Nothing but scrap!

Lazy... That's me...

2009-04-28T10:42:00.003+08:00

April 28, 2009

Tama ba naman yun na 2 months ang update ko at wala pa ako masabi?
Anyway, our bags are packed once again and me and my super housemates will be moving to the Purple Line. It's a much smaller place than where we are living now but it's quaint and quiet and easy to maintain (as far as cleaning is concerned). There was a little bit of drama about this moving thing but we are leaving all the malas together with this flat. Sayang lang coz here in Tampines we are near the malls (I will miss Uniqlo but it's going to be a one bus trip going here once we move so - yay still!).
Ugh... I have too much stuff... And my scrap stuff has been neatly tucked away.
Even if I haven't updated this blog it doesn't mean that I have stopped scrapping. I made several layouts and projects which I will soon share once I've unloaded all my stuff once again.
So May 2 (I think) is Scrapbooking Day. I'm seriously thinking of getting a Slice machine but it will depend on what MWL will have in store for next month. I hope I can get a good deal, though.
Come back again soon :)

PS. I am currently in bed resting. I have a back strain. Pain is really bad - I cannot make sudden or fast movements. I was prescribed 3 kinds of pain killers which makes me feel really drowsy.

Andaming Flowers...

2009-03-04T20:57:00.002+08:00

March 4, 2009

Eyelove...

0.25 lbs of Botanical Mix Wildflowers

They do not disappoint..

Thanks BG...

2009-02-18T21:50:00.005+08:00

February 18, 2009

I opened my email this morning to see an email from Basic Grey telling me that my January Facets layout has been chosen in the gallery:

See it here

Of dates...

2009-02-17T23:02:00.004+08:00

February 17, 2009 - it's my parents' 32nd anniversary

Which can only mean that come December I will be 32... yaiks!

I can't seem to add the date of entry in my blog so, til I figure it out I may have to type it out myself...

Hmm... My prowess is being tested...

You made my week...

2009-02-16T22:18:00.000+08:00

Thank you Irene for choosing my layout as LOTW 15 for Made With Love. I'm am honored.

Materials - Patterned Papers , Alpha Chipboard & Stamps: Basic Grey Porcelain; Cardstock: Bazzill; Alpha Stickers: Making Memories; Stamping Ink: Versafine; Rhinestone: Prima; Others: Water-color pencils, UTEE, Glossy Accents, Lace and Embroidery Floss

See it here as well.

2009

2009-01-16T01:18:00.000+08:00

I am currently updating and tweaking my blog. Since it's 2009 - a new year - I figured I'd have a new look.
Thanks for visiting. Please add me up in your RSS feed to get updates from me.
Cheers :)

Tomorrow

2008-12-01T21:42:00.000+08:00

A year older I am turning..

5 more days...

2008-10-18T11:26:00.000+08:00

And I will be coming home. I am so excited to see my family and friends again. This trip is actually an advance birthday gift from my parents who also promised to take me to this waterfall in Amadeo, Cavite that they have discovered (I smell photo op!). It's also very timely since it's my nephew Justin's 4th birthday celebration on the weekend that I will be home. It's also my favorite boss and very good friend Vivian's birthday who promised to treat me to a scrumptious meal at Contis (never been... I know...).

As I have mentioned on my previous post, I had a very hard September both personally and professionally. I thank God that I was able to come past the obstacles that came my way, but I did have a few meltdowns in the confines of my office space that worried my manager and officemates (I know they thought I was going to lose it any second now). My crying spells were so bad that my mom was already begging me to pack my things and go home for good. While that prospect at that time seemed irresistable, I knew that it was the easy way out. Obstacles are there for a reason and I knew that I had to face it head-on. I had to be strong for the sake of my parents, I know that they worry so much for my well being especially in this situation where I am far away from home standing by myself with nobody to turn to if things get ugly. I've leaned so many lessons in this experience and most of it painful, but you know the old adage 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' surely is true. I am a fighter now.

So I've moved to another place (yet again). I like it here - from my window I can see the park, it's sunny, accessible to places, and my housemates are really cool. In my case, I have to be wary of people I meet especially a fellow countryman/woman. My last housemates - to put it mildly - are arrogant, self-absorbed, greedy people, spawns of the devil who have no real decency in their bone. And although I want to rid myself of any hatred as it can only give you wrinkles, I just boil everytime I think of them. They are robbers of money and spirit. I know someday that what they did to me will come back to them tenfold. I know that it is very un-Christian to think of evil things to these three people, forgive me I am only human and my imagination can go up to the hills most of the time. So let's not discuss them any further.

I want to fill my life with love and music and flowers and chocolates... I am so crushing on him right now:

Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII

Go see The Tudors and you'll get what I mean (and Henry Cavill is hot-hot as well). If these kind of men do not turn you on, at least watch the show for the entertainment value (not as historically accurate as I would have hoped compared to the book The Wives of Henry VIII - yep! that's the nerd in me..).

And I will not let this post pass without sharing anything about scrapbooking. Here are some layouts I made:

boys

Materials: May Studio Calico Kit

so i wonder

Materials: Cardstock: Bazill; Patterned Papers: American Crafts; Chipboard: American Crafts, Maya Road; Overlay: Hambly; Sticker: 7gypsies; Paint: Making Memories; Others: American Crafts Pen, UTEE, Glossy Accents, Perfect Pearls

I am currently finishing a BAB for the Prima Contest. Imagine winning USD600 worth of flowers? Sweet!

Til next time!

Be Right Back

2008-09-28T21:06:00.000+08:00

I have much explaining to do for my long absence.
I'm currently packing up and moving to another apartment because my housemates from hell have been so unbearable that I've decided to leave this hell hole.. All I can say is that they don't know who they're messing with and I hope for their sake that they'll continuously watch their backs for safety from now on. Karma's a bitch you guys.
I'm itching to cut and paste but I've already packed most of my stuff and they were the first to be transferred - all packed and sealed. So I can't wait til October 1 to be reunited with them again.
Visit me again soon :)

It's August already?!?

2008-08-03T21:01:00.000+08:00

The next thing you know we'll be hearing Christmas carols again!

Last week out of boredom, I went to this place that I read in Leena's blog where she had a pictorial with her husband. I figured I'd go to this place and have a pictorial myself (alone - my friends were too busy doing i-don't-know what..) so I google-d the place and went there myself. Except for a couple of pedestrians and motorists, the place was quite deserted (nevermind that I was taking photos of myself - they may have thought that I was crazy or whatever). Still practicing with my photography and I'm still using my 50mm lens.

There are more pictures from where this came from (haha) so it'll keep me busy for a couple of weeks.

me today

All materials are from the Scarlet Lime July kit (gotta love SEI's Poppy Line).

there's gotta be more to life

Materials: Patterned papers, stickers and glitter: Making Memories; Cardstock: Bazzil; Chipboards: Cosmo Cricket & American Crafts; Alpha Stickers: American Crafts; Transparency: Hambly; Damask Stamp: Heidi Swapp; Others: This and That from June Scarlet Lime, UTEE, DMC, Glossy Accents

I was also able to finish the journal from the Studio Calico add on from May. I've enjoyed doing this journal that when I was finished, I have no idea what I was going to use it for (probably secret spending for my scraps... haha).

Material from the Studio Calico May add-on

Thanks for looking and have a blessed week ahead!

Reasons to smile

2008-07-22T22:21:00.000+08:00

This is something I made for the Label Tulip anniversary challenge. I paid homage to Leena Loh because I really love her work..

Materials - Patterned papers: My Mind's Eye, Basic Grey, Autumn Leaves; Chipboard alpha: Chatterbox; Stamp: Autumn Leaves; Stamping Ink: Versafine & Tim Holtz; Flourish and glitter: Doodlebug Designs; Mirror: Heidi Swapp; Paint: Making Memories; Die cut felt: Prima; Others: Stickles and American Crafts pen

I am loving Heather Bailey so much! Love the vibrant print and color. The new stamps of Autumn Leaves are just as gorgeous. I'm churning more layouts using these products.

I also started a couple of layouts using the SEI Poppy line... Love those as well - the reds and the blues and silvers.. And they have a paper named Pearl! How very cool is that? :)

Scrap fast, scrap slow

2008-07-06T21:26:00.000+08:00

I feel that there is quite an improvement on my scrapping time lately. I can actually finish layouts over the weekend. I've always enjoyed the luxury of time when it comes to scrapbooking - I am a la-di-dah kind-of scrapper, no pressures just taking my sweet time.

I am subscribed to Label Tulip and I've so far received the May and June kits. I love the LT kits! I feel like it's so easy to work with it. I feel guilty (sometimes...) because it takes me a while to finally open the kits and play with it. I try to at least make 2 layouts out of the kits that I am currently subscribed to, and I know that I have to maximize these kits since I've cut my LSS visits to just twice a month (a whole lot of restraining since some CHA summer goodies are already available for picking - ugh! Will I be able to refuse the Heather Bailey paper and stamps?)

This layout is actually my slow scrapping - took me two days to finish..

look here

Material: June LT kit; Others material - Stamps: Fontwerks; Stamping Inks: Tim Holtz and Staz-On; Rhinestones: Prima; Felt Shapes: KI Memories; Button: Daisy Ds; Epoxy Sticker: Sei; Paint: Making Memories; Pen: American Crafts; Patterned paper: Cosmo Cricket; Ribbons and staple wire

My fast scrapping is a record - even for me. I finished this layout in 3 hours! It turned out quite freestyle - I love the simplicity and whimsy of this layout.

all you wanted

Materials: May LT kit; Others - Buttons: Autumn Leaves; Ribbon: May Arts; Alpha Sticker: Doodlebug Designs; Pen: American Crafts; Stickles

Have a great week!

You fell asleep here...

2008-06-30T22:06:00.000+08:00

Was my first thought when I wanted a really clever name for the bookmark I was going to make. But I will be saving that for a future project (I actually stumbled upon a website about a bookmark saying just that, but age got the best of me and I forgot where in cyberspace I saw that).

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill; Alpha Stickers: Doodlebug Design and Making Memories; Sheer flowers: Maya Road; Felt Flower: KI Memories; Stamp: Purple Onion Designs; Stamping Ink: Tsukineko; Brad: Making Memories; Ribbon: May Arts
* finally got to use the Fiskars puncher

Sure there are ready made bookmarks for purchase anywhere, why not buy? I just wanted to do my own (what with a ton of scraps laying around).

Notice I've now watermark-ed my pic.. It's just protection if in case somebody was insane enough to grab photos of stuff that I have made. We can never be too safe now - what with the technology and transparency we have on the internet. Most - if not all - of us are sharing our work in good faith but some of us can fall prey to predators and leechers (it's sick and unacceptable but it does happen). So my friends, watermark before you become a victim.

So I've finally picked up a book again. A few posts ago, I mentioned about 'Dreams from my father' by Barack Obama and I finally snagged a copy from my friendly Harris bookstore. I did go a li'l wild and picked up these as well:

An excerpt from 'Me talk pretty one day'

'The Italian was attempting to answer the teacher's latest question when the Moroccan student interrupted, shouting, "Excuse me, but what's an Easter?" The teacher called upon the rest of us to explain. "It is a party for the little boy of God who call his self Jesus. He die one day and then he go above of my head to live with your father. He weared of himself the long hair and after he die, the first day he come back here for to say hello to the peoples. He nice, the Jesus."

Hilarity... I almost guffawed in the bookstore when I read this..

On other scrappy news, our June SC Kit was short-shipped! Our add-ons were not shipped together with the main kit and we may have to wait for a few weeks for it to arrive. The May kit was short shipped as well and since we went crazy with the July add-ons, we are crossing our finger that this won't happen again.

Have a great week ahead!

The Middle Child

2008-06-22T13:26:00.000+08:00

Here's another layout that I was able to finish last weekend..

the middle child

Justin is the second born son of my brother. He is three years old and had just started nursery school this year. We've noticed that since Terrence was born, he is always clamoring for the attention of the adults, which most of the time turns into a screaming fit with the parents, grandma, yaya and even from Kuya Wacky. Nevertheless, even with the crazy antics he sometimes pull-off, he is a really sweet kid..

I did the hidden journaling in a playing card..

Materials - Patterned papers: Creative Imaginations, Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey; Die cuts, epoxy tag & paint: Making memories; Gel blossom: Heidi Swapp; Velvet Alpha: American Crafts; Small alpha: Carolee's; Rub-on: Cosmo Cricket; Brads: JoAnn's; Rhinestones: Prima; Stamp: Purple Onion; Stamping Ink: Versafine; Others: Slick Writer, floss, metal butterfly, playing card and fabric from Qtea Kits

One of a Kind

2008-06-20T23:53:00.000+08:00

Our bunso Terrence is at the stage where it is so easy to make him giggle...
Making rosettes is one of the things I've recently discovered. Google-it and find out how to make one, it makes your work a step more 'hand-made'.
I also used the Doodlebug Crushed Velvet Flock, still needs a little work though on how to make it more polished..

Materials used - Patterned Papers: Creative Imaginations & Cosmo Cricket; Die Cut Paper: KI Memories; Transparency: Hambly; Buttons: Autumn Leaves; Epoxy Stickers: SEI; Rub-on: My Mind's Eye; Gel Heart: Heidi Swapp; Alpha Stickers: Carolee's; Stamp: Cat's Life Press; Stamping Ink: Versafine: Chipboard: Magistical Memories; Flock: Doodlebug Designs; Wood Flourish: Kaiser Crafts; Mirror Bird: Heidi Swapp; Others: Stickles, Zig Pen, floss and glittered tulle.

I remember...

2008-06-20T22:18:00.000+08:00

Going to Universal Studios in LA and meeting Shrek..

* from my earlier scrapbook pages *

I hope he's doing fine after the fire that hit the theme park a few weeks back. I have some really fond memories there - wandering alone, queuing (?) to get into the Backdraft studios, drinking a liter of Coke from my Spongebob sipper, the crazy cool Mummy ride..
I heard and read that the studio lot where those sets that replicated the streets of New York, sets of Back to the Future, the semi-scary Jaws were badly damaged by the fire. I wonder if the set of Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives and the crashed plane from War of the Worlds were counted as casualties. Sayang naman...
I'm really grateful that I was able to go to this place.. I really hope to someday go back - and hopefully Universal Studios will be as glorious and magical as ever.

Tagged by Tin

2008-06-14T12:41:00.000+08:00

Thanks Tin!

Here are the tagging rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Post these rules on your blog
3. Share six (6) unimportant things about yourself
4. Tag six (6) people at the end of your entry

Unimportant Facts about Me!

1 I use the Lush 'KARMA" soap as air freshener in my room (I hang it in the aircon and moisten it once a week to revive the smell)
2 I always wear my eternity ring in my left middle finger and feel restless when I'm without it
3 My mom and dad still calls me 'Baby'
4 I love PhoBac's Chicken Pho and spring rolls - and I have to have those at least once a week..
5 I miss driving in BF Paranaque (where I usually hang anytime of the week with my friends to eat dinner, drink coffee and buy 'DIBIDI')
6 I no longer wear shoes with heels (because of the minimum 1 hour walk/stand I have to endure on most days)

To those who have read this post, consider yourselves TAGGED! :)

Some-n-some

2008-06-08T14:52:00.000+08:00

Since my last post, I have actually finished a couple of layouts..

i am

I've been practicing taking my own pictures in front of a mirror, I still have to master focusing and looking at the camera. This is my current avatar on forums and PM.

May Scarlet Lime Kit
Others material used are - Sheer die cut: Maya Road; Stamping Ink:Tsukineko; Pen: American Crafts

silly

This was taken on my last vacation in Manila. I have been pestering my brother to take me to Bonifacio High Street since I've never been there. It was supposed to be my and Hem's bonding time (naks!) but his middle child Justin, who was kicking and screaming, wanted to tag along. Armed with my camera, I used father and son as my subjects and needless to say Justin was more camera-hungry than his Dada. He is obviously a ham in front of the lens!

May Studio Calico Kit
Other material used are - Die Cut: Jenni Bowlin; Alpha Stickers: Making Memories; Misc lace ribbon

a new passion

More self portrait. I have to learn how to take my own pictures since I am alone most of the time when I go out (only because my friends Joy and Marian live in another 'kampong').

Materials: Patterned papers: Making Memories, American Crafts, Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Die cuts: Making Memories; Alpha Stickers: American Crafts; Stamps: Purple Onion Designs, Fontwerks; Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket; Rhinestones: Kaiser Crafts; Stamping Ink: Tim Holtz's Distress Ink and Tsukineko; Ribbons: Creative Imaginations, Making Memories; Pen: American Crafts; Floss

oh boy

This is my Scrap-N-Crop entry for the April Design Team Challenge. All my nephews had this habit of sucking three of their fingers when they were babies. This picture of Jaden is so cute - see how round his cheeks are!

Materials: Patterned papers: Creative Imaginations, Cherry Arte, Tinkering Ink, Kaiser Crafts, Basic Grey; Alpha: American Crafts; Chipboard: Bazzill; Stamp: BasicGrey; Stamping Ink: Versafine; Glitter: Doodlebug Designs; Pen: American Crafts; Floss

Treats

2008-06-08T13:21:00.000+08:00

Yipee...I now have my own..Thanks parkavenueprincess for selling and holding it for me..

Here in SIN we are still feeling the aftershock that is CHA Winter 08. The new wares are just pouring in week after week (see here and here). The kits that I am subscribed to right now pretty much covers what I need (and more),but sometimes if the new products are too hard to resist, goodness help me but I ain't gonna deprive myself for a li'l some-n-some. Last week on a Wednesday I met CK at LP to get my SC kits. A supposedly short meeting turned into an hour of conversation about scrapbooking (and little trinkets of life and travel). Since it was a Wednesday night, we had the chance to see the new products that were going to be sold the next day. I picked these up:

because (a) it was the last piece on display ; (b) I thought the packaging . I also got this:

The colors are so alive and I like that it's sort of 'androgynous'. And I think the combination of yellow and black is fantastic!

Note: I got 10 stamps for my VIP card because of the total purchase. Okay,before you guys say HOARD, CK was generous enough give me her share of the stamps, and LP was still in NS month spirit so for a minimum total purchaseof $**#!, you get 20% off the total receipt and double stamps! How's that for fastracking my membership?

The next day to unwind after an over-the-top crazy day in the office, I wentto MWL because I saw that the new HS mirrors were already available. I got to MWL so late (around quarter to 9pm, they were already about to close shop) that this is the only mirror left on the display rack:

I am sort of clueless sometimes when it comes to birds, but I thought I can use it on some Jaden layouts. And the coolest thing is there are so many things you can do to the mirrors, like masking, adding rubons, and gasp! -use a flourish stamp on a glue pad and pour some of that really nice crushed velvet flock for texture! But leaving the mirror be is just as cool, I think.

I read how a DT member of Art Declassified loves the new Adirondack Pigment Inks. Since I got 2 stamps from Stampers Anonymous (the Tim Holtz designs are really good):

I might as well pick two pads to try out. The ink pad is really wet so a little dab on the stamp was actually enough to cover an area. Although I am admittedly not an expert at stamping, I am loving the Adirondak pigment inks.

Note: How do you store your inkpads? I read a very, very long time ago that in order for the stamp pads not to dry up easily they should be stored upside down. Dunno if this is true but I do have stamp pads from 2 years ago that I store that way and they are still pretty much use-able. But would you guys know also if there is a shelf life for ink pads? Just curious...

I have too much paper...But ledger, notebook and graph prints as the base for my layouts I always find charming (hey, that's just me..). So I bought a few from Luxe, Sandylion and Creative Cafe.

Something to look forward to...T minus 20 days... It was on a special price and I didn't want to lose sleep thinking of what might have been (been there and it's not fun).

Still here...

2008-05-26T23:28:00.000+08:00

To say that work is busy is an understatement...

And I am in a state of emotional wreck of deciding whether being here in SIN is for me or not (yes after a year this still bugs me big time).. I've just come back from from my vacation in MNL and believe me when I say that I would not let go from my mommy's arms (I know, I am such a big baby). I am really praying hard that things work out for the best whatever it is that I've decided...

I will be updating my blog as soon as I can. I have finished a couple of layouts that I want to share but in the meantime, some of it is posted at Scrappin' Moms so please do check them out there and give our Filipino scrapping community some love by joining and participating in the forum.

On a scrappy note, this is the mess that I left in my room:

It's a tranny mess lemme tell ya...

On a happy note... yippie! I am getting this tomorrow! But I am so not visiting any LSS this month since I blew all my lunch money for this and this and this and this..

Later...

Crazy Love

2008-04-07T21:53:00.000+08:00

Finally opened and played with the March SC kit. I realized I haven't really made a layout of my brother and his wife.. I love these photos because it captured how they really are.. crazy! Haha... Love them both..

Some close-ups

I love the mix of the colors in this kit.. However, I admit that at first with all the papers and embellishments in front of me, I found myself stumped for a while. But I did get a lot of inspiration from the gallery.

Can I just say that the Doodlebug alphas rrrockk! Haha..

Scallops are hot! I mixed tiny scallops and medium scallops and just dotted the edges of the medium scallops 'coz... well, coz I just wanted to :)

Additional material I used are Robin's Nest pebbles (love, love these!), Making Memories tiny alpha stickers and Maya Road clear ribbons (they feel like those clear bra straps - rubbery and stretchy - so cool!).

Fly A Kite

2008-04-02T23:03:00.000+08:00

Seriously loving it...
Thanks CK for organizing..
More than enough reason to scrap, scrap and scrap some more...

We have mail!

2008-03-23T19:48:00.000+08:00

From this:

To this:

And these are some close-ups of the finished project:

I had some patterned paper from last year that I haven't used and are now a little outdated (casualties of hoarding). I was very inspired to do weaving for some reason so that's what I did.

I got this idea from a magazine to make shapes and layering for outdated papers. And so that's what I did. All the shapes are freehand cutting.

This is our actual street address in Manila.

Thanks to Artzdescrap for providing the letter holder!

Pinoyscrapbookers Round Robin Challenge

2008-03-10T23:19:00.001+08:00

I can finally post my layout for the first ever Pinoyscrapbookers Round Robin Challenge. And how cool is it that the challenge was featured in the Scrappin' Mom's Scrapbytes E-zine! Please visit the site here to see the creativity that spanned for almost 6 months!
It's just today that I read the whole article regarding for the Challenge and I almost fell in my chair when I read my name as a special mention. In a way, Ria was right - I was always almost called by my teachers not because I was an out-of-the-box thinker but because I was really talkative... haha... Thanks to those who have appreciated my interpretation. I'm looking forward to the next challenge! And kudos to everyone who have participated.

Materials: Patterned Papers: Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye, Luxe Designs; Cardstock: Bazzill; Alpha Stickers: American Crafts; Stamps: October Afternoon & Technique Tuesday; Stamping Ink: Technique Tuesday and Tsukineko; Ribbon: Maya Road; Rhinestones: Kaiser Crafts; Thread: DMC; Pen: Zig; Others: staple wire and foam dots.

Loving the Mini...

2008-03-10T22:13:00.000+08:00

So far, I have finished one mini album - which was a Basic Grey bracket album. I have so far covered 3 (haha... no pictures to showcase yet). I really like the chipboard album from Francheville - hope I spelled it correctly - they are currently available at Spotlight.

MY FAVORITE THINGS

This is a 6x6 white chipboard album - the cover is actually a spin-off of an Ali Edward's project. I'm still in the process of collecting and capturing pictures of my current favorite things. I'll post the finish album once it's done.

So far my materials are: Chipboard album: Francheville; Laser diecut: KI Memeories; Transparency: Hambly; Chipboard Bracket, alpha stickers: American Crafts: Fabric alpha: Scrapworks (yep! I still have those!); Patterned Paper: Me & My Big Ideas; Pen: Uniball Signo & Zig; Old Script Stamp: Purple Onion; Stamping Ink: Tsukineko; Glimmer Mist: My Tattered Angels

THE JOURNEY SO FAR

This is an 8x8 white chipboard album that I completely painted with acrylic and crackle medium. I actually did this the long method - see I actually painstaikingly did all the pages day by day, first covering the pages in red acrylic paint, applying the crackle medium, then cream acrylic paint. Once the crackle started to show and the cream acrylic dried, I applied glimmer mist (I soooo love this stuff!). I was able to find a booklet full of oriental images at MWL used for ATCs and I thought it was really befitting to the current project I have. Marian, my friend, saw this mini-album and she's begging me to make one for her - I told her sure, as long as she pays for the materials! haha..
This album will be all about my Singapore experience. See how time flew by - I've been here for almost a year now! I still miss home like crazy. I want to finish this before I hit exactly a year (April 24), I think that this will be a good visual diary of my life while living in another country. I'll post the finish project soon.

So far my materials are: Chipboard album: Francheville; Paints: Making Memories; Crackle Paint: Derivan; Glimmer Mist: My Tattered Angels (see how much I love this stuff!); Old Script Stamp: Purple Onion; Stamping Ink: Tim Holtz; Die Cut: Jenni Bowlin; Alpha stickers: American Crafts; Sticker: 7Gypsies: Button: Autumn Leaves; Ribbon: May Arts; Wood Flourish and Rhinestone: Kaiser Crafts; Glitter: Stickles

Lucky

2008-02-24T16:08:00.000+08:00

I was inspired to do a layout using sketch #72 from Pencillines. Here's my take:

(Patterned paper: October Afternoon, Making Memories; Die-cut , glitter paint & brad: Making Memories; Photo corner: Daisy D's; Chipboard letters: Heidi Swapp; Buttons: Autumn Leaves; Ribbon: May Arts; Rhinestone: Kaiser Crafts; Pen: Staedler; Others: Stickles & DMC thread)

See how serious I look in this picture? nyahaha.. That's just for show..

Have a great week ahead!

Why I love the weekends..

2008-02-17T20:14:00.000+08:00

Because I get to scrap all day!

TIME

A pic of me and Marcy in one of those goofy moments...

(Patterned papers: Imagination Project, Tinkering Ink, KI Memories, Basic Grey; Alpha sticker: American Crafts; Journaling spot & Girl Chipboard: Maya Road; Photo corner: Daisy Ds; Felt Embellishment: Queen & Co.; Rub-on: Colorbox; Rhinestone: Kaiser Crafts; Die-cut & Stamps: Making Memories; Transparency: Hambly; Glitter: Doodlebug Design & Stickles; Pen: Staedler)

WIDE EYE WONDER

J3 has grown so much since I last saw him. And this picture is just begging to be scrapped!

(Patterned paper: Jenni Bowlin Studios, KI Memories, Luxe Design, Basic Grey; Alpha stickers: American Crafts & Heidi Swapp; Cardstock sticker: Fontwerks; Photo corner: Daisy D's; Stamp: Autumn Leaves; Stamping Ink: Tsunkineko; Glitter: Stickles; Pen: Zig)
Here's to a new week! Have a good one!

Scrappin' Kids A Tag! Charity Drive

2008-02-17T11:54:00.000+08:00

These are going to the mail tomorrow. I hope the kids from Club Rainbow enjoy these as much as I have enjoyed making them!

(Flowers: Prima; Stamps: Purple Onion, Cat's Life Press, Making Memories, Technique Tuesday, Autumn Leaves, Gel-a-Tins; Stamping ink: Tsukineko, Ranger; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Buttons: Autumn Leaves; Eyelet & Brad: Jo-Ann's; Paints & Glaze: Making Memories; Glitter: Stickles)

Help Scrappin' Kids reach their target 250 tags! Visit the Scrappin' Kids Care site here.

From me to all of you...

2008-02-14T20:42:00.000+08:00

Call me amateur...

2008-02-07T20:07:00.000+08:00

It's baby's field trip to the zoo!
So I did a little practicing with my camera with what I know so far from reading the user manual. I was actually advised to practice taking pictures of flowers so that I can get a feel of the settings of the camera. Despite the sweltering heat in the zoo, I actually enjoyed the day taking photos.
Enjoy the spring flowers!

Hello J3!

2008-02-01T22:43:00.000+08:00

Say hello to the new addition to our family, Terrence Jaden. Nope, he's not mine.. He's my brother's third son.. He's so adorable!

Materials: Patterned Papers: Creative Imaginations, Daisy Bucket (Pia - if you're reading this, finally I was able to use DB! Ü), Sassafras Lass, Basic Grey; Cardstock: DCWV; Plastic Bracket and Alpha Stickers: American Crafts; Sheer journaling spot: Maya Road; Rhinestone: Kaiser Crafts; Pen: Zig; Thread: DMC.

NKOTB Forever...

2008-02-01T22:30:00.000+08:00

Found this article on Today (free newspaper here in SIN):

I am really psyched! Finally! Believe it or not, my heart still skips a beat everytime I hear any of their songs.
My favorite New Kid is Jordan Knight... Sigh... Such a dreamboat.. And who the hell cares if he's nearing 40?!? He's still hot!

Gong Xi Fa Chai

2008-02-01T21:28:00.000+08:00

I don't know what Chinese langauge this is but it must be the same as Kung Hei Fat Choi (A little help here please?). This is my first Chinese Lunar New Year - as in with actual people celebrating it. The closest celebration I have ever experienced was watching a dragon dance being performed in my previous company and eating tikoy. When I came back from my holiday in Manila, there were already some establishments laden with decorations of red and gold, fortune plants, gold rats and small trees of kumquats (correct my spelling and if I'm wrong, sa atin pang mga pinoy eto yung tinatawag nating kiat-kiat). It will be a 2 day holiday for me (as mandated by the government), but most of the offices will be closed starting on Feb 6 til Feb 11. Most of the shops and malls will be closed during the entire holiday so there is not much left to do but hang in the house or the park (and for me, to scrap!)...

So I took baby on a field trip today to capture some of the decors set here in Suntec:

My happy place...

Chinese lanterns...

Real live trees with those little oranges (kiat-kiat)

Suntec Tower One - where my office is located... It's one of those rainy days...

Lobby of the Suntec Convention Center

Flowers from the walkway of Suntec to Citilink

View from the walkway... see the Singapore Flyer?

CNY decorations at Citilink Mall

Art deco / Bas Relief at Citilink

This is my current world... Just sharing...

Baby is finally here!

2008-02-01T21:18:00.000+08:00

Yes I've wanted to buy a DSLR for the longest time and I am happy that finally I was able to purchase one.. What makes this buy really sweet is that I bought it with my hard earned money - katas ng OFW baga.. It's really a good thing that SIN has the best priced technology equipments/gadgets in Asia Pacific (at least I think so!). From what I know this model in Manila will cost about PHP35K (around SGD1250) for the kit.. This kit I bought ataround PHP25k. Prior to purchasing, it was actually a toss up between the D80 and D40x, but after reading reviews and forums, for a newbie like me, the D40x fitted my needs and budget. I also bought a filter, extra battery and a 2gb card to get me started. The shop owner in Funan was very helpful in giving me tips. He actually took the time to make sure I made the right purchase - making me choose from a Canon 350D and D40x. Canon is actually more expensive (like almost SGD200+ more) and the generic lenses, like Tamron etc, can be used with Canon.. But I like the body and sleekness of Nikon. Right now, I am still tweaking with the 18-55mm lens from the kit, but hopefully once I've mastered the manual settings, I'd be able to upgrade to a better lens. It's just now I'm realizing that the camera purchase doesn't really end with the camera alone 'coz now I have to buy baby's accessories like a cleaning kit, bag, dry case, CD's for the photos I've taken (unless I want my laptop to crash).. Hay.. Kayod-kayod..
But I am happy!

Woohoo!

2008-01-23T22:03:00.000+08:00

Me so happy!!!

My first time to be on an international idea gallery - and for Basic Grey no less!

http://www.basicgrey.com/catalog/idea_gallery_info.php?idea_gallery_id=26168

Here's hoping that I will churn more BG layouts and projects and they will be approved for the gallery..

Smack 'em!

2008-01-21T23:12:00.000+08:00

So I have this habit of reading scrapsmack.blogspot.com to amuse myself. Most of the time, I get really practical ideas on how to manage your stash and read scrapbooking insider news and gossips. I know that this is the site were the 'ugliness' of the scrapbooking world are laid out, but this time it got to the point where it got really downright offensive. Some posters have openly insulted Filipinos - calling us dog eaters and conniving b*tches. Atf irst, I did feel my blood boil and I wanted to post and retaliate in defense. But my senses got a hold of me. If I did post and gave them my fair share of insults, then I am no better than these ignorant posters. I find it ironic that such ugliness can come out of 'scrapbooking'. Okay, there are really some people who take scrapbooking seriously, but there are also some of us who view it as just that - a hobby. It's scrapbooking for goodness sake! These people have their panties in a wad, seriously. They would downright go that low just to prove what? That they are superior because of the color of their skin? It's really absolutely ridiculous that I won't say a word about it anymore (yes, this is me being passive aggressive). I won't go that road.
Just venting..
God bless the Philippines!

2008 NA!

2008-01-21T21:59:00.000+08:00

Time flew by so fast, didn't it?
Anyway, I've finally managed to make a layout.. Still recycling photos until my new baby arrives..This is my entry to this month's Kaya Challenge:

I am a Basic Grey lover.. But I seem to be collecting the papers more than I am using them. Two Scoops is the newest line from BG that features these really absolutely gorgeous stamps that I JUST HAVE TO HAVE in my ever growing stash. The new collection features mainly pastel colors which are really nice. I scrambled at the local LSS just to get these papers and stamps as soon as I read that they were already available for picking - er, buying..

On other products, I am absolutely crazy about this stamp set from October Afternoon that came together with the November SOMO kit:

I can't wait to use them on my layout!

I've also managed to finish an altered Monogram, inspired by the artzdescrap challenge (actually this monogram has been naked for quite a while):

Most of the materials are from Autumn Leaves (patterned paper, flourish & butterfly stamp and button), other materials I used are Heidi Swapp flowers and damask stamp, May Arts Ribbon, Technique Tuesday, StazOn and Tim Holtz inks, and Stickles. I actually completed all the wooden monograms to spell my name - enough to keep me busy in the weekends. I am also trying to alter more this year. I bought a wooden ribbon dispenser and wall hangers from Spotlight that are just itching to be 'made-over', will post the finish products soon..

An hour to spare..

2007-12-01T22:49:00.000+08:00

I mean seriously...
If it isn't enough that the biggest scrapbooking store in Southeast Asia is here, they have to open a bookstore just a stone's throw away from my office. I will not be surprised if I will not be able to save a single cent from all of these retail therapies I've been doing.
During my lunch break today I decided to drop by at Harris/Popular. I figured since I am a fast eater I would browse by the store for a few minutes to see what they have in the store. Popular is just like National Bookstore - more of supplies and maybe a few good books. But this one is
different, although they still have supplies it is more of Powerbooks than it is NBS. Usually, if I wanted to browse quickly, I'd go to MPH (along CitiLink) or Times (just above MWL). On days that I am in the mood to really take my time to choose books or just hang, I'll go to Orchard where Borders and Kinokuniya is located. Now that there's a decent bookstore that I can
visit during the weekday, it will now be too impossible for me to get out during the weekends..

I like the Harris store.. It's bright and not so crowded.. My few minutes turned out to be a full hour just browsing for titles (which left me no choice but to grab a baguette at Delifrance). Although I still miss Powerbooks because you can pick up a book or a magazine and you can actually sit and stay in the store the whole day and finish a novel.
I love books.. I try to broaden my literary palette by picking up books beyond the bestseller rack. My affinity for books started with Archie, and eventually to Sweet Valley, Danielle Steele, VC Andrews, The Vampire Chronicles, Socrates to Saarte, Holocaust and the Catholic Church,
anything about the Priory of Scion and Mary Magdalene (yes, I fell into that trap). No self-help books about love, marriage or mars and venus but I did read The Art of Seduction (love the book, but never had the nerve to try the 'art').
I've always wanted to write something myself, maybe get published. Or maybe speak eloquently. But for now my word play revolves around writing emails, and previously, giving out trainings on how not to get electrocuted (being a H&S person)..
Anyway, I did pick out a book (and that elusive UHU Twist & Glue bottle!). With the smorgasbord of choices, I ended up buying something I've already read (The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova) - it's just that I can't make up my mind! And I super love this book anyway so it was worth reading all over again (paging my ex-office mate - I want my 'The Historian' in trade paperback back!). But I'll definitely pick up 'The Art of War' by Shu Tzu (illustrated) before I go home for the holidays...

Guess who is turning 30..

2007-11-19T20:09:00.000+08:00

T minus 14 days...

I can't hardly wait..

Rest in peace, Joel..

2007-11-15T22:34:00.000+08:00

Please whisper a short prayer for our dear friend, Joel Mendoza, who passed away due to heart failure. He was my one of brother's barkada. I have known Joel for almost 17 years, my brother and his group of friends practically grew up together. Joel's house was the headquarters of my brother Hem and his friends and I would often be at his house to fetch the gang when they are out playing basketball or jamming (they have a rock/cover band) or to borrow/return his drum set. A few hours before he died, their group of friends including my brother were at his place for a mini reunion. So I can just imagine the devastation they are feeling right now upon hearing his demise. Joel, wherever you are, thanks for the memories.. We know that you are in God's kingdom playing your drums and shooting some hoops.. Keep an eye on usf rom up there.. You will be sorely missed..

Retail Therapy - Nov 15, 2007

2007-11-15T22:04:00.000+08:00

ATE! Nagpanic-buying ka nanaman!!!

But the cutest find of all...

But I am proud to say that I was on budget for this visit.. But I'll definitely be back this weekend because I have yet to browse the Creative Cafe and Creative Imaginations goodies.. Skyflakes for lunch next week.. Hay...

See this week's new arrival at Made With Love here

MAYA ROAD is coming to town!

2007-11-14T22:10:00.000+08:00

Actually, Caroline Lau - founder of Maya Road- is coming to town and a Make and Take Maya Road party is scheduled on the 23rd of November at MWL and I'm (imagine me in a sing-song voice) excited!! Two workshops are scheduled on the 24th as well titled Happy Defined (minibook using MR chipboard album)and A Love For All Seasons (minibook using MR sheer album). But I don'tthink I'll be able to make it to the workshop because it is EXPENSIVE($95/workshop) so I'll probably just go to the party ('coz it's free!). I'm saving up because there's a thing coming up callled Christmas, in case you haven't heard..
In semi-related MWL news, it's their 4th anniversary this month and there are loads of activities lined up (Marix and Abby - kita kits sa MWL!). Many freebies, activities and promotions that even a trying-hard-to-save-money like me will not hesitate to drop by 2x a week this month! I'm also joining their scrap challenge. As I have probably mentioned, I am now a Scrapaholics Anonymous member at MWL and I have 3 free workshops to redeem , I will still check if I can attend at least one of the MR workshops. But if not I'm thinking of taking the StarStruck workshop to be given by Avina Lim. I missed the Sheer Album workshop of Brenda Mae Teo last October and now she's taking a break for a while (Congrats Brenda Mae on your new bundle of joy!) - sayang! The StarStruck workshop looks interesting.

See the MWL workshops here.

See Caroline Lau's blog here.

See the Maya Road DT blog here.

Come join in the FUN :)

2007-11-14T22:03:00.000+08:00

I am promoting the exciting activities lined up at Bad Girls Kit. They have the Christmas Workshops, Challenges, RAKs and Secret Santa activities happening. Our very own Ria Mojica and Bad Girl DT Iris Uy have their own Christmas projects lined up as well and it looks really exciting. The Christmas Workshop projects supply list are already up so register now if you're not yet a member and join the fun! Visit the Bad Girls Kit site here.

Mockery..

2007-11-14T21:41:00.000+08:00

Everyday I walk from Suntec Tower One (where work is currently located) to the City Hall MRT station. Give or take, depending on how slow or fast I walk, it takes me 15-20 minutes to reach the MRT/office. I see the lines of deliciousness (from clothes, to shoes, to bags and food) all the way everyday. It's mocking me, screaming 'Buy me! Stop by and take alook! I know you want me!' But nothing mocks me more than this display:

It will probably be displayed the whole month of November. But there are some days that the display gets creepy.. People (or models) are actually in the display using the gadgets inside that - aquarium.. And at times it can get annoying since they show up at rush hour and so people are actually stopping oggling these fishes. And so I'm thinking twice if I will still walk or take the free shuttle (give or take, 30 minutes from waiting to riding).
Although I am set on buying the Nikon D80 or Nikon D40x real soon, the Canon EOS is a real beauty as well. I am technically challenged when it comes to operating a DSLR and right now I don't know the difference between aperture and all that crap but I am willing to fork out a decent amount to learn this stuff (photography lessons here in SIN is SGD200 - roughly about PHP6k) if it means I can take better photos (which means more scrapping for me -yay!). Did you guys know that Canon recently launched Mark III - I was absolutely (mouth gaping open) shocked to know that it is 21.1 MP! Unbelievable! Although cameras like these are for hardcore photographers but it is one helluva camera. From what I can remember from reading a blurb for this camera, it costs about PHP150k. If you are a simple hobbyist like me, I have no plans whatsoever-never-crossed-my-mind to buy a camera of this kind- unless I want to make a scrapbook layout as big as the billboards in Mandaluyong..
Which brings me back about three weeks ago. On my Saturday duty, walking in CityLink, I saw a group of people wearing the same Canon shirt with a picture of a DSLR camera, toting their hi-tech gadgets and tripods and flashes and paparazzi lenses. More mockery for me (why don't they just shoot me! - no pun intended). Apparently that day, Canon hosted a photography contest. So if you have a camera, DSLR or point & shoot, you get a free shirt and a chance to win - I don't know, bragging rights? - the contest. I saw throes of people with the same shirt, alone or with a group, all the way to Nicholl Highway. I did not have the urge to scream, but I did have sudden impulses of pulling out that card and just buy the damn thing already!
Deep breath...
Patience is a virtue..

Tagged

2007-11-11T11:27:00.000+08:00

Tagged by Cabbie

7 random facts about me:
1. I love the color green
2. I still cry everytime I watch 50 First Dates
3. I wear my watch on my right wrist
4. I can tie a cherry stem using my tongue
5. I love peanut butter donuts
6. I can sleep for 14 hours straight without bathroom breaks.. Go figure..
7. I own 15 pairs of flat shoes, 5 flip-flops, 3 high heeled shoes and 2 Converse All Stars..

A - Age: 29
B - Band Listening To Right Now: Natalie Merchant
C - Career: Freight Forwarding and Logistics
D - Drink or Smoke: Both
E - Easiest Friends To Talk To: Tita Bang
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms: I love Gummi! Even the sour ones!
H - Have a Boyfriend: None... Yet...
I - In love: Love is relative - so yeah I guess I am
J - Junk Food You Like: Wasabi Potato Chips
K - Kids: Non.. Yet..
L - Longest Ride Ever: By land: Baguio, By plane: San Francisco, CA
N - Names For Your Future Kids: secret.. Baka nakawin ang names...
O - One Wish You Have Now: Win the lotto...
P - Phobias: Mascots and Clowns
Q - Favorite Quote: My life could be somebody else's dream - from my friend, Arnold
R - Reasons To Smile: Chocolate and Haagen Dazs Ice Cream
S - Sleeping Hours: 11pm-1pm (on weekends)
T - Time You Woke Up: 6:50am (weekday)
U - Unknown Fact About You: I can't cook, I only pretend to know I can cook.. I'm a fraud..
V - Vegetable You Hate: Too many to mention.. Me and vegetables don't really get along well..
W - Worst Habit: Smoking..
X - X-rays You've Had: Standard chest x-ray..
Y - Yummy Foods: Chickenjoy with lots and lots of gravy...
Z - Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Crazy about October Afternoon

2007-11-09T15:46:00.000+08:00

I made this layout a few months ago for the Kaya challenge for the stamping challenge. October Afternoon stamps were then just available from the SOMO kit and lately, even here in SIN, scrappers are crazy for these stamps. The stamps I used for this layout are the vintage set and I love it! It's really cute!

The stamps are now available in the LSS here and are selling like there is no tomorrow!

Christmas Minibook

2007-11-09T14:56:00.000+08:00

So I am not just doing scrap shopping I am actually doing something about the stuff I have bought.

I just finished doing a minibook using the new Basic Grey Figgy Pudding 6x6 pad. I also love the chipboard albums of BG. Finally, I am able to complete a minibook! And I am getting a hang of it.. I think I'm going to do some more of these projects.

Here's a few snap shots:

Materials used:

Chipboard Album, Patterned Papers, Rub-ons, Letter Stickers: Basic Grey; Chipboard Numbers: American Crafts; Transparency: Hambly; Buttons: Autumn Leaves; Ribbons: May Arts & 7Gypsies; Thread: DMC & Kreinik; Stamps: Fontwerks, Cats Life Press, Autumn Leaves; 7Gypsies, October Afternoon; Inks: Technique Tuesday; Flower: Prima; Pens: Staedler & Uniball Signo; Others: Stickles, star rhinestone.

Retail Therapy - Oct 25, 2007

2007-10-28T12:36:00.000+08:00

I must admit that I am a Trendy New Arrival Thursday fan of MWL.. Actually, I also visit every Tuesday for double stamps in my membership card.. But trips to MWL every Thursday is so worth it! I try to limit my spending to not more than S$30 on every visit (no matter what day it is).. But I found myself spending just a wee bit more yesterday because the new stuff they have in the store are just too damn irresistible...

BG Figgy Pudding
This is the new Christmas Line from Basic Grey.. It was not til I got home to look at the papers again that I realized that this line is actually double sided! How cool is that? I think BG has never done this before...

Don't you find the name of the line funny? In my head, I keep thinking it's Fidgy Widgy...

MM {note}Worthy
Dainty is the word to best describe this line from Making Memories.. When I read MWL's blog for the new releases, this was one of the reasons why I thought the trip was worth taking (actually from the office, it's just a 10 minute or so bus ride).. And boy was I right! I'm a sucker for ledger paper and this line was no exception..

* I'm thinking of selling half the contents of the MM glitter die cuts.. If anybody is interested, please leave a comment in this post.. Total of 30 die cuts for PHP190.

MME Out and About
I love MME! And they have kits 1 & 2.. And they have two more racks of more paper, transparencies and embellishments..

After offering to buy the CLP stamps for my super scrappy kababayans in MNL, Sharon of MWL was kind enough to let me hang around the counter to ask her about the stamps... They have the brochure of available stamps but she is not sure if all the stamps in the brochure are still available.. She told me that it would be better if I copied the codes from the mini drawers for the stamps B-E and browse the box for the G-H.. She was astonished to see the long list I have of the stamps wanted in Manila (paging Tin and Phylline...). And I was influencing Marix (halatang mga addict sa scrapbooking noh?) to buy some because the stamps are so cute.. Thanks to Sharon and Sweech for the help! So I already made a list with images of the stamps available and it's already uploaded at the PS and SE files sections..

** Pics are lifted from MWL's website. To see more of their new arrivals, click here.

Catslife Press Stamps

2007-10-24T22:22:00.000+08:00

Catslife Press Stamps are sooo cool! And they are available in a LSS here.

Below are the some of the stamps I have.. so far.. These are unmounted stamps.

MWL has some of the seals, 'original', 'limited edition', 'handmade art', date & labels, crowns and birds stamps.

Price range are: B - PHP150; C - PHP190; D - PHP230; E - PHP270; F - PHP300; G - PHP340; H - PHP380

And for PHP20/stamp, I can EZ Mount these babies for you so you can use it with your acrylic block!

Sorry for the crappy pictures...

Made By

Exhibit A
-I've used this stamp in several of my layouts coz it's catchy..

Limited Edition Scrapbook

Handmade Art By

Official Scrapbook By

Imagine

Prices of the stamps are the retail price from the store.. What's in it for me is if I buy on Tuesdays, I get double stamps in my Scrapaholics Anonymous Card.. Which means that I will be closer to becoming a Scrapaholics for Life member... Yay!

If you're interested, email me the code of the item you are looking for (visit www.catslifepress.com to see the stamps) at pjrigonanatyahoodotcom. Payment details will be pm-ed to you as well..

Thanks...

Scrappin' Moms Idol Challenge

2007-10-04T21:11:00.000+08:00

As promised in my previous blog, layouts in this post are my entries to theScrappin' Moms' idol contest.

Elimination Round - Scraplift your idol

The challenge in the elimination round was to scraplift a work of our international scrapbooking idol. Personally, I have many scrapbooking idols: Elsie Flannigan, Danielle Donaldson, MG Abuzman, etc. There are just too many really amazing international scrapbookers out there and choosing just one to scraplift was a feat in itself. Being a regular patron of Made With Love here in SG, I have the privelege of looking and touching the works of Brenda Mae Teo. Brenda is an amazing scrapbooker and photographer. I really have no words to describe her work.. She is just amazing! And so I thought why not scraplift her (a Singaporean scrapper for a Pinay scrapping in Singapore)?As any scrapbooker will feel, I was afraid to scraplift her for fear that I will not give justice to the inspiration.. But I did the best that I could.

PS.. Me and Diane Miraballes have the same idol.. Great minds think alike, eh Diane ;)

Round 1 - Stuck on Cardstock

In this round, no patterned papers (pre-made or self made) was allowed. You can embellish your page with anything provided that 50% of your cardstock will still be visible. Not that I haven't worked with cardstock before but I still am essentially a patterned paper person. I wanted a minimalist approach to my layout so I just embellished with as little as I can and let the basic design of the layout carry me through the next round.. How ironic - it should be easy to make a layout with just limited material but I found myself stumped for ideas. But this is what I came up with:

Round 2 - What's your color

I thought Round 1 was tough.. This was torture! I have to admit that I am not proud that I am ignorant when it comes to the color wheel. So to have your paper and embellishments come from the same color family was too trivial for me. I have these great photos of my mom from her college days that I snuck out of her biscuit can full of memorabillia. So I thought of scrapping those and making my layout sort of Bohemia-ish. I promised myself not to buy any more materials and just use the stash that I have. The closest to what I have during that time was not allowed (distressed with other colors not belonging to its family) so I had this insane idea of making sort of a tie die what-not on the MME handcut pattern.. I have to admit I kinda liked that idea as it brought out the era of when the photos were taken (I think maybe mid -70's or so..).

Round 3 - Alter It

Who said it was easy? I've been scrapping for quite a while now but I don't recall that I have altered something. Sure, you can decorate something and call it altered but repurposing something? Insane! It was tough enough that you have decorate and beautify but having to think of another use for a thing.. Ugh! I started painting this free plate carrier from Ikea when I bought a set of plates I can use in the flat. I was really meaning to decorate it just for fun and functionality but I had no clue as to how was I going to do it. As I was still crunching for money, I thought that I would make this my entry. This was a hard challenge.. Apart from the repurposing, we had to use three non-scrapbooking material (mainstream) that should be visible in the item..What the ****?!? Three challenges so far and I feel like my creative juices are running out.. And my repurposed item came out like this:

It's Wonder P! Or Volta P...

Round 4 - What's In A Photo..

No people, that is... Or any other living thing.. The challenge was to scrap non-living objects and using only one photo, two textiles, three words in the title and four kinds of embellishments. Handcut patterned papers are already considered as die-cuts. As like the challenge1 & 2, I had a hard time deciding and using limited materials. I am not really a embellishment person, I guess it was the restrictions that frustrates me..I decided to make a layout about the three things that make me happy (apart from scrapping, of course..) which was reading books, listening to music and drinking a cup of coffee. I was still on the height of reading the Eclipse series when the challenge was announced. As for music, I love the 90s (Gin Blossoms and Natalie Merchant, anyone?)... Coffee is always caramel macchiato, when I can afford it.. I found these gorgeous papers from Sassafras Lass in MWL that I was itching to handcut. This is what I came up with:

Round 5 - No Photos Allowed

Scrapping ephemera is one of the many things I would consider as my scrapping waterloo (I have a long list) and to think that I am a junkie when it comes to saving up those little knick-knacks and whatnots that I get from travelling or just window shopping. It's just that it's all in Manila..I wanted to be crazy in this layout - which was good for me because the challenge requirements were all the techniques I love to do - doodling and stitching.. If I dare say so myself, I had the funkiest layout (love your own, syempre..). I did not fall in the trap of predictability. But I knew that it will not be fully appreciated because it was a fun and happy layout. It's something that you do not take seriously. For you to like the layout meant that you got what I was trying to say. At the back of my mind, judges probably thought that I was making a joke out of the challenge. And the thing is, I scrapped what I felt at the moment. I was eliminated in this challenge.

That was some challenge and it was fun while it lasted.. I hope to join some more challenges in the future..

Retail Therapy

2007-09-22T12:09:00.000+08:00

Not having a real nice place for my scrapbooking stash has not detered me from buying and buying... Hmm.. No new shoes this month but I have this:

It's the 7Gypsies stamp set where you can change the seals and the inks.. I also got additional stamps of journaling spots since I think these will be useful for my layouts. I've yet to use these stamps but I had fun stamping some of my personal belongings like books and magazines with this stamp and writing my just my name.

And I am so psyched that I finally got my August Poppy Ink and Story of My Own kits. I will post pics of the monthly kits soon.. I've yet to get my Paper Posies kit for August and September. I missed the TSL's spree for the Sep-Nov SOMO kit. Had I seen this earlier,I would've continued subscribing.. It's a good thing that another spree started but it will start from Oct-Dec. One of the reasons why I subscribed to SOMO is because of the October Afternoon stamps. Before this year's summer CHA, you can only get these stamps on SOMO. Hopefully, somebody will sell the September stamp in the TSL forum. OA stamps are soo cute! Here's the Paper Posies kit:

August Kit

September Kit

The LSS here have an early start with Christmas themed goodies.. I absolutely love the Making Memories line for Christmas. But I already got some papers a few weeks ago from Daisy Bucket for this year's Christmas layouts:

But I can't seem to resist these:

Really nice embellishments from Making Memories.

Must resist, must not buy.. Just yet..

From MWL, these Fancy Pants clear stamps from summer CHA are already available:

But I almost fainted when I saw the price (SGD84 x 30, not including the huge acrylic block which is about SGD24). So much restraining was done on my part not to put that stamp in my basket.. FP is the reason why I did not go to MWL this week.. Haha.. But I know I will be screwed next week - payday na! Maybe I can buy the stamp and not buy anything else for the rest of the month (nyek! Sino naman ang niloloko ko noh! Hehe).

View this week's arrival at Made With Love and Laine's Papeterie

Something new..

2007-09-21T21:17:00.000+08:00

Welcome to my new home..
My previous blog was too much of a mess so I decided to make a new one.. Although contents will not be different, I wanted something clean and simple, uncluttered. This blog is all about my love for the hobby. Occasionally, I will post or talk about things that are non-scrapbook related just to vent or share. In this blog I will be showing some, if not all, of the layouts or projects I've made, good finds and everything else that perks up my interest in the wonderful world of scrapping. I will try my very best to update this blog often. Here's for the love of scrapbooking!
See you all here again real soon :)