Blending Colors Freebie

For those of you who are into using blending mode in your digi-scrapbook pages, well, this is for you. Well, for those who are not that into it, this is still for you to add into your papers collection.


And it also be nice if you could leave some comments or send me a link to your site so that I can see your work too!

My Sample Layout

Credit:
Color Splash by Taylor Made Designs

You can download your freebie here.

Beach Bum Freebie

I'm releasing a paper pack called "Beach Bum" this contains 8 pieces of solid and patterned papers. I hope you like it. Feel free to leave comments.

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Sample Layout

Credits:
Brush by Fei-Fei's Stuff

Click here to download freebie.

Colors

I was trying to experiment (again!) on this picture. And guess what, along with this layout, I came up with a new quote like the one I did with my Being There layout.

As usual, your comments are always welcome.

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Credits
Paper from Peaches & Regalias Kit by TaylorMade Designs
PS Actions from Action-Pack by TaylorMade Designs
Heart Brush by Susan Bohanon

Happiness is...

I am starting a baby digi-scrapbook for my eldest daughter. I just thought it might be a better idea to go digital since her old baby scrapbook is... hmmm... well, let's just say that it is not that appealing anymore to look at. Actually, it was also partly due to me. To tell you the truth, I can't even cut a piece of paper straight! So, I guess you know what I'm trying to say.

So, here's a peek of the album I'm making for her. Please feel free to comment. Thanks.

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P.S. To tell you the truth, I have no decent picture of CK during the time she was born. This was actually a scanned copy of a not-so-nice one from an ancient camera. Anyway, it's the subject that counts right? (only for this photo... lol!)

Credits:
Paper by TaylorMade Designs
File Folder by Katie Pertiet

My Working Area

When it comes to my desktop, I'm a bit of a neat-freak. I detest seeing so many shortcuts, folders and files on my screen (aside from the known fact that they made your PC run really slow -- which is the last thing I need!)

I really thank God that ever since my husband purchased a laptop, this PC became may sole property (ha-ha!). Anyway, aside from wanting this kind of workspace, I'm also super, over obsessed with a goooood looking workspace.

So, without much introduction, here is the best working area I had set up in my life!

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Well, as you can see, I just have the basics... my basics. Starting from the top left, my cute recycle bin (colors matching my background) with the number of items deleted. And the internet graph (which cannot be seen on the picture -- but it's there) cause need to know if how strong my internet connection is since I'm a download-addict with scrapbooking stuff! You just can't get enough of it!

Also, I need to know my storage space for each hard drive for me to know when to purge it already from unwanted programs and useless files... and the time and date, of course... things to do and special events...

And the thing I love the most... my object dock! Very helpful! You just need to take time to figure it out (it took me the whole night and a day to set it up to cater to my needs... hew!) But in the end, it's all worth it. But once your done, it is a wonderful, wonderful thing to have. Everything is just within my reach. No more searching through each drive or folder (thank goodness! lol)

So, for me, this is the best desktop I ever had suited for my photo editing programs and surfing needs. Feel free to post your comments. I would love to see your desktops too!

Cheers!

P.S. Just wait 'till you see my browser!

I am Here

My relationship with my mom is probably the most complex relationship I have in my life. We are just like the north and south pole. I can only count with my fingers the things that we actually like the same. When I was younger, we used to spend our time discussing on what to choose. Looking back in life, I never really thought that our relationship would evolve into something we had right now. Maybe being a parent myself has made me understand her ways more than anything. And I am really happy that we have now reached that level of our relationship which is based on understanding and respect (understanding is more on me to her and respect is more on her to me).

And with that, I made a page for her.

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Paper by Taylor Made Designs

Our relationship has been through a lot of ups and downs and I can say that it had stood the test of time. I know that you have a lot of expectations from me and me to you but the bottom line is we are not perfect individuals and we will never be. But God created both of us to be perfect for each other as a mom and daughter. Even if God will give me the power to go back in time and choose, I still would choose you to be my mom for I am what I am and I am here where I am right now because of you.
Now being a parent myself has taught me a lot of things; things that I would have not understood many years ago while I was growing up. But if I have to go back in time, I just want you to know that would still choose the same path leading to where I am right now because I want you to know that I am happy with you, my husband,kids and life in general. But, I would really want to skip the times when I have given you loads of headaches and heartaches while I was growing up.
I thank God everyday for you for you have made my life complete. Your words of wisdom will always be remembered in my heart. I am proud of who you are not only because you are my mom but you are also a very beautiful person inside and out. You are truly a an angel and a blessing to all of us and to the people around you. Never ever doubt that. And eventhough we might live thousands of miles apart, know that I am always here for you. I love you Nanay.

Typhoon Frank / Fengshen

This past weekend has really been tough on us all with the typhoon Frank. Our house in Iloilo City was submerged under a twelve feet of water. It was a blessing that my kids, husband and I are living here in Cebu. But my mom and relatives were there. All our belongings were damaged and some are beyond repair. It is a difficult time most especially for the past few days for they have no water, electricity and food. The only thing they have are the mud-covered clothes they have on their backs. And to add to that, my mom and my cousin Karlo nearly lost their lives from just getting out of our house since it just took seconds for the water to rise and fill the first floor of our house!

But despite all these, I still thank God for nobody in our family was seriously hurt;
for it is flood and not fire;
for even making our family and relatives more closer than ever;
for the true friends that were there to give them temporary shelter, food and clothing.

Thank God for making us realize that our lives and material possessions are just temporary. They can easily be snatched away from us without us expecting it. And, thank God, for making us realize our relationship with Him, with our family and with those around us are the most important things we should invest upon because they are things that last forever.

I know that God has a greater purpose why these things happen -- reasons beyond our human comprehension. Oftentimes, He want us to let go of something we have to prepare us for a greater blessing that He has in store for us.


~~~



But some families here in the Philippines are not as lucky as we are. Many have lost their lives over the past few days with the Sulpicio Lines incident and with the flash flood and typhoon. Help us pray for their love ones who were left behind and for the typhoon survivors who are trying to pick up the pieces of their lives or what is left of it. Let's pray that they will be strong upon facing this great trial.

(This is reposted from my Christian Blog account)

Brother & Sister

I've been trying to do some experiments with this picture and this is what I came up with...

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Paper by Fei-Fei Stuff
Brushes by Buburu
Fonts from 1001 Free Fonts

Original Photo

Cousins

I remember as a little girl and being an only child, I always love the company of my cousins. Whenever they are around, the world just gets a whole lot brighter. They are really fun to be with most especially my two favorite cousins in the world, May-May and Karlo. Below, I made a layout for my kids and their two wonderful cousins who visited us last year.

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Paper by Paislee Press
Frame by Kami (Kreations by Kami)

Original Photo

Photogenic

CK has always been a happy child. She is funny, bubbly, very caring and sweet. My husband and I have always noticed that CK, even as a baby, really knows how to project herself in front of the camera. She always or almost always comes out looking sooooo good on her pictures! I guess she got that from me! Lol!

Here are some samples of her pictures.

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Credits:
Papers by Fei-Fei Stuff
Template by Taylor Made Designs

Original Photos

Resist

Kids will always have ways to get away from things... I guess that is in their nature to be just soooo adorable... adorable enough to test your patience sometimes... But kids will be kids.

For parents like us, discipline is important. But we must not also forget that it is also important for us to give them happy childhood memories to look back to. For when it's their turn to be parents, since Parenting 101 will not be taught in schools, they will always try to recall their childhood experiences as well their parents as a reference on how they should act as father or mother themselves.

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(Text from the page above)

You are 19 months old on this picture and we are just hanging around at the garden of Water Front Hotel (Cebu) after enjoying a brief dip in the pool. You are just having fun running around like there is no tomorrow! You run and run… and when you look back at us, you love it even some more to see mommy and daddy running and out-of-breath chasing after you. You giggle and laugh and laugh and giggle some more. Often times, you stumble and fall on the grass but you don’t mind at all. I guess, I might say that you handled yourself pretty well. There were moments when mommy wants to scold you because you want to climb the steps going to the hotel lobby by yourself! But I simply can’t. And when you flash to us that boyish grin... it just just melts my heart away.

Credits to Susan Bohanon (Alpha Brush)

Original Picture

That Mighty Bond

How do exactly people make it through life without a sister?

Actually, I don't even know how I did... lol

That special bond between brothers and sisters never cease to amaze me... maybe because knowing that I will never get to experience first hand how it would really feel to have that one great relationship. And maybe it is probably better that way since it was the way my life was designed ever since... to be an only child.

BUT God has His reason and have been very very kind to me. Instead of giving me one sister, He gave me two sisters-in-law who are very kind and loving as a real sister could be. Like what I kept on telling myself and my husband, that if God did not give you something you hoped for, He will definitely give you what you truly deserve and more... I maybe an only child but I know I am not alone because to these two beautiful persons.

And for that, here is my husband, my sis-in-law Kate and their amazing bonding moment... Cheers!

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Credits:
(Papers & Doodle Flower) by Summer Driggs
(Note Pad) by Strawberry Wine Designs
(Doodle) by Scrap & Compagnie
(WordArt) by Laurie Garza

A Dad, A Hero

As we are celebrating the month of all the fathers in the world, I made a page or two for the man of our house. Though not perfect as a person, but God made him perfect for our family. My kids and I could are very happy and thankful to have this man because he is truly a blessing... not only to us but also to those around him.

Good provider...Fun to be with...Loves God... Thinks of his family's welfare... A loving son and brother... Supportive husband... Giver.

We could never ask God for more.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy Jon!

The dad, the hero of our life....We truly, truly love you very much!

And, happy Dad's month also to my father dear and my dad-in-law and to all the fathers out there!!!

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Credits:
(Papers) Beautimous & Relax Kit by Summer Driggs
(Doodles) by Lisa of LG Perspectives

Goodbye Ate Des

They say that in every goodbyes, it is always more difficult to the one who gets left behind.

Lourdes or 'Ate Des' as our kids fondly call her has been in our family for almost 3 years now. She has been the best nanny and all-around assistant we ever had. We have all grown to love this very beautiful person...

And as our family will be leaving the country this coming July, a part of us can't help but feel sad because we know that we will be missing her terribly.

The page below is a tribute to her... We love you Ate Des and we will miss you a lot!

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Credits:
(Papers) Renewal Kit by Michelle Coleman

(Elements) Those Were The Daisies Kit by Linda Walton
(Pen) Petit Journal by Fran
(Old Papers) by Lilou

His Nose in the Book

As a parent, to see your kids grow right before your eyes is very rewarding. To witness every change, very milestone in their lives is the most glorious feeling in the world. I guess those are my top reasons why I started scrapbooking in the first place. Telling the story through your digital creations are better compared to looking at the pictures 10 or 15 years from now and trying to rack your brain just to retell what happen. And besides, in the future, the reality is that, I don't even know if I will be there to tell my kids their stories, the laughter we shared and my thoughts and feelings during those times. So, it is like me achieving immortality in my children's hearts.

Anyway, below is the page I made for Zac.

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(TO ZAC)

You were just 19 months old when Mommy saw you alone in our room trying to "read" the "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." Beyond your "BOOs" and "AAHs" (since you can't speak in sentences yet let alone read!), Mommy was very happy that you took interest in book-reading early in life. And since then, whenever Mommy and A-Chi are reading book as our nightly ritual, we would also give you a book and you will just flip onto the pages, marvel at the pictures and utter sounds-- pretending to read!

Credits:

(Brown BG Papers) Laura's Pocket mini-Kit By DebF
(Stripes Paper) Sun Porch by Amy Teets
(Notes Pads) Gunhild Storeide
(Butterfly Element) Refresh Kit of Scrap Girls
(Paper Strips) by Lynn Grieseson of Designer Digitals
(Tapes) Colors of School Kit by Chouk77

My New True Love

It was just last month when I discovered the joys of digital scrapbooking. And since then, my PC and I are inseparable! I have never expected to become so addicted to this stuff, but I'm just glad I am. This hobby motivated me into organizing our 6 years worth of pictures! And it took me almost 2 weeks of sleepless nights before I finally put everything in order from the dates and places as to where the pictures were taken up to tagging or putting keywords to each picture for easy searching (Thank God for Picasa!!!)

Anyway, below are two of my first works.

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Credits:
(Paper & Elements) Festival & Splendid Kits by Shabby Princess
(Alpha) Moody Blue Kit by Shabby Princess

A Different Experience

Just last month, we had our daughter attend McDonald's Kiddie Crew workshop. As expected, she really enjoyed the experience. It had me thinking that kids today in the Philippines are really lucky to have these new opportunities presented to them early on in life. Looking back, my husband and I are not exposed to these kinds of things when we were six years old. On those olden days, most especially if you are living in a Philippine province, you are just contended on playing street games, dolls and watching 2 or 3 TV channels (which signs on late in the morning and goes off air early at night!)

Times are really changing...

Anyway, here are the pages I made for my daughter on her Kiddie Crew workshop.

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Credits:
Spring Magic Kit by Anna Forrest;
Funky Flower Stickers by Misty Cato Designs

The road to self discovery has never been easy...

But who says it can't be fun too?!

It was just by accident that Mommy and Daddy discovered that there was a Kiddie Crew Workshop at McDonald's Escario (Cebu). We immediately inquired as to how you can join the said workshop because we know that you will be thrilled to be involved in one. But unfortunately, the manager told us that they have already started training their last batch for the summer the day before. We asked them if it was possible if you could join them the following day just to catch up... we even told them that we are more than willing to pay for the whole amount of the 5-day workshop even if you will only be attending the remaining 3 days and... it was a good thing that we got them to agree... yippee!!!

The Kiddie Crew workshop was a wonderful experience for you... you had lectures as to your duties and responsibilities as a kiddie crew, lobby duties which includes cleaning and sanitizing the tables and chairs, greeting the customers and many more. But it was not really all that work for you... you also played games, did some art works and had lots of fun with the other kiddie crew members. And you kept on telling us that you really enjoyed the experience.

You have learned a lot from this workshop since you were able to experience and learn a lot of new things about working, responsibility and team work. And the best of all (aside from the free McDonald's food & toys!!!) was that you had gained a lot of new friends and discovered that everybody is unique and has different talents to share.

And of course, throughout this whole experience, Mom, Dad & Baby Z have always been there to celebrate your success as a person... We truly share your joy in discovering your new self and that you can do more than what you can ever imagine if you just put your heart into it.

Lola Sol & Baby Z

When my mother-in-law went here in Cebu last October 2007, all of us in the family were so happy to see her most especially my daughter CK. But what really made this particular vacation special for all of us is the fact that this was her first time to see the newest addition in our family, Sean Izaac.

Anyway, just last month, I was browsing through our pictures during my mom-in-law's vacation when I saw lovely, really lovely pictures taken during that time and I really got inspired of doing something special to remember those particular moments and that special bond between my son and his ever so loving grandma.

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Credits to Shabby Princess - Harvest Spice Kit

A Grandmother's Prayer

Oh Lord, I do not ask for much,
Eternal beauty, or youth, or such.
Just give me a little hand to hold,
And I'll forget that I'm growing old.

I do not ask for cloudless skies,
A life that's free from tears and sighs.
Just give me a little face to kiss,
And anxious moments will turn to bliss.

For what is there, really, that means so much
As little hands that reach and touch,
As little eyes that search and see
Only the best in fragile me?

So let me grow more loving and wise
By looking at life through their wide eyes.
For through these little ones, you have given
This grateful grandmother a glimpse of Heaven.

Author: Barbara Burrows