Cloud's Silver Lining in Scor-It

If you're read my Scrappin' Moms Idol3 post, I said I was very disappointed with how I tackled the Idol Finals Challenge (scroll down for the reasons behind it). Still, I was happy with the LO I was able to make in that grueling 4 hours.

This same LO entitled "(If I Were a Boy) We Wouldn't Be 5 Girls" (a mouthful!) is going to be displayed in the Scor-It website and newsletter at http://www.scorit.com/ next week! Tim Hammonds loved the idea of using the Mini Scor-It board to scor horizontal and diagonal lines on both the cardstock and the main photo! In fact, he asked me to do a Project of the Month for December and I've accepted! WOW! WOW! WOW! Just shows, every cloud does have a silver lining!

I decided to get the Mini Scor-It because I wanted something that was small enough to bring around if I wanted to use it on crop-meets. Truth is, I wasn't disappointed at all! It was a no-brainer to use and it really looked very sturdy. I'm just beginning to realize the many possibilities this tool can actually do.

What are you waiting for, ladies? Get your own Scor-It now!

Scrappin' Moms Idol 3- Challenge 1 Pick of the Week

I was lucky enough to be chosen as Pick of the Week for Challenge # 1 Paper Piecing!!! Woohooh!!! This is a first time for me! I never thought I'd get chosen. Last year, I never got chosen once, so I must have done something really good this time. I'm on cloud nine, feeling so lucky to have been chosen. Even if I don't make it to the finals, this is enough for me. Besides, I don't know if I can keep churning out LOs that will meet the requirements with the challenges getting more difficult as the weeks pass.

To see the announcement and the LO entitled My Small World, please check it out here. Thank you very much, Idol Cabbie!

Bored Waiting, ScrapJam LO & RAK

ScrapJam immediately followed our return trip from HK (literally the night before!) so I barely had time to have photos made and get ready for scrapping. Of course, I thought I was pretty well-equipped for the event, only to find out I didn't bring my cutting mat, my blade, photo tape, sander, Maya scrolls, flowers, ribbons, etc. I had to borrow from my scrap buddies just to make it through!

Hence, when judging for the LO came, I didn't expect to win, nor even place as a runner-up at all! With great scrappers, Lee, Bjay and Donna, in my table blowing our minds with their skills, plus the talents of Cabbie, Mia, Nita, Au, Alby, Jeanie, Gracie, and so many others present, I just didn't have a chance. Still, I just went for my target of making 1 finished LO given everything stacked against me.

We were required to use the 3 papers given to us, plus Thickers bought on the spot, and also to use any stamp. Good thing, I had my Studio Azul Kit with me so I was able to use the boy stamp and the tag provided therein. The tag was great as a hidden journal, and fortunately, Scrapbooks-Hawaii sold ribbons of the exact color as the papers I got!

I decided to put the 3 papers one on top of the other, making some kind of stairs. I made the kraft paper as the first base, with the brown, then the red pp on top. In order to fit the 12x12 size, I had to recut these papers so that the total will still fit my albums. I also hand-tore some of the edges.

Journal: April 3, 2009. Hongkong International Airport. You were hungry, thirsty, tired & bored, waiting for our return trip to Manila. You're a real trooper.

Techniques used: Stamping, layering of papers, hand-tearing and rolling of edges for distressing, folding of papers and photos plus sanding to make white lines across everything, crackle painting the undressed Thickers in 2 colors, rubbing 2 Glimmer Mists on the edges of the kraft paper (without shaking the bottles to lessen the glimmer part), handwritten journal.

Materials used: Basic Grey pps, SR pp, misc. kraft paper, Thickers Shoebox, Prima Accents Cavalier Collection Brads, Studio Azul Kit tag, mm Love 2 ribbons, 7 Gypsies Gaffer Tape, Ranger Distress Crackle Paints (Tattered Rose, Shabby Shutters, Aged Mahogany, Brushed Pewter), StazOn Black & White Stamp Inks. Stamps used: Studio Azul Kit Boy & Girl Stamp, Prima My Rose Ledger & Postage Stamps.

Here's the RAK I luckily won! Thanks, Marisa of Scrapbooks-Hawaii, Yoyin and the ScrapJam Team! Love the RAK!

Now up as Featured Page Idea in MM On-line Gallery

The LO Once Upon a Time Beautiful Belles is currently up as a Featured Page Idea. This is one of those LOs where I truly prized the photo because it is one of those very few showing us as a complete family. In this case, the patterned papers are all Scenic Route. I've always found it difficult to use pps because I find them too busy. Fortunately, with one of the papers, I saw "'corn" so I just had to make one for the LO. Also, to temper the many patterns, I painted brown on the main paper. Unintendendly, the brown spot looked like a paper burn, as if the the paper grew old.

Here's the link: http://us.mc639.mail.yahoo.com/mc/showMessage?fid=Contest%2520Wins%252c%2520GDT%252c%2520Features&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&.rand=2127016210&midIndex=0&mid=1_18843_AHRhk0UAAYFSSHlDAgoOKh94fEk&eps=&f=1&nextMid=1_176_AHhhk0UAAL5NSGqIkQJrHnEl0Q0&m=1_18843_AHRhk0UAAYFSSHlDAgoOKh94fEk,1_176_AHhhk0UAAL5NSGqIkQJrHnEl0Q0,1_765_AHhhk0UAAA4kSF4BPA2WC30tkgM,1_1490_AH9hk0UAADZ6SEh6cQcHlDdTMpk,1_1985_AH1hk0UAABlTSEh6QQmcXVpqr48,1_2480_AIBhk0UAAMVwSEgjOwVhnW3nd5E,

Aged Wine

For the ScrapJam Challenge, I decided to focus on making a LO about my life-long friends in Confraternitas Jesu. The three photos showed us in 3 different times: 1989, 2001 and 2006. These are my true friends, since they know all my strengths and weaknesses, talents and shortcomings, and yet they have stood by me and seen me grow, in the same way that I have been witness to their growth.

Surprisingly, I was one of the winners in the challenge! (Congratulations to Rita and Cookie too!) I wasn't expecting this since the LO didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to be. I feel that the journal wasn't quite right and the white rub-ons on top of the masked alphas just wouldn't stick to the sprayed areas. But I guess that is everyone's difficulty as well given that we were only given about 1 hour to make it. Still, I'm not going to complain because the prize package is soooo deliriously delicious!

The journal is revealed when the champagne label with the flower is pulled out from the right. It reads: Life-long friends are like aged wine. They start young and sweet, sparkling and bright. Wine, like friendship, grows stronger, mellower, suave and mature as time passes. Time becomes the true test of all relationships. For those who wait and accompany each other, it is all worth it.

On the bottom corner of the LO, I added a Rhonna Farrer Rub-On Saying. It is only revealed once the journal is taken out. It reads: Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating tyourself.

The prizes are the ff: a 7-opening Picture Frame, Allary Scrapbooking Caddy (finally, I can retire my National Bookstore freebie caddy that is now too small for my needs!), Inque Boutique Phantom Stamps, Heidi Swapp Foam Stamps Drama, Gel-a-Tins Stamps, See-D's Li'l Stamps Vacation Memories, Bazzill 8"x8" Martha's Vineyard cardstock pack, BazzillBetz 2"x3" Alphabet card Assortment, Bazzill Really big 3" buttons, Stickles Dark Blue, Beadazzles Disco Ball, Keepsake Key Chain, and a 2"x2" olive picture frame-covered booklet that can be used for photos or journaling. SOOO YUMMY!!! Thank you very much Marissa of Scrapbooks-Hawaii and Nette of My Little Attic! I am so in-love with your stuff!!! (Proof of that is the big bag of other scrap materials I bought yesterday!)

Materials used: Bazzill (scalloped edges) cardstock, Iron Orchid Grabd Cru , Anna Griffin AG1281, BB Bosher green washer, Rhonna Farrer Phrases RubOns, Basic Grey Wholly Cow white rub-on scrolls, Carolina's lace ribbon, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Merlot, Elit Tracing Paper, UHU glue, Glue dots vellum, Japan Homes foam tape, Polar Bear Photo Memory Double Adhesive Tape. Others: American Crafts Thickers Prancer used for masking and making the title.

2nd magazine interested on WW2 Love Letters

Today, I received news that Scrapbooks Dimensions wanted to feature WW2 Love Letters in their On-line Reader's Gallery. Unfortunately, I had to decline. Since the same LO will be published in Sommerset Magazine early next year, it just wouldn't be right.

I wish I could make LOs really as truly great as that one. I believe such luck happens once in a blue moon.

Another featured page in MM Online Gallery!

Katie Hilbert of Memory Makers sent me another note asking for the supply list of "Once Upon a Time Beautiful Belles." What an honor! I happen to really like this LO although it didn't win any contest. I just liked the idea of the corn on the cob to decorate the hidden journal. Here's the page once again.

I also included the hidden journal. It reads:

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, a man with his wife and 5 daughters visited this enchanted kingdom called Disneyland. It was their first trip to this wonderful land so they sampled all the rides and all its shops.

In one shop, they saw a man making old photographs. This man was a wizard. He dressed them all up in old clothes and instantly transformed them into gentle ladies of the south. Everyone felt beautiful. Although the old clothes were sent back, and everyone returned to their normal selves, he captured that one enchanting moment. The wizard created a picture that would last a lifetime, once upon a time.

Got Selected for Webster's Pages I Love You Contest!

A few months ago, I stumbled on Webster's Pages and fell in love with their line of papers, rub-ons and alpha stickers. They had this "I Love You" Contest wherein everyone was encouraged to give their definition of what love is beyond the use of words. I completely forgot about this since I just made a definition on a whim, thinking, "What am I to lose anyway?" Well, I got selected as one of the 3 out of 1000+ entries. Who'd believe it? I still can't. I never thought I was good at words, let alone defining the quintessential "LOVE." You can check it out at http://websterspages.typepad.com/

Here's what I wrote:

I love you is not said in words.
It is said in many different ways
without the use of words.
I love you is not said in 3 red roses.
It is said in a box of tissue,
when you've just had a fight
and the tears keep on flowing.
I love you is not said in a love letter.
It is said in a plain white mailing envelope
that you see in your mailbox every week.
I love you is not said in a box of chocolates.
It is said in a thoughtful gesture,
like a hug when you feel down.
I love you is not said in an engagement ring.
It is said in the holding of hands,
to assure you that you will never be alone.
I love you is not said in front of a priest.
It is said in front of God.
I love you is not a bunch of empty words.
It is a promise made for all eternity
to go beyond all mortality.

To Galo...LO now up in ArtGlitter.com!!!

I'm so excited! To Galo (to be read) On the Day You Decide to Walk Down that Aisle, a LO I did for the KAYA 12 Challenge of PinoyScrapbookers is now up in Barbara Trombley's ArtGlitter.com website! I had to retake the photos to show off the vintage glass glitter (onyx and fine dust) under the sun to make it really sparkle. It wasn't as brilliant as I'd like it to be since in reality, the glass doesn't quite catch. However, adding vintage glass really did give the lay-out a certain old and timeless appeal! I never liked glitter because of the tinsel-like appearance it gives, but vintage glass glitter? YES, yes, yes!!!

Thank you to Lee, to PinoyScrapbookers, to Scrapbukan for making this possible!!!

RAK Win at Peek!

Weeeee!!! I won $25 worth of scrapping stuff at A Peek Into Yesterday for Coveted Slippers!!! (If you'd like to see the LO, it is a few entries below.) My first win there! Oh my, oh my! This is the 5th great news I've received in the space of weeks!!! Dear God, thank you, thank you, thank you very much!!!

Coveted Slippers

In A Peek into Yesterday, the week's challenge was to scrap a childhood keepsake. The only object I treasured and still possess is my pair of toe slippers. When I was a child, my only dream was to be a dancer. Mind you, not just part of the corps de ballet, nor just a prima ballerina, but to aim for prima ballerina assoluta, the highest level of professional dancing. Of course, this dream wasn't quite possible for many, many reasons. Suffice to say, although my heart was in it, there were many things going against it, such as wrong body type, structure of the foot, etc. The day I gave up my toe slippers, I felt a part of me died. And for the longest time, these worn out slippers were hung on my wall, reminding me of what could have been.

And yet, on hindsight, dreams such as these are transitory. They prepare us for other avenues, other dreams, other possibilities. The initial dream helps us to learn lessons in life that will make us better persons, better performers and not just dreamers. Dreams, although they may start lofty and high, help ground us for the reality of working for reachable goals. Dreams after all, made me who I am today.

Journal: As a child, I worked hard to earn my toe slippers. Years after the dream to dance ended, I kept my toe slippers to remind me that dreams die to give way to bigger dreams and challenges.

Materials: Daisyd's NO. 12, Bazzill black cs, Al French Twist Journaling Panel, Glitter Chipboard, Doodlebug sugarcoated beetle black hopscotch alphabet, misc. pink ribbon, Daisyd's Rub-On Wishes, FP Bella Brush Stamps, Brilliance Moonlight White, Tsukineko Walnut Ink, VersaCraft 182 Real Black

Upcoming ArtGlitter Feature!

This morning, another great news came my way. I was checking the PinoyScrappers Challenge blog when I read this note telling me that Barbara Trombley of www.artglitter.com wants to feature my work! And take this, she actually visited my blog! OH MY! I AM DEFINITELY NOT WORTHY!!!

Three strikes in a row! I must be doing something right! Problem is, I still don't know what it is!!! Lol.

Upcoming Maya Road Feature!

I got a text message and a YM from Jane of Rekindled Moments. She recently sponsored a Maya Road Challenge where I submitted My Little Book of Ancestors. She was asking permission from me to show this work because Lisa Pace of MR wants to feature it! Don't know where but I suppose in the Maya Road website! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! I'M STILL NOT WORTHY!

Upcoming Memory Makers Magazine Feature!

Yesterday, I woke up to an email from Katie Hilbert asking for a supply list and the journal. Memory Makers Magazine wants to feature my LO "In My Secret Garden!" My goodness! It is such an honor! --- I don't know when they'll feature it but I am so happy!

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.

My Little Book of Ancestors

This is a little child's ancestor book. It is intended to introduce my 4-year old to his ancestors as well as see his connection with them. Each of the ancestors has a 2x2 ID photo, plus a photo inside the flap, including a trait or characteristic that was passed on to my son. Inside flap photos show my son with his ancestor (parent or grandparent). For deceased ancestors, I used a photo of the ancestor together with me or my husband or close relative. It also has a LO page for my son to tie him to his ancestors. At the end of the book is a family tree that spans 5 generations. Minimal embellishments were used because of the thickness of the whole book. Also, by minimizing the embellishments, I lessen the chance of the book getting easily destroyed with handling by my son. This little book of ancestors is meant to be just a start in Galo's ancestry. It can also be expanded and developed with more volumes and is only limited by the lack of old photos and still uncovered information.

Journal: (The format for each ancestor is the same as that for my little boy.)

1st- This is Daddy Arn. I got my love for Math, audio speakers and F-1 Racing from him. (Inside flap) Daddy Arn was born on Dec.30,1963 in Quezon City. He is a great Mathematician, a writer, an editor and a computer, speak and dvd afficionado. (Photo shows Daddy with Galo.)

2nd- This is Mommy Candy. I got my creativity, love for the piano and for music from her. (Inside flap) Mommy Candy was born on Aug.1,1965 in Manila. She is an artist, a genealogist and a Montessori teacher. (Photo shows Mommy with Galo.)

3rd- This is Lolo Arnie. I got my big Lagazon ears from him. (Inside flap) Lolo Arnie Lagazon is Daddy's daddy. He was born on Dec.21,1936. He is a retired well-respected Language teacher. (Photo shows Lolo Arnie with Galo.)

4th- This is Lola Tessie. I got my determination to do things my own way from her. (Inside flap) Lola Tessie is Daddy's mommy. She was born on May16,1940. She died on Mar.30,1986. She was an elementary teacher and a child psychologist. (Photo shows Lola Tessie with daddy.)

5th- This is Lolo Butch. I got my distinctive Bonoan chin from him. (Inside flap) Lolo Butch is Mommy's daddy. He was born on Nov.10,1941. He was a banker and a finance expert. He is also a businessman. (Photo shows Lolo Butch with Galo.)

6th- This is Lola Connie. I got my love for dismantling things from her. (Inside flap) Lola Connie is Mommy's mommy. She was born on June 7,1943. She is a businesswoman, a construction expert and a Jill-of-all-trades. (Photo shows Lola Connie with Galo.)

7th- This is Greatlolo Martin. I got my wide Bonoan forehead from him. (Inside flap) Lolo Martin is Mommy's grandfather and the father of Lolo Butch. He was born on May 4,1904. He died on Jan.17,1957. He was a war veteran and an engineer. (Photo shows Lolo Martin smoking a cigar.)

8th- This is Greatlola Chiching. I got my big Pineda eyes and beautiful nose from her. (Inside flap) Lola Chiching is Mommy's grandmother and the mother of Lolo Butch. She was born on Jan.15,1900. She died on Oct.9,1991. She raised her 5 sons single-handedly after Lolo Martin's death. (Photo shows Lola Chiching with mommy.)

9th- This is Greatlolo Carding. I got my dark and tanned skin coloring from him. (Inside flap) Lolo Carding is mommy's grandfather and the father of Lola Connie. He was born on Apr.22,1910. He died on Apr.11,1979. He was a printing ink manufacturer. (Photo shows Lolo Carding with mommy.)

10th- This is Greatlola Mary. I got my love for chocolates from her. (Inside flap) Lola Maria is Mommy's grandmother and the mother of Lola Connie. She was born on Feb.7,1916. She died on Nov.9,1960. She was a housewife and was a beauty shop owner. (Photo shows Lola Maria with Lola Baby, Lola Connie's sister, and Lolo Carding.)

11th- This is me, Galo. I got everything, my looks, my brains and my personality from all of them. They are my ancestors. (Inside flap) I was born on Jan.8,2004. I am 4 years old. I like Ferrari F1s, Disney dvds, toy cars and singing. I like having fun and teasing others. (Photo shows of Galo at 4 yrs.old.)

12th- (FAMILY TREE showing relatives on both Bonoan and Lagazon side reaching up to 5 generations. The Lagazon side only goes up to Galo's greatgrandparents, while the Bonoan side goes up to Galo's great-greatgrandparents.)

I won Studio Azul's Challenge! WOOOH!

I'm soo happy! I won the non-member's Studio Azul Challenge using Au's Sketch for Water Fountain! WOOOH! Didn't think I would since there were many, many LOs I think were even more striking than mine! But I won't say no to the prize! Haaaay, heaven. I love the RAK!!! Thanks, Mia and Tin! --- I am not worthy!!!--- Congratulations to all the ladies for their gorgeous LOs!

In My Secret Garden (and Webster's Pages)

I am so in love with Webster's Pages! The first time I saw such papers was sometime in Oct.-Nov. when I first saw them on-line in Lasting Impressions. I knew I just had to have those lovely papers so I bought them immediately. Since then, I regularly visited the Webster's Pages site. It's the only site I actually visit all the time!

For Lasting Impressions' Webster's Challenge, I made 2 LOs. This was the first. I was so excited to use the papers, I was the first to even submit a LO! Talk about eager-beaver!

Lately, I have become obsessed with painting. Although I have been painting for years on canvas, I've never done so on an LO. After seeing Studio Azul's "paintables" last Christmas and seeing Luminarte's pots of paint, I knew I just had to start taking up the palette again.

My wedding photo captured a spontaneous look back at my friends and well-wishers while my dad gave me away to hubby at the altar.

Hidden Journal: In my secret garden, I am forever beautiful. I feel the bountiful blessings of life, the sweet serenity of youth, and the tranquility of love. As the years pass, this image will be locked in the secret garden of my mind.

Water Fountain

I had a difficult time making this LO based on Au Lim's sketch for Studio Azul because it needed 4 photos. I loved the photo of the water fountain so much, I decided to make it as part of the foreground papers by printing it on a transparency. Since the background is a water paper pattern, the pattern just showed through the transparency. The photos of Galo playing and having fun with the squirting water in Market!Market! were really worth capturing.

Once Upon a Time Beautiful Belles

I really like this photo and Scenic Route LO. The photo of my family when I was about 18 years old is one of those few we have where we're complete. Taken in Disneyland, it was a rare opportunity for us to wear costumes and pose for a B&W photograph southern style. The corn attached to the journal is something I really had fun making. As soon as I saw the patterned paper, I knew it had to be made into a corn. Actually, it was this corn idea that prompted me to use the photograph which I've longed to scrap for the longest time. Hidden Journal reads:
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, a man with his wife and 5 daughters visited this enchanted kingdom called Disneyland. It was their first trip to this wonderful land so they sampled all the rides and all its shops. In one shop, they saw a man making old photographs. This man was a wizard. He dressed them all up in old clothes and instantly transformed them into gentle ladies of the south. Everyone felt beautiful. Although the old clothes were sent back, and everyone returned to their normal selves, he captured that one enchanting moment. The wizard created a picture that would last a lifetime, once upon a time.