I'm back!

I admit I am not a consistent blogger. "Now you see me, now you don't!" The last time I had my blog updated was on September 3. But I am proud to say that even if I don't blog regularly, I am a consitent scrapbooker, joining challenges and contests and online crops. Last September and early October, I participated in online crops and challenges in the following sites: Scrapmuse, Savvy n Sassy, Color Me Daisy, Scrappin Kids and Busy Bee Scrapbooking. Of course, I was also active in ScrapWords where I am a DT member...until the DAY came. Last October 9, my DD Dannah was hospitalized because of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Typhoid Fever. Three days later, exactly on my 38th Birthday, my DS Jigs was also diagnosed with Dengue and was also confined in the hospital. We stayed in the hospital for a total of 10 days...no internet, no scrapbooking!!!

But now, our lives are back to normal. Jigs got out of the hospital last Saturday (October 18) and the next day, it was Dannah's turn to go home. Thank God they're both okay now. Thanks to those who said their prayers for their fast recovery.

Before they were hospitalized, I was supposed to blog about the prizes I got from the various contests and challenges I joined in from the period of May to August 2008. I had them shipped to my Kuya Eric's place in California. Her mother, my Tita Olive went home last September 29 and I got all my prizes on October 5, a Sunday.

Here are my prizes which I haven't even "touched" yet. I can't wait to do some projects with them.

From ScrapWords ($20 GC for winning in two challenges- mini album and sketch):



From Scrapmuse ($15 GC for winning second prize in the monthly contest - journaling):


These are Black Market Society papers and Fancy Pants lace.

From Paper Jam Studio (prize pack for winning in the June Monthly contest):



From Rhubarb Roots ($10 GC for winning in July stamping contest):


My winning LO was also featured in their newsletter.

From Scrappy Arts (prize pack for winning in their Summer Contest):



From Colette Bate's blog challenge:



From Coordinates Collection ($10 GC for winning in August Scrap Challenge):



From Scrapbook Playground (prize pack for winning in the August Stamping Challenge):



I also received my prize for winning in Savvy n Sassy's August Contest last week and my DT kit from Scrapwords yesterday. No photos yet. I'll post them as soon as I find time.

More RAKS and Prizes

I have several RAKS (random acts of kindness) which I received from the mail in the past two weeks.

Here they are:








This is from Rhea, co-owner and DT of the Ribbon Kit Club, Savvy n Sassy which is based in Canada. I was randomly chosen to win this RAK for the ongoing ABC Challenge in their site. Thanks Rhea! I love these yummy ribbons!

BTW, I learned yesterday that I won another ribbon kit from joining Savvy n Sassy's August Contest. My kit is already on its way. Here is my winning layout entitled Indulge:



The photos are taken during Liezl's birthday celebration last August 24, 2008 at the Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Center in Bay, Laguna. I used one of the papers below.











This is a RAK from Lucy Edson, DT of Scrapmuse. I joined in her Sketch Challenge and won this RAK. Lovely papers and ribbons! I also loved the Bazzill flowers. Thanks so much Lucy!










And this one is from Beverly Todd of United Kingdom. I joined several challenges during her 40 Days Event. I love those big playing cards!!! Thanks Beverly!


I know this is long overdue but just the same let me share this with you. These prizes were from Rekindled Moments Anniversary Crop held last July 12, 2008 at Merry Jane's Store in Taft.

Here are the prizes that I was able to take home:



This was my prize from the raffle. My name was the last one to be drawn but it was worth the wait. Nice prize, isn't it?



And this one was my prize for winning in the on-the-spot challenge. Here is my winning LO:



Jane provided us with challenge kit consisting of Scenic Route patterned papers and chipboards. We were free to use any other material as long as we use those in the kit. Thanks Jane for the wonderful prizes.

An Award from Two Great Scrappers

I received this award from two of the country's great scrappers: Issa Lucido, my fellow LB Scrapaholic and Scrappin Mom Ria Mojica.

Now, it's my turn to pass on this award. But before that, here are the rules:

(1) The winner can put the logo on their blog.
(2) Link the person/s you received your award from.
(3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
(4) Put links of those on yours.
(5) Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated.

I am giving this award to the following Filipina scrappers whose talent has been recognized both locally and internationally:

1. Chiqui - a fellow LB Scrapaholic who has won numerous local and international scrapbooking contests and challenges.

2. Candy - our future MM Master. I love her unique style in scrapbooking. If you want to learn new and untried techniques, visit her blog.

3. Jona - she is very active in international scrapbooking sites and serves as DT/GDT in some of them.

4. Cookie - SUPERSCRAPPER, newest DT member of Chatterbox, my IDOL. I hope I can follow her footsteps!

I'd also like to give this award to international scrappers who inspire me:

5. Meg - Creative Director of Scrapwords and DT member of other scrapbooking sites. I'm amazed how she can handle all these considering she also works fulltime and is a mom to 2-year old Ellie.

6. Beverly - owner of Crop Till You Drop Scrapbook Store in UK, she's a great cardmaker and writes very good journaling.

7. Grace - a fellow Filipina who's shown the world that the FILIPINA CAN DO IT! I love her mini album projects so drop by her blog to see her work.

Finally!

This is dream come true, one of the things I've been longing for the longest time. And now my wish is finally granted. Leslie Ackman, owner of Scrapwords announced that I will be part of her Desing Team. Scrapwords DT members are known as the Wordsmiths so it's official, I AM NOW A WORDSMITH.

I'm so excited with this Wordsmith blinkie:



I am supposed to be the Guest Desinger of Scrapwords for the next four months (September to December) but just last week I received a private message from Leslie asking me if I wanted to be a Wordsmith on a regular basis. Who wouldn't want to? Of course I said YES!!!

This is my first DT position ever and I'm very very happy. I've been with Scrapwords since July 2007, two months after it opened. I've been loyal to it, probably because it focuses on JOURNALING and STORYTELLING which is my forte. In Scrapwords, a layout is never complete without the story or sentiments behind the photos.

See the announcement here.

For the first DT challenge I will be hosting, I will be giving a RAK so stay tuned and do visit Scrapwords.

See you around!

Two RAKS in a DAY

Just the other day, I received two RAKS (random act of kindness), one from South Africa and the other one from Sweden.

The one from Sweden is from Anna B., Design Team Member of My Scrapbook Nook. Last July 17-19, the Nook held an online crop which I participated in. I was so lucky to win in Anna's Ad Inspiration Challenge through random drawing. Actually, I won another one, a $10 gift certificate to spend at the Nook's online shop. Lucky, huh? Two prizes in a day!!!

Here's what I got from Anna B (from her personal stash)- some old Swedish papers, cardstocks (Bazzill and KI Lace), stickers, Prima flowers, Scenic Route rub-ons, chipboard shapes and ribbons:









The other one from South Africa was from one of Journaling Junkie's Design Team, Stefanie Semple. I joined in one of their weekly challenges (REMINISCENCE) several weeks ago.

Here's what I got:





Here is the LO that made me win:



This LO is one of my projects for the LB Scrapaholics BINGO.

Materials used: cardstock, Prima and Cherry Arte patterned papers, ribbon and trims, Prima, Making Memories and Heidi Swapp flowers, metal embellishments, Hambly transparency, American Crafts Thickers, Hot Off the Press alphas, Creative Imaginations journaling paper, Fancy Pants tags, acrylic paint, Ranger Glossy Accents.

Journaling reads:

My earliest childhood memories were set in this garden in our old house in Canlubang. I'd never forget the colorful San Francisco plants as well as the butterfly tree with its purple flowers where I discovered the wonder of play and developed my love for nature. 1972

Lookin' for Love Challenge

Yesterday I learned that I won in Colette's Lookin' for Love Challenge. This challenge is in line with the 40 Days Countdown Celebration for Beverley Todd's 40th birthday last August 8. Colette Bate is from Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Her challenge was to post a photo of an old project that you love but didn't get much attention. And then ... the project that receives the MOST comments will be announced the WINNER.

Here is my entry to this challenge:







This is one of my favorite LO's of all time, the first ever LO I entered in an online contest. Do you remember the Challenge of Two's at Scrapbytes last October 2006? This was the entry that I submitted. Unfortunately, it didn't win. I entered this LO to other online contests but wasn't given the recognition that I hoped for. I'm so glad that this time around, it was recognized and chosen as the overall WINNER.

By the way, here is my journaling.It’s an account of my life in a form of a fairy tale.

Once upon a time, a baby girl was sent from the Heavens to the Land of Two in a castle where King Benjamin and Queen Elnora lived, two people chosen by the Divine Being to be the parents of the baby girl whom they named Maria Fatima, the Princess of the Land. Two years later, another addition to the royal family came. This time a baby boy whom they called Benjamin, Jr. Unfortunately, the Queen fell ill so there was no choice but to entrust Prince's care to the Queen's parents --Teofisto and Patrocinia in a land not so far away from the Land of Two. The Queen's two sisters, Brenda and Nerissa painstakingly took good care of Prince Benjamin, Jr.Several years passed and the royal family was already complete with the addition of two more boys - Princes John Dominic and Jerome whom the Princess played with, fought with and basically grew up with.The Princess turned out to be a fine lady admired by many because of the two qualities she possessed - intelligence and leadership. She was always on the top of her class and held top positions in school organizations. She attended one of finest universities of the land and studied Science.When the Princess was already of age, she fell in love with her Prince Charming - Danilo whom she married on the 2nd month of the year, the love month of February. After two years of blissful marriage, they were blessed with two wonderful children, James Genar and Dannah Marie. Life was not always a bed of roses for the Princess and her two children because Prince Danilo had to be away for years in a very far land for a mission. She kept herself busy with her two great passions - teaching and scrapbooking.Fortunately, two months from now, the Princess' family will be reunited for good and surely they will all live happily ever after. MFOM OCT.2006

I will be receiving this yummy Tropical Album In An Afternoon (twelve double sided, heavy quality patterned cardstock papers) along with the chipboard alphabet and a BONUS set of coordinating chipboard embellishments:





You can view the annoncement here.

Thank you very much, Colette for this opportunity. I'm so excited with the prize. Can't wait to play wit it. I have to wait till October to get hold of the prize. I asked Colette to ship it to my cousin's place in California.

Weekend Crop at SK

Scrappin Kids (SK) had once again organized a weekend online crop. The last time I joined was during the National Scrapbooking Day for SK's Ultimate Scrapper Contest where I emerged second to my friend, Issa who was awarded the title. That was around three months ago.

The online crop included a challenge and a tutorial by one of SK's Resident Designer, Wati.

For the challenge, we were asked to create a layout inspired by the Singapore's flag since it was Singapore's National Day yesterday. Here is what I came up with:



I lifted the colors of the Singapore flag - red and white but I added black for contrast. I also included some stars in my layout.

The one in the photo is my eldest Jigs who is 13 years old and in First Year HS.

Here is my journaling:

I still do not understand why you avoid photo opportunities. It just saddnes me that I am not able to document significant events or even everyday moments. Last night was your first Acquintance Party ever now that you are on your first year in highschool. I asked you if I could take your photo...once, twice, thrice, I couldn't remember how many times but all I got for an answer was a NO! I hope it will be a YES next time.
Photo - March 22, 2008; Journaling - August 10, 2008

For the tutorial, Wati demostrated how to make a pop-up mini album. Here's my take:

The album's cover:



The inside pages:



When we met 19 years ago, we promised that we'd be together foever. Now after years of being together, that promise still holds true. We've been through a lot of up's and down's in our 13 years of marriage but we're still here. I thank God for that!



There are so many things I'd like to tell you. For a time (almost 10 yesrs, that is), we were separated by fate. God reunited us and allowerd use to be together for 1 year and 7 months - straight after you decides to resign from SPIMACO.But life is really hard these days that you have to try your luck again in Saudi Arabia. Things happened so fast and one day I woke up, you were already there.



We didn't have a chance to have a heart to heart talf before you left for your job in Saudi Arabia. I forgot to tell you how thankful I am that I am your wife and that you are the father of my children. I thank God for giving me someone who is kind-hearted, prayerful and a good provider. Thank you for giving us the best that you could give. I'd like you to know how much I appreciate you.



Forgive me too for all the heartaches and headaches I might have caused you. I know I can be mean sometimes. So sorry for giving you "nags instead of hugs", "not so nice words instead of sweet kisses and for always finding faults instead of appreciating your good traits. I promise to make up for all these shortcomings. Best of all, I'd like to tell you and make known to the world that I LOVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT ALWAYS AND IN ALL WAYS.

The entire album, opened: