Raya @ 9

Before her 9th birthday, my 2nd daughter, Raya asked me to make a mini album for her. I said that I planned to do one for her when she turned 10 like I did for her older sister Nadine last year when I made her album, 10 Things We Love About You at Ten.  She replied, why wait? She wanted one already. I thought about it and agreed, why wait? Why wait to honor anybody? Everyday should present an opportunity to let people know that you love them. Hence, I created this simple album for her. She didn't expect it. She thought I've forgotten. Teeheehee! I love this girl to bits!!

Winner!

This layout was suppose to go up last Sept 11 for the Sketch 93 reveal of Little Shop of Sketches. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to scrap in time for the deadline. Nevertheless, I decided to still create the layout since I really liked this sketch created by Ashley. :-) The layout is of my DD2, Raya who won 1st place in the Poem Recitation Contest back when she was in preschool. Glad to have finally scrapped this one. :-)

I'm also submitting this layout to ScrapFIT blog's challenge to use BUTTONS! Isn't this perfect for it? I used regular buttons of different sizes and button stamps too. :-)

Title: Winner!

Journaling: Raya won 1st place in the Poem Recitation Contest for JK. It was her first time to win and the start of her elocution prowess. We are proud of her! Feb. 20, 2009

By the way, have you noticed that I've been using my stamps lately? I'm starting to enjoy stamping as a background of my layouts. I'm glad I'm able to make use of a lot of my stamps, finally! :-)

Popsicle Blast

Finally found time to scrap yesterday after 2 or 3 weeks of non-scrapping! Hooray! Hope to start a habit of scrapping again so I can be churning more layouts. :D Here's a page using the Sketchy Thursdays 9.15 sketch and a challenge from ScrapFIT.

Title: Popsicle Blast

Journaling: You don't get to see each other very often --- about once or twice a year. But when you do get together, you always have a BLAST! --- Nadine, Raya and Alyssa with cousins Natasha and Marta, April 2011

Manila Girls - Cagayan Girls

Ooops! This post is a little delayed. There's a new prompt challenge over at Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge Blog. :-) The challenge is to scrap your birthplace and year. Since I have minimum pictures for that and needed to finish my layouts ASAP, I decided to scrap about all four of my girls instead.

Title: Manila Girls - Cagayan Girls

Journaling:
2004 pic - Because Daddy and Mommy were based in Manila when we got married, Nadine and Raya were both born there. We lived in Makati City and the girls went to girls to school there.

2011 pic - In 2007, Daddy landed a job in Cagayan de Oro City and the whole family transferred there. Mommy was pregnant with Alyssa then. This is where Alyssa and Cerise were born.

You have until the 14th of September at midnight to post your take on the challenge to be eligible for our prize this month. You will have a second chance to enter a layout for this prize on the 15th of September during our sketch challenge for September.

Our prize this month is a $25.00 gift certificate to Scrapbookers.com!!! Woohoo! Head on to the site and see what the rest of the DT has for you. :-)

Funny Face

I am so loving the challenges at Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge! For this week, we are asked to scrap something funny or humorous using this sketch:


Instead of kites and clouds, I decided to use butterflies. :-) It just so happened that I was looking for files last week and found these photos of my DD2, Raya, when she was about 2 years old. The photos made me laugh and realize that she has always been a funny little girl, MY funny little girl. :-) I love her sense of humor!

Title: Funny Face

Journaling: I was looking for some files the other day when I found these photos! You were about 2 years old her and super cute! You have always showed a sense of humor --- and we love you very much for it. Raya, sometimes 2005; Journaling Aug. 7, 2011

I have also been enjoying my stamps lately. Notice my background and other embellishments? I hope to be able to make use of them more. :-)

By the way, Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge has a DT Call. You might want to come and join us in the fun. :-) Thanks for looking!

Filipina

Another great sketch at Sassy Lil' Sketches! It might not be my reveal week, but I love their sketches that I use them even if I don't have to work on the week other than mine. :-)

Here is my DD2, Raya, in her Filipiniana costume for an activity in school. This is my take on the August Week 2 Layout Sketch.

I'm also submitting this layout for a challenge at Scrappin' Chics --- to use pennants or banners in a layout. :-)

Title: Filipina

Journaling: Raya, you look adorable in your Filipiniana costume. You make us proud! August 2010

High Hopes

There's a new challenge blog that was launched today! Anne Pennington's Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge showcases a challenge on the 15th of the month with a sketch and a little extra, and on the 30th, a prompt with another little extra. I was fortunate to be a Guest DT for the launch. Do check out their site for the challenges and join in the fun!

The launching challenge is to make a layout that tells about one's dream! In the layout, we must incorporate any two of:

• cloud
• rainbow
• kite, or
• symbols of the dream – you can use a photo or drawing that is representative of your dream.
  

Here's my layout:

Title: High Hopes

Journaling: I have simple but high hopes for the four of you. I pray that you grow up to be strong and independent women. I wish for all of you to be successful in whatever you wish to pursue. I hope that you find peace and contentment in life. I dream that you be the best that you can be and make a difference in our world. I love you all very much! Be happy!

Part of the challenge also is to include a link to a scrapbooking technique or tool video in the blog posting for this challenge. I've been a big fan of Becky Higgins and love her philosophy on Documenting Life. Here's a video I found on her blog:

Thanks for looking! Come on in and join in the fun!

Climb

Title: Climb

Journaling: I watched with pride as you climbed the 2nd time. Before that, you froze midway up, panicked and cried to be brought down. I thought that would discourage you to climb again. But no. Again, you climbed. I love your perseverance! I love your passion! I love your spunk! I love you, Raya! July 31, 2010

I just love how this layout turned out! Raya has always been my bold and independent adventurer. So I wasn't surprised when she gamely wanted to wall climb one Saturday afternoon. As she put on her harness and started climbing she got cold feet halfway to the top and started crying uncontrollably. We brought her down and soothed but after a few minutes, I asked her if she wanted to climb again, and she surprisingly said yes. My heart swelled with pride that she didn't easily give up. She went on to climb 3 more times, not really going very high up but at least she would try and not give up. :-) I am just so proud of her!

I used the 7.21 Sketch of Sketchy Thursday for this layout. Thanks for looking!

LSS: Howdy

It's time for a new sketch over at Little Shop of Sketches! I'm so proud of being part of this Design Team because all the layouts are awesome! Love everybody's interpretations of the sketch. And I've already picked up one or two design tips from each one. Great work! Here is Sketch 88 created by Anne Pennington:


I knew right away which pictures to use for the sketch and how I'd like it to come out. Doesn't Alyssa, my DD3, look adorable in these photos? This was her first time on a horse and she was brave enough to ride on her own! She just enjoyed the ride. :-)

Title: Howdy

Journaling: This was your first time to ride a horse and you insisted on doing it on your own. :-) Alyssa - 2 years old

Check out the rest of the DT's work over at Little Shop of Sketches. You'll be swept away, I'm sure. :-) And if you decide to use the sketch, upload them at our Ning site or Facebook page for all of us to see. :-) Can't wait to see your creations! Thanks for looking!

Big 7

I cannot resist multiple photo sketches! It's the best way to put more photos in a scrapping page and I just love it! So when I saw the June 21 Sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches, I couldn't help myself. Teeheehee! Here's my layout using pictures of Raya's 7th birthday party at the beach.

Title: Big 7

Journaling: You wanted a beach party for your 7th birthday. We found the perfect place. You really enjoyed celebrating your day. We love you very much! Nov. 6, 2010


For the design, I incorporated her invitation (printed on photo paper) into the layout. I also used a letter "O" as a slider to emphasize the num 7 on the inch line. I added buttons on top to accent the circle background paper. This was a fun layout to do. Thanks for looking! :-)

4 Girls

When I was still young and single, I've always thought I'd have a brood of boys. I was kinda boyish in school although not really athletic. Never did I imagine that I'd be having 4 girls instead. But I would not have it any other way. These girls are my life. :-) I used a PageMaps Sketch for this layout.

Title: 4 Girls

Journaling: to cherish, to nurture, to adore, to take care of, to influence, to pray for, to LOVE