Goin Down!

Just realized I haven't posted this LO yet. The kids love going to the playground and especially love to go down the spiral slide choo-choo train style!

Journaling: A trip to the playground is a sure-fire way to end all the whining and bickering when the kids are stuck indoors for too long. Apr '07

Materials: patterned papers - We R Memory Keepers, Scenic Route; Lace paper - KI Memories; Die-cut tag - Daisy Ds; Alphabet Buttons - Junkitz; Metal clip - 7 Gypsies; Pen - Zig; Adhesive - Saunders

Budding Artists

Did this LO for Lasting Impression. Starting this month, I'll be working with the store as non-exclusive Contributing DT member.

My assignment was to use Glimmer Mist. I'm always game to try out new stuff, except that when I did my research on the net, everything that used it was of the vintage kind -- and I am so not a vintage person.

I knew there had there had to be a way to use it in other types of projects so I played around with it and used it for the title letters in this LO.

Title: Budding Artists

Materials: Cardstock - DCWV, Patterned paper and die-cuts - Cosmo Cricket; Buttons and flowers - Making Memories; Pen - Zig; Chipboard alphabets - American Crafts and Bazzill; Word Button - Junkitz; Shimmer Paint - Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels; Misc Ribbon

Journaling: (taken from http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ -- PeaSoup)

The palette you hold before you
Has all the colors of the world
From the flowers that bloom
To the sun in the sky above
Use the colors to enrich your days
To show everyone who you are,
Enjoy everything given to you
And share it with those in your world

Photo Jun '07

Scrapbytes May-Jun 2008 Issue

...is finally here

I've always prided myself with always being on time (if I'm late it's usually because I did it on purpose) -- chronic tardiness is one of my pet peeves, ranking right up there with poor customer service. It seems that I have finally found my waterloo in Scrapbytes.

Three months in a row of being late --- and I mean really, utterly, unforgivably late. I bow my head down in shame and apologize (on bended knees even!) to those who sent in their contributions on time. I cannot promise that Scrapbytes will never be late again, but I do promise that Scrapbytes will always be here, by hook or by crook.

Thank you again to all our contributors and I hope you never tire of helping us, in working to build our scrapbooking community.

My new LOs featured in this issue:

Title: Find Joy

Journaling: Have you ever noticed that kids don't allow themselves to be bored for long? They always find a way to entertain themselves, whether we like it or not. They know that if they want to be happy, it's upto them to do something about it. Just another lesson to learn from our kids. May 2008;

Materials: Patterned paper - Fancy Pants; Bling - Heidi Swapp; Beads - Provo Craft; Buttons - Making Memories; Flowers - Prima, Maya Road; Metal Clip - Making Memories; Transparent Bracket - Making Memories; Clear Heart - Heidi Swapp; Pen - Zig; Misc ribbon lace; Ink - Colorbox Chalk Ink

Title: My Strong Man

Materials: Patterned paper & Die-cuts - Fancy Pants; Buttons and flower - Making Memories; Metal ricrac brads - Karen Foster; Chipboard Alphabet - Bazzill; Paint - Ranger Distress paint; Pen - American Crafts; Other - Dymo Labelmaker

Nadya Ballerina

Nadya had her 4th Summer Ballet recital last June 8. At this point, I wouldn't bet on her being a future prima ballerina, but I'm quite sure she has the makings of a performer of some kind.

She definitely lives for her annual recital -- she loves everything about it --- the make-up, the costumes, and most especially being in the limelight. She has no concept of stage fright and when asked if she's nervous before her dance, she says "Of course not! I'm excited!"

And this year was even better, because she got to wear the "much coveted" pink dress, as the lead role in Sleeping Beauty. What little princess ballerina, in her right mind, does not love the color pink? I don't even want to think about what would've happened if they gave her another role -- unless it was Jasmine who is her 2nd fave princess.

She was in 4 dances this year, so indulge this proud mommy, if you please, and take a peek at her performances:

Sleeping Beauty - she's the lead role in the pink dress
Be Our Guest - she's the little girl in the yellow and purple dress
Cinderella Ball - she's one of the supporting dancers in a green tulle skirt
Circle of Life - Finale number as a Zebra with the whole cast

Simple Meeting

Guess what arrived from the FedEx truck today?

And here I am on Page 93...check out the Jul/Aug issue of Simple Scrapbooks to see it for yourself :) Woohoo!

All Is Quiet Now

Today, all 3 kids are finally back in school. The house is eerily quiet.

Nadya's classes began last week on June 11, Bianca on June 12 and Luis started today.

I took all of them all the way to their classrooms on their 1st day of school, with camera in tow, of course -- and stayed until the teachers sent us out. I wonder when Luis will stop letting me take him to the classroom on his 1st day of school?

Luis was a little anxious today since we finally decided to let him try out being in the Advanced Class. He was supposed to be there since last year, but we just didn't want the added pressure. Besides, he said he'd rather be with the "boys who don't know the answer"...haha! But they put us back this year, so we'll see. He's the only "new" kid in the class, although he already knows several classmates from previous years. He has the same class adviser from Kinder 1, so that might help ease some of his anxiety.

Nadya and Bianca were good to go the moment they stepped out of the car. No more crying fits -- sigh! -- no more babies. Here are some 1st day of school pics:

Ria's Kitchen is alive for Father's Day!

After months in hibernation, I decided to get busy and offer some last-minute Father's Day cupcakes, for those who still haven't gotten anything for the man or men in their lives. In case you didn't know it, Father's Day is this Sunday, June 15.

One dozen Regular cupcakes for only Ps350 (choose between Dark Chocolate or Golden Butter cake). Cupcake designs and colors are as pictured here.

And for only Ps400/dozen, the best gets even better with your choice of Vanilla Buttercream (in photo) or Rich Caramel-filled cupcakes.

Email or SMS (0918-9146012) your orders now -- orders will be accepted until 12nn of Saturday, Jun 14. I can deliver for free in selected areas (Valle Verde, Greenhills) on Friday and Saturday only. Otherwise, orders need to be picked-up in Pasig.

Update: Half-dozen orders now accepted:

• Regular Cupcakes (no filling) - Ps185
• Filled Cupcakes - Ps 210

Glittery Shoes

Did this LO last week -- this photo has been waiting to be scrapped for a year.

Title: Glittery Shoes

Journaling: If there's one thing that I never had to teach my girls, it's how to choose shoes. They knew by instinct that anything that glitters is better than none. Nadya's feet, May '07;

Materials: Cardstock - Bazzill and DCWV; Glitter Alpha - Making Memories; Chipboard Alpha - American Crafts; Chipboard Die-cuts, Jewels & Journaling Pasties - Prima; Pen - Zig; Ink - Tsukineko Brilliance

I can't believe I didn't use any patterned paper on this LO. I really just wanted the shoes to be the focal point and everything else is there only to support it.

Icy Rendezvous

Just finished this LO today...feels so good to be able to scrap. I got a major headache trying to organize my stuff -- it's unbelievable how much paper I've bought in the last few months! I don't know how I'll use them all up but I can't let them go thinking that I will be able to do it somehow!

I tried out this new color scheme just to see if I could make it work...I think it kinda works...

Title: Icy Rendezvous

Journaling: Nadya loves popsicles and will do almost anything to get one. Sep. 3, '07;

Materials: Patterned paper - Basic Grey and Piggy Tales; Chipboard Die-cuts - Prima; Vinyl Letters - American Crafts; Tape - 7 Gypsies; Stamp - Adorn It; Ink - Clearsnap; Pen - American Crafts

Scrappin Kids

I was honored when Wati Basri asked me to be the Guest Designer of Scrappin Kids for June 2008. This is a cool site that focuses on layouts for, with and about your kids.

To celebrate Father's Day, the theme for this month is "Bonding with Dad". Here's the LO I made for them.

Title: Funny Daddy

Journaling: If you ask my kids to describe their Daddy, they will tell you that he is the funniest Daddy in the world! Photo Jun 2007;

Materials: Cardstock - DCWV & Bazzill; Transparency - Fancy Pants, Hambly and Making Memories (saying); Patterned Papers - Tinkering Ink; Chipboard Corner - Buzz & Bloom; Clear Heart - Heidi Swapp; Orange Heart - Queen & Co; Vinyl Letters - American Crafts; Chipboard Alpha Squares - Junkitz; Metal Clip - Making Memories; Fabric Tape - Making Memories; Pen - Zig; Brads - Doodlebug

Do check out the site and join this month's challenge for a chance to win a cool prize!