Day 8 of the MDC First Annual Traditions Blog Roll

Hope you've been enjoying the blog hop and checking out the beautiful creations of the Mothers and Daughters Creations DT team! Today is the regular “Thursday Card Challenge” and our blog roll continues with a special treat.

Giovana is hosting the challenge so hurry on over to her blog for all the details – challenge, blog candy, and a stunning card to inspire you. Leah, Cathy, Dawn, Melissa and Melita have also made samples for this challenge. And if you love butterflies, be sure to drop by their blogs and increase your chances of winning some beautiful blog candy. Don't forget to post your comments to be eligible for the random blog raks!

Day 7 of the MDC First Annual Traditions Blog Roll

This is lucky Day 7 of the Mothers and Daughters Traditions Blog Roll. We’re getting away from cards and scrap pages to take a crack at recipe cards. Share your recipes and get some cool ideas for making recipe cards from Melissa. (Hint, I hear she has a template to share as well.) Drop by and see what Robin, Cathy, and Laurie have also come up with.

Cathy has great ideas on how to create beautiful flowers but is having problems with her blog. If she's lucky and able to post it today, do drop by her blog for a tutorial on how to create them - Part 2 of our Fabulous Floral Three Part Challenge. Leah is also making some so be sure to stop by and see the designs she’s created.

Don't forget to visit the MDC blog and store!

Day 6 of the MDC First Annual Traditions Blog Roll

Today there is another fun challenge for the Mothers and Daughters Traditions Blog Roll. The Spring ATC Challenge has been extended and you can win some terrific blog candy by making an Artist Trading Card with a spring theme. Check out Leah’s blog for all the details and be sure to check out the samples made by Cathy and Giovana too.

Want to know what to do with those ATC’s? Tamara will show you how to use them to embellish scrap book pages. You can also use them on cards, boxes, or frame them. Check out Cathy’s blog for more ideas as well as “how to’s” if you’ve never made an ATC before.

And don't forget to visit the MDC blog and store!

Day 5 of the MDC First Annual Traditions Blog Roll

Mother’s Day is a time for us to reflect back on the special women in our lives - mother, grandmother, daughter, mother-in-law, aunt, cousin, mentor friend. Today’s special Mothers and Daughters Creations Traditions Blog Roll challenge is being hosted by Melita on her blog. Join Melita in making a special scrap page to honor and remember a special woman in your life. Visit her blog for some wonderful ideas and a chance to win some blog candy that says traditions. Laurie also posted a page on her blog, so visit her for even more inspiration and more chances to win today’s blog candy!

Here's my layout honoring my mom:

Title: Thank you, Mama!

Journaling: Even when I was still a teenager I looked forward to becoming a mother. To many this may sound weird or scary but to me this was the norm. When I finally gave birth, I opted to resign from my job and be a stay-at-home mom. I wanted to be as involved as I can in my children’s upbringing. To be there for every milestone, every laughter and every cry.

I had a role model to follow. My own mother was a stay-at-home mom and for me, her mere presence benefited my siblings and me a lot. By just being there, I believe she knew us more than we knew ourselves. Her dedication to her family, her love for us, her patience and understanding were what I wanted to mirror in my life.

Oh, she was often misunderstood and taken for granted. There were a lot of times when we didn’t see eye to eye. Words were said, feelings were hurt and tears fell. But she is and would always be my mom and that made the difference. It was when I became a mother myself that I began to see my own mom in a different light.

I remember the first time I brought Nadine home from the hospital, I couldn’t help but stare at her. I could feel my love for my child, bursting within me. With joyful tears in my eyes I texted my mom to try to describe this feeling inside me. I remember her texting me back that that is how she felt and still feels for me.

Being a mother made me see how much my own mom loves me. It reminded me of the many sacrifices she made and the difficulties she endured to bring me up in the right way. I remember her driving us to school in the mornings, leading us to morning prayers and thanksgiving. I remember her cleaning, cooking and washing clothes. She exemplified Christ’s meaning of service.

Through her example, my mom taught me the value of hard work, self-discipline, good judgment, courage and honesty. I may be far away but I call her up to ask her for her opinion, to tell her of my troubles and to seek guidance and counsel. Being a mother made me love my mom more.

I thank her for all that she has done for me. For loving me, for always being there for me; for the quiet conversations, for the laughter and the smiles. Thank you, Mama, for all that you have taught me. I just want you to know that although it may not be said often, you are very much loved and appreciated.

Then, visit Tamara’s blog for our second challenge of the day. Old family pictures often have a vintage feel and what better way to highlight them than with vintage styled borders, embellishments, mats, and frames. Tamara takes you through the process of making some wonderful designs for your own scrap book and is offering some gorgeous “vintage” style blog candy as well. Need more ideas for vintage themed designs? Check out the samples for this challenge made by Cathy, Leah and Robin.

Deadline for all challenges is Saturday, May 16th at 12 noon. We’ll announce winners the next day on the various blogs with a complete list on the MDC Challenge blog. Remember, there will also be random prizes for just posting on the different blogs!

Day 4 of the Mothers and Daughters Creations First Annual Mothers and Daughters Traditions Blog Roll

The Mothers and Daughters Traditions Blog Roll continues with a challenge hosted by Maria! If you are planning on serving Mom, Grandma, or anyone breakfast in bed, why not make that breakfast tray extra special with a quick and easy decoration, or make lunch, brunch or dinner extra special with pretty, hand made table decorations.

Visit Maria’s blog for all the details and a chance to win some glitzy blog candy (think spring, think BLING).

Cathy, Robin and Giovana have also made lovely samples for this challenge, so be sure to drop by their blogs for some more great ideas!

P.S. Everything over at the Mothers and Daughters Creations Store is 35% off this weekend - all you have to do is enter code NSD2009 at checkout! Happy creating and have a fabulous day!

Mothers & Daughters Creations - BLOG ROLL FUN

I should have posted this last Thursday but was just so preoccupied with our trip back to Cagayan de Oro that I failed to do so. Nevertheless, it isn't too late to do this so here goes...

The first annual Mothers & Daughters Creations blog roll started last Thursday and is still on going!

Here's how it works: beginning last Thursday, and continuing each day until May 10th one of the members of the design team will host a challenge or special topic on their blog, and some of the other designers will be posting samples and their own thoughts about the challenge. We hope you will visit their blogs and play along - if you do there will be chances to win prizes each day!!

You can check the MDC BLOG each day to find out who's hosting.

There are two challenges for today and two chances to win a wonderful handmade treasure box!

Visit Cathy's blog for some innovative ways to do really special things with hand made boxes and gift bags. She's posting templates and a detailed tutorial for Part 1 of our Fabuous Floral Three Part Challenge. And, if you need a last minute gift idea to go IN your boxes and bags, visit Katheryn's blog!

Leah, Dawn, and Giovana have made some gorgeous samples for these challenges so make sure you roll over to their blogs to check out their samples!!

Also, this weekend is the time to go shopping. Don't forget today, Saturday, is National Scrapbooking Day! And there are sales at MDC:

In celebration of National Scrapbooking Day – May 2, 2009

We are putting the entire store on sale!
Visit our web store between
12:00 AM Saturday, May 2 and 11:59PM Sunday, May 3
and receive 35% off your entire order!

Enter Product Code NSD2009 at Checkout.

God Sent

This was for a Mothers and Daughters Creations challenge last week following a sketch. I was able to finish it way ahead of time but failed to take a photo of it for submission. (So sorry Tamara!) Anyway, I used SEI papers here and Bo Bunny rub ons from the MDC store.

Title: God Sent

Journaling: We waited four years for you to come. Your conception was a real surprise but one with pure joy. You are loved from the start. Thank you, Lord!

Oh and before I forget do join us for our first MDC blog hop starting this Thursday! :D See you!

Kaya Challenge: Just the Boys

I've finished this layout for sometime already (as promised Bjay! Mwah!) for the current Kaya challenge but haven't taken a picture til now. Honestly, I prefer not to stamp. I don't like the mess and the cleaning up after. But I do have a number of stamps in my stash that definitely needs to be used. :D

This photo was taken on Good Friday last year when the boys of my family made the Stations of the Cross up the hill. It was nice seeing them all together. :D

Title: Just the Boys

Materials: Studio Azul February kit

Journaling: We usually all go up to Malasag on Good Friday but this year, only the BOYS did the tedious trek. It was nice seeing them all bond together... Just the Boys. Good Friday April 2008

Techniques Used:
Non-stamp: I used Alyssa's shoe to make a foot print on the patterned paper
Stamp: Autumn leaves journaling stamp on the tag, letter stamps for the word "the"

GDT: Creative Scrappers

I know I've neglected this blog for the longest time. We're still in Cavite now but we'll be going back home to Cagayan on Thurs. Can't wait! :D

I just couldn't pass the opportunity to write about me being this week's Guest Designer at Creative Scrappers! Yup! I've been admiring this blog site for months already since the beginning of the year and I just love the layouts I've created using their sketches. So when Kristine asked me if I wanted to be GDT for April, oh wow! Could I pass up this opportunity? Guess not! :D LOL!

Here's Sketch #49 and my layout is Loving Elmo. Thanks for looking!

Title: Loving Elmo

Journaling: There's something about the red furry monster that makes him irresistible to you. Alyssa - age 1 1/2

Materials: Scrapbooks Hawaii February Kit

Spring Basket for MDC

It has been quite a busy week for us since we've arrived here in my in laws place in Cavite. I've tried scrapping here but realized that I forgot to bring so many things like glue, scissors, trimmer, pens, etc. Hehehe. Good thing my sister in law, Sherly, is a scrapper herself and has so generously lent me a lot of her tools. :D Will post my layouts when I've taken pictures of them. I've learned to scrap with limited supplies too! I brought some kits along with me and have had to stick to just what I have. Really challenging! :D

In the meantime, the latest challenge for Mothers and Daughters Creations is up! We were tasked to make a spring themed basket. Here is what I made. I used papers from Best Creations to create my basket. Happy Easter everyone!

Moose Balls

Challenge 54 at Journaling Junkie is to showcase a sequence of photos with journaling. I used these photos taken last December 2008 when Nadine and Raya spent the morning making "Moose Balls" with my sister-in-law. It was a fun filled morning although the girls didn't really like the truffles they made. Daddy and Mommy enjoyed it instead. Hehehe!

Title: Moose Balls

Journaling:

These are Tita Ovvian's version of chocolate truffles.

You all had fun bonding on our last day in Manila.

December 2008

The Scrap Yard Shop Blog

Here's hoping I get lucky! Check out the new blog of Gracie called The Scrap Yard Shop and test your luck with her RAK giveaway. :D I got my fingers crossed!

Good News Comes in Three's

I read my 90++ emails after just a few days of being in absentia and I have the following good news to share:

1. My layout, You, won the Scrappin Kids challenge for the month of March. I have been an avid challenge taker at SK since I usually scrap for my kids anyway but this is my first time to win! I am just so happy and grateful to the RD and DT's of SK for choosing my layout. Thank you so much! :D
2. Over at Mothers and Daughters Creations, the challenge for the week is to scraplift one of the DT's work. And guess what, all three current DT's scraplifted my work! What a surprise! Check out their work and my layouts at their site. :D
3. I submitted my Free Spirit layout at the BG gallery and they loved it! Now, I have two layouts at my gallery there. Woohoo!

I can't help but grin from ear to ear. This really made my day and made my hectic week so worth it. :D

Free Spirit

Still busy with my in-laws in town. I can even hardly check my email! Anyway, here's a layout I did sometime back with my Studio Azul January kit. Love how it turned out! :D

Not Yet Please...

This is my take on Creative Sketches #44. I just couldn't believe how much Raya has grown when I saw these pictures of her. At five years old, she is a smart and confident little girl. I just hope that she won't be too much in a hurry growing up. I'd like to enjoy every single moment of her young life.

Title: Not Yet Please...

Journaling: Seeing these pictures of you surprised me very much. You have grown so much in the past year. Don't be in such a hurry to grow up! Enjoy the journey! I love you! Raya - age 5

My in-laws will be arriving tomorrow for Nadine and Raya's Recognition Program on Friday. I expect to be busy taking them around and entertaining them for a week. Then we'll be off to Manila for a vacation. I will try to post layouts I've made but haven't shown once in a while. Happy summer!

Spring Decors

Here are two spring decors I created for the challenge at Mothers and Daughters Creations. I made the altered clock using Daisy Bucket Designs papers and Prima flowers. This was so timely because Raya can now also read time so both girls were so excited to have a new clock in their room. For the door hanger, I used Best Creations Inc. papers, Imaginisce flower and May Arts ribbons. Thanks for looking!

You

Scrappin Kids' March challenge is a sketch interpretation. I used this picture of Alyssa that I love so much. I love that I was able to capture that naughtiness in her eyes. She is just so adorable!

I used Jenni Bowlin Studio papers available at the Mothers and Daughters Creations store.

Title: You

Materials: Jenni Bowlin patterned papers, DCWV cardstock, Prima flowers, AMM and MM brads, American Crafts rub ons, Sizzlits Round-A-Bout on foam, Colorbox ink

Journaling: You make my heart sing

Cuddles & Snuggles

This is my interpretation of Creative Sketches Sketch #43. I finally was able to use some of my old MME papers. Buti nalang. I really have to look at my old stuff and make use of these (and stop buying new ones! Hahaha!) Thanks for looking!

My 3

Here's a layout for Journaling Junkie. I really love how this turned out! Obviously my scrapping style has changed a lot and I'm happy with the outcome. It feels more natural to use patterned papers and various embellishments on my work now wherein I used to have a difficult time putting these together before. I am loving layering and putting flourishes and adding flowers. I am just enjoying the creative process that comes with each layout. :D

By the way, I used these beautiful patterned papers from Kaiser Craft available at Mothers and Daughters Creations Store. Check them out!

my 3.

3 girls to cherish.

3 hearts to hold.

3 distinct personalities.

3 souls to nurture.

3 gifts from God.

3 reasons to live a good life.

3 lives to influence.

my 3.

Family 2008

This is one of my favorite pictures of 2008. It was taken en route to Batangas where we were going to see the Mama Mary site, one of the numerous projects of my FIL. I thought these papers from Prima would go well with the picture. Thank you so much to Master Iris for these. Love them!

Dancing Queen

Yup! That's my Alyssa! She loves music. We try to expose her to different genres but she seems to prefer upbeat music and would gracefully wiggle her body and move her butt. She is utterly adorable!

Title: Dancing Queen

Materials: Sassafrass Lass papers, DCWV cadrstock, Prima flowers, AAS alpha foam stickers, MM brads, EK success corner puncher, others: ricrac and plastic alphas

New Products and Challenges at MDC Store!

The Mothers and Daughters Creations Store has TONS of beautiful new products! Check out the new Printemps Passion line from Magenta, the Marrakech line from Basic Grey, all new glittered cardstock and patterned papers from Best Creations, or the FIVE new collections from Kaiser Craft! They just had computer problems last week but they're working on getting up even more NEW products from Bo Bunny (three new lines plus more dot to dot cardstock), Memory Box (all new 6x6 pads), and Sei's new Bridgeport collection. You've GOT to come check it out - you won't be disappointed!

And to celebrate all their new lines, they will randomly select three (3) winners from this week's challenge to win one of the new lines from Kaiser Craft! So if you've been stalking for a while, this is your week to play!! All you need to do is post a comment at their challenge with a link to your newly created page, and make sure your description mentions that you're playing along with the MDC challenge - that's it! Can't wait to see your one word inspiration page!!

Something more!! If you're into cards, come back on Thursday for the card challenge. They'll be featuring TWO challenges to catch up with TWO fabulous prizes!!

Happy creating!!

Four

The scrapbook challenge at Mothers and Daughters Creations for this week is to choose a single word and scrap it. Since I got a lot of birthday papers from them, I thought of scrapping about Raya's fourth birthday party. Hence, my word --- four.

For this layout, I used an assortment of Best Creations Inc. papers and a matching May Arts ribbon. I also used Prima flowers, a staple in my layouts, if you've noticed. Head over to the blog to check out what the other Design Team members have done.

By the way, the Mothers and Daughters Creations Store now have the first two complete lines of Marks Paper Company, a brand new company that has double sided patterned paper with a unique textured look that's beautiful! Love love the designs. Check out the MDC store for these papers!

Title: Four

Materials: Best Creations Inc papers, Maya Arts ribbon, Heidi Swapp and Prima flowers, DCWV Foil Letters, Staedler pen, MM brads, Fiskars lace border puncher, CM circle cutter, Colorbox ink

Umagang Kay Ganda (What a Beautiful Morning)

This month's Kaya challenge is Hybrid Scrapbooking. I didn't realize that using anything from the computer for your layout (even as simple as printing your journaling or title) is already considered hybrid scrapbooking. Before we got our printer, I'd fix my pictures through photoshop, adjusting brightness and contrasts and levels, before having them printed out. Thanks to Alby's challenge, I was able to explore hybrid scrapbooking a little more.

For my layout, I used a photo of our whole family taken during our 9th wedding anniversary last 24th January 2009. I wanted to put text and flourishes on this picture but I had it printed already even before I found out about the challenge.

Digital elements I used for this layout are the following:
1. Edited my picture by adjusting brightness and contrast
2. Printed part of my title (Umagang)
3. Created the journaling block by attaching parentheses together
4. Typed and printed my journaling
5. Printed then cut flowers.

Title: Umagang Kay Ganda (What a Beautiful Morning)

Journaling: 24 January 2009 – our 9th wedding anniversary. The whole family woke up early to a bright and beautiful day. The girls made cards and letters for us. So much to be thankful for!

Materials: Studio Azul February kit (Glitz, Fancy Pants and Prima papers; Bazzil cardstock; ricrac ribbon; hearts chipboard; AC denim thickers) Prima flowers, MM brads, plastic letters, Colorbox ink

Featured at Madcropper.com

My Exploding Box is currently featured at Madcropper.com. Thanks so much Xtine for this! Such an honor, really! :D

Little Big Girl

It's my turn to challenge you at Journaling Junkie! For this week, my challenge is to use an oxymoron for a title. According to Wikipedia:

An oxymoron (plural oxymorons or, more rarely, oxymora) is a figure of speech that combines two normally contradictory terms. Oxymoron is a loanword from Greek oxy ("sharp" or "pointed") and moros ("dull"). Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. Oxymorons are a proper subset of the expressions called contradictions in terms. What distinguishes oxymorons from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept, such as "cruel to be kind" or "team of mavericks".

For my layout, I scrapped how Alyssa doesn't see herself as a baby anymore. :D Do join in the fun! Email your submissions to eyeore@telkomosa.net or leave a comment with a link to your URL at the JJ blogsite on or before the 14th of March 2009. :D

Title: Little Big Girl

Materials: Studio Azul October Kit

Journaling:
Somehow, you believe that you're one of us --- the "big" people.
You don't see yourself as a baby or a toddler.
You babble excessively, although we can't understand you.
You insist on eating chocolates, ice cream and chips.
You write and colour with the big girls.
And you watch Disney Channel even if it's Hannah Montana or the Wizards of Waverly Place (as if you understand it!)
You consider yourself a big girl even if you're barely 3 feet tall.

Grateful Heart

Just finished doing the last sketch of the month of Creative Scrappers. So far, I've done all their weekly sketches. That means 2 months in a row of weekly sketches. Yehey! Here's my take on Sketch #40:

Title: Grateful Heart

Materials: DCWV and Bazzil cardstock, Bazzil Fancy Edges, Prima patterned papers, Prima Flowers, Prima bling, Jenny Bowlin rub ons, American Crafts foam and vinyl thickers, Stucio Azul stamo, Colorbox ink, Staedler pen, Others: button

Journaling: Feb. 16, 2009 Today you noticed the yoghurt in the refrigerator and thanked me for buying it. Such a simple gesture but so heartfelt. So typical you! You never fail to appreciate even the mundane things. You really are such a sweetie! I love you and your grateful heart.

Sisterly Love

For the last week of February, the Mothers and Daughters Creations challenge is a sketch challenge from 52 Sketches... 52 Weeks. We used this Sketch #7 for the challenge:


For my layout, I used papers from Imaginisce and cut out the hearts from Best Creations. I also used rub ons from Bo Bunny and flowers from Prima. :D Check out the MDC blog for the rest of the Design Team's works! Join in the challenge and win a prize! :D

Title: Sisterly Love

Materials: Imaginisce, Best Creations and Sizzix Papers, Prima flowers, AAS brads and foam sticker alphas, Bo Bunny rub ons, Staedler pen, Carl Corner Rounder Puncher, Fiskars Lace Border Puncher, Others: plastic alphas, rub on lines, button

Journaling: We were at your school's acquaintance party when I turned around, I saw Raya sitting on Nadine's lap. I instinctively reached for my camera to take a photo. You both may fight at times but you will always have that special bond. You are each other's best friend and I love it! I love you both! July 2007

Banana Girl

If you know me, I LOVE sketches! I feel that they make life (and scrapping) sooo much easier. And since I've stumbled upon Creative Scrappers in the beginning of the year, I've done their sketches every week and so far, I've been very happy with layouts I've created. Here's my take on Sketch #39.

Alyssa didn't like bananas at all when she was a baby. She would make a face and spit it out. Now she can't stop eating them until the whole bunch is all done. She is such a cutie! :D

Title: Banana Girl

Materials: DCWV cardstock, Luxe, Making Memories and Basic Grey patterned paper, Queen & Co. adhesive lace, AAS alpha foam sticker and brads, Basic Grey element stickers and monogram alphas, Prima flowers, MM brads, Staedler pen

Journaling: You didn't like bananas when you were a baby. Now you won't stop until the bunch is finished. :) Alyssa - age 1

You Know You're a Scrapbooker When...

Did this layout for Journaling Junkie. The challenge is to do a layout about your scrapping habits. I think I have one thousand and one scrapping habits but I decided to scrap this one. :D I used Creative Sketch # 38 for this layout.

Would you like to join the JJ challenges? Email your submissions to eyeore@telkomosa.net or leave a comment with a link to your URL at the JJ blogsite on or before the 28th of February 2009 to win exciting prizes. :D Let's see those layouts!

Title: You Know You're a Scrapbooker When...

Journaling: You dress yourself and your children in matching outfits because you have a layout in mind. 28 Dec 2008. Yes, I am definitely a scrapbooker and proud of it!

Materials: DCWV cardstock, Chatterbox papers, Prima flowers, MM brads, Marvy Uchida circle scallop puncher, Staedler pen, AAS alpha foam stickers, Studio Azul ink blot, rub ons, mini alpha stamps, date stamper, colorbox ink