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

More Studio Azul layouts from Jan kit

I must admit, when I first saw the Studio Azul January kit, Inspirasi, I was apprehensive but intrigued with the kit contents. If you know me, the bold designs and colors are not really my style. So it was really a challenge to be able to make use of them.

I used the more subtle Basic Grey papers first for my layout, I Love You More Today Than Yesterday. Then after I've developed our school Family Day pictures, I thought the Tinkering Ink papers would be perfect for these. Then I found an old photo of my 3 girls' toes and I thought I can
use the kit again for this. I think I did fairly well. :D

Title: Green Family

Materials: Studio Azul Jan Kit (Bazzil cardstock, Tinkering Ink patterned paper, American Crafts layered embellishment), Scenic Route alpha stickers and lined paper, Staedler pen, Marvy Uchida scalloped square puncher

Journaling: We were part of the Green Team again during the Rosevale family Day. We all ahd so much fun! Feb 2009

Title: 30 Toes

Materials: Studio Azul Jan Kit (Bazzil cardstock, Tinkering Ink patterned paper, Basic Grey monogram letters, element stickers and patterned paper, American Crafts layered embellishments, gold ribbon) DCWV cardstock, buttons, flowers, Autumn Leaves stamps, Colorbox ink, Staedler pen

Journaling: My 3 perfect children watching a show together. May 2008

Joy x3

I have tons of my girls' photos --- extras from the ones I printed last Decemeber for calendars that I made. I decided to create this multiple photo layout using the Studio Azul November kit. Blue has always been my favorite color. :D

Title: Joy x3

Materials: Bazzil cardstock, Tinkering Ink, Basic Grey and American Crafts patterned papers, Sassafras lass arrow sticker and alpha stickers, Provocraft chipboard number, Prima flowers, MM brads, Maya Road flower chipboards, Craft Express rub ons, Staedler pen, Others: white rub ons

Journaling: Who would have thought 3 girls would give me so much joy? I thank God everyday.

I Love You More Today than Yesterday

The Kaya Challenge for February is Stitch Me A Song; create a layout incorporating stitches and lyrics of a song in it.

This wasn't an easy challenge for me. Mier and I are such music enthusiasts that it was difficult to choose the ONE song that would convey how I feel at this moment. In fact, most of my wedding layouts were our songs: As by George Michael, Putting All My Eggs in One Basket by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, So Lucky by Johnny Hartman and One Heart, One Heart from the West Side Story musical. (Pls have patience with my earlier layouts. Was still a beginner then. LOL!)

Anyway, I had these pictures that were taken during our 9th wedding anniversary last month. And after much thinking, I believe that this song that I chose is very apt for my layout. After 9 years of marriage, I can really say that my love for Mier has grown deeper and stronger since when we started out. And I do look forward to loving him more in the years to come. :-)

Title: I Love You More Today than Yesterday

Subtitle: But Not As Much As Tomorrow

Materials: "Inspirasi" Jan Kit of Studio Azul (Bazzil cardstock, Basic Grey papers and element stickers, Glitz Design paper, money envelope) Others: rub ons, buttons, ribbon, Fruit Smoothie Alpha Sizzlits on foam, DCWV cardstock, Prima flowers, MM brads, Sizzix tag die

Journaling in tag: Everyday's a new day in love with you, With each day comes a new way of loving you, I thank the Lord for a love like ours that grows ever stronger, And I will always be true, I'll be spending time with you.

Our Girls - Exploding Box

I have so many pictures of the girls from the calendars I made last Christmas. I decided to put these in an exploding box. I love the outcome! This would be a perfect Valentine's Day gift to them and to Mier too. :-)

Perfect Match

Mier and I were together for 7 and a half years when we tied the knot. Within those years, we broke up twice wherein the second break up was so serious that I though he was totally out of my life already. But I guess God had other plans for us. :-)

Here's my layout for Mothers and Daughters Creations Challenge this week. We were suppose to have a product challenge and a color challenge but since my kit hasn't arrived, I worked on using the colors red, white and teal on my layout.

I used SEI and Daisy Bucket Designs patterned paper, Scenic Route butterfly chipboard and alpha stickers, and Prima flowers. Thanks for looking!

Title: Perfect Match

Materials: DCWV cardstock, SEI and Daisy Bucket Designs patterned paper, Scenic Route butterfly chipboard and alpha stickers, Prima floers, MM and AAS brads, Autumn Leaves stamp, Colorbox Ink, Staedler pen, Fiskars lace border puncher, Others: buttons and mesh

Journaling: There is no doubt in my mind. We are definitely meant for each other. I love you! Dec 2008

BG Challenged No More!

I opened my inbox this evening and guess what I found? An email from Basic Grey saying that my layout, Silly, has been selected to appear in their on-line gallery. OMG!!

I admit, when BG first came out, I was intimidated with their big and bold designs. I never thought I'd really learn how to use the papers but I guess my style has evolved, somewhat. Hehe! I have actually been constantly challenged by their papers. So finally, after countless submissions into their gallery, I am recognized! I am no longer BG challenged! :-)

You can find me in the BG gallery here.

Silly

I have always enjoyed checking out the challenges in Scrappin Kids. My children are usually the subjects of my layouts because I simply scrap for them. And I just love how the SK RD come up with challenges that help me document their lives.

Here's my take for their Challenge #16. I used Creative Scrappers Sketch #37 for this layout. Thanks for viewing!

Title: Silly

Materials: Basic Grey papers and elemental stickers, Prima flowers and patterned paper, Bazzil Fancy Edges, MM brads, MME journaling paper, Fancy Pants chipboard, MM acrylic paint, Staedler pen, Scenic Route alpha stickers, Others: button, lace ribbon

Journaling: I can tell when you'd have enough of me taking your pictures. You start giving me these funny faces that make me continue clicking instead. You are such a silly girl! I love you! Raya age 5

What We Didn't Know 9 Years Ago

Mier and I celebrated 9 years of blissful union last January 24. How apt that Journaling Junkie's challenge is to create a layout with hidden journaling. Here's my layout:

Title: What We Didn't Know 9 Years Ago

Hidden Journaling:
· that we would have 3 beautiful girls · that patience is one of the most challenging virtues --- ever · that our parenting styles would balance and complement each other very well · that counting 1 to 10 is an effective way of making the girls think of their actions · that in as much as our children learn from us, we learn from them too · that seeing our little characteristics in them would give us great joy · that raising kids would be the most challenging and yet rewarding task we share · that watching each other love our girls would make our love for each other grow

Here's a close up of my journaling on a tag, hidden under the green spotted paper.


Thanks for looking!

To them I am....

As a mother, I wear a lot of hats for my children. I thought it would be fun to journal what I am to them, hence this layout. Thanks for looking! :-)

P.S. Nadine kept on laughing about #8. "But it's true isn't it?" I asked her. "Weelll, yeah...," she answered sheepishly. Hehehe!

Title: To them I am...

Materials: DCWV paper, Fancy Pants paper, Stripe paper (unkknown), American Crafts vinyl thickers, Prima flowers, MM bards, 7 Gypsies journaling card, Colorbox and Doodlebug inks, various stamps and flourishes

Journaling: To them I am...
1. food source
2. comforter
3. teacher
4. 'owwee' kisser
5. dresser of dolls
6. doctor
7. bather
8. butt washer
9. judge
10. driver

A Cousin For Us!

My girls were ecstatic to finally have a first cousin. When my sister-in-law, Sherly, gave birth last September, they were so excited to see Sabine and were constantly asking about her. But it was only last December, when we went to spend the holidays with them, did the girls start enjoying having her around. Sabine at 3 months was starting to smile and respond already. Here's a layout of my three girls with Sabine.

I didn't use patterned paper for this layout. A transparency, flowers, stamps and a journaling card completed the whole layout. I also used my flocking and foiling kit for the pink scalloped edge. I enjoyed doing that very much! Must use it more for my layouts. :-)

Title: A Cousin For Us!

Materials: DCWV cardstock, Fancy pants transparency, MM foiling and flocking kit, Prima flowers, MM brads, Studio Azul stamp, MME journaling paper, Staedler pen, Doodlebug alpha rub ons, AAS alpha foam stickers, flourish stamps

Journaling: The girls are thrilled to finally have a first cousin. They've been the only grandchildren for some time now. And they're so excited to get to play with Sabine. Dec 2008

Hold On

Here's a simple layout I made using Creative Scrappers' sketch #36. Thanks for looking!

Title: Hold On

Materials: Fancy Pants Patterned Paper and diecuts, DCWV Cardstock, Heidi Swapp big flower, Prima small flowers, MM brads, American Crafts alpha thickers, Sizzix bracket on foam

Journaling: All you need to do is hold on tight... and believe. Alyssa - Age 1

Wishing for Snow

For Mothers & Daughters Creations' last scrapbook challenge for the month, the design team members were tasked to create a winter layout. Now I thought I'd be having problems with this. For one, we live in a tropical country where snow is utterly inexistent. Likewise, we've never been abroad where there is snow. So what do I do? Then I remembered how my children constantly long to see and play with snow. I found some pictures of them pretending and imagining themselves in snow and thought I'd scrap that. :-)

I used papers from Best Creations Inc. and Imaginisce Paper. I also used May Arts Ribbons and a sticker journaling paper (I think this is My Little Yellow Bicycle).

Check out the blog site of MDC and see the awesome work of the other DT's. Thanks for looking!


Title: Wishing for Snow

Materials: Best Creations and Imaginisce Patterned Papers, DCWV Cardstock, American Crafts Alpha Thickers, May Arts Ribbons, Sizzix Round-A-Bout on foam, Prima flowers and Say it With Crystals, MM metal word, MM flower brad, Staedler Pen, My Little Yellow Bicycle journaling paper, Carl corner rounder puncher

Journaling: Living in a tropical country, we only have 2 seasons: wet and dry seasons. That's why you both bug me that you want to play with snow. But even if we don't have snow here, that won't stop you from pretending and imagining. I love you both! Love, Mom - Nadine age 7, Raya age 5

I Am a Domestic Engineer a.k.a. Homemaker a.k.a. Stay-At-Home-Mom

I used to prefer being called a Homemaker rather than a Stay-At-Home-Mom or a Housewife. I thought it gave more meaning to the gravity of what I actually do for my husband and my kids. Hehehe!

Then I stumbled upon the term "Domestic Engineer" in the Internet and thought this was so hilarious, but possibly true. A lot of people think that just because I am involved full time with my kids and my home that I have all the time in my hands to do other things. That is far from true! Indeed I am like an engineer, putting theoretical ideas into practical use whether it be in cooking, parenting, budgeting, etc. So for Journaling Junkie's challenge, I thought this would make a great page. :-)


Title: I am a Domestic Engineer
Subtitle: a.k.a. Homemaker a.k.a. Stay-At-Home-Mom
Materials: From various Studio Azul kits
Journaling: Job description:

• Manages the resources of the household. May perform general housekeeping chores and personal services, or may assign them to other members of the household or even employ people outside the household to do these tasks.
• Keeps the home clean and running smoothly. Cleaning tasks may include dusting, sweeping, making beds, washing and waxing floors, vacuuming, and a wide variety of other chores. Must make sure that clothing and household items are laundered, dry-cleaned, or mended when needed. Responsible for shopping for food, clothing, and other household needs.
• Responsible for planning, cooking, and serving many of the meals for their households. May make arrangements to have others cook meals in the home or to buy meals from outside sources.
• Tasks include to maintaining the household budget. May take care of bills, banking, tax filing, and other financial matters. Often responsible for day-to-day expenses, and sometimes long-range financial planning for the households. With other household members, may make decisions about buying insurance, taking vacations, getting loans, and other important matters.
• Have a great deal of responsibility for the care of children. If children are very young, must feed, dress, and bathe them. As the children grow, must be responsible for creating a happy, healthy environment that will foster positive emotional and physical development. Required to teach children good health and personal habits, and make sure that they have proper medical and dental care. May help them with their homework.
• Required to drive household members to and from their daily activities.
• Tasked to improve the appearance of their homes. May often decoarte houses or apartments. May paint or paper walls and ceilings, apply floor coverings, or refinish furniture. Sometimes may care for lawns and gardens.