What Have You Done?

Here's a fun little exercise I saw over at Kristine's blog.

You are to "bold" or highlight the things that you have done.
So let's see what I can "bold" ...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain ( not a big one! LOL!)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David

41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie .. no but been on TV!
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

If you think this is fun, then you should give it a try.

Hope you have a wonderful new year!

Be Merry!

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Sketch Challenges at Creative Scrappers

My DT for Creative Scrappers will start in January 2009 yet. But to get me started, I joined the Weekly Sketch Challenges. You can still join. The deal is to have all December Weekly entries uploaded by the 31st.

Here are the LOs I made for Sketch #29 & #30

Sketch #29
Title: Little Boy Blue
Journaling: This is one of the many times that you show your sad face for no reason at all - an everyday moment.

Supplies: DCWV CS, CB paper, FP felt shapes, MR sheers, Riffraff designs tree, ALpha - Heidi Swapp, MM tiny, Cosmo Cricket, and KI, MM brad & trims, Daisy Ds rubon tape, DCWV rubon stitching, AL Stamps, Clearsnap Ink, Zig pen, Misc buttons, bling,



Sketch #30
Title: Waiting To Pop
Journaling: This was taken a few days before giving birth to Jao. It was certainly a time of anticipation and excitement. Photo: July 20, 2007

Supplies: Fontwerks PPs, Bazzill CS, Prima Crystals, Prima Journaling Sheet, Paper frills, MM tiny alphas, AC thickers, Scrapworks vinyl appliques, FP felt shapes, Studio G Clear Stamps, Stazon & Colorbox Inks, Zig pen

Creative Scrappers

I tried out for the Design Team Call of Creative Scrappers. Guess what? :)

All About U

Here's one I did using a sketch from Pagemaps. The idea was to make a 12x12 LO using an 8x11 sketch.

Here's the sketch:

And here's my take:

Title: All About U
Journaling: My life had a new meaning the day you were born. And each and every day has always been about you.

Supplies: Making Memories Animal Crackers (Jack)papers, chipboard alpha, die cut animal shapes, frame & punctuation, buttons & trims, MM tiny alpha stickers, RiffRaff tree chipboard tree, Dewdrop ink, Zig pen.

Meanwhile, DH & I are off to Antipolo until Sunday for a couples retreat. Sadly, I will miss the Mad Scrappers Christmas Party tomorrow. Have fun, girls! I'll be praying for you. :-)

Thanks for looking!

Elfed!

I have to thank Pia for this. So fun!! :)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

3 Years

Today is our third wedding anniversary and we had an early celebration last Saturday. We went on a day trip to Tagaytay and had brunch at Antonio's Breakfast (which is now located at the same place where the Antonio's main dining area is, only a floor below).

Here's the big guy as if trying to decide what to order...



...and here are a few more photos.



It was a good day except for the traffic going back home. But the good news is, I made to Lasting Impression's anniversary sale and purchased Butch's anniversary gift for me! So it's all good.

And I just realized, today is also my blog's 1st anniversary. It was also on this date that I posted my first blog entry.

Cheers! :)

Halloween Pages

Jao missed his first halloween because he got sick with german measles. This was one week before his MMR vaccination. I know. Bummer, right? Anyway, I decided to take matters in my own hands and gave him his first taste of halloween (which i'm sure he absolutely doesn't care about). I took pictures so I could scrap (of course!!) his first trick or treat. :)

I had planned to make a double page layout but obviously it didn't turn out that way. Somehow the element of continuity escaped me. It just goes to show that I know nothing about double layouts. LOL!!! I'd like to call this "coordinating pages".

Title(s): Little Pirate / Little Pumpkin
Journaling: You missed your first halloween because you got sick. So we had our very own trick or treat at home and it was fun!

Supplies: DCWV CS, Scenic Route Salem papers & chipboard shapes, AC thickers, MM tiny alphas, Zig pen.

Thanks for looking!

More For October

Here are a couple of layouts I did about 3 weeks ago during Ria's birthday crop.





Title: You Make My Heart Sing
Journaling: It's difficult not to hear the music each time I see your face.

Supplies: Dream Street papers, MM tiny & shimmer alpha, HS chipboard alpha, QNC felt, IP chipboard flower, Ranger crackle paint, Marvy & Zig pens, Colored pencils, Misc buttons & blank music sheet,










Title: Playful
Journaling: I love this time of your growth because you are able to interact and play with others - like me!

Supplies: DCWV CS, My Mind's Eye papers & diecuts, AC Thickers felt & foam alpha, FP felt shapes, Back Porch Memories swirl stamps, Colorbox ink, Uniball White pen, Joann metallic dot, Misc rickrack

October Pages

Title: My Two Boys

Journaling: These are the guys who make my life heaven on earth.

Supplies: Bazzill CS, Prima Dude Papers & journaling sheet, AC thickers foam alpha, AC minimarks rubon alpha, Paper Studio Spare Parts alpha, 7G chiptags, MM jumbo brads, Uniball white pen, Zig pen

Title: What Matters Most

Journaling: This photo was taken during Jao's first birthday party. We were so happy that family and friends came to celebrate with us. But at the end of the day, no matter how a special occasion is celebrated, it's always the precious moments and the love shared with family that matter the most. -- July 26, 2008

Supplies: Bazzill CS; Dream Street, DCWV, MME, KI, & Fontwerks papers; MAMBI alpha & swirl rubons, AC thickers alpha, MM tiny alpha; MR & Imagination project chipboard; Colorbox ink; Ranger Crackle paint; Zig pen & Uniball white pen; Misc rickrack, ribbon, & buttons

Layouts At Daisy Bucket

Please check out Daisy Bucket's blog for layouts and minis made by some of our most talented scrappers. I'm so glad to be a part of this project.

Here's my layout:

Title: Smile
Journaling: It's good to start each day with a smile. That's why I start mine with yours.
Product: DBD In The Meadow line

Thanks to Pia & Daisy Bucket Designs! I had fun working with your beautiful products.

Now That SMI2 Is Over....

...I can breathe! Whew! The Scrappin' Moms Idol 2 Challenge finally concluded on Saturday, Oct 4th. The last few weeks have been crazy for me. Week after week, I did my layouts and submitted them almost at deadline, not knowing how it would turn out.

When I joined in August, I told myself (like I always tell myself) that I would not succumb to any kind of pressure simply because it would spoil all the fun. Needless to say, just about 2 weeks into the contest, the pressure was so in my face! Hahaha!

But I never did let the fun factor escape me. And like I said in my Round 6 entry, it was a roller coaster ride for me. If you love roller coasters like I do, you know what I'm talking about - the feeling of anticipation when it's almost your turn to ride and then the exhiliration and high that comes after. It's such a great feeling that you'd want another round! That's how it was for me.

So would I join again next year? Maybe not. I'm so okay being in the top 5. In fact, it's more than what I had expected.

Here are my SMI2 entries.


Elimination Round - Sketch

Title: Birthday Gifts
Journaling: You received so many gifts on your birthday. And you had no idea what it was all about. Of course, I was there to "help" you through it. Mom, July 2008

Supplies: Cosmo Cricket papers, die cut shapes, & journaling sheets, AC thickers glitter ahipborad alpha, Junkitz rubons, Ranger Crackle paint, Colorbox ink, Prima flowers, AC slick pen, Uniball signo pen, Making Memories staples, Misc corrugated paper (for stamping), buttons, ricrac, & ribbons






Round 1 - It's Party Time

Title: Indulge
Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock, Scenic Route, MM, & Craft Express Papers, Prima & SeeDs stamps, Stazon & Colorbox inks, Whisper embossing powder, Versamark, WrMK eyelet, Daisy Ds, CK & misc ribbons, Misc flowers, beads, bling, ribbons & trims, Misc Chipboard




Round 2 - A Color Is A Color Is A Color

Title: Your Smile
Journaling: It's good to start each day with a smile. That's why I start mine with yours.

Supplies: DCWV & Bazzill CS, Chatterbox papers, AL & Hero Arts stamps, FP felt shapes, Maya Road chipboard, AC thickers glitter alpha, Crystalline mosaic alpha tiles, MM chipboard epoxy buttons, acrylic paint, edger, & stapler, Stemma & Provocraft epoxy stickers, Heide Grace plastic emb., AL buttons, Prima flowers, BG rubons, Joann rubon words & swirl clips, Colorbox & Encore inks, Ranger crackle paint, Chatterbox & Zig pens, Misc corr. paper, chipboard, ribbons, & bling.



Round 3 - A Day In The Life

Title: Unexpected Gift
Journaling: Your proposal in March 2005 was no fanfare. No candlelit dinner, no getting down on 1 knee, and no ring. {sigh}.

But during the 'pamanhikan' dinner, you took me by surprise when you got down on 1 knee and gave me an engagement ring!

It was definitely a night I will not forget.

Supplies: Sassafras, Love Elsie, & Chatterbox papers, Melissa Frances vintage emb, Prima & MR flowers, MM & Bo Bunny trims, AL stamps, MM & QNC alphabet, Prima crystals, K&Co artisan naked tag, MM paint, Ranger crackle paint, Colorbox inks, Zig pen, Misc chipboard shapes & buttons.


Round 4 - Layers Of Me

Title: Lovin' Life
Journaling: My former life was different. I was single and had no obligations and responsibilities except to myself. It was a good and easy life and I wasn't complaining.

Things got a lot better though. Today I am a wife and a mom. My two new roles came so unexpectedly and I welcomed them with open arms. I didn't expect this sudden change in my life in so short a period of time. I guess there really is a time for everything.

Though it may be a bit less easy now, I love my life. Definitely no complaints. I know for sure that I am where I am supposed to be and things are as they should be.
--Sept 2008--

Supplies: Bazzill & DCWV cardstock, Prima, Creative Imaginations, Luxe, American Crafts, and All About Sscrapbooking papers, Stickles, Diamond Glaze. Zig and Uniball pens, Colorbox inks, MM distressor, Fiskars & Stampin Up punchers, Cuttlebug & Sizzlits dies



Round 5 - Supersize It

Title: The Best Is Yet To Be
Journaling: Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. And I cannot begin to describe the happiness I am feeling right now. All I know is that I am excited to move forward with you.
"When you realize you want ot spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible" -- Nora Ephron, When Harry Met Sally.

Supplies: Bazzill CS, MME, Prima & Chatterbox pps, CI cardstock sticker, Chatterbox rubon, Prima flowers, MR chipboard, AC vinyl shapes, AC thickers vinyl & velvet alphas, MM tiny alphas, MM trim, Hero Arts stamp, K&Co buttons, Colorbox ink, Zig & Uniball pens,


Round 6 - Why Do I Deserve To Be The Next Scrappin' Moms Idol

Title: Enjoy The Ride
Journaling: The last few weeks have been crazy - good crazy, that is. Joining the Scrappin' Moms Idol 2 Challenge has been a roller coaster ride. Now we're on the last round before the challenge finals and I'm still in it. Good thing I love roller coasters.

I have done some "un-me" things while going through the challenges. Since this started, I did my work/business from home on most days (like 4 days in a 5-day workweek!). I also learned to take pictures of myself! I used to make fun of a friend whom I caught taking his own photo a long time ago. Boy, if he could see me now! I'm sure he'd be proud of me! Haha! And then I learned to wear my glasses. I so hate wearing them! I'd rather be squinting than wearing them. But for this challenge I did so lest all my layouts would be uneven (or shall I say "asymmetric"?).

So do I want to be the next Scrappin' Moms Idol? You bet! And why do I deserve it? I say, "why not?". Of course it's not for me to decide. All I can do is give my best. But one thing's for sure. I do hope that the coaster car will stop for me again so I can enjoy the ride in the final round. Like I said, I love roller coasters.



Finale Round - Christmas Layout

Title: 3 Good Years
Journaling: The last 3 Christmases have been the best for me. In 2005, I got married, in 2006 I was pregnant, and in 2007 I had a baby and my family became complete.

"There is no greater gift at Christmas than to hae everything you want before you open the gifts. -- Flavia

Supplies: Bazzill CS, AC thickers LAX, AC layered xmas emb, Kit provided by Scappin' Moms (AC papers & chipboard, buttons, lace, ribbons, beads, twigs, masking tape)



Congratulations to Cookie for the win, to Donna & Issa for being the runners up, and to the finalists for a job very well done! Congratulations also and thanks to the Scrappin' Moms for another fun filled event!

Top Designer at Bad Girls

While doing the SM Idol Challenge, I decided to join Bad Girls 2008 Top Designer Academy. There are 6 classes and we go through one class each week. And each week, the ones who make it to the "honor roll" are through to the next round while the ones who don't are "expelled".

Here are the layouts I made for each of the class.

Class 1 - Layering
Title: Let's Celebrate


Class 2 - Mixing Patterned Papers
Title: 2 Of A Kind


Class 3 - Less Is More
Title: Tiny Tot


Class 4 - Accessorize
Title: Thanks, Mom


Class 4 was my last at Bad Girls. Yes, I got expelled! I'm glad that I joined though as I was able to learn new things and I was able to make 4 new pages!

Thanks for looking! :)

I'm In!

Yay! I made it to the Top 10 finalists of the Scrappin' Moms Idol Challenge! The final round will be on Oct. 4th for an on-the-spot challenge. We'll be given 3 hours to complete our entry. Gosh, I don't know how I'm going to do that. I'm such a slow scrapper plus I'll be with 9 very very talented scrappers. Yikes, good luck to me!

I promised myself though that I would not let this pressure me. I will be there on Saturday, will scrap as instructed, and will have as much fun as I can. After all, that's what scrapping should be, right? Fun.

See you on Saturday! :-)

Asymmetric?

Week #5 of the SM Idol 2 Challenge made me think a little more than usual. The challenge was to make an asymmetrically balanced layout. I'm sure most of us scrappers are not new to creating asymmetric pages with a breeze. We do it all the time, right? So why does it seem more difficult when you're consciously making the effort to make your page asymmetric? Weird, huh? Anyway, so I did this one layout which looked asymmetric at first...



...and now looks symmetric. Needless to say, I made another layout for this challenge. Hmmm, I guess I made the right decision because I made it to Round #6! Yay!

Tagged!

This is long overdue. Scrappy friends nominated me for these awards. Thanks guys!

First from Ria and Phylline:



Then another one from Liza:



Here are the rules:

1. Post these logos in your blog.
2. Link back to the person who awarded them to you.
3. Nominate at least 7 people whose blogs you admire and add links back to their blog.
4. Leave a message for the nominees on their blog.

So if you're reading this, consider yourself nominated! :-)

Make A Wish

Here are a few photos during Butch's birthday party. I was so busy that night that I didn't have time to take pictures. Thanks to Butch's cousin Monchu for taking these.







Thanks for looking! :)

Mid Life...

It's the big 4-0 for my DH today. Thank goodness I don't see signs of mid life crisis (not yet at leaor am I just missing them?). Anyway, He took the day off from work and so did I. We'll probably just stay home today. I don't have anything fancy planned as we will have family and some friends over for dinner tomorrow. Hmmm, there goes my day off. I think I'll do my food shopping now.

Happy birthday Butch! :)

New 'Do!

I brought Jao to the Kids Salon this afternoon for his very first haircut. He was okay when we got there. We sat him in this little car chair and he was having fun "driving". When the salon staff placed the cape around him and began cutting, ayan na, all hell broke lose! He was wild the whole time! He's a pretty strong little boy, I tell you. And even after his haircut (which looks soooo cute btw), we couldn't get him to be still. It was only when we left the salon and went to 'Toys R Us' that he calmed down.

This is how he looked before:



And this is him now:



Which do you like better? :)

Scrappin' Moms Idol 2

Two rounds, one layout and one 4-pc party set in two weeks. I can't believe I pulled it off and made it through. :)

Unfortunately, I cannot post my projects here but here's where you can view them:

Elimination Round Entry - Layout using Em Magpoc's sketch
Week #1 Entry - "Indulge" 4 piece party set

Thanks for looking!

R&R

My MIL treated my SIL Ria and myself to a weekend trip to Bangkok. I thought that it would be a good R&R. Rest? Nah. Recreation? Yes. We were able to tour 2 temples, shop for cheap clothes (just got to go back for those Wacoals!!), and the highlight, eat super cheap but really good street food! Thanks, Mom!

Unfortunately, none of us brought a camera. Thank goodness for Ria's camera phone. You can view our photos here.

Happy Pages

This LO was going to be my entry to Scrappin Kids "I DiD It" Challenge. Unfortunately, I missed the deadline.

Title: Walking Tall
Journaling: You were on your own at 11 months. You make me proud.

Supplies: DCWV CS & papers, Daidy Ds papers, KI lace paper, AC journaling sticker sheet, Heidi Swapp chipboard alpha, Chatterbox sticker alpha, AC & Chatterbox chipboard photo corners, Colorbox chalk ink, Misc buttons, ricrac, mesh ribbon


And here's another one that I started working on at Memory Lane Store during the July SE EB. This was meant for MLS's challenge. I didn't finish the page but Helen gave me a token anyway. Thanks Helen!

Of course, I finished it just about a week ago. This is a photo of Jao when he was 7 months old.

Title: Fun Times

Supplies: DCWV CS & papers, Fancy Pants, Autumn Leaves, Sandylion & Studio Azul Grid stamps, AC chipboard & foam alpha, Stazon, Clearsnap & Colorbox inks, Basic Grey brads, MM trims, Misc grosgrain ribbon.

Par-tay!!

Here are pictures taken on Jao's 1st birthday party. Please excuse me, the photos are unedited and not in order. Thanks for looking!

ONE!

My Jao is 1 today! Yay!

As traditional (or usual) as in most kiddie birthdays, I made spaghetti. Lola Julie, Ninang Ria and cousins Kuya Luis, Ate Nadya, & Ate Bianca came to celebrate with us. Highlights of the non-party event below.




Thanks for the gift and to Ria for Jao's yummy choco birthday cake!

Discover You

Finally finished this LO which I started before I got the BPM July kit. When the kit came in, I had to set this one aside.


Title: Discover You
Journaling: You love your Discovery Ball. It taught you how to make things work. As you learn new things, I too am discovering so much about you. And I look forward to each and every thing that you will teach me. -Photo: March 2008-

Supplies: Bazzill CS, Collage Press & Jenni Bowlin papers, FP & DCWV rubons, MR sheers, Prima flower, See D punctuation stamp, Fontwerks alpha stamps, Chipboard alpha, Joann metallic dots, Ranger embossing powder, Versamark, Clearsnap & Colorbox inks, ZIG dottariffic, AC slick pen, Misc ricrac

Thanks for looking!

Four Eyes

Yep, that's me now. I just bought my reading glasses today. I had been in denial for the past couple of months or so. I kept telling myself and everyone else that my eyes were just tired and that I didn't need glasses.

I hate glasses. I had my first pair about 20 years ago for astigmatism. It was an accessory that I didn't want on me. But now I have no choice else I won't be able to read! A friend of mine said it's inevitable when one reaches 40 (which is the new 20s btw) and so now it's here. One good thing about is I only have to wear them whenever I'm reading or looking at something at close distance.

Oh well, c'est la vie.

July Kit

Back Porch Memories has 2 kits per month - the Solo Kit & the Medley Kit. I was given the Medley which contains yummies from Bazzill, Chatterbox, KI, Cosmo Cricket, Scenic Route, American Crafts and Buttons Galore. Here's the kit:


As GDT, I am required to do at least 3 layouts & 1 project.







Title: Family
Journaling: The best part of my family are my husband and son.












Title: The Best Gift
Journaling: Your Dad & I thought we'd never have you. Then in Dec 2006, imagine our joy when we found out that you were on your way. It was definitely the best gift that year.










Title: Cute As A Button
Journaling: I cannot imagine waking up one day not seeing your cute and adorable face.










Title: On The Go
Journaling: I am amazed how active you are. You move around the house grabbing everything that catches your eye. I'm sure this is only the beginning.












"Hello" Card









I so enjoyed this kit and still have more supplies left. I think I'm going to do more.

To view the wonderful creations by BPM DTs, please click here.

Thanks for looking!