Blessed New Year

There are still no layouts to share but it's a brand new year tomorrow --- 2013!  Yay!

Let's all claim bountiful blessings and abundance for our families!
Life is short, days pass significantly faster and we can't seem to catch up.
Still, we need to take time to kiss and say our "I Love You's",
To enjoy each and every moment that life offers us.

Be happy and contented.
And, expect great things to happen to you!

God bless you more and your families this 2013!

Where Do I Start?

It's not easy coming out from a rut.  Not from lack of inspiration.  Just plain lazy most of the time, or crazy worried about life.

A year has passed in our life here in Melbourne.  I've accumulated more papers from my online shopping escapades but nothing to show.  How sad is that?  I am back to the olden times where I don't want to use my papers because I am not sure I can justify it's beauty with my layout.  Back to old insecurities, I guess.

There were times when I would spread out the photos and papers but I would just stare at it.  It's like I am willing myself to create an elaborate layout, something I would be able to brag here.  Nothing came.  I just packed it up again.

That's the story of my life these days.  Wish my scissors has a mind of its own.

A Very Long Time

When my husband said that I might not have time for my crafts, I just laughed it off. I felt that I will always have time. But, this year, months passed by and I haven't created any scrapbook layouts. I made invitations though. Still, a part of me misses creating. How I wish time will be more helpful.

I Love You Sunshine

The wonders of technology, though million miles away, we get to scrap and gossip (lol) like we're just in one table scrapping.

After a long while, finally managed to scrap a very simple layout.  Why is it so hard to come back? Hehehe...  Pardon the photo, I had to upload this tonight because it's part of our online crop challenge.  The challenge is to create a layout with a heart and the title has the word Sunshine.

Baby Love

My baby is turning 7 soon, I still couldn't get over that she's no longer one --- a baby!  For me, she still is and will always be.  This picture was taken at my eldest daughter's pre-school graduation.  She was 3 years old then.  I can go on and on and on about me wanting time to stand still.  She's the funny one.  She's our little dose of sunshine.  Nothing gets to her and she'll make you feel the same way.

I based it on the May sketch by Tony Rangel based on a layout by Delaina Burns from My Creative Sketches.  This is my first time to join their sketch challenge.  I am very lucky to have found their blog site.  I really fell in love with the sketch.  Hope you can join in too!

My Angel

My grandmother was a woman who never asked anything in return.  She took care of me since I was a month old, straight from being confined in the hospital.  My parents don't have enough funds to keep a lactose intolerant baby in the hospital and my grandmother sure knows how to take care of a baby.

I grew up with my grandparents.  I do visit my parents and siblings though.  But, from the time I can remember, my grandmother was my "mommy".  And, until her last breathe, she was my mommy.

Losing someone who molded me to what I am now is very painful.  I was only 17 years old then.  After so many years, the pain lessened.  But, it was still there.  Whenever I teach my daughters how to cut tomatoes, how to cook rice --- I remember her because she taught me all of that --- and more.

If it weren't for my mommy, I will not be here.  I will not be the mother that I am now.  I miss her so much.

"Whenever I am sad, I think of you...  Whenever I am happy, I wish you are here to share it with me.  Time may heal wounds but it can never heal the emptiness I feel when I remember you."

She's my angel...  She's my mommy.

This is for Once Upon A Sketch's May challenge.  This is the first time I made a layout for my grandmother.  I wanted something to look at and I wanted my daughters to have a face to remember whenever I tell them about her. 

I rotated the sketch as you can see below.  *grins*

Thank you for looking!

Always, Mom

Being a mom has its perks.  The sweet kisses, the warm hugs, the "I Love You's".  I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

This layout is for Berry71Bleu's challenge this month.  It's my first time to join their challenge.  Their challenge is to make a layout/card/etc. which has your favorite quote/poem/song about mothers.

My quote is "A mother holds her child's hand for a short time, but holds their hearts forever."

This Magic Moment

Mother's Day is around the corner.  This year, I get to celebrate it by being a full time mom.  This year gave me the chance to be with them and take care of them full time.  Not that I wasn't with them before, but having Ate A around and helping me take care of them, I felt that I was like a part time mom coz back in Singapore, I was not the one who prepared their breakfasts, I was not the one who bring them to school.  This year, I get to do all that and more.  It is special.  That's one of the blessings I've been thanking the Lord.  It's quite hard but it's also fulfilling.

The photo was taken from my phone but I loved it. We were on our way to their school's bush dance. They were so happy and quirky that time.  They were so excited going to their first dance.

This is my entry to May 2012 Sketch Challenge at Anna's Craft Cupboard, the sketch is shown below.

Believe... One day At A Time...

This is a promised layout for my good friend, B.  I hope that she won't kill after I post this.  Not that she doesn't want her pics posted.  She just doesn't want this particular picture.  LOL.

She would know what I want to tell her in this layout.  She has gone through a lot and I always believed that she's a strong woman who can pass through anything in her life.  She has spread her cheerfulness to a lot of people and I hope she will never ever forget that.  How she means a lot to a lot of her friends.

Love you, my dear friend.  I really hope you won't kill me because I posted this. Seriously, I love this photo of you.  Remember, age doesn't matter and it doesn't show!  LOL...

I used the sketch at my new favorite online scrapbooking store - Anna's Craft Cupboard!

Getting Cold

I seriously thought that I will have more time to scrap during the school holidays but I had no time at all.  The good news that I had after a long while was that I finally got my project going at work.

Nevertheless, I am very giddy to report that I already have WP's Everyday Poetry.  For sure, it'll be ages before I open it but I am just so contented with it right now.  I also bought Prima flowers.  It's getting scary that online shopping is becoming my therapy for loneliness, helplessness and homesickness.  LOL. 

It's Autumn here now and it's getting cold.  Sometimes I couldn't get up in the morning but then I have to prepare breakfast and my girls' lunch boxes.  Sometimes I get afraid that it's not even winter yet and it's this cold.  Can't wait for spring!

Happy Birthday to OUAS!

Once Upon A... Sketch is celebrating its birthday today!
Just finished the blog hop and the inspiration is overflowing!
Hope you can join them too!

Balloon

Bellaidea as she's known is a wonderful scrapper friend and we used to be in the SC DT together. We had this swap once where we swapped Webster's Pages papers with Scrap Cake papers. She also sent me some chipboards. And, she's celebrating her blog's 1st anniversary! I hope you can drop by her blog and greet her!

With her blogoversary, she also issued an inspiration challenge (see picture above). I was instantly inspired! Since it's very seldom these days where I get the mojo flow, I quickly cut my papers and come up with the layout above. They are all from Webster's Pages Sunday Picnic. Imagine me cutting the die cut paper (which I seldom touch on my WP packages) because I just don't have the heart. But, the die cut paper in Sunday Picnic just fit what I want to do with the layout.

I was very hooked with the gate and I wanted a similar thing on my layout. And, I knew that this photo was perfect for it!

Thank you to Bellaidea for the inspiration! Happy anniversary!

I Miss My Baby

This is my first time to join Once Upon A Sketch. I've been hearing a lot about the site but my life has been turned upside down and haven't been scrapbooking the last few months LOL, this is the second time I joined a challenge for the year.

On a scrapbooking note : do you see the "yellow-green" roses on the layout? I'm happy with the outcome. I have leftover white roses and I used my glimmer mists to color them. Love the outcome!

I found this picture of Dawter T among my stash. And suddenly, I miss my little girl. It is as if our move from Singapore to Melbourne also made her grow up fast. She has more responsibilities now. She doesn't have an Ate A to call when she wants something. She has been a source of strength for me. She's the one I talk to about serious stuffs coz I don't talk to a lot of ladies nowadays hehehe In fairness, she's old for a 9 year old. And her shoe size --- same as mine!!!

Journal :

I MISS MY BABY

You grow up too fast.

You don't ask for help that much anymore.

You tie your hair by yourself.

You choose your own clothes

or return the ones I choose for you.

I miss my baby.

Where has the time gone?

Note :

Thank you to Webster's Pages for featuring this layout! Can't stop smiling!

Ecclesiastes 9:10

I got inspired with Pamela's challenge on her blog. Her layout looked amazing!!! And, I just want to give it a try... I hope you do too!

I love this verse from Ecclesiastes 9:10. I've been feeling a bit off lately. I feel restless and a bit lonely... I feel that I am not productive enough, both at home and at work. I miss having adult company during the day (LOL!), I guess I miss my dear buddy from the Singapore office. She always know when I am feeling down and she will invite me to have french fries. LOL!

Anyway... I've been running around in circles again. I guess what I am trying to say is that it's a good reminder to do your best in everything you do. May it be with being a mom and not nag, being a good worker and try to find good solutions to work issues, or learning to drive (arghhhhh! I keep forgetting to do head check when I change lanes)...

Life will get back to normal. I just have to do everything from the heart.

Love Love

I just wanted to quickly document what my Bebi A told me on our way home from school. We're usually chatty after school while Dawter T mulls over the day (silent and frowning)...

"Mommy, remember what I told you a few days ago."

She tells me a lot of things so I told her so.

"Remember, my crush." Hmmmm... "He was not at school for a few days."

"Yeah", I said.

"He came to school today," with matching "kilig" I believe...

OMG... Where is that coming from??? She's a very old six years old in that aspect. But, I know it's just fun for her. Although it's too funny sometimes... I can't helped feel where has the time gone?

Dog

Dawter T and Bebi A came up with the title for this one. They both have been WANTING a pet dog! But, unfortunately, I am not a pet person. I do love dogs (please don't tell them!), I grew up with dogs all around the house. But, for some reason, I am not as enamored as my daughters and husband...

This dog, Pugsley, is the closest they got to touching one. When we went home to the Philippines in our 2010 vacation, Tita E's family just bought one. He's a cutie, alright! And my daughters just fell in love with him.

On the scrappy side of this post, hmmm, I finally scrapped my Webster's Pages again. I am very unsure of this layout. It seemed bare, it seemed to lack something. But, it's a step closer to getting my mojo back. LOL. I've been making small tags, cards for my March Madness projects. I am happy to be in my own world again. It seem to bring out the stress out. Scrapping does that to me. But, it's quite stressful looking for my tools, my materials in my boxes. When will I ever be able to unload them all? And, when will I have my scrappy room! Hehehe...

Happy Wednesday!

Love Bottles

If I can bottle up LOVE, I would...

Well, this is as close as I can get...

I love this Neapolitan papers from the AC Dear Lizzy line...

Love, love, love them!

The picture is not the best and the design is too simple.

My husband said it's too pale.

But, for my eyes, it's just plain love!

This will go to out very plain wall!

Hope I can finally hang it. LOL.

Life

Just want to share the cover of my March Madness album based on the sketch below.

As usual, I used my scraps coz I didn't have the guts to use my papers again. It's like I am panicking coz I haven't found a scrapbooking shop yet. *Missing MWL mode...*

March Madness

To motivate myself... I plan to join the bandwagon and start a project --- sort of like --- project life... But, I am taking baby steps and will be working on March first. I am calling it my March Madness project.

I've worked on a sketch for my cover (thanks to MS Word's clipart)... Yup, that's all I've worked on. As I have said, baby steps. I can't seem to scrap these days without a sketch. Hehehe...


Here's to a fruitful and busy March! Can't wait to get started!

Starting Over

It feels like I am in Primary school year 1 and I don't know what I am doing. But, for a few hours. It was just me, the scissors, the papers and glue. It's hard to start over. It's hard when the feeling is I can't let go of the Prima swirls, the cute papers or even the scraps. Hopefully, my next page won't be in another two months. I hope I really make time.

This layout is for Bebi A's show and tell tomorrow. It feels so bare. Maybe I should have used some glimmer mist... Hahaha... I've used some of the photos before, the last one is new, just this Christmas.

Time flies so fast. She's in year 1 and enjoying it soooo much. There are days I wonder if she'll feel the same if she was studying in Singapore.

Making Time

When my husband told me that I would probably have less time for scrapbooking once we move down under, I didn't believe him! I adamantly told him that it won't happen. But, as the days passed, I slowly became afraid coz it's happening. The little time that I have, I spend it with reading and watching. LOL.

Well, I just received a reply to my email to a friend. And, I really felt rejuvenated. After reading it, I wanted to run to the room full of boxes and open it and start cutting and pasting. Well, I probably might later. Much, much later. Thanks, Bebang! You are truly an inspiration!

The WORD

BELIEVE

I always find myself losing faith.

Most of the time, I am out of confidence.

So, for 2012, I will try to BELIEVE in myself.

And, be more zealous in my faith in the ONE ABOVE.

Happy New Year!