Workshop with the Carmelite Sisters

Sunday morning (May 18), Candy, Nita and I went to Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac, to fulfill a promise to the Carmelites that we were going to teach them the rudiments of scrapbooking and cardmaking. Unfortunately, the other members of the volunteer team couldn't be with us due to prior commitments. We were worried about the weather at first because of the storms but when I texted Sister Teresa in the morning, she said there was no trace of the storm in their area. It was clear skies and promised to be a beautiful day.

And a beautiful day it was. While it was rainy in Manila, as soon as we were on the expressway going to the north, we were met with blue skies. It was a pleasant trip with Candy driving and Nita and I giving her (mis)directions. Wink-wink.

When Candy opened the back of her van to unload the scrapbooking materials that were donated by very generous scrapbookers from Manila, I was speechless. The van was filled with boxes and bags of materials. Even the sisters were amazed. They couldn't believe that all these stuff came from a group of people who met online and share a common passion for scrapbooking. Again, many thanks to everyone who gave their time, money, books, magazines and materials for this cause. I will not mention names anymore lest I forget anyone. There are so many of you and may your tribe increase a hundred-fold.

Anyway, we used their small chapel as our scrap area. When we opened some of the bags, we saw unassembled kits (perhaps from previous scrap activities) that were perfect for giving the ten sisters a hands-on workshop. Nita conducted an impromptu workshop using these kits. She really is a good teacher because she selflessly shares everything she knows about scrapbooking. The sisters, on the other hand, listened intently to her every word, and followed her instructions with excitement.

While Nita was busy with her session, Candy and I put some semblance of order into the many materials we received. We tried to sort everything out, and with each unpacking of a bag or a box, we would exclaim, "ang ganda nito!" Good thing I just recently had much practice organizing my scrap stuff so I was still in organizing mode. In the end, we had at least two boxes of patterned paper and cardstock, several envelopes of scraps, dozens of scissors, regular and decorative, acrylic and rubber stamps that would make you drool, inkpads, embellishments, stickers, brads, flowers... I must confess, I never had this much stuff when I was starting out.

We had a simple but delicious lunch of fried chicken, pasta, salad and bagoong with two of the lay persons. I don't think the nuns are allowed to share a meal with us. After their chores and their prayers, we continued with our workshop, this time with Candy showing them how to make a simple layout. We would all have wanted to stay longer, but the nuns had to have their Sunday mass, and we also have a long trip back to Manila. So bitin! The sisters invited us to come again, and hopefully next time, there will be more of us who will share the art and love of scrapbooking and cardmaking with the Carmelites.

And oh, of course, coming home, we had to stop and have dinner at my favorite restaurant in Angeles City. Just scrumptious - the perfect ending to a perfect day.

P.S. - If you have 12x12 albums that you can spare, the sisters will certainly appreciate such donations, for the community history as well as for their own personal scrapbooks. Please contact any of us in Pinoy Scrapbookers. Thank you.

Going for the Prize

I will confess. I went to the Scrapfest with the intention of coming home with a prize. Be it from the raffle (I introduced three newbies to the craft, so more chances for me - yey) or any of the challenges. Of course, I dreamt of getting a major prize - the Canon PowerShot A430, so much so that last night, I looked up the camera's specs in the internet. Yes, I am not ashamed to admit, I really, really want that camera.

Nita, as usual picked me up and we met up with CH in Jollibee. We had a leisurely breakfast and then we drove to Makati Park and Garden. No, we didn't get lost this time because we all agreed to stop talking when we reached Megamall. I think we get so engrossed in our discussions that more often than not, we miss crucial turns going to our destination. We arrived just in time to grab a parking spot and to get good seats. Time enough to go around the different sellers, too. But I exercised as much control as my limited budget allowed me.

When Joanne announced the start of the event, we rushed to our seats. I exchanged seats with Mich so I was able to sit with my good friend from SSEAYP and her two adorable daughters. Liza and Joanne opened the event with raffle draws for the early birds, which Donna won (uh-oh, an inauspicious start) and the bring-a-friend raffle, which Hanna, who brought her mom won (there goes my three chances at the raffle).

Joanne showed and walked us through the different techniques used to make the layouts for the photo box. I listen intently, knowing that the techniques she discussed should be used in the 6x6 layout challenge. They announced the mechnics for the challenges right before lunch and they have hardly finished when I ran to the vendors' area to get what I needed.

The Challenges:
1) A 6x6 "She" layout
2) Altered photo box (must purchase at least P500 worth of items from two vendors, and use some of the items to decorate the box)
3) 12x12 layout using the Cherry Arte papers in the kit (or can be bought from the vendors)

My Plan of Action:
1) Concentrate on challenge numbers 2 and 3 to win either one of the two Canon cameras (or maybe both, hehehe).
2) Skip lunch (or at least delay it until I was satisfied I had what I needed).
3) I had decided on a vintage/ephemera look for the altered box last night. I knew Simply Scrappy had vintage stickers so I rushed to their store. While there, I spotted the Shakespeare line of papers from Project Imagination. For P29 each, they were perfect so I grabbed three of those. Added a bottle of Modge Podge in my bag, too.
4) Nita showed me her good finds - ephemera chipboards from All About Scrapbooking for P70 each. Again, they looked just right for the project I had in mind, so into my shopping bag they went.
5) Back to my table to concentrate on altering the box.

I find I work faster when I stop thinking about it, so I just cut here, there and everywhere. I didn't have any specific technique in mind. In fact, I described what I was doing to my seatmates as gift-wrapping. Except that I was making sure that the pretty words and designs of the paper were highlighted as I adhered them. I am very grateful to the scrapppers (Christine V., Sym, Marian King) who passed by my table and gave me words of encouragement. I can only hope that my responses made sense to them, so engrossed was I at what I was doing. When Joanne passed by me she even lent me a tube of glue, saying I shouldn't waste my Tombo. (Thanks, Joanne, btw, the glue is still with me.)

I also have to thank Mitch, who lent me her Li'l Davis paint (again it was the perfect color). She even painted the box lid for me. Also, by this time, I was running out of momentum and was just staring at a gap between papers on my box. Mitch suggested I put the ribbon from the kit on it. And what do you know, again, it was the perfect fit. I was looking at the remaining chipboards, wondering what else I could use when the letter L stared right back at me. Again, perfect and coincidentally, Imee, who was sitting behind me was showing off her black velvet ribbon. It was the perfect finishing touch to the box. I happily submitted my altered box to April but not before showing it off to Nita, Au and Tin. When I saw all the wonderful creations the other scrapbookers made, I was simply amazed. I saw my chances of winning slipping bit by bit as each entry was displayed.

I think my stars and planets were in perfect conjunction last Saturday though. With all that happened, all the unexpected support from friends, I think the universe was conspiring to make me win! And win I did. At first I didn't believe Nita and Au when they excitedly whispered, "Panalo ka. We saw Joanne holding your box." I didn't want to expect anything, not until I hear it straight from the horse's...I mean, a scrappinmom's mouth. When my name was called, all I could do was stand up and clap, too. I was ecstatic. I don't know if people could see me jumping up and down from behind my table. And I do apologise for not immediately going to the stage and making people wait. I was rooted to where I was standing, clapping my hands like mad and grinning from ear to ear. I can hear Nita, shouting "Woo-woo-woo." And Nina, exclaiming I should donate my prize because I already have a good camera. (Sorry, Nina, no can do.) Friendly faces giving me the thumbs up... Really, it was just too overwhelming.

If I sound so melodramatic to many of you, please forgive me. Winning a major prize at the Scrapfest is doubly meaningful for me because this month (May) also marks my first anniversary at scrapbooking. It took a year before I'd win anything, but I could not ask for a better anniversary gift.

Now let me make more entries to different challenges before the universe shifts again.

Kayang-kaya!

It all started out as a seed of an idea, reluctantly voiced out, and which, amazingly, found fertile grounds in close scrapper friends - a challenge blog for members of the PinoyScrapbookers. I will have to admit it I was inspired by other blogs like For the Love of Effers. If could they do it, why couldn't we? I dreamed of a blog where all members of PS can showcase their works. A forum where we can share techniques and learn.

So one night (actually in the wee small hours of the morning), after a crop party, when all the other scrappers have gone, Au, Nita and I got to talking about our lives, what made us scrap, why we love challenges. I finally found courage to say, we should have our own challenge blog where we can vent out our creativity. This was greeted with a resounding yes by my two co-conspirators and pretty soon, we were discussing what the blog should look like.

It should be hosted by blogger so we can ask PS members to join in as team bloggers. It should have pinoyscrapbookers in the address so that people will find it easily. The name should be in Tagalog because we are Pinoy (Gales of laughter here.) Oh, to be so witty at 2 in the morning.

Then we started running through several Tagalog words, basically translating the words challenge and dare to Filipino. Nita, from her very comfortable position in the couch shouted, "Laban!" That sounds like a political party so it got the "no" vote. I don't think we had to go through so many words before we ended up with "Kaya." Kaya is a verb that means can. When we were kids, we used to dare people to outdo us, "O kaya mo yan?" (Can you do that?) Now as adults, we encourage others by saying, "Kaya mo yan". You can do that. Or, you can go through this. So we agreed that our dares or challenges would be called Kaya 1. Kaya 2 and so on.

But we had no title yet. Kaya! for a title seemed too short. (And at that time of the morning, reminded me of kaya jam.) At the back of my mind, I hear echoes of Kayang-kaya kaya? (Can s/he really do it?) I tell this to Au and Nita and say I am reminded of someone saying that when I was younger. (Pia, in a message left at the blog chatbox mentioned that it is from Batibot - a Sesame Street-like children's show in the late eighties.) Anyway, by this time Nita has fallen asleep on the couch and Au and I moved on to talk about far more interesting things.

The seed has been planted and left to grow though. We always discussed it during our Friday crop parties, although no concrete action was immediately taken. Until finally, at the April 1 EB, the seed sprouted. Au announced the challenge blog idea to the group and it was received warmly. There was no turning back now. Donna and Jenn immediately volunteered to help out. And indeed, they sent very good suggestions through e-mail. We owe Jenn much for her suggestions on what elements to put on the blog. Donna came up with a list of possible challenges. Au came up with the very cool header. Diane lent us her LO. And after back and forth e-mail and phone calls with the others, I drafted the mechanics. The rest of our crop party - Nita, Cabbie, Nina, Sym and Mitch were always supportive of the idea. That is all we needed to tarry on. I think we finalized everything in less than two weeks and we finally went live last May 2, with Au issuing the first challenge.

The response has been overwhelming. And we are very thankful to the very creative and talented scrapbookers we have at PS. With your continued sharing of your works, I don't think the PS challenge blog will die. Naturally or otherwise. Thank you. Kudos to all of you.

O ikaw, kaya mo ba? Kayang-kaya Kaya? Kaya!

Holy Crop!

Crop party with some friends yesterday, Holy Thursday. Emphasis on the word par-tee! There were only six of us (Au, Nita, Mai, Symbelly, Cabbie and moi) yet they brought tools fit for an entire army of scrapbookers. There were Sizzix dies, Sizzlits alphabets, a Big Shot, a Cuttlebug, Making Memories stamps, a Basic Grey Notch and Die tool...Truly an arsenal I cannot wait to try. It was so generous of them to lug and share their tools for the day so I gladly added my Bazzill colorwheel to the tool pool. LOL. When Mai arrived, she added not tools, but chocolates and chips, for truly a scrapbooker should never be caught without them.

I regret now that I didn't bring my camera to record this event. But I'm sure Au will upload some photos in her blog and Cabbie already posted a few in hers. I purposely didn't bring my camera so that I will not be distracted. My goal for the day is to finish three simple LOs. Yes, I know it was ambitious, but I really thought I could do it, as I usually finish my LOs in half a day. With all the tools at our disposal and with the company of scrappers who are just too willing to help out, I was confident that goal was attainable.

I didn't quite do three, for reasons I will go into later, but I am quite proud of what we all accomplished. Four of us finished LOs that day. Au and Mai just need to adhere their photos and add finishing touches to their work. We had fun, good food, good company, a good place to scrap and the day wasn't too hot.

Thanks to Nita and her family for letting us use their lanai. It was like being in Manila without the heat and dust of Manila. As Mai said, everything was much appreciated.

Scrapmeet 3

The scrap meets organized by myscrapworks.com are special to me. The very first scrap socials I ever attended was last year's Scrapmeet 2. Going backwards, the first locally-based scrapbooker I met was Lala Evangelista (great person, this Lala), also of myscrapworks. Really, I was led to their site by serendipity. I was geared for world domination reading Jessica Zafra's blog when I saw the link "Scrappin'." Now, anybody who knows Jessica knows she is not the scrapbooking type. So I thought, hmph...this is probably a satire and has nothing to do with scrapbooking at all. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a website for Manila-based scrappers. Yoo-hoo. Finally, I didn't feel so alone in this passion.

I always get a high attending EBs, small crops, scrapmeets, scrapfests...The energy and the enthusiasm set off by other attendees are very contagious. I always come away feeling wired and inspired. Scrapmeet 3 was no exception.

I almost wasn't able to attend but for the generosity of a special person. I will have to admit the price of entry (P850) was quite steep for me. I have been out of work for quite a while. I was so happy other friends were attending, too, and I reminded them to come early so we can register to all the workshops which were limited to 20 persons each topic only. Good advise that I didn't quite take. I wasn't late. I arrived at 10:20 am. The sched said 10:30 am. But I was too late to sign up for the make-and-takes. In fact, I was #20 on the photo uploading workshop, the last one open. (A groan and a mental kick in the butt for not leaving the house earlier, I could have avoided the traffic.) Mabelle said we could sit in in any of the workshops sans kits and we couldn't ask questions. Those who were able to sign up get those privileges.

A screenshot of the movie Scrapped

First activity of the day - shopping: Pressing Matters (really tempted by those Technique Tuesday stamps but way beyond my budget), SMILE (got to try the new Cuttlebug and the embossing templates - drool, drool, drool), Memory Box (which had all of their stuff onsale. I guess they're trying to unload their inventory since their shop in Robinson's Galleria has closed), Handcrafted Expressions (showcased Airees Rondain's creativity using local materials), A Perfect Creation (familiar faces since their store is walking distance from my house), Memory Lane (the ever enthusiastic Helen pushing me to buy this and that - I held on to my willpower) and last but not least, Lasting Impression (which always has good stuff so I didn't even dare peek.)


I distracted myself by looking at the entries to the various challenges - Valerie Salmon's sketch and scrap, 3bugs in a rug, K&Co., and Haribon. Good thing they announced the premiere of the movie "Scrapped" not long after. Watching a movie is safer for my wallet. BTW, attendees of the scrapmeet get an original copy of the DVD. The Kiddie Srap session for kids 6-12 years old was held simultaneously with the movie screening. I didn't finish the movie though as lunch called. (I could watch the DVD in the comfort of my home and the reluctant company of my DH later.) It was a heavy lunch but I was disappointed there was no siomai since Dragongate was touted to be one of the best places to get Chinese food in Manila. We couldn't even order it from the restaurant downstairs. Sigh.

Mich & Cabbie with her Haribon entry

Lala then announced the start of the first-ever scrap trivia contest - individual and team categories. Since I partcipated in both, I think it deserves an entry by itself. Will post about it later. It was fun, exciting and quite draining. Hey, I know this is just scrap trivia, but never did my brain cells work so much since I joined Game KNB. Basic scrapbooking was held at the same time as the trivia contest, as it was assumed that you are way beyond basic if you can identify patterned papers in your sleep.

After the scrap contest, it was sort of a free for all. The workshops were running late so some were held at the same time. Except for the make and takes, it didn't matter much anymore if you were able to sign up for all. You had to make a choice. I chose to attend May Chong's stamping demo over Din Cordero's photo uploading workshop. Hopefully, Din will upload his instructions in his column in myscrapworks. I missed Airees' craft demo though.

Then came the most awaited part of the day for those who submitted entries to the challenges. My, I don't envy the judges their role of determining the winners. All the entries were well-crafted. Valerie Salmon even sent a recorded voice message regarding her top choices. So sweet of her! She's one of my inspirations. You can see the complete roster of winners in the website but I'd like to congratulate my friends - Donna (1st place, Valerie Salmon sketch and scrap), Tin - my classmate in AIM whom I last saw four years ago (3rd place, 3bugs in a rug), and Nenette Madero of My Little Attic (Retailer of the Year). Kudos, too, to the LB (Los Banos) scrapbookers for winning many of the challenges. Great work indeed.

Huh! Last minute shopping! But I was very very good and didn't spend more than P300, inclusive of the fare going to the venue. Somebody hug me!

Congratulations to the organizers of Scrapmeet 3 for all your hard work in bringing us a well-organized event. If I may suggest though, that next time if there are few workshops and slots are limited, maybe you can have participants sign to 1 or 2 workshops only. That way, there would still be open workshops for those who arrive later. I know it pays to arrive early, but still, people have to get their money's worth. And please, next time, some siomai? LOL.

Cabbie and Me

Maybe being this close to her will make me a more prolific scrapper? Look, we almost have the same eyes! Parehong nawawala pag masaya. Hehehe. Maybe soon I will be as good as she.

And of course, a signed layout for the day when she is rich and famous and I can tell everyone I knew her when.

Thanks, Cabbie, I really really like it. And one of the nicest thing about this hobby is finding friends like you.

All About Friends

My friend Au said that there are scrappers who either have it, or don't. We both agree that Cabbie is one of those who have it. She is one prolific scrapper, making three to four LOs a week. It is always a joy to visit her blog and find new LOs have been uploaded. It is an even greater joy to see her in action. That is why I cherish our Friday crops so much. If only some of her talent would rub off to me, I would be one happy scrappin' gal.

But since that is not to be, I've got one better - a layout done for me by Cabbie. We were chatting away one day when she said that she's running out of photos to scrap. Not one to shy away from OPPORTUNITY, I immediately offered MY photos. I'm glad she took me seriously because I was only half-joking.

I know it took her less than a week to make this LO because she gave it to me last Friday.


Materials Used: I gave her 3 patterned papers by Anna Griffin and 7Gypsies, she added Daisy D's PPS and flower, Prima flowers, Mod buttons, alpha stickers, chipboard, acrylic paints, MM foam stamps. I am not sure about the quote box but it was quite apt. (Thank you, Cabbie, for so generously sharing your stuff, talent and time!)

Journaling Reads: "There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved." - George Sand. My friends and I had high tea at the T Salon in Glorietta on June 22, 2002. These girls have been my roommates/dormmates/housemates, at one time and another, since college. We were steadfast friends then, and we continue to be close friends now. Although we don't see each other as often as we'd like (life has a way of happening and taking us to different places), I treasure this photo and our friendship. The T Salon may be gone, but our friendship is not.

The Process: The Cabbie Jane process - She's very good at mixing patterned papers and she makes it seem so easy. Me? I may have my colorwheel or my DH beside me, and it still isn't any easier.

And oh, by the way, I asked Au if she thought I have the it? Her answer was sort of middle of the road. Hey, Au! I thought you either had it or you don't?

EB Means Eyeball

When I got started on this hobby, I stumbled upon a group in the web which turned out to be an important part of my growth as a scrapbooker. The Pinoy Scrapbookers turned out to be a great resource, not only for ideas, tips and techniques but for friendships and yes, shopping buddies. The e-group has been around for a long time, since 2001, but has only recently climbed to a record number of memberships.

The group held it's first eyeball or meeting or get-together, last October 2006. You can read co-moderator Sheryl's account here. For a while, there were no general meetings but the exchange of ideas and layouts continued through e-mail. But there was a continuing clamor for another EB and we finally had one last January 7, 2007.

What, exactly happens in these EBs? Is it some secret scrapbookers' society meeting that must be kept hidden from the prying eyes of "struggles" or non-scrapping people, otherwise known as those-who-struggle-to-make-LOs? (Inspired by the word "muggles" or non-magical folk from Harry Potter).

Well, it is a day full of camaraderie, creativity, food, sharing, and fun. So what exactly do we do at these EBs? Watch the video and be inspired. Then join us at www.pinoyscrapbookers@yahoogroups.com. This Pinoy society of scrapbookers is secret no more.

NOTE: Please click on the small square with arrow at the bottom (third icon from the left) to minimize the screen. The resolution will be better.

Pinoy Scrapbookers EB

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Scrap Better: ScrapMeet 2

I must have visited all the scrapbooking sites in the world wide web since I got interested in scrapbooking again. Most of the websites are hosted in the U.S and until mid-August, I didn't know that there were any scrap sites based in the Philippines. By serendipity, I clicked the link "Scrapping" from a website that has nothing remotely to do with scrapping and I ended up at My Scrap Works . From there I read that they were going to host a Scrap Meet for scrapping enthusiasts.

Having bought all my materials from abroad and not knowing much about the local scrap scene, I decided to get myself a ticket. I think I must have been one of the last few to nab one. The minute I lay my hands on the ticket, I knew I was going to have a blast.


If the tickets were any indication, I knew I was in for a creative good time.

I was also quite happy to stumble onto pinoyscrapbookers@yahoogroups.com, so I anticipated that even if I hadn't been able to convince my dearest friends to accompany me to the ScrapMeet, I knew I wasn't going to be totally alone.

I arrived early enough to be able to register for the activities which had limited slots and to have a leisurely walk around the huge room. Vendors and their wares were set up at two sides of the room. The items they had were enough for any scrapaholic to swoon in excitement.


There were at least nine stores present

There were also tables set up for "zero-to-done" demonstrations. And here was were I spent most of my time. After all, I came here to learn. Reading books and magazines and browsing at websites can only get me so far. I needed to see experts actually putting a layout together. And I wasn't disappointed. I was amazed at the demonstrators' talent and creativity, and their willingness and patience in answering our questions.


Zero-to-done demos

I didn't do much shopping. I have more than enough patterned paper and cardstock to last me several albums. (Speaking of albums, I was lucky enough to win one in the raffle. The major price was an HP Photosmart printer, but since I have that, it was no big loss.) Most of the items for sale were embellishments but I believe these provide the finishing touches. And I don't have any right to buy any of those when I haven't really started yet. I was really tempted to get heat embossing tools though because I was so inspired by the possibilities, as demonstrated by Alidz. Unfortunately (or fortunately for my bank balance), the stores that sell them don't accept credit cards. I only brought so much cash with me to curtail my spending. But I did succumb to getting two border stamps (P385) from Stampin' Grounds and two 59 ml. bottles of bronze and gold paint (P300) from Craft World. I plan to try out stamping with acrylic paint instead of the usual ink pigments. And, ok, five different colored bazill 12x12 cardstock from My Little Attic for P175. A scrapper can never have too much cardstock.

There were other things to do like having your portrait taken by professional photographers in a room fully set up like a studio. I had a blast making out like the next America's Top Model (giggles here). I also had a chance to talk with one of the photographers, Allan, about the advantages of getting a digital SLR. Had a photo of my DD (dear daughter) printed out for free at the HP booth. Sat in on a one-hour lecture on a photo-editing software called PhotoFiltre and Font Management. Mabelle (the owner of myscrapworld.com and one of the hosts of the event) clearly demonstrated to us the merits of using the software. A free copy of the software was given out as tokens. There was good food from the merienda buffet and good company from fellow scrapping enthusiasts all throughout. I was more than happy to meet some members of pinoyscrapbookers. I could finally put faces to the names of the people I constantly e-mail for tips and advise.

Kudos to the organizers of ScrapMeet2, specially Lala, who showed me where I can buy a ticket. It is good to know that scrapbooking is alive and well in this country. I look forward to the ScrapFest to be hosted by the Scrappin' Moms on September 17, 2006. Hopefully, by that time, I'd have convinced my dearest friends to share this passion with me.