"Have Tea."

Sheryl says, Kaya!

Though at first I didn't think I can.

I had never worked with fabric/textile/ribbons/fibers only before. Personally, PPs are my saving grace and my comfort zone. But as with any challenge, it draws you out of your comfort zone and short of scrap-lifting Yoyin's sample LO, I managed to put together a completely hand-sewn page. I discovered a couple of fabric in my stash, a sheared(?) ribbon that looks like Maia's jumper and I simply imitated the pattern. I made the title look like a print of the jumper blouse.

Suffice it to say, this page is my favorite LO so far. Thank you, Yoyin! Kaya ko pala. :-)

And of course, Happy 2nd Anniversary Kaya Challenge! I hope to join more challenges than I did last year. More power!


Journaling:
"No afternoon is better than with a cup of tea. Albeit in your imagination."

Materials:
Fabric - from SA kit ( sorry, can't remember which month it was included. Tin, help!)
WRMK ribbons
Assorted ribbons
WRMK WhiteOut tab (imagine)
Assorted flowers, buttons

AboutME:
Happy Mama to now happier Lilaa and Maia (ages 3 & 1.5 years old, respectively); wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly. I also dabble in freelance writing in my spare time.

I am into books (of various genre), foreign art films with high preference for the classics, and I'm also learning photography one click at a time. Now that I stay at home full -time, I hope to do more good use of my hands.

Virtually, I have moved to my new home here. Though you can always come by here.

"Slipping Through my Fingers"

Sheryl says, KAYA!

I guess I'll never get over this particular sentiment. With Lilaa's enrollment in June, I can't help but anticipate the emotions associated with it. I know that in time I do have to let go, but don't you think kids are really growing up so fast? :-( I can perfectly relate with Meryl Streep's character as Donna in the Mamma Mia musicale, when she saw her daughter's BFFs again and she had to blurt out: "Stop growing!"

Journaling:
(excerpt from the song)
"Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while

Chorus:

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see whats in her mind
Each time I think Im close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

For the complete lyrics and videoclip of the song, please click HERE.

Materials:

CI Christine Adolph
Jenni Bowlin Navy Lines Label
Jenni Bowlin Red Love Song
Collage Press
Cosmo Cricket Little Girls
HS Flowers
Bling
DMC thread


Happy Mama to now happier Lilaa and Maia (ages 3 & 1.5 years old, respectively); wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly. I also dabble in freelance writing in my spare time.

I am into books (of various genre), foreign art films with high preference for the classics, and I'm also learning photography one click at a time. Now that I stay at home full -time, I hope to do more good use of my hands.

Virtually, I have moved to my new home here. Though you can always come by here.

Christmas Cubes

Sheryl says, Kaya!

I've had these photo cubes since the beginning of this year, gathering dust on top of a bookshelf. I've been meaning to make it into well, photo cube frames but had neither time nor inspiration to get started. Candy's challenge however, pushed me into altering it into something else: Christmas tree decors!

(image from handcraftedexpressions' website)

The concept came to me about two weeks after it was announced. I thought it was perfect because I could drill a hole on the top portion of the cube, and hold it in place using the spring like holder for Christmas balls.

First, I gathered the photos to be used: my family, my parents, my siblings and their respective families, my parents-in-law, my grandparents, my sister- and brother-in-law's families. Some cubes have photos on all four sides but most only have two sides. In place of photos, I used Christmas themed-PPS from my scraps stash.

Next, I sprayed copper radiant rain shimmering mist all over the cubes, and let it dry. I have never been so grateful having the copper mist in my stash. Later, you'll see why.


When dry, I adhered the photo and PPS on all four sides of the cubes, took me thirty minutes to do this. Then I inked the edges of the cubes, then applied Ranger Icicle Stickles on top of the inked edges.

Next, I drilled holes on top of the cubes (less than one minute each), and inserted the christmas balls holder from the excess CB decors. :-) and voila!!!


This year I used copper colored Christmas balls to give the tree a much-needed contrast. That's why, I was thankful I also got the same color of shimmering mist in my stash.

Materials:
Photocubes from handcraftedexpressions
Uhu Glue
Assorted Christmas-themed PPS
Ancient Page Dye-Ink Page
Ranger Icicles Stickles
Assorted Ribbons

About me:
Happy Mama to now happier Lilaa and Maia (ages 3 & 1.5 years old, respectively); wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly. I also dabble in freelance writing in my spare time.

I am into books (of various genre), foreign art films with high preference for the classics, and I'm also learning photography one click at a time. Now that I stay at home full -time, I hope to do more good use of my hands.

Virtually, I have moved to my new home here. Though you can always come by here.

First Born

Sheryl says, Kaya!

Thanks, Marj for this challenge. I have 3 thick albums that my MIL had turned over to me to turn into scrapbooks. This photo is of my DH when he was around two years old and it belonged to one of those albums. He was with his parents, in a photo studio called "Cadiz Studio". :-)


Techniques:

tearing, inking, distressing with pigment/dye ink

Materials:

Karen Foster Parchment Border, K & Co Brenda Walton PPS; Prima journaling note; Petaloo flower; MR Swirl Chipboard; 7Gypsies Savannah Fabric Brads; Alpha Stickers; Inks: Brilliance Archival Pigment Ink Pad (Coffee Bean) & Tim Holtz Distress Ink (scattered straw)

Journaling:

You have obviously relished your status as your parents' first-born. But you have also been aware that along with the privilege, you also have a great responsibility, esp now that Papa is gone. And you sure take that responsibility very seriously.

About me:
Happy Mama to now happier Lilaa and Maia (ages 3 & 1.5 years old, respectively); wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly. I also dabble in freelance writing in my spare time.

I am into books (of various genre), foreign art films with high preference for the classics, and I'm also learning photography one click at a time. Now that I stay at home full -time, I hope to do more good use of my hands.

Virtually, I have moved to my new home here. Though you can always come by here.

"Home"

Sheryl says, Kaya!

I took this photo of my DH and DD Lilaa. It's one of those rare moments when she was just contented to settle into her dad's arms and suck her thumb. I think this is one of the most priceless moments of them together that I was able to capture.

Journaling:
No other place on earth can give you a sense of comfort, assurance, safety and belonging but in your Papa's arms.

Here, no words are needed.

You simply are HOME.

Papa & Lilaa 11.10.08


Materials:
Prima Corina Nielsen Designs "Whisper Collection" (whisper); KI memories Favorite Things collection; Tres Jolie Birthday Boy Stripe; MR chipboards ; Prima journaling book; Prima bling; MAMBI embellishments; Prima Felt alpha; ZIG vellum writer (red & black); embossing powder; embossing ink

About me:
Happy Mama to now happier Lilaa and Maia (ages 3 & 1.5 years old, respectively); wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly. I also dabble in freelance writing in my spare time.

I am into books (various genre), foreign art films with high preference for the classics, and I'm also learning photography one click at a time. Now that I stay at home full -time, I hope to do more good use of my hands.

Virtually, I have moved to my new home here. Though you can always come by here.

Simply Wacky

Sheryl says, Kaya!

For some reason, I got all excited seeing Marj's challenges for this month. I thought of a reason why but I came up with three! First, It could be because I've been a long-time fan of Marj's works and her enviable ability to make everything she creates look REALLY good. Second, it could also be that for the first time we are veering away from the usual one-LO-a-month challenge and have not 2 or 3 but 4 LOs (!) to create this month. And third, maybe because it'll be a first for me to use a bow on my LO, something that I have long wanted to do.

Whichever. I am happy I got to scrapbook these photos of Lilaa's silly trait. She likes to wait 'til she hears the shutter click before she makes a face, stick her tongue out, roll her eyes, and guffaw to make sure I capture it. Well, I did. And as my little harmless revenge, I got to scrap these to show to her future crushes harharhar :-D

Materials:
Bazill CS; AC Amplified Dancing Queen; Jenni Bowlin Studio PP206; Simply scrappy acrylic bracket; MM Sticker Canvas Alpha Passport; MR arrow chipboard; MM paint; AC white flowers; brads; ribbon

Journaling:
Sigh. There's just no way I could take take a decent photo of you as of late. You simply feel obliged to give me a wacky shot like these. But I guess I shouldn't fret and whether I like it or not, I should simply scrap everything- the good, the bad, and the wacky! - Aug 2008, Pots 'n Noodle resto; Lilaa @ thirty-five months; Megamall, Phils.

About me:
Happy Mama to now happier Lilaa and Maia (ages 3 & 1.5 years old, respectively); wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly. I also dabble in freelance writing in my spare time.

I am into books (various genre), foreign art films with high preference for the classics, and I'm also learning photography one click at a time. Now that I stay at home full -time, I hope to do more good use of my hands.

Virtually, I have moved to my new home here. Though you can always come by here.

"IMissMama"

Sheryl says, Kaya!

This is my welcome LO & card for my new corner scrap/office space. :-) I'm glad to have been able to come up with another Kaya entry.

Materials:
PinkPaislee "Jellies" Pop fashion Collection
Tinkering Ink Woodland collection (from SA kit)
Prima Journaling notes (from SA kit)
AC thickers Jewelry Box

Journaling:
...those were your exact words when you woke up and I wasn't around. I was gone for most of the day to attend a scrapbooking bazaar. I guess you got used to waking up on most mornings to see me sleeping beside you.
But I never thought you would be able to verbalize how you feel about it at a tender age of 35 months. But you know what? I'm proud you can. And I appreciate that you do. I love you.
-----------------------------------------------

Birthday Card

Journaling:

Happy Birthday
(it's for someone who celebrated her birthday recently, sheesh)

Great idea to use only scraps from the papers used in the main LO. I had fun in this challenge. Thanks, Marix!

Thankful

Sheryl says, Kaya!

What a perfect timing! I just finished this mini to celebrate my 30th birthday. Thanks for looking!

Box Cover

T-hankful

"Three decades. Mid-adulthood. Aging. Wrinkles. Crow's feet. I started to feel the panic. But I realized there's no other way to move but forward. Hence, this mini book to celebrate my third decade of living, loving and learning. And to be...thankful.

panel 2

H-earth "I am thankful for every single meal; for every morsel of rice served hot in our dining table. For everything that comes out our hearth to nourish our body and satisfy the heart. For these, I am thankful."

panel 3

A-rt "I am thankful for the chance to indulge in many crafts/hobbies; for exploring the creative soul that gives a fuller meaning to life."

Panel 4

N-orth Star "I am very thankful for the family that I have; a kind husband and two adorable girls who think the world of me. They keep my feet grounded, planted to the ground."

panel 5

K-ids "I am thankful for these girls who have the power to lighten up my day with just a smile."

panel 6

F-friends "I am thankful for my friends, old and new." (Note: and even those who are not in the billing, you know who you are ;-))

panel 7
U-understood

panels 7-8

U-understood and
L-oved.
"I am thankful for this man because with him, I am understood and loved."

"How can I not be happy with everyone and everything I have? I felt silly worrying over things that should not be worried over. So here I am, 30 and counting my blessings. And the fact is, I didn't even realize I have so much until now. :-)"

Materials:

6x6 Chipboard Accordion Album by Imaginovation
Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist (copper, periwinkle, and sky blue)
Journaling books (from various lines)
Nick Bantock Collection Raised Felt Pad
Basic Grey Tags (Friend)
Pebbles Inc "Real LIfe" Tags
Jenni Bowlin Studio Stitch Border
American Crafts Elements Brads
Fancy Pants Rub on "Free Spirit")
Creative memories Fine tip Pen

Alpha: Autumn Leaves Dreamy Enjoy Letters (by Rhonna Farrer)
Creative Imaginations Martin Swoosh lowercase
Creative Imaginations Casual Blue
Basic Grey Alpha
American Crafts Sprinklers Glitter Letter Stickers

About me:
Happy Mama to now happier Lilaa and Maia (ages 2.5 & 1 year old respectively), wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly.

Also, I have moved to my new virtual home here. Though you can always come by here.

Altered Time

Sheryl says, Kaya!

This is a wonderful challenge, Cookie! Thank you!

Journaling:

"No Time Like the Present!" - Mrs. Manley

Materials:

PPS: FP Free Spirit collection "Storm"; Prima Rue 88 Collection "Grand Cou"; Prima Corina Nielsen Whisper collection "Enlightened"
Rub-ons: AL Epiphany ; FP Rub Ons;
Diecut (for journal); Pink Paislee's Spring Fling collection

About me:

Happy Mama to now happier Lilaa and Maia (ages 2.5 & 1 year old respectively), wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly.

Also, I have moved to my new virtual home here. Though you can always come by here.

The Geek Squad

Sheryl says, KAYA!

Perfect chance for me to scrap about the group and the colleagues I became friends with while I was still working. It was time for me to let go of that episode of my life and time to move on to what the future holds for me. Though it feels sad to miss their company, especially during lunch breaks where the discussion is suffused with interesting topics, I realized that I don't have to let go of the good relationships, much more of the friendship.


Journaling:
the Geek Squad. Spent lunchtime for almost a year with them for my daily dose of geeky thoughts. When I left the company, I realized I only have to let go of 'the work'. The rest, like Friendship, I can keep. Thank you, Geek Squad.

Materials:

Katie Pertiet Storytime kit

About me:

Happy Mama to now happier Lilaa and Maia (ages 2.5 & 1 year old respectively), wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly.

Also, I have moved to my new virtual home here. Though you can always come by here.

I am the SKY

Sheryl says, KAYA!


I didn't think I would be able to join this month's challenge. I couldn't think of a personal challenge except for the vague notion of scrapbooking my need to be known and recognized as my own person, not as a wife and a mother, but someone apart and beyond these titles. You can tell that it's quite sketchy so I gave it up. Until last Monday, something unfortunate happened at work. I won't go into the details but I think, I learned a lot from that episode. I am happy that I have not compromised my personal principles and beliefs, that despite the hurt and shame it caused me no matter how uncalled for, I stood my ground, filed a rather damaging but factual testimony with our HR about the person involved, and more than that, I would have the pleasure of NOT dealing, working, talking, breathing in the same air as he. Some well -meaning friends at work advised me that my resignation is running away; that sooner or later there is always that person who would take pleasure in other people's humiliation. But I know myself: I do not have the guts to cross common decency and courtesy. There is just so much I can take and I'd rather leave the company than get stuck in the same elevator with the person. I'm just really grateful I can afford it. My husband even drafted my resignation letter for me. :-)

The title is part of a mantra/quote from the Australian Indie movie "Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy". I have adapted it to be my personal mantra from the time the above incident happened. It's a very challenging mantra because it means I should rise above all my challenges, whether at work, at home, or with my social circles. I also understand it to being true to myself and never allow other people to tell me otherwise. Being formidable, relentless, brave in the face of my struggles and challenges. I owe it to myself to live a dignified and respected life.

But I think the best part of all this is the possibility of re-uniting with my beloved scrapbook materials. Hehehe Honestly, I missed scrapbooking. Now, I am happy to be back! :-)
Journaling:
"...nothing can stick to me. Planes fly through me. Storms roar past me. The sky is vast and open. It stays unchanged, no matter what happens to it."
--WHY I WORE LIPSTICK TO MY MASTECTOMY (2005)

It has been a difficult week. I never thought I would get affected by something, by somebody so much. I always see myself as a strong person, that I could weather anything and at the end of it all, stand victorious.
But Monday, May 26, 2008, past 3PM changed ALL that. To be humiliated in public, in front of your boss and colleagues, is bad enough; to be subjected to this experience because you did your job is the worst feeling in the world. The incident, unfortunate as it was, caused me to tender an immediate resignation though my boss and HR are yet to accept it.
And yet, looking back I realized it also did me good. I realized that I HAVE A CHOICE TO RID MYSELF OF NEGATIVE ENERGIES, PEOPLE INCLUDED. That I am lucky to have that choice, that compare with others before me, I do not have to suffer in silence. That I could stand up to anybody, no matter what their designations/ positions in life are because they wronged ME. I am brave. I am a woman. I will TRY to be THE SKY!

Materials:

CS: Basic Grey Scarlet Letter (in the forest, repose), Webster's Pages Sweet Charity collection, Prima Steel Toe Mary Jane collection, Fancy Pants Sweet Pea (Abigail),
Hambly Screeprints (scrapbook sonata)
Others: 7Gypsies Clips, Scotch Vellum Tape, UHU Stic, SA Kits, AC Thickers, Heidi Swapp Ghost Alpha
Becky Fleck's Pagemaps! (pp 85) Oh, this book is truly fantastic! :-)

About me:

Soon-to-be a WAHM. Happy Mama to Lilaa and Maia, wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly. I hope to scrap some more in the coming days, weeks and hopefully finish Maia's first year album before her birthday comes. :-)

Sweet Baby of Mine

Sheryl says, KAYA!

I couldn't resist Diane's charm and the promises this pretty digi-kit brings that I set aside my grown-up to-dos and worked on this one. Besides, I need to churn out more "MAIA layouts" this year as I am lagging behind my resolved number of layouts for her. This challenge should pumped prime that resolve:

Journaling:

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."- author unknown

Materials:
Spring Feeling Kit by Danielle Young (thanks, D & Danielle!)

About me:

Working Mom. Happy Mama to Lilaa and Maia, wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. Overwhelmed by a lot of things going on in my life now all at the same time. Just glad I have scrapbooking to bust the stress away. I also c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend and kababayan Julie Kelly who is also a member of Pinoy Scrapbookers.

If I could be granted three wishes...

Sheryl says, KAYA!

I had a holiday season hangover when I did this challenge, notice the PPS? :-) I didn't have to think long to write down my three most fervent wishes, it's been in my heart for a long time, after all. :-)
Journaling:
2008
1.) ...that my daughters continue to be healthy and accident-free in the coming year
2.) ...that I finally find and make time to apply for law school and start the fulfillment of a childhood dream
3.)...that I could finally have my very own library/scrap room this year

Materials:
Cardstock: DCWV
PPS: Chatterbox SB Walls: Holiday Floral, Holiday fern, Red Ribbon stripes, Burgundy dot; CI Narratives
Chipboards: Provocraft & Basic Grey alphas
Ink: Colorbox Pigment Ink
Simply Scrappy Deckler & Stitching guide; Tags template

Techniques:
Tearing & Inking, layering of PPS

About me:
Working Mom. Happy Mama to Lilaa and Maia, wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. Overwhelmed by a lot of things going on in my life now all at the same time. Just glad I have scrapbooking to bust the stress away. I also c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend and kababayan Julie Kelly who is also a member of Pinoy Scrapbookers.

Holiday Greetings from the Martinezes

Sheryl says, KAYA!

I needed four, uninterrupted hours to finish these cards, nine in all for the challenge and for family & friends. When I was scanning my stash, I found a year old christmas-themed PPS that was just calling to me to be used. Thank you, Val for the opportunity to unload, it certainly is one of the nicest gifts I got this christmas.
Journaling Reads:
Various holiday greetings, all handwritten.

Materials Used:
CS: Bazzill & DCWV; PPS: 3Bugs in a Rug Holiday Snowball, Dots, & Ribbons; Urban Lily Petite; various christmas-themed PPS; Simply Scrappy Circle & Star templates; Pens: Creative Memories, Aqualip, Souffle

About ME:
Working Mom. Happy Mama to Lilaa and Maia, wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. Overwhelmed by a lot of things going on in my life now all at the same time. Just glad I have scrapbooking to bust the stress away. I also c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend and kababayan Julie Kelly who is also a member of Pinoy Scrapbookers.