as a kid, maybe more so for the social aspect than the academic.

Now a days some of my good friends are teachers, and the hard work they put in day in and day out astounds me. Shaping young minds, teaching the next generation... Since I love all things school themed lately I decided to create a simple thank you card fit for anyone's favourite teacher. I've had a few in my life that had a remarkable impact on my life today. My sweet and talented blog friend Joanne made me some of these cute apples, after I saw one of her gorgeous creations using them. Aren't they darling!?

I'm loving the turquoise, red and white color combo!Some more of my Curtsey Boutique supplies: lovely doilies and bakers twine. Yum!
What teacher inspired you as a child?
Thanks for visiting!
~Becks

clean mind, clear mind...

 E.T.A- This card was chosen as winner over at CCCB for week #82!!! Happy Dance :) Thanks so much to the DT for choosing my card! It's such an honour :)
 I spent the weekend reorganizing and cleaning my craft room.. it was to the point where I thought the floor had disappeared...do you get that way? Please tell me its not just me... I get so frustrated and run down creatively to see everything everywhere. Upended and hanging out of boxes and shelves, and I just can't concentrate or create.. every now and then I have to stop and clean up and clear away the clutter just to be able to breathe..a clean space equals a clear mind.

I will say that I had some 'help' in the state of my room lately...'help' in the form of a four-footed, Siamese mess maker..who loooves to climb up on my desk,(which is small to say the least)plonk herself down, and stretch right out- usually on top of my current project- and then proceeds to fall asleep.. great job little one... not so great for me. I usually end up working on my lap on a piece of cardboard.  Needless to say when she stretches out she generally pushes everything off the desk onto the floor.. I think its her way of getting back at me for lack of attention..

That being said I was able to go through and organize all of my bits and bobs...I put in a new shelf organizer into my closet cubby hole and really organized. I love the way it looks...everything put back in a proper place. Found all sorts of neat things I forgot I had; even found a bag I had brought back home in September from my trip and didn't put away. It was fun to rediscover all the goodies my aunt had given me.

 Just popping in with a mini thank you card I made for my friend Sandy for ordering her Christmas cards through me. Kept it pretty muted and used one of my cameos. *sigh* I can't get enough of them. Some of you have asked me to do a tutorial or asked how they are made. I use silicon molds and carefully set the white polymer clay into the mold and then layer over the background colour. It takes some practice to get just right and all in the right places, so no two are ever the same and they are all uniquely different from the last. I hope to have a bunch of cameos of all sizes up in the Etsy store soon.. Have some things to work on but fingers crossed they will be posted soon for anyone who likes them.
As usual just squeaking in to the challenge over at City Crafter Challenge Blog.. the theme is 'Thanksgiving'.. Here in Canada we celebrate it a good month before our American neighbours.. but it is fun to play along none the less..
Give them a check, I bet you get hooked into the challenges too..
Thanks for the visit!
~Becks

seasons change...

I am not ready to say good bye to summer just yet.. but it seems Mother Nature has other plans. It is slowly changing to my favourite time of year. I feel cheated out of summer..it was too rainy and grey this year to be considered summer. Hopefully fall won't disappoint.

The temperatures here are dropping over night.. cooler and cooler.. soon enough there will be that crispness in the daytime that signifies fall. Like summer, I know it will be all too short,over too soon, and old man winter will be here again.

Today I went down to the sand cliffs in our area. As I walked along the winding, hilly path dried pine needles softly crunching with every step, it was evident fall is on its way. The tall, skinny pines swayed in the breeze.. creaking and swishing ever so slightly. The sun shine shone its rays through the canopy and danced amongst the underbrush. The soft swishing sound of the breeze kept me company on my way down..a very surreal, peaceful experience. Sweet smells of the forest wafted on the breeze-the smell of pine trees and clean air.. something you must experience for yourself. All too soon winter will be here. Time to cherish the sun and warmth.

I'll leave you today with one of my favourite poems.. one that comes alive when I think back on my walk through the woods today. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

pine trees along my path

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost

Thanks for the visit,
~Becks

text, trims and thank-you's...

My hands have been busy...some with paper crafting and the other half with my other great crafty love; crochet. Some days it's good to be able to step away from making cards and create something cozy and warm.

 

These days the two crafts go hand in hand.. I have been busy crocheting some trims.. to showcase in my little etsy store...another of my projects on the near horizon. I love adding different mediums to my cards and albums.. there's nothing better than adding trims of all sorts to a page edge.. I love seeing them come together, especially in a mini album.. they are like icing on a {cup}cake to me..

Ahh..cupcakes. These little babies are where I first started out in card making.. they brought me so much joy- and still do. Cherry topped and cheerful; they certainly  brighten my day and make my heart smile...

Book print packets.. all ready to go.. stuffed with handmade cotton trims.. so delicious.. I've whipped up this first batch as a test... a taste of what is to come should they be of use to others.. They are doubly delicious; these packets have been designed to be used in scrapbooking, for mini albums, on cards or how ever you like..take apart the ribbons and tag..use the cupcake motif on cards or layouts.. it's totally up to the user..Trims are just over a metre..come on a die-cut cardboard shape and covered with K&Company papers.. another treat hidden to be used..

Before I go for the night I would like to extend a very heart felt thank you to all of you who stop by..my faithful readers.. for those of you who leave such kind words and for those who don't...I see you all.. Thank you all for visiting my corner of the world.. it means a great deal to me..it keeps me going..it gives me joy to log in and see comments waiting for me to read...I see the traffic feeds of those stopping by as well.. I've posted some blog candy up for grabs as a thank you..It will remain open for a couple weeks.. good luck to all who enter!
Have a wonderful weekend,
 Thanks for popping by!
~Becks
*ETA* Trim packets will make an appearance once I get my Etsy store back up and running over the weekend.. I will let you know when they are in and in the mean time, any questions feel free to write me a comment here or email me (located on my blog sidebar!) 

button love...

I have a slight obsession with buttons. All shapes, sizes, colours and styles. I love their feel; their simplicity..adding them to projects is like adding icing to a cake...it's just magical. I used to love looking for bottles of buttons at the thrift stores; such a treasure hunt. My aunt feeds my obsession with gifts of buttons, trims, ribbons and other such goodies. I am  a very lucky gal!

                       (The obsession organized...be still my button lovin' heart!)

Since I have such the collection of buttons, I decided that I needed to stop hoarding them(as per my moms request, as more buttons are sure to find their way to me) and use them on projects. So, inspired by one of Bety's cards, I decided to put my own spin on her layout. I couldn't find the exact post I was looking for...but don't be disappointed with me..browsing through her blog is like being a kid in a candy store.Give it a peek!

I was going for soft and feminine. I am drawn to pinks, creams, yellows and browns lately.

 I just had to include a piece of sheet music.. a shabby and glittered Maya Road heart..some fabric scraps..and a heart shaped button.. *swoon*

Basic Grey patterned papers, Ali Edwards stamp..trinket pin and a tea stained tag round out my little creation today.. I loved this layout and colour combo that I decided to make two..

And here they are.. similar yet slightly different. I had fun creating these.. and hope their recipients enjoy them as much as I do!
Thanks for stopping by today.. be sure to check back for my next post.. it's worth the wait-a little blog candy giveaway..you won't want to miss it.
G'night friends,
~Becks

bee thankful...

I just love spring...it signals that my favourite season is just around the corner;summer..How I love summer, being an island girl and all.For now I will be satisfied with all that spring has to offer: the cherry blossoms, daffodils sprouting up, the warm sunny weather, gardening...ohhhh, it's love I tell ya.
 My guy has requested some thank-you cards and as always, I'm happy to oblige..can't deny him, oh no. I'm so lucky he supports my creativity, and understands that if my craft area looks messy to him, it's bliss to me...lucky lucky girl here...

So using Kazan's sketch over on 2 Sketches 4 You I came up with this sweet card(pun intended) for my guy.

I will be turning to this sketch time and time again. So versatile, yet simple, many cards to be made...I've turned back to my K&Company obsession here-thought I could get away from it, but no, they draw me back every time...I adore their products...some tea dyed vintage edging found on a local excursion to thrift stores sits pretty beside a nice fat piece of cream ribbon...I had to part with one of my hoarded Tattered Angels frames..all glittered up with marshmallow (love that name!!) glimmer mist and added some Prima flowers up on top. Stamps used here are from P.T.I and Tim Holtz...
Well, it's time for me to go..my favourite part of the night is coming...craft time then relaxing with some super shows...
Contentment I tell ya...
Thanks for your visit!
~Rebekah

tea-dye and twill tape...

Can you guess what I was up to this afternoon? Got a nice stash of twill tape from the local thrift store and dyed up a batch..It's one of my fave things to add to cards...love the texture and its shabby feel once its had a nice soak in some tea.
Here's another card based off of one of my fave sketch sites...as you probably have read from previous posts, I recently have taken to using sketch sites for inspiration and to challenge myself. And let me tell you this site has soo much to offer..I have much to look over and attempt...

I just adore this sketch...can use it over and over again...features some of my fave elements...lets hope you like my take on it this week...

 Again, a lot of my favourite things used here..some (non dyed) twill tape, stamps, distress ink...flowers and half pearls...Mmmm...my fave P.T.I stamp set was put into use again..Background Basics-Text style...my fingers just seem to reach for them  every time. They get a lot of use around my studio...I just can't get enough...Inkadinkado Dot Flourishes add a little whirl at the top there...Stamped my new Stampology journal block on cream card stock and used another fave P.T.I set (Giga Guide Lines) to stamp a pattern with Versamark in the background...little touches that make me so happy..
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do...
Off now to make some scrunched seam binding:)
Night friends!
Rebekah

gettin' sketchy...

Hey y'all!

Now, I have to admit...I'm usually not one to use card sketch sites.. I rearrange my items on the card and play with them til I feel they look right.. It's just what I do; my creative process. But lately I get so frustrated with spending so much time playing around with items that I went searching for some inspiration, and came across a blog I've been following but neglecting to read lately.. I'm sure many of you are familiar with it..2 sketches 4 you. I was drawn to this weeks sketch and decided what the heck.. and took a shot at it and this is what I came up with.. 

 

I think I'm going to use this layout a few more times.. I have some cards that I have been neglecting to do as well.(Studying is getting in the way of crafting! LOL) This card came together rather quickly.. which makes me happy.. maybe I should spend more time on blogs like this one.. If anyone can let me know of a few more sites like this I'd love to check them out!

Well, the (finance) books are calling... ohh to be done with this semester!! :P

Night friends!

~Rebekah