A Perfect Day

I've decided to make two layouts using one set of photos. I've been wanting to try making two versions - a digital page and a paper layout.

At this point, I've only managed to finish one - the digital version. I already printed the photo and it will be scrapped shortly. Meanwhile, I'd like to share the finished digital layout which I also submitted to this month's Kaya challenge.

For this layout, I started by searching for 3 photos of myself. I opted to use photos from our 2007 Cebu vacation - when I was still fit and fab. LOL! I have recently purchased a template from We Are Storytellers (at 50% off!) and I've been itching to use them. Since the Kaya requirement was to use 3 photos, I thought it's the perfect opportunity to use the Photo Clusters #3 template.

I've already prepped the photo and actually printed it for the paper layout version. The next thing I did was search for the digital kit that will best showcase the photo. I opted for the Express Yourself kit by Ronna Penner. This is a free kit I've downloaded eons ago so I'm just happy to find a home for the lovely papers and embellishements. I chose this because of the clean design and of course, the pink paper and embellishments which perfectly match my outfit in the photo.

Here it is.


It's a very easy layout to make. I just layered, resized and added dimension through drop shadows. I added some "torn paper" effect which took too much time (anybody want to teach me the easy way of doing it?) but I love the effect. When I first finished the layout without the torn edges, it looked a bit flat and uninteresting. In paper scrapping, I normally distress the edges with ink to define the layers. So I decided to spend a bit more time and add the torn edges.

Thanks for looking!

Dream

I'm happy that I was able to complete my Kaya entry today. This is one of my favorite solo pics from our trip to Cambodia. I thought I would document my dream of traveling the world someday. I'd love to see places of historic, religious and cultural significance. I want to see art, architecture, natural wonders. While we jump at any chance to go out of the country, right now our priority is to see most of what the Philippines offer. We have some of the best beaches in the world and a whole lot of natural wonders.

Anyway, here is my layout. I love the many elements I've layered on the page. Sometimes, I just let myself go and have fun with embellishments.

(NOTE: I had to remove the photo of my layout as it has been submitted for publication at Scrapstreet. Watch out for it! )

This month's Kaya requirement is to use pearls. I don't have a lot of pearls in my stash but I didn't scrimp on this page.

I've had this BG chipboard set for quite some time and I'm glad to finally let it out of its plastic packaging and use some of the shapes in my layout.

That frame is from Maya Road. I painted it with a mixture of acrylic and gel medium. Instead of using brush, I used the flat end of the American Crafts rub-on tool to apply the paint for some texture. Oh, and that postal thing in the frame is a stamped image which I heat embossed. It's been a while since I did some heat embossing.

You can see the layout details and the other gorgeous Kaya entries here.

TFL!

A Productive Week

This week, I finished 3 12x12 layouts and 1 altered item. This is probably my most productive scrapping week ever.

I've already shared my Kaya 23 layout in the previous post.

Here's another one, still using the Studio Calico September kit. So far, I've made 3 12x12 layouts with this kit plus the altered art project. So I guess this kit is sulit na. :D


I am in love with layering elements right now. But I think I overdid it this time. LOL. That layered flower thingy is so bulky it might break the page protector. :D



Thanks for looking!

ME!

This is my entry to Artz De Scrap's May challenge. I've been wanting to do a canvas layout hoping to rekindle my interest in painting. A visit to an art gallery last week inspired me to do this and use watercolor on canvas. Yup! Watercolor! And I love the result! I used a 9x12 pre-primed canvas here. I painted a grid of 2.5-inch squares. I stamped, doodled and adhered pictures on the squares. The patterns represent the things I love (art, outdoors, snorkeling, my hubby) and those that are important to me (family, faith, scrapping, etc.).

My Kaya 9 Entry

I'm so happy to have an entry to this month's Kaya challenge. I almost didn't finish it. I started on it last week but I ran out of ink and paper so I couldn't print my photo. I was so busy at work this past week that I wasn't able to drop by the mall to buy my papers and ink. Finally, yesterday, I was able to buy paper and ink at SM City Bacoor. I bought these items first before heading off to the supermarket. Guess what, when I got home, I realized I left my paper and ink at the package counter!!! Good thing my hubby volunteered to drop by the supermarket on his way to his parents' house. But I had to wait for him to get back from his visit before I could start putting together my layout. That is why I finished my entry at 1:30am. Oh well!



I used a cream cardstock as base. I did a lot of cutting in this layout using the Daisy D’s and Autumn Leaves papers from the Studio Azul November Kit. I enjoyed cutting a lot but it took so much time. I added some paper flowers and bling for texture and sparkle, making me want to touch the page over and over again. For the title, I use the chipboard that came with the Studio Azul November Kit. I applied the rub-on tape that also came with the kit. I “distressed” the rub-on a bit by lightly sticking Scotch tape on the chipboard and lifting it up several times to remove portions of the design. It gave a sanded look without distressing the chipboard itself. I just wrote the other parts of the title to put emphasis on the word “WISHES.” I chose the title because I definitely have more than three wishes this year. I also used a template for my journaling block. I just erased the lines after writing my journaling.

What I love most about this layout are the flower pieces extending out of the cardstock. I had to trim the cardstock a bit so the layout would still fit a 12 x 12 page protector even with those flowers peeking out of the cardstock.

Supplies:

Cardstock – DCWV; Patterned Papers – Daisy D’s, Autumn Leaves; Flowers – Prima, Bling – K&Co.; Chipboard Letters – American Craft Thickers; Rub-on Tape – Daisy D’s; Pen – Staedler Triplus; Ink – Versa Magic; Adhesives – Glue Dots, Elmer Craft Bond; Template – The Crafter’s Workshop (Swirls and Flowers)

You can read more about my layout and also see the work of our super talented pinoyscrapbookers at the Kaya blog.

Happy

I was able to make a 12 x 12 layout during the Scrapfest 4. We were supposed to scrap a 5x7 black and white photo of ourselves with a theme "My Shining Moment". Here's my layout.


I used KI Memories papers for this layout, all provided in the kit. I added a peach cardstock to brighten up the color and to make the photo pop.

My colleague Teejae took this picture and looking at this reminds me of how blessed I am. I realize that I have everything I need - a hubby I share my life with, a family who loves me, a job that I love, a hobby I am passionate about, friends who have been with me through thick and thin, and a whole lot more. For me, realizing how happy I am is my shining moment.

My Little Attic - Valerie's Sketch Challenge

I have been meaning to scrap some of our wedding photos which were not included in the album that was part of our photo-video package. However, I still have a friend's layout to finish (he's got hundreds of photos!) and there are challenges to join. And so, to get started with my wedding photos, I decided to use them for the challenges unless there are themes that won't go with them.

Anyway, the MLA Valerie's sketch challenge is the perfect opportunity for me to start doing what I've set out to do - use my wedding photos in challenge layouts. First, I made the required purchase to qualify. However, I decided to use some of my older paper stock for my entry. That way, I make room for my newer supplies in my storage boxes.

I just have to note, it's the first time I worked with somebody else's sketch and it was difficult!!! I usually make a sketch but it's easier using my own. Or maybe, I was so pressured in using a VALERIE SALMON sketch. What if I don't do it justice?! Anyway, I survived!!! Haha.

My layout is titled BEAUTIFUL. That is exactly how I felt on the day of my wedding. I felt beautiful, radiant, special. Which bride doesn't?!!!

Materials Used:

Cardstock: Bazzil Basics
Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers Boho Chic
Ribbon: We R Memory Keepers Boho Chic
Chipboard Accents: We R Memory Keepers Boho Chic
Chipboard Alphas: Basic Grey Chipboard Block Alphas (Undressed)
Fibers: Fiber Accents (Green) from Joann.com
Bridal Bouquet Embellishment: Crafting Studio
Acrylic Paint: Folk Art (Christmas Red); Pebbles Scrapbook Paint (White)
Vellum: Unbranded
Stamps: Paper Salon (Fancy Flourishes); Gel-A-Tins (Hearts A Flutter)

Techniques:

For the title, Chipboard Alphas and rectangle tag were painted red, then stamped and embossed with white flourishes.
Photo and patterned paper edges were lightly brushed with white acrylic paint.
Heart accents stamped on WRMK paper (solid side), embossed, then cut into shape.
Journaling printed on vellum then adhered to the patterned paper to soften the bold prints.

Journaling reads:

I’ve often heard that every bride is beautiful on her wedding day. I thought it was because of the beautiful white dress, the make-up, the flowers, and other pretty accessories. Today I realized it’s not all these things. It’s the radiant smile, the twinkling eyes, and the deep sense of joy in knowing that on this day, I am marrying the man I love, and it will be the beginning of the rest of our lives.

This is Life!

Another attempt at digi-scrapping. I used the free digital kit Echoes of Asia by Jessica Sprague. The photo was taken by my hubby during our recent trip to Bantayan Island in Cebu.

I've been downloading free digital kits lately. I actually love it! It allows me to scrap during the work week when I am away from my precious scrapping corner back in Cavite. This has definitely taken over my TV watching.

In Everything Give Thanks

I made this layout as an entry to the My Little Attic challenge using the Boho Chic Line of We R Memory Keepers. I fell in love with these papers the first time I saw them in a scrapping store in Singapore. I used my first set in the first ever swap of the MyScrapworks team (check out the gallery at www.myscrapworks.com). I was delighted to know that My Little Attic brought them to the Philippine shores. I had to get my hands on the complete set - papers, tags, chipboards, goodie bag and ribbons. Yup! Bought them all. But not all at once. I got the papers first, the chipboards and the goodie box next and the ribbons last. Had to pace my purchase!!!

Anyway, let me bore you with the technical details of this layout. First, the photo. I love this photo!!! My hubby took it - after I fixed the camera settings, and after two takes. The first one had bad lighting. The second one was good but I realized I was wearing jewelry (I read in Cathy Zielski's Clean and Simple that jewelries can be a distraction to close up portraits). We finally got it right on the third try - no blings! Then, while editing it, I accidentally saved it while checking how it would look in black and white. It was a fortunate event since the Boho Chic papers have big prints and bold colors, and a black and white photo would be perfect! Oh, and this shot was taken at Kusina Salud (see my previous blog entry).

Next up, the materials. I used, obviously, We R Memory Keepers products - patterned papers, chipboards and ribbons. For the journaling, I used an old Hot Off the Press stock of vellum. I printed my journaling using my HP colored printer. I didn't realize the vellum would be wet after printing so I wasted 3 pages by smearing the prints. Yes, I didn't learn my lesson the first time - it had to happen three times!!! But I assure you, I did learn my lesson and I can now use vellum anytme! I inked the edges of the vellum with Paintbox Pigment Ink. For the first time, I got to use Glue Dots Vellum. Cool stuff! And of course, there's the good ol' Mini Glue Dots, 3M Double Sided Adhesive, 3M Double Sided Foam Adhesive. Have I bored you yet?

Now, about the layout...the theme was "Being Thankful". Before I even worked on my layout, I was already trying to compose my journaling. I tried a lot of stories but at the back of my head, there was one thing I've been itching to write about. It was very personal, and very emotional. I tried to ignore the urge to write about it but I couldn't write about other things as well. It's like God's voice whispering to me to go and share this to other people. So I finally did it. I wrote about being thankful in the face of an adversity. And that's my vision for this layout. More than the aesthetic appeal, more than the chance to win a prize (this is a contest after all!), I wanted this layout to be my way of thanking God for His blessings.
After I got the journaling right, the layout starting to fall into place. I knew exactly what the title would be - fits my journaling to a tee! I knew exactly what papers to use (there were lots to choose from in the Boho Chic Line), and where everything would go in the page. I guess my journaling became my inspiration. So here it is! My entry to the MLA challenge.