My Firsts for this Year

I'm sharing with you some of my first layouts for 2012. I finished them last month but I was too preoccupied with the quarterly tests that's why I'm only posting them now. 

My first layout is for Jeff. This one took several versions. Since it was my first, I couldn't seem to find the right design for this layout.  

supplies used: patterned papers - Bella Blvd, Echo Park, American Crafts and My Mind's Eye; cardstock - Bazzill; chipboard - BasicGrey, American Crafts and Scenic Route; stickers - 7 Gypsies; watercolor pencils - Faber Castell; ink - Clearsnap; pen - Uniball Signo; others - buttons

 Photos by: Photo Giggles (Photo Booth)

The scalloped borders are from the cover sheet of my Echo Park paper kit. No waste when you are scrapbooking : )

Finally I made a scrapbook layout for my little girl! I created this layout without photos on it. I only added the photo when I was able to print them : )

supplies used: patterned papers - Echo Park Countryside; cardstock - Bazzill; baker's twine - Shabby Green Door; rub on - Lily Bee; felt shapes - Fancy Pants; ink - Clearsnap; watercolor pencil - Faber Castell; others - brads and buttons

I love making those pinwheels! 

Thanks for dropping by till my next post! Enjoy your summer vacation (if you're here in the Philippines)

Happy 35th Birthday Jeff!

To my ever loving Guapoy Jepoy, happy birthday! I wish you good health, a healthy lifestyle, and a nice vacation that you have been dreaming of! We love you always!

When was the last time I ...

... posted here on my blog? It must be months. I don't even know how to start everything. It seems strange to finally writing something again. Here's a short recap - I gave birth ... now our baby girl is already 6 months old ... we're homeschooling Ethan ... it has been a year without a househelp and so my time is literally consumed with breastfeeding, homeschooling and doing chores.

... made a scrapbook layout? Actually, I have three unfinished layouts from last year which I don't know if I can still finish or not. I couldn't even find the other one hehehe. I made a super simple, easy and quick layout last week. I didn't sleep that night (as most of the nights, anyway) just so I can scrap!!! I really needed that break. While I was making my layout, I had to stop several times because Erin would wake up once in awhile. She has been very clingy to me. Sometimes, it's a good thing but there are times, it's not : (

Anyway, I wish there is something that I can share here. I can't post my layout yet : )

Hmmm ... perhaps I'll share some pictures. Let me figure out how ... this is blog posting 101 (all over again)!

Whew! I did!

I haven't officially introduced my pretty baby. Here's Erin Kristen Salem-Lopez born on August 7, 2011. She weighed 5 lbs. and 10 oz. and measured 47 cms. She's a tiny baby just  like her Kuya Ethan. So, it really came as a surprise when I gave birth to her via caesarean section! 

She was 5 months old when the photo was taken. She doesn't look like me (I know). She looks like her dad in soooo many ways. She's very cheerful and would smile to anyone she meets. She'll be gracing my scrapbook layouts very soon! 

Here's are photos of Ethan as seen on the Manila Bulletin August 11, 2011 issue. You may read the entire article here. Our journey in homeschooling has been a roller coaster ride of emotions for all of us. This is our first year and we have learned and is still learning each day. It has been an extraordinary experience for the whole family. Although, I will also say it was not easy. I can't remember how many times I almost cried because I was running out of patience and was so tired taking care of two children. I was praised when people found out we were homeschooling our son as well as persecuted too for that decision. I'm not asking people to commend us. Yet sometimes, you just can't ignore the not-so-good-comments and feel bad about it. We try to understand though and we still give them our smile after : )

Anyway, I'm ending this post with the most recent photo of us. Thanks for dropping by.  Till my next post!

Bella Blvd Mr.Boy

These layouts are long overdue. I tried to squeezed in some "me" time so I can finally touch my scrap supplies. Thanks Vivian of Lasting Impression for sending me these papers even before I gave birth. This kit, by far, is my most favorite! Love the bold, bright and playful colors of Mr. Boy Collection from Bella Blvd. 

 

I applied rub ons on the buttons and doodled lines and dots too.

These rub ons are part of a sheet. Instead of using it as one, I cut each sentence and applied it randomly on my layout.

supplies: Bella Blvd. - Heroes, Hypersrtipe, Connect the Dots, Borders N Blocks, Cute Cuts, others: Scenic Route pp, Daisy Bucket rub ons, Uniball Signo white pen, Fancy Pants buttons, 7 Gypsies stickers, Clearsnap ink

I applied rub ons on the cloud. Instant journaling spot!

added the googly eyes to make this dino even cuter!

supplies: Bella Blvd Mr. Boy - Dinomite, Hyperstripe, Connect the Dots, Borders N Blocks, Cute Cuts; others - Nikki Sivils letters, Uniball Signo white pen, Daisy Bucket rub ons, Zig pen, buttons, googly eyes