My Scrappin' Moms Idol Challenge 2 Layouts

Finally, I can breathe, relax and share. :-)

The following layouts are the result of seven weeks of stress, nervous breakdowns (ok, not really), lots of Magic Mushrooms and Cokes (my blood sugar really spiked), sleepless Wednesdays (yup, too close to the Thursday deadlines) and endless conversations with myself. Tee-hee.

Seven layouts for my albums, making a significant dent on my stack of to-scrap photos and stash. I swore I'd never buy anything new for the duration of the contest. Even for the required purchase during the finals, I was practical and just bought adhesive which I certainly can never have enough of.

Elimination Round - Using a Sketch (August 4 -13)
*Create a layout using the sketch by our Scrapbytes Resident Sketch Designer, Em Magpoc


And here's my take:

ONSTAGE

Journaling:

The Philippine Educational Theater Association Presents Children’s Theater I Workshop’s Ang Hardin
Featuring
Sarah as Green Bird
and
Kahlo as Orange Butterfly
AND
Children’s Production Workshop’s Mga Kwentong Asyano
Starring Diego as Ermitanyo

Parents called their performances riveting! Marvelous! Great acting, singing and dancing! Funny! Even the botched lines were hilarious!

After their presentations, the talented young actors said they were looking forward to doing this again next year. They enjoyed themselves immensely! What a wonderful way to spend a month (April 7 to May 3) in the summer of 2008. Final showcase – May 3, 2008.

Week #1 – It’s Party Time! Let’s Celebrate! (August 15 -21)

Design Concept: Repetition of Elements

*Create a pop up card and 3 other coordinating party-related item of your choice.

Midnight Masquerade


Week # 2 - A Color is a Color is a Color (August 22 - 28)
Design Concept: Color Theory & Harmony*Create a 12 x 12 layout using ONLY the colors in this given color combination: RED, ORANGE, VIOLET and GREEN and use five (5) photos of different sizes in your layouts. No two photos should be of the same size.

Who Will Be The Next Artist?


Journaling:
Actually, I don't really like this question. But I guess is to be expected given that your Papa, your grandparents and uncles are all recognized and multi-awarded artists. And there is no denying that you three have creative talents. There is no escaping that artistic gene. However, you are not expected to fill in anybody's shoes or follow in your forebears' footsteps. No, indeed, you are free to follow your own hearts and dreams. The next time somebody asks us who will be the next artist, we'll just tell them, you will be whoever you want to be. 8/27/08

Week # 3 -A Day in the Life (August 29 - September 4)
Design Concept: Direction & Movement

• Create a 12x12 layout highlighting a day in your, or somebody else’s life
• A mixture of Colored & Black & White photos are required

Fully Booked


Journaling:
Any given Sunday…we would go to Fully Booked in Serendra to read books for free. Sometimes we cannot put a book down but we console ourselves knowing that we will be back. In our family, all our Sundays are FULLY BOOKED.

Week # 4 - Layers of Me (September 5 -11)
Design Concept: Dimension and Layers

• Create a 12x12 layout focusing on you, your life and where you are now
• Use ONLY Cardstock and Patterned Papers
• You must create your own embellishments.
• Stamping is NOT allowed.
• To add dimension you may ONLY use the following: Diamond Glaze, Clear Embossing, Clear Crackle Medium, Paints (of any color), Glitter (of any color), Stickles (of any color)
• Colored inks may be used ONLY for distressing.
• Journaling must be visible in your layout. Your journaling should focus on you, your life and where you are now.
• There should be dimension and layers in your layout.

Wish Me, Luck!


Journaling:
Two years ago, I made an unconventional career choice. I decided to be a stay-at-home mom. While those are some of the best years of my life, now I am ready to work outside the home again. Wish me, luck!

Week # 5 - Supersize It! (September 12 - 18)
Design Concept: Balance & Symmetry

• Photos for this challenge must at least be 6x8 inches or 48 sq. inches and should not be a collage
  
• Your title should have AT LEAST FIVE (5) WORDS

Seen Through Your Father's Eyes


Journaling:
This photograph is well-composed. It has all the elements necessary to make a good photograph – a well-grounded subject, a clearly defined background which shows the modern architecture of the period. The main subject, a boy, sits at the crossroads of the old and the new. A well-paved plaza with a smooth granite bench is contrasted by the loose pebble bed that defines the space occupied by the father, with an over the shoulder cinematic composition view.

But these observations miss the point as I am commenting on the picture as a seasoned artist.

So let me narrate as a Dad about this lovely picture. The subject, my son, is well-composed, the product of an informal balance between his mother and I. He is grounded by the solid form of the father (that's me). The surrounding area, as a backdrop, is the product of my taking time out to bring the family to Serendra one fine Sunday. I view the horizon – looking towards what the future would bring to me and to Diego, whose disarming gaze paints the best picture a father can ever have for a vision. Picture perfect! (Papa - 9/17/08)

Week # 6 - SIX and Counting! (September 19 -25)
Answer the Question: "Why Do I Deserve to be the Next Scrappin’ Moms Idol?"

• Use only a minimum of six (6) materials on your layout. You may repeat the same material as many times as you want.
  
• One of the elements must be repeated AT LEAST 6 times.
• Use only six (6) colors in your layout. You choose your own color scheme.
  

Why Not? If the Crown Fits


Journaling:

TEN REASONS Why I deserve to be the next Scrappin' Moms Idol

For world peace. Hell hath no fury like a scrapping mom scorned.

I am a firm believer of the First Commandment: Thou shalt not have false Idols before me.

I've done this two times already. Don't I deserve some pity points?

I repeated elements, I harmonized colors, I showed movement, I layered, I balanced, I jumped through hoops and still, here I am.

My very supportive husband begs you to pick me already so we can go back to our normal lives. (Or so he thinks.)

Because my layouts are full of heart, and even if they are not considered the most original or creative, in my loved ones' eyes, I am the Idol.

No matter what the judges decide, I am a winner for my creative outputs and skillful gain in the past six weeks.

All 27 of us who started this journey all deserve to be Idols for just taking on the challenge. We are all great scrapbookers in our own right. Some are just luckier than others.

Princess crown – P49.00; Photos/Ink – P704.00; Scrapbooking materials – P700.00++; The Idol experience – Priceless!

You don't really expect me to be doing this again next year, do you?

Finale Round - On the Spot Competition among Top 10 Finalists (October 4)
*In three hours, make an irregular shaped layout using the papers and materials given by the Scrappin' Moms.

Unwrapped


If you pull that green button, the green strip will flip and show 8 more small pictures, including the journaling and required Christmas quote.

Journaling:
There are only two occasions in a year when you all have a surfeit of presents - your birthdays and Christmas day. You love Christmas the best because you get to open gifts all at the same time. On Christmas eve, it's a race to the tree to open your gifts. As usual, it's up to Mama to clean up the wrapping paper while your Papa plays with you and your new toys.

Quote:
One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly."
- Andy Roony

Thank you very much for looking and bearing with me during those traumatic weeks. LOL.

Webster's Pages

Well, "Hello Beautiful"!


I still remember the first time I used Webster's Pages in a layout, which quite unexpectedly won in a local contest and was subsequently featured in the Webster's Pages Summer 2008 catalog. The Parlor Collection was absolutely lovely, but this new collection, which you can get for free if you are lucky enough, is deliciously beautiful. I already know I'm going to scrap my KiDS' piano recitals with these beauties. I just have to hand it to the creative talents at Webster's Pages. They never disappoint.

Published!

and no, it's not a scrapbook layout. :-)

I won't say that I've had dreams of becoming a writer since I was a kid. In fact, in one of those Reading and Language essays we were often forced to write (anyone here who didn't have to write "What I Did On My Summer Vacation" ad nauseam, raise your hand), I distinctly remember writing I wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up. I also remember I chose that profession randomly. I was just so tired of being expected to know what I wanted to be in the future at the tender age of eight. I prefer my Papa's (grandfather) adage, which he sang to us any chance he got - que sera sera. Whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see...

I think my love for writing developed as an offshoot of my passion for reading. In high school, I wrote for our school newsletter "The Melting Pot", won in many essay competitions, including in the National Secondary Schools Press Conference, and was Features editor when I graduated. These contributed to my dream of becoming a writer, much to my father's consternation. My father wanted me to take up medicine to follow in his footsteps. I remember we had a huge argument when I sent in my UPCAT (University of the Philippines) application form with B.A. Journalism as my course of choice. But spoiled brat that I was, I ultimately prevailed.

But I didn't feel happy in the Institute of Mass Communications. I wasn't entirely sure I was meant to be a journalist. I wanted to be a writer and there is a huge difference. My favorite teacher Rene O. Villanueva told me that if I wanted to be a writer, I was in the wrong course. That was all the reason I needed to change course. That summer I decided to make my father happy and shift to pre-med. I entrusted my papers to a friend who was also shifting. By some strange twist of fate, she decided at the last minute to shift to B.S. Economics. She submitted my papers with hers and since I didn't want to incur my family's wrath by shifting again, I stayed there for the next three years. Writing about the effects of devaluation on the trade balanc and the balance of payments (that was my graduation thesis, but don't ask me what the effects are) instead of essays and stories. I consoled myself then that I can always write if I really wanted to write. I now know that writing is a vocation that needs to be nurtured and fed. You need to make room for it in your life.

I must thank the readers of this blog for giving me faith and confidence in my writing abilities. This blog has been my creative outlet, not only in scrapbooking but in writing as well. And thanks to Sheryl's KAYA challenge, 3 wishes, I took baby steps to making one of my dreams come true.

In February 2008, I wrote Good Housekeeping Philippines for an opportunity to write for their magazine. They immediately came back to me and requested an article for their Blessings column. I submitted my article ASAP and after months of waiting, my article was finally published in their September 2008 issue. I am now "published in a widely circulated local magazine." That's one wish down, two to go. Well, actually if I win in the Lotto, I wouldn't need to wish for an international fellowship. I will be a scholar of my own foundation. LOL.


I hope that this is the beginning of a life-long dream although I know that this time I will have to work at it. I have had some people tell me to let it go for their own selfish reasons. I'm glad that I never listened to any of them.

The title of the article will be familiar to many of you. I also created a layout about this last August and it was featured in Scrapbytes.


Funny, we bought that pink dollhouse when Diego was a toddler. No signs of the girls then yet. Diego had fun sleeping in that thing. We also used it as a shelf for his baby things.

Catching Up (August and September Recaps)

I have so neglected this blog. Doesn't mean that I haven't been scrapping. I was kept quite busy by the Scrappin' Moms Idol Challenge 2. I hope to be able to post my layouts and the stories behind each of them later. In the meanwhile, the OC in me wants to pick up where I left off. But that is quite impossible. So many things have happened already. And you know what they say, if it happened yesterday, it's old news. If it happened, two months ago, it's history.

But let me just post monthly recaps for August and September, just to have a sense of continuity.

August 2008

- I joined Scrappin' Moms Idol challenge yet again. I will upload separate posts for my layouts, my observations, and my conclusions. Remember I said in this post that I consider this a social experiment? :-)

- DH's laptop went bonkers in July, and he has been using mine. Given his "magic" touch, my laptop when haywire, too, losing profiles, passwords, and bookmarks. I was able to resolve that. But then we had some hardware problems. The mouse and keypads wouldn't respond to commands sometimes. We were never sure when the laptop would cooperate. That was my biggest challenge during the competition. I was always uncertain if I could retrieve my photos in the hard drive, much less, edit them in photoshop.

- I was featured in Scrapbytes' Designer Spolight for the July-August issue. I have to give it to Mia Castrillo. She really made me look good. :-) I am a fan of Mia's simple scrapbooks and keeping it real journaling so her writing about me is truly as an honor.

- Our Representative from my previous office (I don't want to write the whole name down because I know they search the internet daily for mention of the Foundation, and I dont want my personal blog being circulated in the offices). She attended the Ramon Magsaysay Awards and we had a sumptuous lunch together with DH and the KiDS at Spiral. We had alot of catching up to do since it's been two years since we last saw each other, but I was kinda distracted by the buffet. Can you blame me?

September 2008

- I volunteered to help out at the Venture for Fund Raising Congress, and was able to reconnect with former Foundation grantees. This really got me excited about working in the development sector again.

- During the first week, I lost my internet connection at home. My bad. I forgot to follow up with my DH's staff if he had paid the bills. The worst thing was finding out I didn't have internet as I tried to submit my LO to the Scrappinmoms. I had to bring my laptop to the Venture Congress (praying it would cooperate) and send it through Gateway Mall's freearaneta wi-fi. Whew!

- This month, I had a dream come true. Remember the Kaya 3 wishes challenge? One down, two to go. Speaking of Kaya, I missed the August-September challenges. Sigh. I've never missed a Kaya layout before.

- Middle of the month, my printer also went bonkers. And, you guessed it right. DH used it. Truly, this man was a walking technological disaster these past months. If you don't believe me, wait 'til I tell you about how he ran over his Sony cellphone/PDA. So I took to having my photos printed out in various photoshops, and uploading my entries in internet cafes, or in my brother-in-law's garage, or through his wife's computer....anywhere there is free w-fi. Hahaha.

- And yet despite such odds, I made it to the Top 10 finals of the Idol challenge. I still cannot believe it myself. Hehehe.

- Well, I was unable to join the Bad Girls challenge. I even asked Marj to enlist me. But because I wasn't able to go online and say present on the first day of class so I was automatically expelled. I so wanted to learn from the site, but, oh, well, maybe next year.

- I am not yet really back in business because DH still uses my laptop to finish up his term papers. We were temporarily able to solve the hardware problems by using the body of his laptop (his hard drive is still in the repair shop undergoing "archaeological excavation"). And because of that I still haven't had my internet reconnected. Sayang naman ang monthly fee kung di naman ma-maximize. :-(

On the one hand, I miss being connected to my friends and groups through the internet. On the other, I feel that I was able to spend more quality time with my family. My laptop used to be an extension of myself, but because of technological troubles, I was forced to be without it for months. It isn't so bad. There is life outside cyper-space. But, see you there again soon.

I'm Still Alive!!!

At least, until my laptop's battery runs out of juice.

I can't believe it's been more than a month since my last post, and that there's only 81 days before Christmas. So much has happened in the past weeks and I don't know where to begin. Right now, I am just so giddy that my laptop is cooperating and there's strong clear signal from the neighbors. Hahaha.

Another reason to be giddy (or not) is that I'm in the Top 10 of the Scrappin' Moms Idol contest. Man, you can't believe the stress I went through week after week just to be able to submit a layout. And I don't mean creating the LO, but wondering whether I would be able to submit it in time, if at all. My technological problems didn't stop at DH's busted laptop, it extended to mine, and then to the internet connection at home, and don't ask me about the cellphone which he conveniently ran over with his car. LOL.

The stories I can tell you...if my battery doesn't ran out soon. I'd plug my laptop in, but I am actually sitting in my MIL's porch. On a big rock. I can actually feel moisture seeping in my butt. OK, try to stop the imagery. Sorry about that. But when time is of the essence, editing flies out the window.

But anyway, I'd like to thank everyone who left messages here, in my mobile, e-mail. Yes, I'm still alive, thanks for checking if I was well. I haven't been able to check the PS e-group for weeks. I'm sure my inbox is full to the brim and Cookie tells me I missed some great sales. That's ok, it's not I have money to spend anyway. Hahaha. Did I mention I was giddy?

It's actually DH and my 11th wedding anniversary today. I'm thinking of making an LO called "Once." Or Once, the Spanish word for eleven. Could also mean the Filipino vernacular "onse" as in na-onse niya ako 11 years ago. (He tricked me eleven years ago.) LOL. DH is not yet here, he took over Napoleon Abueva's class in Fine Arts while Tito Billy is recuperating from his stroke. Now that is truly an honor, and he won't let me hear the end of it.

Last year I posted some behind the scenes stories about our weddings. (Yes, with an s.) I had fun reminiscing, you might want to join me in relieving the comedy...errr...the romance. Click here , here, and here. Even with such inauspicious beginnings, I can truthfully say we are still going strong. Thank, God.

My DH might not be overly sweet or publicly demonstrative but he has his moments. Last night, as I prepared to go to bed, he came in and said in a complaining voice. "Your laptop has a virus." I go, what? What did you do? I just updated the virus program. Nag...nag...nag...And then he tells me, "I don't know. An image popped out and it got stuck there." I stood up reluctantly. It is after all, my laptop and I have to do damage control, and I saw this.


Now isn't that sweet? We (the whole family) were in an internet cafe that night and he knew I was on tenterhooks waiting for the announcement to be posted. When we arrived back in his studio, he turned on the laptop and searched for this. Thank God for the neighbor's 24-hour free wi-fi, I was able to see this before I went to bed.

I was sad though that Diane didn't make it to the Top 10. She and Cookie have been very helpful in texting me daily updates about the challenges since I couldn't always go online. They were my lifelines and support through this challenge.

But everyone did a great job. So congratulations to the original 27 and good luck to all those who made it to the finals.

Happy 2nd Birthday Blog!

Well, I had planned to bake cupcakes for today's anniversary, but DH and the KiDS just didn't give me time for that. So, no cupcakes and candles today.

But still, two years and 216 posts later, readers still come read me. That is worth acknowledging. Even if I am in not in a celebratory mood right now, the current Idol challenge uppermost in my mind. Three days since it's been announced and all I still have is the germ of an idea brewing in my mind. I hope to get into the groove of things before the night is over. Either that or spend another sleepless night. LOL.

So once again, this is going to be short and sweet. Thank you, dear readers, for keeping me company all through these years.

Just Checking In

It used to be that I scrapped whenever I can. Now it's surf the net, blog, or answer e-mail whenever I can. There's a very limited window for me to do so - only when DH is in class and he has no presentation, or when he's in the bathroom. The latter being the case now. :-) He has commandeered my laptop over a month ago and I haven't been able to fully reclaim it yet.

So before he comes back, let me thank everyone who's been visiting my blog loyally, even if I have no new posts. Thanks to those who take the time to leave comments. And am most specially grateful for the encouraging words of support for the Idol 2. By golly, have you seen the new challenge? I've only done two cards in my whole scrapping life and now am expected to make a POP UP card. And this is just Round 1. It boggles the mind. I'm almost afraid to think of what's in store for us next, assuming I make it through this round.

I've received tags and awards from a number of people. Rest assured, I will be returning the kind gesture very soon. Really. Thank you for your patience.

Ooooppsss...I Did It Again

Last night, after dinner, I asked DH, "So you think I should join Idol again?" He gave me the look (the one that says "ano ka, baliw?", and said, "Wag na...ma-i-stress ka lang." I retorted, "I thought you were supposed to be encouraging me. Di ba ikaw nagsabi I should have my own artistic pursuits. He gave me that look again and replied, "Well then, consider what I said reverse psychology."

As we lay in bed, I nudged him and asked again, " So, ano nga?" He gave an exasperated sigh and he burrowed deeper into his pillow as he muttered, "Bahala ka. Basta wag kang mag-re-reklamo."

As I courted sleep, I counted the many reasons why I shouldn't. The last time was very challenging indeed. And really very very stressful at times. And yes, I did complain to my DH about many things. Mostly, I was venting to put things in their proper perspective - that it was just a scrapbooking challenge. No biggie. But still, if not for the support and sense of humor of friends, it would've been really tough.

And then I counted the reasons why I should. I fell asleep trying to come up with one very good reason. LOL.

I woke up this morning with the conviction that I had to join. Why? Because, like Mt. Everest, it is there. I don't think I can just stand in the sidelines while a lot of things are happening around me. And it's not like I'm doing anything much in the next six weeks. I can certainly put a weekly layout in my calendar. Besides, it would be another learning experience.

Consider it a social experiment. Why was the first Idol competition so intense? Was it because it was the first-time that such was conducted in the Philippines? Was it because it was my and many other participants' initial foray in the world of these challenges that last for weeks? Would I still be all hot and bothered as I meet every challenge? Or, having gone through it before, would I be quite blasé about it?

Well, I wouldn't know unless I joined, right? So I hurriedly made my entry this morning. Almost wasn't able to upload it in time cause the Scrappinmoms site told me, after several attempts at inputting my password (major senior moment there), "You are currently banned from using this website." And then DH needed to borrow my laptop for a class presentation. This was around 2 pm, and I almost took those as signs. That this wasn't mean to be. But thanks to April, my layout is in for the elimination round.

One thing's for sure, this is going to be another challenging journey. Have you seen the layouts in the gallery? Many more talented scrapbookers out there just waiting to show the world their talents and creativity. Okay...so now I'm rattled. Nonchalance be damned.

I'm in it again. Wish me luck! :-)

July Recap

July target number of LOs - Five.

Number of LOs created - Six. Plus one digital LO which was luckily picked in Kaya. See me doing a happy jig. :-)

Scrap Jam happened this month, and I had a lot of inspiration, got in touch with friends, both old and new, shopped for goodies and won a Squeeze.

I discovered e-bay, much to my husband's dismay. Nothing is more exciting than upping another bidder by a mere $.05. And nothing can describe what I felt when a lot of really cheap stamps slipped from my grasp because DH made me lose my concentration at the last crucial seconds.

I am not working again, so it's back to the regular routine of going to my in-laws' place to help out and wait for the KiDS to finish school.

And another bit of happy news...Candy lent me her copy of the Webster's Pages Summer 2008 catalog. Guess who's on page 26. Now that was a surprise because I thought our LOs that won in Lasting Impression's challenge will only be placed in their online gallery. Hopefully, they will respond to my e-mail requesting a copy of the catalog so I can return Candy's copy.


Wait...does this qualify as being "published"? LOL.

I hope I will be able to squeeze in some scrappy time in the next few weeks. August is a very busy time at my KiDS' school.

The High Price of Gasoline

...has affected even me. We live near U.P. in Quezon City, yet the KiDS and DH work in Marikina. So every school day, very early in the morning, we would wake up 3 (four, including me) grumpy humans to prepare them for school. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the school from our house. Getting ready to leave, with all the grumpiness, like an eternity.

So we had a bright idea! Why not, since my in-laws have a house in Marikina, stay there during school days? That way, we save on gasoline, food, and grumpies. And we also give the oldies a bit of loving and caring.

But that means no scrapping for me, cause all my stuff are at home in QC. But since I have never missed a Kaya challenge, I am not about to miss Tin's now. Thank goodness, digital is acceptable.


Details at the Kaya challenge blog.

TTFN! TFL!

Lazy Honors Society

I still remember when I was so excited to have my first Basic Grey layout posted at the BG gallery. It was such a high for me 1) because I almost went mad using those Scarlet Letter papers (LOL); and 2) it seemed a big deal to have an LO accepted at the BG gallery. I haven't submitted anything there for awhile so my name has disappeared from the gallery. But now I am there again with this layout about Diego.

The KiDS' school does not have an honor roll, but Diego is among the top of his class, even if he is just happily coasting along. As a mother, I can't help but think about the possibilities if he only applied himself more seriously. But I guess, as long as he is happy and doing well in school, I should be content. At least I'm not being called to parent-teacher conference.


Journaling:
No doubt about it. You are an extremely intelligent boy. But...you like to read everything except your text books. You enjoy Math but are sometimes too lazy to come up with the solution. You have a talent for writing but you purposely keep your sentences short so you can finish sooner.

When I told your father you take things too easy, he proudly told me you are just like him when he was a boy. Bright and intelligent but never in the honor roll. Lazy Honors Society he called it. In your case, Diego, can we have the honors without the lazy? Love, Mama. 7/23/08

P.S. You know you can do it.

Materials:
Patterned paper, stickers and diecuts - Basic Grey; Chipaboard letters - Heidi Swapp; Paint - Ranger; Pen - American Crafts; Stamp - Clearsnap; Adhesive - Saunders, Zot, Others - Notebook paper.

I will have to make a confession. As a student, I never really pushed myself, too. And now I wonder about the possibilities, had I really applied myself. I guess I just don't want Diego have these "what-ifs" when he's grown. Well, not that it really matters in the grand scheme of things But you, don't you sometimes think back about things and wonder?

The KiDS

Aaaah....blessed quiet in front of the computer. It's 6:30 in the morning. The KiDS have left for school and DH is in the shower. Got me a few minutes to share another layout.

I just played around with this one. I don't know why I printed out these particular photos but since they already exist, they should be scrapped. Nothing fancy here. Not much journaling either.

KIDS


Journaling:
These here are the I**o kids, Diego (10), Sarah (8) and Kahlo (6). They are so smart, funny and loving. Just the perfect add-on to the I** family.

Quote on vellum:
Families are like fudge. Mostly sweet with a few nuts. - Unknown.

Behind each photo is a card where I asked each one to describe the other. For once, Diego got away with calling Kahlo weird. Mainly because I think she was quite happy with what Sarah had to say about her - "alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic." Hmmmm....I guess Kahlo doesn't know yet that came from a song. Or maybe she does, so she's not taking anything personally. LOL. I get a kick just thinking of them looking at this LO in the future.

Materials:
Papers - Autumn Leaves; CS - Debbie Mumm, Paper Company; Quote - Colorbok; Pen - Inkssentials; Arrow - American Crafts; Buttons - UBL; Punchers - Fiskars, Stampin' Up, Marvy Uchida; Adhesive - UHU; Others - stapler, Cuttlebug.

OK, now back to regular programming. TFL!

Life Without Technology

The past few weeks I have been without a cellphone (it finally died on me, and I am still deciding whether I should continue with my Smart subscription or shift to Globe), without my laptop (my DH commandeered it for work purposes as his laptop is in the repair shop) and without cable TV (we have been spending so much time in Marikina, TV viewing right now is limited to a smorgasboard of Wowowee, Iisa Pa Lamang and My Girl.

It felt strange at first to have no access to text or e-mail messages. It felt like losing an appendage initially but I eventually got used to it. At least, no internet access meant staying away from E-bay. LOL. Funny, the last few days, DH and I play musical chairs. Every time he would leave the computer unattended, I'd rush to check my e-mail and my Facebook account. Yup, I am finally on Facebook. So if you're there, too, Facebook me. Hehehe.

Anyway, I was able to work on one LO which I'd like to share now. This one is about my Yaya's baby (or is it?). She's turning two next August.

Godchild


Journaling:
According to Ate Juliet, Sarah volunteered to be Jazmane Marie's ninang or Godmother when we were planning her baptism back in August 11, 2007. I don't know if at the young age of 7 1/2. Sarah understood all the responsibilities of being a ninang. Certainly, not with the Fairly Odd Parents or Cinderella's Fairy Godmother as role models. But loving, caring for, and being a good role model for Jampong is a good start. Who said a Godmother can't be a little angel to watch over God's child?

Materials:
PPS - Autumn Leaves, Creative Imaginations; Chipboard - American Crafts; Flowers - Prima, Bazzill; Buttons - UBL; Sticker - Colorbok; Rubons - MAMBI; Thread - DMC; Ink - Clearsnap; Puncher - Fiskars; Adhesive UHU.

Thanks for looking. I'm off now, gotta yield the chair to my DH.

Maling Kaya

Hahaha. I made this this afternoon as my response to Tin's Kaya challenge with the subject "Letting Go." I got so carried away, I forgot it's a sketch challenge. Waaahhh!!! Well, it's still based on a sketch, by Becky Fleck. LOL.

We never expected that we would find it hard to let go of a pet that wasn't really ours in the first place. For months afterwards, we would still mention talk about Mao like he was just around. I think, we've finally accepted that he's gone, but we will never let go of his memories.

Stray Cat


Journaling: (Warning: long read ahead)
We once had a cat named Mao. He was a pusang gala that started coming to our garage in 2006. The KiDS fed him so not surprisingly, the stray cat decided to live there. Every night, without fail, it would come and stay. Always, he would leave in the morning to do what it is that stray cats do.

One day, he just stopped coming. The KiDS started missing him. When Mao finally came home late one night, we were horrified to see him dragging his hind leg at a very awkward angle. His right leg dangled limply and uselessly behind him. We think he must have been in an accident and that he stayed in some ditch to heal before finally finding the way to our house. I was touched that out of the many houses in the village he chose to find haven in ours.

If I couldn't drive him away before, the more I couldn't turn him away then. So we took care of him and fed him. He hardly ever left the house, except to relieve himself. When he heads our van arriving, he would drag himself from the street into
our garage. He didn’t run, he sort of glided across the floor. The KiDS loved him, imperfect though he was.

In February 2008, Mao didn't come home again for a long time. We were worried something had happened to him. When he finally resurfaced,his face was swollen and he was very weak. I took him to the vet and I was told that with his injuries there was only a slim chance of survival even if we insisted on a surgery.He was also very weak and in so much pain already.I cried upon hearing the news. I had to make the difficult decision of putting him to sleep. The doctor said it was painless, but until the last minute, I saw Mao trying to escape from our grasp. He was a survivor to the last moment. I stayed with him the whole time as I didn't want him to feel abandoned as he was in the early stages of his life.

Breaking the news to my KiDS was even more difficult, and soon all of us were crying. We all mourned Mao, even if he didn't have pedigree, or even if he wasn't the type of pet my KiDS could freely cuddle and hug. He was family.

Mao might have been a stray, but he strayed right into our hearts. He was sweet and smart and a really great mouser. I am sure he is now in cat heaven where all cats are free, well-fed, and healthy.

Mao left behind a stray female cat named Barra. Shortly after his death, Barra had kittens, which, had they survived, we would like to believe were Mao’s. (Written 2/11/08)

Materials:
PPS - Autumn Leaves; CS - DCWV; Ricrac, twine - unknown; Ink - Clearsnap; Stamps - Autumn Leaves; Alphabets - Heidi Swapp. American Crafts; Tag - Joann's; Adhesive - Saunders; Foam - Darice

Techniques Used;
While the LO is deceptively simple, it took me a long time to make. Not because of the layout itself, but because of the journaling. I had to figure out how to make three columns and text wrap around a box in Corel Draw.

An LO About My Bunso

I was still on a scrapping high, courtesy of Scrap Jam, so I worked on this layout intermittently last Sunday. Between homeworks, housework and office work, I finally finished it yesterday. It's based on a Page Map from Becky Fleck's book, except that I used only one photo, not three.

I Am Kahlo


Journaling:
Or "Me, Kahlo!" You always say this at the most unexpected times. Even in your sleep sometimes. Maybe it comes from having to assert yourself to a boisterous family of five. Or an attempt for people to remember you. But let me assure you, Kahlo, with your self-confidence, sense of humor, and flair for the dramatics, it will never be easy to overlook you. Yes, indeed, YOU, are Kahlo. Much loved daughter and sister. (7/7/08)

Materials:
PPS - My Mind's Eye, Collage Press; Flowers - Prima, Bazzill; Chipboard - Basic Grey; Sticker - Pebbles, Inc.; Stamp - Clearsnap; Felt - Fancy Pants; Paint - Making Memories; Glitter - Ranger, Making Memories; Foam - American Crafts, Darice; Adhesives - Zots, Saunders, Ranger; Brad - All ABout Scrapbooking; Ribbon - unknown; Pen - Uniball Signo, Others - Fiskar's Border Punch, Paper Crimper.

I've Got A New Squeeze

The past week, I've been acting like a zombie, waiting, mouse in hand, in front of my computer, listening to the clock go tick-tick-tick. A few minutes more, and the item I am bidding for would be mine. So I refuse to budge, not even to answer my DH's question if I've had dinner yet. As I refresh my computer screen, he shakes his head and exclaims. "OMG! If you're not careful, you're gonna be just like me years ago. Ma-addict ka diyan." Yeah, tell me something I don't know.

My heart beats faster in anticipation. I can feel the pressure building up. Will I be able to click in time? As I refresh yet again, I curse the other bidders for driving the prices up. And then, another disappointment. I lose just by a few dollars. Oh, well, there are other items to bid on in Ebay.

So I turned my attention on another item. A Quickutz Squeeze with Metro Unicase Skinniminni alphas. I hesitated a bit because one of the Scrap Jam's announced raffle prizes was a Quickutz Squeeze. I've seen similar offers in Ebay before but I thought I'd wait to bid until after the Scrap Jam, just in case I won in the raffle. But I the price for the whole set at Ebay was just too good to be true. Less than $20. I know the price will be driven up still but it would still be a good buy at $35. A small voice was telling me, if you won this bid and then won at the raffle, what would you do with the extra Squeeze? But then again, the logical part of me said there's no guarantee I'd win in Scrap Jam. So I decided to go for it online.

But Ebay won't accept my bid. It said that the vendor does not sell to the country I was registered in. I changed my mailing and shipping address to my sister's in the US, but still it just won't let me bid. Then I remembered that when I registered, I was automatically redirected to ebay.com.ph. I didn't take notice of that at the time but DARN! Now I was so psyched up I really wanted that Squeeze. Out of frustration, I just said, "Hay naku, ayaw niyo ako pa-bid, di huwag. I'm going to win that at Scrap Jam tomorrow, anyway.

If you've read the previous post, you'll know what came to past. Out of the many coupons in the jar, my name was drawn. I only had two raffle tickets in there. The Squeeze comes with a Metro Classic Unicase which retails for around $60 (alphas only). And I can begin using it, too, no waiting for shipping. Just perfect! Now I'm a believer.

When I showed DH my prize, he told me, "Bilis mag-isip ka na ng Lotto numbers..."

Scrap Jam!

Never before had I seen tickets sell as fast as tickets to Scrapbook Hawaii's and My Little Attic's Scrap Jam. I think as early as May, the tickets had sold out - for a July event! I was just lucky that Candy texted me that Rachelle was about to pay for their tickets, so I texted Rachelle to pay for me, too. If it had been me, it would've taken me a long time to schedule a trip to the bank.

July 5, 2008, Saturday - Rachelle and I car-pooled with Candy. We thought we were early, but when we arrived, we realized that there were people who came earli-ER. They had by 9 am bought most of the scrapbooking stuff off the shelves. I guess I should be thankful for that because I had just brought enough cash to make me happy and not feel so guilty. It's very easy to get overboard when scrap shopping. What with the many goodies that you just gotta have. I am particularly vulnerable about this, because although I had my mind set on what I should and should not buy, I am always tempted by what other scrappers have in their baskets. Yup! I'm like a lemming when it comes to my scrap shopping. If they're buying it, there must be something I'm missing out on and so I gotta have the same, too. Take for instance the white Basic Grey rubons. It's not on my list and I must admit I've seen it countless times before, but when Candy put it in her basket, I had to get one, too. Wishful thinking that I'd create LOs as fine as Candy's? Hmmm....


These are what I bought and wonder of wonders, I am exactly within budget. Thanks to the 25% coupon off one item that our wonderful hosts gave us with our kits.

One of the best parts of going to a scrapping event is a chance to get to know scrappers whom you only meet online. Rachelle and I shared a table with Liezl and Rita of the LB Scrapaholics. I really had fun sharing a table with them because they also selflessly shared their tools, stories, and tips. As Candy would whisper to me later on, she was quite impressed on how Rita and Liezl asked for each other's opinions as they worked through their LOs.


Around 10, we all got busy with Marisa's classes. She prepared several projects for us and I must say they are all something I want to replicate once I get home. I just wish I could recall her instructions. Unfortunately, I didn't take notes because I was busy following along with her, and her gregarious daughter cum assistant, Jian. We made a pretty bag out of cardstock (Sarah immediately lay claim on that one so I have to make sure I make Kahlo a purple one), a CD mini-album using papers from Scenic Route, a beautiful black and white gatefold album, which I didn't finish yet, but will soon (promise).

We had a very filling lunch at our tables (I refused to go back to the shopping room, lest I expose myself to unnecessary temptation, so I was glad when we had another make and take project - lovely card with materials from Melissa Frances. I didn't finish it, too, cause I'd like to use photos that I didn't bring with me. Then we had a Scrap Jam Bingo! This was my first time to participate in a scrapping bingo and I must say it was quite fun. It was made even funnier by Jian's bingo host antics. "I have a very loud voice..." she'd boom as she picked out a number from the envelope. Lucky Cookie, Helga and Christine V. won some prizes that I would have liked in my basket.

And then there was the prerequisite scrap challenge - make an LO with the theme "friend" using Bazzil Basics Fancy Edges, BB Boshers - "is it a button or a washer?", and the Anna Griffin papers that were given us. When I prepared my stuff for Scrap Jam, I prepared my photos, too. I do not always like joining on the spot challenges because I scrap more comfortably at home, surrounded by everything I could possibly need. I also do not scrap well under pressure and within a limit of one hour only. But last night, I decided to go for the whole experience and just have fun. Besides, the challenge kept me away from the shopping area.


My LO didn't win, not that I was expecting to, because many of the best scrappers in Manila were in the room. But I was so happy when my seatmates, Rita and Candy won third place and second place, respectively. My friend, Cookie (so what else is new?) won first place. Woo-hoo...I just felt energized by all the goodwill in Nette's lovely-smelling house (courtesy of Faberge aromatics, I was informed). I was quite satisfied to come home with an LO that I finished in one hour. I didn't even know that was possible. Hahaha.

And then the much-awaited raffle time. At this point, I had not won anything major so I really kept my fingers and legs crossed. There were three draws - one from the pre-orders (prize was an AMM tote bag, which Bea won). The next was the Making Memories carousel (I dropped one coupon there, cause I would've liked to get one for free, even if I didn't really need it). Marian won this. And the last prize was a Quickutz Squeeze with Metro Classic alphabet. My crossed legs must have worked because I won it! Wooo-hoooo!!!! Would you believe me if I tell you that I had a feeling I won when Jian couldn't read the name on the coupon? Hahaha. I always sign my name with two slashes on the L's loop to form a smiley face, and a heart at the end of E. No wonder I confused the poor child. :-)

You'd think that was the end of it, but no. We just had to add more items in our already full kits. At left is a photo of all the free goodies we got just for attending, Before we all left our separate ways, Nette and Marisa had to literally throw extra prizes in the air towards the end. Scrappers scrambled to catch the goodies, some tripping over their humongous scrap bags, thankfully no one was hurt and they just picked themselves up laughing. Some of the stuff even fell into the bowls of dinuguan on the tables but do you think anyone cared? No damage that the ubiquitous baby wipes cannot wipe off. LOL. Everything I brought home still smells like Nette's home. Just brings back more pleasant memories. :-)

And so it was that three, nay, four (Donna hitched a ride with us going home) very satisfied scrappers went home to brag about their loot to their family. Already, we were planning for the next Scrap Jam.

Thank you very much Nenette and Marisa, we all had a blast!

Campaign for Real Scrapping

I was surfing randomly for inspiration and found this from Kim Guymon's site.


Now that is inspiring. I love it! What Kim has to say resonated with me. So I am picking up on her campaign. Don't get me wrong, I believe that scrapbooking is a personal thing and it's really up to you how you do it. There is no right or wrong...supposedly. Unfortunately, the layouts that are published in books and magazines, the layouts that win in contests, tell me otherwise. And many times I get sucked in, and I forget why I started scrapping in the first place. This is a good reminder...

That I scrap to remember and be remembered. That means photos and stories. Photographs that capture real life as it unfolds and heart-felt journaling that will give insight to future generations about my life. I do still love all the pretty papers and embellishments and I don't think I'll ever be able to stop buying them (well, a moratorium works now and then) but I refuse to be stressed out anymore. Scrapbooking is supposed to be a stress-buster. It is not a "competitive support" as Kim calls it.

If you would like to join Kim's Campaign for REAL Scrapping then copy the logo and add it to your blog. Write your thoughts about what REAL Scrapping means and how to refocus our efforts to make sure we aren't overwhelming and frustrating ourselves with that which is not real.

If a soap can campaign for real beauty, why can't we scrapbookers campaign for real scrapping?

A New Love

After much deliberation, I finally took the plunge - I am now a certified Postie. A Postie is someone who writes paid reviews for PayPerPost. As many of you know, I have taken to writing sponsored reviews on my blog. It's something I do quite well (if I say so myself) because I love to blog and write my opinions about anything under the sun. So why not earn while doing it as well?

How did I discover PayPerPost? Well, I simply googled "paid blogging" and there it was. PPP is among the top avenues to make extra money from your blogs. Well, I certainly need that, specially now that I have experienced the joys of ebay. Haha. There is no stopping me now.

I know most of you love scrapbooking, too, and we often want more stuff. There is no denying and ending it. We will always want more. :-) So why don't you just sign up yourself and write a review and make extra money. It's an honest living and it’s really very simple. You do it through something that you already do anyway, grab one or two of the many available opportunities, post and GET PAID! Review and GET PAID… it's that easy. All you have to do is sign up at PPP but do remember word of mouth ethics, you have to disclose to your readers that you accept sponsored posts. I do this in my blog, if you'll notice. Thank you so much.

Look Who's On TV

Oh, well, there isn't much evidence because it's taking a long time to upload my video capture of Pinky Webb. I simply gave up. But I still want to brag a little.

In just a matter of weeks, ABS-CBN interviewed DH for three different shows.

Last weekend, DH and my MIL and FIL were in "Salamat, Doc." The show featured artistic families. Apparently they don't consider scrapbooking a mainstream art cause I wasn't invited. Hmph.

This morning, DH was in "Umagang Kay Ganda - Saludo Kami Sa 'Yo" segment. Most of the footage were taken in DH's arts studio, and some during the launching of the e-jeepney (electronic jeepney) in Makati last July 1.

And then, this afternoon, DH had to rush to the factory site of the e-jeepney to be interviewed again. This time it's for TV Patrol to be shown on Staurday, July 5. Catch it if you can.

DH volunteered to design the artworks for the e-jeepney project with Greenpeace.

Here are some photos from last Tuesday's launch.



I hope the e-jeepney takes off because it's much more environmentally-friendly and cheaper to operate than vehicles using diesel. These e-jeepneys are now manufactured locally, so the price of a unit is almost the same as the regular gas-driven jeepney.

Diane's Digital

D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-lightful! So sings Ernie as he exhorts the delights of the letter D. And I'm sure you'd understand if in this post I delight over Diane's digital layout that she made for me.

I was happily working one day when Diane buzzed me asking if I had dinosaur photos. I knew at once that she was going to use it in one of her layouts so I immediately opened my Adobe Photoshop Elements. Just one click and I had all our photos of our US trip in front of me. A bit of scrolling, and there they were - photos in the La Brea Tar Pits. Well, they aren't exactly dinosaurs in the background, but I guess they'd do. They'll have to if I want an LO from Digital Diva Diane.

And she didn't disappoint. Here's the LO, using yummy a digital kit that had my Sarah proclaiming, "I didn't know dinosaurs can be so cute."

EXTINCT ADVENTURES


Don't you just love it? For all the details, please do visit Diane's album here.

Thanks, Diane. I've never had a chance to scrap these photos and I appreciate that you did. Now, what photos do you need next?

June Recap

June was a slow month in terms of scrapping. I was otherwise occupied taking care of the KiDS and getting them ready for school. And there's the job I have taken on, too.

So I am happy to at least be still on target. Four LOs this month. I've already posted three here. My fourth LO is my entry to Kaya 14. I almost gave it a miss but I didn't want to ruin my record. I've never missed a Kaya challenge and I didn't intend to start now.

Details in the Kaya blog

I made this Saturday night, in between packing our things for a weekend in Baler, Aurora. I still have to blog about that in my KiDS' blog, so in the meantime, you can read a more official account here. Sigh, an official press release, and they couldn't get DH's name right. Well, they got it correct for the most part, but left out the all important JUNIOR. That's what separates the son from the father.

This month, I also turned a year older. And at this ripe old age of (clearing throat) I finally acknowledged my weight and learned to ebay. What wonderful accomplishments! LOL.

The Wild Wild World of Ebay

Yup, I must admit, I'm an Ebay virgin. It's a whole new world for me. Should I jump into it with both feet or test the waters first? The idea of buying something in ebay is exciting yet scary at the same time. Not so, my DH. DH is what you would call an ebay denizen. Even when it was in its infancy, DH was glued to the screen, waiting to bid on the last second, to snipe some complacent individual out of his/her bid.

I remember one of the worst fights we ever had. The year was 1998. Our computer was then a bulky desktop that was parked in the small landing between the stairs and our room. Our internet connection was through a dial-up modem, which was connected to our phone downstairs. Thus, if either of us was online, it meant that our phone was busy. It also meant that you had to be very careful walking down the stairs because of the cords snaking through the steps.

DH is an avid collector. He collects action figures, McDonald's Happy Meal toys (remind me to tell you about the time when he just had to have all the 101 Dalmatians, and no, he didn't go to ebay for them), antiquarian books about the Philippines... The list is endless. That summer he was into collecting vintage toys. Specifically, the toys he remembers playing with as a child. He even browsed his mom's family albums to search for photos of him with toys. He had these photos tacked in a board behind the computer and he patiently searched ebay for them.

That time it was a tin tank that runs over a flat giant gorilla. He had been waiting for days to bid on this item. And at 3:00 that morning, he patiently waited for his opportunity to make the tank and the gorilla his. I awoke from a deep slumber feeling very thirsty. I said "hi" to him as I groggily walked towards the stairs. And then disaster struck! In my haste, I tripped on the telephone wires on the floor. I heard him yell and while I steadied myself, he scrambled to re-connect the wires. Yes, my gallant husband didn't even care that I almost fell over the stairs. He was more concerned with his bid. And unfortunately for him, in those precious few seconds of disconnection someone outbid him by a mere $0.01. He never lets me forget about that. And I never let him forget that I almost died (okey, I am exaggerating) because of his preoccupation with outwitting, outsmarting and outbidding other toy collectors.

Fast forward to now. I finally got a paypal account, so now I could ebay. But as I said earlier, I was not sure how to go about the whole thing. So I kept bugging DH to help me. I wanted him to bid for me using his account because he has a feedback of 100%. I have yet to build a record and I was concerned I'd make a big boo-boo and be branded negatively forever.

It seems I have to test the waters on my own. So tentatively, I placed a bid for a Quickutz Moxie SkinniMinni Die set. It was less than 30 minutes before the close of the bid and it was still $9.50. I put in a maximum bid of $10.50 and then I waited. For what? I do not know. Hehehe. I guess I was trying to check if someone had set an automatic bidding for this item. I then got engrossed looking at other stuff in ebay and when I came back, the auction was over and I had been outbid by 50 cents. I had an a-ha! moment. I have to set a higher maximum bid if I wanted to win something. (Obvious ba? Hehehe.)

My next foray was another learning experience. The bid was at $9.50, so having learned previous lesson, I typed a maximum bid of $19.50 (medyo nagdalawang-isip pa ako bago ako nag-confirm, pero sige na nga...). Less than a nanosecond later I had feedback that I was outbid. Again. Wah??? So fast? How did that happen? I realized then someone had set a higher maximum amount than my $19.50. I didn't bid again. It was much too expensive for my taste already. I didn't want that diecut so badly anyway.

Three more attempts and I finally got the hang of it. I was having fun. I bid here and there, always stopping short of actually winning. So if you saw unusual activity on Quickutz items these past two days, that was me. LOL.

Bidding is actually quite exciting. It's a little bit like gambling so I can understand why some people are so hooked on ebay. And I know if I'm not careful, I could be like my DH was 10 years ago.

Budget Travel Itinerary

With 3 KiDS and two adults, all paying full fare, there is no other way to travel. If we want to be able to do a lot of sight-seeing or stop at the prerequisite Toys 'R' Us (and of course, Michaels and Joann's for me and Barnes and Noble for DH), we have to find the best bargains in terms of air flights and hotel accommodations. So I'm glad I stumbled on this site which guarantees the lowest hotel rate publicly available on the internet for U.S. hotels.

While we have friends and family in L.A., it's sometimes better to stay in a hotel so we can come and go as we please. Besides, not everyone is ready for my KiDS' rambunctiousness. Planning to stay in Los Angeles hotels seems just the ticket to spare everyone from extreme guest fatigue. :-) I'm sure the KiDS will enjoy visiting the La Brea Museum and Universal Studios again.

I have always told DH how much I enjoyed San Francisco when I last visited, and I'm sure he and the KiDS would, too. I particularly enjoyed the relaxing drives outside the city to Carmel, Monterrey and Tiburon and I would love for them to experience those. Unfortunately, my roommate from college has since moved so we would definitely have to book a San Francisco hotel if we were to visit there.

And who says there's nothing much for children to do in New York? Well, my KiDS are geeks so I'm sure they'll enjoy the museums. Will have to make sure we go on free days, of course. Hehehe. Then there's the zoo in Central Park. We really have to find cheap New York hotels because NYC can be expensive. Maybe I'll visit my old office (well, it's an official landmark that I can showoff to the KiDS) and try to get free lunch from my former bosses. Wink- wink.

Oh, well, all this planning makes me want to go right now, but I know I will get better deals if I pre-book online first. Everything should be planned perfectly. And in the cheapest manner possible. (Must leave money for scrapbooking stuff.)

Album Fillers

It has been a hectic month, what with medical emergencies, housework and office work. But I had been raring to scrap, not because there was a creative urge that couldn't be ignored within me, but because I couldn't stand that there's three blank spots in my album. The 20-page album (40 LOs) which I started late last year is almost full, except for three LOs. I couldn't move on until those 3 blank sheets are no more. There's nothing more fulfilling than completing one whole album.

Sapilitan baga, heto ang naging resulta. Sorry, no time to take better photos and edit such. I'm really more comfortable with my Microtek scanner but it needs cleaning. I'm still looking for a local service center.

HUGGLES

My girls have a love-hate relationship.


Journaling:
When you're not fighting, you're hugging. It seems to me though, that it's always Kahlo who initiates the first contact. But regardless, Sarah always seems happy to hug right back. I wish there were more moments like these. They're more precious than the snubbing or the pretending the other doesn't exist. 6/12/08

Materials:
Paper - Basic Grey; Stamps - Autumn Leaves; Ink - Tsukineko Versamark; Embossing Powder - Ranger Polysparkle; Diecut - traced Big Scoops parenthesis to make two more; Paints - Making Memories; Stickers - EK Success; Glitter - Hero Arts; Pen - Gel Writer; Punch - Fiskar's; Adhesive - Saunders.


Finally got to use the elusive Threading Water puncher which Ching gave me as a birthday present. I love how the stamped image added texture and glitz on this simple LO too.

CAPTURE

When DH and I travel, our biggest problem is taking photos of us together. Since we hike most of the time, we don't bring a tripod. In this trip, we brought one small enough to fit in the pocket but I broke it as soon as I tried using it (Ssshhhh...he thinks it broke because of shoddy workmanship.) We also don't like bothering other people to take our photos. But maybe we should change our attitude about that. :-)


Journaling:
capture moments...capture love...capture the look of love. DH and I hamming it for the camera, on a plane from Boracay, 9/03/06 trip. capture our wacky personalities.

We are not so bad when it comes to photographing our KiDS. But when it comes to capturing photos of us together, we could certainly do better. Between your antics and my off-center shots, I should be smiling.

Materials:
Papers - Prima; CS - Debbie Mumm; Chipboards - Heidi Swapp; Pen - Uni-Ball Signo; Adhesives - Saunders.

I Can't Help It

What can I say I love to eat, and this photo at one of my favorite restaurants, Italianni's, with favorite friends certainly captures that.


Journaling:
I won't write it down cause I reveal my weight in this LO. Hehehe. Time to hit the tracks and exercise!!!

Materials:
PPS - Making Memories; Flower - Petaloo; Stamp - Hero Arts; Ink - Tsukineko; Rubons - Imaginisce; Foams - American Crafts; Pen - American Crafts; Adhesive - Saunders; Ric rac - Joanns.


My first time to stamp on a flower. And I did it after I had adhered the flower on the LO. It was really an after thought. Thus, I had a minor accident with the ink pad which slipped from my fingers and fell right on my LO and stupid me, I tried to wipe the impression off with baby wipes - see top of LO. I'm still thinking whether I should fix it or leave it as is. But knowing me, I know I'll just move on to the next LO.

So that's it. I'm so excited at the idea of filling a fresh new album with more creations.

My Studio Azul Win

Bragging much? Hehehe. Sorry, I couldn't think of any other title. The grey skies and the cold winds combine to make me too lazy to come up with anything else.

Anyway, this is late because I actually found out I won last June 1. And today, I got my prizes from Mia of Studio Azul. Yummy papers from Crate and AC Thickers. I've always liked Crate papers but for some reason never bought any, so these are just perfect for my girly-girl LOs. Thanks, Mia and Tin.


Up until now, I still cannot believe that Iris chose my version of her LO. There's that goofy smile on my face again. This is one of the best compliments anyone's ever paid my scrapbooking.

And also, I've received questions on how I made the U in "All About U". Well, it was one of those experiments that failed. What my son Diego would call a happy accident.


I was aiming for a beaded U actually. So I covered the raw chipboard with pearl UTEE and before it dried up, I poured beads over it. Unfortunately, not all the beads clung to the UTEE. I removed those few that did cling so I can start over again. And then I thought I liked the effect of the "holes" on the chipboard. So I heat embossed the UTEE again and deliberately used the beads to make more pock marks on its surface. I then sprayed gold Radiant Rain for a two-tone effect. I am not the type to experiment on techniques much, so this is the closest I'll ever get to being experimental.

Here's to more happy accidents in the future. Hmmmm...maybe my winning was also a happy accident. LOL.

Respecting our National Flag

This was supposed to be a post for National Flag Day last May 28, but I was quite overwhelmed with family matters for the past few weeks as you may know. But I think it still merits posting.

I don't know about you, but since grade school respect for the flag has been programmed in my psyche. Always face the flag and stand straight when you hear the national anthem playing. The Philippine flag should always be raised higher than any other flags. The flag should promptly be taken down from the flagpole before night fall, and it should never never touch the ground. (We used to freak out as flag bearers when a part of the flag would accidentally scrape the floor.) I have taken these rules to heart, that until now, whenever I see our flag hang incorrectly (when it's pinned on a wall, the blue field should be at the viewer's left, you don't just turn it 90 degrees making the blue field at right), I would look for the person in charge and ask them to correct it.

Other things that bug me, which, when you read the National Flag Code or R.A. 8491, are unlawful are: 1) personalities appearing in advertisements with the flag as the backdrop (especially true for election posters); 2) manufacturers using the flag as trademarks for designs and labels; 3) people wearing the flag as a costume or uniform (I think the Reyna Bandera in Santacruzans is tolerated because of tradition, although I do not see how she fits in the story); 4) imprinting words and images on the flag for advertising purposes.

Yes, I know, you're beginning to think I'm a loon, all because of a flag. Maybe so, so imagine my reaction when I saw this:

An innocuous child's toy you might say. I think some people would even rejoice at this, because to them, it might be a symbol of Manny Pacquiao's recent wins in international boxing. I'm sure the manufacturer intentionally capitalized on that. But to me, it's not right. It is a punching bag, after all. Would you take pleasure in punching a symbol of your nation? Literally? What are we teaching our children?

DH has a conspiracy theory: China shipped a huge lot of these toys to Mexico, and now Mexican children are using these punching bags to train as pugilists.

Kawawa naman ang aking bayan. Ginawa na namang punching bag.

Let's put more respect for some things that symbolize our freedom and independence shall we?

The Scare

So, about two weeks ago, I had quite a scare. And no, I'm not talking about turning 41. Although come to think of it, that can also be a scary proposition. What with osteoporosis, menopause, memory gap (ok, wider memory gaps) in the offing. Thank God, my body doesn't feel like it's in forties yet. Woe to you who says I look like I'm 40 or older. Grrr.... :-)

Anyway, my earlier post about Sarah being sick did turn out to be dengue! I don't know where she got it. We stayed put most of the summer, with a few trips to Lola Mama's house in Marikina and to the mall. Still we are mobile, and the mosquitoes are mobile and then wham! Somewhere in the universe, the twain did meet.To make it worse, damn mosquito wasn't content to bite just one kid. She had to have a taste of Kahlo, too. So it was that I spent the week of my birthday in the hospital. (For a timeline of events, you can view my KiDS' blog here.)

It's not easy taking care of a sick child, so I am grateful for the efficient staff at SDS. I am glad that is not a teaching hospital because I do not think I could have tolerated interns coming in every 30 minutes to "check" on the patient. Still, since I took care of them full-time (DH had to earn money to pay for the hospital bills hehe), I had to find ways to entertain myself. I finished the Chronicles of Narnia (yes, all the seven books) in 4 days. And on the 5th day, DH smuggled in our DVD player, so Sarah and Kahlo were able to watch Pokemon (sadly, no cable in the hospital.) I also managed to watch Season 3 of The Closer.

But all's well that ends well, the KiDS are fine now, and I am one happy albeit tired and older Mama. The good thing, I discovered this small restaurant at the back of the hospital called Qizia. They serve really good pesto pasta and at really cheap prices, too. Didn't have a chance to take food photos cause I usually ate in the hospital room in styropor packs. Not very picture-worthy but oh so delicious.

So one life challenge hurdled. School will start this Monday, so I expect more challenges on the way. Heaven help me!

BTW, I did have some sort of a birthday party before we went to the hospital, thanks to Ching, who so kindly turned a welcome salo-salo for herself to an impromptu bday party for me. They even got me a birthday cake, and a really cool present which I will brag about, I mean blog about later. :-) Ching is a scrapbooker based in the US who came home to the Philippines with her family for a brief vacation. Nina and I went all the way to Novaliches to meet her and her husband Bob. We had a lot of fun meeting them. They're really such a sweet couple.