Happy Easter!

I hope you had an enriching Holy Week. We've missed most of the traditional Filipino activities this year like the Pabasa and the Visita Iglesia because Jeff and I were both sick. We decided to just stay at home for the Semana Santa.

Anyway, I'm sharing an Easter layout that I did last year but never got to post here. I made my own sketch  for this layout. 

left page

right page

For the banners; first, I cut different colors of felt cloth into triangles. Then I sew each color of pompoms on the cloth. To add more texture on the page, I embellished the crochet flowers with velvet brads.

All the photos used were printed using Canon Selphy. I edited the photos and placed two wallet sizes into one 4"x6" photo thus saving on the print outs. For all of the 7 pictures, I only printed 5 pcs of 4Rs.

Making my own sketch for this two page layout was fun! 

title: Egg Hunt
supplies: patterned papers - BasicGrey, My Little Shoebox, and DCWV; cardstock - American Crafts; pompoms - Fancy Pants, felt - unknown; velvet brads - All About Scrapbooking; crochet flowers - Fancy pants; stickers - Scenic Route; mist - Memories Mist; letters - American Crafts and Heidi Swapp; rub ons - Daisy Bucket; pen - Uniball;

Almost Summer

Notice the sudden change of weather? It must be the start of summer! And because of that weather change, I'm having asthma attack ... oh well! It's worse at night time when I'm already lying in bed. It's like there's an orchestra in the house ... I'll cough, followed by Ethan then Jeff hehehe. 

Speaking of summer, here's a layout I made about Ethan's first summer out of town trip. It was his first time in the beach although we didn't let him swim yet.

It took more than three hours to get to Subic coming from Cavite and I was already worried about the long trip for Ethan because he was only 5 months old. But we survived it. Jeff and I also had our first try in parasailing although we didn't bring our camera in the boat so there weren't any pictures to show.

title: 1st Trip

materials used: cardstock - Bazzill; patterned papers - Lily Bee (thanks Iris!), My Little Shoebox, Imaginisce, Fancy Pants; buttons; ribbons; stickers - Pink Paislee, American Crafts, Shabby Green Door, 7 Gypsies; pen - Sakura

Senior Kinder

Soon Ethan will be graduating from Senior Kinder. How fast time flies. Three years ago, we were just attending our new parents' orientation. Now, we are all familiar with the school, the administrators, teachers and auxiliary staff. We love Rosemont much as we love all the people we have met along the way including co-parents whom we have become close friends.

I'm sharing with you a layout of Ethan's 1st day in Senior Kinder. I created this layout last year but didn't get to post it here. I included a pencil which Ethan actually used this schoolyear.

title: Senior Kinder

materials used: patterned papers - Crate, October Afternoon, Sassafras Lass, Cosmo Cricket; stickers - American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, Scenic Route; pen; Ethan's own school pencil

The pictures include the classroom of Ethan (I took a picture of the their door), the class list, Ethan with his new class adviser and of course Ethan with his new school bag. I'm glad I took all of these little details that day.

Here's another layout using the souvenir photo taken during Rosemont's Father's Day. We really enjoyed this year's Father's Day because Ethan and Jeff got to play golf and pass the baton together! Ethan is also proud that Daddy took the extra effort to dance during the Cheerdancing Competition. 

title: Dad's Cup

materials used: patterned papers - Bella Boulevard, Echo park, Scenic Route, Daisy Bucket; chipboard - Bella Boulevard; rub ons - Daisy Bucket; mists - Tattered Angels; baker's twine - Shabby Green Door; ribbon - Ki Memories

Day 6, 7 and 8 - Of Christmas Wishes and Good Deeds!

What are your wishes for Christmas? In our family, it has been a tradition to list our own wishes. We've skipped this tradition for some years but this year we are reviving it. We have kept our wishes; usually tucked inside my scrapbook layouts and we checked which ones came true on or after Christmas. Most of the time, it was Ethan's wish/es which always came true : ) Surprisingly though, most of our wishes have become answered prayers - yun nga lang after one year hehehe. I know that God gives us what we need or what we have prayed for in His time ...

Being a child at heart, I have always believed in dreams and wishes; that if one would give his/her heart into something, it is meant to come true. This year, life has been quite difficult and believing in dreams and wishes is something that I am trying to work on. Life has been tough for me and Jeff and as much as we are happy that Christmas is fast approaching, we are bothered by so many things. I am praying and "wishing" that everything will soon be okay ... that our prayers would  be answered. 

Enough of my thoughts. December 6 was back to school for Ethan to prepare for his exams next week and their Christmas party. Meanwhile, it was back to work for me and Jeff. 

December 7 was my mentor chat in school. I have always known what to expect - Ethan's mischiefs and fights with his classmates especially with the girls hehehe! But I was surprised when Teacher Noemi said that he has improved. Towards the end of the year, Ethan has become more mature and would focus more on his work. I have always heard that I don't have any problems with Ethan on his academics, in fact, I was even told that he is one of the above average students of his class. But every now and then, the teacher will tell me about Ethan being soooo talkative that he has to be placed in different seats every now and then!

I guess Ethan has changed right after he turned 6. Last Sunday, during our Christmas party, I have seen that he was more patient with kids younger than him. He also was following and obeying. 

I was able to smile after the mentor chat.

December 8th was the Feast of Immaculate Conception. Ethan told me that he wrote something on an ornament which was his good deed in school. He hung the said ornament on their Good Deed Christmas Tree. When I asked him what was the deed, he answered that he shared his food with his teachers (akala ko pa naman classmate hehehe) Good job, Ethan! Sana araw-araw hehehe.

I'm sharing these layouts I made for my friend.

I scraplifted my layout, "Decorate My Donut" because I fell in love with the design. It was clean, simple and easy to make. Not my usual style but something that I like at the moment.

I used Sketch 215 of Pencil Lines. I didn't make it to the deadline but I'm happy with my output.

{Countdown: 17 days before Christmas}

Christmas Ready

I think my son is ...

   

 title: Christmas Ready

materials used: patterned papers - Nikki Sivils, American Crafts, Teresa Collins, Cosmo Cricket, Lily Bee; buttons - Fancy Pants; mists - Tattered Angels; clock - 7Gypsies; baker's twine - Shabby Green Door; stamps - Daisy Bucket, Absolument Scrap Stamp

This photo was taken last year. We were so excited that December because we were celebrating  Christmas in our own house. That was the first after almost 5 years of living with my in laws ' house. Ethan felt everything was ready then because the tree and the decors were up early.

For this layout, I tried the color palette from The Color Room . I'm not sure if I gave justice to the green and teal though. Anyway, I'm just happy that I am scrapping again lately. I really pray that scrapping will give me more jobs again, if you know what I mean.

On another story, awhile ago I was channeling my inner "Iris". I was using Websters' Pages and so I thought that the best work samples will be from the Master. I was right, I went to her blog and stared at her layouts for minutes. I would take a peak in her layouts once in awhile to get inspired. Thanks Master!

Websters papers are gorgeous but boy they give me a headache as to how to maximize each sheet of paper. Anyway, I tried my best and was quite happy with what I have achieved. I wish I can make use of the Christmas papers I bought from Websters last year hehehe.

An update on the good deeds: 

Before that though let me tell you what we did  yesterday before going to bed. I read to Ethan, "The Legend of the Candy Cane". It's not a new story for him but it suddenly became one, I guess because it has been a year since I last read it to him. I like how a simple candy can remind us of Jesus' love for humanity. Awhile ago at the supermarket, Ethan got a candy cane with red, green and white stripes. He asked me, "Mom, what do the green stripes mean?" I couldn't answer kasi in the story red and white lang yung stripes and each has its own meaning! Malay ko ba naman sa green hahaha!

Well, about the good deeds (I haven't forgotten hehehe), Ethan was counting all his good deeds at the end of the day. He told me that he handed me my cell phone when I asked him to and other things that we asked him to do. I think that's all he can remember yesterday.

For today, he has been telling me since this afternoon that he already has plenty of good deeds. As of night time, he recounted that he uses "po and opo" when conversing, he was quiet when he was taking a bath (I can't believe that he considers this as a good deed! He's usually noisy kasi eh kaya siguro he thinks that being quiet is already something hehehe). I can't remember the others though I wish I can hear him say, "I helped a classmate or a teacher today", something like that. Anyway, there's still a long way to go. Tomorrow is the annual Outreach Program in Rosemont. There's so much explaining I need to do as to why these kids from the outreach are less fortunate and why they need our help. Tomorrow, the kids from Senior Kinder will showcase their literary presentation for their guests. Ethan will be a cute bunny again! Story about that on my next blog post!

Thanks!

{Countdown: 23 days before Christmas}

-Pia

First Day of December

Today marks the 1st day of December. We are so excited to do our countdown. Again, I didn't make an advent calendar this year because I am running out of supplies hehehe. But I'm determined to scrap some Christmas layouts this December and not to worry too much about the bills. I wanted us to enjoy Christmas especially that we are in our new home.

Welcome to our Home!

 This is where Ethan usually spends most of his time here. He sits on his chair, eats his pandesal and enjoys the view from the balcony.

 

Last night I talked to Ethan and explained to him that in 25 days we will be celebrating Jesus' birthday. It's a good thing he didn't ask me how old is He : ) I told him that we will give Jesus a birthday gift by doing good deeds each day till the 25th. Of course, doing good deeds need not be done only during these days. I just want Ethan to make a conscious effort each day to do something good. I told him that at the end of the day, I will ask him what are his good deeds. 

Ethan knows the birthday of Jesus but he's quite unsure of our "birthday gift" and instead suggested we buy something from the store hehehe. I needed to explain further why Jesus would appreciate more if  we do good to others. He then agreed ...

I hope this is a good start.

I took pictures of our Holiday decors that have been up for quite some time now. I used mostly what we already have from the previous year. Though we added some black and white balls in our tree. Since we noticed that most of our furnishings and even curtains are black and white, we decided to use those colors in our tree too. 

The Christmas bear been with us since Ethan was a baby. For sentimental reasons, I decided to place it at the middle of the wreath.

We put a garland on our balcony railing. I liked how I was able to capture the reflection of the clubhouse and the pool.

While we were putting up our decors, a funny thing happened. I was almost done with the tree when I said that I'm going to buy a tree skirt. Here's what the kulit bulilit has to say:

Ethan: What? A skirt for the tree? That's so silly mom!

He's not yet contented with that comment and further added:

Ethan: : Imagine, putting a skirt on the tree?!? (umiiling iling pa)

My life will never be dull with this boy around ...

Anyway, it was a good thing that Jeff helped us put up the Christmas decors this year. I really appreciate all his help. I've always wanted him to get involved with the decorating of the house. Unfortunately, there aren't any pictures for me to share. It was quite a handful to decorate and take pictures at the same time.

Now for some new layouts ... I finally took pictures of some of my quickie layouts.

This is a layout I made for Lasting Impression using Imaginisce Scooter's Vacation. This line can be used not only for travel pictures but other outdoor pictures as well.

The stamps look like rub ons, right? That can easily be achieved by coloring the stamped images. I was like a kid and was enjoying myself with the colors!

title: Toy Scooter

materials used: patterned papers - Imaginisce Scooter's Vacation (Ruffin' It,Now Em-barking, Go, Scooter, Go), Lily Bee; chipboard - Imaginisce; stamps - Daisy Bucket Designs, Tim Holtz; color pencils - Faber Castell; ink - Staz On; letters - Prima and Pink Paislee; buttons - Fancy Pants

Now for a Christmas layout. Here's Ethan when he was still three years old. My mom bought that cake for Christmas so Ethan can blow the candles for Jesus : ) This another tradition that I wish to continue.

Some of the papers that I used here are not Christmas themed. I used the same techniques with the stamps but I can see that I'm not good at it : ) Oh well, better luck next time.

title: Happy Birthday Jesus!

materials used: patterned papers - BasicGrey, Cosmo Cricket, Kaisercrafts; chipboard - Cosmo Cricket; buttons - Fancy Pants; stamps - Daisy Bucket Designs; ink- Versamark; color pencils - Faber Castell; baker's twine - Shabby Green Door; letters - American Crafts

Thanks for dropping by!

{Countdown: 24 days before Christmas}

-Pia

Insect Report

I noticed that I have been sharing Halloween layouts for this month so I decided to post a non Halloween layout for a change.

Hidden inside the envelope are the actual report and actual picture of the Goliath Beetle that Ethan used for his report.

materaials used: patterned papers - BasicGrey, Echo Park, Lily Bee, Crate; cardstock - American Crafts; journaling block - Scenic Route; mist - Memories Mist and Tattered Angels; stickers - Jillibean Soup, American Crafts; pompoms - Prima; stamp - Daisy Bucket; envelope - 7 Gypsies; pen - Uniball

{Countdown: 68 days before Christmas}

-Pia
10.19.10 

Creating Keepsakes, October 2010 issue

... just sharing another layout that made it to CK! Woohoo!!!

You can check my layout at page 34 ...

And here's a layout from my friend, Ria.

Ria used our photos that Jeff took during Nadya's party. It's like having two layouts for this issue hehehe!

I will be sharing my Halloween layouts from Kris' Magazine way back in 2008 (finally I was able to take pictures hehehe!) this week!

Thanks for sharing my excitement!

{Countdown: 77 days before Christmas}

-Pia
10.09.10 

Fright Night

It's the start of October already and I'm so excited to dress up Ethan for Halloween! I'm not so sure what costume he will like this year though - he's such a fickle minded guy.

Anyway, here's a Halloween layout I'd like to share with you . This is Ethan's first time to do Trick or Treat taken in 2008! He really had fun going around the village getting candies and meeting other Trick or Treaters!

 

To make the journaling lines, I painted the edges of my plastic ruler with red. I then pressed the ruler on the paper to make the lines. The title (Fright) was accidentally pressed with red paint when I was putting borders around the top photo. I couldn't erase the paint so I decided to smudge/drop few paint on the title : )

title: Fright Night

patterned papers - Fancy Pants, Sassafras Lass and October Afternoon; die cut paper - My Little Yellow Bicycle; stickers - Cloud 9 Design and Prima; brads - Chatterbox; paint - Making Memories; pen - Uniball Signo and Zig

journaling: From the beautiful Snow White, to a forever young Peter Pan, to a wise-cracking Freddy Kruger, to the scary Grim Reaper, to the brave Roman soldiers and to the feared Spartan soldier ... Pirate Ethan had the time of his life in just one frightful night.

{Countdown: 84 days before Christmas}

-Pia
10.01.10 

Falling with Style

Before I share with you may layout, I'd like to thank everyone who prayed for Ethan's recovery. We got the blood tests' results today and found out out that he is negative with dengue fever. Although it was found out that he is positive with typhoid fever, we are already thankful that it was nothing very serious. He has been given antibiotics since Saturday so the medication has already been taking effect since then. Our family is grateful for all our friends who left messages in my facebook account as well as those who sent their messages through texts.

Anyway, here's me and Ethan last year during the celebration of Mother's Day. Usually Mother's Day is celebrated every September coinciding Mama Mary's birthday in their school.

For the strips of paper, I used the small pieces of scraps that I have. Cutting and adhering the strips was quite  time consuming though.

I made this layout weeks ago. I have not been scrapping because of the recent illness of Ethan and some things that we are busy with at the moment. I'm quite sad that I wasn't able to make more layouts for the Scrapbook Nook U Contest which is almost about to end : (

I'm really running low on supplies. I think I have used up almost all of my papers. Most of the ones that were left are scraps. I have very few old papers which I really want to use and get rid off! I'm glad that I have been scrapping again and using my stuff - atleast they aren't wasted!

materials used: cardstock - Bazzill; patterned papers - Sassfras Lass, Scenic Route, American Crafts; rub ons - Daisy Bucket; letters - American Crafts and Prima; brads - All About Scrapbooking; buttons - unknown; chipboard - Chatterbox; baker's twine - Shabby Green Door; pen - Uniball

Countdown: {93 days before Christmas}

-Pia

09.22.10

page 32 of Creating Keepsakes

I'm so thrilled to share with you that my layout, "1st Dentist Visit" is published at the September 2010 issue of CK!!!

I'm just so thankful for this newbie moment. I'm hoping this could be the start of more published layouts for me. Thanks for sharing my joy!

-Pia

Scrapbook Nook U is in Session!

I recently joined an online scrapbook contest at My Scrapbook Nook. I just want to make pages for this busy month and have fun. It has been awhile since I last joined something like this.

So far I have only finished two of the challenges. Here are my takes:

 

Graphic Design 101: Our assignment was to create a layout that clearly demonstrates at least one of the basics of design (focal point, visual triangle, asymmetry/symmetry etc.) 

I used these design elements:

1. Having a clear focal point by using the rule of thirds.
2. Having contrast on my page by using black as a background and splatting yellow paint therefore making the elements on the page pop. I also embellished my title by using a smiley instead of the letter "o" and placing an owl on the top.
3. Creating flow on the layout by using the horizontal strips of papers which leads the eye of the viewers to the focal point.
4. Three elements create an illusion of a visual triangle - the journaling blocks, the pictures and the title at the bottom.
5. Having asymmetrical balance 

title: Book Fair

materials used: cardstock - Bazzill; patterned papers - Scenic Route, Sassafras Lass, Cosmo Cricket, Junkitz; stickers - October Afternoon; paint - Making Memories; pen - Uniball

Typography 101: Our assignment was to create a layout where the title/text is the focus of the page. We need to use at least three different fonts and two different colors of stickers on our page. 

Since the topic of my layout is about the things my son says, I focused on fonts/letters. I used 4 fonts for my title. I also chose the colors that are basically present on my patterned papers. I added a dash of rub ons from Lily Bee across the page. For my journaling, I decided to use my own handwriting.  

title: The Funny Things to Say

materials used: patterned papers - Sassafras Lass, Crate, Scenic Route, American Crafts; stickers - 7Gypsies; rub ons - Lily Bee; letters - American Crafts, Jillibean Soup, BasicGrey, Pink Paislee; pen - Uniball

I'm glad I can almost reach my 52 layout goal for this year even though it's only September!

Wish me luck to finish this contest till the end. I have no intentions to win, I just want to create as many layouts and have fun!

Countdown: {106 days before Christmas}

-Pia

09.10.10

Let the Countdown Begin

What countdown? You're probably thinking ... Well, I just thought that since it's September already and the "ber" months have just begun, the countdown for Christmas should officially start today! Christmas in the Philippines is the longest in the world and I so love that!

Aside from Christmas though, we are looking forward too to another favorite holiday which is Halloween. I recently went to Divisoria and I already saw Halloween and Christmas decors! I already have ideas on my mind on how to decorate our new house. Can't wait!

Speaking of holidays, here are some "early Holiday layouts":

Title: Spooky Wreath
materials used: patterned papers - Making Memories, Fancy Pants; stickers - American Crafts, Creative Imaginations; buttons, pen - Uniball

Title: The Season of Sharing
materials used: cardstock - Bazzill; patterned papers - Cosmo Cricket, WRMK, Chatterbox and My Mind's Eye, Sassafras Lass;  chipboard - Cosmo Cricket; ink - Clearsnap; buttons brads - Making Memories;  blings - Prima; letter stickers - American Crafts, Making Memories

Countdown : 115 days before Christmas!

-Pia

09.01.10

Idol Ko Si Dad

It's no wonder Ethan idolizes his dad a lot! He pretends to be a photographer and pretends to be the "boss" whenever he goes to check our small biz, he loves to build like his dad, they share the same interests on most of things except for dancing hehehe.

These pictures were taken last Father's Day after dinner at Antonio's Grill.
 

materials used: cardstock - Bazzill; patterned papers - Bella Boulevard and Prima; letter sticker - Prima; chipboard - Bella Blvd.,brad - Chatterbox; pen - Uniball Signo

We'll Be Home Soon

I have kept a flyer of our condominium unit and told myself that I will scrap about it someday. I cut the condo unit's floor plan and the facade of the building and used them as the main pictures of my layout.

I made this layout using The Color Room Palette #18. So far, I find this color palette challenging. I ended up bringing out all of my papers and embellishments to look for the colors of this palette!  I actually meant, every paper and embellishment that I have, including those that are almost forgotten hehehe! I was able to breathe after I finished the layout!

I used K&Co., Daisy Bucket, Websters, Tinkering Ink, Bella Blvd. and Scrapworks papers; Bazzill cardstock; embellishments - Chatterbox, Fancy Pants felt shapes, 7 Gypsies, K&Co., Daisy Bucket rub ons; letters - American Crafts, Jillibean Soup; pen - Zig

-Pia

Poser Boy

Sharing another layout using Fancy Pants Like Father, Like Son. This is Ethan before he started schooling, he was only 3 years old then. These pictures make me smile and remember Ethan's chubby cheeks.

I'm happy that he's very confident about himself and doesn't mind posing for the camera. I didn't teach him how, he's such a natural!

The sketch was inspired by The Color Room Palette #15 (Sketch).

materials used: Fancy Pants Like Father, Like Son collection kit,American Crafts letter stickers, buttons, Uniball pen

"Quickies"

Just sharing some "quickie" and simple layouts! I used lots of white space - such a breather for all those super duper detailed and "chaotic" layouts of mine.

Ethan's favorites at age 4 include: eating lumpiang shanghai, Jollibee hotdog classic sandwhich (he eats the cheese and the mustard before the hotdog!), Frutos candies, rice in a box or yang chow fried rice, chocolate sundae/ice cream, doughnuts, Kellog's Frosties and his all time favorite Fuji apples (he needs to eat it everyday); anything related to outer space, his cars and city toys; Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Go Diego Go.

materials used: Sassafras Lass pps and chipboard stickers, Lime Rickey pp, Autumn Leaves rub ons, Uniball pen

Here's Ethan with his grandparents (my side) during the Grandparents' Day at Rosemont. He's such a lucky boy because he has both of his grandparents (on my and Jeff's side of the family) who loves him very dearly. He's the first "apo" just like me and Jeff that's why he's enjoying all the attention and the love right now.

materials used: Lily Bee and Prima pps, Jillibean Soup pp, Bazzill cs, American Crafts Tickers, Daisy Bucket rub ons, Prima flowers, Uniball pen

That's it for now, I'm quite in a hurry. Till the next post.

For Daddy and Me!

Here are two of my recent layouts.

Last May, I was lucky enough to win another contest from Fancy Pants. My prize includes their 2 collections - Wishful Thinking and Like Father, Like Son. This is just one of the many layouts yet to come from these kits!

These photos were taken at Lake View Hotel in Tagaytay. I love these pictures - rare occasions where Jeff and Ethan had really good photos!

materials used: Fancy Pants Like Father, Like Son, Stampers Anonymous, Making Memories paint, Uniball pen

materials used: Jillibean Soup (Chicken Noodle Collection) , October Afternoon (Farm Fresh), Shabby Green Door (Farmer's Market) , American Crafts letter stickers, Making Memories letter stickers, Shabby Green Door Baker's twine, buttons, Uniball pen

This layout is for Lasting Impression. What I love about this layout is that all the three line of papers used in this layout have "farm themed patterns" and they scream PERFECT for these "barn pictures"! The photos were taken during Mother's Day celebration at Ethan's school. He was more excited than I am because the affair was held in Fun Ranch - perhaps one of the best places for him.

-Pia

Back to BasicGrey

I have always loved BasicGrey. I guess most of us do. This is why  I'm very happy that I've been playing with the new collections, Kioshi, Origins and Sugar Rush lately. From the three, my fave is Sugar Rush. I love the colors pink, red, periwinkle blue, orange and gray!

Here are some of my new layouts using BasicGrey Sugar Rush, Kioshi and Porcelain. Making girl layouts from time to time is a real treat for me.

This is my friend Arlene at her brother's wedding day. What I love about this layout: the punched butterflies, and the stickers from the kit  which are very easy to use.

This is my god daughter, Anika. She's very sassy and stylish just like her mom! What I Love about this layout: the different flowers used - paper, cloth, stickers and the bird cage from Porcelain kit

This is my favorite layout among the three. It makes me want to wish I have four kids too hehehe. It's just priceless to see pictures of your children in one layout, right? I kept this layout very simple because I want the pictures to stand out.

As you may have noticed I do post layouts here at my blog that are for friends and clients (with permission from my clients, of course). I do that from time to time. If you are interested to have some of your photos scrapbooked, you may send me an email and we can discuss that further. I can also teach basic scrapbooking, (one on one or group) within the South area (in some areas of Cavite, Alabang, Paranaque or Las Piñas). Please note however that I only accept traditional scrapbooking. Pictures to be scrapped are to be delivered to me and the output/layouts are for pick only (Alabang area).

Thanks so much for dropping by!

-Pia