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!

Artz De Scrap's Door Hanger challenge

I like this month's challenge over at Artz De Scrap so I decided to give it a go. I decided to make a door sign that I can hang at the office. I used a thin piece pf rectangular plywood as base. I then covered it with brown cardstock and embellished it with chiboards and a piece of ribbon.


The flower stems and butterfly were painted with crackle paint and then coated with Sepia Accents for a glossy finish. I then added some blings on the butterfly.

The most fun past is the mini notepad which I made using scraps of paper and cardstock and bound using the Bind It All machine. I made the usual signs you can see in the office like "IN - welcome" or "Busy - Do Not Disturb". I also added funny ones like "is Eating - Keep Out" and "is Grouchy - High Voltage".

The bound mini-book is inserted in a small slot in the CS that covers the plywood. It slips in and out easily to change the door sign.
The door hanger is now hanging by a hook on my office door.

Materials used:

• Mostly scraps from my Studio Calico Sept. 08 Kit Looking Glass - BG and Sassafras papers and chipboards
• Scenic Route and MM alpha stickers
• Maya Road and MAMBI rubons
• 7 Gypsies stickers

Thanks for looking!

Kaya 23 - Take 2

I made this today to replace my first Kaya 23 layout. I checked the rules again and this time I am 100% compliant. Haha!

Check this out for details of this layout.




I used the September Kit of Studio Calico for the layout above. Loving it!

After a long hiatus...

...I finally made another Kaya entry. View this month's lovely submissions here.

I used Webster's Pages papers exclusively in this layout. The problem with these papers is that both sides are so beautiful that it takes so much of my time to decide which side to use.

The song I used for this layout is one of my favorite love songs written and sung by one of my favorite gospel artists, Steven Curtis Chapman.

See the details here.

A Weekend Roadtrip - A Mini Album

This is my entry to Bookoto's 'Show Me The Mini' challenge.

I really enjoyed making this because I tried so many new things here. I added lots of details and texture. I also made pockets for hidden journaling. I made this mini the weekend after our trip so the details are still very fresh. I can still smell the food and remember the flavors so the story is well-captured in the journaling.

This is the cover. I just love the little stamped car. The arrow was painted with crackle paint and then sprayed with Radiant Rain.


Page 1. I layered 3 flowers over a scalloped circle punched from a patterned paper scrap. I layered papers and embellishments to add interest on the page. The arrow pulls out to reveal the hidden journaling.

The pull-out journaling block

Page 2. This is a relatively flat page. I just used papers, stickers and ribbon to embellish the page. The red sticker is from Collage Press. The journaling is hidden beneath the photo.

Undo the ribbon and open the folder to reveal the journaling.

I love the little details like the stamped 'explore' and the rub-on. I layered three flowers and sewed a button at the center for dimension and texture.

The word 'escape' was stamped on a piece of chipboard that was painted with crackle paint. I used StazOn to stamp the word. Then I applied rub-ons. The chipboard pulls out to reveal the journaling.

Hidden journaling inserted in a pocket

I used stickers and rub-ons to embellish this page. The little photo of the rolled fajitas is actually a folder that contains the hidden journaling.

Pull out the photo to reveal the journaling

Here I stamped two circular patterns, one smaller than the other. I cut the two circles and layered them. I finished off by adding a button. I added some more stamped elements, stickers and scraps of patterned papers. The tab that says 'detours' lifts up to open the folder for the journaling.

The journaling underneath the folder

I added a sheet of Hambly transparency for added interest. I adhered a piece of patterned paper on each side of the tansparency to hide the adhesives. I embellished with layered flowers, and rub-ons.

The other side is embellished with ribbons and rub-ons.

More layered embellishments here - button on a stamped oval pattern on a flower on a scrap of cardstock. I also added a sprinkling of handwritten words.

Here I also used eyelets on top of the stickers and rub-ons. I love those little word stickers! I also layered a stamped circle on a scalloped circle. The journaling is inserted in the pocket.

The pull out journaling

Because of the many photos here I just used minimal embellishments. Just like in the opposite page, the journaling is hidden in the pocket.

Another pullout journaling block

I only used two strips of patterned paper to embellish this page - one stamped, the other was handwritten. I let the photo of the menu do the talking here.

The other side of the page contained the journaling, written inside a folder. I embellished with stickers, layered flowers, stamped words and strips of paper, and my favorite stamped car which I adhered with foam stamp.

The hidden journaling

I love the MM Passport line! I used the papers, stickers, flowers and stamps in this mini album. The Collage Press stickers are also a great match. Here, I also added a chipboard bird on a scalloped circle. It actually pulls out to reveal the journaling.

A closer look at the hidden journaling block

My final journaling is adhered on the inside of the back cover. I used a handwriting font (FG Adrian) in my journaling throughout the album, with a sprinkling of different fonts to highlight some words.

I didn't win the challenge but the fun I had making this album is already a reward in itself. I just love going through this over and over again. We had such a great time and we'd like to go back for another taste of the Panizza!

And before I forget, I just want to point out that this is the second project I made using my Zutter Bind It All tool. After completing this, I parted with my BIA. I sold it to a friend and ordered a new PINK one! I should have it by December! Can't wait!

A Weekend Roadtrip - A Mini Album

I was able to complete a mini-album last weekend and I submitted it as an entry to Bookoto's Show Me The Mini challenge. Since I love making minis, I welcomed this challenge with much excitement. The mini is about our roadtrip to Pampanga to sample some of their culinary offerings. We had so much fun during that weekend trip and I wanted to capture the memory in a mini album.

View the mini here.

And read about the full account of our weekend roadtrip here.

I can't believe...

...that my photo is still here, amidst some of the the country's most talented scrappers. What did I do to deserve this spot?


I guess this means one thing. I'll be palpitating and sweating it out with these ladies as we scrap our way to Idol stardom. Some of my friends asked me what's in it for me. And then it dawned on me...I actually don't know what the prize is or if there'll even be one. All I know is that the journey is reward enough. I did enjoy the process of coming up with a weekly entry. It was so much fun. Well, maybe except week 1. That was tough. Stressful. My back ached a lot. By the time I finished, I could hardly get up. We called for home massage service and within a few minutes, my husband relayed, I was already snoring like a cement mixer.

Idol Update: Off to Round 5

Can you believe it? I'm moving on to Round 5! Do you know what that means? It means I have already achieved my primary goal in this challenge. I just wanted to surpass last year's performance where I got eliminated at Round 4. Everything else after this would be icing on the cake.

I held my breath as I checked the Scrappin' Moms' blog for the announcement. I didn't see my picture right away so I was a bit crestfallen for a few seconds. When I finally saw it, I just couldn't help but feel triumphant, thankful, humbled. The Filipino scrapping community is a talented bunch and while I can say that I did my best, I'm sure everyone else did too.

Anyway, my entry for this round is about where I am at this time in my life. It's very timely given that I'm celebrating my birthday in a few days time. I just want to express how thankful I am for everything and that I am so blessed in so many ways. However, God is not finished with me yet. I am still work in progress. He is still teaching me, shaping me, and molding me. I just hope that I will be responsive and willing to be shaped into the person He wants me to be.

Seeing all the entries is such a feast for the eyes. Beautiful works of art!

Anyway, it's another week. A new challenge to tackle. I'm going to have fun!

Idol Update and New Card

I'm still in the race! Here's my week 3 entry and here are the other lovely
layouts. Congrats Diane for being Pick of the Week, chosen by no less than Jamie Waters!

This week's challenge is called Layer's of Me. Details here. As usual, I completed my entry last weekend, but due to a hectic week, I was only able to email it a few minutes ago. Can't wait for the reveal on Friday!

Finally, here's a card I made for my brand new SIL. It's her first birthday as a wife to my brother.



Oh, and this shot was taken by my brand new 50mm f1.8 lens!

Thanks for looking!

Still in a daze

In the midst of a hectic work day, I got a text message from my good friend Sheryl. A bit of good news. Read it here.

Thanks Cabbie!
Thanks Scrappin' Moms!
Thanks fellow Idol hopefuls!

The challenge continues. Tomorrow is elimination day. We anxiously await.

Scrappin' Moms Idol - Week 3

I'm still alive! Honestly, I didn't think I'd make it past week 1. I mean, what were they thinking? Party set for week 1? (Peace, moms!)

For week 2, it's the colors red, orange, violet and green. 5 photos, different sizes. Not exactly the colors I'd use in ONE layout. But my layout turned out beautifully, in my humble opinion.

Here are the gorgeous entries for week two (mine is All Natural Beauty on page 2).

So now we're on the third week. Here's the announcement of who will move on, and the week's challenge. Good luck to all the Idol wannabes!

I survived week 1

To say that this week's concept is challenging is really an understatement. It was almost impossible for me. Since I can only create over the weekend, I actually had just three days to come up with my entry.

Then we had a bit of a family crisis. My hubby was very much troubled. I realized that when something is bothering him, it bothers me as well. Alas, while my hubby was away last Saturday to sort things out with his family and he graciously left me at home so I can work on my entry, I just couldn't come up with anything. I was in a creative rut. I had a concept in my mind. I knew I was going to create items for a craft-tail party and even had a rhyming invite in mind (thought about that the day before), but I just didn't know how to execute. I already had the stamped images of my party girl and the patterned papers were out. No inspiration. I started browsing scrappy mags hoping to get a spark of inspiration. Nada. So, after lunch, I just took a long nap. I woke up and still no idea. I decided to stop thinking about it and just concentrate on other stuff. Saturday passed me by in a blur. I had the privilege of a long weekend and I wasted one good day.

On Sunday, things worked out well on the family front, so hubby was happy again. With it, came a sudden gush of inspiration for my entry. So, at 9am, I started working. I finished the front page of my invite as well as the coaster. By noon, I was ready to leave and go to Church (2pm service). No more scrapping for me the rest of the day as hubby and I celebrated our 112th monthsary in Tagaytay. We had dinner at Fire Lake Grill and coffee and dessert at Bag of Beans. Happy day.

By Monday, I knew I was already cramming. Had to finish two more party elements, plus the inside of my card which was the most challenging because it had to be pop up. I worked on my project the whole day. By the time I finished, it was 9pm. No more chance to take photos under natural light. No more time to style my entries. I just took photos fit for submission and I was done!

I was happy with my entry but I was shocked (and humbled) when I saw what everyone else came up with. Amazing projects! I couldn't say which was done by a newbie and which was done by a veteran. Hmmm...with this level of talent, I wonder how long I will last.

Anyway, feast your eyes on this and be amazed at how talented the Filipino scrappers are.

Idol 2008

Scrappin' Moms just launched the Idol 2008 contest. I thought long and hard if I will join. Do I want to subject myself to the stress of a weekly elimination contest? I walked that road before and it was a bit stressful at times. Also, we are in the middle of our annual business planning at work, making my work sked and load a bit unpredictable. In addition, my scrap area is about to undergo a renovation. By next week, I have to put everything in boxes and move them some other place in our house. Scrapping will be a challenge.

Then, I saw the last line in this post. I wrote it September of last year.

Done deal! See my first entry here.

Happy August 1st!

Today is August 1st and I know that the winner to this month's Artz De Scrap challenge will be announced along with the new challenge. Surprise, surprise! My little accordion album won! Here is the announcement.

I'm also joining the next challenge which is Altered Felt. Read the mechanics here.

I love joining Artz De Scrap challenges because they motivate me to try stuff I've never done before. This month's challenge is an example. I can't wait to try it out! Now, where do I go to buy felt?

Happy weekend everyone!

Artful Blogging Challenge on www.bookoto.com

When I first got exposed to blogging, my initial thought was that bloggers are weird. Readers of blogs are even more weird. Why would people write about their thoughts and feelings for the world to see? And who bothers to read them? Little did I know that in a few months' time, I'd be joining the sisterhood of the weirdos. Yup, I decided to join in the blogwagon. And here I am now joining www.bookoto.com's blog challenge.

This blog is about my favorite hobby - scrapbooking. I created this blog because I thought this would be a good venue to share my layouts with friends and family. Additionally, it would be a good way to practice my writing skills. That's why I make it a point to not just post the layouts and the materials used but also to write a bit about the experience of making the layout and even share what the layout is all about. After all, I don't just scrap for the sake of making a layout. I scrap because I want to remember my life's stories.

Getting started was easy since there are a lot of free blog sites available. When I first signed up, I had to think of a name right there and then. I knew this blog will be about my hobby - scrapbooking. Also, I scrap mostly about my experiences - my travels and adventures with hubby, my wishes, fears, etc. Scrapbooking is a way to document bits and pieces of my life. Thus, Scrap My Life was born.

I started with a basic template available in the layout option of Blogger. Eventually, I created my own header and even added widgets. The current header was created a few weeks ago when I accidentally deleted my template and messed up my blog. Since I was trying to restore the look of my blog anyway, I thought I'd change the template to a 3-column blog and add a new header. Since this is a scrapping blog and I use this to showcase my work, I thought I'd just use my layouts for the header. So there, my header shows some of my favorite layouts. Other than that, I just added the fonts - FG Maria and Calibri. I simply opened all the photos of my layouts in Photoshop and dragged them into my header file. Then I added two layers for the title - one for the main blog name and another for the brief description. It was very easy to put together. No complicated techniques here. I want to keep the clean and simple look of this blog which would also describe most of my layouts.

As my hobby evolved into something more than just scrapbook pages, so did the content of this blog. Eventually I also started posting my cards, altered art, photos and even book reviews - but all of them still connected to scrapbooking. I just love this hobby!

My Favorite Things Mini Accordion Album

I couldn't resist making minis. I love that I can quickly put together photos and write down my thoughts in one adorable, tiny album. So when I saw that this month's Artz De Scrap Challenge is to make a mini accordion album of my favorite things, I quickly registered and actually was among the early birds. As a result, I was going to get a mini accordion from the lovely Artz De Scrap ladies. Unfortunately, time is almost up and I still haven't received mine so I made my own accordion album from scrap. I finally got the mini that Liza sent by mail last Monday. I will definitely use that for another project. Meanwhile, here's my entry.

I am happy about this mini because I was able to use old stash - my Basic Grey Scarlet's Letter pack! I've had this pack forever and I haven't even opened it. I bought it because it is just so pretty - as with any BG product - but I just don't know how to use it! None of my photos seem to match the papers. Anyway, I took a aleap and just started cutting the papers and voila...my Favorite Things album.

I also used my Twinkling H2O stash here. I painted over the chipboard swirl with crackle paint first, then painted Twinkling H2O once the crackle paint was dry. Love the effect!!!

Some of the stuff I included in my list of fave things are...

• Love
• Adventure
• My fur family
• Soft pillows
• A good book
• A warm bath
• My DSLR
• My Mac
• Making cards and giving them to friends
• Beautiful sunrise and sunset
• Sugi's Kari Kari Kari Yaki
• Art
• etc.

Studio Azul Layout

It's coding day and I arrived at the Makati Shangrila hotel before seven am to attend a workshop that starts at 9am. I have about two hours to kill and where else can I wait that long and keep myself entertained? At Starbucks of course! And I think a hundred bucks is a small price to pay to keep myself from being bored out of my wits.

Anyway, since I am here, might as well post some blog updates. First off, I've finished writing about our Bicol vacation over at my OTHER blog. It's done, but I want to add the contact details of the people we've met to help those who want to go to Bicol for a bit of adventure. Will do that tonight as I've left my travel journal at home.

I also want to share my Studio Azul challenge entry.


TFL!

Good news

I won in the Artz De Scrap challenge for the month of May. See announcement here. I enjoyed this challenge very much because 1) I love my photo here (LOL!), and 2) it feels good to be painting on canvas again, after maybe a decade!

My card was also featured at PageMaps' June Newsletter. You can download the newsletter here. Or check out the June issue of CardMaps here. I was thrilled to have been given the chance to contribute by Becky Fleck, owner of PageMaps. I got the email from her early May and I had several weeks to come up with a card based on her sketch. I was supposed to make a 5x7 horizontal card which I submitted a week early. I made a birthday card which I meant to give to a friend who celebrated her birthday in May. So, after I emailed a photo of the card to Becky, I gave it to my friend Mae.

And before I end this post, I want to thank all my scrapper friends from Pinoyscrapbookers and Scrapbooks-Exchange who congratulated me and shared my joy and excitement for this milestone. Special thanks to Cookie who actually delivered the good news Monday morning. I had no idea why she congratulated me. She left a message on my YM the previous night. She said "Congratulations Alby. Enjoy your goodies!" My heart stopped at that moment trying to think why she was congratulating me. It completely slipped my mind that both the Artz De Scrap announcement and PageMaps newsletter where released June 1st. Happy week ahead!

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 12 Entry

Probably one of my quickest, if not THE quickest layout - done in 30 minutes! Yan ang nagagawa ng deadline. Actually, that's the advantage of working with a kit. No guesswork on what materials to use. I actually just used one paper here. And some embellies. All from Studio Azul Feb Kit. See all the entries here.