Trick and Treat Album

Here's a Halloween album using Nikki Sivils adorable Boo-tiful line and the matching shaped ghost mini-album and stamps. These are available in the Philippines at Lasting Impression.

Materials: Chipboard ghost album, patterned papers & stamps - Nikki Sivils; small chipboard alpha - Basic Grey; white chipboard "&" - Heidi Swapp; Ink - Tsukineko; Pens - Zig and Ranger; Paint - Making Memories; Glitter - Pink Paislee; Embossing Powder - PSX; Glaze - Judikins; DYMO label maker; MM Slice Spellbound; misc ribbons

Doing our little bit...

I wanted to teach the kids a lesson about sharing so last Wednesday, after my gym class, I headed to Makro (our version of Costco) and got some items to make relief packs for Typhoon Ondoy victims. I also invited some friends and their kids to come the next day to help out in packing.

Luis was very excited when he saw the car loaded with stuff for repacking and even helped bring some of the boxes into the house. He even took the initative of making signs to indicate where everything was and assigned duties for those who were coming.

Those who came to help were Sam (who was celebrating his birthday that day) and Roxanne, Cole and Kensie and Aerol, plus Lilian and Maget and my kids Luis, Nadya and Bianca. Together we made 50 relief packs -- 1 of which went to our driver whose house was flooded, 15 went to the maintenance people in Bud's office and the rest went to the factory workers of Bud's friend whose export factory and inventory (including finished goods awaiting shipment worth $100,000) were all wiped out.

This is not much, I know, as everyday, we hear more stories about people we know who need help, but it's a start.

Halloween Season!

It's the 1st of October and the start of Halloween season! Here's a LO using Nikki Sivils Boo-tiful line and following a sketch challenge that was posted for the DT. Check out more LOs and projects using this super fun line at the Nikki Sivils blog.

Title: Spooked

Materials: Nikki Sivils patterned papers, Bazzill cs; Zig & Ranger pens; Ranger distress stickles; Pink Paislee glitter; Ranger embossing powder; Making Memories Slice Spellbound design card

On another note, much of Metro Manila and nearby Rizal province was devastated by Tropical Storm Ketsana (called Ondoy locally). We were lucky to have come out unscathed but a mere 10 minute drive takes us to some homes that are still surrounded by water, 5 days after Manila received the highest rainfall in 42 years!

Everyone is trying to do something to help out, but the hardest part for me is to try to get my kids to understand how lucky they are. They are enjoying their 1-week vacation from school and it irks me that they just do not get it. So today we will be packing up some relief goods here at home to donate to Buddy's office staff who are suffering from the effects of the flood -- at minimum, I hope they learn to be thankful for the capacity to give.

Busy Busy Busy

I wish I was busy making LOs, but last week I was so busy making reviewers for Nadya's exams this week -- it's a crazy life but it's the only way I know to prepare my kids for their exams. I know if I don't do it and they get a low score, I'll only have myself to blame.

Luckily I was able to make a few LOs before then so here they are. Please forgive the slightly blurry pictures, I'm still waiting for the sun to shine long enough for me to take decent pictures of my LOs, it's been raining almost everyday the past few weeks.

Title: Danger Zone
Materials: DCWV & Bazzill cs, Bo Bunny pps, 7 Gypsies stickers and rub-ons, Autumn Leaves & Rusty Pickle letter stickers, American Crafts Thickers, Zig pen; Tool: MM Slice Just Chillin

Title: On Stage
Materials: Basic Grey & Bo Bunny pps; Bo Bunny rub-ons; DCWV cs, Basic Grey letter stickers, Ranger pen

Title: Game Nite
Materials: Bo-Bunny patterned paper, DCWV cardstock, American Crafts Thickers, Magistical Memories chipboard gears, Daisy Bucket felt star, Ranger Inkssentials pen, Creative Imaginations phrase stickers
Journaling: It was Bianca's birthday and she begged to go on the teacup ride at Fun Ranch. But it was almost 8pm and the ride was closed. We ended up in the Bumper Cars and had the most fun 5-minutes ever! 090309

Using Texture Paste

Here are the 2 LOs I used as sample for my Texture Paste demo at the recently concluded Scrapfest 7. Texture paste, also called modelling paste, is a great way to add dimension and texture to your pages.

In 7th Heaven, I used it to create the frosting on the cupcake. While in Lazy Summer Days, I used it to turn ordinary chipboard stars into stafish.

All the papers used in these LOs are from Nikki Sivils "My Sweet Cherry Pie" line -- available in Asia through Lasting Impression.

Title: Lazy Summer Days

Materials: Nikki Sivils patterned paper and journal tag, Rusty Pickle chipboard, American Crafts chipboard alpha, Doodlebug alpha sticker, Zig pen, Bazzill cs, Ranger white pen, misc charms and fabric, Making Memories paint, Clearsnap ink

Title: 7th Heaven

Materials: Nikki Sivils patterned papers and cord brads, Bazzil cs, Ranger white pen, Making Memories glitter stickers, American Crafts pen, misc bling, cupcake stamp

Play School

Title: Play School

Journaling: Putting a chalkboard in their room is one of the smartest things we've ever done. The girls love to play school with Nadya as teacher and Bianca and Roxanne as eager students! 082609

Materials: Patterned paper - Daisy Ds, DCWV; American Crafts vinyl thickers, Making Memories tiny alpha, Jenni Bowlin tickets, American Crafts pen, Clearsnap ink, misc popsicle sticks and masking tape

Scrap Tiffany Week 5

For my last week as Guest DT for Scrap Tiffany's challenge blog, the theme is "Star", as in "Who is the star in my life?"

Having 3 kids, this is a very difficult question for me to answer, since each of my kids is a star in a different way. But since Bianca is celebrating her 4th birthday this week, I decided to do a LO of her.

It was refreshing to do a romantic LO after all the "punchy (I wish!)" LO's I've been doing recently. I even got to use my glimmer mists!

Title: Wish Upon A Star

Journaling: Bianca's 4th Birthday Wish List
- a gold fish or three
- in a fish tank
- with fish food
- a Tinkerbell party
- a Little Einsteins party in school

Materials: Basic Grey patterned papers, Rusty Pickle chipboard star, Pink Paislee and Making Memories alpha stickers, Tim Holtz Distress Stickles and Journal ticket, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Heidi Swapp mask, American Crafts pen, Clearsnap ink

Nikki Sivils is here!

Not Nikki herself , of course, but her stuff has arrived at Lasting Impression.

If you want to be one of the first (since I am the first here...lol!) to get your hands on them, come to Scrapfest 7:

Date: August 29, 2009

Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Place: Makati Park and Gardens

For more details check out Scrappin Moms blog.

Productive Week-end

Had a very productive week-end and finished 5 LOs (including For Now, below). Here are 3 of them (one was picked for publication before I could post it here...yehey for me!). 082809 - Oops, had to take another LO down as it was picked up too... :)

Title: Oh Happy Day!

Journaling: Nadya had a great time when we celebrated her 7th birthday at Active Fun with a few friends from school.

Materials: Bazzill cardstock, Nikki Sivils pps and corduroy brads, American Crafts Thickers, Clearsnap ink, Zig pen, Fiskars border punch

Title: Recital Day

Journaling: This is the day Nadya and Bianca have been working so hard for all summer -- the one day they are allowed to wear Mommy's real make-up! 052409
Materials: Bazzill and DCWV cs, Glitz pps, journal sticker and rub-ons, Heidi Swapp chipboard alpha, American Crafts pen, misc bling

Scrap Tiffany Week 4: For Now

Here's my take on this week's challenge at Scrap Tiffany about TIME -- the thing we have very little of.

Title: For Now

Journaling: For now, it's ok that I barely have any time for myself, that most of my waking hours are filled by things to do for you and with you, that my world revolves around you. One day soon, you won't be needing me as much -- then I can scrap the whole day, go shopping, get a massage, a facial, manicure, pedicure, get my hair colored and cut or even get some sleep. But for now, my time is your time and that's ok...for now. 082309

Materials: Bazzill cs, Nikki Sivils pps, Daisy Ds die-cuts, Making Memories tag, Creative Imaginations brad, American Crafts Thickers, Clearsnap ink, Zig pen, clock face downloaded from internet

Try out the challenge and you might just win a kit from Scrap Tiffany!

Scrap Tiffany Week 3

Sorry for the delayed post. For my 3rd week as Guest Designer at Scrap Tiffany, the challenge was to make a LO about your "Bucket List" -- you know, the things you want to do before you "kick the bucket".

Title: Viva Espana

Journaling: Funny how, being a list person, I have a list for everything, but I don't have a bucket list. But there is one place that I have always wanted to visit that has eluded me thus far -- SPAIN! I'm not even sure of what there is to see or do there, I just know I want to go there. Could it be because the Philippines was colonized for 300 years? Or because it was my 1st language? Whatever! I just wanna go there!

It's not too late to join in on the fun so head on over to Scrap Tiffany now! Happy Weekend everyone!

Guest DT for MyStamp Box

It was so nice of Tiffany from MyStamp Box to offer me a guest DT post this month. She sent me 2 stamps sets to play with - Birthday Balloons and Lines of Life.

Aside from having great stamp designs, MyStamp Box also features a unique storage system -- cd cases -- makes them easy to see, store and take along to crops!

I created several projects for them this month, including the LO above. Do check the rest of my projects here.

Scrap Tiffany Week 2

This week's challenge at Scrap Tiffany was to use something that we regret buying because it's so hideous...which was quite difficult to do since I can't bear to call any of my stash "hideous" and had to settle for something that I didn't like as much as I thought I would.

The colors for these Prima Crystals were pink, yellow, blue and red -- not exactly my choice of colors for bling, which is why I haven't used them before.

Title: Free

Journaling: You love to come to Canyon Woods to run around in Lola's yard -- the fresh air and wide, open sapce makes you feel so free!!! Jan 2009

Materials: Patterned papers - MME, Sassfras Lass, American Crafts; Prima fabric, Doodlebug alpha stickers, Prima crystals & vines, 7 Gypsies sticker, Zig pen, MM paint, MM clip, Clearsnap ink, misc canvas cloth; Prima packaging

Notice I took out my sewing machine (about a once a year thing for me...lol) for this LO. Do check out the rest of the DT's work here.

Henry's Brilliance

Here are 2 LOs using the Henry's Brilliance line from Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker.

Scrap Tiffany Blog

I'm the guest designer this month for Scrap Tiffany Challenge Blog. Here's my LO for this week's challenge. Check out the blog and I hope you can join in on the fun!

I'm loving my Slice machine right now -- I cut out the flower from the Just Chillin set.

Shopaholic!

Here's a LO I made of my recent shopping excursion at Citygate Tung Chung, Hong Kong.

Title: Shopaholic Takes Tung Chung

Journaling: I have the best hubby because he actually enjoys watching me shop & even takes pics! He says I'm like a kid in a candy store, esp. when I'm let loose in an outlet mall! 053109

Materials: DCWV cardstock, Tinkering Ink & Sassafras Lass pps, Hambly transparency, Around the Block brads, Zig pen, MM paint and flowers, DYMO Caption Maker

So Girly!

Here's a LO I made of me and my girls while trying to use up my stash!

Title: So Girly

Journaling: Okay, okay...I guess I'll have to admit that if my girls seem to care too much over how they look, they got that from me. But I love that we're all girly-girls and they say when they grow up they want to be just like me! Photo Dec 30 '08.

Materials: WRMK papers; Daisy Ds Rub-ons; American Crafts thickers; Prima chipboard; Creative Imaginations lace paper; American Crafts pen; Clearsnap ink; Uniball Signo pen;

Nikki Sivils.com is LIVE!

Check out the new Nikki Sivils site to see what's coming out at Summer CHA! The Gallery is not yet up but it will be soon!

I have an itty bitty toot...check out my Honorable Mention here.

Had a successful Garage Sale yesterday...I think I sold half my cardstock stash...that gives me more space for new stuff...haha! Happy Sunday everyone!

Scrap Buffet LOs

We had a blast last Saturday when Studio Azul and Pinoy Scrapbookers, with help from Visual Creations, conducted the first-ever Scrap Buffet! It's hard to imagine that something like this was even possible but I guess it only takes a Tin Yao to conjure up this event.

We literally had a choice of papers, cardstock and embellishments to create our LOs and could make as many as we could within the alloted time. I'm so glad I decided to sign up for the Wait List 3 days before the event and made it in by some stroke of luck...or was it Divine Providence?

I so enjoyed playing with the Bam Pop papers that I never had the courage to buy because it wasn't totally me. Here are the 6 LOs I made -- some more complete than others...most still needing journaling...I will post the final LOs once they're done, sooner than later, I hope.

Home is Family

Here's a new LO still using the Victoria's Street line from Nikki Sivils. I had a pic of Bianca laying on a couch and I asked her why she loved our house and this is what she said. At first, it didn't make sense to me, but then I realized that to her it's so simple, her home is where her family is...straight from the mouths of babes!

Title: Home is Family

Materials: Patterned Paper, Stamp and Flag - Nikki Sivils; Sticker and Die-cut - Daisy Ds; Felt & Vinyl Alpha - American Crafts; Tiny Alpha & Paint- Making Memories; Pen - Zig; Ink - Tsukineko; Misc ribbon

Scrappin Kids Challenge #18: Moments

Here's my take on this month's challenge at Scrappin Kids:

Vacation or an outing is always fun for the kids
However, there are some moments that are not the most pleasant
Document the real story behind the photos that captures
your kid's personality right at that moment
Do include journalling as well

Title: Not So Happy Princess

Journaling: Celebrating Halloween in Disneyland was not what Bianca expected it to be. In stead of happy, colorful characters, she saw dar and scary creatures, esp. at night. While waiting for dinner to be served, mommy, Luis and Nadya stepped out to see the fireworks, leaving Bianca and Daddy at the table. She was too scared to go out again but didn't want to be left behind so she just bawled her eyes out until we all got back in time for a spooky Halloween inspired dinner. Bianca, Oct. 31, 2008

Materials: Patterned Papers - Prima, Cosmo Cricket, Daisy Bucket; Journaling Paper - Fancy Pants; Heart Sticker - Creative Imaginations; Direcut Arrow - Scenic Route; Ink - Clearsnap; Pen - Zig; Fabric Sticker - AMM; Bling word - Heidi Swapp; Snapshot Brush Frame

Check out the other DT's work on Scrappin Kids and hope you find the time to join this month's challenge!

Macau

Another LO using the Victoria's Street line by Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker. Check out the whole Victoria's Street collection below. So much fun to play with!

Sisters Are Lucky

Here's my first LO using Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker "My Sweet Cherry Pie" papers and stamps. Letters made using Sizzlits Monkey Tails and Script fonts.

2 More Days to Submit Your Entry!!!

The much-anticipated event of the year is back on its 3rd season!

It’s bigger, it’s better and it’s much easier!

This year’s theme is about going back to basics, back to the true meaning of a scrapbooker –

preserving your family’s memories in pages that transcends time and trends.

And so, let’s unleash those creative juices and start creating!

Be inspired and push your artistry to the limit!

Creativity abounds and we believe you’ve got what it takes to be the next Scrappin’ Moms Idol!

Create layouts that will keep everyone talking about for days.

Join the Scrappin’ Moms Challenge

Season 3

Go ahead and grab your patterned papers, cardstock and embellishments and start scrapping!

Elimination Round starts from

June 16 – June 25, 2009

Deadline for submission of entries is on June 25, 2009 at 3:00pm

And to jumpstart your creativity, here are the details for the Elimination Round:

INSPIRATION SERIES -

Create a layout using this AD MATERIAL as inspiration for your layout.

Anything goes in this round and it is all up to your OWN INTERPRETATION.

THE ONLY REQUIREMENT: Use at least 4 photos in your layouts

You may submit any size format but no lesser than 8.5 x 11

When submitting your layout, submit a short write-up on how the ad inspired you and how you interpreted it in your layout.

Submit all your entries to:
scrappinmoms@gmail.com

• File size of your photos must be no larger than 300KB.
• Anythinglarger than this size will NOT BE UPLOADED.
• It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure that you submit the proper size and requirements for each of the Challenges.
• We will NOT REMIND you of any changes you have to make on your file size. However, if you do realize that you have submitted the wrong file size, you still have a chance to re-submit before the deadline

I Luv Skul!

Here's a LO of Bianca from last year's 1st day of school. Tomorrow is her 1st day in big school and she is so excited. The past 2 days, she's hated waking up to find Luis and Nadya had gone to school already and left her alone.

At least tomorrow we get to take her to the classroom, unlike yesterday for Nadya's 1st day in 1st Grade when they didn't let parents in due to the H1N1 precautions. I guess they wouldn't dare do that to 3-4 yr olds!

Title: I Luv Skul!

Journaling: What a difference two months make. Only 2 months ago, we could not leave you alone in school w/out you crying. Now, as you start Nursery 1, you barely even look at me to say good-bye & even forget to kiss me. I am glad that you love school. So much that being absent is unthinkable for you. You've come a long way Bianca & you make us very proud.

Materials: Cardstock - Bazzill, DCWV; Patterned Papers - Fancy Pants; Chipboard Letters - Buzz and Bloom; Paint - Making Memories; Ink - Clearsnap; Diamond Glaze; misc ribbon; Pen - American Crafts

Scrappin Kids DT!

So happy to let everyone know that I am on Scrappin' Kids DT for the next 6 months! Check out the blog for the announcement.

I think it's cool to be working with a team based predominantly in Asia -- at least now the time difference in the forum isn't so great -- we're actually awake at the same time...haha!

This is a great blog and community that focuses on scrapping our kids photos. We have a monthly challenge where the winner gets a RAK prize. Check us out on July 1 when we unveil the next challenge and see our sample LOs!

Back to Princess School

The past few days have been quite busy as the kids' summer activities wrap-up and we prepare for their going back to school next week.

As it is, Nadya's classes have already been postponed from the original June 9 to June 17 -- a precautionary measure to guard against the H1N1 virus -- as kids who vacationed abroad return to school. These kids have been asked to observe a 10-day self-quarantine but in some schools that did open this week, some students tested positive for the virus and the schools are now closed for 10 days. Here's hoping my kids' schools remain H1N1-free -- they'll come armed with a mask and hand sanitizer though.

So my schedule next week is:
Jun 16 - Luis 1st Day, Grade 3
Jun 17 - Nadya's 1st Day, Grade 1
Jun 19 - Bianca's 1st Day, Kinder 1

Although Bianca is still technically in pre-school, all my kids are now officially in big school (i.e. traffic, traffic and more traffic)...sigh.

Here's a LO of Nadya on her 1st Day last year. I think I just might cry when she dons her checkered yellow and white uniform next week for the 1st time -- the same as I used to wear when I was in Elementary.

Title: Back to Princess School

Journaling: Princess School. That's what I call Nadya's private Catholic girls' school - which also happens to be my Alma Mater! Haha! Talk about irreverence! But what else do you think happens when you put 30+ prima-donna princesses in one room, let alone have a whole school of them??? Nadya started going to Poveda just before she turned 4 yrs. old, as she was reaching the peak of her princess-wanna-be years. Already a girly-girl when she entered, she has become even more so - now with matching facial, voice and body language! I can't even take her picture without a practised pose - usually with her face/body at an angle and an arm or leg raised - ala Marilyn Monroe. I'm sure she doesn't know who Marilyn is, and I'm pretty sure she didn't get it from me - or did she? But never mind, as long as she knows that a princess doesn't always have to be a damsel in distress; that a true princess is someone who is beautiful inside and out - and with a brain to match! Pity the boys who will fall for her, though! Nadya, Kinder 3, June 11, 2008;

Materials: Patterned Papers, Felt Die-cuts, Acrylic Die-Cuts (Fancy Pants); Glitter Chipboard Alpha (American Crafts), Letter Stickers (Basic Grey, Making Memories), Fabric Sticker (7 Gypsies), Ink (Clearsnap), Pen (American Crafts), Stickles, Font: Bradley Hand ITC from the internet

Toot Toot! I'm on Willie B's Team!

Still can't believe I'm part of this incredible team of Nikki Sivils.

Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker is a manufacturing company that will debut in July 09' at CHA in Orlando FL with 6 paper lines, clear stamps, brads, flocked chipboard letters, chipboard mini albums and several other embellishments.

Here's a sneek peak at the 1st line "My Sweet Cherry Pie", and you have to agree that this is something to get really excited about.

I can't wait to start playing with these yummy scrapbook goodies! Just take a look at the other names on the list --- what an awesome team I belong to!

The Domestic Design Team:(they are in no particular order)
1. Charity Hassel from FL
2. Nathalie Leonelli from CA
3. Julie Tucker-Woleck from AZ
4. Deana Boston from MO
5. Jennifer Matott from NY
6. Susan Dupre from TX
7. Jana Eubank from UT
8. Mimi Leinbach from PA
9. Michelle Lanning from CA
10. Laura Achilies form CO
11. Deanna Misner from TN
12. Abbie Torroll from OK

The International Design Team:(they are in no particular order)
1. Hilde Janbroers from the Netherlands
2. Emeline Seet from Singapore
3. Nadhrah Maidin from Malaysia
4. Mette Kallander from Sweden
5. Kathleen Glossop from Australia
6. Anne Jo Lexander from Norway
7. Ria Mojica from the Philippines
8. Mieke Nagtegaal from Holland
9. Malin Dahlstrom from Sweden
10. Claude Campeau from Canada
11. Jodi Wilton from Canada
12. Michele Beck from France

A Spot of Sunshine

It's been raining almost non-stop these past few days, so I thought I'd share this mini-album I made for Bud using photos from our Boracay trip last March. I love the cooler weather brought by the rain but I hate going out, and almost a week of rain is just about enough, I think.