BFF

I was supposed to post my last layout for Creative Scrappers before leaving for Manila last October 28 but I just got so busy packing for five people and preparing for our trip that I wasn't able to do so. Making this layout was a little sad for me. I thoroughly enjoyed my stint as DT for Creative Scrappers and loved all the layouts I've created for their fabulous sketches. But I guess it is time to move on.

This photo was taken during Raya's Mother and Daughter activity last September. :D Better late than never, here is my take on Sketch #75.

Title: BFF

Journaling: "Best Friends Forever" This was the theme of the Mother-Daughter event this year. I pray that you will always feel comfortable to open up to me. I love you very much Raya! 09.19.09

Do drop by the Creative Scrappers blog site and check out the new DT and their creations! :D

Concentrate

When I took this photo, Alyssa was 1 year and 10 months and still learning how to potty train. Everytime we would hear her grunt, we would rush her to her potty to finish off her poo. And she would greatly oblige to do that. Now at 2 years and 1 month, Alyssa "announces" to everyone whenever she feels like using the potty. She doesn't like wearing nappies anymore even at night (but she still isn't weaned for the night so she will really have to wear them or else we would be swimming in the middle of the night, if you know what I mean). We are amazed how fast she can pick up these skills. But then again, she has always been an exceptional child just like her big sisters (pardon my mommy moment. :))

Title: Concentrate

Journaling: No, it isn't easy learning how to use the potty. Sometimes, you're successful, sometimes you miss. Such is life! There will be wins and losses. But the important thing is you do your best. We will always be here for you, Alyssa! We love you!

Crazy Week and a Princess Dress

I had a very crazy week last week with my emotions being tossed back and forth. You can read all about it on my personal blog. I am still recovering from such an experience and still have bouts of crying once in a while. But I'm not the type to curl up and be depressed for long. I have to move on especially since I have three other girls depending on me. But I still need prayers. Please do say one for me as you read this.

In the meantime, I have unposted layouts that are eager to be shown. Here's one with my darling Alyssa wearing her flower girl dress. She loves this dress and calls it her "Princess Dress." I used Pencil Lines Sketch 154 for this layout.

Have a good week everyone!

Title: Princess Dress

Journaling: Alyssa's first flower girl stint was at Tita Mabel's wedding. She loved her flower girl gown and called it her "Princess Dress" Too bad she didn't march down the aisle but she was every bit of a princess on that day. :) Alyssa - 1 year 11 months

My Social Butterfly

Sketch #73 is up over at Creative Scrappers! The DT have created beautiful layouts based on this sketch. My layout is about my little girl Alyssa who loves playing with the butterfly wings, headband and wand. She would always demand her butterfly costume. Such a cutie really! Thanks for looking!

Title: My Social Butterfly

Journaling: Literally and figuratively. You are the most outgoing among my 3 girls. Alyssa - age 1

Sisters by Heart

This week's challenge at Journaling Junkie is to journal about a relationship you have with a sibling. Since I have two sisters and two brothers and I wouldn't want to make anybody feel let out, I thought of scrapping about me and my sister-in-law, Sherly. :D

Title: Sisters by Heart

Journaling: Sherly and I became sisters when she married Mier's brother. Although totally not blood related, we hit it off instantly. We share the same sentiments and values in bringing up our children and we will always rely on each other through thick or thin. We are sisters by chance, sisters by heart. September 2009

Design Team Call for Creative Scrappers

It’s time for another Designer Call at Creative Scrappers!

Submissions will be taken until October 10 2009. The Names of the New Designers will be posted on the blog on Oct 15th 2009. First reveal will be on November 1st 2009.

Check out the details here.

Good luck!

ScrapJam Postponed and a JJ layout

I was looking forward to going to the ScrapJam this weekend but with the threat of Tropical Storm Pepeng, the organizers decided to postpone the Jam to the weekend after. Of course, I understand that the safety of the participants should be the primary concern. I wouldn't want to be stranded in Manila either. But I can't make it to the Oct. 10 schedule because that is the Mother-Daughter event of Nadine and she is really looking forward to spending time with just me. Well, maybe some other time.

In the meantime, here's a layout I created for Journaling Junkie.

Title: Always Smiling

Journaling: You steal my heart each time you smile. And every time I see that sweet grin, it brings a smile to my face. Your personality always cheers me up... You brighten my day simple by flashing those pearly whites. Thank you for spreading joy and reminding me to live in the present.

Stay Gold

Did this layout the other day when I was in the mood to scrap. This photo of Nadine was taken during my sister's wedding last month. Nadine was posing with the wedding bouquet and the lighting was just perfect. She looks so grown up! Can't believe she's 8 already. Love the outcome of the layout. :D I used Pencil Lines Sketch 153 for this.

Title: Stay Gold

Journaling: I am so proud that you have genuine concern for others. You become sad when you hear of the less fortunate, and you search your heart for ways to help. You don't limit your concern to particular age groups, and your love for animals is just as strong. Don't ever stop trying to make the world a better place, and bless you for being so wise and kind. Nadine - age 8

{Hero} and other news.....

Creative Scrappers Sketch #71 is now up! Here's my take on the sketch:

Title: Hero

Journaling: a Dad is every girl's HERO.

Creative Scrappers is now looking for a new Design Team. Are you interested? Check out the details here. Good luck!

DT Spot Available at Creative Scrappers

Check out the Creative Scrappers blog for details. The spot is effective immediately. :D Good luck!

Mommy of Three

I admit I have been neglecting this blog. :-( It has been such a hectic month now starting from my sister's wedding last August 14. Although, Alyssa's (my youngest girl and the last of the celebrants) birthday is done and over, my in laws are still here so my days have still been busy. Yup, busy making memories and recording them all for future scrapping.

But even if I've been in absentia, I have a stack of layouts ready for reveals. :D For Creative Scrappers' Sketch #69, we were given this sketch to follow:

And here's my layout. Please do drop by the Creative Scrappers blog and check out the fabulous works of the rest of the DT's. I am so proud to be among such talented ladies! :D

Title: Mommy of Three

Journaling: I admit it hasn't been easy. 3 personalities to deal with. 3 characters to mold. 3 girls to take care of. But I will not have it any other way! :)

Poet in the Making

Journaling Junkie's challenge for the next two weeks is to create a LO using Tanya Leigh's sketch number 46 from Little Shop of Sketches.


This is my take on the sketch. Of course, you must provide journaling. :D This layout was just accepted at the Basic Grey gallery. :D

Title: Poet in the Making

Journaling: It was a pleasant surprise to learn that your poem won 1st place! You've always loved the written word. You started making your won books at age 5! I love your poem and I am so proud of you and all your achievements! I love you! :)

Not One but Three!

... layouts in the Basic Grey gallery! Woohoo! I'm starting to enjoy the Basic Grey papers. :D The new CHA lines look reaaally yummy. And they're double sided now! Yehey!

Chocolate Monsters

Funny me, I finished Sketch #69 of Creative Scrappers first because I thought that was the next sketch. Although Sketch #67 was a hurried layout, I liked the outcome. :D Here's the sketch:


And here's my layout. :D Thanks for looking! Check out how the rest of the DT interpreted the sketch in the Creative Scrappers blogsite. :D

Title: Chocolate Monsters

Journaling: Nadine and Raya are such chocolate monsters! We got this box of cookies covered with Belgian chocolate from Tita Bel, my Papa's sister in the US, and the girls enjoyed every cookie in that box! It was so funny because Nadine kept on saying, "This is good! This is very good! This is very very good!" with every bite. Yes, they just love chocolates! :)

My husband is the best!

He went to our favorite Booksale store and bought me these....

Didn't I say he was the best? :D :D :D

Just so you know and so that I will never forget...

My layout is up at Journaling Junkie today. I have to admit that I'm not so happy how this layout turned out. First of all, I was so excited to use this rub on for this challenge but I failed to place it appropriately that part of the rub on can't be seen. :-( I didn't know how else to remedy it. I guess I just have to leave it as is.

Another thing is that I wanted it to be a lengthy message to Nadine. I wanted to journal about things I hope she'll know or realize eventually. But my journaling paper was too small. I was going to write in between the lines but --- I don't know why I didn't so it turned out to be short lang and it didn't have the essence that I wanted to convey. :-(

I guess my consolation is that I like how the layout design turned out. :D Thanks to Studio Azul for the July Kit. :D

Title: Just so you know and so that I will never forget...

Journaling: You have always seemed older than your age. I keep reminding myself that you are only 7 years old. Don't grow up too fast. Enjoy your life. I love you very much!

Featured at Creative Scrappers

Check out the Creative Scrappers site! I am the featured DT for the week. :D Getting to know... Mia. :D Thanks Kristine!

Pure Silliness

Yup, yup! I've been missing in action again for the past weeks! My sister got married last Friday and aside from family from our side coming in, my in laws came in also to join in the fun. Busy, busy, busy! Good thing, Kristine of Creative Scrappers gave out assignments early so I was able to finish DT requirements before all the fun started. :D

This is the sketch for the week:
And this is my layout:

Title: Pure Silliness

Journaling: Raya and Tito John playing around. 21 June 2009

Check out Sketch #65 at the Creative Scrappers blog to view the awesome layouts of the rest of the DT staff. Great job!

Comfort Food

Journaling Junkie's challenge is to create a LO about an experience exploring any one of the 5 senses in detail or to describe one experience using all 5 senses. At the same time, the Kaya challenge for last month was to scrap a THING in your life right now using mixed alphas for your title. Perfect merge!

At the time I was thinking of my layout, I was definitely craving for ice cream! And Mier and I just finished this 800mL container in one sitting and I thought of taking a picture of it for my layout. The picture is starting me drool again....

Title: Comfort Food

Journaling: When the going gets tough, the tough gets going and going and going. And what keeps me going is Coffee Crumble ice cream! The SIGHT of its golden brown cover and the FEEL of its cold container makes my mouth water! I can actually HEAR it call my name! The TASTE and SMELL are just heavenly! :D

My Bodyguard

This was the sketch for the Creative Scrappers DT call. And here is my layout. These photos were taken by Sheryl Martinez during the Scrapbook EB at Lasting Impression in Manila last April. Thanks She! Love the pictures! :D

Title: My Bodyguard

Journaling: You were Mommy's official chaperone everytime she needed to go to Manila. You were my constant companion and I enjoyed the bonding time goint to the derma, shopping in Greenhills and my scrapbook EB. Thanks Raya!

Kiss

My first layout as DT for Creative Scrappers is out! I'm so excited! For our first assignment, we are asked to create a layout using this sketch from Karan Gerber:

This is my take on the sketch. I used papers from Basic Grey's Wisteria Collection courtesy of Nette Madero of My Little Attic. I bought some albums from her and she sent me some papers and flower embellishments free with my orders! Thank you so much Nette! :D

I love this picture of Alyssa and me and how she holds on to my face when she kisses me. So adorable, really!! Thanks for looking! And do please check out the awesome creations of the rest of the DT over at Creative Scrappers. Thanks! :D

Title: Kiss

Journaling: I love it that she holds my face with her hands as if to steady it while she gives me a kiss! Alyssa - 22 months

Egg Decor Specialists

Co-Scrappin Mom Pia Lopez posted a challenge at the Scrappin Kids Forum last weekend. Her challenge is to use the word, “homemade” as an inspiration, not necessarily as part of the title or journaling, but using the word to jumpstart the creative process. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do a layout on her challenge as we were busy that weekend. Good thing I was able to squeeze in a little time to do this layout of my girls decorating their eggs Easter 2008. :D Thanks for looking!

Title: Egg Decor Specialists

Journaling: Nadine and Raya's favorite part of Easter is decorating eggs. March 2008

Best Buds

Dinah is hosting a challenge over at Creative Scrappers called the "Take Two" challenge. Her challenge is to create a layout (12x12 or 8-1/2x11) using 2 pieces of each material - 2 cs, 2 pps, 2 buttons, 2 flowers, 2 chipboard, you name it! There is no limit to the number of materials one may use as long as it's 2 of each. And everything else like the photos, words in a title, theme, color, etc is all up to you!

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to work on her challenge due by the end of the month (which is tomorrow) but I needed some "me" time and I thought scrapping would best relax me. :D I'm glad I took her challenge because I had fun creating this layout!

I used :
2 CS: Navy Blue and Yellow
2 PP: Sassafrass Lass and Rusty Pickle
2 Chipboards
2 Rub ons: Daisy D's and Me and My Big Ideas
2 Flowers
2 Buttons
2 Brads
2 Words in the title
2 Fonts
2 Color pens
2 Stickers
2 Punchers: Marvy Uchida and Fiskars
Additional: 2 girls in the picture, 2 years apart :D Teeheehee!

Title: Best Buds

Journaling: Nadine once told me that she wishes we'd have another baby soon so that Alyssa would have someone close to her age the same way she and Raya are. This is so sweet! I'm so happy that Nadine is appreciative of having a sister like Raya. They may fight and get into disagreements but they will always be close sisters.

Nadine and Raya
picture - Jan 2008
journaling July 2009

Bestfriend

I finished this layout in 15 minutes tops! And I love the outcome. I used the Versailles (February 2008) kit of Studio Azul and Sketch #62 of Creative Scrappers. The pictures are those of Alyssa and my papa, whom my kids fondly call Abu (short for Abuelito, Spanish for grandfather). Thanks for looking!

Title: Bestfriend

Journaling: This is what Abu calls you and you love it! You squeal and giggle with delight as soon as you see him and won't leave his side. Abu adores you, Alyssa --- we all do! :D Alyssa, 1 year 8 months

Almost 2

This was Mier's idea --- to scrap pictures of our three girls at the same ages. I had to dive into Nadine's baby albums since at that time, we still used film cameras. LOL! These pictures are of our three girls right before they turned two years old. It just so happened that Creative Scrappers Sketch #61 asked for three pictures. Perfect for my three girls! Here's my take on the sketch. I used Bo Bunny papers from Mothers and Daughters Creations Store. Thanks for looking!

Title: Almost 2

Journaling: My three angels in the same stages in their lives. So cute. So adorable. So much loved.

Hakuna Matata

Raya's Junior Kinder class last year presented the Lion King as their culminating activity. Although she didn't get a major role in the play, she was happy enough to be a giraffe. Hehehe!

I created this layout using a sketch from Em Magpoc. Em's sketches and layouts are just fabulous! She's a resident designer for Color Me Miki which featured her sketch. I also used the color combination challenge at Scrap the Girls. The papers used in this layout are from Mothers and Daughters Creations store. Doesn't Raya look so cute??!!

Title: Hakuna Matata

Journaling: You were the perfect giraffe during your school's "Lion King" presentation. This is one of my all-time favorite movies and your show gave me goose-bumps. :D But more than that, 'Hakuna Matata' fits you. You are carefree and spunky but not one to shy off responsibility. You are amazing! Raya - age 5

Last Hurrah

Since it's summertime in the US, the challenge for this week at Mothers and Daughters Creations is to create a page or altered product about the beach. This was actually timing since I just had extra beach pictures developed. Classes started really late for my girls because the 2nd floor of their new building wasn't done yet. The day before classes started, we all trooped to the beach to celebrate the last day of vacation. We all had fun in the beach. It was a definitely a last hurrah. :D

I used mainly Dasiy Bucket Designs papers for this layout. I also used Prima flowers and a Kaiser Craft rhinestone flower. Do notice the slippers I made and the little bucket. Oooh, and also my sun! I guess I was inspired by the Scrappin Moms' paper piecing challenge last week. :D By the way I used Sketch 143 of Pencil Lines for this layout. Thanks for looking!

Title: Last Hurrah

Journaling: We went to the beach right before school started to celebrate the last day of vacation. You all had fun playing in the sand and water. 21 June 2009

Play

Nadine has always been the prim and proper one ---always so dainty and lady like. So during their school's Foundation Day wherein they had an afternoon of Filipino games, I didn't really expect her to join in. She started with just coloring at the table then she saw her classmates getting excited over the different games so she decided to join in as well. Never mind that the games were all very active ones and would require her to perspire afterwards. I'm glad she did because she declared that she had fun. :D

This is my layout for Journaling Junkie. I used Studio Azul's May kit for this layout and Creative Scrappers Sketch #59. Thanks for looking!

Title: Play

Journaling: You were always a girly girl --- so dainty and demure! When you were still in Mommy's tummy, you would close your legs everytime we'd check your gender. And when you were still a newborn, you would sleep with your hands in fists but with your little pinkie up! But during your school's foundation day, you gamely joined the activities: relays, patintero and tumbang preso (Filipino games)! All sweaty but fun games. I'm glad you tried it and had fun. Nadine, Dec 12, 2009

Happy, Mad, Sad, Gulat (Surprise)

I love how this layout turned out! My DD3 Alyssa has all these faces for us. We just ask her to make a face and she'd willingly oblige for us. ("Gulat" is Filipino for surprise) She really is a cutie!

This was based on Creative Scrappers Sketch #58 and I used once again Studio Azul's June kit (I really love this kit! Can you tell? LOL!)

I made it...

...to the Creative Scrappers Design Team! Woohoo!!

I've been eyeing this site since I've discovered them last January and have done almost 80% of their sketches for the year. (Was in a scrapping vacation when we went to Manila last April. LOL!) I love their sketches! Somehow, my layouts made based on their sketches come out very pretty and eye catching. LOL! And it was inspiring to see fellow Filipinas Dinah and LG in the DT roster too!

Thank you Kristine for this opportunity! I am just so thrilled! I'm looking forward to playing along with the rest of the DT.

Oooh, and another Filipina is also in the team! Doc Rita of the LB Scrapaholics made it too! How exciting! Please do check out the site every week and be inspired with the creativity of the gals there! The sketches are just wonderful! :D