Star of Wonder.

LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN | Star of Wonder | Personal Use only | www.lostbumblebee.net | 72 dpi not for print

I know, I know, my American friends are still waiting for Thanksgiving, but my Canadian friends are all up decorating for Christmas- and so have I.

Here in Vietnam we miss the markers for Christmas, the time doesn't change, sun rises at 5:30 am, and starts to set about 12 hours later, the weather doesn't change (or at least not enough for me to think about the holidays, the Vietnamese all start wearing sweaters and coats... but it is still 32 degrees celsius, so I probably won't be donning a new winter jacket any time soon.)

It is a weird feeling, and I am trying to ward off nostalgia, because that will make me sad, and then I will get into a funk, and I will spend too much time wishing for what isn't, and missing the 'what is right now'. So I am trying to celebrate with gusto, and enjoy where we are in the moment, and just enjoy the moment. It is easier said than done.

But in light of all of that, I have decorated for Christmas! When we showed up in March, we had 3 suitcases and 2 boxes for a two year stay in Vietnam. In those boxes were my favourite Christmas ornaments tucked away, waiting for the special day to unpack them, and enjoy them. If I'm being honest with you, I've unpacked them a few times and looked at them, and got all nostalgic, and repacked them, waiting for the moment... waiting to put them up. Now they are all up, and I love staring at my tree... it makes me really happy, and I have stories for all of my ornaments, and I have new ornaments that I bought here, which in a few years down the road I will look at and be over come by nostalgia, and they too will have stories.

It's hard to sit in the moment and enjoy, we often find ourselves waiting for what is next, instead of just doing, being, enjoying what is now. It is a lesson I learn daily, a lesson I have to practice daily, I am a dreamer, I can see into the future to what I want... but I have to reign myself in, slow myself down, and just breathe in the moment.

Do you get ahead of yourself in life? Do you find it hard to stop, breathe, be in the moment?

Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN
Star of Wonder Christmas Card Printable (5x7)
Personal Use Only, www.lostbumblebee.net

LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN
Star of Wonder Christmas Card Printable (5x7)
Personal Use Only, www.lostbumblebee.net

Novembermas!

I'm so excited it is officially November ...  which means I can start listening to Christmas Carols and starting to get into the festive mood of the most amazing holiday we get to celebrate. I. Love. Christmas.  I love everything about it, I love the advent, I love the reason we celebrate, I love the festive spirit that people get into, I love that it is a time to give, I love that for a few days of the month people are kinder to one another, kinder to those they see on the streets, kinder to people serving them in stores, kinder to the dog... just plain kinder. Kindness abounds... and for good reason. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus. The revolutionary who claimed love is the only way. Whether you are a Christian or not, it is hard to refute that Jesus was an amazing revolutionary, who still has followers to this day, some 2000 years later, and that so much of what we do (whether we know it or not) comes from His teachings. It's kind of mind blowing.

So in celebrate His birth, or just His teachings of love and kindness, this is an awesome time of year...

If you don't know why we celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus,  you can read the Christmas story here at Why Christmas. 

These 3 cards are verses from the Bible all about Jesus and His birth... If these aren't up your alley- please don't fret, I've got lots and lots of Christmas cards full of cheer and holiday spirit that are not religious.  I'm happy to share and really Happy that you've chosen to celebrate and spread good cheer, kindness, goodness, peace, love, joy and holiday spirit with your friends and family during this special time of year!


Share the love,
M.

In Canada, we try really hard to wait until after the 11th of November to begin Celebrating the Holidays. I personally do not feel that Christmas in anyway takes away the specialness of Remembrance Day. I don't feel that celebrating Love, Kindness, Peace, and Joy can in anyway take away the sacrifices of the people who gave their lives so that we can be free to celebrate these things. So please don't shame people who start their celebrations early... please choose to spread love and kindness... instead of judgement.

LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN
CHRISTMAS 2016 Isaiah 9:6
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LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN
CHRISTMAS 2016 Luke 2:11
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LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN
CHRISTMAS 2016 Luke 2:14
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DECEMBER!

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : DECEMBER FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE 72 dpi (not for print)

Oh December- It's the most Wonderful Time of the year... can you hear it, can you smell it... It's beautiful, stressful, full of crazy relatives, phone calls, cookies, Christmas trees, extra stuff in my house, friends, wine, cheer, sadness, Advent, church, more people, food, chocolate, lights, snow, worry.... it really is the most wonderful time of the year... if we keep in mind what Christmas is all about.

Instead of worrying if you've done enough... know that Jesus did it all, celebrate that and know you are enough.

Christmas in our world can cause so much pain, hurt and frustration... try to focus on what really matters to you... don't load up your credit card, instead make stuff, don't spend money on stuff no one needs, spend time instead... don't do what doesn't fill your heart... gently bow out of invitations you don't want to say yes to- and do what does fill your heart, another evening with hot chocolate and popcorn watching a christmas movie with your family, is doing Christmas. Driving around looking at the lights with your hubby, IS Christmas. Don't compare what is important to you, with what is important to someone else... if you don't have time to decorate your house because it takes you away from spending time with those you love, don't decorate your house...

Pick and choose this year what will fill your heart and soul and make you happy... leave behind comparison, which leads to feelings of inadequacy - choose your peace and happiness instead... know you are enough, your children want you, not stuff... your husband wants you, not stuff... be present, be in the moment, capture it in your memory, and if you remember, take a few photos...  this will be the best Christmas yet!

Share the love,
M.

Check out my Advent Calendars:

Rustic Christmas CHEER Calendar, a fun and inspirational way to celebrate the Christmas Spirit throughout the holidays:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/247817498/christmas-advent-calendar-rustic-holiday?ref=shop_home_feat_1

Calendrier de L'Avent en Français (Bible): 
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/247943589/calendrier-de-lavent-en-francais-25-4x6?ref=listing-shop-header-0

CHRISTmas Scripture Advent Calendar Version 2:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/258695253/christmas-advent-calendar-version-2?ref=related-4

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : personal use only
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Merry & Bright!

Today is the day! I made it past Remembrance day without putting up my tree, not because I didn't want too, and not because I made myself wait, but because after being gone for 5 weeks, all of a sudden everyone realized I was back!  I had the most amazing opportunity to work on a cd cover for a Quebec singer who is just finishing up an instrumental lullaby cd, the proceeds will help them finance the adoption of their 4th child... who is out there waiting for them somewhere. It makes my heart so happy to be able to be part of this grand undertaking in a small way.

So Merry and BRIGHT it shall be today, the Christmas music will be out in full volume,  I will covered in sparkles, the floor will be a mess and it will be heavenly.  If you look outside today, November is a grey month here in Quebec... An author once described the colour of the winter sky in Montreal like that of an unlit or burnt out lightbulb. I've never tried to explain any other way after that, because that perfectly describes the colour.

I have a garden full of kale that needs to be harvested,  a mountain of design work I need to finish, phone calls to return, a nap to take (we have youth tonight and it goes late, and apparently I'm too old and still jet lagged to stay up past 9pm) But... Merry+Bright it shall be... and I will nap to the sounds of Christmas, with love, peace and joy wafting through my home... and it will be perfect. Perfect.

And as you know, "well laid plans of mice and men often go astray".... we shall see! we shall see!

Share the love,
M.

This print is a sneak peek of my Rustic Advent Calendar that can be downloaded via my ETSY shop... Click here:  25 CHRISTMAS CHEER RUSTIC ADVENT CALENDAR 

Have You Donated?

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LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN :
RUSTIC CHRISTMAS :
MERRY AND BRIGHT :
FREE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY

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LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN :
RUSTIC CHRISTMAS :
MERRY AND BRIGHT :
FREE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY

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LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN :
RUSTIC CHRISTMAS :
MERRY AND BRIGHT :
FREE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY

This year... GIVE HOPE!

Our year here at LostBumblebee Graphics was all about Living Life On Purpose. It was about going above and beyond ourselves, looking outward instead of looking inward and choosing to be purposeful in all that we do. It has been incredible. I believe that we are different people because of this journey.

We want to give you all the opportunity to continue Living Life On Purpose 2015 with us, right up until the end of the year. This year, let's Give Hope!

What we found out was that the $35 a day we donate through charities to save lives- actually saves lives. It was the most eye opening revelation I had. It seems so simple and duh! of course it does... but guys, it actually does!

So In light of saving lives and giving hope, I wanted to share with you two of the places that we worked with and fell in love with along our journey. These people are saving lives on a daily bases- trouble is sometimes we forget that there are lives out there needing some saving... children who don't have a meal during the day, parents abandoning their children because they have no food to feed them with... This year, let's give hope to a child!  Let's get outside of ourselves and Live Our Lives On Purpose.... right up until the end!

EAGLES WINGS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE:

This Village consist of 72 orphans in 3 family units as well as over 200 students from the local villages. These students are from the poorest of the poor... at Eagles Wings they are fed breakfast and lunch, are given school uniforms and books all because people like you and me- Let's GIVE HOPE!

TO AFRICA WITH LOVE : NURTURE BABY HOME:

Nurture Baby Home is home to more than 35 babies and 7 school aged children. Talk about Formula, formula, formula. The underlying story in the lives of these babies is abandonment. They've been left- alone, but thanks to 

Fay and her staff at Nurture Baby Home, no is never the answer when the phone rings and there is a Baby needing love, food and shelter because of people like you and me-  Let's Give HOPE! 

So please take a minute to check out these pages, scroll down and donate... This year... 

Let's Give Hope + SHARE THE LOVE,

M.

Eagles Wings Children's Village

Nurture Baby Home

Happy Christmas!

I hope you are all doing well!
This is my Happy Christmas Wish you to you all! I hope your holidays is filled with peace, love, joy and every good thing your heart desires this holiday season!
Share the love,
Merry Christmas,
M.

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Holly Jolly :)

Today I'm experimenting- I'm uploading from my ipad- so I'm hoping this works!

One size only :) 

Share the love,

M.

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It's a Winter Wonderland Out there.

It's a Winter Wonderland out there, but I just might have the solution.
Hats, Soup, Mitts and boots, they'll keep you toasty warm out there so you can enjoy the weather!
Happy Snow Days! Just think there are so many more to come!

Share the love,
M.

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22 Non Cheesy Christmas Cards!

Ok, so maybe some of them are a little cheesy, but not that cheesy. Just in time to have printed and sent out- here is my 2014 collection of 22 Christmas cards all sizes 5x7 for free download and personal use!

Share the love, and the Christmas Spirit this year!
M.

Take a peek at last year's collection of Christmas Cards >> click here <<

Please consider a little teeny tiny or a mumbo jumbo donation to help us on our Journey to AFRICA in 2015 to work in an orphanage :) Every little bit counts, and we are so appreciative to all of those who have already donated! we are 1/5 of our way there! 
  >>>  <<<

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Baby it's Cold Outside.

Baby it is COLD outside... it is -5C which is about 23F - It's not nearly as cold as it is going to get... I am all bundled up working in my office and enjoying the view outside!
The hubby mentioned the other day "Man I am going to have to find a contract somewhere warm" I couldn't agree more sweetheart! :)

If you are in the northern Hemisphere winter is upon us... and I do hope you enjoy the cold and snow, because it is coming. So today our thoughts, prayers and good vibes are going out to Buffalo, NewYork. They got almost 2metres of snow this past week- Please send all of your good vibes there :) They need all we've got! 
We *HEART* You guys! Stay strong, stay warm and check on your neighbours, especially the elderly! 

Share the love,
M.

Scroll down for your cute hand drawn printable - 2 Versions- one in teal and one in red :)

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