Merry Christmas!

Here's our family newsletter for 2006. Happy Holidays!

More Christmas Goodies

We made these lollipop cookies yesterday for my most loyal client, Mona -- Bud's cousin. She ordered 3 dozen of these cookies plus a dozen chocolate-dipped car cookies.
She also ordered this Star of Wonder cake to give as a gift. Thanks Mona!

So now it can be said...

I'm in the Basic Grey December Newsletter!!!
http://www.basicgrey.com/clientuploads/Newsletters/December_2006_BG_Newsletter.pdf

When I received this email from Amy Howe asking me to participate in the December Newsletter, I wanted to jump and scream. But I was alone in my scrap room and my kids might think I've gone crazy. It's the closest thing I've come to being published -- and the 1st time I'm getting paid to do a LO!

From: Amy Howe
To: Work Email
Sent: Thursday, November 23, 2006 7:31:41 AM
Subject: BasicGrey newsletter participation!


Hi!

I am currently looking for three designers to participate in the December BasicGrey sketch column. You three came to mind and I would love if you could participate! If you cannot, I would love any referrals! :)

Guidelines are as follows:
• Layouts preferrably should be 12x12 and use all BasicGrey papers and a limited number of embellishments from outside manufacturers.
• Scans are due by Tuesday, I need the layouts in my hands by the 30th (Thursday). If that's not possible (i.e. - if you are not in N. America), a GOOD straight-on high resolution photo or near-perfect high-resolution scan will work. Either way, the deadline is the 30th. :)
• Compensation is $35 paid via PayPal or printed check.
• Feel free to use creative freedom with the sketch - don't let it limit your creativity!

Please let me know by the end of tomorrow if you can participate, otherwise I will assume not and assign elsewhere.

Thank you all so much!
Amy

Amy Howe
Director of Design & Display
BasicGrey, LLC
1343 Flint Meadow Drive, #6
Kaysville, Utah 84037
(Corporate)
amyhowe@basicgrey.com

I wanted to tell someone but at the same time wanted it to be a surprise for my scrapping friends, so I decided to only tell Buddy about it. Bad decision. I told Buddy that night about the email and his reply was "So where will you send the check?"...so much for my uber-supportive hubby.

Since I didn't get the reply I needed from Bud, I had to tell some of my scrapping friends under an oath of secrecy, who gave me my much needed shouts and screams of excitement!

I finished the LO by November 29 and sent it to Amy. I wasn't too happy with it cos I felt the colors were too "blah" and the LO turned out too simple -- I think I could've done better. Even now I'm tempted to send in another LO following the sketch to make up for it -- haha!

The check arrived at my MIL's home last week and I was about to ask her to deposit it when I realized that this is one scrap moment that I can't pass on. So I asked my MIL to mail it to my sister who is leaving tomorrow and arriving on Thursday. So I can see (and smell...haha) and take a good scan of my first check!

And today the December Newsletter finally arrived in my inbox. I was worried that Amy might find my Lo too simple and decide not to use it despite sending the check...but it's there...I'm so happy!

Here's the LO :

Title: Last But Not Least

Journaling:
You got the twice-used crib and the hand-me-down clothes, the scratched baby bottles and toys with missing parts. One would think you'd make our life difficult for all of that, but instead...you are the most beautiful, adorable and unfussy baby we've ever had! Is it possible God saved the best for last? Bianca Jan 2006

BG Products: Lily Kate papers - rain, parasol, vanilla, wisteria, chenille; Paisley rub-ons
Others: HS chipboard letters, LD glitter glaze, metallic paint, glitter rub-ons; MM jewels, Colorbox chalk ink; lace, thread

It's Christmas!

Just finished these 2 LOs.

Blessed- For the December Scrapbytes Challenge. This was a tough one -- it took me 3 days before I finally pasted down everything, just in case I changed my mind about what 3 embellishments to limit my LO to.
Materials Used: K&Co papers, LD Glitter Glaze, LD Metallic Paint, vellum, Bazzill cs, chalk ink, jewels, chipboard, poinsettia flower, Sizzix Alphabars.
Journaling: Living in the moment brings you a sense of reverence for all of life's blessings. -- Oprah Winfrey

Joy -- Bianca is now aware of what's going on around her and loves our Christmas Tree -- especially the ball ornaments -- she can already say "Bo".
Materials Used: BG Fruitcake & Blitzen papers, LD Glitter Glaze, chipboard, BG undressed mini monos, rickrack, KF Loopy Brads
Photo by Jeff Lopez.

Christmas Cakes

Did these 4 cakes last night for Bud to bring to the office for his staff; and these cupcakes this morning -- made 13 dozens for Hannie!

Jul-Dec 2007 Calendar

Here's the rest of the 2007 Calendar. I finally finished it this morning and now I can do some real scrapping!

Last Week's Cakes

These are the cakes I made in the last week. Scooby-Doo for Gabriel on Dec 4, Barney for Gavin on Dec 8 and Strawberry Shortcake for Nicole on Dec 10.

Mar-Jun 2007

Here are the months of March-June 2007 for the calendar kit from Scrapbukan.
It really isn't a kit, it's a set of ready-to-embellish cardstock that's pre-cut and pre-printed with the month/title. All you have to do is to print out the calendar (there are many to choose download from the net) and embellish it as you choose. You can make it as simple or as elaborate as you want.

2007 Calendar

Started on this calendar kit from Scrapbukan last Saturday. Here are January & February -- will post the rest as they get done. Tried using walnut ink for the 1st time -- very easy to use and I love the cool aged/distressed effect!

Havin A Ball

This was the LO I started at the Nov EB and finally finished today. I tried using burlap for the 1st-time and forced myself to go through my stuff and use as many of them as I can -- still can't do an Iris though (but I did try)!
Made a paper chain inspired by a LO I saw in CK -- I really wanted this LO to be fun so I played around with a lot of circles -- this is so not me!
Materials Used: MME Front Porch Picket Fence papers, misc fibers, Sakura Aqualip, burlap, brads, MM rub-ons, LD Glitter rub-ons, chalk ink, nameplate, foam, foam squares, eyelets; Tools: Sizzix Frames, Circles Die, Technique Tuesday Stamps, Ellison Cut N Emboss Photo Corners Die

For This I am Thankful

Following a thread started by Joanne on what we are thankful for, I made this LO the other day for Scrapbukan.

I shortened the journaling to fit into the blocks but here's the original version:
What I am Thankful For This Year
•A healthy family – nothing that a little antibiotic can’t cure
•Generally well-behaved children – nothing that a time-out or 2 can’t control
•Buddy’s job – although it takes him away a few days a month, it allows us to live the life we do
•A house that we own - almost! Soon we’ll have to scout for a bigger option ‘cos children just don’t grow smaller!
•A scraproom of my own – my haven, my hideaway
•Two hobbies, scrapbooking and cake decorating, that give me a sense of achievement – if only the money was as good as if I was working
•Good friends to share my passion for scrapbooking with
•My computer and dsl connection – my lifeline to the outside world – I can stay home for several days as long as I have an internet connection!
•A husband who tells me he loves me everyday
•A generous husband who got me everything I’ve ever asked for this year – Canon 350D, zoom lens, external flash, iPod video
•Children who tell me I’m the best mom in the world
•Smart children – tutoring is not one of my favorite activities so it’s a real blessing that they need minimal supervision
•Children who are too cute for their own good – kills my photo developing budget each time!
•I got my body back – yes it took a lot of hard work (it still does) and major hunger pangs but that’s the price to pay for vanity
•My yaya angels – they’ve been with me for years and are so well-trained that my friends want to pirate them – plus they love my kids to boot!
•The greatest sisters who patiently pack-up my scrap shopping to send to me – without them my scraproom would be empty
•The Scrapbooks-Exchange group – who are always ready with their kind words even if they don’t know me – their comments always make my day!
•Sahrie – for believing in my talent and taking me into her Design Team
•My Lola Lydia who for some unknown reason started giving me a weekly allowance again last year (she stopped after I started working years ago) – wonder what she’d do if she found out that the money went to scrap shopping?
•My mom – I am what I am because of her too
•The best in-laws who do not tell us how to live our lives – maybe because they live 30,000 miles away
•A supportive husband who just closes his eyes when I tell him I’m broke!

Materials Used: KI Memories Devoted papers, LD Glitter Glaze, LD Glitter rub-ons, chalk ink, misc jewels, Sakura Aqualip, misc fiber, eyelets; Tools: Sizzlits Script, Sizzix Photo Corners, Technique Tuesday stamp, Grafix transparency

Instructions for the LO: http://scrapbukan.com/page/inspiration/19

Just finished 3 cakes this morning -- whew!
This Luau cake is the biggest order I've had so far -- I rarely accept orders for big cakes cos I don't deliver and these are a bit tricky to transport. I usually only do big cakes ofr my kids!

My Happy Thought

Just finished this LO of Bianca following the Scrapbytes sketch for the November Challenge. But I am voluntarily inhibiting myself from the contest being part of the Scrapbytes Team:)

I used the new Cosmo Cricket Storytime papers, cardstock stickers and die-cuts. Other materials used: MM cheeky flat clip, acrylic paint, Heidi Swapp flower, LD Glitter Glaze, Technique Tuesday Stamps, Tim Holtz Distress ink and powder, DCWV chipboard monogram, bazzill cs, Sizzix bread tag and Heart Tabs dies, UTEE, versamark, Sakura Aqualip, doodlebug eyeelts, crop-a-dile.

Sketch: Becky Fleck

Pikachu Cake

Did this 9" round cake last Saturday for Nicolas Lozano. Whis is Pokemon becoming popular again? Even Luis chose this design for his birthday last month.

Our 2006 Thanksgiving Menu

I finally finished making our menu for Thursday evening. Due to Bud's American upbringing, we've adopted this US tradition in the last few years (this is my 4th bird, I think) since it's the perfect excuse to have turkey (and I love turkey)!

THANKSGIVING 2006
MENU

Appetizer
Hot Chili-Cheese Dip with Nachos

Main Course
Easy Herb Roasted Turkey
with
Bread and Celery Stuffing
Chestnut Stuffing
And Gravy

Roast Pork with Gravy c/o Mom

Pasta c/o Dinah

Side Dishes
Hash Brown Casserole II
Awesome and Easy Creamy Corn Casserole
Squash and Apple Bake
Cranberry Jelly c/o Ocean Spray

Dessert
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Apple Pecan Cobbler
Fudge Brownies c/o Mom
Vanilla Ice Cream

The menu combines a few tried-and-tested recipes (Bread and Celery Stuffing, Hash Brown Casserole, Apple Pecan Cobbler) as well as new ones I want to try (Chestnut Stuffing, Awesome and Creamy Corn Casserole, Chocolate Pecan Pie). I hope I can find all the ingredients I need (yellow cornmeal is always a problem), but my turkey has been thawing in the fridge since Monday.

I also decided to delegate some of the tasks this year by assigning my mom to make Roast Pork and Dinah, my SIL, to make the pasta -- this ensures that there will be left-over turkey for me on Friday (unlike last year where there was none). Haha!

This year, I am planning to inject my bird the night before with seasoned chicken stock to ensure moistness. I would also like to try roasting with the breast-side down first but I don't think I have enough strength to turn-over my 8kg turkey after an hour of baking, so I'll have to leave this for when I have a smaller bird.

I can't wait to have my turkey!

My Garden

Finished this LO the other day following the BG Sketch for November. I couldn't resist doing it even if I had to put aside Luis' Pilipino Exam reviewer for a while(I spent 3 days scanning his activity sheets and workbooks).
I just got my new BG Romani/Gypsy papers last week and had to use them. Cutting up the flowers and adhering them with foam squares is an idea I picked up from Joanne after viewing Jorel's album.
The poem I got from 2peas and adapted to fit my 3 kids. I love it cos I barely have a garden and definitely have no flowers cos I'm no green thumb! Also used my new Sizzlits Azure font, chipboard tags from K&Co, metal letters from Joann.com.

Journaling:
The flowers in my garden, may not win a prize,
But there’s no doubt about it, they’re blue ribbons in my eyes.

Their roots are made of little feet, and their blooms reach for the sun
As they spread their leaves in wonder, and ‘round my garden run.

Two little girls, a little boy; laughing, so carefree,
Playing in my garden, it's happiness times three!

Black hair whipping wildly, as they chase each other ‘round
All squealing with delight, I love to hear their sound.

Someday I will plant flowers, where my children now all play.
But right now I'm growing children, flowers can wait another day.

Update: This LO just got accepted in the BG Gallery! Yipee!

Happy Birthday Jorel!

Attended Jorel's 1st Birthday Party yesterday held in the very beautiful but oh so far Ayala Westgrove in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Didn't do the cake and cookies for this one (sorry, Joanne) but did the give-aways -- oatmeal cookies in a cute gift box (sticker label c/o Joanne). Photo by Jeff Lopez.

Christmas Cakes

Here are the available designs for Christmas cakes, cookies and cupcakes. Please give me 1 week notice to prepare for your order. Available cake flavors are chocolate, butter and mocha. All iced with buttercream frosting. If you have a particular design in mind, let me know in case we can work it out.

Happy Birthday Raya!

Just finished this cake a few minutes ago for Raya's 3rd birthday party (actual bday is Nov 6). She originally wanted a Strawberry Shortcake design but changed her mind at the last minute accdg to Mama Mia. Doing nice lips without the Botox-look is still something that needs more practice -- haha! I hope Princess Raya likes it, anyway!

Marry Me?

I finished this LO yesterday following BG's October Sketch and was lucky enough to have it accepted at the BG Gallery http://www.basicgrey.com/catalog/idea_gallery_info.php?idea_gallery_id=15245.

I haven't done a page of just Bud & I in a long time. The last time was our Guam Trip in 2003 and only because the kids didn't come with us then.

Journaling: It's hard to believe we're celebrating our 7th Anniversary next month. Ever since we got married, you never let a week pass without asking "Marry me?" My standard answer would be "No, I'd rather live in sin". But, the truth is, I would marry you over and over again...anytime, anywhere. Happy Anniversary Baby!

I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such a sweet, loving, supportive and (feeling) guapo hubby!

Hello!

I'm moving my blog here cos I wanted to be able to show more pics of my work here. Hope you like it!