Christmas ATCs

I made these for the Kaya Nov-Dec challenge. I actually finished it early December (or was it late November?) but I wasn't able to post at the Kaya blog until a few days before deadline. Anyway, I thought I'd make a series on "Jesus is the reason for the season". I thought it is very timely as Christmas is becoming more commercialized. In fact, I just got back from Thailand where the majority of citizens are Buddhists, and I was surprised to see Christmas decors everywhere. The locals told me that they love Christmas for the festivities. So here, I guess even among those who claim to be Christians, it is easy to get lost in the merriment of the season and we need to be reminded once in a while that Christmas is here because Jesus was born to be our redeemer.

So anyway, I used old kits and paper scraps to make these ATCs.


I hope you all had a meaningful Christmas and I wish you all a prosperous and spiritually charged 2010.

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!

My Kaya 27 Entry

This month's challenge is not that difficult, if you know what "thing" to scrap about. The use of mixed alphas is nothing new to me and I figured I'll put the layout together first and then select the alphas that will work well with the look of my layout. It didn't take long for me to figure out what "thing" I consider as one of my prized possessions. In fact, I love it so much that this isn't the first time I made a layout for it. However, I didn't think I did it justice the first time as that layout booted me out of my first Scrappin Moms Idol competition. So I thought I'll make a new one and give it the honor it deserves. Here's my layout in honor of my MacBook.


Here's a closer look:


One thing I do when I want a quick page is to break it down to a smaller layout like an 8.5 x 11 or an 8 x 8, then mount it on a 12 x 12. That's exactly what I did here. I used an 8.5 x 11 white cardstock which I distress with ink as base. After I've assembled everything on this smaller page, I then mounted it on my pre-selected 12 x 12 patterned paper. After that, I just added a few more embellishments and a bit of stamping to finish the page. I chose this Sassafrass line because the subject of my layout is a gadget. The robots kinda support the hi-tech feel. Anyway, the busy patterned paper was offset by the plain white CS so I thought it worked out pretty well.

See the details and the other entries here. I hope I get picked this time!

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!

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.

Kaya 13 Entry

I made a digital layout for this month's Kaya challenge. You may view the details as well as the other entries here.

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.

This weekend...

...I was able to finish my Kaya 10 entry. It's a digital layout using Danielle Young's Springtime Feelings Kit. Thanks Danielle for the lovely kit, and thanks Diane for the fabulous challenge.

Here it is.
You can see more details and check out all the entries here. Beautiful layouts as usual. And great turn out, considering we're only in the middle of the month.

I was also able to finish and submit my entry to Studio Azul's Supernova Sketch Challenge. I can't post it though. Not sure if we can, at least not until all the entries are in. Will post it as soon as I can.

Not a bad turnout this week!

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.

Kaya 6 Entry

I managed to make a traditional layout for this month's Pinoyscrapbookers Challenge. Read about it at the PS blog.

Kaya 5 Entry

I was so happy to know that this month’s challenge will allow me to join via a digital entry. I've been wanting to scrap some of the pictures of my friend's daughter Yana. She is such a great photography subject. Other than being a cute little girl, she has a way of looking at the camera that’s just so captivating. Her mom told me that even as a little toddler, Yana's dad would ask her to "look at the lens". Fortunately, her mom shared with me a couple of digital shots I could choose from. She has lots of beautiful photos but I chose this one because the colors of her clothes match my digital papers perfectly.

Journaling:
Where has time gone? In a blink of an eye, you have blossomed into a beautiful young lady.

Credits:
Adobe Photoshop CS2; Summer Afternoon Kit by Bren Boone; Tracy Collins' Raspberry Mocha Button; MacFont - Taylor Mackenzie

Had fun making this layout. You can also check it out at here. TFL!

Siblings - My first entry to the Pinoyscrapbookers Monthly Challenge

The first time I saw the Pinoyscrapbookers challenge dubbed Kayang-kaya Kaya? Kaya!, I was so amazed and excited and thankful at the same time. It was a very clever idea to have a monthly challenge. I was very busy on the first month so I was not able to join but I did manage to finally join this June.

One big reason why I love the idea is that it feels to me like I am joining a challenge for the sheer fun of it. I don't know, but I just don't feel pressured to compete. It's like a group of friends agreeing to a theme and waiting to see what each other will come up with. Nevertheless, the fact that it is a challenge still pushes me to give my best and push my creativity a notch higher. For instance, in the June challenge - which I totally love - we were required to make a predominantly black and white layout with only a bit of a single color. I wouldn't have thought of that on my own. It was difficult, especially with my choice of picture - the two kids of my friends Joey and Tricia. In my mind, layouts that feature children should be colorful, alive and fun. However, in this case, the story is about a heartwarming moment between young siblings, thus giving it license to have a rather pensive mood.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed making my layout and I loved how it turned out. Yup, it's another digital work. I'm really loving it! It compensates well for my lack of time to do a paper layout. Anyway, here is the layout. And don't forget to go through the other beautiful entries as well.