time to relax...

With our bathroom renovation underway and nearing completion, it got me thinking about quick and easy DIY bath gifts. To me there's nothing more relaxing than a nice bubble bath to soothe and rejuvenate the soul.

Using my Curtsey Boutique supplies I put together a little package, all ready to add to a gift for the bath lover in my life. I just love kraft bags wrapped pretty. The little wooden scoop is just too cute not to include. I stamped on "relax" with some Versamark solvent ink, so that repeated use near water wouldn't wash it away.

I filled the bakers bag with lavendar bath salts, folded and secured it then topped it off with a heart shaped doily, bakers twine and a tag. Quick simple and ready to give away. You can find all of these great supplies at the Etsy store.

~Becks

christmas countdown...

Okay, so maybe it's too early. Or way late, but I thought I'd share one of my favourite DIY projects to date. I had seen this idea *here* and wanted to try it for quite some time now. And now I have, using simple everyday items, and some of my great Curtsey Boutique supplies. My take on this sweet advent calendar:

To begin with I painted an 18 inch embroidery hoop with some Antique White Web acrylic paint and let dry. Once dry I traced the inside circumference of the loop onto some sturdy thick cardboard. I cut it out and made sure it was a snug fit inside the hoop. I then cut a circle about 3 inches larger than the cardboard circle and pulled it taught over the cardboard, hot gluing the edges making sure the face of the fabric was stretched and free of wrinkles.  Fit into the hoop and let the fun begin.

I knew I wanted to stick to a few pops of colour but mainly keep it neutral. I started with these great kraft envelopes with journal cards from Curtsey Boutique, along with small tags, small glassine bags, doilies, twine, burlap die cuts, snowflake die cuts and muslin bags. Other supplies included washi tape, bottle brush trees and wreaths, thumbtacks, burlap, felt, mini clothespins etc. Sky's the limit to decorating, so long as you have 24 little packets to countdown to Christmas!

Of course it's a personal choice to decorate how you like, but here I've jazzed up plain white tags with pretty washi and stamped names. Wrapped them in twine and adhered with mini clothespins.

Using confetti I made pretty little see through packets with small glassine bags and closed with washi.Using the same washi tape I adhered it to the mini clothes pin.

Using burlap I cut out a mitten and stocking, and made little pockets to stick instructions in.

And here it is all done. It would be easy to change out envelopes or packets each year to update. I can't wait to use it this year for Christmas.

~Becks

my Thanksgiving table...

One of my most favourite times of the year... and my favourite place to be.


Thankful for another year...

The table set for many friends...

Candles gleaming in lanterns...

Fall inspired flowers in jars...

Pumpkin and apple pies sit waiting...

Fabric pumpkins sit atop the place settings...

These pretty place cards for each special guest...

Good food, good wine, and great converstaions...

Soaking up the atmosphere... enjoying the day...

Thankful for the many blessings in our lives, big and small... missing family far away. Thankful for the friends who have become like family... for all of the sweet comments here on the blog.. for each of you!

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!
~Becks

Supplies:
Crafty Secrets CD 4- Creating with Vintage Halloween

D.I.Y " I do's"...

After 11 and a half years together, my guy and I have decided to tie the knot. While there are so many decisions to be made, I knew right from the get-go I wanted to do as much ourselves as we can.. I think our wedding will be a reflection of who we are at this stage in our lives and I want our decor, theme, invitations etc to really speak to who we are. Of course this means involving my crafty side, and for our Save the Date cards I knew I wanted a post card style card. After searching and pricing and getting ideas I decided to jump right in and start our DIY with simple and easy Save The Dates.
Using blank backed photo papers in a 4x6 size I printed a photo that we had taken earlier in the year. It was such a fun time to find a great spot and have a photo shoot using a camera remote... thank goodness for my new DSLR!

In my Word program I used columns and a 4x6 template to add my written details and to leave an address spot and to write a little note to the recipient. Originally I just wanted to stick a stamp on them and mail but we decided to put them in envelopes instead to protect them.

My Crafty Secrets Postcard stamps were perfect to add some finishing touches and the "postcard" image. I just love the delicate flower pattern..

SO easy and you can customize the stamps to your colour schemes too. I chose not to heat emboss the images, but that would also be fabulous.

I'm so pleased with the end result. They came together fast after all the printing was done and a fraction of the cost of getting them done elsewhere..and if I need to add more guests I can simply click, print and stamp.
Hooray for DIY!
~Becks

come in...

If you are a dreamer, come in,

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,

A hope-er, and pray-er, a magic bean buyer...

If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire.

For we have some flax-golden tales to spin,

Come in!

Come in!
-Shel Silverstein

 This banner makes me smile every time I see it..hanging in the entry way for visitors to see...encouraging them to feel at home...
It's made up of some of my favourite things to play with lately.. sweet smelling burlap..beautiful lace from my aunt- which I didn't want to give up; so I created something for myself to keep.. drop pearls and clear beads..chippy white jingle bells.. wonderful bits of trims(again, too lovely to give up) big ole buttons..its love; pure and simple. I have some pretty mini doilies to add to it..a little bit more bling for the buttons..but for now it hangs with its sweet shabby goodness brightening up my days at home.
Hope you are having a lovely day!
~Becks

star bright...

Star light,

Star bright,

The first star I see tonight.

I wish I may,

I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight.

 I remember saying that little rhyme many nights as a child. I remember lying on the grass in the late evening, scanning the skies for the first star to make an appearance. It was a game to see who could spot the first star.

Just a couple of door hangers I made for my house this year. I love each and everyone.. they had to be different, and contain bits and bobs of things I love. Star button(I have a penchant for stars!) golden sea shells reminiscent of my past. I just had to add a bit to remind me of my beautiful homeland; often we would walk down to the beach or spend Christmas day out on the water in our boat.. I love the big brass button with its woven texture..rusty jingle bells and bows made out of scraps.. and the best part?

Up-cycling! Yep, these babies are made from cereal boxes! Hooray for being green:)
One of my guy's co-workers saw my pictures and ordered 4 larger ones for her family. Needless to say I've been busy whipping those up. I'll have pics of them soon too.
Just a quick visit today, more posts coming soon with many, many cards!
See you soon!
Happy Holidays,
~Becks