2009

A photo from each month

With the close of 2009 not only being the end of a year, but also a decade, best of, worst of, most popular, etc lists are in abundance, and cheesy as they can sometimes be I secretly love them. There can be something really lovely looking back over the year, seeing how things have changed and grown. 2009 has been a busy year for us, really, really busy in fact. But good. We started a business together, and I started practicing as a doula and established Hello Mama Doula Collective with a group of other doulas. Richard has been studying part time, while continuing to work his 'day' (really, crazy middle of the night) job and working on Bliss in a Teacup. We're really proud of how hard we've worked, and to realise tonight that while starting out with no savings and using entirely our own money, we're now able to buy supplies from the 'shop account' and are a decent amount in the black. I actually debated even writing about that, I'm always wary of sounding too much like I'm blowing my own trumpet and itch to include a caveat like 'but, we're still so very small' or 'we really should have saved more', 'we haven't even 100 sales yet', but I think it is good to be proud of your accomplishments and am learning to not be embarrassed by that. I'm also very aware that success is not created in vacuum and we have many amazing people to thank that have bought our products, promoted us on blogs, taken a chance of us in stores, given us tips on where to get supplies and generally encouraged us.

As I was browsing my folders of photos to choose the above images, I was definitely struck how fast this year seems to have gone. I wonder if it is something to do with how busy we've been, that feeling. Busy both practically and emotionally. It has been a crazy year in some ways. We've both seemed to have gotten sick a whole lot, we almost lost our dear old cat and money has been rather tight which is always stressful. We've met and made friends with some really awesome people, close friends have moved away and I've had a good friendship come abruptly and unexpectedly to an end. But mixed in with all the crazy, there has been a lot of growth, and so even when I so often lamented 2009 and wished for it to just be done with, I do look back fondly. I feel incredibly happy, content and blessed, and also excitedly look forward to a fresh, new year.

I hope you've all had lovely holidays, and I wish you all the best for 2010. Thank you all so much for reading and commenting, and I really hope to get to know you all that little bit better in the new year.

xo

Fog

We didn't get any snow in Vancouver this Christmas, but we did get a layer of beautiful, thick fog over the city come boxing day. Our usual view of downtown Vancouver was totally obscured, and it was lovely. After our quiet and relaxing Christmas day (where I stayed in my pj's, knitted, watched movies and ate a pancake breakfast at about 2.30pm and then headed out for a movie and popcorn in the evening), we headed out for a walk in the fog and a cozy pint. Oh, and some pretty shoes were found on the way and magically made it home with me. How 'bout that?

Boxing Weekend-ish Sale

We're having a sale! A boxing weekend-ish one, as I'm on holiday until Tuesday and feeling rather merry about it all. Richard and I couldn't decide what kind of promotion to do, so we decided to go ahead and do the two you see up there. All you have to do is leave us a message in the notes to seller as to what bookmark you'd like, or wait for a revised invoice if free shipping is more to your liking.

Happy Shopping!

p.s. I just checked in at random.org to draw the winner of the Gift Certificate and it was comment number five. That's you, Erin!

And to all, a good night.

I hope you all had the merriest of days, filled with warmth and love.

Becka

xo

Last Minute Charlies

I really am quite amazed that I have finished my Christmas shopping on time this year, which I think is probably a first in my adult life (ok, ok aside from Richard but he lives with me and so that means there is still Christmas eve to finish knitting and parcels to arrive *please*). Strangely, there is actually a part of me that enjoys the late night Christmas Eve, carol infused shopping. Aside from the inevitable not actually finding what you want and ending up getting Nunzilla (which of course, he totally loved).

However, I do feel for all you other last minute and stressed out Charlies, because you are my people. Especially as you will note that these fantastic printable gift certificates I'm about to tell you about, were listed in the shop just last night, ie: 2 days before Christmas. So yes, we now have gift certificates in le shop! They can be either emailed directly to you to be printed out and gifted, or we can email them directly to the recipient (with a lovely note, of course). OR, if you are not a last minute charlie we can print them out ourselves, gift wrap and mail them to the lucky person. So, if there is someone on your list still present-less, and you think they would like something from our store, this could be just the ticket!

Also, because I love you so and would love to be able to give you all many a Christmas gift, I will be giving away one $50 gift certificate for you to gift or just keep all to yourself. All you need to do is leave a comment telling me about you worst/craziest/funniest last minute gift buying or giving moment. I will draw the winner Christmas morning, whenever it is that I arise (so...around 10ish, ok 11ish pst). If you are not in the habit of last minute gift buying, you may also leave a comment, just this once.

Wordless Wednesday: Light and shadows

Pretty packaging

I love the present wrapping part of gift giving, and have even become one of those people who save all the left over wrap and ribbons to reuse in later gifts. It is just so satisfying to me, being able to personalise the outside of the gift (both for the recipient, and with some of my own aesthetic) and create a little extra excitement for the person who gets to open it all up! I'm almost always drawn to brown paper and string, and this year I also made some little gift tags with manila labels and a blender pen to transfer the images. This is a super easy and pretty way to make tags that reflect your style, and I have a tutorial over at Poppytalk that will walk you through all the steps if you'd like to give it a go!

Speaking of gift wrap, you should most definitely check out the gorgeous downloadable prints for wrapping paper from Fifi Mandirac. (found via mikes) The bunting pattern at the bottom kills me! And don't stop there, pop over to this awesome post on Dos Family that Ebony did all about gift wrapping! I love it all, especially the belly bands! Ha, so cute.

Happy wrapping, friends!

xo

Light

We lit candles for the solstice last night and tonight, to bring warmth in on the long dark nights and to welcome a new sun. Our apartment is all aglow with their flickering, and along with the twinkling christmas lights we've strung it feels so cozy and warm. This is what I love about Winter.

Wishing you all warmth wherever you are.

xo

O Christmas Tree

I finally got some lights and a wee origami star on our little Charlie Brown like tree today, and I'm loving it's teeny cuteness! We've popped a few presents from the fam under it but I have to find room for the rest as they've all totally spoiled us! I fiiiiinally got our house clean and tidy (while watching Elf, Holiday Inn and National Lampoons Christmas) and Richard baked chewy chocolate gingerbread cookies last night so I'm feeling much more festive, despite this crazy weather! It's warm and rainy and totally playing with my head!

The (evil) genius of Mr Phil Spector has also been keeping us in the Christmas spirit lately, and this is one of our most favourites!

A Judy Garland Christmas

Love.her.

Winding down.

Lights of Hope, St Pauls Hospital (I snapped this on my iphone while riding home last night)

The weather lately has been totally screwing with me, no snow but warmer temperatures and lots of drizzly rain. It doesn't feel like Christmas time at all! I'm pretty sure it's also due to the fact that we have been insanely busy which of course means our house is a mess and I've only half decorated (don't even get me started on holiday baking or Christmas movie watching!). Don't get me wrong though, we're busy because so many lovely people have being buying handmade for Christmas from us, and we greatly appreciate the support for our wee store! We'll be sending off our last couple of last minute packages tomorrow via speedy Fedex, and then after a major clean up it'll be all about movie watching, decorating and gingerbread baking! I also have a ton of ideas blog posts and craft projects I want to get to and share with you all, so I'm looking forward to getting on top of all that come next week.

I hope you're all winding down for the year, and getting some relaxation in now that Christmas is almost upon us (ha, unless like me there are still gifts to finish and you're secretly just freaking out. Bring on the mulled wine and hot toddys, I say!). Enjoy a lovely weekend!

xo

An old favourite

I'm sure you've already figured out by now that I (not so) secretly just love Christmas music, pretty much all of it. We were in London Drugs tonight and the Elvis and Martina McBride 'Blue Christmas' duet came on, which really should just terrify me (if not the song, the video most definitely should) but of course I was singing a long and swaying through the aisles. I just can't help it! Anyway, Away in a Manger was always a favourite of mine as a kid, and this version is really beautiful. I think I probably need this album, even. Richard will be delighted I'm sure!

I hope all your holiday preparations are going well, and that you're finding pockets of time to relax and enjoy it all.

xo

Baby, it's bad out there.

Another wintery favourite for your listening pleasure! It was a real toss up between posting this version, the Zooey Deschanel/Leon Redbone version (such dreeeeamy voices) and (secretly) this version...oh, Tom.

Rubber boots

At long last I have found my dream rubber boots. It's only been almost 2 years since I first moved to the rainforest that is Vancouver, but you know, finding boots for these curvy calves o' mine is not an easy feat. I went out this weekend determined to find something, and I'd seen Erin tweet about these shorter lace up Hunters that I thought could do the trick. I'm all about the laces. Not only are they cute, but they are comfy and fit so well. Plus, of course, my feet stayed dry all day! Now, bring on the wooly socks and snow!

Kurtli, beautiful weather.

I was directed over to this beautiful weather site tonight via a tweet from Kim, and was so taken by the images I wanted to share them with you all instantly! I have no idea how long this has been going on, but for those of us looking for some more aesthetically pleasing forecasting, this could be just the ticket (provided you are one of the major cities they forecast for).

White Christmas

I'm still here! I feel like this past week has been almost nonexistent, it's just flown by! Got Craft? was a huge success for us, and we got to meet and hang out with so many lovelies that it was just such a fantastic (but busy) day. I've been working extra hours this week, and we've been trying to keep on top of Christmas orders, but I finally got the chance to do a bit of decorating this week before a wee Yuletide Bash that we threw. I feel so much more in the Christmas spirit now! Last night we watched It's a Wonderful Life while babysitting, and this morning woke to snow (at last!) so it really feels like Christmas is on its way now. I love it!

How are you all, my loves? Christmas shopping all done? (Ha, yeah right...I'm not finished at all!) Decorations hung? I hope you're all having some time to relax in there to sip some mulled wine and the like! Well, I've slacked a bit on the Christmas carols, but not to worry because there is still many a carol day left before the 25th, so here is a favourite from the man who to me is the voice of Christmas, perfect for a snowy day. Enjoy!

Remedies

Still fighting off the bugs, today with fresh and juicy oranges, cozy quilts and the amazing sunshine we've been getting lately.

Happy weekend, all.
xo

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

A little funky German Christmas love for you all. I can't tell if I love this song more for the video clip, how much it reminds me of late night Christmas shopping or Bobby Farrell's hair/'solo'*/costume/dancing. I do secretly love these guys though, in all their weird German reggae disco glory!

p.s. Thanks for all the well wishes, sadly we're still sick. Ugh. More tea, please!

*Bobby Farrell doesn't actually sing, it's all lip synced. Same manager as Milli Vanilli, seriously. Is it weird that I know this?

'Tis the season

So, despite Vancouver magically turning beautiful and sunny this week, both Richard and I have come down with a nasty cold. Richard is on his second week off work, and I just feel like staying in bed and drinking copious amounts of tea for the rest of my life. Ugh. So to brighten up my day (and many days to come) I have for you another Christmas favourite. Basically I think I'm going to post one everyday until Christmas, because really, what's not to love (you may unfollow until after Dec. 25th if you wish)!

Enjoy!

Come on wilson, pick it!

New from Bliss in a Teacup HQ, wooden guitar picks! We came up with these last week when trying to figure out what to do with left over pieces of wood veneer (waste not, want not!) and they've come up really nicely! Just like our bookmarks, they're made from two pieces of veneer glued together to make them extra strong. These ones are maple on both sides, birdseye on one and some dyed maple on the other. We'll be bringing them out at Got Craft? this weekend and should have them up in the shop soon. You'll be able to get yours plain or monogrammed!

Hurrah!

It's time...

As Richard and I were coming home from errand running last night, and checking out the full on very Santa happy Christmas display of a nearby hotel, I reminded him that as of today we're allowed to start listening to Christmas carols. Strangely he wasn't nearly as excited as me. I love Christmas carols! I have many a favourite album, and this song has quickly gone right up there with Sufjan Stevens, Phil Spector and Boney M. I love these ladies, and their take on this old standard is so very dreamy. Now it's time to decorate, hurrah!

Merry Christmas, enjoy!

One down.

As I mentioned previously, we've been busy little bees lately preparing for some holiday craft markets, and we had our first one this past Sunday. It's a monthly market put on by Blim, a local community arts resource center, and it was so much fun! There were lots of fantastic other crafters there, and I wish I'd been able to take more photos of all the great stuff I saw but we were pretty busy. Check out those great hoods in the second shot though! This was her very first craft fair and her stuff was beautiful! One of my favourite things about doing craft fairs is the sense of community with all the crafters and artists hanging out together, we met lots of lovely people and are really looking forward to Got Craft? this weekend!

Hope you've all had a great start to your week!

xo