New Year's Eve for the little ones

I made up some quick little stickers for Edwin and his friends to celebrate New Year's Eve. We'll be hosting a dinner for a couple families with small children and I though it might be fun for the kids to do some NYE arts and crafts. 

In addition to the stickers, I'll have some curly ribbon on hand, washi tape and lots of markers, crayons and stamps. The goal is to decorate little party hats, if I can organize myself in time. Hopefully they'll enjoy it and it will ease the staying-up-a-bit-later-than-normal hyperactivity. 

If you'd like to download the graphics, you can do so here. 

They are designed for Avery A4 Round Lablels, 60 mm (circle dimensions), of course you can print them on normal paper and cut them out too. 

Happy New Year!
Bess

Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays friends!

We are staying in Freiburg this year for Christmas, celebrating a quiet holiday season and enjoying the new sights and traditions in Germany. The end of 2014 has been busy, mostly on Charles' end, but that means that my parenting duties have doubled. Things with our little family are good however; Edwin is really starting to feel settled in his kindergarten, and we are starting to find our new rhythm, ie, time for me to do some work. I've got some projects milling about in my mind and I'm eager to hit the ground running in 2015 and really carve out some me/work time.

Life in Germany has been wonderful so far, but also presented us with challenges. Thank you for your patience with English Muffin, and for your continued support.

xo Bess

A NEW YEAR

Edwin turned 2 on Friday, the year doesn't really feel like it starts for me until Edwin's birthday. I remember feeling the same way when I was pregnant with him, like our year was defined by his entrance into it, by the beginning of his journey. Not to mention, this is the second year going where we were all taken down by a nasty bug in early January, on the mend though and eager to get started on my to do list that was a little neglected due to the holidays and illness, and life.

I hope your year is off to a great start!
xo Bess

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Big Chuck and I went to Ontario and spent a full week traveling from house to house visiting family and friends. We were on the fence about whether we would go home this holiday as the baby is due shortly, but in the end decided that we would risk it. We ended up packing a bag for the baby too—you know, just in case ;) Luckily, my little bun is still in my oven, although his due date is fast approaching. While up north we took this photo to mark the end of the 36th week of my pregnancy.

The beginning of this new year feels very different than the new year's that have gone before. I feel like our new year begins when the little guy arrives, I'm so busy tying up loose ends and trying to get everything ready before the baby comes, but what an exciting way to start the year!

I wish you all a 2012 filled with love, happiness and health. 

xox Bess

2011

And... we're back.

Hello Friends! Happy 2011 to all of you. After 10 days of friends, family and food, Big Chuck, Tyke and I are back in Montreal, and let me tell you it's so nice to be home. We walked in the front door last night and BC remarked what a nice place we have. Agreed. We are pretty lucky ducks and very much looking forward to what the new year has in store. I've been making the blog rounds, reading about everyone's hopes and resolutions for the new year, and it's inspired me to make a few of my own.

Number one on the list: Move More

I had always thought of myself as an active person, but since my dancing days are over (at least for now) I've discovered that I'm actually a pretty inactive person. Apart from walking the dog twice a day I don't really do much exercise. Ok, scratch that, I don't really do ANY exercise. I'm hoping this year to start dedicating a few hours a week to some form of physical activity. This week it's yoga. Just need to find and dust off that yoga mat of mine.

Number two: Make More

There are so many DIY projects that I've been meaning to get to. 2011 is the year that I will (along with the help of my super handy man) create a birch bark installation, a branch "chandelier" and a headboard to name a few. I still haven't shown you the kitchen table we made - I'll do that too!

Number three: Trust More

This one relates to a lot of areas in my life, but let's focus on work. I think a big part of being a self-employed person is trusting that you are going to keep bringing in work; fulfilling, challenging, inspiring (and paying) work. I can't really hide behind my relatively new business anymore. It's time to trust that I have the skills and talent to keep pushing English Muffin and my other projects forward and continue taking things to the next level. The successes and adventures I've had over the past year have been so wonderful, and just a taste of what's to come!

So there they are, my three New Year's Resolutions. How about you? Any grand plans you'd like to share?

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

xo bess

ps. Big Chuck cleared a patch of ice at the cottage and we went skating on it. One of my favourite moments from the holidays.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Big Chuck and I are still living the holiday life in Ontario. My mom's cooking us breakfast as I type this ;)

I want to wish you all a wonderful New Year, I'm so excited for everything that 2011 has in store, how about you?

I'll be back to regular posting on January 4th. See you then!

xo bess

ps. Those adorable elephants are salt & pepper shakers - aren't they so neat?!

Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to pop in to wish you all a very happy holiday, merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!

Big Chuck and I got into Toronto last night and are gearing up for a full week of family, friends and festivities. It's our first Christmas back home in 3 years - we're so excited :)

All the best to you and your families,
xx bess

happy new year + thank you

Happy New Year to all of my wonderful readers! I hope that you've had a great year. I want to thank you so much for stopping by the blog and leaving your comments, or for just spending a few minutes checking in with English Muffin and the daily happenings in my life. I really enjoy having this little corner of the internet and hope that the blog has been a fun and interesting place for you to visit in 2009. Of course it wouldn't be the same without you, so thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am really looking forward to the new year, there are some exciting adventures on the horizon for English Muffin, and for Big Chuck and myself. (more on that soon!)
I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year, and look forward to 'seeing' you back here in 2010.

Have a wonderful last day of 2009!
Bess xx

(photo: Library of Congress)

Happy 2009!!

We spent New Year's Eve on the Guerilla Gourmand's roof, we were right in the middle of Vienna, surrounded by 360 degrees of fireworks, pretty amazing!


I'm so excited for 2009, I feel like big things are happening!

Big Chuck and I are gearing up for a trip home to celebrate his brother's wedding on the warm and sunny island of St. Lucia (yay!). I'll be sure to take lots of photos!

English Muffin has been gaining momentum, and after a successful Christmas season I'm happy to report we are now a profitable company - I won't tell you by how much though ;) The 2009 Animal Calendar was/is a big hit, as were the 123 Holiday Printables and after some very nice press the Animal Alphabet Poster picked up speed as well. I have big plans for English Muffin in the new year, next up: Valentine's Day Cards.

The blog has also been a wonderful addition to my life, it's been a little challenging at times and I think I'm still trying to find its voice, but feel like I'm on the right track. Our guest bloggers, Big Chuck and The Guerilla Gourmand have been wonderful additions and I always look forward to their posts. It's also been really fun to hear from you! I know we're still small, but it's really touching to know that more people than just my Mom are tuning in (no offense Mom!).

I wish you all a wonderful new year, and look forward to the posts ahead!

Cheers!