FSCB Challenge 45!

Good Monday Morning everyone! I am just happy to be blogging again. 

This month's sketch challenge came from Kath Hernandez, its a simple but very versatile design. Here's what I came up with...

Snap Shots... a glimpse of how happy it is to have a sibling. Lorenzo and Luigi having fun and asaran while being together. I used here Simple Stories pps, stickers and overlay, cardstocks and cardstock stickers, buttons, native twine and my titles are from Helga's cameo. 

Days are moving so fast and valentine's day passed already, we are in the middle of the first quarter of the year, wheew! Been so busy with reading lately, and just recently, finished my comprehensive exams. Now I am down to my thesis writing and 6 units in the grad school. Boy it was really fast!

On the other hand, I am so excited organizing my son's 10th birthday party. He wants to have a Lego-Chima theme this time. Its a bit hard to gather Chima things to put in the loot and motif, so I decided to play with the color palette instead -- olive green, royal blue and brown. It will be a "little-grown up" party with the all-time food favorites of Chuy for the buffet, boy activity fun surprises and the latest fad of dessert table of goodies and sweets. Those are all that's keeping me on my boggling toes. Will post the outcome of all these craziness soon.

Meantime, let's enjoy Monday with a positive mind and happy thoughts. Thanks for looking as always!

Challenge #42 is ON!

Here's the first sketch challenge of FSCB for the year! The sketch is made by my co-designer Melissa Bonifacio and you can view the challenge here ...

I Love Us... a simple layout to remember Uncle Bill and Auntie Linda's recent homecoming. A little way for little Lorenzo to remember the love and bonding they had at 9 years old. I used here DCWV pps, cardstock, buttons, DMC thread, Jillibeans journalling sprouts, native twine, and Simple Stories journaling tag.

Oh life! Its January already and the year has so much to give... I am keeping a positive mind over my last semesters in my graduate studies, more teaching experience and endeavors with work as we move to our new school building in June, a little travel to discover new places and  healthy living and eating towards the rest of the time. I am leaving the aches of the past and counting them as a blessing instead. Otherwise, I am so ready for the horse this year!

Seize the day, TFL!

2013 Project Life

Finally finished my 2013 Project Life! It is a compilation of the year's different events, experiences and places visited. I really had a good time making this kind of album because it is very simple to make and at the same time complete in capturing all the memories. Well, I just feel a little disorganized because I used different themes of papers and embellishments. But anyway, here it goes...

Sorry for the quality of photos I got, it took me awhile to shoot them in the natural light because the light bounces because of the plastic pockets.

Well, I am now ready to hit 2014! Happy Project Life creating peeps!

Hello 2014!

I can't believe we are down to a couple of hours and we have to say goodbye to 2013... wheew, what a year!

According to Feng Shui,  2013 or the year of the snake will not be a good year. But I can say that it was not that bad for me after all. Here's looking back how the snake treated me over the past 12 months...

Our family remained banded and happy. The Carandang's had a successful reunion on April 7 after more than 30 years, it was celebrated in commemoration of Lola Goring's 19th death anniversary at Hardin Antonio, Tanauan City, Batangas. Relatives from California, USA, Dubai, and Mindanao came to celebrate with us. Another blissful birthday celebration for my Mom's 74th year on July 23. We are so blessed to have her with good health, strong faith and plenty of time for her apos. Speaking of apo, we have an addition to the Virtucio clan. Giorgina Marie daughter of my cousins Janice and Bugoy, was born on February 3. 

My little man definitely brought a lot of good news for 2013! He celebrated his 9th birthday on March 1. We had an impromptu preparations and he invited some of his friends, classmates and servicemates. Lorenzo got a silver medal for being an achiever in Grade 2. We are so proud of him, as he moved to Grade 3 in June.

Summer was always the best part of the year! My brother Louie and wife Hayk came home from Dubai  and  celebrated their first wedding anniversary with us. The whole family went to Hong Kong (except my hubby) in April. Day 1 was spent at the Peak where the kids saw Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum and went a little walking at the Avenue of the Stars. Day 2 was a whole day of FUN at Disneyland and the last day was a short stay at the Ocean Park. It was a well-spent bonding moment with the whole family and the kids will never forget this experience. And as always, our summer ended with a regular visit to Baguio City. It's our second home here in our country.

Another highlight of the year was the homecoming of Auntie Linda, Uncle Bill and Auntie Ann. They visited UPLB, Tagaytay City, Batangas City, our relatives in Tanauan, Batangas, Manila and the province of Bataan. It was really great to have them here in our home, a lot of catching up with stories and life, a lot of shopping and of course, bonding moments with them. I will never forget the morning talks of Lorenzo and Auntie Ann, where my little man was teaching her some tagalog words. And of course, our frequent dine outs which gave me extra pounds again. 

By the end of 2013, I have accomplished 5 semesters already in my graduate studies. This semester marks my last sem for my academic subjects and should prepare and pass my Comprehensive Exam in January. I took my mid-program evaluation exams in August and finished my Internship course and defense in September. I am still a member of the Board of Directors of the Letran Graduate School Council for the second time, just a little way to help and support our little circle in the grad school.  

I am on my 6th semester teaching at STI College Calamba campus. I am always grateful to this institution for their lingering support and trust. I am grateful about the gift of teaching and imparting the knowledge to my students and classmates in any way that I can. May the gift of wisdom continues to show me the path I always wanted to take.

After 13 years living in my house, we finally had the floors changed. For whatever reason that happened to my semi-granite floor, I don't know but we have to change the whole main floor of the house. Now its sparkling white and I love it!

My big boy Luigi turned 20 on September 26. He is now on his 3rd year in college and still working on his BS Hotel and Restaurant Management course. I wish him goodluck and finish his course the soonest time.

And of course, I celebrated my 45th birthday on December 1. I may have a lot of body pains and aches, and white hairs this year... but I promise to age with grace and happiness. I still scrap once in awhile, I only accomplished 59 12x12 pages for my boys and my 2013 project life. Nothing much on my creative side because I am focused on my studies for now.

And that was 2013!

I know I still have a lot to learn about stress, hard work and trials. I may not perfect them, but I promise to keep a positive soul and pray for blessings and miracles to help me survive life. I only hope that the good Lord will never leave me and I believe everything else will follow.

So bring it on 2014! I welcome you with open arms. 

Happy New Year Everyone! 

Wishing you all a prosperous 2014.

FSCB Challenge 38 is UP!

It's my last sketch design for the Filipino Scrapbooker's Challenge Blog for the year... time really flies so fast!  Its another sketch creation from our designer Melissa, here goes...

Documented Adventure... more Disneyland adventure for my boys, like the ice cream spree at the Small World place, Tomorrowland with Buzz Lightyear and the train ride. I used here Prima pps, Echo Park cardstock stickers, cardstocks, Scenic Route pps, cork stickers, fabric ribbons, buttons and DMC thread.

Christmas is just coming and I am done with my presents shopping! Its the first week of December and I just celebrated my birthday last weekend. It was a time for family bonding and just self pampering. Look what it was last December 1...

I had my favorite peppermint mocha frap and a bag of scrapbook papers and embies... and I am just HAPPY at 45.

TFL guys!

Wooden Tile Hangers

Slowly getting crafty once again... and just spending my last day of vacation on my scrappy abode! Bought these wooden tile hangers in a local supermarket months ago and just thought of transforming them into something more personalized. I just feel sorry because I only got six.

I used here DCWV's Blue Citrus Stack which I got as a present from my auntie in America, Teresa Collins Crush die-cut charms, some native twine, fabric tapes and bottons. I just can't get enough of making handmade Christmas presents. Every year, I find myself squeezing some time to create and give them to my friends and family. I wish I can find some more because they are very easy to make and lovely to give as presents. 

I'm done for the day's play,  but my mind is still whirling with lots of ideas and scrappiness. I hope Mr. Mojo won't leave me by this time!

Thanks for looking peeps!

FSCB Challenge #35 is UP!

I am finally on time today! I want to invite my fellow scrappers to come and join our 35th challenge over at the Filipino Scrapbookers Challenge Blog here. The beautiful sketch was made by my co-designer Melissa and our winner for this month will receive some scrappiness from Lasting Impression. Here's my take...

The Peak... The Peak is the highest place in Hong Kong (I guess?!) and we were lucky to be there on one of the coldest time of the year. It was very cold and windy, and the kids just loved the weather. We saw Madam Tassaud's wax musuem and just walked around the top deck of the place. I used here Cosmo Cricket pps, cardstocks and stickers, buttons, cork stickers and native twine.

Vacation will be over after tomorrow and second semester will then be up. Halloween festivity is almost over too and my house is now ready for the Christmas season. I'm done making my lists and started shopping for gifts. This morning, my Auntie went back to US already, making my Mom's house quiet and missing her joyful voice. We miss you Auntie! Hope you have a safe trip home with your wild ferns and walis tambo. 

So, I'm back catching up with life, school, scrapping, cleaning and resting. Still hoping for some positive action in the grad school with my remaining 2 academic subjects and my new lessons in teaching. I am still adjusting to our new weather, which is giving me a bad time on my sinuses. Crossing my fingers for the coming days... 

Thanks for looking peeps as always, and let us continue the joy of scrapping!