June OUAS Sketch Challenge

I can't believe it has been a year since I was invited to be part of a new sketch challenge blog by my good friend Nadia. I was so thrilled and excited for her. OUAS has grown to be one of the most popular scrapbook challenge blog available online. With an amazing DT line up, the challenges were very inspiring and motivating. I am honored to be part of its growth.

Even though this would be my last challenge participation as an OUAS DT, I will surely play along with the challenges. I will miss my other DTs there but also excited to see a great line up of DTs that will continue to surprise the followers with their amazing interpretation of the monthly challenges.

The theme of this challenge is BIRTHDAYS. 

We would like you to create a layout and interpret the theme "BIRTHDAYS" however you like based on the following sketch. You can journal as little or as much as you like, but your layout must incorporate this theme and the sketch below. Please make sure that we see some sort of journalling on your layouts and please tell us where your journalling is . Hidden journalling is perfectly fine. 

Ideas for Journalling:most memorable birthday celebration for you or anyone in your family, the last birthday you celebrated and tell us your thoughts on turning this age, your child's/other family member's birthday and your thoughts on their age, a birthday that was a turning point in your life and your excitement/fears or other thoughts you had, an upcoming birthday for you or anyone and your thoughts, the best birthday present you ever received/gave and why?. You can also base your layout on a non - person birthday. This means your birthday theme can be based on : a pet, a business venture, a milestone anniversary etc etc. Its up to you how you interpret "BIRTHDAYS

 

 

Here is my take to the challenge:

 I have used the gorgeous Nook May kit here

**This is an international blog, so anyone can enter

**You are free to combine Once Upon A..Sketch challenges with other challenges. We don't mind at all!!!

**You are allowed to enter only layouts  for our challenges

**You are also allowed to flip or rotate the sketch or alter it to suit your needs, but please make sure its still recognizable.

**Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery and link it on the right hand side of the OUAS blog using the Link tool. Please provide a direct link to your post, not your entire blog.If the link tool is down, please leave a comment on the comments section of the corresponding challenge post and link your layout there.

** The deadline for this challenge is midnight June 30th, Australian Eastern Standard Time . The Design Team will vote and the Top 5 layouts PLUS Top 5 featured layouts will be announced soon after the challenge has finished.

**You may enter as many times as you like

**Also, please consider turning off word verification for comments on your blog.

Back and catching up

Okay so I have been away from my blog for almost a month now. Aside from work, I have been traveling for the past few weeks. We have been to Bali and Singapore to spend time with relatives and friends.

I don't even know where to begin. I arrived the other day but so afraid to open my blog because I dont know where to begin. Do I post some layouts that I did before I left? Do I start catching up with all those inspirational scrapbook blogs that I am following?

So just to start, I will post the layout that I did for the May sketch challenge at OUAS for now.

 Theme: Mum

We would like you to create a layout and interpret the theme "Mum" however you like based on the following sketch. You can journal as little or as much as you like, but your layout must incorporate this theme and the sketch.

Ideas for journalling: you as a mother, your role as a working/stay-at-home mum, sacrifices/benefits of being a mum, one day in your life as a mum, how your life has changed since being a mum, a tribute to your own mum, grandmother, guardian or someone you consider as close as your mum, your relationship with your mum or your daughter, one trait you have take from your mum, your desire to be a mum, your feelings on motherhood, what does it mean to be a mum?, what kind of mum do you want to be? , Mother's Day celebrations/traditions, your favourite Mother's Day gift given/receive etc..

Here is my take to the sketch. I remember doing this layout a day before our departure to Bali.

I had this photo printed over 2 years ago. I never had the chance to use it because of the size but after seeing the sketch, I knew immediately that I can finally use it.

I have used the May Nook kit with this layout. It arrived a bit late but thankfully I got it before I left. I love this kit so much. I am a huge fan of teal and pink together. With the Imaginarium chipboards, I was able to successfully interpret the sketch.

I know it is too late to ask you all to join the May sketch at OUAS but the great thing is, the June sketch challenge is up! View it here!

Congratulations to the next batch of Nook DTs

First of all I would like to give thanks to Leah and Pam for working so hard and giving me the opportunity to work with the best kits and the most talented ladies in this industry at My Scrapbook Nook. The last 3 years as a Nook DT thought me a lot. I have learned to appreciate and love this craft more. All the past DTs I have worked with are the sweetest ladies I have met online. They were always supportive and gracious in sharing their talent to all of us.

I decided to not reapply not because I dont want to be part of their team but because of personal reasons. I know you have all noticed that I barely post something here in my blog, and that is the same reason why I have to let go of a few things to prioritize my personal and work life for now.

Even though I am not part of their DT starting this term, I will continuously support this amazing kit club and will give them high praises because truly they are one of the best available right now. If you want something worth it to spend your hard earned money and still get the best of the best products, subscribing to the Nook kits is the answer. Pam is very generous to all the Nook subscribers, offering different kinds of great deals like grab bags, mini kits and a lot more.

For May, be a subscriber and receive June KIT for FREE along w/a FREE June Grab Bag. You only pay the shipping for your free kit and grab bag!!!! You will also receive another free kit after 12 paid months!!! That's TWO FREE kits and a grab bag when you sign up for 12 months!!!!!

Another thing, I would like to congratulate the new additions to the Nook Design Team Erika Gasser, Aleksandra Gadji, Patricia Roebuck, and Bente Fagerberger. I am looking forward to all your creations with the kits. Leah is amazing when it comes to choosing the perfect fit to showcase the kits and I believe that you will inspire a lot of scrapbookers with your work.

And to all the returning DTs, you know who you are c",) I LOVE YOU ALL. Keep up the good work! I am so honored to have worked with the best. No goodbyes because you will definitely see me here, in Facebook and of course my online home, the Nook message board.

April Nook Kit and a DT Call!

Add a little pizzazz to your story telling with the bold patterns of the April kit! Gather all the little details and keep them straight with the help of clothespins, buttons and gorgeous trims and borders! If you've got a story to tell, this kit is your road map to success! Perfect for family reunions, the guys in your life, road trips and pets- this kit is loaded with classic tom boy charm, and enough ideas to keep you creating all month!

Kit content:

Crate Paper Storyteller Paper 

Crate Paper 12 x 12 Alpha/Label Sheet 

Crate Paper Sticker Sheet 

Crate Paper Boarder Sheet 

Crate Paper 12 x 12 Tag Sheet

Crate Paper Buttons Maya Road Ribbon/Chipboard 

MME Brads 

Pebbles Inc. Clothespins

We only have less than a handful of April kits left!!!!! New members who sign up will receive the May kit for FREE and A beautiful October Afternoon Grab Bag Kit. After a year paid subscription your 13th kit will be for FREE! 90.00 Value for free! Click HERE!

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My Scrapbook Nook DT Call 

If you are interested in a spot on the Nook team, please send Leah an e-mail at

myscrapbooknookdt@yahoo.com

Please include:

name
address
phone number
link to your blog
link to your fb
and the links to your 3 favorite things you've made in the past two months.
then please tell her why she want you on this team.

She will do a call back once she eliminate 1/2 to 2/3rds of the initial applicants. 

My Scrapbook Nook Spring Blog Hop!

Welcome to the My Scrapbook Nook Spring Blog Hop! Thanks for stopping by! I am so excited to see you all here!. Before we get started please make sure that you started at Katarina's blog. You should have came from Jessy's blog before reaching me here.

Hiding among the blogs from the list below are 5 prizes and one HUGE Grand Prize! We're giving away FIVE $10 prize packs and ONE prize pack valued at $150! So be sure to leave a comment on EACH blog's post, because you never know which blogs have these prizes hidden. To qualify for a prize, comments are due by Midnight PST on Wednesday, March 28th, and all winners will be announced on the My Scrapbook Nook blog on Friday, March 30th.

For your reference, here is the bloghop order:

Katarina http://krumeluran.wordpress.com/
Carol http://carolmonson.blogspot.com/
Pam http://happytobecreating.blogspot.com/
Lilith http://lilithandscrap.blogspot.com/
Shellye http://www.paperedcottage.blogspot.com/
Nicole http://www.justnicks.blogspot.com/
Hilde http://www.scoobieslilleblog.blogspot.com/
Marinette http://www.scraptherapie.com/
Deanna http://www.deannamisner.blogspot.com/
Gina http://gingerbread.typepad.com/
Danni http://www.dannireid.blogspot.com/
Jessy http://www.teacherjessy.blogspot.com/

LG http://scrappinworld.blogspot.com/ < YOU ARE HERE!!!


Anna http://annasigga.typepad.com/
Stacey http://staceymichaud.blogspot.com/
Leah http://www.leahkillian.com/

Today, I would like to share with you another March kit layout that I did inspired by the MME sketch for this month. What's great with the Nook kits is that the kits are loaded with the latest and greatest products in the scrapping industry, always balanced and creatively designed to help you in your creative journey! We draw from a variety of manufacturers, favoring textures, patterns and concepts that compliment and enhance the paper line of the month.

By highlighting a certain paper collection for the month, it allows it's subscribers to create gorgeous projects for a specific manufacturer, compete and share their works on the manu blogs, and  build a strong portfolio for possible DT calls.

Here is the MME March Sketch:

 My take to the challenge:

Since there is no particular theme for this challenge, I decided to use this cute photo of Hannah taken during the Chinese New Year. The contrast of the colors in the photo is perfect with the color combination of the MME collection from the March kit.

Here are some close-up shots of the layout:

And here are a couple of more reminders:
Don't forget that the Nook April special is that new 12-month subscribers get the April kit for FREE and then after their subscription is over they receive ANOTHER kit for FREE! Subscribe here!!!

This month's April Grab Bag is valued at over $55, but only $10 for kit subscribers.

Guess what ELSE is happening at the Nook right now? We're having a DT CALL!!! Be sure to check out our message board here to find out more info!

Thanks for hopping with us!

The next stop on your hop is the very talented and gorgeous Anna! I'm sure she'll blow you away with another amazing project using the Nook kits! Also - don't forget to check out the Nook's DT-call! Apply! and who knows - you might be among the chosen lucky ones who gets spoiled by Pam & Leah!

Adore

Last year, Hannah was invited to be the Flower Girl, for the first time, of my friend's wedding. I was very excited for her because I know she loves doing those sort of things. She loves attention, she is one confident kid, and very charming.

I made a layout to remember her 1st flower girl moment. I never got the chance to be a flower girl so I wanted her to have this memory.

The layout was inspired by a sketch at Scrapidees. I have used Nook's October kit featuring MME goodies. All the yellow is perfect for her yellow dress. Here is a full body shot of my dd during the wedding:

I love how they accessorized her entire look. With the hat, blings and the flowers, I was inspired to accessorize my layout with the MME brads:

Thanks for dropping !

Thinking about joining a kit club-read this- you will be very Happy!

Since Feb. we have been running specials each month for new subs! 

HERE IS THE APRIL NEW SUB SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Join now and receive your April kit for free!!!!!!!PLUS A FREE GRAB BAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VALUED OVER $55.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

AFTER 1 YEAR PAID YOU WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER KIT FOR FREE! 

WE ONLY HAVE 10 MARCH KITS LEFT SO HURRY-WE HAVE BEEN SELLING OUT EACH MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE POT OF GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!

In order to receive the above special new subs must sign up for 1 year:)

A Double Page Class

I just want to invite you all to check out my double page class 

at My Scrapbook Nook!

View this class here!

March Nook Kit

Hi ladies! Did you receive your gorgeous March kit yet? I know!!!! Gorgeous isn't it? I love the wood patterns, the color combination, those cute buttons & pins, the twine, the colorful rubons, I can go on forever.

If you don't have yours yet, get one now! Check this out:

Manufacturer featured in this month's kit is MME Miss Caroline collection

You can order and subscribe to the Nook kits here!

Okay now, I am sharing with you my first layout that I did using this amazing kit. I am so in love with this kit that I wish I have two of it. I tried my best to maximize what I have so that I can create more projects with it.

I Simply Enjoy You

For this layout, I made my own background by misting different colors and stamping textured images to my cardstock. I have used Hero, Kaisercraft, MME and Idea-ology stamps.

To add a touch of teal on my page, I used my washi tape and a leftover Lily Bee rubon that I got from a previous Nook kit. I love, love, love how it made my page more cohesive. 

The patterned papers were added minimally to make the photo pop but with the cute embellishments that came with the kit, I was able to achieve the look I was aiming for.

Thanks for dropping by! I'll show you more in the next few days. One will be a double page class using the March kit.

BasicGrey + Scraplift Chain

Recently, I participated in a Scraplift Chain at My Scrapbook Nook which we have been doing for some time now. You can read the mechanics here. I love this type of challenges because you will never know what the main layout looks like until the reveal. It is interesting to see different interpretation and where each participant draw their inspiration. You can view the full reveal here.

Here's my layout:

SUPPLIES : [KISSING BOOTH] KIS-3550 Better Half, KIS-3566 XOXO, KIS-3553 Dozen Roses,  KIS-3575 Die Cuts and Transparencies, KIS-3581 Layered Banner Stickers, KIS-3584 Blank Cards

 I have used BasicGrey's Kissing Booth collection because it is perfect for that gorgeous photo of Hannah when she was invited to be a flower girl on my friend's wedding. The Dozen Roses patterned paper highlighted the event perfectly which I wrote about in the journaling.

Using Negatives

I am here to share with you a layout that I did showcasing not only some of the Imaginarium Design chipboards but using the negatives that came with it.

HAPPY

Products Used: Making Memories patterned paper, Crate Paper patterned papers and embellishments (My Scrapbook Nook Valentine Mini kit), EK Success border punch, Ranger Liquid Pearls, KI Memories stickers, Dew Drops, Glass Sand, Coloured Sand, White Inkpad, October Afternoon, Studio Calico and Shimmerz mists.

Imaginarium Design Chipboards used:

Tulip Flourish Pattern (IDFL0007)

I used the negative of this chipboard. I have purchased different small packed coloured sands from our local bookstore a while back. I knew that sand will give me the texture and depth that I wanted to achieve. By simply using liquid glue, I adhered the fuchsia sand by sprinkling over it several times until the entire chipboard was covered.

8 butterflies on board (IDS0002)

 

For the butterfly, I painted it first with several coats of white gesso acrylic paint. Then, I coated it with liquid glue and sprinkled transparent glass sand over it. I also misted some red mist and used a white inkpad to stamp on it.

 

Imaginarium Designs layout

Working on a small space limits me to get all the materials and tools that I wanted. I learned to maximize the space and the supplies I have. When I received all the gorgeous chipboards, I noticed that those negatives that came with it are as gorgeous as the chipboards. So I decided to use them as well!

For my first layout, I have used the negative of Numbers chipboard. I initially removed all the numbers on it and placed it in a plastic ziplock back for easy access when I need them.

 Products Used: Bazill cardstock, Crate Paper patterned papers and embellishments (My Scrapbook Nook Valentines Mini kit), BasicGrey transparent heart embellishment, Shabby Chic journaling spot, Gesso acrylic paint, Hero Arts stamps, Ideology Stamps, October Afternoon, Studio Calico and Shimmerz mists.

Imaginarium Design Chipboards used:

Sheet of Numbers (IDN0002)

To achieve the look I wanted, I first did several coating using white gesso acrylic paint. Then, using several stamp designs and different coloured inkpads, I randomly stamped over the negative chipboard. For the final touch, I slightly misted over it to get some small splatters. I also adhere patterned papers beneath the some numbers to emphasize that the photo was taken this year, 2012.

4 Small Butterflies with cut out wings in board (IDT0014)

The butterflies were just painted with white acrylic gesso to achieve a silhouette look.

Nook March Kit

Spring floated in on butterfly wings, dropping flowers where ever she paused and landed on an ancient wooden fence in front of a cottage full of scrap supplies, hidden away in a fairytale gloaming. Evoking all the gentle, blowsy beauty of a early spring day, this kit will enchant the senses as you pair darling pinks and florals with charm infused, country inspired wood grain patterns. This kit is the perfect blend of cute and sophisticated, pairing girlish bows of twine and buttons with elegant velvet flowers and sassy hat pins.

Here is a fantastic deal: If you sign up today, you will get this grab bag, valued $28,  for free as well:

More MME, Petaloo flowers, Webster Pages trim and binder, AC alpha and a JB stamp set

So order yours today!

Get Creative/Once Upon A Sketch Feb 15th Challenge

This month, Once Upon A... Sketch has teamed up with Get Creative.

 The Get Creative gals have come up with some fantastic interpretations of the OUAS sketch challenge, which you can check out HERE.

  This also meant that the Once Upon A... Sketch gals got to work with the fabulous sketch by Irini Liolia over at Get Creative.

This is the sketch we worked from:

And this is my take on it:

Love the grid design of the sketch so I did my own twist on it. I played with lines with unequal division unlike the original sketch. I have used My Scrapbook Nooks Valentine Mini kit.

We are delighted to see so many of you embracing the Once Upon A...Sketch sister blog Get Creative this month.  Thanks so much for playing along with each of us.


For Once Upon A... Sketch Feb 15th Challenge details and the Get Creative's fabulous interpretations, head over HERE.

a very special child

For the past 4 years we were blessed with one gorgeous and very special child, Hannah Dominique. She is sweet, smart, creative, lovable, talented, charming, thoughtful - I can go on forever. Being with her makes our everyday fun and exciting. She continuously surprises us with her wise words and cute actions.

I know most kids her age loves to do the same thing, play! But since she is our only child, playing is not so much fun if she can only play with adults. We enrolled her to school at the age of 2yrs and 2mos so that she can mingle with other kids.

For most parents, they will find this too young to let their kids go to school. We received lots of concern messages back then telling us that she might end up losing interest in school at early age. We did consider that thought but at that time we saw Hannah enjoying a lot of things like painting, reading and learning a lot of new stuff that was why we decided to go for it.

We were surprised when her teachers told us that Hannah is an interesting kid, advanced for her age. Unlike others, she loves vegetables, she loves to learn, she kept asking question, very attentive and conversational at school against other kids that are older than her. She has a mind of a 7yr old - once told by her teachers last year.

To date, at the age of 3, she has 6 gold medals. Medals from Art, Talent, Physical, and Speech competitions beating kids who are 1 to 2 years older than her. She made us very happy and very proud. She is the best thing that happened to us.

Alive and Catching Up

Yes people I am still alive. I have been busy with work and Hannah's school activities that I felt like I neglected my hobby way too much. The only thing that is updated is my Project Life spreads but wasn't able to photograph from Week 3.

Just an update, Hannah got 3 medals for the past 4 weeks. Now, we are preparing for her school's mini Olympics this Saturday. I have also booked our Disneyland HongKong trip this April for Hannah's 4rth birthday celebration and our Bali -Singapore 3 weeks trip this May.

Glad to say that I was able to scrapbook last weekend. I left my daughter at my parent's place so that I can scrap. Pathetic? but I need it! I was able to finish 5 layouts last weekend and 1 yesterday. It felt real good!

Today, I will only share one layout because I'm afraid that I might not be able to create anything again with such a busy schedule. Here is one layout that I did using My Scrapbook Nook's Valentine Mini kit featuring Crate Paper's Paper Heart Collection:

I adore this mini kit! This kit comes with a great card class which is still available so grab one now by clicking here.

 

I have been loving negative space designs lately. I love how everything comes together so quickly which is what I need with the limited free time I have.

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Get your Yee-Haw on with the February kit! You’re gonna love the faded blues and lazy calicoes as they work together to wrangle up a perfectly vintage country scene. Mellow and sweet for cowpokes of all ages, this kit will keep you going for days whether you have country inspired photos to scrap, want to say “howdy” to your friends with homemade cards or just want to add that something special to everyday shots!

October Afternoon/Sasparilla- 12 double sided sheets
October Afternoon/Sasparilla- Flower Sack
October Afternoon/Sasparilla-Journal Cards
JB Ribbon
American Crafts Alpha
Handful of Wood Mix Buttons

By subscribing to My Scrapbook Nook kits, you will get this awesome $28 value grab bag:

3 Matching papers from the MME Howdy Doody line
5 yards of twine
1 Rub-on
1 Journal card
1 Webster's 12" Rose ribbon
1 JB Stamp
1 Handful of Buttons
1 Petaloo flowers
1 Webster's binder ring
1 American Crafts Thickers