Cerise's Baby Album

After two years, I have finally finished Cerise's Baby Album. Hip hip hooray! And I am finally updating this blog too. Yehey! I have actually finished more layouts but taking photos of them and uploading them is a different story. LOL! I hope to be more active in scrapbooking once again and maybe inspire others to take up the hobby. :-) Here are my layouts for Cerise's baby album:

 

Your Name

I just realized that I still have a lot of unposted layouts from 2011. I started working on Cerise's baby album but haven't finished it. Still a few more layouts to go to finally be done with it. I'm hoping to finish it soon since she'll be turning two years old this year. LOL! Talk about back log! Haha!

This layout is about her name: Cecilia Amarise. Cecilia is the name of my maternal grandmother. It is likewise the name of Tita Ceci, my mom's sister, and two of my cousins, Chel and Cara. Amarise was a name that came to my mind one afternoon while I was embroidering the baby's blankets. It is a Hebrew name meaning "Given by God." :-) Cerise meany cherry in French. :-)

I Know.

Time for another challenge prompt at Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge. :-) This time we are asked to "scrap about a belief, or philosophy you have – it can be something deep or something light. It might be a religious or other philosophy, or something as light as your theory on how you can put two socks into the washing machine and only one ever comes back to you."

I scrapped about Cerise's health situation and what I feel saved her from a possible brain development delay. You can read my journaling below. I printed my picture on Bazzil cardstock on sepia color to give that look. Love how it turned out. :-) Thanks for looking!

Title: I Know.

Journaling: Your doctor said that you were lucky. That you are a miracle baby. You see, we found out about your thyroid problem when you were 3 months already and only then did we start your medication. This was dangerous because we only had 3 months before delay in brain development could occur. The thyroid problem was not detected right away by the newborn screening test. After 2 1/2 months of failure to thrive, we saw an endocrinologist who ordered blood tests, thyroid ultrasound and a nuclear scan. We found out that your thyroid was smaller than usual. So, were you just lucky? I don’t think so. I think it helped that I breastfed you for about 4 months. You might say, I’m such a fanatic on breastfeeding to believe so. But really, breastmilk is the best! And I would have continued to breastfed you if not for your congenital heart problem (but that’s another story). I believe my breastmilk was your saving grace. No other food would be perfect for your system, for your brain, for your body but my milk. And although I had to stop, I’m glad I was able to feed you for your first 4 months of life. This was what helped you. I know.

Round and Round and Round She Goes!

My fellow DT at Sassy Lil' Sketches, Ashley Horton is now doing sketches! I love it that most of her sketches have multiple photos which I really prefer. Check out her entry for Sketches, Sketches and More Sketches at her blog and let them inspire you! :-) I used this sketch for my next layout:

This is a layout about Cerise's ability to turn around the bed. She's a little delayed physically so when she finally was able to turn around, we all rejoiced and I definitely took pictures to document it. I'm submitting this also to ScrapFit's Current Workout #53 -- to journal around. :-) Thanks for looking!

Title: Round and Round and Round She Goes!

Journaling: As soon as you learned to turn over, there was no stopping you! You love rolling around the bed. :-) Cerise @ 10 months

Will submit this layout too to Sketches in Thyme's Open Sketch Challenge. Check out their site! :-)

Sweet Heart

Sketches in Thyme has a DT Call ongoing right now until the 31st of Oct. Won't hurt to try, don't you think? Applicants need to create a layout based on this sketch:


I created another layout on Cerise, something to add to her album. Wish me luck! :-)

Title: Sweet Heart

Journaling: You have totally captured our hearts, Cerise! We love you very much! --- Cerise @ 6 months

1st Halloween

It's the 15th! So it's another challenge at Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge Blog! The challenge this time is to create a Halloween Layout and incorporate the color purple in the layout. We also have to use this sketch:


I used the pictures of Cerise's First Halloween costume for my layout. I also created it in an 8x8 format using Nikki Sivils' products for their September Challenge --- to scrap a size you don't normally scrap. I'm also submitting this layout to Scrappin' Chics' October Challenge --- to create a Halloween card, project or layout. :-)

Here's my layout:

Title: First Halloween

Journaling: Cerise wore the Flower Costume for her 1st Halloween. 10.31.10

Looking forward to seeing everyone's creations!

Bonding with Daddy

So sad to hear that Sassy Lil' Sketches will be closing down soon! I discovered the challenge site through Dinah and I really liked my layouts done using their sketches. I tried out for their design team and was surprised to get picked for the Switch It Up! Team. And after only three months on the team, they'll be closing already. Oh well, such is life.

The blog is now having a Sassy Lil' Send Off! We are posting one sketch a day starting from October 2nd through October 9th (the schedule is on the site). The deadline for participants will be midnight October 23rd & we will be announcing prize winners on the 24th. For each sketch we will be giving away one prize of the Sassy Lil' Sketches Ebook.

Since I'm part of the Week 1 Team, here is our sketch:


And since I'm with the Switch It Up Team, this is my layout:

Title: Bonding with Daddy

Journaling: While Mom was out with the big sisters. Daddy was in-charge of Cerise. They slept, watched tv and took a walk. :-) May 2011

I switched it up by using two smaller photos instead of the one large one and I used flowers to replace the circles. I also layered patterned paper under the title instead of one strip.

If you chose to Switch It Up! with any of Sassy Lil' Send Off layout sketches, you will earn an extra entry in the prize drawing. Just be sure to note in your blog post how you Switched It Up!

Please upload your layout based on the Sassy Lil' Send Off Sketch 1 here. We are hoping you will all join us for this final event. :-)

38 Weeks

Here's another layout I made just last night. Hmmm... I'm on a roll! Wish I could sustain this. :-) Used Sketchy Thursdays' 9.22 sketch and a challenge at Burlap & Buttercups to use rub-ons on a layout. I used Fancy Pants and Basic Grey rub-ons for this page. :-) Thanks for looking!

Title: 38 Weeks

Journaling: Waiting for Cerise to arrive. Sept 06, 2011

Clap Your Hands!

Yay! Have been scrapping productively the past 3 days and have finished all my DT requirements. Check out my blog every so often to see my layouts in the coming days. :-)

In the meantime, here's a layout I made for Cerise's album. I printed the multiple photos on an 8x10 paper as I wanted to stress on her achievement. Cerise has been delayed physically because of health problems brought about when she was born. But she has been attending physical therapy sessions twice a week for the past 3 months and I think she has improved quite well already. She can roll very well now and can balance while sitting very well too. She stands for a longer length also. The therapist says that cognitive-wise, she is well and good. She is only delayed physically which is good because she will definitely be able to catch up eventually. :-)

Title: Clap Your Hands!

Journaling: When you're happy and you know it, Clap Your Hnads! Cerise learns to clap her hands at 10 months. :-)

Manila Girls - Cagayan Girls

Ooops! This post is a little delayed. There's a new prompt challenge over at Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge Blog. :-) The challenge is to scrap your birthplace and year. Since I have minimum pictures for that and needed to finish my layouts ASAP, I decided to scrap about all four of my girls instead.

Title: Manila Girls - Cagayan Girls

Journaling:
2004 pic - Because Daddy and Mommy were based in Manila when we got married, Nadine and Raya were both born there. We lived in Makati City and the girls went to girls to school there.

2011 pic - In 2007, Daddy landed a job in Cagayan de Oro City and the whole family transferred there. Mommy was pregnant with Alyssa then. This is where Alyssa and Cerise were born.

You have until the 14th of September at midnight to post your take on the challenge to be eligible for our prize this month. You will have a second chance to enter a layout for this prize on the 15th of September during our sketch challenge for September.

Our prize this month is a $25.00 gift certificate to Scrapbookers.com!!! Woohoo! Head on to the site and see what the rest of the DT has for you. :-)

LSS: Love the Little Things in Life

There's a new challenge over at Little Shop of Sketches. Come and play with us! This week, Lindsey Krauss has her sketches featured. There are two similar sketches and you can use any one of them to inspire you to create your layout:

OR

The photo on my layout is one of my favorites that was taken by my husband. We were at the beach and my baby, Cerise, looked up at me with her adoring eyes (and her tongue sticking out! LOL!) I love it that my husband was able to capture this! It makes me appreciate the little things in life. Someday, Cerise would grow bigger and older and I would definitely miss the time when I am the center of her life.

Title: Love the Little Things in Life

High Hopes

There's a new challenge blog that was launched today! Anne Pennington's Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge showcases a challenge on the 15th of the month with a sketch and a little extra, and on the 30th, a prompt with another little extra. I was fortunate to be a Guest DT for the launch. Do check out their site for the challenges and join in the fun!

The launching challenge is to make a layout that tells about one's dream! In the layout, we must incorporate any two of:

• cloud
• rainbow
• kite, or
• symbols of the dream – you can use a photo or drawing that is representative of your dream.
  

Here's my layout:

Title: High Hopes

Journaling: I have simple but high hopes for the four of you. I pray that you grow up to be strong and independent women. I wish for all of you to be successful in whatever you wish to pursue. I hope that you find peace and contentment in life. I dream that you be the best that you can be and make a difference in our world. I love you all very much! Be happy!

Part of the challenge also is to include a link to a scrapbooking technique or tool video in the blog posting for this challenge. I've been a big fan of Becky Higgins and love her philosophy on Documenting Life. Here's a video I found on her blog:

Thanks for looking! Come on in and join in the fun!

Out and About

I was fortunate to find time to scrap again last night. The creative process gives me such a sense of relaxation. I am at my element when I scrap. :-) I used the July 21 Sketch of Sassy Lil' Sketches which uses three horizontal photos on the right side of a 12x12 paper. I also found this site --- Scrap that Baby! --- that has prompts in scrapping babies under 4 years old. This is just right for Cerise's layouts. Alyssa is still three but turning four in a few months, so I guess I can still use some of her pictures. Here's my layout. Thanks for looking!

Title: Out and About

Journaling: Because of your weak immune system, we don't take you to malls or highly crowded places lest you pick up germs and get sick again. But on this day, we and other families spent the day at the beach. You enjoyed the fresh air and warm sun. It's so nice to see you out and about. We love you very much, Cerise! April 09, 2011

Full of Life

One of the best ways to encourage myself to scrap is to join blog challenges. I've been following quite a number of blogs and picking up ideas from them. I'm usually happy with the stuff I've created guided by these blogs. Here's my layout:

Title: Full of Life

Journaling: My dearest Cerise, I admire you for yiur strength and courage. you have been through so much in your young life and yet, you continue to be good-natured and cheerful. You have taught me to embrace life as it is and to trust in Him for peace and strength. You are so dear to us and we love you so very much! Thank you for your presence. Love, Mom

I brought out my paints and stamps for this layout. I think I need to practice more using these media. Hehehe! I used the challenge at Color Combo Galore to use these colors:


I also used the July 7 Sketch over at Sassy Lil' Sketches but I turned the sketch clockwise to accommodate my photo.


Lastly, I used the journaling prompt at Bird is the Word to make use of the word Admire in your title or journaling. You can read my journaling at the bottom of my layout.

Combining challenges was fun to do. I'm sure to do it again sometime. :-) Thanks for looking!