LSS: Mine

The first sketch reveal of Little Shop of Sketches is now live! I've actually been waiting for this for a week already because I've been so excited to see everyone's creations! I'm not disappointed, believe me! The layouts are all fabulous! Here is Sketch #87:

I have to admit that I got the jitters while doing this sketch. LOL! I kept on changing pictures and looking at papers that match. Took awhile before I finally decided on what to scrap and how to do it. Hehehe! This is another page of my youngest girl, Cerise. She is just such a joy!

Title: Mine

Journaling: I look at you with awe and wonderment. How blessed I am to have you as mine. Cerise --- 2 months

Do check out the rest of the DT's work over at Little Shop of Sketches and give some love! Better yet, make a layout on the sketch and upload them at our Ning site or Facebook page for all of us to see. :-) Can't wait to see your creations! Thanks for dropping by!

Amazing

I finished this page the other night about my youngest daughter, Cerise, who just turned nine months old.

Cerise has gone through so much in her young life --- At 1 week old, she was hospitalized for sepsis, a blood infection. About the same time, she was also discovered to have congenital heart disease. At 2 months, she had anemia and was diagnosed as a failure to thrive infant. At 3 months, we found out about her thyroid problem. At 5 months, she was again hospitalized for amoebiasis. Two months after, her thyroid acted up again and this time her liver enzymes are up too. Despite all her health problems, she is such a happy and cheerful baby, always ready to give a smile to us. She is one amazing little baby. :-)

I used Sassy Lil' Sketches June 14 sketch. Incidentally they also have a DT Call. :-)


I also used Color Combos Galore 197 for this layout. I thought the colors were just fitting for this picture of Cerise.
And last but not the least, I used the challenge in Bird is the Word site to use the word "Amazing" in your title or journaling. I'm happy how this layout turned out. Thanks for looking!

Title: Amazing

Journaling: I am sure that anybody who knows what you've been through in your life would agree with me --- you are simply AMAZING!

4 Girls

When I was still young and single, I've always thought I'd have a brood of boys. I was kinda boyish in school although not really athletic. Never did I imagine that I'd be having 4 girls instead. But I would not have it any other way. These girls are my life. :-) I used a PageMaps Sketch for this layout.

Title: 4 Girls

Journaling: to cherish, to nurture, to adore, to take care of, to influence, to pray for, to LOVE

Girl

Here's another page from Cerise's baby album. I love doing her baby pages because I get to see how small and cute she was then. I can't believe how fast they grow. My dad took these photos at the nursery and I'm just so grateful that he also took that hospital announcement with all her statistics. Love that part of the layout. :-)

From the start of the pregnancy, I had a feeling that the baby would be a girl. I know a lot hoped that she would be a boy already since we already had 3 girls, but I just had that feeling. And the truth is, I don't mind having another girl. I love them to pieces. :-)

Title: Girl

Journaling: We knew in our hearts that you would be a girl even before the ultrasound confirmed it. We are thrilled to have you in our lives!

Lovin' the Bumbo

I think I've said it, time and again, that I love sketches. LOL! Another thing I love? Multiple photo sketches! So when this challenge came up at the Page Maps Blog, I just couldn't resist working on it. And I think I've got the perfect photos for it. Isn't Cerise adorable?

Anyway, the challenge is for "scrappers in the United States and Canada, or anyone with a US or Canadian postal address." Hmmm... I've got an aunt in New York and another one in Chicago. Maybe I'll qualify. Hope I'll win. Fingers crossed. :-)

Title: Lovin' the Bumbo

Journaling: Thank you to cousin Brendan for passing on his Bumbo to Cerise! She is now able to practice keeping her head up. She enjoys sitting on it and playing with her sisters. :-) April 28, 2011

Cecilia Amarise

This is the cover page of my baby album for my 4th daughter, Cerise. I'm making an 8x8 album for her and I'm slowly filling up the pages. I've made quite a few layouts already but will post them one by one on this blog instead of one whole album. I'm using PageMaps sketches for this album. Thanks for looking!

LSS Design Team!

Remember my You Make Us Proud! layout? Well, it landed me a DT stint at Little Shop of Sketches!

I am so thrilled to be part of a group of very talented ladies. Please check out the site of who else made it on the team. And do watch out for weekly inspiration from the group. Can't wait to get started!

A Mini Album for Brendan

My sister-in-law and her 1-year old son, Brendan, will be leaving for Canada soon to join Brendan's dad there. We will surely miss them. I thought of creating this 6x6 mini album for Brendan so he'll remember all of us on our side of the family. :-)

Found this 6x6 album in our local department store
C is for Castrillo :-)


Title Page

Cerise is Love Love Love

Here's my take on Pencil Lines Sketch 237. This is my youngest and fourth daughter, Cerise, in an outfit given by my sister-in-law. :-) She loves having her picture taken. LOL! Thanks for looking!

You make us Proud!

There's a DT Call up at Little Shop of Sketches and those who would like to apply should create a new layout based on Sketch 82.

Here's my take on the sketch:

Title: You Make Us Proud!

Hidden Journaling: I have to admit that I was worried that you will not make it to the honor roll. Your 4th and last quarter in school was also the 1st trimester of my pregnancy with Cerise. I was too sick to even get up from bed and I couldn't tutor you for lessons and exams. But you did it! You weren't only on the honor roll but you even made it to the First Honor list! We are so proud of you for bringing home that Gold medal. We love you, Raya!

I love sketches and hopefully a DT stint in a sketch blog would help boost my layout numbers. :-)

4+3=7

Last January 2010, we had a family (my side) picture with only four (4) grandchildren. On that same month, we found out that we, three sisters, were pregnant! (I made layouts for these that are found here.) So in a years time, my parents suddenly had a a baby boom of grandchildren. What fun! This picture was taken right before we went off for New Year's Eve Mass.

I had fun doing this scrap page. I used the April Challenge of Butterfly Crafts, which is a color challenge, as a guide for this layout. I used all three colors --- yellow, pink and blue. I also used Sketch 4.28 of Sketchy Thursdays.

Hope to have more scrappy time soon! :-)

Title: 4+3=7

Journaling: Who would have thought that in a years time they would have, from 4 to 7 grandchildren? Not Abu and Mama Flory! They are thrilled to have 3 more babies to add to the clan. We are all excited to watch Marko, Maggie and Cerise grow in the family. 12.31.10

Raya at 7

Raya made a list of stuff she likes at her age seven and gave it to me. I thought it would be perfect for a layout. The girls are growing up so fast! It's so difficult to document each and every movement they make especially that there are four of them already! So little by little, I try to document their growths so we can relish the moments when they are grown.

I used a PageMaps sketch for this one. I really do love Becky Fleck's sketches! Thanks for looking!

Title: Raya at 7

Journaling:
Happy List:
1. Elephants
2. Color Purple
3. Games
4. Soccer
5. Scrapping
6. Drawing
7. Playing with toys
8. Watching TV

Orange You Cute?

Here's another layout I created last week. This time I used a sketch from Got Sketch? blog. These are pictures Mier took of Cerise last January when she was only 4 months old and starting to gain weight already. I do believe this is my first 12x12 layout of Cerise. I have started her 8x8 album but will post that only when I'm done.

By the way, I used Basic Grey papers I got from Nette Madero of My Little Attic. Love how accommodating and generous Nette is. :-)

Thanks for looking!

Born to Ride

I did this layout yesterday and just finished it with the journaling today. I've been so productive! Yehey! Did more layouts but will post on the succeeding days. This one is based on Pencil Lines Sketch 233. Have you noticed that I've been using more of their sketches lately? :-) Love how easy to follow their sketches are and my layouts always turn out nice. Teeheehee!

My layout is of Nadine's summer 2011 activity: horseback riding! She really enjoys it and doesn't mind waking up at 530am to meet her trainer at 6. We are so proud of her!

Thanks for looking!

Title: Born to Ride

Journaling: For someone who used to be afraid of animals, you have come along way. I proudly watched as you rode your horse and trotted around the coral. It was your idea to have horseback riding lessons for the summer as you declared yourself as the horse trainer of our farm. :-) Daddy said that you have improved a lot since lessons began. You can lead your horse up and down inclined land and you did well when you went on the trail. You make us proud. You have always had. I love you!
Mom
14 April 2011

With Mama Didi

I was lucky enough to squeeze in some more scrapping time last week and was able to finish a layout based on Pencil Lines' Sketch 232. This photo was taken the day after I found out that I was pregnant with Cerise. We went to visit my paternal grandmother, fondly known as Mama Didi, and I was able to snap this picture of her and my older girls. Mama Didi is now 94 years old and her memory is as sharp as ever. I'm just glad that my kids are able to know and spend time with my grandmothers (My maternal grandmother is also still alive and is now 88 years old.)

Title: With Mama Didi

Journaling: Mama Didi is my 93 year old grandmother, your great grandmother. How lucky you are that you've reached her still well and able. January 2010

Orange Family

I love creating multi-photo layouts. I take tons of pictures and it is difficult to choose just one for a layout. Putting lots of pictures in a layout helps me trim the photos to highlight just my favorites.

I used a PageMap sketch again for this layout and love the clean and organized look. This is my first family layout for the year. These photos were taken during the girls' annual family day in school. We were part of the Orange Team (We used to be in the Green and the Red teams in the past.) and had so much fun during the event.

Thanks for looking!

Title: Orange Family

Journaling: Our family always look forward to the yearly Rosevale Family Day. It is always a day full of fun and bonding. This year we were part of the orange team. We joined the games, the hataw and the dance showdown. And our team won First Place. :-) January 23, 2011

Ready 4 School

Thanks to my six month old baby, Cerise, who slept well and long this morning, I was able to have some "me" time and scrap a page. :-) Hope to have more moments like this.

I used Pencil Lines' Sketch 231 for this layout of Alyssa's first day of school. She looked so cute in her school and PE uniform. Thanks for looking!

Title: Ready 4 School

Journaling: I wasn't sure whether to send you to big school or not. At 2 years and 9 months, you know your colors and shapes and can count from 1-20 very well. We made you fit the uniforms and sit in class just to see. There was no turning back afterward. You enjoyed school tremendously and continue to do so. May you enjoy learning always! We love you, Alyssa! June 2010

Charming Girl

A few weeks back I finished two layouts in one night. The layouts were of my two older daughters, Nadine and Raya. When she saw them, daughter #3, Alyssa, asked right away, "Mommy, where is me?"

"Oh, Sweetie," I replied, "You were the one I scrapped first. I scrapped about your feet the other night." I then showed her this layout.

She hugged me and hid her face in my neck. Then whispered in my ear, "I want you to scrap my face."

Hahaha! So, here is a layout of Alyssa's face. :-)

Title: Charming Girl

Journaling: You are a confident and self-assured little girl. You have such a sweet disposition and that lovable smile that light up our lives. You can charm your way into almost anything! And we love you for it. :-) -- Alyssa, age 2

10 Years and Counting

I realized that another way to get the scrapping mojo rolling is to join different challenges of different sites. Found out about Butterfly Crafts from my dear friend Ria Mojica who's on the design team. I thought I'd give their March Sketch Challenge a go. :-)

I made a layout using a photo from last year. This was taken during the girls' school Family Day event which coincided with our 10th year anniversary. Thanks for looking!

Title: 10 Years and Counting

Waiting for Our Plane

Can I say that I'm on a roll? Hahaha! Three layouts in a week? Phew! Unbelievable! I'm starting to get addicted again to this hobby! Can't stop thinking about layouts and sketches. Love the feeling, actually. Just had Cerise's pictures developed for her 8x8 album. Can't wait to get started!

In the meantime, here's another layout I finished the other night. Pictures were taken last Dec 2009 en route back to Cagayan de Oro from Manila. Just a simple layout but I love it! Used another PageMaps sketch for this. :-)

Title: Waiting For Our Plane

Journaling: You are such seasoned travelers! You certainly know how to entertain yourselves at the departure area. :-) Dec. 2009

2 Layouts for the Week

Found myself productive last night and finished two layouts! Woohoo! It helps to have a sketch and a kit on hand. I used sketches from PageMaps and some of my old Kenner Road kits. And when the two younger girls fell asleep, I was off to work. Finished the layouts in an hour and a half. Not bad eh? I'm so happy to have my scrapping finally moving. Will be working on Cerise's baby album soon. :-) Thanks for looking!

Title: Pure Smile

Journaling: I'm so glad Daddy was able to capture you and your innocent smile. They say a child's smile changes as she grows older and knows more about the world. I pray that you keep your child-like nature and outlook in life. I love you very much! Nadine - 8 years old, during First Communion

Title: Lil Pumpkin?

Journaling: You wanted to be a pumpkin for show and tell in school. We found an old orange cloth, put wire underneath and matched it with your orange pants and a green headdress. I'm not sure if you would pass for a pumpkin, but you sure looked so darn cute! I love you, Raya! - July 2009

Slip - Ons

Yay! My first layout for the year! I created this layout one evening while all the girls were asleep. Felt good to finally finish something! I plan to at least work on a layout once a week. Don't know how feasible that can be especially since the girls will be out from school soon. Hopefully, one a week can be done. :-)

So for my first layout, I used a sketch from Pencil Lines. Was going to submit it for the DT call but I missed the deadline since Cerise was hospitalized that same week. Oh well! Maybe next time.

Title: Slip - Ons

Journaling: You insist on wearing rubber flip flops even with your prettiest dresses. It was starting to annoy mommy! So we went to the store to get you new slip-ons. These are what you chose. :-) Alyssa - age 2. Jan. 2010

Card Up at Pagemaps

This is my first creative output for the year! Thank you to Becky Fleck of Pagemaps for helping me start the ball rolling. I actually finished the card as soon as it was given to me but wasn't able to send to Becky right away because Cerise, my 5 month old, was hospitalized for five days for amoebiasis. Good thing there was enough time to send the card last weekend in time for the reveal today. Check out the card map and the other works at the Pagemaps site. Hope this will be the start of more layouts to come. I still need to work on Cerise's baby album and update the albums of the 3 older girls. One at a time, I know. :-)

To Scrap Again

That is my goal for 2011. Have been in a year long hiatus since my pregnancy with Cerise and I sure am hoping I can start scrapping again. Soon, soon. In the meantime, I'm hoping I can win some Nikki Sivils blog candy from Ria Mojica to start the ball rolling. I think the prize paper collection would be perfect for Cerise's album. :-) Hope I win. :-)

Two Late Layouts

Gosh! I've neglected my scrap stuff for months now. The first few months of the pregnancy was really just very bad for me. Up to now while almost 6 months, I am still not A-ok and I also haven't touched my scrap things. I don't know when I'll get the energy to do so although I do read a lot of magazines and still surf the net for inspiration. I'll most likely go back to simple scrapping just to finish up my back log. Will see!

In the meantime, here are two layouts I've finished but failed to post. Alyssa has grown a lot since these photos and is all set to be a "big sister." I just hope I'll be able to continue to record and journal her milestones. :D

Title: Always My Baby
Journaling: A lot of things will change in the coming months. But know that I love you very much!

Title: First Haircut
Journaling: No traumatic first haircut for this little girl. She totally enjoyed the experience! Truly a girly girl! :) Alyssa - 2 yrs. Oct 17, 2009

Tree Planting B-day and 2 Curlies

No, I haven't been scrapping for the longest time now. But I still have a lot of layouts that haven't been posted. Here are 2 more using the Color Me Miki February kit:

Title: Tree Planting B-day

Journaling: We were surprised but happy that for your 8th birthday, you decided to have a tree planting activity in school. For such a girly girl, you were willing to get your hands dirty in order to plant trees. You and your classmates had so much fun. We are so proud of you! --- Nadine, Aug 31, 2009

Title: 2 Curlies

Journaling: Journaling: Since both Daddy and Mommy have straight hair, you must have gotten your curls from Ninong James. --- Alyssa, age 2

Hello Sippy Cups

Another one from the Color Me Miki February Kit.

Title: Hello Sippy Cups

Journaling: Six months ago, I weaned Alyssa from the breast. Now, she has weaned from the bottle. She drinks her milk through these sippy cups. My baby is growing up! Jan. 7, 2010

Always Room for One More

Here's another layout using the Color Me Miki February Kit. Was able to create 6 layouts with this kit and still have a lot of embellishments and letters for cards and other layouts. :D

Title: Always Room for One More

Journaling: Daddy and I feel truly blessed to have the three of you in our lives. You are our greatest joy! And there is so much love in our family. I'm sure you will love the coming sibling just as much. :)

Harmony

Have been feeling nauseous and tired most of the time. A lot of times, I find myself having difficulty sleeping too. To keep my mind off things, have been productive in the scrapping front. Here's a layout I created using Pencil Lines Sketch 172.

Title: Harmony

Journaling: I love it that you three get along so well. :)

Color Me Miki February Kits

The Color Me Miki February Main Kit, Erin's Folly, is sooo yummy!! It is bright and colorful, with papers from My Mind's Eye, My Little Shoebox and Prima. Made 5 layouts using this kit but still have lots of leftover embellishments and papers. Will definitely be using this again. Here are 2 of my layouts as posted on the Color Me Miki site. Will post the rest of my layouts within the month.

Title: Ice Cream Treat

Journaling: While waiting to board our plane at the airport, we went to get some ice cream first. Alyssa couldn't contain her excitement for the yummy gelato. :) Oct 2009

Love this stitched paper from Prima! Notice how the fringes at the bottom match Raya's grass skirt? Perfect!

Title: Natural Beauty

Journaling: This photo always makes me smile. You are so adorable! You have a way of charming people! You are much-loved. ---- Raya, age 4

Thanks for looking! Head on to the Color Me Miki Gallery to see the DT's work. :D