Sneak Peek for new Artz de Scrap Project!

Here's a sneak peek at the next project for Artz de Scrap! Do check out the website at http://artzdescrap.blogspot.com/ for the full reveal on Jan. 30!

My very own "Toy Kingdom"

On my way to Toy Kingdom, I couldn't resist visiting my favorite store in SM Mega Mall. Carolina's is a sewing notions store, but when inside, I get lost in a world of vintage laces and cloth flowers and glass beads. I literally drool over the many laces I see there. Of course, even if I only intend to buy 1 yard of a particular lace, I end up spending so much more, especially when I see the colors that evoke the old world blood in me. Today, here's the stash I bought:


Aren't they lovely?!!! I now have more than 1 drawerful of ribbons and laces, I don't know where I can keep any of them, and yet I just got more! Carolina's is virtually my own "Toy Kingdom!" If Galo goes to Toy Kingdom, hubby goes to Cyberzone, I go to Carolina's! I can spend hours there just oggling and choosing and buying stuff there!

Actually, I am thinking of reclaiming the 4th set of 4 drawer box cabinetry I had made from hubby's worktable, so I can organize the overflowing mess I have! I am literally messing up our bedroom! I really wish I had my own scrapbooking room. Still, I wouldn't want to miss the daily routine I have, seeing hubby at his table surfing the net and being pestered, cajoled and hugged by my little boy playing. Hmmm. Definitely don't want to miss those.

Finally, my 1st LO for the year! "Note to Self!"

I saw a challenge that was able to push me to make a LO. Prima has this Frugal Scrapper Challenge, asking scrappers to use Prima packaging for a LO. In the beginning, I had my doubts as to whether or not I could actually do it. And lo and behold, I was able to come up with something that I was truly proud of!

I used 3 different Prima packaging materials. I used the Prima Transparencies packaging, noting that it was made of strong brown kraft paper. I figured it was good to use as my base so I cut it into 12 x12, then tore the edges off. Since I distressed the paper and rolled it at the edges, the design on the back also showed where it was rolled. The paper was also strong enough to take crackle paint, bringing much needed light in the middle of the LO. I left the words "Prima Transparencies" on the left side for interest, to make it appear more ephemeral. I also inked the sides of the paper with walnut ink, further making the LO more distressed than ever. I also added a vintage-looking silver-grey lace to add texture, and through the keyhole punch already there in the paper, I inserted an old pink ribbon.

I used half a Prima Flower Brad board package, the one with the black and white background. I pasted this in the lower corner of the LO. This became the base for the photo I wanted to put emphasis on.

I then cut the back page of the Prima Build a Frame Collection II Clear Stamp Package. The sample frames at the back of the package were perfect frames in themselves! I used one of them to decorate my photo, and used a Sizzix Flower Diecut to make flowers from the other frames. Then, I sprayed Glimmer Mist Olive Vine on the flowers, and both Olive Vine and Merlot on the frame. Because the paper was glossy, they all soaked up the spray really well.

I also used the same paper flowers to mask and spray onto the crackle paint, giving a hint of flowers with the olive vine mist. Then, I added pink sequin flowers from Carolina's. I also added Prima Flower Brads (especially now that I've used the packaging!), a Prima Clear Stamp The Sweet Life 42 Cents (not sure what it's called). I added my Thickers alphas, made the journal, then doodled leaf vines around the photo. I also used an olive green glaze pen to color parts of the leaves for more interest.

Now, I'm quite happy with how it turned out. I didn't think I could do it, but I realized I really can be frugal, if necessary. Of course, it really doesn't turn out to be such a frugal LO with so many elements that I've added. LOL!

The photo shows Arn and I before Galo came into our lives. This was when we would regularly visit the Photo Me Booth of SM Mega for our yearly anniversary pics. Just goes to prove that before kids, wala kaming magawang matino bilang mag-asawa! LOL! Journal reads: 1. Look back and remember. 2. Keep Faith. 3. Keep Love. 4. Keep Life.

Materials Used: Prima Transparencies Package, Prima Build a Frame Collection II Package, Prima Belle Fleur Gold Embossed Flowers packaging, Prima Belle G=Fleur Gold Embossed Flowers, Prima Clear Stamps The Sweet Life 42 Cents, Distress Crackle Paint Tattered Rose, Tsukineko Walnut Ink, Glimmer Mist (Olive Vine & Merlot), StazOn Black, AC Thickers Sprinkles Black, miscellaneous old pink ribbon, Carolina's silver-grey lace, Carolina's pink sequin flowers lace (cut-up), Pigma Micron 03 black, Sakura Glaze Olive Green. Diecut: Sizzix Flower.

Techniques used: paper-tearing & rolling, inking sides of LO with walnut ink, masking, spraying glimmer mist, diecutting flower, crackle painting, stamping and doodling.

Artz de Scrap Altered Calendar Sign + RAK Giveaways!

Here's my take on the altered calendar sign. My calendar sign is originally covered with a black cloth so I decided to keep it as such and just spray Glimmer Mist Graphite on it! (I'm such a sucker for black!) I adhered a cut-out of the flowers and vines mm flocked paper on one side, attached half Petaloo flowers at the bottom and lined it with vintage lace, then placed Prima Postage Stamps Alphas + mm tiny alphas. For accent, I added Gelly Gems to simulate the stars. Hence, it became a sign for my desk since I needed one anyway.

Materials: old calendar stand sign, mm Flocked Floral Greenhouse Paperie, Glimmer Mist Graphite, mm tiny alphas white-on-black, Prima Postage Stamp Alphas, Gelly Gems Bright Lights, Petaloo flowers, Carolina's lace.

Artz de Scrap is hosting a RAK giveaway for 15 lucky ladies. All they need to do is post the Artz de Scrap blinkie in their blog and they're eligible to win a prize! How cool is that?! Do check out the announcement here!

My take on the Artz de Scrap Beads Challenge

I haven't received my packet of goodies for the projects yet. Knowing Philippine post, especially after the Christmas season, I'm sure it might take some time to get to me.

Because I was getting anxious with the deadline, I decided to make my own jewelry using beads and whatever else I had. I found this watch face that wasn't working anymore. The design looked vintage so I made a neckribbon instead. I sewed the watch in the middle of a faded olive velvet ribbon. Then, I sewed hematite cube beads on both sides of the ribbon, simulating the wrist arms of a watch. In order to keep the cubes in place, I had to tie each cube literally to the velvet ribbon. Otherwise, the tendency of the cubes is to hang. Then, I attached several jump rings on the bottom of the ribbon and hung turquoise-colored beads for movement.

At first, I thought, why would one use a watch for a pendant when they can't read the time? True, if it was working, the watch wouldn't be of any good since the wearer won't be able to see the face of the watch. But since it wasn't working, it was perfect as a decorative element.

I asked one of my students to model it for me. You can check out the Artz de Scrap blog for the gorgeous work of the other designers.

Materials: misc. velvet ribbon, old watch, hematite cube beads, turquoise-colored beads, jump rings, wire, thread.

Made it to the Artz de Scrap Design Team!

I'm honored to be chosen as one of the three new designers for Artz de Scrap from January-June '08! This is very important to me since altering objects has lately been more challenging to me lately. What is also great is that the Design Team also includes Cabbie Lopez, the 1st Scrappin' Moms Idol, also a Filipina. Congratulations also to my new co-design members, Raechelle Bellus and Bree Tetz. Hence, the Artz de Scrap Team consists of Liza Yet, Felicia Ow, and Cabbie Jane Lopez, plus myself, Raechelle and Bree! --- My goodness! I am in such great company, I'm sure it will be a challange just keeping up with such pool of talent!

Do check out the announcement here.