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Bloomin' Beautiful Stamp Set - P1,299.80












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Upside Down

I was pretty lucky to have my camera on-hand when my daughter started to do her stunt. As I was reviewing the digital shots on my laptop, I was struck with the thought of the complete turnaround our lives took because of having her. Difficult though it may seem at times, but as the journaling said: “we wouldn’t want it any other way.”

The Process:
1. Adhere Danny O pps to an orange Bazzill cs.
2. Cut a small rectangular piece of blue punchinella and adhere to the page using vellum glue dots.
3. Place the focal picture on top of the punchinella. Cut the top photo in circular shape using Simply Scrappy’s ultimate circle template and matt the bottom photo in black cs.
4. Cut out 2 circular frames using the circle template and adhere on top of the small pictures. Then cut-out 2 curved arrows on black cs using the same circle template and paste on top of the circular frame.
5. Place Scenic Route die-cut arrow on top of the focal picture to frame it.
6. Estimate the coverage of the journaling space using the clear ultimate circle and mark the edge of the space by placing masking tape on the acrylic template. Using the clear template as a guide, cut the orange pps and adhere to the page. Next, use the template to cut out a black ¼” margin using black cs and paste on top of the journaling space.
7. Cut out the sub-title using Quickutz skinnimini alphas on black cs and the main title using Cuttlebug Red Tag alpha on various remnants of pps.
8. To add dimension to the page, pop up the main title using 2mm Darys foamies and glue to the top portion of the layout.
9. Cut-out airplane drawing from the pps and adhere upside down below the title.
10. Reverse print the journaling on white cs and cut in strips. Next, cut the letters piece by piece to spell out the journaling.
11. As a final touch, glue 2 pieces of orange pps on top of the punchinella and punch through 2 black metal eyelets using crop-a-dile.
12. Stamp in the date using ordinary office dater and you are done.

Journaling Reads: Talk about lifestyle change. It was surely a complete turnaround ever since you came to our lives. But we don’t even mind at all because having you was the best thing that ever happened to us. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Materials Used: K&Co. Danny O pps; Bazzill cs (orange, white and black); Scraps of Kaleidoscope, Danny O and Rusty Pickle pps (for the titling); Scenic Route Die Cut (Savannah Arrows); Darys 2mm foamies; Simply Scrappy Ultimate Circle template; Cuttle Bug Red Tag Sale alpha dies; Quickutz Lemonade SkinniMini cookie cutter dies.
Others: Punchinella; Eyelets.
Font: Adler

Small Hands

Initially, I joined the Webster’s Pages challenge last January 2008 due to the incessant bidding of my best friend, Au. She kept brain-washing me practically every time we talk on the phone. She was saying: “Vivian is giving out three prizes. Not one, but THREE. So you’ll have more chances of landing at least one of them”. Au didn’t have to twist my arm too tight because as we all know, Lasting Impression is one of the foremost and biggest local store we have here in the Philippines. I mean, who wouldn’t want a free ticket to shop in Vivian’s store?!

I have to admit, I felt I was shooting for the moon when I was aiming for the third place. But I was desperate. I have been eyeing one of Vivian’s merchandise for the longest time, the “Page In Progress”. I felt with the third place voucher in the bag, I only need to shell out half the price. That was motivation enough for me to give it a try.

What I did not expect though was that I would overshoot my mark, let alone hit anything. I mean, after seeing the roster of talent who submitted for the challenge PLUS the awesome entries - it was anybody’s game. The judge could as well pull out a name from the hat and she could not go wrong. The entries are all fabulous! See for yourself: http://lastingimpressionph.com/gallery2/thumbnails.php?album=9

So it really came as a huge surprise for me when Lee called up last March 21, 2008 which was a Good Friday to tell me I won in the challenge - and FIRST PLACE at that! I honestly thought she was pulling my leg. Half my mind was wishing desperately she was not but the other half would not believe it is true either. Talk about feeling confused. LOL!

Then as if the prize money was not enough, the gracious judge Ms. Brandin O’ Neill who is the Co-Owner and Executive Designer of Webster’s Pages has this to say about my entry: “It’s not always easy incorporating all muted colors to make a visual impact. This designer did just that. The layering and positioning of the papers balanced with the image shows off the pureness of the design with the perfect innocence of the photo. The sweet message that the photo speaks is how we would like our papers to talk…if they had a voice! We love this layout. Bravo!” Now THAT totally blew my mind. I was in sheer heaven! I mean, wouldn’t you?

Thank you very much Vivian for calling this challenge and THANK YOU Ms. O’ Neill for the wonderful comment. I am deeply moved.

Hidden journaling reads: These small hands will one day grow into a useful instrument capable in aiding you to achieve great things in your life. But inasmuch as it can do you a lot of good, it is also capable of hurting a lot of people. A simple wave of a hand can dismiss another human being seeking for help. It can also stop somebody from expressing their sincere sentiments with just an open palm raised to their face. So you see, my dear, you are borne with a grave responsibility along with the privilege of its use.

Please also remember, your hands do not have a mind of their own but instead carry on your will. Use them well. Let your conscience guide you. May you always use these hands as God intended: to aide your fellow men and to comfort those whom you cannot help with a simple touch that says: “I care”.

Materials used: Webster’s Pages Sweet Charity Collection PPS (Bouquet; Primrose Garden; Baby’s Breath); Webster’s Pages Vintage Home Collection letter stickers; Tres Jolie Tres Bien play cards; Prima Flower; MM Noteworthy Flower & Buttons; MM Floral/Dings foam stamp; White acrylic paint; Darys 2mm foamies; Crochetted ribbons; Simply Scrappy circle template.

So Cool

There are simply some pages when everything seems to be working with you. Perhaps to start off with, you may really like your picture. Or the paper came together nicely. But mostly in my case, it happens when I have a very good foundation which is the layout for the base papers. Once I have that, everything follows because embellishing now is a breeze. I just have to make sure that the colors and mood of the embellishment works with the base and I am guaranteed a page I am going to be pleased with.

This is an example of an easy layout. It is mostly cut and paste. I did not do any inking on it to maintain the fresh and crisp look to match the casual picture. I really had fun in embellishing this page. Even ruining the first set of chipboards I attempted to use for the titling did not dampen my mood. When I discovered that I am out of the letter “o” for the alternative font, I simply followed the common trick of replacing some letters with large, circular brads.

Journaling reads: Nothing beats the summer heat better than going bare top and having a tall, cool drink in your hands. - Summer 2008

Materials used: DCWV cs; BG Romani pps (Pooro; Amber); Romani tag; American Craft thickers (Gift Box); Prima flower; Scenic Route cardstock stickers; Daisy D’s cardstock die-cuts; K&Co. Kimberly Hodges grand adhesion; Foof-A-La epoxy stickers; Artline acid-free pen; Simply Scrappy deckler and stitching guide.
Others: Button; Brads; Rick rack; Various ribbons; gold staple wire; Needle and thread.

Relax

You know how we sometimes get terrified with using new and beautiful papers? Well, I found a technique for it: I let it stay long enough in my stash and when it gets old, it is not so daunting to use after all. Bad suggestion, I know – hehehe.

Now for the longest time, I didn’t know what to do with these papers. I kept staring at the big butterfly-looking frond and I’m stuck. Eventually I said: “What the heck, let’s cut it and see what I can do with it afterwards.” Midway through my cutting, I suddenly had a stroke of inspiration to turn it into a lotus and put my daughter’s picture smack right in the middle. To achieve this, I cut of the right top-most petal since it is going to be covered with the focal picture anyway and moved the petal at the bottom to fill-in the space there.

I then used a decorative shear to cut the aqua blue Chi-chi pps to give the base some semblance of texture. After all, it would be just too boring if all the pps are lined up horizontally with nothing to break the straight lines. After adhering all the base pps, I thought I’d raise the ready-made title using Darys 2mm foamies in order to create dimension.

The cluster of buttons you see on this page, was actually a collaboration with my artistic husband, Alain. I was looking for matching buttons and simply dumped a fistful of it on top of the page. My husband who was standing beside me said: “Hey wait, what if you do this” then he grabbed the buttons and dumped them as well to the top right portion of the page. He then said “Don’t move that… just glue them where they are”. You know what? I must agree, he was right! :D

Journaling reads: Your picture here said it all: you looked so at ease in these Crocs. For what it lacked in looks, it totally made up in comfort. In fact, the minute you put on your first pair, you were in flight. Being the over-indulgent mother that I am, I immediately bought you several pairs which would probably last you throughout your toddler years. -
Your very first pair of Crocs – April 2007

Materials used: Fancy Pants Chi-chi PPS; Kaleidoscope PPS (“Memories” Dots/Orange Paper); K& Co. Brenda Walton die-cut cardstock for the title; K&Co. Brenda Walton chipboard; Prima flowers; Me & My Big Ideas designer chipboard alpha; Beyond Postmarks metal art; Darys 2mm Foamies; Studio Azul Jan’08 kit buttons; Brad with bling.
Computer Font: Maiandra GD

Small Talk

Whenever I am stuck with my ideas, but still needs to practice on this craft (and you would have to agree practice and experience are actually all we need to be better at this) I find it takes a lot of pressure off if I decide to do a direct scraplifting. For example, this layout right here is a direct scraplift from Sarah Winnick’s “Photoshoot” (Simple Scrapbook Mar/Apr 2008 issue).

I know of a couple of scrappers that may cringe at the thought of “direct scraplifting”. They may think that it is unoriginal and not challenging enough. But I beg to differ. Scraplifting, for me, takes skill to accomplish. It is not really easy to replicate another person’s technique let alone stay true to the original sketch. Also, more often than not, the embellishments they used are unavailable and that is where the challenge kicks in. You would have to be creative and find or sometimes even manufacture a replacement for it. In the end, it is very satisfying to see how close you can come to the original and yet give it your own flavor.

Journaling reads: Upon hearing the next-door neighbor’s dog barking: “Mama, dog. Bite you!” Complete with fierce grabbing gesture of both hands. “Also cat. The same-the same.” - Sam at 2 yrs. 2 mos.

Materials used: Beige & brown Bazzill CS; Kaleidoscope “School Days” Solid/Green Paper PPS; Bohemia Barefoot “Family” Small Stripe/ Torquise PPS; Bohemia “Play” Polka Dot/Red PPS; American Crafts “Platform” chipboard letter stickers; AAS chipboard embellishment; Simply Scrappy circle template; Stamp Art mini pop dots; Inque Boutique “Beautiful” rubber stamp; Colorbox stamp pad; Clear embossing powder; Buttons; Rick rack.
Computer font: Bookman Old Style

3 Wishes

For sure, I am not alone in stating that it terrifies me sometimes to share my layouts in public for fear of falling short of other people’s expectations. This is actually the main reason why for three months, I was immobilized and therefore went on a self-proclaimed hiatus. Just to sort myself and my priorities. Why and for whom I am scrapping in the first place. It happens sometimes, you know, when we are in the thick of the matter that we would look up and find ourselves lost.

In the end I realized, I am doing this for myself… because it makes me HAPPY. So it shouldn’t matter what people think. But I would have to admit, the fear of embarrassment is still at the back of my mind. It hasn’t really gone away. I just chose to ignore it as much as I could, focus on my main goal and also on the task at hand. Hopefully, as I gain more experience, my self-confidence would follow.

Journaling reads:
I wish I would not mind so much what other people think of my layouts and learn to trust my own instinct. That I would not be so easily intimidated by the hordes of talent surrounding me.
I wish I will learn to relax and not “live by the rules”. That I will learn to play and enjoy the process as it should be.
I wish to train my thoughts not to get distracted from the main purpose why I am scrapping in the first place. That is to document my family’s lives for posterity and to write down my thoughts and experiences so that my daughter may benefit from them in the future even when I am not around anymore. But most importantly, because it makes me HAPPY. Just about the only time I am made unhappy with scrapbooking is whenever I am riddled with the fear of judgment and expectations. I wish I can overcome these uncertainties and finally fulfill my 3 wishes.

Materials used: Perhaps CS (Firebird); Crate Paper “Samantha Collection” PPS; Fancy Pants rub-on; Brenda Walton Grand adhesions; 7 Gypsies photo anchor; Swarovski gem.
Others: Beige CS; Lace; Rick rack.
Computer Font: Bookman Old Style

Altered Clock

During the last Pinoyscrapbookers EB, Cookie Aguillar generously shared with us a tutorial for making a unique and personalized gift. Ever since then, I had been itching to try my hands on this altered clock project. It wasn’t till last January 2008 when sister-in-law visited us from China that I was given a reason to make one as a special gift for her.

Surprisingly, this was a pretty easy project to do. In fact, I finished it in one sitting. But if you ask me, my best accomplishment for this project was the fact that the clock was still working right after I put it back together. I was so overjoyed. So happy, I had to do a Dr. Frankenstein impersonation: “It is alive… Alive!” - LOL. Thank you Cookie for this wonderful idea :D

Materials used: Making Memories “Boho Chic” PPS; Hero Arts “Italian Poetry Background” rubber stamp; Brown Ancient Pages stamp pad; Fancy Pants rub-on; K&Co. Brenda Walton embossed stickers; Three Bugs in a Rug “Chitchat” cardstock die-cut stickers; Stampin’ Up tab punch; American Crafts “Remarks” thickers; Reeves glitter glue.
Others: Blings; Lace.

Favorite Words

My eldest brother Henry is completely bonkers over my daughter. He goes to my mother's house where my daughter is staying while I'm away at work. I mean, he goes there 3x a day just to see her! Anyway, he did this list of my daughter's favorite words and compiled drawings (some he lovingly did, himself in Corel Draw). I decided to use the materials he did and integrated it in my LO. For the title font and color scheme, I used a box of Have It All vitamin as my source of inspiration.

There is no actual journaling, but in case you are curious what this toddler-talk means, here it is: Ma-Do - Mc Do; Eber - Hippo; Bider - Spider; Wain - Rain; Nanana - any device that has an ear piece (Ipod, cellphone, etc.); Aufufu - Octopus; Da - Frog (don't ask me why...) ; Wai-O-Wai - Dragonfly; Dader - Turtle; Owait - Chocolate; and Mem - Worm.

Materials Used: Bazzill, Making Memories, DCWV cardstocks; Various scraps of PPS (Scenic Route, American Craft, Chatterbox, Cherry Arte, DCWV); Cotton Lace; Blings; Buttons; Eyelets; Flowers; White alphabet rub-ons.

Computer font: Impact

Round Robin

Thanks to Christine Villacarlos for spear-heading this delightful round robin wherein Pinoyscrapbookers joined in to scraplift fellow scrap members. Given the time constraint for each person, I was compelled to do a simple LO using ready-made products including the chipboard for my titling. As a subject, I used pictures of my youngest fur baby, Tobi Wan Kenobi who is an endearing pet.

It was Love at First Sight
Journaling reads: The first time we met, you sneezed at me and I am smitten – truly, madly, deeply.

Materials used: Prima Aurora Collection pps; Me & My Big Ideas designer chipboard; Hambly Vintage Circle Frame; Hambly rub-ons; Fancy Pants rub-on; Prima Say It In Crystals; Pebeo; Reeves glitter glue; Swarovski crystals; punchinella; alphabet rub-ons.

My Hero

I made this LO as a going-away memento for a wonderful friend, Joanne Yap. She is one of the driving force behind the Scrappin’ Moms and the brains behind the Idol challenge. She is this passionate and very inspiring person who never scrimped on her scrapping know-how. She may not be aware of it, but she has changed the lives of a lot of Filipina scrappers (me, being one of them) and we are all forever grateful for her unrelenting support and infinite kindness.

Materials used: American Craft pps; K&Co chipboards; 7 Gypsies journaling card; Cuttlebug ornamental dies; Prima flowers; Colorbox inkpads; Black Staz-on; Simply Scrappy circle template.
Others: Acrylic paint; Brass metal eyelets; Brads; Various brass embellishments; Scallop lace; Blings.

GDT Stint

Right after the Scrappin’ Moms Idol Challenge, I was deeply honored to be asked by my very good friend, Mitch Sy Ong to do two layouts for her as Guest Design Team for Visual Creations. For these projects, I used American Craft pps and thickers which are delightful to use indeed. To see more of the wonderful materials she carries online, you can check out http://www.visualcreationsonline.net.

Lovely
The sketch for the base paper of this layout was actually a scraplift. It has been so long ago, I regret I was unable to take down the name of the designer so I can give her due credit. Now, if you think I am this good at making the sloping background, let me tell you one thing - I cheated. I used a flexible ruler to lightly pencil in the outline for the base paper and later hand-cut them.

Top trick: The secret to making a smooth-looking cut is to use long bladed scissors and keeping your cutting hand steady as you move the paper around. It is also important not to cut to the edge of the scissors and instead move forward when you get to more than half the blade length. That way, you can have more control of your cutting tool. Another word of advise, avoid using pigment inkpads to outline the edge of your paper like what I did here. As usual, I learned the hard way because I found out it takes ages for the pigment ink to dry up. Therefore, I ended up with smudges on the adjoining cs. It is a good thing I discovered that pigment ink smudges are sometimes reversible by using an ordinary eraser. Whew!

Glow
The secondary picture for this layout was actually a bad shot. It is a good thing I was able to zoom in really tight and cropped out the dark portions of the digital picture, therefore, preserving the wonderful expression of my daughter. The big scallop you see here is actually inspired by one of the beautiful LOs of Mia Caniza. Of course, my LOs cannot compare to her ingenious creations but I just could not resist being motivated by this talented lady.

The Finals

The Idol Finals... who would have thought that I would triumph over my personal challenge of finishing in time? Everything went so fast, all I remembered was putting on my music player earphones and the rest is a blur. The next thing I know, they were announcing there would be five minutes left. So I pasted the journaling, wrote on the index card and stood up. I was already infront when I realized, not only did I finish in time - I actually finished first! How is that for personal triumph? Alright!

These are three of the most talented ladies I know: Au, Cabbie and Tin. I mean, who would not be proud to have these down-to-earth ladies numbered amongst her closest scrapping buddies. Them, being no less than, the Top Three Finalists for the Scrappin' Moms Idol Challenge! Woo-hooo! That was six months ago, yet till now, I could not help smiling fondly as I look at this picture of their most triumphant moment.

Pre-Idol Finals

Au and I would be the first to admit, we are two of the slowest scrappers - ever - and so the thought of the 3-hours time limit for the Idol Finals really terrifies us. We were afraid we might not finish in time and embarass ourselves infront of other people. LOL.

It seems ages ago, in fact I can't even remember who suggested it, but one of the girls said why not make a trial run. That way, we can estimate if we can indeed finish in time. There were supposed to be six of us, but Lee and Cabbie couldn't make it to our weekly GNO meet. So it was up to Mia, Tin, Au and I to make the trial run. Mitch was such an angel, she provided us with the "free" secret uniformed kit so all of us would be in even standing when we see the papers. Thank you very much Mitch.

I then borrowed my sister's egg-timer (picture of the chicken-timer to follow). Now, I don't know if the chicken was such a good idea. It was ticking so loudly it felt like a time bomb was about to go off any minute. Finally, Mia had to blurt out: "take that chicken away from me!" She said she was at her wits end and is about to throw it against the wall. Needless to say, I moved very fast. I wouldn't want my sister to stop talking to me simply because I returned her chicken in pieces - hehehe

Despite the fact Cabbie couldn't make it that day, she still participated by doing a delayed run. I specifically instructed her not to open her kit and to buzz me via YM so I can time her. You wouldn't freakin' believe it... she did in less than half the time - which is I guess why she "is" the Scrappin' Moms Idol Champion!

The Idol Journey

It had been a long while since I have updated my blog. Let’s see now, why was it that I stopped? Aaahhh, yes… I remember, it was because I got so engrossed with the Scrappin Moms’ Idol Challenge last year. Now there’s an experience of a lifetime.

Funny where one picks-up opportunities to discover things about one’s self. I bet some people may see the Idol competition as just a two-months long scrapping challenge. But for me and the rest of the participants, it was nothing short of a scrapbooking booth camp. In fact, there was a running joke between us participants that whenever the Scrappin’ Moms would issue their weekly challenges, it is akin to them barking we jump into hoops (and oh boy, some of those hoops are so tight and really seem impossible to achieve). That, we should never ask “Why?” but instead “How high, drill sergeant SIR?!”

Now, majority of the participants whom I had spoken with initially got into the competition for the experience and the fun of it. As the challenges became more demanding, I would have to admit, my natural competitive and survival instinct started to kick it. Towards the end, when I felt I was ready to fold and throw in the towel, it was not about competition anymore. It somehow evolved into something more personal. It became a journey. And I am not embarrassed to admit, this Idol journey was one of the shining moment in my scrapping experience which I will never forget. Thank you Scrappin’ Moms!