You Never Promised Me a Rose Garden

It was a simple marriage ceremony. We led a simple life. It would have remained simple and sweet had we not had our first child. That was when DH started thinking more of a good and stable future. We were not able to find it back home so we had to go farther out on the other side of the fence.

It was a big change, a big challenge, a completely new life and culture. It was very difficult the first few years. My DH... he never promised me a good life, but he gave me a great one!

Another one of Marj's challenge for November - distressing. It was night time when I took the picture. I used a fluorescent light which showed the depth of my layout.

Close-up of the journaling and one of the flowers I made by cutting a circle, wetting it on the edges and curling the edges inwards. I distressed the edges with Chestnut Roan fluid chalk and inserted a paper flower in the center.

Supplies used: background paper, mat and cut out flowers [the Paper Studio/Della Fantasia collection]; brown patterned cardstock [DCWV/Butterflies and Blooms]; pink & dark pink bling [Rhinestone Stickers]; inks [Color Box/pigment copper and chestnut roan fluid chalk]; silk flowers [Michael's]; foam squares [Miss Elizabeth]; journaling tag [Making Memories /{Note} Worthy

You Called It Home

Home is where the fun is.

Ever since we moved to the USA, we made several apartment buildings our home. A year after Christina was born, we rented my SIL's basement. It was an English style basement. It has a sliding door that led to a short stairway and into the backyard. Christina just loved the outdoors. The fenced-in backyard gave her the opportunity to play safely in the open space. During that time I worked at a company which manufactured leisure products such as slumber bags and playhouses [tent-like]. With employee discount, I was able to purchase one Barbie playhouse. Then there was another one that was used in a photo shoot for advertising which was given to me by one of my supervisors. I had those set up in the backyard. Christina and her cousins had fun playing house, pretending to be neighbors, or turning one of the playhouses into a shopping store. Their imagination was endless! And so was Christina's wish for DH to build her a tree house. DH promised her that when have our own house and yard he would. So here it is....

Several years later, one summer DS and DH built this house from scratch (no, this is not a kit). DH made drawings and measurements; he started cutting out the materials for the posts, the roof, the doors, the windows, etc. With the help of DS the house took shape.

Of course, the Christina and her cousins who visited often were very excited to see the house and their imaginations and plans took shape. Christina chose the colors - milky white, pink and her favorite color, purple! She even helped paint it.

The house is 6' high from the center of the room on the top floor. DH built the ground floor by putting up a lattice fence on 3 sides and putting in wooden floors. When we had summer backyard bbqs, the kids would dine underneath the house. Upstairs is a room that would fit 3 adults [my size (^.^)]! There was a bookshelf filled with books, little toys adorned the walls, I put up a wreath above the front door, and there is a "home tweet home" hanger by one of the windows. There are plexi glass walls on both sides of the front door to let in more light. The door was taken out after a little accident with someone's fingers. The spindles used to decorate the front porch were made in the Philippines! Oh yes, I brought those back with me when Christina was only less than a year old, with plans to use them in building book shelves. The roof is made of real roof material to protect everything against the weather.

The house is complete with a little green mailbox! I remember one time, Christina came up to me with a sad face. She expressed concern that the mailman does not see her mailbox that's why she doesn't get any letters. Doh! How could I forget that. There were times that I would sneak in the back and put all the junk mail in her mailbox. She was happy as a lark when she opened her mail!

The house was finished in time for Christina's birthday. We had pre-schoolers crawling all over it, although the plan was not to have the party outside because it was a cold October day. They saw it from the main house, opened the back door and out went the goblins and witches and fairies [it was a halloween b-day party!].

People who visited couldn't resist not having their picture taken by the playhouse. The following summer, DH added a regular stairway so the little kids could go up and down the steps safely. He also added a back porch so there'd be more room.

The last two pictures on the second page is of Christina when she was 13 years old. I took lots of pictures of her in and around this house. That was the year when we moved to another city. It was sad to leave this house she called home. But we know that it will make another kid as happy as Christina was!

Supplies used: Papers and cutouts [the Paper Studio]; birthstone gem stickers blue zircon [Martha Stewart]; flowers [Prima]; heart charm [Blue Moon Beads]; fluid chalk Chestnut Roan [ColorBox]; journaling tag [Making Memories]; foam squares [Miss Elizabeth]; chipboard alpha [ChipChatter/Pressed Petals]

TFL

Pieces of Me - Challenge #19-2

This picture was taken during our trip to Toronto. No wonder the kids were quiet. I turned around and this is what I saw! Thank goodness for Marj's challenge I was able to come up with an idea of how to put this on paper! This challenge is all about the use of negative space. I love how this turned out. I would love to keep this as my own style but that would cost me lots of albums [LOL!] I already have a huge back log of unmounted pictures, and what I'd really want to do right now is cram them all on a few pages just to get done!

But that won't be any fun now, would it?


These are pieces of me, born 12 years apart. Looking at them now, it seems DD has caught up in maturity with her big brother. I am so proud of these kids!

The crocheted doily gave the layout a dreamy look. I have to start making smaller crocheted flowers to use. There was a time I crafted lots of bead bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. I have so many left-over beads that I want to incorporate into my layouts. I like how this turned out. Perhaps there will be more beads used in the future! It will be fun for my kids and their kids to look at my layouts and talk not just about the pictures but also how I crafted the embellishments I used!

Supplies used: Background paper [Basic Grey's Granola]; strips of paper [Basic Grey's 8x8 Boxer pad]; crocheted doily, flower [Prima], journaling tag [Making Memories' Note Worthy], rhinestone stickers, glass beads [Bead Gallery], hemp cord [Jewelry Design], journal tag [My Mind's Eye Laundry Line]; thicker foam dots used under the photo [United Manufacturer's Supplies]; thinner foam squares used on the title [Miss Elizabeth]; permanent orange marker [Bic].

Marj's Challenge #19-1

Marj came up with this idea of challenging PS members to make one traditional layout a week for the month of November. I thought...whoa! that is too much! But I am loving it. It forces me to make more traditional pages.

The first challenge is to use a big bow. I've seen Marj's layouts using big bows. They are beautiful. That's coz Marj artwork is always awesome. I don't know what a big bow would look like on my page. Also I couldn't find any ribbons that are more than 1.3" in width except for this holiday ribbon so I was forced to make a Christmas layout. I found this picture of DD with a big red sash and bow around her waist. The big bow challenge was a perfect fit!

I wasn't too happy about this layout after it was done. I tried too hard to balance everything on the page. I wanted the break [the line of punched borders] lower but I made a mistake cutting the paper and I don't have duplicate copies of the sheets. Oh, well.... Next time will be better.


Supplies used: Lace border punch [Martha Stewart]; papers, swirls, tag, and flower [Me & My Big Ideas Christmas specialty pack]; liquid glue [Scotch]; foam dots [Sticky Doos]; sticky bling [Claire's Boutique]; journaling tag [Blue Awning by K&Co]; Child of Mine mini tag [Sharon Ann/Deja Views]; holiday ribbon [Michael's Arts & Crafts Store]

Halloween

This looks like Egypt is burning [tee-hee]. This is DD at a Halloween Party hosted by a friend. They had a bonfire to keep the bugs away and to keep them warm on this nifty Hallow Evening. I thought she's too old to go trick or treating. I completely forgot that this age group has something called "parties"!

This is my take on a PS challenge issued by Marix - the use of decorative edge on the layout. It can either be digital or traditional. I usually make digital layouts, but I have these cute embellishments for Fall and Halloween and I thought I'd play with them. It wasn't too bad. I like the outcome, not to mention I love the rich warm colors of Fall.

In addition to the layout, we were asked to make a card using the scraps from the page we made. As I was making the card, I thought to myself... I could have many cards made if I made at least one for each layout I complete! Wow! Perhaps I have to make that a habit. So that I don't get a box full of scraps that usually get filed in the "forgotten box". The other good thing is the brand names of supplies used are still fresh in my mind.

In Mama's Shoes

Marian's PS challenge is to create a mini book. I've never done one before although working on small things like tags and cards [and perhaps] a mini book is something I love to do and enjoy doing! My problem with mini books is storage. They would be too tiny to put on the shelves along with the bigger albums. I would have to adjust the shelves to make a special place for them. There would be sooo many little albums lying around for people to pull and view and left cluttered on tables, chairs, or on the floor. If we decide to move [again] they will occupy a lot of boxes to be carried out. There is a possibility of a few getting lost; or a box of them getting tossed out [argh! it has happened before , no, not with photo albums, but other records and unmounted pictures].

But it's a challenge so I made one. This Mini Book about my DD is not the original one I made for this challenge. I saw another challenge about a mini so I decided to save the first mini for the other challenge and quickly whipped this one up.

This is DD when she was over a year-old. She loves to wear our shoes. Of course, since DH's shoes are bigger and heavier, she'd wear mine. There was a picture of her wearing my heels too but at the time I was rushing to complete this mini I couldn't find that one so I used this one instead.


Truly, this proves the saying "Monkey see, Monkey do". So be careful with what you do [and say] when little mini yous are around. My little princess painting her TOES! Yes, toes... how can a 2-year old paint just the toe nails?

The thing I love about this picture are her pig tails. DD was born with thick black hair which fell out every time she got a bath. She ended up with fine brownish hair that took forever to grow! We were both excited [she, especially] when I was able to pull together a handful of strands into 2 tiny pig tails!

Ahhhh...! the fur coat! I remember buying some faux fur remnants at JoAnn's to make into teddy bears. But when we went to the Philippines for a visit when DD was 6 months old, I decided to have a fur coat made for her. It took a few more years before she could wear it. I should have bought white fur!

Driving away in a little red Mercedes convertible, which matched our little red Subaru. It was Spring, a little chilly outside but she couldn't wait to drive away.

How antique is this?!!! This is like the first lap top I've seen! She was so mesmerized to see the letters pop up on the screen. If you are wondering about the title for this page, it says, "IYQ"

Come on, say it fast 3 times in a row. Get it? Awwww..... IYQ2 !!!

Little munchkin found the calculator and highlighter. Couldn't decide which one to use first. She must have seen me do something like this!

DD was so excited about this new toy! So whenever I iron the clothes she plays with this. I believe in toys that make kids mimic grown ups. It is a preparation for when they become adults!

My baby doll nursing her baby doll...how cute is that???

I've always wondered what made her pick up the broom and do this. She seemed so intent on getting the job done!

Ah...! my favorite. Really just like me...

The END! TFL!!

Cookie's PS Challenge

I wanted to make an altered clock to join Cookie's August challenge. My plan was to make a square one - out of a 12x12 layout... with the clock in one corner - a smaller clock. I have this small mantel clock that hasn't ticked for months now because the battery size is so odd I keep forgetting to buy one as it is not one of the sizes that's on display at the check-out lines. I just thought the clock doesn't have to be round and of the same size as the other contestants'. I wanted mine to be different so I can put it up on the wall. I can perhaps ask DH to frame it for me.

The layout I would use is something about remembering me and the love I have for my family throughout time. Perhaps, that altered wall clock will stay on someone's wall to remind them of me long after I'm gone. But I am not going to make my intention that obvious.

The tiny clock didn't work as its casing was glued to its crystal frame. So the next plan was to go to Michael's and buy a new one - just the clock parts. My sister, Lee, however, reminded me it has to be a complete, working clock in order for it to be altered.

I looked around the room. There on the shelf is a round clock with green, brown, black, reddish-colored patterned frame. It has a matching 12x11 photo frame. I didn't want to separate the pair. I stared at the clock for hours...for days...[not continuously, of course, only when I am in my Kalat Room]. I have to revise the planned layout. How on earth can I make a clock with a patterned frame look good with a patterned face???! It won't go!

I really don't want to miss another PS challenge. OK...this is really getting to be a challenge... finding the perfect clock with a perfectly matching layout!

I took the clock down turned it over and I couldn't find screws or any openings in the back! I found out after several hours I have to pry open the plastic face cover! I hope I don't break it.

After several hours [again] of being careful to take out the plastic face, I succeeded [OK...by this time I still don't have a planned LO in mind!] I took out the battery, then carefully lifted up the round thing that held the hands together. It won't budge! It felt springy. After several tries, it seems this is not the kind that I can take apart so I gave up for fear of ruining a perfectly operating wall clock with a matching photo frame!

I ran out of time.... for the challenge..... [sigh....]

Freeze

Whenever I take a picture of my daughter, she makes faces. She goes cross-eyed, sticks out her tongue, or gives out a crooked smile. So, what to do with all those goofy pictures?

Supplies used: sequins, ric-rac, ProvoCraft diecut alpha, buttons, beads, DCWV cardstock and patterned papers.

Supplies used: Nana's Attic Foofaraw papers, flowers, ribbons, tag, lined paper

Fonts: Latchboy, Lucida Fax

The Black and White Challenge

I've wanted to do journaling in swirls for some time now but didn't get the time to do it. Thank goodness for the June challenge hatched by Jenn (http://janu-jenn.blogspot.com) for http://pinoyscrapbookers.blogspot.com.

Although the journaling is about what I believe in, the title of this traditional LO entry is Black and White and Read All Over.

Supplies used: Zig white chalk writer; DCWV b&w patterned papers; red glitter gel pen, Sweets double-sided flowers by Making Memories, red and white ribbon from Michael's craft store, and Dress It Up red petals.

I also made a digital LO using the color orange this time. I just couldn't resist making one. Digital gives me a lot of freedom in choosing my supplies, re-coloring, re-sizing, cropping, turning them around whichever way I want. It is quicker to complete as well. I think as I go until I achieve the effect I wanted.

This is Ysabella, Elisa Faye's daughter and my sister Josephine's first grandchild. I wanted to show that black and white is also fun to use for kids' LOs. I recolored everything to meet the specifications of the challenge.

Supplies used: MarieStones Blue gel alpha - which I colored orange, BethNixon's Shabby Blooms torn mat which I turned into grayscale; Amber Clegg's Charmed wings recolored orange; Font used is Tekton

I enjoyed making Ysabella's LO that I just had to make another one! This is Hannah, my sister Blesilda's first grandchild - only a few weeks older than Ysabella.

Supplies used: Nancy Kubo's black and white kit - Sweet Memories, portions of which I re-colored in pink. Font used is Script MT Bold.

Thank you for looking. Comments are welcome. If there is anyway I could have improved these LOs, please let me know.

Live it! Love it! Scrapbook it!

Making crafts is one of my hobbies. Thus, the name CraftFairy [with a "1" just because Yahoo! insists on having at least one number on the user ID. I have accumulated so many craft items that I have bins of ribbons, lace, yarn, felt squares, wooden shapes, beads, glitter, cardstocks [to name a few] in the basement. I made party favors for birthdays, baby and wedding showers, weddings, Christmas, and other occassions. I sew, crochet, crewel, made dolls, made Barbie furniture out of foam-core boards, stuff-toys, made earrings, bracelets, shoulder bags, tree ornaments, snowmen, scarecrows, witches, brooches, crocheted baby blankets, made scarfs, all-occassion cards...alas! cooking is not one of my crafts.


I discovered the pretty scrapbook papers and cute embellishments when I went shopping for more craft items. I buy anything cute, btw, ^o^ so I bought those fancy scissors that cut different edges, a stack of scrapbooking paper, some pens, a lot of templates, some glue and a handful of cardstock. When I got home I happily announced to my husband (who was eyeing the plastic bags I brought in the house, which were clearly marked Michael's, Joann's, and/or Archiver's ) that I finally found my one true craft...scrapbooking.

I made this decision when I realized I've got a box full of undeveloped rolls of film, discs upon discs of digital pictures, and shoeboxes full of printed pictures. I decided I have to catch up with my scrapbooking. However, there was just too much. My daughter and I take pictures faster than I can scrapbook them. Then I discovered digital scrapbooking. It was faster and there was no fear in making mistakes or making decisions. So here I am... a collector of so many things, a digital scrapbooker, a traditional scrapbooker, and sometimes, a tradigital scrapbooker.

My entry to the Kayang-Kaya Kaya? challenge for the month of May. Supplies used: Love Is You Kit by Jenny Limayo; Kirsty Wiseman's Torrent overlay; Willy Wonka font; CS2; Dell notebook; Lindor chocolate truffle; Olympus Camedia.