2 Christmas Celebrations

Challenge 47 at Journaling Junkie is to use a sketch by Tanya while journaling about Christmas traditions. Join in the fun and you might just win a prize. Check out the details. I used my Daisy Bucket Designs papers from Mothers and Daughters Creations Store. Love these papers!

Journaling:
Since Daddy's family is in Manila and Mommy's family is in Cagayan de Oro, we usually travel during the holidays --- celebrating Christmas eve in one place and New Year's eve in the other. This year we spent Christmas Eve in Cagayan de Oro and flew to Manila on Christmas Day and stayed there even after New Year's Day. How fun to celebrate with both families! CHRISTMAS 2007

Countdown to Christmas

I can't believe it has almost been a week since I last posted! Have been really busy here at the homefront with parties and Christmas preparations. My two older girls have exams this week so reviewing and studying add to the busyness of the season. I can't wait for Friday to come when exams are done and the kids will have their final day in school with a Christmas party. :-)

We finally started our Christmas shopping yesterday and hopefully we get everything done soon. I've also tried to be creative once in a while though not as much as I would like to. I just had pictures developed so hopefully I'll make progress in between busyness.

In the meantime, here's a layout I created for Mothers and Daughters Creations for this week's challenge. My kids can't seem to stop asking me if Christmas is near and when will it come. So I created this Countdown to Christmas using the Daisy Bucket Designs papers. I punched out the ornaments in chipboard and various patterned papers and placed number stickers on them. I intend to frame this in a shadowbox as a Christmas decor. :-)

Oh Christmas 3

This week's challenge at Mothers and Daughters Creations is to create a page based on a favorite holiday tune or carol. For those who want to play along, this is not limited to Christmas. You can share a page based on whatever holiday you celebrate :-)

For my layout, I used paper and embellishments from My Little Yellow Bicycle's Christmas Magic collection, and ribbon from May Arts.

Title: Oh, Christmas 3

Journaling: What a blessing it is to have Alyssa with us this Christmas! Dec. 2007

Check out the work of the talented DTs of MDC at the blog. The very generous Tamara is giving out a beautiful stamp set from Imaginisce to the first person to leave a comment correctly identifying the songs that inspired our artists. :-)

Holiday Shaped Card at MDC

I'm not really part of the Card Team at MDC but seeing the papers and stuff that Tamara sent, I was just so inspired to do the other challenges. :-) So I did this Ornament Card for the Holiday Shaped Card challenge. It was so easy, actually! I cut a circle shape on this pretty Imaginisce paper and stuck a rectangular green paper (scalloped on what end with scissors) on the top. I then adhered an Imaginisce Snow Flowers Crystal with a jewel brad in front and cut out the sentiment "Joy to the World" from another paper. Isn't it cute? :-)

Visit the MDC Challenge Blog to see what the other DT members did. Their works are awesome!

In Pagemaps!

Woohoo! I'm in Pagemaps! I got an email some time last month from Becky Fleck asking if I'm still interested in contributing to her site. A couple of more emails and she sent me this sketch for a card.

This is for December Cardmaps. And here is my card:

Thanks Becky for this opportunity! I really am honored to contribute to your site! :-)

Little Lady - first layout for MDC

My Internet has been down for a couple of days so I wasn't able to post my first layout as Design Team member of Mothers and Daughters Creations. Since mail is a little slow here in the Philippines, I got my kit from Tamara a few days before the deadline of the first challenge. Oooh! It was well worth the wait! Love love all the papers and embellishments that she sent. Couldn't wait to get started with my challenges. :-)

For the first challenge for December, we were tasked to make use of this sketch #12 by Julie Bonner from her 52 Weeks…52 Sketches blog.


I used papers from Imaginisce's Fairest of Them All collection for my layout. Check out also the other team members' work at the MDC challenge blog. :-)

Title: Little Lady

Materials: DCWV cardstock; Imaginisce Patterned Paper, flower, jewel brad; Basic Grey alpha stickers; Fiskars border puncher; Others: ribbon, stamps

Journaling: You are growing up to be such a sweet little lady. Nadine, age 7

Love that Lolly

The last and fourth Kaya challenge for the month is to create a double page. Man! What a surprise! I haven't done a double page in ages! The last time I made a double page layout was back in 2006, I think. Oh, I love Becky Higgins and her double layout sketches. But I just haven't done something like this in a looong time. But I'm glad this challenge came up. Here's my take.


Title: Love that Lolly

Materials: Prima papers and flowers; Bazzil cardstock; Autumn Leaves chipboard flourish; AMM brads; Heide Swapp flower; Love Elsie epoxy sticker; Imaginesce stamp; Alpha stickers - Scenic Route, AAS, Craft Express; Staedler pen; Colorbox ink; Fiskars lace border puncher

Journaling: I do not usually encourage eating sweets at such a young age. But it would be very unfair if I let your sisters eat the lollipop and say 'no' to you. So I relented and allowed you your first lollipop. Funny because you didn't know how to suck it! You bit into it and kept at it until you started drooling. You are such a cutie baby! We love you! - Alyssa, age 1

Toys for the Big Girls

The Journaling Junkie challenge for the week is on Brand Names. My layout is all about Nadine and Raya's favorite toy brands. We cannot go to the mall without first passing by their stores to look at the toys they want. Just look, not buy. They perfectly know that expensive toys are for special occasions only. And they certainly want the expensive ones. LOL!


Title: Toys for the Big Girls

Journaling:
Gone are the days of generic toys!
Nadine and Raya are old enough to know what they want.
And they definitely want the branded ones.
Nov 2008

The Dancing Castrillos

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Just Be Yourself

The 3rd Kaya Challenge for the month of November is to use distressing techniques on your layout. I thought this challenge is perfect for a personal layout for my 2nd daughter, Raya. At five years old, her strong character and personality are more evident now. I have seen how this is manifested in her relationship with her sisters. I have always worried about her having the middle child syndrome but so far I see that she is able to assert herself in some way while still valuing her sisters. She is such a great person! This is my tribute for her.

I used the Studio Azul October kit for this layout. I love the SA kits! (Hi Tin!) I feel so deprived here in Cagayan de Oro of new scrapbook items so subscribing to their kits have made me a little more up to date with new products and materials. :-)

By the way, I took the photo using my Nikon D60 camera and an 18-55mm lens. :-)

Title: Just Be Yourself

Materials: American Crafts and Prima papers, American Crafts alphabet thickers, Prima Essential 4 flowers, Chinese button, Scenic Route Butterfly Chipboard, All About Scrapbooking brads, Letter Rub Ons, Whispers Archival Ink, Staedler Pen

Journaling: I realize now that it isn't easy being the middle of three sisters. I watch you as you patiently deal with Nadine's wants and Alyssa's demands and I admire you for being so understanding. But you are not a pushover! You assert yourself, at times, with dignity and strength when you feel you need to. You are a beautiful person, Raya! And I love you very much! Always remember that! Raya - age 5

Memory Lane Store Guest Designer for November

My sister-in-law, Sherly, and I were tapped by Helen to be the Guest Design Team of Memory Lane Store for the month of November. What an honor! We went to visit Helen in her store in Sta. Mesa when I went to Manila last October. I was tasked to create layouts using DCWV Grade School Paper. Great timing because I had so many school photos of Nadine and Raya that needed to be scrapped. :-) Here are what I was able to come up with. You can also view them at the store gallery.


Title: Back to School - Junior Kinder
Materials: DCWV cardstock, patterned papers and foil chipboard, Daisy D's ribbon, Prima flowers, Staedler pen, Others: staple wires and rub ons
Journaling: First day of school is always exciting! New bags, new books, new shoes. Excited to see old classmates and friends. Excited to play and learn new things. Raya - age 4


Title: Girl Scout
Materials: DCWV patterned papers, alpha stickers and foil chipboard, Daisy D's ribbon, Autumn Leaves Chipboard flourishes, Scenic Route cardstock stickers, Staedler pen, Others: acrylic bracket
Journaling: Being a girl scout wasn't a requirement during my time. And since I was more interested in theaters and arts, I didn't give it much thought. But I'm glad that things are different now and you have to be one. Scouting teaches you discipline, honesty and concern for others --- values that I believe would make a good person. Plus, you look good in the uniform. :-)


Title: Nursery Class
Materials: DCWV cardstock and patterned papers, Daisy D's ribbons, SEI rub ons, Prima flowers, MM jewel brads


Title: You Make Us Proud
Materials: DCWV cardstock and patterned papers; Autumn Leaves Chipboard flourishes; Prima flowers; brads; Staedler pen; American Crafts thickers; Jenni Bowlin Studio alpha stickers
Journaling: Nadine -- 1st honors and Gold Medalist, Pre-school Graduation, 15 March 2008, ROSEVALE SCHOOL


Title: Grade One
Materials: DCWV patterned papers, cardstock and foil chipboard; SEI rub ons; Prima flowers; Staedler pen; Autumn Leaves Chipboard flourishes; MM jewel brads;
Journaling: I feel like I just blinked and you suddenly grew up! Can't believe you are now in Grade One and wearing the big girl uniform. You look so cute! I love you very much! June 2008


Title: Senior Kinder Class
Materials: DCWV patterned papers and cardstock; Prima flowers; Autumn Leaves Chipboard flourishes; MM jewel brads;


Title: Awards
Materials: DCWV patterned papers; Prima flowers; brads; Staedler pen; American Crafts thickers;
Journaling: Raya was awarded ribbons for Most Affectionate and Most Creative during their Recognition Day. 14 March 2008

Then using the scraps, I decorated these notebooks for my kids' teachers. :-)

Thanks for looking!

The Shoe Bandit

It's my turn to set the challenge at Journaling Junkie this week. This is an old layout (Raya was only a year old here!) but one of my favorites. I really liked how I journaled about Raya's fetish for shoes other than hers. I tried to write it like a news story. Thanks to my dear kumare, Joanne, who helped me come up with the title. Thanks also to fellow Scrappin' Mom, Liza, who gave me the shoe for the layout. :-)

Title: The Shoe Bandit

Journaling: The shoe bandit strikes again. Dressed in her pajamas all ready for bed. Who would have thought that she would take another adventure in Tita Ovvian's room and swipe the most coveted shoes? Waddling and struggling to balance herself with the shoes almost twice her own shoe size, the bandit is apprehended and sent off to bed with tickles and giggles. Indeed there is no telling when she will strike. So beware!

Almost 5

I did this layout for Raya to remind us of the stuff she likes and enjoys doing right before she turned five years old.

Incidentally, the challenge over at Mothers and Daughters Creations was to use homemade buttons. I kept on racking my brains as to how to create the buttons and decided on punching a letter "o" using my Fruit Smoothie Sizzlits (and not removing the middle part) then boring two holes in it with my eyelet setter. I thought my buttons looked cute, don't you think? :-) I used the Basic Grey Sugared Collection for this layout. Do drop by the MDC Challenge Blog to check what the others came up with.

Title: Almost 5

Materials: BG Sugared collection, Prima flowers, AMM brads, AAS foam letter stickers, 7 gypsies journaling card, foam, Sizzlits Fruit Smoothie letter "o", Others: chipboard number 5

Journaling: Happiness Card 1. elephants, 2. littlest pet shoppe 3. peanut butter sandwiches, 4. hotdogs and eggs 5. anything Barbie 6. arts and crafts 7. swimming 8. the color PINK 9. Nadine and Alyssa 10. reading books

Two years ago when Nadine was the same age, I created a similar layout for her. It's amusing how my style has evolved over the years. But I think I'm still a simple scrapper. I just have newer and better scrapbook materials. LOL! Thanks for looking!

Mine

Second-of-four Kaya Challenges for the month of November is to make use of Negative Space. According to Wikipedia, Negative Space, in art, is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. The challenge is to create a page focusing on negative space.

For my layout, I chose three photos of each of my girls which I also used for a shadowbox I made for my father-in-law for his birthday. I'm glad to be able to scrap them again, this time for myself.

I love these pictures of my girls. I think their characters are very evident in them. I also love the outcome of my layout. I think it gave emphasis on the photos.

Title: Mine

Journaling: Nothing makes me prouder than to call you... mine.

Materials: American Crafts cardstock, DCWV patterned paper, SEI patterned papers and epoxy stickers, Maya Road chipboard, Scenic Route cardstock journaling stickers, Fiskars border puncher, Sizzlits Round-A-Bout on foam, Staedler pen

Just Us Girls

This week's challenge at Journaling Junkie is to follow a sketch made by Annie with the following criteria:
- the layout should be feminine
- at least one pink item on the page
- hand stitched flourishes
- the girl symbol somewhere on the page (like the symbol on the bathroom doors)
- and of course journaling since it's a journaling blog. :-)

Here's the sketch:
And here's my interpretation:


Title: Just Us Girls

Journaling: I love having three girls to giggle and talk with. I'm definitely looking forward to just enjoying them --- shopping, eating and singing. Girls are so much fun! Need I say more? :-)

Remember, any LO submitted for any week in October and November in Journaling Junkie gets you a ticket in the draw for a very yummy prize. Head over there and check out the challenges. Good luck!

The Apple of His Eye

I really love this picture of my dad and my daughter, Nadine. I know my dad loves each and everyone of my kids equally but I guess I feel that being the first grandchild, Nadine has a special bond with him. I thought this was perfect for the Scrappin Kids challenge to scrap about a relationship with your little one.


Title: The Apple of His Eye

Materials: Patterned Papers: Sassafras Lass, MM Noteworthy; Cardstock: Bazzil; Prima Flowers; AMM brads; American Crafts thickers; Staedler pen; Others: chipboard flourish, rub ons,

Journaling: Being the first grandchild, you have a special place in Abu's heart. (Note: Abu is short for Abuelito, Grandfather in Spanish. That's what my kids call my dad.)

Beautiful Smile

This layout is my first-of-four Kaya Challenges for the month of November. The challenge is to incorporate a bow into your layout.

This one is of my oldest daughter Nadine who can be very vain at times. So much so that when she lost her two front teeth, she was aghast! She was in tears and refused to go to school saying that she "looked funny." Mier and I had to patiently talk to her and assure her that losing her front teeth was very natural and everyone goes through it. I dug out pictures and layouts from the Internet just to show her that a lot of children have also lost their front teeth. Thank God she was finally consoled and when she went to school that day, she noticed that a number of her classmates also did not have front teeth too. Hehehe!

Title: Beautiful Smile

Journaling: You were so conscious about losing your front teeth. You didn't want to go to school because you said you "looked funny." It took a lot for Daddy and me to convince you that everybody goes through this and that what really matters is the goodness of your heart. Besides you have a beautiful smile --- with or without your front teeth. We love you!

Materials: Papers, stickers, alpha stickers, borders - Basic Grey Sugared collection; MM journaling pad; Others - ribbon

Mothers and Daughters Creations DT!

Oh my goodness! Was so surprised to see this! Woohoo! I am so excited and honored to be part of the Mothers and Daughters Creations Design Team. I can't wait to work with my awesome co-DT members! :-)

Flower Power

Because my father-in-law's birthday falls on Halloween and we were in Cavite for the party, Alyssa wasn't able to dress up for trick or treat this year. Good thing a few months back, my friend's son had a costume party and Alyssa was able to wear this flower costume. Isn't she adorable?

Title: Flower Power

Journaling: Alyssa was definitely the cutest at the costume party. no wonder she won best in costume. Alyssa at 11 months

Materials: Studio Azul September kit

(I Miss) the Scent of a Newborn

Challenge 41 at Journaling Junkie asks us to write about something we miss. I knew right away that I wanted to journal Alyssa's growing up and I felt that this was perfect to record how I feel about it.

Truly, I do miss having a newborn in the house. I feel that Alyssa has always been wanting to keep up with her older sisters. She thinks she's big already like them. She likes to eat their food and watch their movies and play with their toys. She thinks she's not a baby anymore, much to my dismay. She will always be my baby.


Title: (I Miss) the Scent of a Newborn

Hidden Journaling: I can't believe you are already a year old! You insist on doing big girl things like eating chips, watching movies and playing with small toys. I miss my baby! I miss the times when your whole world revolved around me, when you relied on me solely for comfort and nourishment. You are slowly growing up and I'm learning to let go. But no matter how big you become or how tall you grow, you will always be my baby.

Proud owner of a Nikon D60 kit

Yup! That's me! When we got to Manila last Sunday, Mier surprised me with this. Ooooh! I love it! And I love him! :-)

Starfish Finds

Our little family enjoys traveling and going on adventures whether by car, by plane or by boat. Being in Cagayan de Oro, we have a lot of opportunities to go to the sea or up the mountains. On this day, we decided to go snorkeling in Laguindingan, a municipality just at the outskirts of CDO. The girls enjoyed it so much that they expressed their desires to be marine biologists in the future. :-)

I used Got Sketch? #69 for this layout. Since we'll be going out of town on Saturday, I won't be able to scrap for one whole week. I'll try to post other layouts within the week though. Thanks for looking!


Title: Starfish Finds

Materials: Paper - American Crafts, My Mind's Eye, Prima, Fancy Pants; Acrylic Flowers - Simply Scrappy, Stickers - American Crafts; Chipboard - Fancy Pants, Staedler Pen, Carl Corner Rounder, Fiskars Lace Border Puncher, Sizzix Doodle Tag Alphabet Dies

Journaling: You both readily put the starfish back in the water after I took your picture. Such environmentalists! Laguindingan, Feb 2008

Joy!

I heard about Scrapbooking From the Inside Out from my good friend Bjay. I've been wanting to join their challenges but I just have a lot of commitments right now. However I have vowed to do the pre-kit challenge on Joy and finally I've finished it before we go on a vacation break this Saturday. :-)

I used to love sewing on my pages before but since the birth of Alyssa, scrapping needed to be faster and easier. I did sewing again for this layout hence it took me a long time to finish it. I guess sewing will have to take a backseat in my layouts for the time being.

Title: Joy

Journaling: I always knew I wanted to be a mom. But I never thought that motherhood could give me this much joy! Everyday I am grateful for having each of you --- my blessings in life. You fill my heart with pure joy that sometimes I feel that it would burst with so much love. You are my world!

Materials: Chatterbox papers, Craft Express chipboard letters, Heidi Swapp Flower, Prima flowers, Fiskars Border Puncher, Others: brads, heart charm and embroidery thread

Photo by Jeff Lopez

Little Notes

I love it that Nadine can now read and write. She leaves me little notes around the house and surprises me with letters and even mini books. Last night, she gave me this before going to bed. She is such a sweetie, really! What a joy to receive something like this!

If you can't read it, the note says, "Dear Mom, You're as good as the best, And I love you so much. It's nice that your here by my side. I love you. Mom, I can't stop loving you. Nadine"

Sino ba naman ang di maiiyak sa ganyan??? :-)

What's Mine is Yours

Here's my take on Liza's Journaling Junkie Challenge #39 His and Hers. After I created the layout, I reread Liza's instructions and I realized that didn't stick to the "things that are specifically his and hers" instructions. However the journaling does talk about sense of ownership. Hehehe. I actually liked writing about this because I never really thought about scrapping this particular statement until the challenge. Now I'm glad I did. :-) And it makes me glad I'm with Journaling Junkie. :-)


Title: What's Mine is Yours

Journaling: When I stopped working and became a stay-at-home-mom, I found it harder to spend for myself. Aside from the difficulty of budgeting our single income, I would, most of the time, rather buy stuff for our growing family. But on occasional times when I would indulge myself with little trinkets, girly stuff or even scrapbook materials, your say the same thing --- WHAT'S MINE IS YOURS, assuring me that it's okay to pamper myself too. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for your love. Thank you for making me feel worthy. I love you!

By the way, I used Studio Azul's August kit for this layout. :-)

Hello beautiful!

And beautiful they are! Get this collection for free by checking it out here!

Sweet Daughter

I'm almost done filling up Alyssa's first 12x12 album. That means my backlog is slowly getting less. (I wish!) That also means I need more albums. Hahaha! More shopping? :-) Here's a layout when Alyssa turned 7 months. :-)


Title: Sweet Daughter

Materials: K&Co papers, Bazzil cardstock, Heidi Swapp flower, Autumn Leaves stamp, Colorbox Ink, Fiskars Lace Border Puncher, Prima flowers, AMM brads, Karen Foster loopy brads, Staedler pen, Others: fiber

You Know Love

Title: You Know Love

Journaling: It is evident in your eyes, the way you smile and how you react to things. You have this quiet confidence in you that shows clearly that YOU KNOW LOVE. And you most certainly do because you are surrounded by it. Your sisters obviously adore you and constantly hug and kiss you. Your dad and I can't seem to get enough of you. Indeed you are much loved. And you know it.

Materials: Scrapworks and Basic Grey patterned papers, Scenic Route chipboard letters, Prima Say it With Crystals, Prima flowers, DCWV brads, Craft Express rubons, others: journaling paper, flower die cut, buttons foam.

A Mini Book for Mabel

My sister, Mabel, turned a year older yesterday. My girls and I decided to make a mini book for her. Great timing because I really thought of making one for Bookoto's challenge to create a mini. :-) I bought ID plastic covers from the local bookstore, put them together and used this for my album. Perfect brag book for the bag!

Nadine did the lettering using a Staedler pen. I was so impressed how she made them. Looks like I truly have an artist in my hands. :-)


Title: What We Love About You

Journaling:
You teach us
You buy as chips
You take care of us
You take us to the movies
You give us a bath
You make us laugh
You love us

Materials: ID plastic covers, cardstock, Fancy Pants patterned papers, Prima flowers, Autumn Leaves flourish stamps, Colorbox ink, Staedler pen, ribbon, Corner Rounder puncher

Big Swimmin' Deal

Last July my older girls, Nadine and Raya, begged to begin swimming classes. Being a swimmer myself, I couldn't say no to that! I was thrilled that they themselves asked for it. Especially Nadine who used to be afraid to put her head in the water. Now, Nadine has been swimming awesomely! She actually knows the freestyle already! Here's my layout for her big achievement. I am just so proud of her.


Title: big Swimmin' deal

Journaling: I can't believe it! Last year, you were so afraid to put your head in the water. And now you're doing freestyle?! Wow! It's a big swimmin' deal. And I am so proud of you! I love you!

Materials: DCWV cardstock and patterned paper, Making Memories Stamps and Acrylic Paint, MME journaling paper, Staedler pen, Others: buttons, ricrac, staples, rub ons

Secrets

There's a raffle contest over at Journaling Junkie! Any submission for any of the October challenges (starting with 37) will give you a ticket in the draw. DT member, Shannon, is sponsoring the October prize. :-)

Challenge 37 is about Secrets: Do you have a secret? Is it something lighthearted and silly like your secret love of the Spice Girls or it is something deeper and darker? Has a secret that was revealed changed the course of your life? Or do you not believe in secrets?

My take of the challenge is an old layout of mine but one of my favorites.


Journaling: I love this picture of my two older girls. They seem to be sharing something they don't want the world to know. Some secret that's just between the two of them. I love watching them whispering to each other then giggling afterwards. I always wonder what they are talking about. I'm glad they have each other to share their secrets with.

Mia @ 35 - An ABC Album

This is a 6x6 album I created to commemorate my 35th year. My birthday was last February but as early as January, I had been planning to create this. And finally I have succeeded in finishing the album! The album is in ABC format. I just listed things that I am thankful for. Here is a glimpse of all my blessings. :-)

Title: Mia @ 35
Materials: Bazzil cardstock, Prima papers and flowers, Queen&Co. brads, Inque Boutique letter stamps, American Crafts stickers, Fiskars Lace Puncher, Carl Corner Rounder, Staedler Pen, Colorbox ink, Acrylic letters
Journaling: God has been so good to me. Thirty-five years of life, love and laughter. I created this ABC album to document a glimpse of these blessings. There is just so much to be thankful for.

A - Alyssa, so adorable!
B - Breastfeeding and bonding and bliss!
C - Carrier a.k.a. sling or pouch
D - Daughters, all three of them
E - Embrace
F - Friends
G - Good Health
H - Home, our first!
I - Imagination and creativity
J - Journals a.k.a. my scrapbooks and layouts
K - Kisses
L - Lechon from Cagayan de Oro
M - Married to Mier, my bestfriend
N - Nadine, my beautiful firstborn
O - Out of Town trips
P - Parents for their support and generosity
Q - Quiet Moments
R - Raya, my precious princess
S - Sisters, Mabel and Marla
T - Thirty toes -- perfection!
U - Unconditional Love
V - Voices of my girls -- talking, singing, laughing
W - Water
X - Xtraordinary children
Y - Years, 35 to be exact
Z - Zzz, time to sleep, time for me to scrap!