10 Things I love to do...

The title says it all – 10 Things I love to do that makes me a Domestic Goddess. J It is my dream to become a homemaker just like my mom. However it is but a dream because I wanted to have a career of my own too in the Corporate world. It’s hard to juggle work + family but I will give it my best to try and become the best wife and mother for my family. I listed 10 things I love doing that I believe can make me become a better homemaker.

I love to clean the house and decorate it – just my thing. I hate to see disorder and I need to always find what I’m looking for when I need it (kinda OC about this). I also love to cook good food for my husband – it gives me great joy when I do this for him. I love crafts which I know will become handy when we have kids already. I enjoy spending time with babies / kids (nephews, nieces) – I have this thing about babies since I was a kid. Sometimes I get pessimistic and think that maybe I might not be given the opportunity to raise my own baby that’s why I love all of them – Irony you know.

Here’s the layout I finished. I used my Oct nook kit again – which has the G45 Domestic Goddess collection. I used a cardboard as a base which I distress by creating those tears that I crackled and put distress inks on. Since the base is actually plain, I used 2 Tim Holtz masks. The left mask was inked with dried marigold and the right bottom swirl was inked with fired brick. And then I just layered the different matching papers.

This is the close up of the ribbon on the top right corner with the cutout birds. I’ve raised the birds with a foam tape.

Close up of the title. The number 10 is from the same Graphic 45 collection underneath the numbers 1 and 0 is another set of circle alpha’s to give it a different look. The word things is from Making Memories passport collection which I distressed with Vintage photo.

This is the close up of the photo turns and brads on the bottom right section of the LO. I love that circle die cut which I’ve cut from a square frame.

This is the small tag which I topped with a BG button and I placed the whole thing on top of the paper flower I cut from the same papers.

The crackled section on the top middle section of the page - I used scattered straw crackle paint on these and I intentionally applied it over the border. I also used flower and eyelet for the tag on the top right.

This is just to show how I used the Jenny Bowlin small alpha’s and the crackle on the corner of the corner of the photo.

I really enjoyed creating this page. I was able to incorporate the techniques which I’ve seen and learned that’s why I’ve shared a detailed description for each portion. Thanks for looking!

Cheers!
Cathy

Seafood Weekend + 1 LO

I was on leave today so I had a 3-day weekend and I thought I'd make about 3-4 LO's! I think I was dreaming... :) Anyway, I wouldn't trade it for cuddle time with Honey. Yes, that's what we did! Eat, cuddle, watch TV shows, sleep (repeat until fade haha).

But the weekend started great. We woke up early last Saturday and went to Farmer's Market to shop for seafoods! He was craving for seafoods to the extent that he's willing to wake up early. So we left at 7am with my mom, aunt and nephew. We bought tiger prawns, lobsters, lapu-lapu, oyster, crabs and squid. So how would you say we managed to eat all of it? I don't know too but we did! Talk about high blood! But kidding aside, we had a little bit of everything. Saturday lunch was the biggest. Steamed Lapu lapu for Gio alone, that's how much he likes it. Then we had 2 small sized lobsters, 6 tiger prawns and 6 crabs. It was definitely a sumptuous meal I won't forget. And now I'm kinda regretting I didn't take pictures of it! Grrr.... It would've been a memorable picture I can scrap about! Oh well... too excited to eat I guess....

So I was finally able to create one LO on Sunday morning. This is for What's Ad about November Challenge. I really liked the color combo in the Ad because I tend to go for darker tones. Here's the Ad and the LO.



I used black CS as the base and HS mask on the left corner of the photo. It has a subtle effect because the CS is already dark to begin with. I layered lots of flowers cut from the Kaisercraft Penny Royale collection.


Here's the side view of the cut out flowers.



This is Jillibean Alpha with some doodling plus border strips from the same Kaisercraft collection. I also used stickles in between the border and on some of the flower petals.

Here's the close up of the masking.

Here's a close up of one of the flowers with Heidi Swapp pink blings and stickles.

All in all, I had a really lovely weekend! Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers,

Cathy

My Shower Party & Oct Nook Kit

I was going through my printed photos late last week when I chanced upon my shower party pics! I was surprised I haven't created any LO's about it yet! But then I realized I didn't really get into actually finishing LO's until the middle of the year. :)

My shower was held at Linden Suites c/o my Maid of Honor - Cheryl last January 9, 2009. It was super fun and we totally had a blast. There were just a few of us (about 10) but we had tons of games and they were actually looking for more after about 8 games! Will definitely scrap more pictures about it in the future! :)

And I finally got my Oct Nook Kit last week - Johnny air got delayed due to the holidays or at least that's what they're saying. So I used the Graphic 45 papers there.

Here is the layout. I used the Heidi Swapp Mega Masks for the border with dried marigold distress ink (this is my next fave after Vintage Photo).

The 2 photo mats were Graphic 45 papers - Domestic Goddes and the other one top is from Scrapworks - it matched the color combo so I combined it.

These are MM alpha's which I recently got from Vivian at really good deal (Buy 3 take 2)! Yes, I shopped last week - twice! There goes my promise not to shop anymore until the end of the year! Oh well...

Thanks for looking!

Cheers!

Cathy

Project featured at INSPIRE ME Gallery

Yipeee!!! So happy today! I found out my Xmas project was featured over at the Inspire me website - this is the ning site of websters pages. I can't believe it because there are so many talented girls over there including my idols like Iris & Karola. And there's a lot of people leaving loooove there. I'm so glad I joined. :)

It's called the 12 days of chrismtas crop where for each day starting Nov 12 - they will feature an artist work and you get to do your take within 72 hours to win an amazing prize! Of course you have to use their 2009 lines for all the projects and what's not to love about their Xmas lines?

I used winter wings and home for the holidays for this project.

There's my project in the middle! :)

Last Sunday, it was Iris turn and her project was a glass art on easel. And I just happen to have an easel that's currently not in use so I decided to give it a try. In addition to the fact that we currently have no xmas decor displayed in the house. :)

Here's my take. The page is made of a 6x6 acrylic page that I have left from an unfinished project :). I inked the edges with copper and pearl alcohol inks (it's that shiny portion on the picture - sorry you can't see it that well here).

Here's the close up of the tree - i punched some xmas themed eyelets and red stickles on the flower center.

Side view of the paper cut outs. . .

Close up of the frame. I used Tarnished brass crackle paint and spread martha stewart glitter on the edges.

Here's the cut out from the winter wings collection. I just love that dangling piece. And the ribbon is just pefect for this. :)

Thanks for looking!

Cheers!

Cathy

My Mind's Eye Sketch Take

Here's a layout I was able to finish last week. This is my take on MME's sketch. In addition to the sketch, 80% MME product should also be used. So glad I have these fantastic papers that I used as embellishments and the scalloped alpha that I've had for a long time.

I just love how everything turned out! Here's a close up of the cut out paper and flowers. I used Fiskars embossed border punch - big scallop with punch outs. I just love that punch. I also applied dots of liquid pearls on top of the border cut out.

Materials used: MME Out & About, Everyday Tango and 29th Street Market Papers, Alpha (WE): Wild Asparagus Collection, Prima flowers, Fiskars border punch and MM alpha stickers.

Cheers!

Cathy

All about me - I can't live without...

All about me... just love this challenge blog. Their theme is always about reflections about yourself so you really have to dig deep inside you when you follow their prompts. For this month, their prompt is "I just can't live without..."



This was a family picture taken on our wedding day. Taal Vista Hotel setup a studio-like area where our first families had formal photo shoots with our photographer. And who can't live without family? I read different takes from the DT's and some can't live without friends, treasured tools, etc but for me it really is family. Who else knows the real you and yet accepts you for who you are? Who else is there when you need a helping hand or just a simple hug or moral support? Who's there with you through thick and thin?



My family has always been there for me, especially my Mom. I just love her so much. She's no fancy career woman but she raised us well. Really well... and for that I thank her. And now that I'm starting a family of my own, I would never forget what she taught me, especially how she stayed strong during those tough times. I'll carry that with me as I build my own... but one thing is for sure, I just can't live without my family. Period.



Here's my take. Journaling reads: Where would I be without my family?

I used Imaginisce CS, MAMBI paper, 7 gypsies ATC (transparent clock and photo background on the left), Prima flowers, naked chipboard (i lost the label), Prima flower, AC Remarks stickers, Kaiser rub-ons and bling, Gold paint, Crackle, stickles, perfect pearls, lace and a button.







The chipboard was painted with gold then I applied thick coating of crackle paint. Once dried, I applied perfect pearls medium randomly on the chipboard and applied perfect pearls and stickles on top.



Here's a close up...



Hope I don't lose my mojo and can scrap some more soon!



Cheers!

Cathy

Ad Challenge at Dotty Divas - One Love

There is an Ad Challenge over at Dotty Divas and since I am a fan of dark, neutral colors I decided to participate.

Here's the Ad inspiration...
And here's my take...


This is one of the wedding picture of ours - taken by Redfox Photography c/o Derek. Our church is in Tagaytay - Ina ng Laging Saklolo. Loved this picture so I had it printed in 5R and finally scrapped!


Cheers!
Cathy

Scrappiest Sketch #37 - Summer Palace

Yes! I was productive yesterday. I couldn't believe it either weehee. Every month, I kinda prepare a list of challenges I want to participate on and it started sometime Sept I think. But then again as the month comes to a close, whenever I look at the list, I always just complete 1 or 2, hehe. I promised to change that this month! :)

And exercise actually helped! I finally used my timeworks machine - twice last week and once again yesterday. DH is normally home late during weekdays or at least Mon through Thurs - and so I'm almost always by myself and I'm normally home by 3pm! Lots of time to kill, I know. And they're normally spent watching tv series, internet and scrapping. That's it, that's kinda my normal weekday life. And yes it does not include exercise. :)

But now that DH confirmed we will go to El Nido, Palawan on our 1st anniversary this coming January, I need to lose some of my flabs! hahaha, goodluck on that! My wedding didn't push me enough to lose weight, will the bikini do the trick? I'm not so sure about that. But at least I am trying! LOL :)

Okay back to my productivity, this is the result of my take on their current sketch challenge.

I finally used my die cut scallop paper. This was our picture at Summer Palace, Beijing. The view there was just fantastic.

I punched small butterflies on the scalloped portion of the butterly and used some of the punch out butterflies as accents to the chipboard flower (trailing). And since the butterflies are small, I also applied diamond glaze to it to make sure it's sturdy because I only glued the middle portion. The black chipboard flower is from Cosmo Criket, I sprayed it with Ranger Perfect Pearls mixed with water.

More to come!

Cheers!

Cathy

My wish - The studio 101 challenge

The challenge for November over at Studio 101 is to use the sketch below with glitter on the page (I love glitter!) and with journaling about your wishes or hopes.



I was so excited because my scraproom make over is finally finished. I'm just doing some nitty gritty organizing within the boxes I bought. I will post the pictures within the week! :)

So since I have lots of pictures from our current trip to China, I'm gonna use them often this month I guess. I wish I had some asian themed stamps for that but oh well, I'll make do with what I have.

Here's my layout for the challenge. Loved the sketch so much because it so fits the pictures!


I spread diamond Stickles on the ribbon and for the journaling, those are actually K&Co. chipboard tags that I have stored in the metal tin case for the longest time and I'm so glad I re-organized my room because they are now in ziplock bags that I can easily grab!
One of the background of the chipboard is actually dark so I covered the area with a label sticker that I inked with distress ink then I layered distressed flowers on the tag hole.


This is the close up of the design on the bottom left corner. It's a ticket from Tim holtz. Journaling:
My wish is to travel the world before I die... but I'd rather not if it means not being with you... Buy I'm so glad that's not the case bcoz you love to travel too!

Materials: CS - Scrapworks, PS - Scenic Route, Alpha - MM & Me and my big ideas, Prima flowers, Heidi Swapp Mask, Tim Holtz ticket, Liquid Pearl, Distress Ink, Fiskars border punch, Diamond Stickles.

That's it for today folks! Tryin' to finish one more layout today.

Cheers!
Cathy

New blog look!

So happy because I finally took the time to change my blog background! Whew! And I thought it'd be that hard! It was not! Thanks to http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/!

More changes coming soon!

Come to think of it, I didn't realize I've been to lots of changes lately. My scrapbook room, wardrobe and now on my blog! Wow, didn't notice that until now that I'm actually writing about it. I'm curiuos what would be next. heehee

Cheers!
Cathy

Artz de Scrap Postcard Mini Album

For the month of November our project for Artz de Scrap involves post cards. The idea is to alter an album using post cards.

I have been collecting free ad post cards found from bookstores and the ones from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf since they became available. Unfortunately since I have not finished re-organizing my room yet I asked a favor from a friend who collects them too (some in doubles – thank God!) to gave those doubles to me. Thanks Valerie!

So with post cards in hand, I thought of creating an album out of them instead of using them to alter an album! I’ve recently been inspired by Donna Downey’s workshop videos and techniques on layering with Gesso and Medium so I used that as the main technique here.
Materials I’ve used:
Gesso and medium, some paints, journaling cards, prima tape, old book and lots of stamps!

These were the postcards I’ve used.

I first gesso all the post cards – only covering the areas I want to cover. After the gesso dried, I then layered old book pages on top of it using gel medium and covered the text area again with gesso that makes it look like the old book page is actually part of the background.

Once dried, I layered more journaling cards, pictures, rubons, acetates and stamps. Lastly, I applied distress inks all over the area and bind them together using gaffer tape. And these are the finished pages.

The splash of orange on the background is from the postcard design.

This was a postcard for Visa and it says GO VISA. So I used the word GO and put a travel stamp on top of visa.

This was an ad for whipped cream and the quote just fits! I also removed some of the gesso on top of the quote to show some of the stripes on top of it.

Obviously a bag ad. I kept that bag figure on the right side and the one of the top left reads Bratpack and I replaced Brat with Bag.

This was an ad as a warning for fake passports. I circled the letters from CHINA in the crossword like square. The scroll was from another postcard and I covered the middle area with gesso and wrote my own journaling.

This is the last page which I filed with stamps. After the background has dried, I stamped a prima grid stamp all over it so there’s hints of grids over the area.

Hope you can try out this project and hop on over at Artz de Scrap blog!
Thanks for looking!

Cheers!

Cathy