Scrappin' Moms Idol3 Challenge4-6

I confess. I haven't been good at updating my blog in the last month or so. I've been busy with the Idol and with schoolwork, I've neglected posting my projects in Scrappin'Moms Idol 3. So, I'm just going to lump them all together here.Challenge 4's theme was Let's Play. We were supposed to play with the papers, as well as use any combination of teal, orange, and yellow. Since the colors were not eye-catching enough, I added maroon to it. I literally played with the papers by cutting the papers and arranging them in a fan-fold to make it appear more than they really are. I also made a paper flower as the main embellishment. Photos I used were of me playing with the paper.
Challenge 5's theme was a Mini-album based on a favorite book. I chose mine to be Berenstain Bears, a favorite children's series that my son and I read almost every night. I basically used chipboards to cut them into shapes and layered them to make the album appear like a scene. We were required to use at least 2 ATCs and these had to be incorporated into the album. I used 2 to make one vegetable and one flower patch, 2 ATCs to make the garage doors, and 1 stamped with text about Imagination. Each of the photos I used were based on one of the series titles of the Berenstain Bears. Hence, I also placed the titles of the book on each photograph (Too Much Junk Food, In the Dark, The Trouble with Pets, Too Much Vacation). I guess, I just had too much fun making the shaped album!Challenge 6 was the Disney Princess theme. I couldn't relate to the theme because I've never seen myself as a princess. Although I grew up in a relatively well-off family, we were never spoiled nor taught to take money for granted. I guess because my dad worked hard to make his fortune. Hence, I centered the LO on my being Reluctant as a princess. Over the years, my friends would jibe me, saying, "May pera si Papa!" It meant, I could spend much if I wanted to. They didn't know that my father is very careful with his money, because he was a banker, an investment banker at that. I guess that rubbed off on me as well. I tried my best to be as simple as possible, learning to take public transportation rides (often incurring the ire of the dad quite a lot!), dressing down, buying wisely, by getting cheaper versions of the "in" things. I sort of felt guilty having much, esp. when I see others struggle with money just for the basic necessities in life. I became detached from money and I learned to live my life as simple as I could. In the end, I realized that money isn't everything. I'd rather be who I want to be, than someone's idea of a spoiled little rich girl.
For this LO, I played with the Ranger Melting Pot. I dipped the flowers in melted beeswax, then into Barbara Trombley's Vintage Glass Glitter (Diamond), before attaching them into the LO. It made the flowers look sugary in appearance. I also did emboss resist, hence the stamped lace design on the bottom. I also painted white all over, then poured melted beeswax and sprinkled Beadazzles and vintage glass. I also tore the paper several times to reveal the Prima Journals I attached from the back.

All in all, I was proud of what I was able to finish in the Scrappin' Moms Idol3 Challenges. I won the 1st Week's Pick of the Week on Paper Piecing. I think I've also matured in my style from last year. I now know what I want and who I am in my LOs.

Gauche Alchemy Work #2 is out!

This is a LO I made of myself using the ephemera found in the Nevermore Kit. It came from an old Playboy Magazine, would you believe?! To check it out, head on to http://gauchealchemy.wordpress.com/

2 New Projects done for Gauche Alchemy!

I'm done! I recently did a LO of myself, plus an altered eyeglass case for Gauche Alchemy. They'll both be posted in the next few weeks. Good thing I'm done too since I'll be holing myself into a corner to start working on the children's evaluations for the 1st Semester PTCs! Arrrgh!!! The tension is mounting so the best course is to start chipping away at the pile.

Scrappin' Moms Idol Entry Week 6- Why do you want to be the next Scrappin' Moms Idol?

This was, I believe, the most challenging week. Only 6 elements could be used and I wasn't quite sure if I was doing things correctly because of the very strict requirements.

I ended up with an upside down cropped picture of myself and just made fun of my white hair. Since I saw myself literally have more white hair each day, I decided that this was one reason I want to become the next Idol.

Journal: I would like to be the next Scrappin' Moms Idol because I am getting too old for thi. Everyday this year, I find more white hair. So before all my hair turns white, I'd like to win. I don't think anyone would want a Scrappin' Lola for an idol!!!

Scrappin' Moms Idol Entry Week 4- Layers of Me

For Week #4, we were given the task to concentrate on Layers of Me, showing literally layers of embellishments. I decide to focus on the theme literally. I cut through the cs using a hand-cutter, then rolled it away from the picture placed behind the hole. This was done twice, first with the beige cs, then with the final black cs. Then I hand-cut my flowers, leaves and even the leaf paisleys. I also added dots of fabric pearl glue for more dimension. Finally, I used the blue patina of Perfect Pearls to cover the edges of the lay-out.

MMM'09 Entries- What Matters Most in Kindergarten

This is a photo of the original LO I sent to MMM'09. The main photograph is me in kindergarten, right before I performed in the title role of a school play. I was about 5 years old then. I also included a small photograph of the current me. I had fun making the flower of the hidden journal because I used glitter to make a mosaic of the big flower.

Journal reads: In Kindergarten, I learned many things about myself. I learned how to make friends. I learned I was good at art, music and dance. I learned I thought differently from others. I could empathize with and feel what others feel. I saw what others didn't. I became self-aware. I became an individual unique in every way. I became an artist, always strugling to know herself through her work.

Materials: Bo Bunny Paris Garland, Bazzill cs brown, DCWV cs old rose, Colorbox Caribbean, ProvoCraft Eco Africa Plant Paper & Wire Frame, Diasyd's Cardstock Diecuts Remember Journalling Tags, StazOn timber brown, Prima Postage Stamp Alphas, BG Sultry RubOns, mm Springtime brads, misc. ribbons & lace, Elit Tracing Paper, Doodlebug Sugar Coating Glitter, Tsukineko Walnut Ink. Stamp: See-d's Majestic Flight Stamp. Adhesives: UHU Bastel Kleber, Glue Dots vellum, UBL foam tape, Tombow Mono aqua.

Techniques used: stamping, handpaper tearing, precision blade cutting, distressingt, inking with walnut ink, sewing lace on 2 layers of ribbons, glitter mosaic.

Time Passes

This is my first time to alter a canvas and was I challenged! I've painted acrylics in the past but I've never used it any other way. Although I could slap more paint and collage on it, I felt it just wasn't me. Hence, I ended up painting, sewing and slashing it. Scrappin' Moms Challenge really made me think more about the canvas in a different way and I'm afraid I just wasn't able to make as much texture as I'd like. You see, I only made it that evening of the deadline. That's what I get for suddenly deciding to join even at so short a time left.

Oh, the photograph is of me when I was very young. Cute ko noon, 'no? I used rub-ons to make the photograph look like a clock.

Journal reads: Time passes slowly when young, moderately in our teens, and quickly as an adult. Life reveals itself in time.

Materials: UBL 9x11 canvas, Heidi Swapp metallic clock rub-ons, mm Scrapbook colors celery, acorn & chocolate, K-ology Alpha Stickers, Prima mulberry Leaves, Craft Express dried leaves assorted colors, Craft Express handmade paper flowers, Kotex gold thread, Petaloo Palette of Petals daisy Retro Rage, StazOn Black, Queen & Co felt border leaves. Stamp: Inque Boutique Narrative Elements.

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!

Fabulously Older (2nd Webster's Pages)

I once thought that growing older meant working on keeping one's youth and fighting the ravages of time. There was a time I would go on crash diets (and later on, binge), literally live in the gym for aero classes, and be so fixated about my weight. In the last few years, esp. after Galo's birth, I saw that it was no longer easy to get back to my previous size, that it was an uphill battle to stop the white hair, the wrinkles and the age spots and freckles. I felt ugly at first, taking consolation on being gifted with a handsome son, making breastfeeding and the pregnancy weight as excuses for me not to take care of myself. However, now that he is older, I have no choice but to face up to the fact that I am indeed getting older. In the last few months, I have been making an effort to lose the weight and get healthy again through aerobic exercise. I saw the changes and how they made me feel inside and out. This time though, I am no longer doing it purely because of ego. I feel the need to keep myself fit and healthy for my son. I'd like to be still up and about when he grows up to be an adult. ---Of course, the side effects, such as the loose waist bands, are very much welcome!

Journal: I felt the changes happening: first, the white hair, then the wrinkles around the eyes. In the beginning, I was afraid of it. I even tried to fight it. Lately, I welcome it. I figured that this is what makes me, me. Would I have it any other way? NO. I don’t want to change who I have become. I am fabulously getting older.

To Russia With Love

I've always wanted to visit Russia. Blame it on my childhood obsession on ballet. I've always been intrigued by the mystery behind the iron curtain, the development of the highest standards for dance. When Peek Into Yesterday had a challenge on Fantasy Destinations, it was such an obvious choice.

I was hoping I could use actual Dove of the East Russia papers, but no such luck. I ended up using a Japan paper called Kimono Silk. Nevertheless, I like how the silk cloth design still looked eastern european. With a little cutting here and there, the Kimono Silk became the Red Square. Since it was a fantasy destination, I didn't know what photo would fit when I haven't even been there. In the end, I decided to make a photo passport as the center of the LO.

Journal reads: See the sights. Taste the culture. Love the life. (Inside the passport) To visit the wonders of Russia, the Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Petersberg, the Kirov Ballet... all a life-long dream. My fantasy.

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.

KAYA Challenge- W3 ( 3 Wishes)

For the PinoyScrapbooker's January KAYA Challenge, we were asked to make 3 doable wishes of ours for the year. I decided to make my LO simple but bold using only the colors black, white and red. At first, I didn't want to make this LO because it had to have a current solo picture. With the help of Photoshop Elements, I was able to make it look better, I think.
Hidden Journal: I wish: 1) to get back to pre-pregnancy size so I can wear clothes I like; 2) to get rid of my flabl and to physically take care of my body; 3) to submit more LOs and projects locally and internationally.

Passion for Life

Last Oct. 6, I attended my 1st Scrapfest in Max's Timog. I was able to shop, shop, shop as this was the first time I've been to a place with sooo many good stores and soooo much more good scrapping stuff.

Since I was late because of a school affair, I only got to join one challenge. It was the first time I had a timed challenge. I was proud of myself for finishing within the required time. Surprisingly, I won for the regular group. Bjay won for the advanced group. I couldn't believe it because as soon as I saw all the other entries, I felt like mine was the plainest of them all. I feel very lucky to win because with all of that talent around, it's very hard to stand out.

Hidden journal: Life is difficult. To succeed in life, one has to be passionate, to make each day count, to make each day the last, and to be the best one can be ... teacher, mother, wife and lover.