All of the photos speak of love

our photos really speak of love,.. dont you think so ?

more lovely pictures of our pictorial

These photographs as seen here, i feel really completes my life -- with the kids growing up and us embarking on a new phase of our lives in OZ -- its good to see wherever our feet takes us --- hand in hand and with love in hearts together we will be!

Was there ever a doubt

If anyone can capture the kind of pictures I wanted and to guide my childrend for great shots -- it would have to be JEFF LOPEZ,..

I dont need to even say anymore -- let his pictures speak for itself,....

What happend to day

Sooner or later I pack my bags to leave and this blog will be my only link to my friends of over 5 years to let them know I am still alive and kicking (you know who you are girls --- my smiles are longer than the Chesapeake Bridge because you guys have AFFECTED my life here in Manila!),....

so this is todays update:
* my talented friends Jeff and Pia made chaga to look for shots for us West grove gardens today -- I wholeheartedly thank them for being patient, for being creative today, to try and extract good smiles from the kids. The pictorial today.... we have deviated from posed shots -- I wanted to catch the kids in their element and give them the space and environment to be their real selves,...I got my wish in several shots I wanted to get and truly JEFF Is a whiz at getting those sought after shots! -- ty friends --- see you in SYdney soon -- tutuloy natin plano mag photo shoot in the Harbor and all the picturesque sites of Sydney. Will post the pics very soon !

* we took Jerome to SM today because he caught as we wanted to leave for the mall. He was fine the whole time we were buying shoes for the boys at Florsheim -- we got Jorels undies and off we went for the queue of the train. He went there but the day must have really tired him out. He chucked a tantrum as we told him we were leaving after the train ride and man, I had to carry him for 30 metres,... complete with screams and uncontrollable tears,... I hope Jeromey these episodes don't happen anymore == pls cooperate. Pls help mom adjust to life with no YAYAs,... I need more patience I know -- I need more tolerance when my children chuck little fits.. I need strength to be super mom !

SO god help me pls.

short and sweet ppl !

things are looking up

First my super thanks to those who texted left messages emailed and all --those who I didnt think was reading my notes and getting all concerned about my current predicament,.. you guys certainly made me feel so special ----- you took a weight off my shoulders just by being there -- lending a hand and even just telling me-- its going to get better and it has ! you know who you are -- need not mention your names,.. makes me feel so special to have friends who such generous hearts to seek you when you're down,..

So ok how do I know its looking up here goes... --- I opted with a heavy heart to stay with my family today -- I popped over the EB for only 30 minutes to say hi and hello. The results,.. it was a happy day because:
1) hubby was feeling down yet at the end of the day my father inlaw said he will be back in Manila (from Roxas City) to see my husband off for the Sept 7 EB.
2) MIL now volunteered (without the urging of my FIL) to accompany us to OZ on OCT 25 even if she knows my mom will accompany us. Ay kahit di sya touchy feely person I hugged her talaga (my MIL has quirks too like my mom but I love my MIL !)
3) My MIL has started asking more questions about why we decided to leave separately than leaving as a family together. As I explained she understood how efficient for Patrick to go ahead, look for work and look for a place. I know they have different opinions but I am thankful they are asking -- the hardly ask questions...
4) More concrete plans that my inlaws will come over to Sydney in the summer to see how we are doing (FIL, MIL, maybe BIL and my nephew)in Sydney on our own.
5) WE feel more the idea of them accepting our migration (even if I joked with MIL if she would miss us -- sabi nya hindi eh pero she wasnt looking at me and she did say she would visit more often now),... and our desire to try it out without house help etc,....

Now I am happy because hubby is happier and he has less stress with his parents coming along our departure,.... haay buhay nga naman no,...

i have been tagged so heres it!

I have been tagged by my beautiful friends and since its been going around for a while now -- I need to get back at this and find girls that havent been tagged,.. sorry fairly slow and new at this !

Its been a roller coaster alright !

I am not a moody person but the past weeks I have been in that predicament,... I worry for my hubby being away from us -- how he will cope without me, to sort his things to help him start off in Sydney,... and still, I worry for me too... In our 7 years of marriage I have been only apart from him 2 weeks at the most and that's was when I had to go Sydney for mom's 60th,... But with Patrick leaving and here I am left with the kids -- it bugs the hell out of me that he will be going ahead.... worse he won't even be here for my birthday ! In the 10 years I have known him its only but once he missed my bday -- this will be the 2nd time,..... I am still praying hard that we can settle fast in Sydney, so all that comes in -- him finding a job, finding a flat/townhouse, sorting our finances, buy a van,...

Worse we are packing atleast 14 boxes of stuff and imagine I have to unpack them too over there and find a place for them in the house we choose,.. am so overwhelmed just thinking about it,.... then I have to do house work, care for the children, cook and all -- haaay naku i need to fix the breaks on all this apprehensions ! breathe in, breathe out,...

Anyway this my daily vent -- forgive me for who ever reads it if am ranting repetitively -- I need to let this out.....

Anyway, just to balance things -- Patrick and I are talking more about what we want to happen, splitting of chores and to have the understanding that we can't have everything PERFECT -- so he just needs to bare with me and to help me anyway he can... I am glad that's brought out something good.. He isnt even too preoccupied with finances because am reading up on Family Tax Benefit to assist us in raising the kids in OZ,.. whew !

I havent posted my kids pictures in a while so here are the 3 princes of my life ! (gorgeous boys I might add !)time flies they have grown so fast

Never had a week like last week

As far as I can recall I don't have have bad weeks -- the type that starts bad on Monday and caps it off on a Sunday,...

Last Monday, Jacob started getting warm and I had already predicted a fever coming on,.. so right I was. I am just thankful he was stilll a little of his active self and still consistent at driving me crazy through out the day. Tuesday night, Jerome slept early and I had felt that same warm feeling on him, later that night he was burning up too... He also was as active as ever Wednesday morning. I sensed the change in Jorel and true enough he was running a fever too. Jacob was okay Wed morning but woke up limping and crawling. My hubby and yayas were worried for Jacob but his kicking and antics -- I knew there was just little bit of ARTE' in that episode. I worried more for the Jorelli boy.

We decided to brave the storm and flooded streets to go to Makati Med all the way from Sta Rosa(the ff day we found our tire super flat and so am thankful it didnt happen Wed in the storm with the kids in my car). By God's grace we made it and wow what a miracle, there was not much ppl in the ER but as usual residents took their sweet time and gusto nila sunod sunod ang kids to check up..... but I insisted that they look at them each the same time. You could tell I was losing it because my patience wasn't up to par and if you tell me to have tolerance that day -- I would probably be so unladylike to cuss in desperation (and I did you know, I was really losing it). They even were silly to ask me who is going first -- hello, medical school should tell you take the one that needs immediate attention has to be first right...... and it was the baby that had high fever --- they had the hide to ask me pa!Sorry I like to whinge but I am no doctor but I thought that was common sense,.. haaay no sense of urgency ito nga ako PANIC MODE NA !

They gave a Dolan dose to my baby to lower the fever (dosed off after) and I was glad he was a little more calm now since he vomited in the car and was crying just before we got to Makati Med. Jacob was brought to Xray and the boy cooperated in having an impression of his feet, 2 times pa ha and so I was just glad he was a good boy for once! Jerome well -- the trooper wasnt even down during the time we were at the HOSPITAL,... He was even charming the doctors, hugging them and showing off,... So you can tell by now the MOMMY is smiling already and has sighed with relief !

So goes 12k on our local tickets to Roxas City, we had to cancel our pre planned vacation to spend time with my inlaws because I just couldnt gamble flying the little one with high fever. I was afraid he would have a convulsion so I just conceded. Jorel was better Thursday night and I slept much better with the 3 boys Friday.

With the cancelled trip Patrick and I did our errands, get our tv repaired, pick up stuff, go to Bazaar and stock up on winter clothes for the 5 of us. On Sunday we picked up our bbox supply from Las Pinas and as Patrick did a 3 point turn, we scraped the back side of our car. OH what a way to start our day,..

WE decided stop by at the bazaar again to get my tracksuits. Patrick dropped me and Jacob off at the entrance and he tried to find space. So he checks in at 10:38.. I picked up my purchases within 10 minutes and Patrick asks that we leave. I told him to get his track suits as well and so he agreed to stroll around more. After all that we came back to my car at 11:20. The DVD PLAYER for our car and its monitor was gone, our 14 inch tv we had repaired gone. Even the deposit of our Yayas of P1200 gone (we are helping them buy nokia fones).

We were in utter shock. We were in the same spot the the day before with the DVD there - with another TV in the boot and nothing happened. We were in even gone longer on Sat than on Sunday. I am ok with my TV gone kasi that was bought 10 years ago and it has served it purpose, however the DVD set was a gift from my parents from OZ . My father gave it to the boys, so they won't be bored during traffic in Manila in our car.

I left there with a heavy heart, what on earth was security for when you don't get it when you need it most ! Police report -- blotter -- what is its purpose ? -- its no way to lead to culprits. Worse they force open my car lock so that needs to be changed now. We felt violated, we have never done any wrong to others -- why does it have to happen to us?

I sat down to think and reassure my husband who is clearly more affected than myself. I had to reassure him that we were saved from those ppl. Had we gone back to the car after 10 minutes we would have stumbled into them. It would have been a dangerous situation for my hubby and my son. (I remember years ago when my friends and I were in a brawl and I was fighting too or trying to push -- I never thought of my safety then.) And had situation like that erupted I would fight back to shield my son. It was good that hubby decided to extend our time in the bazaar because it would really present a really bad situation. Those little decisions ensured our safety.

It was a dark week for us -- lack of sleep, loss of belongings but with GODS divine grace, he covered us with his mantle of protection and shielded us from any harm..... am still thankful.. am still glad we are ok.

We have lessons now to take with us and now i can go back to preparing our things for our upcoming migration to OZ.

In hindsight, I think lucky pa rin kami -- even this trip -- is now fully supported by my inlaws -- I still am in disbelief as to how they really give us their all to ensure we make it in OZ. I am even now focusing on how the kids will cope with the change. Patrick and I now don't even worry about finances in OZ because somehow the gov't will give allowances for my children and myself. The inlaws even gave us a generous BAON to take to OZ so for now we just concentrate on how to cope with just the 5 of us with no help in oz.

Thank you lord for always being there for us.

tick tock tick tock

Time is of the essence,... its been swiftly passing me by oh so quickly and i have so much to do and so little time to do it,...

these are the questions that are lingering in my head right now..

Can I leave my friends to go off to 24/7 domesticity in OZ LAND?

Can I park my wings to fly for a year again to get used to being SUPER mom ?

Can I shelve my daily routine, scrap, surf and play with kids -- the first two will disappear surely !

Can reset my scrap room again in OZ? Will Patrick buy a PC immediately to maintain my sanity?

Will my kids be good and answer to moms requests all the time?

Will I do voice modulation daily to cope with my hyper active rugrats ?

All this and more.... how do i deal with it -- I say a little prayer to our lord to ask for strength, for patience and a new set of friends to help me cope with the sudden changes to happen in my life in OZ......

I havent been posting because my mind is just into the moving biz -- so I don't really wanna bore you readers out there...much like what I am doing now to you guys hahhahahhahah !

Scrappin Moms Idol Contest

This upcoming challenge was thought about at length. Based on the feedback from last Scrapfest, as much as we wanted to teach and give people an action packed day, it really stressed people out. And since Scrapfest is well known for a fun day, we wanted to maintain that spirit in this event. Learning is very important to me and I am hoping the learnings from events will ensure we keep that focus on future Scrapfest events. Feedback is very important and we take seriously the plans we make, around those vital comments. It is my hope that the next event, its location, its projects and challenges will surely make the scrapbooker say, 'I attended a great event and enjoyed the whole day'.

The Scrappin Moms IDOL is to display the creativity and artistry of theFILIPINO scrapbooker. It is to show our innovativeness in creating our layouts, our FILIPINO 'flava' in putting together our art (distinct from others). It will also show our resourcefulness in coming up with ideas that is uniquely FILIPINO.

The FILIPINO scrapbooker is ready for such a challenge, because little by little those who never dreamed of joining, or even the mere thought of showing their layouts are slowly coming out. Whats more, I see people asking for objective comments on their layouts. The scrapbookers are now braver, more challenged to try and improve. In any challenge, there is always the desire to win, the desire to be selected, but with the boldness to join, comes the strength to say "OK, I didnt win however, I look at the compliments I received and bottomline, this is my legacy. For whatever reason I finished this layout, at the end of the day, I took a page in my own history for my family to see one day. I won't forget too that I enjoyed the process creating a page in my history books... "

SO how can I say that ? I recently joined some challenges, 'not so successful yet', but that didn't damper my spirits. I know I didn't need anyone's comments to keep me going, but it's a great pat on the back that total strangers appreciated my layout. I don't need to be the best or the winner to feel like a winner. I feel that if those people took the time to look at my layout and made an extra mile to message me -- then I am a winner. So I dare say, even if challenges/contests aren't my thing, if one or 2 contests interests me to join and then I will. If I win that's an added bonus. If I don't hey thats A-ok.

Here is the annnoucement to our contest:
Announcement: Scrappin Moms IDOL 2007
The Scrappin moms group has grown in leaps and bounds. We have witnessed our dreams fulfilled. We are overjoyed for the success and recognition of our home grown talents gracing the US sites.

I recently joined the challenge bandwagon and all the challenges I had to go through (booted out for votes anyway), I realized our scrapbooking industry needs a great challenge for our talented scrappers to sink their teeth into. I know you guys love Scrapfest and what a way to really make Scrapfest more inviting is to have a series challenge contest.

I know you talented scrapbookers are ripe and ready, with some of you winning challenges, braving to join them or even considering to show them your artwork. To me that's a great big step for our young group……. I feel you guys are ready. so here goes….

We are working on a Scrappin Moms Idol series contest. What's in store is an 8-week challenge for all you scrapbookers out of there! Each week will feature a new, different and exciting challenge. At the end of the 8-week challenge, finalists will emerge for a final showdown at the Scrapfest on Oct 6, 2007. A chance to be a guest DT awaits the Scrappin' Moms Idol winner. What's more you can have a chance to take home gift certificates, scrapbooking goodies as the winner of the this mega contest.

Watch out for the final announcement on August 1 at the Scrappin Moms site and the August issue of Scrapbytes!.

So I think to try is to test your own capabilities, to attempt is your own personal challenge, and to win is icing on the cake.

SO are you game to try the challenge ?!!!!!!!

This competition will be judged by the Scrappin moms team and Ms Iris Uy.




Joanne Yap
http://www.scrappinmoms.net/
http://www.jothescrapaddict.blogspot.com/

Its been a busy past weeks for me

I have been dreading packing and unloading stashed stuff in cabinets and awfully glad I have my trusty yaya belle to push my lasy B**T to move and sort things out.. this week are my clothes - the shoes and bag done, the toys of the kids and the junk we accumulated like --- paper bags from trips, magazines, old college stuff and some other knick knacks I picked up over the years..
Other than that, we have been doing meetings for WM, doing projects and doing scrapping for my clients and not to mention an online challenge at Scrapbook playground I blindly joined in (ay naku never again),... this is too much for a girl like me!

the next few weeks will be the same with my sister Jovy and her family coming also with my mom! Haaay where has the time gone hey ?
Here are some of my layouts to show for:


************NOTE: The 3rd layout went for a review of title position -- my friends suggested to reposition the title to give life to my photograph -- hahah i found my Aussie glue is repositionable bec of that suggestion.... It looked better too ! ty April and Liza, you guys are teh best !

Sexy Mommy AU tagged me

Au tagged me and here are my 7 random facts:
1) I dont eat vegies a whole lot but I love Okra, brocolli and mushrooms -- the kind of vegies not every one likes.

2) I scrapped the left side of my face so near to my eyes because at 12 years old I was going through my 'tomboy' stage and wanted to be a BMX stunt rider. I made a 'rampa' and landed just underneath our fierra and I came home covering my face. To my mom's dismay, I even put a hole on a new fave top I had just gotten for the holidays from Cinderella.

3) When I left Australia in 1997 I had over 50 pairs of shoes about 30+ hand bags and 2 closets full of work clothes and kikay outfits . I only managed to bring some and kept some of my work suits -- pity the blazers are the only things that fit me but the skirts --- it wont even go up pass my knees hmph!

4) I love make-up -- in my early 20's I would try everything knew Lancome YSL, Clinique, Clarins, Christian Dior, Shisheido, Revlon, Max Factor. I even bought the same color lipstick from Lancome in the color of Brun Sepia each time.....However when I had quit my job to live in the Philippines, I had to down grade to Body Shop and L'oreal... now I am getting my groove back and like Bare Escentuals, Face Shop.... a little bit in my present budget hhahahaha! Because all my $ goes to my scrapbooking !

5) I met my husband in the Philippines and I had met him nearly the same time as another guy who I had the biggest crush on. This guy didnt bother to notice me during our conference. When I came back, Patrick picked me up in the airport. And everytime the other guy asked me for a date I would say I would say I was busy because I was always reserving special days for Patrick!!!! Bad no ?

6) When I was young I wanted to get into Fashion Design or become a make up artist. I guess its never too late for that huh? However, I would rather go for the latter, since I can make good money for that in OZ.

7) Not everyone knows I can't handle money! I can spend it but cannot save it. Give me cash now and I can burn it easily. Give me a credit card and I can shop till I drop with it... I ran up cc bills at a young age because I love shopping .... I even had to refinance or transfer my cc bills in one personal loan one time because I had stretched my balance to the max.. did that stop me using my cards ... NO! The only time I had been successful in saving money was before our wedding in 2000 and I had travelled back and forth to OZ to visit my family. I would make paper tole art in 3d and sell them 3times the price. I had money for my shopping and money set aside to contribute to our wedding fund I was able to raise 100k for our clothing budget, gowns for the girls and barongs for the boys! After that ASA ka pa.. that's is Patricks job to save for our family bwhahahahahha!

Oh ayan,thats my revelations bwhahahhahah !

One good layout

I am a slow scrapper and when I dont like something about a layout I take off and do something else.. but this situation was different... I tried my hand to join one contest bec it was a previously planned layout -- i loved this flower and sketched its shape and I started sculpting the insides.I wasnt sure of the results but I wanted it dimensional and real looking,..
I am not a contest person -- its not the high I thrive on... I am super happy I finally scrapped my fave wedding photo of me minutes before becoming MRS. JOANNE YAP -- its a photograph with a 'perfect smile'... I knew I was going to a new phase in my life and I knew I was really nervous but it was a smile of longing to experience the rest of my life with my soon to be husband.

Now 7 years later I finally was able to put in a layout -- I had planned a simple cardstock type layout but haaaay I fell into my Basic Grey trap and made a Scarlett's letter page. FOr some reason these papers really make me sink my teeth into it.. I am even finally realising I like this better than URBAN COUTURE..
Oh well -- win or lose -- this layout is a winner because finally the procastinating scrapper that I am did something I wanted to do,.. so one notch off my many to do list !

BG layouts

I havent had the time to share this Basic Grey layout ... lots of precision cutting here -- somebody wack me over the head and let me change styles... Would you believe these were left over pps from the previous layouts -- sayang I said so I forced a layout to utilize the nice patterns of BG. Some took time cutting but anyway -- it jazzed up simple and older photos of Jacob and I..... not bad for a forced hand on a layout huh ?
This layout was a little struggle. I had this 8x 10 of Jorel's pic and the printers cut the head so I thought a circle cut on the photo will do the trick. My well meaning friend said matt it -- 'ooops!' they told me after I had finished the layout already so I just whipped out the Sakura pen and freehand wrote black outline on the edges. Messssyyyyyy but it was great way to salvage a beautiful photo after it was printed after a good suggestion was given.... Let see if the BG ppl like this..

(Credit to Tito Jeff for this great photo of Jorellie boy)

Layouts posted

I haven't really posted new layouts recently so heres my Cherry Arte Layouts (times 2).


I enjoyed this no mess no stress layout. It was really a cut and paste process.. and glad to use photos of Jacob that I have lying around...
This one loved so much too,.. I dont use this green that often bec it reminds me of grass and trees.. but his outfit called for such Cherry Arte papers.. It was a fluke that it matched -- or more like I forced it to match. I lifted some of the titles so it ll have more dimension... Jerome is such a cutie here (ty to Tito Jeff for getting a great shot of him !)

I smile to see this email in my in box.. ok a little excited too!

hi ms joanne,

the scrapfest on good finds will be aired on:

june 07- thursday at 8:30pm

and replays on:

june 09- saturday at 2pm
june 11-monday at 12:30am.

should you have any more question, do not hesitate to ask.

thnks and God bless!!!
Camille M. Javier
Executive Producer for Local Production
Lifestyle Network (Creative Programs, Inc.)
Tel: +63 2 415 2272 loc. 3207
Fax: +63 2 415 2272 loc. 3167

Check out my Slide Show!

Mama' mothers day layout

All mom said about my layout was WOW!
What can one say,.. am the only scrapbooker in the house and they must think that I am the best (walang silang alam -- I belong to a group of scrappers oozing with great talent here !)

I revived the dull colors of Scrapworks Botanic Burst and was able to unearth Mama's beautiful photograph taken at my brother Josef's wedding In Australia... I would love to look like this 30 years from now too ! A lot of fancy precision cut and 3d flowers here but then again, thats my forte -- I flowers and 3d dimension....Here is Lourdes De Leon Figueroa -- Aged to Perfection...

Scrappinmoms blog for your SHE layouts

http://scrappinmoms.blogspot.com/
Here is the link for the inspiration series of the SHE layout we did at Scrapfest.

I am hoping people will pay it forward and send to us at inquire@scrappinmoms.net there own take on the layouts to provide insipiration for others. We will be glad to post it and share with every one ! There are many more titles that are apt for everyone woman's personal journeys.... pls pls try it girls !


I would love to see also your decorated photoboxes to again show case to every body !


Kindly go to the scrappinmoms blog and see great layout takes of the SHE layouts, mine are totally simple layouts but the girls' versions of these layouts are simply sensational !

Working Mom challenge for all scrapbookers

I am so happy about this challenge, pity I cant join.. but I am excited for the scrap community for this -- I cant wait to find out who wins !

Working mom’s layout contest

Theme: QUALITY TIME
Description: What is your favorite everyday activity with your child?
* Remember the photos should not be of big vacations, just something "ordinary" that both you and your child look forward to doing every day. This moment should be those we term as ‘Mommy time’.

This challenge is open to ALL scrapbookers no exception .
If you would like to join and are not a mommy (just yet), you can scrap about a mom and her child.

Guidelines:
1. It can be a one page layout in 8x10 0r 12x12 or a spread (2 page spread is one entry)
NOTE: One entry per person only.
2. Please submit with the layout a short profile
a) your name
b) name of child and age
c) In 1-2 sentences, explain why you feel scrapbooking helps you as mother

3. For those who are scrapbooking another person’s photographs, submit your layout with a short profile.
a) your name
b) then name(s)of the person you are scrapbooking about
c) in one or 2 sentences, explain how scrapbooking has helped you as a woman .

Instructions for posting your entries:
a) please email photo jpeg of layout to dedet.panabi@gmail.com
with "WORKING MOM SCRAP PAGE CONTEST" in the subject line.
Rename the jpeg files of your layouts using an alias’/nickname/code name
e.g. Joanne Yap’s codename is jothescrapaddict

b) post your layouts on or before the deadline of June 15, 2007

PRIZE: TOTAL MAKEOVER courtesy of Working Mom magazine
1 salon makeover (hair cut and hair color)
a set of makeup
a set of clothes and consultation with professional stylist on the best clothes for your body type

Important information * please be aware that winner must be willing to appear in the magazine.

Criteria for judging:
20 % for techniques
20 % compliance to requirements (theme of Quality time)
20 % photo quality
20 % journaling
20 % overall impact

Extra Tips:

1. please include PERSONAL journaling, not just a quote. it doesn't have to be perfect writing, as long as it's YOURS.

2. you can write about any everyday moment, any way you want to, but if you're TOTALLY STUCK, try these triggers:

do you have a special routine that nobody else knows or can do the way you do? (for example, i always put my little boy to bed, but only i know how to stroke his hair a particular way na he'll actually get sleepy.)

what side of you only comes out when you're with your kid? then pay attention when this side usually emerges -- what routines, what rituals? how does that moment "transform" you? why?

you don't have to use a recent picture. you can scrapbook your kid's baby photos (even if your "baby" is already in high school!). it can be a nostalgia piece: "my favorite moment with you when you were a baby was..."

if you wanted your child to remember one thing -- and one thing alone -- from this week, what would it be?

The competition will be judged strictly by the Working mom editorial team.
And winner will be announced shortly after the JUNE 15 deadline.

Check out my Slide Show!

Scrapfest revelations

I just want to think out loud & randomly write this so when ppl come across this, they will know just how happy I am ... random thoughts after Scrapfest.

1) we are getting too big now --- having 115 participants in one roof is no joke to organize (but do know it was worth to see the great smiles, and the great work they displayed --- that will leave a lasting impresion on me),.... I think bigger venue or go exclusive to say 75 ppl? Working mom wants to help us on the next one hmmm but I won't be here then --- I hope April and the rest of the group would like to do it still....

2) I finally saw how hubby supports me in my hobby. HOW? My driver didnt arrive that day and he had to quickly eat and dress up to drive me. Not only that, He helped April and Ria set the tables that day (the tables were tight but I think scrappers were just keen to scrap so its one thing they can overlook).

3) Scrappers now are more serious and more scrapconcentrated on their art. I know we stressed them to the max with all day challenges but they knew it was day of scrap --- as in sit and scrap! A little different from the usual EB atmosphere. We didnt want to just go there and burn money, its one of those days we tested their creativity levels... and really sink their teeth into the challenges. I hope those who didnt join will continue their 6x6 layouts so that they can make their own mini books in thier photo boxes. I was moved to tears to see their photo boxes kasi in truth pinangarap ko yun when we were conceptualizing and to see them decorated and mind you my sample was just oh so simple -- their photo boxes looked so great ! Even under time pressure ! Iba talaga ang PINOY -- world class !

4) Nothing like winning and seeing tears that follow... Maybelle NGO our Scrapfest Challenge winner tug my heart as she became my no. 1 in my top 5 -- I had no idea my partners thought same. IT was her first time to join and win -- I think its a great example for people to keep trying and keep honing their craft -- to be in it, in order to win - NOT to join is a cop out..... but if you join and not win -- that's perfectly fine -- at least its better to have tried than not to have tried at all.

5) April and I have been doggone tired for weeks (mas pa sya I think kasi she works pa) but to see the smiles on their faces, to see their work --to me its one great fantastic high,.. call me a masochist -- i like to see some sort of pain to see smiles, to hear laughter and to see great layouts.

6) Media is finally noticing our hobby... that makes my smile BIGGER than big.... I am super glad that Ms Letty Lopez came to cover our event.. and if she writes about it in PHIL. Star, pardon me by saying this --- but I will be 'tickled pink'.. I dare not ask.. sana lang fingers crossed. Pero I have you know --- I have been courting her to attend our event... for the past 2 events I would send pics and article hoping one day she would entertain the thought of going or writing about us ---- and finally with a little patience she emailed... GOD is good... 'pag may tiyaga may nilaga....'

7) I love my friends, even if we asked them to help us -- twisted their arms to make 6x6 layouts for sampling, even if we started shaky on directions ---- I still appreciate it immensely they took out the time to inspire others. RIA, PIA, IRIS, LIZA, Cabbie, NINA, EMS, MAYBS, Kit-- your talent truly inspires others. Thanks for your time, your valuable inputs and your work of art. I will certainly never forget this.... To Nina, who went beyond the call of duty ---- who really made herself available that day -- thank you from the bottom of my heart ! To PIA especially who rushed her 6x6 layouts,... not only is it good -- I didnt even realised it was rushed. I know you and Jeff have so much work to do pero ty for giving it time... Jeff for helping us all the time Scrapfest -- big ty to you too... I hope I can help you in some way in the future!

8) No matter how well or how good you plan an event -- it will not be as how you envisioned it to be... we had to do embossing and we had no embossing gun or powder to use haaaay.... Its hard to demo too many layouts -- if we demo next time -- we again came away with this with better learning -- demo less amount of layouts and incorporate techniques in one or 2 layouts,... I thought the display samples were to be ignored... NO -- they appreciated it. In fact they wanted more to because they needed a basis....They liked the inspiration series too, of different scrappers too (we will fix the blog to publish the layout samples for ppl to continue on the SHE layouts). The ladies noted too the newsletter of instructions are good.

9) I realised too we are just mere scrapbookers passionate about our hobby if we want it to be bigger we need professionals to help mount the event.

10) I am glad ppl found the cost of entrance not so steep because we made sure it was value for money and definitely FUN! Even better I found new girls Marianet Ngo and her SIL fussing over my sizzix machine only to find them newbies who blindly attended the event by googling scrapbooking on the NET-- tapping over 20 newbies is one fantastic feat ! WOW.. that really capped off my day.. I was happy to see the familiar faces but it is with great pride we find new ones who really fall in love with this hobby!

till next one whenever that will be......
here are some snapshots from Pia -- will wait for CD from them once its done (ty po in advance tito jeff!)

Afternoon tete-a-tete with the LB scrapholics!

Twas a fun afternoon with the LB girls Helga, Dra Rita, Cora, Liezel and Issa at my house here in Sta Rosa. They were so generous to bring me kababawan fave of Pansit Malabon, Chocolate cake and Lumpia Sariwa.... I just had the grandest time -- I have never really met a group people that I clicked with so fast its like I have known them forever! I think the common deniminator is we are all moms crazy over scrapbooking....So what did they do at my house,.. my hand was kindly pushed to really sell some of my overflowing paper stash -- and they hoarded,.. They kept shouting they wont have anymore allowance for the scrapfest but I beg to differ,.... I am amazed as to how they get one thing and split it without arguing who gets the best stuff,.. imagine that ! IF it was all of us -- Ria, Liza, Arlene, April and the rest of the gang -- galit galit muna kami kasi sift thru the scrap stuff first then start talking when we have gotten what we like bwhahhahaha! They are so different, they talk and discuss and best of all advise if one has one already.... what a formidable group."

I am forever thankful to them kasi solid SE members sila supporting our passion and our events. They are the easiest ppl to please and I love them for their kind hearts and great friendship... I will promise to go there soon -- and pls promise to bring me to LILIW my yayas are raring for me to buy them shoes there. DO they make custom made boots there ? I hope s! Super thanks sa panahon nyo at pag patronize sa mga scrapstuff ko -- wahhhh ang dami pa kaya !

I thank you guys for also forcing my hand to clean my scrap room and it is now in the best tip top shape ever and for how long GOD only know hey!

I am just so overwhelmed how in heavens name I can pack my box to fit all my scrap supplies. HELP!
I had the biggest question popped yesterday morning when hubby asked IF I am selling all my stuff or taking them all to OZ -- I had to take 2 breaths first to answer the hardest question I faced in years, next to my kids my scrapbooking stuff are special to me -- stupid as my sound its something helps define who I am right now and its something I know I am good at.... Oh wow a clean table grabe!

Its a great day!

The Scrappinmoms dreamt of what we can do for the scrapbooking industry here -- we said a number of things:

1)Make scrapbooking more mainstream by providing venues for learnings in an event, in a magazine or just by being active in an egroup.

2) Be published in a local magazine promoting scrapbooking principles and related projects.
3)Encourage interested parties to try their hand in scrapbooking and help others once they have gotten the hang of it.

To date I think all those things we talked about over coffee are a reality, we have scrapfest, scrapbytes, scrap group, scrap articles etc.... all this in the 2 years we have been doing our utmost to promote our much loved hobby.

I keep thinking of my departure to OZ and I even if I leave with a heavy heart -- it is with great joy to know that I made a difference in little ways. My Scrappin moms group has really rallied to bring scrapbooking into the mainstream and I know they will keep at it till it becomes the hottest hobby in town! I am grateful too for my scrap group because it is in our quest for dreams fulfilled that they rally too to help us achieve those dreams. Scrappin moms was built on friendship and I am thankful to the likes of Ria, Liza, Iris, Pia (and many more of them) who are patient in listening to us. They really are detailed in tackling what we want, giving us ideas we never thought of -- becoming our sound board on our proposed activities for Scrapfest. That in itself is a great help and it's what makes Scrapfest successful even if it hasnt happened yet. I want to recognize their generosity for sharing their talents, their valued opinions and their fresh ideas. SO we are what we are today because of these people. Thank you girls!

I smile from ear to ear to day because the May Issue of Working mom is out and so is my Masigasig article, a booklet sold with Entrepeneur..... Scrapbooking projects on this magazine maybe simple for the regular scrapper but its a step in the right direction to make our hobby known. I know when I leave in September, April will carry on the work (fingers crossed it goes beyond 2007) and do it with flying colors. I know people will take more notice now and try it because its just the best hobby ever!

A Fancy Pants layout

I hardly ever do a layout with any restrictions. In this case I was limited to use 2 pcs of pattern paper for a challenge. I added another paper in replacement of cardstock to give the layout a little kick because the colors are just so muted. My pictures were summer pictures of Daddy and the boys but it was early morning and so the sun was not glaring away. The boys were just too darn busy to look at the camera and so hubby was the only one looking. I recall how happy Patrick was to finally take the boys to the baybay (beach) in his hometown Roxas.I think his smile said it all - he was reminiscing his own childhood playing on the sand and trying to catch little crablets.

Its not a really good layout but I liked idea of forcing your hand to make things work... I think it taught me to try to be less fussed of making a fantastic layout, make do with what you have. Besides I love the smile on my hubby's face here, I am also happy about how i did my title... great to use brilliance with ink. The metals were from our great finds during our divisoria trip. In all the hoopla -- I knew deadline was today at 6pm but the bz bee forgot to upload so I never go to join anyways.. Its ok at least I finished one layout!