Hello Kitty Sizzix Big Shot Give Away from Oh My Crafts!

Oh My Crafts is having a give-away:  1 Hello Kitty Sizzix Big Shot Pro machine plus 4 Bigz dies! 

I am so joining and really hope to win LOL! 

My First Attempts at ATC

Hi all!

I saw Frosted Designs' Fabulous Friday Challenge last night and it was very simple, yet oozing with so many possibilities -- Ribbons or Twines!

Unfortunately, I just posted my combined entry to both Filipino Scrapbookers Challenge Blog and Lasting Memoriesthe night before which has ribbons on it [sigh!].

Well, since I can't just edit the post and say it's my entry to Frosted Designs as well, I decided to adopt the challenge on making my first ATC.

My local crafters FB group is having an ATC swap this month and I joined despite having no idea on how to make one LOL!  Most of the ATCs I find in the net are painted ones and since I am no painter, I have to look further.  Ideas were slooooowly forming in my mind and when I saw the current challenge I decided why not start making the ATCs now.

Here's what I came out with:

 I used Prima Petal Poetry Collection patterned paper, stamped the stem of a tulip stamp with Dew Drop Brilliance black and then stamped the image again with VersaMark.  I then used Judi Kins Black Detail embossing powder and heat embossed the image.  I had to stamp the image twice because the first time I used VersaMark directly, the paper just absorbed most of the ink before I could pour the embossing powder.  I dabbed a diluted bronze metallic acrylic paint using foam on the edges as border.

In place of the tulip bulb, I used my current addicting craft to make a sort of topiary of roses.  I'm currently into making continuous organza ribbon roses after seeing a similar one in my local textile store that sells for almost $2 per yard! So I decided to make my own instead. 

I just glued each rose into a spiral to make a topiary effect:

 I don't have those cute baker's twine but I have loads of paper twines so I made two simple loose knots (that either look like pretzels or hearts, whichever you prefer LOL!).  I just glued a shorter twine at the top to close the gap.

Here's another  one I made but I just used the ribbon roses as border:

There you have it.  My first attempt (technically, second as the first one failed miserably LOL!) at making ATCs inspired by Frosted Design's Fabulous Friday Challenge this week.  

I'm liking Frosted Designs challenges more and more because they're not limited to scrapbook layouts, you have more creative leeway and the possibilities are really endless! Hats off to the Design Team of Frosted Designs for coming up with such interesting and fun challenges!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Filipino Scrappbookers Challenge #4 & Lasting Memories A Special Celebration Challenge

Hello everyone!

I'm still high from the reminiscing mode I was in this week, in celebration of my fraternity's 40th founding anniversary.  I already did a layout for my sorority sisters, this time I'm doing one to give a toast to my fraternity brothers.

Still into Lasting Memories A Special Celebration Challenge, I chose to follow the Filipino Scrapbookers Challenge Blog #4

A few alterations here and there and this is my take on the sketch:

 

I used red as my main background scheme as 40 years is a Ruby celebration.  I used masking again because I really can't stand big empty spaces on my layouts :).  

Instead of alpha cut-outs, I used a 70's photo of my older brods holding a streamer as my title -- PI SIGMA.  Added a vintage envelop/memo pad underneath courtesy of my friend, Catt (the scalloped cardstock's from her, too :D).

I embossed the scalloped cardstock with Cuttlebug Timepieces embossing folder highlighted with bronze acrylic paint as my main mount (though I know it should be a photo).  Maroon and royal blue mulberry papers were added for the scroll element of the sketch.

My journal are the main principles of the fraternity -- Paragon of Scholarship and Paglingkuran ang Sambayanan (Serve the People) standing for the initials of Pi Sigma.  The fraternity were founded right before the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines in 1972 by nationalist student activists of the University of the Philippines.  Hence, the Serve the People principle.

I used my DIY coffee-stained sketch pad sheet daisies, DIY labels and heat embossed chipboard circle.  The journal was framed using bookplates I painted black and highlighted with bronze.

Instead of hearts, I used the fraternity logo and added a chipboard #4 in reference to the 40th anniversary.  I just added two more heat embossed chipboard circles instead of hearts again.

I just made those organza roses myself.  Those are actually what I'm into right now after seeing a similar rose-embedded organza ribbons in a local textile/gown shop which costs almost $2 per yard! There was no way I would buy that!  So, I made some myself (albeit in smaller dimensions LOL!).  That was originally a white organza which I dipped into a diluted bronze acrylic paint, for the life of me I can't understand why it turned purplish LMAO!

Oh, happy times! (You could almost hear my laughter in that photo! LOL!)

Thanks for dropping by and sharing with my my own celebrations through scrapping. Have a very nice weekend!
 

Let's Get Sketchy Challenge #24 & Lasting Memories Celebration Challenge

Been distracted with my hilarious local crafter's fb group this past few days that I've finished another layout but haven't gotten around to blogging about it until now!

I've made another layout combining 2 separate challenges (I just love combining challenges, more fun!) -- Lasting Memories A Special Celebration Challenge using Let's Get Sketchy's Challenge #24 sketch:

My sorority chapter recently celebrated its 29th anniversary last July and the mother chapter of our fraternity is on its 40th year yesterday (August 15).  So I got into reminiscing mode and "excavated" my old sorority photos and got 3 from the last time I was physically present in a sorority anniversary celebration:

I had to twist the sketch a bit because my photos had to be cropped landscape.  My basic color scheme were purple and red (international women's rights color and our main sorority color). 

The paper was quite bare except for the distress borders so I used Paisley Swirl template and just dabbed a lavander inkpad for a mask result.

Well, the mask turned out quite lighter than I imagined so I put gems.  I enjoyed it so much I think I got carried away LOL!

The journal, "if you should give light, you must endure burning" is one of our slogans referencing sacrifice and service to the people.  

The logo at the corner was one of my boxful of sorority mementos (our mother chapter was founded in 1975).

This layout both made me sad and happy at the same time.  It represents one of the best parts of my life and makes me sad that I haven't seen my brods and sisses physically for such a long time.  

Thank you Lasting Memories for this challenge and Let's Get Sketchy for another fabulous layout!

Another Yay! Top 3 at Let's Get Sketchy!

This week is getting to be very fulfilling!  After Lasting Memories' nod on my BINGO layout entry yesterday, Let's Get Sketchy honored me with a TOP 3 fave with "The Bond Between Mother and Child Lasts a Lifetime" layout. 

Thank you Let's Get Sketchy for picking me as one of your week's Top 3 faves.  Now the ecstacy is doubled and would last until next year I bet LOL!

Now back to making more layouts for more challenges. :D

Freeze It - Sketches in Thyme Sketch #87

Most photos remind us of events, occasions, people.  In print or digital, they are captured memories.  

But have you ever encountered that photo that doesn't really remind you of when or where it was taken but reminds you more of a feeling or sentiment?  Those rare shots that kindles in you a sense of longing for something, not really melancholic but more on wanting to feel that moment or feeling again.

Well, I have such a photo of my 2 kids taken when they were 6 and 3, during those times when they tag along with us on reunions with college buddies and such.  I can't pinpoint the exact date the photo was taken or who we were with.  

Whenever I see that shot of the two of them smiling, and my son caught in that moment of playing peek-a-boo, I feel like I wanted to go back to that time when they were so happy and innocent and carefree.  Back when there were lesser worries for both them and me.  They have lots of photos of similar poses but this one really awakens that feeling in me.  It is one of my favorite shots of my kids.

I haven't framed it, it just sits tucked in my DIY slat-board, protected by ziploc, placed eye-level so whenever I raise my head while scrapping, its the one picture my eyes would lock on.

Last week, I saw the latest sketch on Sketches in Thyme, Sketch #87 and felt that it would be perfect for my photo.

I wasn't thinking of the challenge while I was doing it, I let the photo inspire me as I went along.  And here it is:

I kept the color scheme within the side of brown, I was afraid that if I attempt a more colorful layout, something might turn out wrong LOL.

Though you wouldn't immediately get the entire sentiment of the layout from the main title, the journal probably would.   The main title was actually an afterthought because I've already decided on what to put in the journal area -- 2 lines from our favorite Abba song, Slipping Through My Fingers:

I had to keep the title at a 2-word max, so I chose "freeze it".  All alphas are cut by hand :)

I printed the journaling lines on a transparency using 2 different fonts and 3 sizes so I'd have options again.  I ended up using the smallest one but I didn't want to just throw out the two unused printouts so I stick them both on the page :D

Instead of a single-paper mount, I used actual film negatives and for the print-out to be legible, I painted white pearl paint onto the spots where the journal would go.

Other embellishments are my old DIY rose using actual Simon & Garfunkel music sheets, paper cut-out for the corner (to lessen negative space which I hate :D), a wood button tied with a gold string.  I just twisted the string to make some spiral effect (because I cut it too long LOL!).

Instead of a photo mount, I used a Nympheas cardstock which was originally white & gray and turned it into a frame.  I just stained it with coffee and distressed.

Sorry for the glare in the photos (even without flash there's a glare somewhere), I'm not really good with cameras no matter how much photography tips I read LOL!

There you have it.  I plan to have this framed later on and not just included in an album.  I'd want to see it everyday and for others to see this layout, too. I simply adore this photo.

Thank you Sketches in Thyme for this wonderful sketch!

What the Heck Was I Thinking?

Hello all!

Another layout done today.  Another 2 challenges in 1 layout.  Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge called for the use of scraps of fabrics.  I needed a sketch so I decided to use Creative Scrappers Sketch #220 here:

In comparison with the last layout I made which was ultra challenging (with my scrapbooking talent or lack thereof), this layout was relatively easy to make but still fun. 

There's this photo taken from my civil wedding which shows me smirking (over something I couldn't remember LOL!) and thought this would be perfect for another funny title!  And here it is:

I used two scraps of satin fabric in purple and sky blue, burned the edges and put double adhesive at the back.  I also used scraps of fabric for the 2 arrow ends. 

Background paper is sprayed with my DIY alcohol inks, stamped with Old Letter stamp image.  The title was printed using Rebekah's Birthday font downloaded free from Kevin and Amanda's blog. I put 2 rickrack ribbons and inserted both in a plastic buckle I got from an old clothing or something LOL!

I stamped a journal image on a transparency then stick it face down with Diamond Glaze and wrote my other punchline, "you just gotta (heart) the smirk"

I don't really love stars so much on my layouts so I used my DIY heated organza flower instead and put circle sequins with star sequins on top randomly (or at least as the sketch showed).

I used the Sizzix daisy die and when I took out the fabric, there were also die cuts of the smaller daisy so I used those also for the corner flower.  Waste not, want not mentality again LOL!

My daughter and I had such a laugh at this layout, wait till the DH sees it LOL!

Hope you like it as much as I had fun doing it. 

Thanks for dropping by!

Yay! Top 3 at Lasting Memories!

I just have to blog about this:  I AM TOP 3 at last week's Lasting Memories Challenge! Yay! 

I am so over the moon (and beyond LOL!)  My last layout titled "My Big Shot Pro" from the previous blog post was picked for whatever reasons LOL!  Just yesterday, that layout was featured on the site and was I ecstatic.  But this definitely tops that feeling!

Those lovable ladies from Lasting Memories are so friendly and the DT are so kind.  Not a day would pass upon submission that at least one DT member would drop by and leave me some love.  You really feel appreciated and boosts your confidence a lot! 

What makes this more fabulous is that my friend Catt (who was the one who introduced me to blog challenges and Lasting Memories) is among the Top 3 also!  Adds icing to the cake!

This is one addiction I wouldn't want to get out of LOL! Thank you, Lasting Memories and thank you, Catt!

Lasting Memories & Sketches in Thyme Challenges Entry

Hi all!

We're playing BINGO at Lasting Memories this week.  I was quite hesitant to join being a newbie at challenges and I thought all the combinations were way out of my scrapping comfort zone. 

So I checked my other challenge blogs and saw Sketches in Thyme's Sketch #86 which was up since last week. 

Aside from the usual sketch (which was relatively easy enough), there was an additional color challenge!  

So I thought to myself, what the heck, forget your comfort zone and try something different and more challenging, and boy, was it some challenge.  I must have played all the rows in the Bingo combo in my mind while at the same time sticking to the color combo of SiT's challenge.  Whew!

After several hours of grueling (but still fun) scrapping, here's what I came up with:

I chose the first row of the Bingo challenge -- ribbons, buttons, dry embossing, quilting and gems.  I had to look up scrapbook quilting as I have no idea on how to go about it, I have this weird morbid scare of using sewing machines LOL!  So I decided to "cheat" and used two of my stitch stamps instead ;P

My title is obviously borrowing from Sizzix -- MY BIG SHOT PRO as I'm showcasing my DH's target shooting photos.  I embossed a cardstock with the Cuttlebug swirls and stick foam alphas on top.  The photos are actually parts of a single photo collage.
  

And as I can't really help putting in a punchline, I journalled "er--not really! LOL!" at the bottom.

Here are the other additional embellishments adhering to the Bingo combo:

Red and green coordinating ribbons tied with a royal blue button/buckle

I just used circle die cuts for my scalloped border and sewed flower buttons on top.

I made this gem butterfly years ago -- I used a butterfly sticker as guide and just put the gems on a transparency :D

Summing up my experience with this layout, I would have to be thankful to both Lasting Memories and Sketches in Thyme for their respective challenges.  I loved choosing the papers to use for the color combo challenge, the sketch was fabulous and the Bingo challenge was really that -- a challenge, but really a welcome one.

It's really nice to try and learn something new everyday.  I simply love crafting and scrapping!

Hope you like it and thanks for dropping by. :D

Creative Scrappers Sketch #219 Challenge Entry

Hello everyone!

Weather's been improving, flood-waters in affected areas are subsiding and relief operations are on-going.  I just admire Filipino resiliency even in times of desperation and crisis.  We have our faults of course (who doesn't ?) but this is what we are and wouldn't trade it for anything.

So, back to my world of crafts.  I saw this sketch on Creative Scrappers last week, the Sketch #219 and I fell in love with it instantly.  Lots of possibilities so lots of fun.  Here's the lovely sketch:

I've been meaning to make a layout featuring my stepdaughter but haven't come around to it until now.   And here's how my layout turned out:

I simply titled it "JHAICY".  I heat embossed the alphas on transparencies using white embossing powder and adhered with Diamond Glaze.  

I used the photos taken years ago when she visited us twice, before I gave birth to my eldest and a few months after.  Unfortunately, we haven't had any opportunity to see one another again so I simply downloaded her facebook profile photo.  I had to insert a cropped photo of my son which she hasn't met yet and used it as one of the circles.

And as usual, I just can't help it.  I had to insert something funny in my layout.  I journalled "my daughter from another mother" LOL! 

I was so inspired by the layouts done by the Design Team specifically Shannon Morgan's doodled borders, Marilyn Rivera's organza flowers, Chiqui Guittierez's rhinestone flourishes  and Elena Olinovitch's strings so I tried to incorporate them in my own layout.   Even the polka-dots pattern is a recurring theme on the layouts.

I used blue and red as my main color scheme and simply put contrasting embellishments on either side.  Most embellish are DIY -- the organza flowers, the rhinestone butterfly, the small mulberry flowers and heat-embossed butterfly. The only ready-made scrapbook embellishment I used is the pink circle with a plastic flower at the bottomright and of course the patterned papers.

The red and blue ribbons/fibers/string (I don't really know how to classify them LOL) are actually from pieces of hair scrunchies which I painstakingly detached years ago.  I got loads from several pieces of scrunchies I detached.  I glued them into fourish design and contrasted the blue fiber with red paper and vice versa then adhered small mulberry flowers randomly.

I cut 8 layers of brown organza using the Sizzix daisy die and heated them with the heat gun.  The pink organza lollipop flowers are simply cut freehand and heated. 

  

The small mulberry papers I created using that free die that comes with the Sidekick machine -- I just cut the flower part and rolled & layered..

I printed the bird & birdhouse image from a free vintage images website (sorry, I forgot which website because it was from 2 years ago :D).  

I heat embossed a butterfly stamp image using bronze UTEE. The rest of the circles I just cut from small scraps of PPs.

I used different stitch pattern stamps coupled with freehand doodling as borders.

This layout is truly enjoyable to make from start to finish.  I might do another one later on because I simply love this sketch!  Thank you Creative Scrappers!

Have a nice day!