squeeze

it's always fun playing with my niece aly. she is very imaginative and loves to explore. it is also funny when i get to tease her sometimes. i like her reaction when she gets a bit mad. 

like this one time when we were playing, i just started off hugging her. then, instead of letting her go, i just started squeezing her. she just kept squealing for me to stop. lol! love her reaction in these photos!

notice how i played up on the title by simulating a "squeezed" look for the photos.  i used a sticker sheet as mask for my background. love the effect. and, i journaled around the patterned paper to give emphasis on my photos.  this is a perfect fit for workout #53 at scrapFIT. 

materials used:  patterned paper - scenic route, collage press, sassafras; chipboard - scenic route, provo craft; glimmer mist - tattered angels; stickers - american crafts, k&co

hotline to love

edited:  and this post was a fave over at scrapbooker's anonymous! yipee!



life has changed for us in the past 4.5months drastically. our world now revolves around our baby and "me time" or "us time" as we like to call it, seems a thing of the past.  

still, we are much happier despite all these changes.  nelo and i both know that we can always depend on each other no matter what.  as we've said we are each other's hotline to love.

this photo was taken during my friend's wedding back in 2005. they had this cute phone booth in the reception venue, a perfect match for my title.

note:  i've used the tim holtz bird & cage die as an additional element for my design. i cut it using a black & white printed postcard. i like how it turned out. and i even used distress ink on the bird.

this page fits perfectly the october challenge to use die cuts over at scrapbookers anonymous.

materials used:  cardsrock - american crafts; patterned paper - dcwv, jenni bowlin; chipboard - buzz & bloom, american crafts; flowers - prima; crackle paint, ink, mask - tim holtz by ranger; rub-on -basic grey; dies - sizzix; others - bling, lace

texas ranger

i really like using sketches to jumpstart my scrappy mojo.  it's the fastest way for me to scrap since i still have lots of photos i need to scrap.

this one here was inspired by the february sketch challenge at sweet peach crop shop. the design was just right for these photos of christabel, my niece who lives in texas.  i fixed the photo using various actions in photoshop. it helped set the mood for the theme.

and, the best part of creating this layout -- using up my old stash! these papers have been with me for ages! i do love the result!

materials used: patterned paper - basic grey, cosmo cricket, crate paper; felt - maya road; chipboard - american crafts; sticker - jenni bowlin; wood banner - jolee's; die cut - tim holtz; others - buttons, brads, twine

reese

i can't believe it's march 2nd already!

february just flew by and now a third of the year is gone. wow! time really flies fast.

much like this photo that i scrapped. this is reese, my friend arlene's daughter.  

i've had this photo with me for like a year or so already but never got the chance to scrap it until now. reese is now way bigger but just as lovelier as she is in this photo.

i love the mood set by the photo and that flamenco outfit she was wearing.  so i focused on using more reds and blacks on this layout.  

remember this post on handmade flowers?

i created a few for this layout and i love how it came out! i'm getting the hang of assembling the flowers and i can even customize the colors.  i even mixed embossing powders on the grungeboard and the frame post die cut to give it that distressed look. 

materials used: cardstock - dcwv; patterned paper - jenni bowlin; chipboard, flowers - prima; die - tim holtz/sizzix; grungeboard, distress ink, embossing powder - tim holtz by ranger; punch - martha stewart; brads - making memories; others - lace, pearls

1. 2. 3. pout

it's the last blog hop for the scrap-it-lah anniversary challenge.  the last hop is over at jessy's blog.  she's one talented scrapper and i really like her scrapbook style.  oh and did i mention i like her photographs too. i'm sucking up to jessy on this one. lol!

it's a photo inspiration and this is how i got inspired by it.  this is my niece aly, my sometimes willing & unwilling subject when i need variety for my layouts.

i used a floral patterned paper inspired by the cupcake holder.  i used a ribbon and placed a frill on top to give it that dainty feel, much like the cupcake.  and, used touches of yellow for the buttons and the alpha inspired by the color of the photo.

i liked the simplicity of this design, just the little touches here and there especially that little birdie by the edge.

journal:
you really have a way of making us laugh with your little antics. there's something about your attitude that we just can't resist. one minute you look so sweet, the next, you are hilarious! keep up that spunk aly and continue to make us smile. (oct. 3 '09)

materials used: 
cardstock - bazzill; patterned paper - fancy pants, we r memory keepers; stickers - american crafts, making memories, hambly studios; rub-ons - autumn leaves; buttons - autumn leaves, making memories; ribbon - fancy pants; ink - chalkbox

nikki sivils day

last february 20, we had an opportunity to work with nikki sivils papers courtesy of our good friend ria.  she invited us for a full day of scrapping, eating and chatting.  all we needed to do was use nikki sivils for our layouts which she generously shared with us.

i think i did a lot more of chatting & eating than scrapping which is why i was only able to create 1 layout with nikki sivils' beautiful papers.  still, i liked the layout and it was really fun spending the day with scrappy friends.  i actually did a 2nd layout but it was for a different assignment.  i do hope we can do something like this again soon, will definitely have to scrap more. lol!



materials used: patterned paper, bread tags, brads - nikki sivils; cardstock - bazzill; alphas - american crafts, making memories; ribbon - fancy pants; flowers - making memories; ink - chalkbox; glimmer mist - tattered angels; puncher - fiskars; pins

rain or shine

a belated valentine's greetings to you all!  we had fun with our valentine day celebration yesterday, nothing fancy, just a stroll at the mall, lunch date and capped it off with dessert. 

speaking of valentine's day, our assignment at journaling junkie was to write a love letter to someone. the letter needs to be handwritten and we need to use non-traditional valentine colors.  no reds or sappy hearts.

hidden journal:
Love, remember this photo? It suddenly rained that night, New Year's Eve (2009).  But there we were out on the street.  It seems cheesy but it's so sweet! You were holding the umbrella making sure we don't get wet, and me holding to you tightly. That rain didn't stop us from neighbor-hoppig. It's been like that with the two of us for the past 5 years. Never mind the rain or setbacks. We just hold on to each other, we go with the flow and make the most of the situation. And it is no surprise that we see a ray of light, a glimmer of sunshine that makes us smile, laugh and enjoy every minute of being together. I'm sure we will continue to be like this for a long time. Rain or shine, it will be you and me always!

tips:  to create a semblance of raindrops, i scattered bling around the titles to give it that dewy feel.


materials used:
cardstock - dcwv; patterned paper - wrmk; alpha - american crafts, doodlebug designs; metal clip - making memories; ink - colorbox; fiber; dmc floss; bling

after the movies

it's always fun goofing off with friends after the movies.

these photos were taken at the shangri-la cineplex lobby when we watched a movie with clariz & emer.  we really were crazy!  some people were actually staring at us when we were taking the shots.  but who cares!

materials used:  patterned papers - sassfars, scenic route; cardstock - dcwv; sheers - maya road; rub-ons - fancy pants; alphas - creative imaginations, karen foster; punch - ek success; digital frame - katie pertiet

sketchabilities revealed

yipee! the first sketch for the year at sketchabilities is up!

well, it's been up since saturday actually. lol!  i just wasn't able to post it here over the weekend.  but enough said! i'd like to share it with you already. check out the sketch here.

i really liked how my layout turned out for this sketch. i adjusted the photo orientation but basically worked within the basic idea of the sketch. i mixed-in some of my old stash with materials from the scarlet lime kit.

check out the sketchabilities blog for added inspiration from the dt members.

journal:
today.  make an ordinary day special with a positive outlook in life. learn to make the best of any situation. live each day to the fullest.

materials used: patterned paper - basic grey, crate paper, sassafras, scenic route; journal pad - making memories; die-cuts - pink paislee; stickers - basic grey, heidi grace; stamp - inkadinkadoo; vellum phrase - colorbok; ink - staz-on; diamond glaze; ribbons; brads

hope springs eternal

hope -- my word of choice for 2010.

over at journaling junkie, we were to choose our word for 2010 and reflect on that word and how that will play a part in your life for the year.

and thus, my choice is HOPE as it is the one thing we can never loose in our life. here's my journal on why i chose the word:

"A lot has happened in our lives, good and bad. Still we moved forward as each day passes. These experiences have made us stronger and more resilient. Our lives are not perfect but it's ideal. It's the life we have somehow wished for. We are almost complete, almost. Every year we can only look forward to our faith, our hope that we will soon be completed. This coming year, we will continue hoping, praying for total completeness for our family. (12-31-09)"

materials used:  cardstock - american crafts, ki memories (used as mask), bazzill; patterned paper - scenic route; journal pad - fancy pants; chipboard - scenic route; alpha - american crafts, ek success;  glimmer mist - tattered angels; paint - kaiser carft; glitter - pink paislee; brads - making memories; trim - fancy pants; rub-ons; felt; ink

last layout created in 2009

this was done for challenge 71 at journaling junkie.  the layouts were to talk about our preparations during christmas. i used photos of our christmas trimmings back in 2008.

Journal:
Christmas is a much anticipated season in our home. You know it’s time to decorate once my mom starts pulling out the Christmas tree and trimmings by the 2nd week of November. She chooses a color motif each year and everything in the house is coordinated with that color. We always enjoy her enthusiasm and excitement in preparing for Christmas. With all decorations up, it warms our hearts appreciating all my mom’s efforts and just can’t wait for Christmas day to come…
December 2008


materials used:  patterned papers - webster's pages; chipboard - basic grey, kaiser crafts; stickers - making memories; glimmer mist - tattered angels; glitter glaze - lil davis; glitter - leeho; bling

split personality

challenge #70 is up at journaling junkie. we were to document the negative. journal not only about the positives - document a negative aspect of someone, somewhere or something that we love dearly.

do join in on the challenge. check out the other dt's take on this for added inspiration.

Journaling:
Nelo would often complain that I am so stubborn and hard-headed. I want to get things my way. I react on impulse and only listens after the fact. But in spite of that, I am a loving and caring wife who gives him unconditional love. And he'll immediately forget whatever negatives there is to my personality. So sweet of him!

materials used: patterned paper - creative imaginations, october afternoon, wrmk; die-cut - elle's studio; chipboard - maya road; glimmer mist - tattered angels; sticker - scrapworks; diamond glaze - judikins; bling; brads

loving sister

here's my entry for journaling junkie's challenge #69.

this was a recipe challenge, we were to use a set number of patterned papers and embellishments in creating our layouts. i decided to use double sided patterned papers so i can maximize the design i wanted. in the photo are my nephews enzo and paul, and my niece pam.

journal:
"A sister is the best friend who leads her brother at every step."

Life wouldn't be the same without you for these two. You've given them support and encouragement in the absence of your mom and dad. You are their anchor, their protector. Continue to nurture them with your love. They are lucky and happy to have you as their sister.

materials used: cardstock - dcwv; patterned papers - pebbles, inc., basic grey, american crafts; die-cut - bella blvd.; rub-ons - daisy bucket; brads - making memories; bling - prima; alpha - creative imaginations, american crafts; ink - chalk box; others - thread

sweet sugar rush

i told you i have a few new layouts using sassafras goodness! i just really can't get enough of them!

this is my niece gabbie. she's really a charmer and such a cutie! these photos were a perfect match to the sassafras papers. and a big thanks to my friend april for giving me some of her scraps. i cut-out those images from one of the "me likey" collection papers. i even added googly eyes on them. really cute!

journal:
A cry baby but totally adorable and charming. Sweet and dandy for wanting that candy. Busy as a little bee, buzzing with delight and happy with her treats. A pocket full of candies, sweet, sugary and everything nice.

this is also for challenge 68 at journaling junkie. the prompt is to create a layout using mainly adjectives for your journal.

materials used: patterned paper - sassafras lass; alphas - american crafts, making memories; stamp - scarlet lime kit; pen - staedtler triplus; others - googly eyes

my brother's keeper

i just noticed lately in my new layouts that i've been using a lot sassafras papers. it's my current favorite and i love the fact that i can still mix and match their different lines together. even loved it more when they included their die-cut borders in the paper design. genius! those borders are just perfect if you want to spruce up your design a bit.

here's one layout using sassafras goodness! this was for journaling junkie's challenge #66. we were to create a layout about our relationship with our siblings.

i cut-off the "dream big" paper and layered it on top of the "full bloom" paper. i just aligned the color rays to make it appear like it was a single paper sheet. and i also added rub-on phrases on the rays as added descriptions for my brothers.


journaling:
It’s a love-hate relationship that I have with these two. What can you expect with three different personalities living together all their lives. Being the eldest doesn’t really help all the time. When you exert your authority, it’s either they listen or they argue with it. Add to it that I always want control and order, while these two employ a carefree and happy-go-lucky attitude. I know I also frustrate them at times with my personality as much as they do to me.

But despite our differences, I love these two. Yes, I sometimes wish they were different but that only happens when I’m really mad at them. They have really helped mold me to be the person that I am, the sister who continues to love and support them no matter what.

Yes we argue, we fight, we have disagreements. But we also laugh together, share stories, enjoy each other’s company, we support and we love. That is who we are. I will be the eldest sister that they can count on, supporting them as much as I can. I will continue to be my brother’s keeper.

materials used: cardstock - dcwv; patterned paper - sassafras lass; buttons - autumn leaves; rub-ons - creative imaginations, 7gypsies; stickers - pink paislee, 7gypsies; chipboard - heidi swapp; brads - 7gypsies, making memories; dmc floss

cherish these moments

here's a layout using photos of my mother-in-law and niece together. i apologize if the photos seem familiar. these shots are still part of the hundreds of photo taken during our family pictorial in 2007. my good friend jeff lopez was our photographer.

i myself am getting "tired" of these but there are really a lot of wonderful shots taken that day that i still have not been able to use for my scrapbooks.

anyway, with the exception of the base paper, all papers here were leftovers from my scraps. i still liked the end result. used this as my entry to the ad challenge #4 at dotty divas.

materials used: cardstock - ki memories; patterned paper - fancy pants, 7gypsies, webster's pages, jenni bowlin, bo bunny; transparency - hambly; rub-ons - daisy d's; sticker, brads - making memories; die-cut - 3bugs in a rug; ribbon

double trouble

here's another halloween layout using last year's photo.

aly and nelo went together dressed as cops & robbers. these costumes were hand-me-downs from bernard and christabel which they wore the year before last. aly had more fun with these costumes.

note that i cut the prima felt flowers to resemble spider's legs. then i added the googly eyes for that added touch.

materials used: patterned papers - scenic route, teresa collins; paper frill - doodlebug; journal tags & quote - teresa collins; felt flowers - prima; others - googly eyes

the fugitive

it's been almost a month since i've last posted anything here, that is if anybody noticed at all. lol! there are just a lot of things that i had to focus on more than blogging.

plus, i haven't been scrapping as much as i wanted to. my mojo just flew out the window and seems to have lost his way back. if not for pending deadlines, i wouldn't have been able to create even a few pages.

hopefully i can get my groove back and keep my blog updated a bit more regularly. here's a layout i should have shared last week in time for halloween. these photos were taken last year.


journal:
i know fugitives are supposed to be happy when they break out. but your face exudes a funny & hilarious demeanor. who would ever believe you are an actual prisoner. you don't fool me! (oct. 31 '08)

materials used: cardstock - bazzill; patterned paper - scenic route; chipboard - maya road; mask, grungeboard, journal tag - tim holtz; ink - brilliance; acrylic paint - making memories; brads - doodlebug; others - key charm

xoxo

it's always a relief when i'm able to scrap photos that have been gathering dust in my storage bin. these photos were not actually theme-related, reason why it took me that long to have these scrapped.

i used here the "he said" march kit from a walk down memory lane. the combination of colors were really more masculine but i was able to make it work with my photos.

i handcut the patterned paper to create the swirls of vines & flowers. i also used a studio azul grid stamp to create the pattern on the cardstock.

journal:
fate really has a way of dictating what can happen. whoever though then that we would be together. at a time when we were enjoying our single lives, our paths crossed to bring us together. love really is mysterious. (march '09)

materials used: ("he said" march kit) cardstock - bazzill; patterned paper - basic grey, crate paper; alpha - american crafts; glitter glue - stickles; pearls - kaiser crafts. others: stamp - studio azul, lil' davis; ink - brilliance; pen - staedtler triplus

dip, scoop, pose

nelo and i are such ice cream lovers! whenever we are out, choice of dessert will either be cake or ice cream. it is such a novelty to find a shop which serves ice cream on a crepe. who can pass up crepes with ice cream! love the mix of pistachio ice cream with mango slices and almond nuts. yum!

journal:
we love ice cream! and there's no better way to cap off an evening than with this delicious dessert.

love the mix of colors in this layout. the pinks, blues & greens really blended well with the dose of yellow in the background.

used a lot of sassafras papers here. i love their die-cut borders. it adds a little extra touch to the design. and i used quite a number here, leftovers from various projects.

i'm sending this in as my entry to scrap-it-lah's september challenge.

materials used:
patterned paper - sassafras lass, basic grey, ki memories, american crafts; alphas - american crafts, doodlebug design, provo craft; glitter glue - derivian, leeho; thread - dmc floss; pen - staedtler triplus