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

Time with Lola

This is my week's layout for Mothers and Daughters Creations. We followed Sketch #27 from 52sketches52weeks. I used SEI papers, Best Creations glitter cardstock and papers, Kaiser Craft papers, May Arts ribbons, Prima flowers and letters. :D

Check out the MDC blog site today or tomorrow (time difference. LOL!) for the other DT's take on the sketch. Thanks for looking!

Addictions

Cabbie challenges us at Journaling Junkie this week! Her challenge is to create a mini album (or a LO) about your favourite things. My layout is about my present addictions. :D

This challenge runs til the 14th of July. Do link to us to your layouts as we will be giving out a RAK at the end of the month. :D

Title: Addictions

Journaling:
My current addictions in no particular order (July 2009)
1. my family! - I get a serious case of separation anxiety when I don't know where they are or what's happening.
2. scrapbooking - This is my relaxation
3. my phones - Personalized to suit my needs. I even prefer the calculator here!
4. my computer - Need to check my email and blog every few minutes.
5. cooking - I love planning and making meals for my family

More Days

Here's another layout using the Studio Azul June Kit: A Spoonful of Sugar. I took this picture one afternoon when we were all at a cafe just enjoying the Saturday afternoon. I love Nadine and Raya's smiles here. These days they've been arguing and getting into fits with each other. They are both growing up and expressing their personalities already. But I know that they do love each despite their differences. I guess that's what sisterhood is all about. :D

I used Sketch #40 of Little Shop of Sketches.

Title: I wish for More Days like these

Journaling: Lately you've been getting into each other's nerves. This is just normal since you both have different characters and preferences. I know deep down you both love each other very much and will always be there for one another. I hope you both realize how important your sister is. Nadine - age 7, Raya - age 5

3 Miracles

When one hasn't scrapped for two weeks it gets kinda difficult to get the groove back. That's how I felt last night when I tried creating something. Thank God for coordinated kits! The layout I created last night didn't turn out the way I wanted to but I'm just glad I was able to finish it. Can't post it just yet, though. Maybe by next week.

In the meantime, here is a layout I started last week but finished last night. I used Studio Azul's June Kit: A Spoonful of Sugar. This kit is just sooo beautiful! I love the papers and all the embellishments. Perfect for my three girls, don't you agree?

Title: 3 Miracles

Journaling: There are times when I am dumbfounded and can't really believe that I have 3 beautiful daughters! You three constantly remind me of God's love for me and I will forever be grateful to Him for giving me three wonderful miracles. I love you all very much! Love, Mom 7-2009

Winner!

I haven't been scrapping for the looongest time! I know, I know! I miss it! And I hope to be more active in the next few days. The girls started school last week, we had the blessing of our new salon/spa and my MIL left yesterday. I hope to get my routine back anytime soon! Will have pictures developed today to get my groove back. :D

In the meantime, was pleasantly surprised to see my Lil' Charmer layout as one of the Twisted Sketches #001 Winners in the new challenge blog Twisted Sketches! I love Anam's site and will definitely be playing along the other challenges. Thanks Anam for picking my layout! :D

Enjoy your day everyone!

Lil' Charmer

The very talented Anam Stubbington just launched a new sketches website called Twisted Sketches. Her challenges are sketches with a twist, hence the name. :D This was her first sketch and my interpretation. :D Love these pictures of Alyssa! She really is a little charmer. :D Thanks for looking!

Title: Lil' Charmer

Materials: Bazzil cardtsock; MM Patterned Papers, ribbon and brads; Teresa Collins Patterned Paper; Me and My Big Ideas flourish rub ons; American Crafts vinyl thickers; Staedler pen; Marvy Uchida puncher; Prima floers; others: buttons

Walk a Little Slower Daddy

Here's my Father's Day layout for this year. Incidentally, this is also featured at Journaling Junkie this week. I love how this layout turned out. I love this picture of Mier and Alyssa taken on my birthday last February. I love the poem. I just love the overall feel of it. :D Thanks for looking!

Title: Walk a Little Slower Daddy

Journaling:
Walk a little slower, Daddy." said a little child so small.
I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;
So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.
Someday when I'm all grown up, You're what I want to be.
Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!!
~author unknown

Horse Trainer

This week's scrapbook challenge at Mothers and Daughters Creations is to use Mixed Media. I created this layout with some computer/digital usage. I typed my journaling and created a journaling note. I also printed my title. :D

I used Kaiser Craft and SEI Patterned Papers, Bo Bunny rub ons, Prima flowers and SEI Dill Blossom Ribbon all available at the MDC Store.

These pictures were taken during our Bukidnon trip last March. Right now, Nadine is into horses and has appointed herself as the "horse trainer" of the farm --- that will be her work, according to her. For someone who used to be afraid of animals, she has definitely gone a long way and we are all so proud of her!

Title: Horse Trainer

Journaling: Nadine, you insisted on riding the horse by yourself when we went to Bukidnon. This was because you appointed yourself as the Horse Trainer for the farm and felt that you needed practice. We love you very much! March 8, 2009

Materials: DCWV cardstock; Kaiser Craft Patterned Papers; Bo Bunny rub ons; Prima flowers; SEI Patterned Paper; SEI ribbon; assorted brads; Microsoft font Tempus Sans

No Ordinary Girl

This month at the Kaya blog, Janis asks us to take THE PEARL CHALLENGE. Details for the challenge are here.

This wasn't really easy for me simply because I realized that I didn't have many pearl embellishments. LOL! So I had to check and re check my materials and see what I could use for my "pearls." :D

I used one big brad conch from Imaginise for one of the flowers. I also used MM pearl pins as part of the photo corner. Oh, and I found photo corners from Jolee's Boutique with little pearls on them. I removed some pearls lang bec the photo corners didn't really match my layout colors. Hehehe!

By the way, I used Creative Scrappers Sketch #54 which was actually made by LG, another very talented scrapper. :D Thanks for looking!

Title: No Ordinary Girl

Journaling: You are all girly girl when it comes to dolls and dresses, cooking and princesses... But you prove that you are no ordinary girl when it comes to other things. You are tough. You are spunky. You are a daredevil. You speak your mind. You are unique and we love you very much! Raya - age 5

Materials: DCWV cardstock; Pink Paislee Patterned Papers and alpha stickers; MME butterfly die cut and tag; Making Memories pearl pins and journaling paper; Craft Express alpha epoxy stickers; 7 gyspises stickers; Imaginisce conch; Bazzil flowers; Prima flowers; Jolee's Boutique photo corner and pearls

Finger Lickin' Good

I apologize for not being able to post the past few days. It has been quite hectic here at home with different activities for everyone. I can't wait for my girls to start school so we can get into a more constant routine. :D

This month's challenge at Scrappin Kids is a great sketch challenge created by the SK Creative Advisor, Jessy.

Here's my take on the sketch challenge. I was so excited to capture Alyssa when she suddenly grabbed Raya's hand to lick the Cheeto crumbs off her fingers. We all burst out laughing when it happened. Alyssa is such a cutie!

Title: Finger Lickin' Good

Journaling: Alyssa wasn't content with just eating the yummy chessy Cheetos. She surprised us all when she suddenly grabbed Raya's hand and started licking and sucking her fingers with all her cheesy crumbs! Alyssa is so funny and cute! April 2009

Materials: Pink Paislee Patterned Papers and rub ons; Colorbox Ink; American Crafts vinyl thickers; assorted buttons and flowers; alpha strickers; Staedler pen

@36 Living, Learning and Being Thankful

This is my layout for Journaling Junkie' challenge to create a layout using "age" as a title. I decided to scrap about my present age and what I've learned and what I am presently thankful for. Journaling is quite lengthy but hey, that's why I scrap. :D

Incidentally, this layout was just accepted at the BG gallery. :D Oh and please take note that my 7 year old Nadine was the one who took the photo with my Nikon D60. Not bad eh? Looks like I have a budding photographer in my hands. :D Yup, proud moment for me!

Title: @36 Living, Learning and Being Thankful

Journaling:
I am thankful for many things --- simple things yet truly wonderful and life-changing things. A lot of times, we take for granted what we have in life: the food we eat, the clothes we wear or the air we breathe. There are times when we are consumed by the thought of the things we want or we think we need and fail to be appreciative of what truly matters.

I am thankful for electricity and water and the comfort that it brings into our homes. I am grateful for the Internet that has enabled me to communicate with a lot of families and friends and the wealth of information it brings. I am happy that we have a roof on our heads, a car to bring us around and good health for everyone.

One time Nadine simply commented, “I’m happy I have eyes to see.” I don’t know what she saw or what made her say that but her innocent comment made me ecstatic that she has learned to appreciate other things aside from the material ones. How many times have we taken our senses for granted? The colors and things that we see, the sweet sounds that we hear, the food that we taste.

I am deeply grateful for the ways we have all grown as a family the past few years- in ways we never expected we would have to. Our move to Cagayan was not an easy decision for us but with lots of prayers and discernment, we felt that this was best for our growing family. And somehow it has proven in itself. I am grateful for the conveniences the city brings, the car rides to school, the breakfast dates with my husband.

As a family, I feel we have grown closer to one another, knowing each other more and learning the little quirks that go with each personality. With this, we have learned to deal with the frustrations and obstacles that come with life. It has made us grow. Our life is far from perfect. There is still so much to strive for, to work on in our lives. But I am hopeful that with our goals in mind, anything can be achieved. It is, nonetheless, the journey that’s what matters most.

I am thankful for expressions of love, especially within our family. I know everybody is different when it comes to how much “love they show”, but I really believe that there is no such thing as “being too loving”. I love that my kids feel comfortable and it comes natural for them to kiss us and to say I love you. When we bring Raya to school every morning, she never fails to hug us and whisper, “I love you SOO much!” (Emphasis on the SOO.)

It really is a wonderful thing to pause for a few moments and realize the number of things we all have to be thankful for in life. No matter who we are or where we are. There are blessings when we choose to 'see them'.

In the Company of Friends

Here's another layout for Mothers and Daughters Creations. This is a picture of my two older girls, Nadine and Raya, with their friends taken when we went out of town last March. I used papers from Bo Bunny, SEI and Magenta. I used a ribbon from May Arts for my photo corner and a big brad from Imaginisce. Thanks for looking! :D

Title: In the Company of Friends

Journaling: During our road trip to Bukidnon, you had a lot more friends becasue Kimi, Lourdes and Jiana were around. :-) Nadine and Raya, ages 7 and 5

Two Layouts for Creative Scrappers

I finished two layouts using sketches from Creative Scrappers today. I usually work in the clubhouse while Nadine and Raya are doing their golf rounds. They're ending their summer session tomorrow with a tournament and an awarding session. Will have to look for another quiet moment to do my scrapping. :D

Title: Fun in Cavite

Journaling: Summer Memories April 2009

Title: Picked

Journaling: You love rummaging through my bag and playing with my wallet. Alyssa, 17 months