KAYA 22 - Fields of Gold

I loved this song from the moment I heard it sung by Sting. It was written by Sting for his wife. For me, it evokes a long life of love and companionship. It's something I'm looking forward to as we mature.

Journal: Growing old together, seeing time pass with joined hands in our fields of gold, in a song that withstands time.

FIELDS OF GOLD by Sting

...Will you stay with me, will you be my love,
Among the fields of barley.
Will forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in fields of gold.

...Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley.
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold....

I used a plain yellow ochre cs and stamped all over, first with StazOn black and olive green, then embossed same stamp in black and in gold. Distressing was made by rubbing walnut ink and by rolling and tearing the sides. Also, by rubbing more walnut ink where the stamping was made, I created an illusion of more plants in the background. To hold the photo and the song in tracing paper, I cross-stitched silver thread at strategic places around them. I also sewed clear and amber glass beads together with miscellaneous dried grain stalks for added interest. Photo was also altered in Lightroom to age its look.

Materials: Bazzill cs, Thickers Shoebox alpha, Carolina's lace and ribbon, Kotex silver thread, Elit tracing paper, miscellaneous glass beads (clear and amber), StazOn black & olive, VersaMark Watermark, PA embossing powder in gold and in black, Tsukineko Walnut Ink. Stamp used: Stamper's Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection Nature's Discovery 049.

My 1st time to host the Kaya Challenge!

This is the very first time I'm hosting the Pinoyscrapbookers' Kaya Challenge. Kaya Challenge #20 is actually the Christmas Challenge. My deep respect and connection to my ancestry has pushed me to include my ancestors into our christmas decor, specifically our christmas tree. Hence, in our house, our christmas tree is now also a Family Tree. The tree is no longer just a decor and a place for putting beautifully-wrapped gifts in. It is now a collection of memories, a sacred place for honoring our loved ones, as well as a great conversation piece for family and friends. What better way to keep the spirit of Christmas alive?

If you'd like to check out the challenge rules, the RAK, as well as the entries that will be displayed for this month, do head on to http://www.pinoyscrapbookers.blogspot.com/ Good luck to everyone. MERRY CHRISTMAS and MERRY DECORATING!!!

KAYA 19 Challenge #3 Distressed Look

I did this challenge thinking it would be easy. Distressing is easy for me since it is the core of my vintage style. Unfortunately, I am definitely challenged when it's a Christmas Theme. Of all LOs, I am consciously aware of avoiding Christmas, from avoiding the prerequisite bright greens and reds, to the cute Christmas papers and embellies being sold. For some reason, I sometimes think my vintage style and Christmas don't go well together, at least most of the time. I was really glad it did for this one though.

This photo of Galo however started to call to me. This is last year's Christmas Day at his grandfather's house. He just received his gifts, and yet he still had an open hand, as if asking for more. At 3 years then, his grasp of the meaning of Christmas is limited by his experience of receiving many, many toys (much to my horror whenever I think about where to put all of them, and how to weed out last year's batch!). After all, he's still a kid. And so he will be for a few more years. ---I guess, what I'm saying is, let him have his fun.

Journaling:
All I want for Christmas are more... Christmas Toys.

Materials:
Love Elsie Noel Tree Lot, Tinkering Ink Yuletide Joyous Noel/Mulled Wine, Daisy d's Rub Ons Telling the Story, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Merlot, Brilliance Moonlight White, misc. gold ribbon, Carolina's grey cord, Carolina's lace, Pigma Micron 03 pen.

Techniques Used:
Folding and sanding the photo, inking the photo, paper tearing, rolling the sides of the LO, spraying mist around the sides of the LO + rubbing same mist on the undersides of the rolled portions.

KAYA 19 Challenge #2 Negative Space

I made this LO this morning, hoping to reach the deadline this evening. The KAYA 19 Challenge#2 in the PinoyScrapbookers Challenge Blog is to make use of negative space. Of course, I couldn't make the LO have more than 1/2 of negative space. I just had to add so many things, including stamping a french script on the paper.

The photo shows my favorite topic, my son Galo. Journal reads: Tagaytay, Summer 2008. Galo learned to be independent early. He has his own ideas of what he wants and who he wants to be. He has his own path to take.

Materials: BG Aged & Confused Vagabond Green bean, MME Tres Jolie Ooh La La Unique Card, SR Chipboard Plain Butterflies, Carolina's lace, ProvoCraft Alphaletterz Brush Seaside Express, Colorbox Chalk Chestnut Roan, Ranger Distress Crackle Paint Weathered Wood, Whispers Embossing Powder Blue, Puff Ups Puff White Translucent, misc. crystal glitter, Tsukineko Walnut Ink, VersaMark Watermark, Pigma Micron 03. Stamp used: Stampin' Up En Francais.

Techniques: handwritten journal, ageing photo through LightRoom, crackle paint, stamping and layering embossing powder and puff powder, inking, rubbing with walnut ink.

KAYA 19 Challenge #1

Finally, I was able to make a LO for KAYA 19. It took me a while to make a LO again since I seem to be pulled to make altered art a lot.

This is a photo of Galo in Loyola Memorial. This was the first time he became aware of a cemetery visit. Journal reads: Galo met his paternal grandmother on a visit to the cemetery. He had no fear, only questions. Typical of a young child. A day to remember.

Materials used: Bazzill cs, AC Amplified Woodstock, Tinkering Ink For the Birds, MME Tres Jolie Mon Cheri Girl Card, MME Tres Jolie Birthday Boy Frame, Daisy d's RubOns Chloe Marie Ornate Elements, MM 5th Ave Blossoms and Buttons, Bo Bunny Bella Journee circular brad, Carolina's lace (cut into a flower for the ribbon), Carolina's ribbon, Stickles Dark Blue, Leeho white glitter, Whispers Dual Tip Markers Vintage, Versamark Watermark, Perfect Pearls Blue Patina, Colorbox Chalk Chestnut Roan, Pigma Micron 03.

Techniques Used: handtearing of cs and photo, inking sides and photo, rubbing perfect pearls patina for aged look, doodling and adding glitter for feathers of the bird, handwritten journal.

To Galo, Age 4, on the day you decide to walk down that aisle

This KAYA Challenge of Lee was a very difficult one indeed. The LO didn't take long to do. It was the handwritten letter that took me a week to finish. There were days (and I was still on vacation then) when I'd intentionally stay away from it. I knew that once I sat down to work on it, the tears will flow. I'm glad I finished it though. This letter says everything I'd like to say.

Dearest Galo,

Today, you have decided to walk down that aisle. By the time you read this, I'll be at least 20, 30 or 40 years older. I may not even be there by this time. This is a consequence of marrying a bit older and having you even much later.

Don't get me wrong. Marrying late was our choice, specifically mine. I had to study and find myself in the world before I could commit to your dad for life. I was able to live and experience the life I wanted. I knew what I gave up so I didn't have any misgivings or doubts. I knew what I was ready for.

Having you late was something we didn't anticipate. We have given up hope when you made your presence felt. Because of the difficult pregnancy, I admit I was angry at God and even wished you away. Fortunately, God didn't listen to me at that time. The miracle of your birth changed all that. Again and again, we were reminded that you are our gift, our "regalo." And over the succeeding years, you have made our lives happy, and our family complete.

I am sure that the woman you chose is someone you truly love. My mom once said that a mother always feels that no one is good enough for her child. I often wondered about that if and when the time came. I would like to think that we would have taught you enough to be able to choose someone who deserves your love. Just promise me that you will cherish her like your dad cherished me.

If by this time, I do have the chance to meet her, I will welcome her with open arms and accept her like the daughter I never had.

I love you, my son, with all of my heart. It would be a privilege to see you walk down that aisle, should luck be on my side.

Mommy
P.S. Should you decide to enter a religious community instead, you have our blessings as well. We know that God speaks in many ways. If you listen to His voice inside you, you will know what is right for you.