FAREWELL TO ALL ABOUT ME...

... sad but true. I think I'm the last one to make the post over at the AAM blog. I'm not gonna limit my favorite to just one, as I have five AAM favorite challenges/layouts!!! Before I share my Top 5, let me just say that AAM is really special to me as I consider it one of my lucky charms. I am part of the team since it started - - and it has seen me got on the design teams of the following: Bella Blvd, Bo Bunny, Fancy Pants, Nikki Sivils, Upsy Daisy, Stamp Enjoy, Scrap That! Kits, and Color Combos Galore. AAM has witnessed my growth and discovery not just as a scrapbooker but also as a person.

I AM THE RELUCTANT SCRAPPER... but AAM helped me open up and bare and share more of myself. It has helped me give up my reluctance so I can be free...

AAM#12: The Year I was Born

Journaling: I was too nervous, but I yearned to be free. No more standing there beside the walls, I have got myself together, I'm havin a ball!


... and not just celebrate...

AAM#29: Royalty, I am a Snob

Journaling: Jackie O. would have traded the hoops for pearls, but I love that the shades and big earrings combo brings out the snobbish chic and channels my inner diva!


... but also embrace me.

AAM#15: Self-Improvement, Your Biggest Flaw

Journaling (hidden inside the kraft envelope): I always have this concept of what beautiful is - - and have forced myself to measure up to it that most of the time, I end up having short-cuts that are otherwise unhealthy and short-lived. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I have to remind myself that it is in the imperfections that real beauty shines through. Got to embrace the not so perfect me. February 2010.

I consider AAM a major milestone in my passion that I call scrapbooking...

AAM#4: Turning Point in Your Life

Journaling: Life never was the same when I started scrapping in April 2008. I'm a number person - - I have Economics and Accounting as my backgrounds - - so I myself was kinda surprised by my artistic/creative side. Scrapbooking allowed me to celebrate memories I hold most dear and document and share life's lessons. It is a turning point for me and now definitely an all-consuming passion.

... as it helped me know and discover ME.

AAM#1: If I Live to be a 100

Journaling reads: I hope it doesn't take 100 years to know the 100% me. They say it takes a lifetime to know one's self... and how long is a lifetime? 50, 80, 100 years? I do not wish to wait, the time to explore and discover me is now.

Thank you Melissa and all the DT gals for believing in me - - I do not believe in goodbyes for I am sure that our paths will cross again. I am just HERE should you need me.

Good luck and take care.

janis

WHAT'S IN THE BAG?

AAM Challenge #35 is up and I'm hosting it!!!! They say every girl has a purse/bag where she keeps what's important to her and that the contents also reflect her personality.

I'm not sure what the contents of my purse tell about me - - I just make sure that I have my wallet, coin purse, car keys, cellular phone, a pen (hey, it's a Uni-ball Signo - - good for journaling!!!! LOL!!!!), and my trusty Kiehl's tinted lip balm inside my purse all the time. Maybe it says I'm a basic, no-fuss person with a hint of girlyness - - or maybe I'm just someone who doesn't want to be caught dead without money or car or celphone or cracked lips. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's my take: It's a Pink Paislee number!!!! I was looking for papers that I feel like using for this challenge and I stumbled on this one - - my first thought was: Ooohhh, I have these???!!!! LOL!!!!!


Some details for you:

Gotta squeeze some Stamp Enjoy yumminess on my layout to emphasize the girly factor!!!! I used Mannequin 1...


and Pendule 1 to go with the Pink Paislee clock cork (love, love these two Stamp Enjoy stamps!!!)


I got to use these cork circles too (hhmmm, I still can't remember how I got these!!!! LOL!!!! Maybe I'm a forgetful hoarder!!!!!)...


.... and my trusty MS butterfly punches (I think I want to buy the monarch one, but can't find it locally. Aaarrrgghhh!!!!)


I hope you can play along with us!!!! You can see the other DT gals take on the challenge HERE.

To visit Stamp Enjoy's store, click HERE. For more inspiration on using Stamp Enjoy's stamps, visit the blog HERE.

Thanks for looking people!

janis

MY 2011 WORD

I know I was supposed to show my Top 10 for 2010 today, but I saw that our Challenge #34: On the Agenda over at AAM is already up so I made a switch.

I remembered doing a layout using Upsy Daisy where I featured my word for last year (you can visit the post HERE), and doing another one this time for 2011 came to mind for this challenge.

I used Fancy Pants' Love Birds Collection on my layout - - I fell in love with the "In Love" paper that I don't want to butcher it!!!! Love how it turned out simple and elegant - - I think I made this for 30 minutes only!!!


Some close-ups for you:

To view the challenge and the takes of my co-DTs, click HERE.

Hope you can drop by again tomorrow for my Top 10 for 2010 (tease, tease, tease!!!)!!!

janis

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that the photo was taken by my idol Jay-R Purisima. ;o) I'm gonna be using a lot of his photos on an upcoming album with Bo Bunny!!!! ;o)

SHARING SOME UPSY DAISY LAYOUTS

Just making sure that I have posted these Upsy Daisy projects here on my blog prior to blogging my top faves of 2010. ;o)

These two projects are created using A New Day Collection. The layout "I See 2 Sides of Me" was published in Scrapbooking MM last year, while the mini-canvass was made for a class over at All About Me (have blogged about this HERE).


These layouts, on the other hand, feature the Circle of Friends Collection. I didn't know that orange and pink can look good together until I have worked with these papers!!!


A Christmas layout, of course, using Hot Chocolate papers!!!


Last, but not the least, is a mix and match of different UDD papers. I have used papers from the Cupcake, Enchanted, and A New Day lines. Made this one for AAM's When I Grow Up Challenge in combination with CCG's Challenge #167.


Since I did not want to clutter my design with my journaling, I hid it using an insert.

The featured technique in CCG's Challenge #167 was pleating.

Tomorrow, I'm gonna share some Buzz and Bloom layouts so I hope you can swing by again!!!

Thanks for looking people!!! (It feels good to be blogging more often. ;o)

janis

AAM BLOG HOP!!!!!!

Today's the day!!!! Welcome to AAM's Blog Hop!!!! The blog hop will officially go live on November 3rd and will run through the 5th with winners announced on Saturday the 6th.

If you are already blog hopping with us, you probably got to my blog from Fabi, but if not and you want to play along, head on to AAM's blog to start!!!!

The Blog Hop theme is about Royalty.... of the snobbish kind. ;o) I have a photo taken by my brother which I thought would go perfect for this challenge - - and I used Bo Bunny's Cambridge Collection to bring out the edgy feel to it!!!

Journaling: Jackie O. would have traded the hoops for pearls, but I love that the shades and big earrings combo brings out the snobbish chic and channels my inner diva!

Supplies: Paper, Rub-ons, Stamp, Chipboard, Stickers, Trim, Buttons: Bo Bunny, Foam Alphabet: American Crafts, Pens: Sakura, Uni-ball, Ink: Ranger Industries, Tsukineko, Clearsnap, Liquid Pearls: Ranger Industries, Other: Twine, crystal blings, date stamp. Tools: Border Punch: EK Success.

Some detail shots for you: I had fun playing with the Cambridge Rub-ons!!! I placed them on my buttons too to dress them up!!!


Queen of Rock!!! Yeah, quite fitting for our theme right? LOL!!!!


I hope you can play along with us!!! Remember you're playing for some fun, fun prizes (Digi-doodle, gift certificate to Twopeasinabucket, free class to Scrapbooking with Symbolism!!!!) so make sure you LEAVE A COMMENT IN THIS POST to be eligible!!!

Off you go to Rani!!!

janis

DON'T FORGET...

... All About Me is having a blog hop tomorrow so make sure you drop by here on my blog or there, ok? ;o)

janis

P.S. Be making another post after this. (wink, wink)

SCRAP THAT!'s OCTOBER KIT (Part 3)

All About Me's Challenge 27: The Artist in Me is already up! I knew the challenge prompt early on, so when I received my October Autumn Rain Kit from Scrap That! I know that I must make my layout out of this kit!!!!

I used here a combination of Creme de Chocolat and Coffee Shop Glimmer Mists from Tattered Angels on my Tim Holtz Masks.

To inquire or to subscribe Scrap That!'s kits, email customerservice@scrapthat.ca

Thanks for looking!

janis

AAM's OLW

Challenge 26: One Little Word is up over at AAM! My OLW is relax - - the photo was taken last August in Bohol Beach Club during my office's Executive Conference. I am super thankful to an officemate for letting me borrow his camera and take this pic - - I didn't bring mine as my luggage is bulky already. LOL!!! I got to just lie down in a hammock by the beach during that time - - and I felt really relaxed. Don't you just wish you can be at a beautiful beach with white sandy shore every weekend? ;o)

I still have a hangover using Bo Bunny's Chunky Chips and Chunky Charms and Flower Petals and so I played with them here:

Supplies: Paper, Chipboard, Clear Alphabet, Flowers: Bo Bunny, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Tickets: SEI, Alphabet Stickers: Doodlebug Designs, Making Memories, Pearls: Prima Marketing, Opal Dust: Jo Sonja, Pearl Mica: Golden, Liquid Pearls: Ranger Industries, Other: lace ribbon, doily lace.

This was originally for a challenge over at Scrapstreet.com's Beverage Crop last week (wasn't able to submit it there though). The challenge was to use 1 hue and all the black and white that you can handle. I figured the blue would stand out more against orange. The clear alpha chunky chips from Bo Bunny were perfect so that the picture from behind would still be seen.


Flowers galore from Bo Bunny!!! Still in love too with my pearl mica and opal dust!!!!


To see the other DT gals OLW, click HERE. Thanks for looking people!

janis

OOOPPPSSS!!!

Wasn't able to post this one as I have to go on an out of town executive conference last week. This one is for AAM's Celebrate the Positive Challenge. I opted for a simple design as I was in a hurry - - turned out really fast too for I was able to do this for less than an hour.

Supplies: Paper: Crate Paper, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet Chipboard: Rusty Pickle, Paint: Making Memories, Pebeo, Stickers: SRM Stickers, Ink: Ranger Industries, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Envelope: Maya Road, Transparency: Hambly Studio, Other: bling, leaves.

SRM Stickers sponsored the DT this month so I made sure I incorporated their stickers. ;o) I got to play with my edge punchers too (I think this is my current addiction LOL!!!!) - - plus I got to use some old Prima flower stash (Prima never lets a girl down right?).

Thanks for looking people! I'm just loaded right now (as there has been a lot of work-related changes) but I do hope I find the time to really sit down and do a blog hop of my own.

Happy Friday!!!

janis

ALL ABOUT ME's 1st BIRTHDAY BLOG HOP

Welcome to All About Me's 1st Birthday Blog Hop!!! The blog hop will officially go live on August 14th and will run through the 15th.

If you are already blog hopping with us, you probably got to my blog from Mo, but if not and you want to play along and win prizes, head on to the AAM's blog to start!!!

Just want to share a layout that I have done for AAM's Crop Challenge that I'm hosting. They say one always have to have a wish on his/her birthday right? My challenge is to create a layout about you and your wish/wishes (can be birthday-related or not). The details of the challenge can be found here.

Supplies: Paper: Bo Bunny, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet Chipboards: American Crafts, Alphabet Stickers: Doodlebug Designs, Sticker: Websters Pages, Transparency: Teresa Collins Studio, Pearl Conchos, Bling Conchos: All About Scrapbooking, Pearls: Prima Marketing, Liquid Pearls: Ranger Industries, Ink: Clearsnap, Ranger Industries, Pen: Uni-ball, Others: Bling. Tools: Stamps: Prima Marketing, BasicGrey, Edge Punch: Fiskars.

Hope you can play along with us! Before I let you move on to the next hop, make sure you take note of my secret word here:


because you'd be needing it to be eligible for a prize!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for taking part of our celebration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Off you go to July!!!!!!!!!

janis

PUBLISHED WORKS FOR JULY (Part 1)

Here are some of my published works in Scrapstreet.com Magazine's July 2010 Issue:

I will be featuring the rest of my published layouts (complete with details) in my blog hopefully soon. For the time being, I hope you can come back tomorrow for All About Me's Birthday Blog Hop!!!!

Til tomorrow people!!!

janis

AAM CHALLENGE #23: MEMORABLE BIRTHDAYS

It's All About Me's 1st Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time does fly- - we have done so many challenges, have featured awesome guest designers and sponsors - - we're getting stronger than ever because of the support of our members and followers!!!!! I'm soooooo proud and happy that I am part of this family!!!!!!!!

Before I give you my birthday layout, let me just congratulate our new design team members:
Sarah Buck
Fabi Ormerod
Wendy Swenne
Nicola Booth
Azura Alyssa

These girls will be joining our returning DT members
Rani Shah
Rachel Hawkins
Maureen "Mo" Kao

And guess what? I think I just got a promotion LOL!!! I'm now a Senior Design Team member along with these gals who are part of the very first DT of AAM:
Arlene Camacho
Melissa Elsner
Donna Whalen


Okay, back to AAM's challenge: All of my life (and that spans 33 years!!!) until AAM's Challenge #23, I thought this picture was taken on my birthday. When I got it out of my album to use on this layout, imagine my surprise when I saw the date at the back of the photo: December 1978.

Supplies: Paper: October Afternoon, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Satin Flowers, Pearl Conchos: All About Scrapbooking, Chipboard Alphabets: American Crafts, Pearls: Prima Marketing, Stickers: SRM Stickers, Envelope: Maya Road, Ticket, Ink: Ranger Industries, Other: Ribbon, blings. Tools: Edge Punch: Fiskars, EK Success.

I was born in June 1977 so this makes me one and a half years old. Why would my Ma buy a birthday cake in December (NO ONE in the family is born in December!!!)? Too bad, I can't ask her anymore about it - - although knowing her, I think it's her zest for life that kicked in here. One doesn't have to wait for a real occasion to celebrate - - everyday that you spend with your loved ones, everyday that you are alive is enough reason. This just made me miss more my Ma's spontaneity, her spur of the moment antics....

Anyway, the DT girls were sponsored by SRM Stickers for this month wooohoooo!!!!!!!!! I used here Express Yourself-Everyday Life Stickers.


Thanks SRM for sponsoring us!!!! Hope all of you can play along with us because we have a lot of sponsors this month!!!

One lucky winner will receive a generous sticker package!

One lucky winner will receive a FREE e-book from Ella!

One lucky winner will receive the August Kit - Discovery - from SFTIO!

One lucky winner will recieve a prize pack from Such Sweet Tierney!

There will be several scrappy prizes courtesy of ScrapStreet magazine!

Happy 1st Birthday again AAM!!! Here's to more challenges, fun and self-discovery to the years ahead!!!

janis

AAM CHALLENGE #18: MY IDOL

AAM's Challenge #18: My Idol is already up!!! Initially, I wasn't sure if I'll go light or heavy with this prompt. I searched for photos to use, and I found this one with my Ma and had a eureka moment. Nobody comes close to her - - she's really one of a kind!!!!

I knew I wanted something girly for my layout so I looked at my Prima stash (Prima NEVER lets me down!!!!) and made this layout. For the record, this is the fastest layout I have ever made using Prima goodness (maybe because I know I was really running out of time) LOL!!!

Supplies: Paper, Pearls, Flowers, Sticker Alphabets, Pebble: Prima Marketing, Stickers: Websters Pages, Prima Marketing, Paint: Making Memories, Watercolors: LuminArte, Specialty Glue, Ink: Ranger Industries, Pen: American Crafts, Other: Ribbon, chipboard, flowers. Tools: Border Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts, Stamp: Prima Marketing.

Fly, fly, fly the butterflies...
A cluster of flowers there...


Some watercolor, pen, and Stickles on the fabric stickers...

Cut outs on the side (dress forms are really in, right?)...


Got this chipboard birdie from Iris' class. Now, I got to use it!!!! I got to insert too some stamped images on acetates (because they're last minute additions LOL)...


and I'm done!!! Hope you can play along with us over at AAM!!!

janis